"Although after a typical clan war, it takes between sixty thousand and a hundred thousand years for each race to regain the strength to launch another great war, it's not impossible for major upheavals to arise that would prompt them to ignite a war as soon as possible, even at the cost of their own vitality. That great war of the Hundred Races half a million years ago — wasn't it the case that within a mere hundred thousand years, we were attacked in succession by several alien races banding together, five times in total? It nearly drained the vitality of both our races, and we were almost annihilated. It took another hundred thousand years before we could recover and flourish once more. Of course, those alien races didn't come out of it unscathed either — two of them were completely wiped out in that war." Daoist Ma's expression grew solemn.
"The Hundred Races War? Surely you jest, fellow Daoist! A war that sweeps across most of the Spirit World can't simply break out at the drop of a hat — and for us to happen to be caught up in one!" The jade-eyed giant drew a sharp breath, his eyes going wide as saucers.
"Fellow Daoist Ma, that's a bit alarmist. If we truly encountered a war on the scale of the Hundred Races War, even with ten extra lives each, we'd be hard-pressed to survive it. I've heard that in that war, mortals were mostly fine, but cultivators suffered nearly ninety percent casualties." Fairy Xu also drew a sharp breath.
"Indeed, indeed, how could such a thing..."
The rest of the group, upon hearing the words "Hundred Races War," also turned pale, as if Daoist Ma had brought up something truly horrifying that made it impossible for them to maintain their usual composure.
"Enough. There have simply been more alien spies recently — how did this get blown up into talk of a Hundred Races War? Setting aside the infinitesimal likelihood of such a thing, even if it did happen, it's not something you or I could control. Our first priority is to complete the patrol mission in front of us. As for everything else, that's for the Elder Council and beings of that caliber to handle."
Daoist Ma and the others, seeing this, naturally dropped their discussion and summoned their own streaks of light, following after him.
The group vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.
Several days later, Han Li and the others returned aboard the Golden Sky Boat to the massive tower of Skybreak City.
The others remained behind to rest in the hall, while he departed the squad's quarters alone and climbed the stairs, heading straight for the top of the stone tower.
After ascending more than ten floors and passing through several heavily guarded doors, Han Li arrived at a hall that appeared utterly ordinary.
The walls of the hall shimmered with the flickering light of various restrictions, making it clear at a glance that countless layers of powerful seals had been densely layered upon them.
In the center of the hall, apart from a stone table and a white-robed middle-aged man seated cross-legged beside it, there was no one else.
The moment Han Li stepped into the hall, the middle-aged man — who had been sitting with his eyes closed in meditation — slowly opened them. Upon seeing that it was Han Li, he showed no surprise at all, merely remarking in a flat tone:
"So it's young nephew Han. Your patrol has yielded something again. Is this one a live captive, or a corpse? Which race?"
The middle-aged man seemed quite familiar with Han Li.
"Reporting to Senior Wen — this time your junior captured a Shadow Clan spy." Not daring to show the slightest discourtesy toward the man before him, Han Li cupped his fists respectfully, then produced a jade box with a flip of his hand and placed it on the stone table with both hands.
"The Shadow Clan! Tsk, tsk — that's one of the alien races rarely taken alive. Let me take a look." Upon hearing Han Li's words, the white-robed middle-aged man's expression shifted and he finally showed some interest.
He formed a seal with one hand and suddenly slapped the stone table before him.
The stone table, which had appeared perfectly ordinary, suddenly blazed with white light as a small magic formation roughly ten feet across materialized upon it, with the jade box situated right at its center.
A hazy silver barrier of light emerged, completely sealing the jade box within.
Yet the white-robed middle-aged man's movements seemed entirely unaffected by the barrier — with a gentle sweep of his sleeve toward the jade box, the lid opened by itself, revealing a green orb within that shimmered with a faint spiritual light.
"A Green Shadow! That's a high-ranking member of the Shadow Clan — and captured alive at that. Nephew, you've rendered quite a meritorious service this time!" The white-robed middle-aged man identified the orb's origin at a glance and finally showed some real emotion.
"You flatter me, Senior. I've heard that the lecture at the Tianguang Hall in half a month's time will be given by Elder Xing from the Heavenly Spirit Mirror, on the Dao of talismans. Is that true?" Han Li replied modestly, then suddenly asked.
"That's correct. It has indeed been decided that Elder Xing will deliver the lecture at the Tianguang Hall this time. While I can't say for certain whether it will truly be about the Dao of talismans, Elder Xing is renowned across the Three
"Your junior has been studying the art of talismans recently and has indeed gained some insights. I was hoping to find someone to offer a bit of guidance." Han Li had no intention of hiding anything and spoke frankly.
"If one masters the Dao of talismans thoroughly, it is indeed immensely useful in combat. However, it remains a supplementary art and has little effect on advancing one's cultivation. Young nephew Han, since your ascension, you've reached mid-stage Deity Transformation in such a short time — your progress is rare even among us ascended cultivators, which speaks to your exceptional talent. Still, I'd advise you not to distract yourself with other pursuits, lest you go astray on the Great Dao." The middle-aged man furrowed his brow slightly and urged in a gentler tone.
Judging by his words, he too was an ascended cultivator from the lower realm.