From those two streaks of brilliant radiance, two massive waves of spiritual pressure — the kind only Body Integration-stage cultivators could produce — crashed down menacingly upon the two Demon Sovereigns. One was at the early stage of Body Integration, the other at the mid-stage.
The giant Demon Sovereign's expression shifted slightly at the sight. He glanced toward the incoming lights in the distance, then turned to the ice-cold youth and uttered a single word: "Go."
The words had barely left his mouth when he raised a hand and a pitch-black war chariot several zhang long shot out. His figure swayed, and he was suddenly standing atop it.
The ice-cold youth showed not a flicker of expression, but his figure instantly blurred and vanished in a flash.
The next instant, the white-robed youth's afterimage reappeared several hundred zhang away. With another casual stride through the air, his figure eerily vanished once more.
This demon seemed to have transformed into an incorporeal being, crossing the distance to the horizon in just a few steps.
As for the giant Demon Sovereign, he let out a hearty laugh. Beneath his feet the black chariot flashed, and with a thunderous crack it transformed into a streak of black lightning that shot forward at tremendous speed. After several flickers, it had already shrunk to a tiny black dot before similarly vanishing into the distant sky.
Witnessing this scene, Han Li's eyes flickered, but he made no move to pursue.
Beside him, Silver Light Fairy was also stunned by the giant Demon Sovereign's extraordinary abilities. Her expression grim, she stood rooted in place without moving an inch.
The leader commanding these elite Demon Sovereigns possessed strength that exceeded this woman's expectations. Moreover, there very likely could be other Demon Sovereigns among this batch of elite demons. If that were the case, even with the two of them assisting the four great sects of Yitian City, holding the city would seemingly prove nearly impossible.
Han Li's expression, however, quickly returned to normal. He studied the two streaks of light hurtling toward them with care, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.
The radiance from the direction of Yitian City dimmed and converged not far from where the two of them stood, then scattered to reveal a male and a female figure.
The man was around forty, with a square, dignified face. He wore a yellow scholar's robe, held a thick book of white jade in his hands, and — remarkably — had two oversized calligraphy brushes, one gold and one silver, crossed and tucked behind his back.
The woman appeared to be in her late twenties, with an oval face and striking beauty. She wore a dark green court dress and carried a purple basket over one arm.
"Sister Lin, are you alright? I've been sent to reinforce your sect this time." The moment Silver Light Fairy caught sight of the dark-green-robed woman, her beautiful eyes lit up with joy, and she immediately called out.
"So it's little sister Silver Light who's come to our aid — how wonderful! It seems your city received the letter we sent requesting help. But this fellow Daoist here is rather unfamiliar. Might I ask who—" The dark-green-robed woman's face broke into equal parts surprise and delight upon clearly recognizing Silver Light Fairy, but when her gaze fell on Han Li, she paused.
"Heh, this is Fellow Daoist Han Li. Back at Nine Immortal Mountain, I had the pleasure of meeting Fellow Daoist Han on a few occasions." The yellow-robed scholar glanced at Han Li and, without waiting for Silver Light Fairy to make introductions, smiled and spoke on his own.
The man actually seemed to recognize Han Li.
"So it's Perfected Green Dragon of the Nine Star Sect — I offer my greetings." Han Li had already found the scholar's face somewhat familiar. After a moment's thought, he recalled the man's identity and returned the greeting with a light smile and a clasped-fist salute.
This Perfected Green Dragon of the Nine Star Sect was a Body Integration cultivator whom Han Li had encountered two or three times while attending the exchange conference at Nine Immortal Mountain, though he hadn't made any effort to get to know the man further.
"Last time we met, Brother Han was only at the early stage. Now, after several hundred years, you've already advanced to the mid-stage — what a cause for celebration!" The scholar's face broke into a warm smile upon seeing that Han Li remembered him, but after sweeping his spiritual sense over Han Li's current cultivation, he couldn't help but show a look of shock.
"I merely had some small opportunities over the years and was fortunate enough to advance. I certainly didn't expect that, after parting back then, I would see Brother Lin again today. And this fairy must be Fellow Daoist Lin Luan, whom Silver Light Fairy mentioned!" Han Li deflected the matter of his rapid advancement with his usual stock excuse, then smoothly redirected the conversation to the other robed woman.
"So it's the recently renowned Fellow Daoist Han Li. Brother Han is correct — I am Lin Luan. This time, I must thank you and little sister Silver Light for coming to our aid. If no more fellow Daoists of the same realm arrive to help, I'm afraid Yitian City truly won't be able to hold out for another two months." When this Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Emperor Sect opened her mouth, her voice turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant and melodious, and her words carried deep gratitude.
"Sister Lin, what do you mean? Earlier, Fellow Daoist Han and I saw the demon assault from a distance. Those Myriad Manifestation Demon Cavalry were troublesome, yes, but your city didn't exactly let them gain any advantage." Silver Light Fairy's expression grew solemn, and she asked with concern.
"You two don't yet understand. What appeared just now was only a small portion of the demon army. The true army is camped in the Central Sword Mountain Range, ten thousand li from here. And the reason these elite demons didn't attack our city with full force is simply that they're waiting for a particular day to arrive." Lin Luan answered with a bitter smile.
"Waiting for a particular day?" Silver Light Fairy was alarmed.
"Senior Sister Lin speaks the truth. However, this isn't the place to hold a conversation. Why don't you follow us back to the city, and we can discuss everything there? The demons are exceptionally cunning — those two demon leaders might well return with two more Demon Sovereigns." Perfected Green Dragon urged.
"Four Demon Sovereigns! Very well — let's enter the city first." Silver Light Fairy's heart lurched at the news, and she agreed without hesitation.