"The situation is rather special right now, so I'll keep this brief. You've all seen what Cloud City looks like now. The matter is simple — our clan fell into a trap set by the Jiaochi people. They lured our frontline main force into a certain perilous area and used stratagems to temporarily pin them down. Meanwhile, the Jiaochi army seized the opportunity to capture thirteen cities in succession, pushing all the way to Cloud City. The master restriction diagram of this city has also been stolen by them, so we simply cannot rely on the grand protective formation to stand against their army. As a result, this city will be abandoned before long. You should not linger here either — evacuate immediately to the nearest city, Fuyan City." The young man surnamed Weng spoke in a flat tone.
"The situation has become this dire? But with a senior like you here, surely there's no need to abandon Cloud City." Fairy Yue's face paled slightly upon hearing this.
The others all showed looks of alarm as well.
"Heh heh — did you really think the Jiaochi people have no Mahayona-stage existences? Among the Jiaochi army that has invaded this time, two Jiaochi Supreme Elders have also arrived. They sent me advance notice. In this battle between our two clans, if I don't take action, then neither will they. Otherwise, the consequences are beyond what you need to imagine. I certainly cannot face two opponents of the same rank, but the two of them together also have no confidence in killing me. That is why we're locked in a state of mutual deterrence." The young man Weng explained a couple of sentences.
"However, there are fully several dozen Sacred-stage existences gathered in this city. If those Fellow Daoists were to take action, it would be more than enough to turn the tide. But my companions and I haven't seen a single Sacred-stage figure of our own clan along the way. Could they be..." The middle-aged man surnamed Ning drew in a sharp breath and could not help but ask.
"Rest assured. They are unharmed — they have other assignments and are not in the city. You have surely noticed that among the Jiaochi forces that have stormed the city, there are no Sacred-stage existences either. That is their doing. However, this situation cannot be maintained for long. It's likely the Jiaochi people will realize soon enough and directly dispatch Sacred-stage existences to join the battle. If I cannot act, this city will inevitably fall. That is precisely the reason I have ordered its abandonment. You will leave immediately under Fellow Daoist Bing's guidance." The young man waved his hand and issued the order directly.
Fairy Yue and the middle-aged man exchanged a glance, not daring to disobey, and hurriedly agreed.
The others also cupped their fists and accepted the command.
Only Han Li furrowed his brow, a trace of hesitation crossing his face.
"Ah — Fellow Daoist Han, please stay behind a moment. I have something to discuss with you privately." The young man Weng glanced at Han Li and suddenly spoke.
Han Li's heart tightened, but he dared not refuse and agreed.
Seeing this, the others harbored some private suspicions but showed no outward reaction. Under the black-faced giant's lead, they filed out of the great hall.
The young man Weng then turned a half-smiling gaze toward Han Li.
"I wonder what instructions the senior may have. If there is anywhere this junior can be of service, please do not hesitate to command me." Facing a Mahayona-stage existence who seemed to have designs of his own, Han Li naturally felt a chill in his heart, though his voice remained respectful.
"Mm. The reason I've kept you here is that I have a matter to entrust to you. Fellow Daoist Han, you are a human from the Wind Source Continent, correct?" The young man Weng opened with a question that gave Han Li quite a start.
"How did the senior recognize this junior's origin? Has the senior also visited the Wind Source Continent?" After several rapid beats of his heart, Han Li could no longer maintain his composure and asked directly.
"Heh heh — visited it? Oh, I have done far more than visit the Wind Source Continent. In the past, I once came to blows with several of your human clan's Fellow Daoists, which ultimately led to a friendship rather than enmity. Although the human race as a whole is not especially powerful, there are a few hereditary divine abilities within the clan that should not be underestimated — their might is considerable. It's simply that these techniques are exceedingly harsh in their cultivation requirements, and ordinary humans cannot practice them." The young man Weng chuckled as he said this.
"Since the senior has spoken so openly, there is no need for this junior to conceal anything. This junior is indeed a member of the human race who drifted to this land from the Wind Source Continent." Han Li could only admit it honestly.
"Heh heh — good that you acknowledge it. What is your relationship with Fairy Ice Soul? How is it that you carry Fairy Ice Soul's Void Spirit Treasure Cauldron within your body?" The young man Weng asked another question that left Han Li stunned.
"Void Spirit Treasure Cauldron? Is the senior referring to this treasure?" Han Li blinked, genuinely surprised. With a parting of his lips, he spat out a ball of azure light.
Within it, a small cauldron shimmered in and out of view.
It was precisely the Void Sky Cauldron!
"So it is this object. Although I haven't seen this treasure in many years, the aura it emits hasn't changed much from the old days." The young man Weng narrowed his eyes, staring at the treasure cauldron as he spoke slowly.
"Fairy Ice Soul — this junior has indeed heard of her. But this cauldron is not called the Void Spirit Treasure Cauldron. It is the Void Sky Treasure Cauldron!" Han Li replied with a bitter smile.
"The Void Sky Cauldron!" The young man paused briefly, but then seemed to recall something. He extended one hand toward the small cauldron and made a grasping motion.
The cauldron, which had been under Han Li's control, instantly severed its connection with a whoosh. With a flash, it teleported uncannily into the young man's hand.
Han Li's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly recovered his composure.
The young man Weng held the small cauldron in one palm and focused his gaze, examining the treasure carefully.
"Looking at it more closely, it does appear somewhat different from the Void Spirit Cauldron. The crafting technique is rather cruder, but it doesn't seem to be a counterfeit — it looks more like a trial prototype created before the Void Spirit Cauldron was forged." A cold gleam flickered in the young man's eyes for a time before he spoke with furrowed brows.