"This…" Tian Chan hesitated slightly upon hearing this and cast a glance toward the Black Rain Sovereign.
"Indeed. Brother Han, as one of the pinnacle existences of the human race, would certainly not act against our interests. Besides, I originally felt that with the two of us acting alone, we had no great certainty of success. If Fellow Daoist Han could lend a hand, the chances of success would naturally be much greater." After a brief moment of deliberation, the Black Rain Sovereign spoke with unusual decisiveness.
Hearing these words, Han Li naturally grew even more surprised, but he said nothing and quietly waited for the two to continue.
Sure enough, after hearing the Black Rain Sovereign's words, the monk smiled and nodded in agreement.
"This old monk thinks the same. In that case, allow me to explain the matter to Daoist Han. After hearing me out, I hope you will agree to assist us."
"You flatter me, Master. If this truly concerns the greater affairs of our human race, Han will naturally give it his utmost consideration." After a moment's thought, Han Li replied, leaving himself a small measure of leeway.
"The truth is, the two of us came here in response to orders from the Holy Island. The purpose — is the Yellow Spring Earthfire in this very place." Tian Chan finally spoke without further concealment.
"The Yellow Spring Earthfire!"
Although he had already anticipated this to some degree, hearing the monk say it outright still caused Han Li's heart to sink slightly. But the monk's next words immediately put him at ease.
"To be more precise, we have come for a certain spiritual treasure found within the Yellow Spring Earthfire." Seeming to notice the subtle change in Han Li's expression, the Black Rain Sovereign added.
"Are there truly heaven-and-earth spiritual treasures within the Yellow Spring Earthfire? I have never once heard of such a thing!" Han Li blurted out after a moment's thought, genuine astonishment creeping into his voice.
"Of course there are — and it is a treasure that requires fifty thousand years of gestation. Has Daoist Han perhaps heard of the Yellow Millet Dream Stone?" Tian Chan said calmly.
"The Yellow Millet Dream Stone? Is that not the supreme-grade material specifically used to construct large-scale illusion arrays?" Han Li frowned.
"Precisely that material. However, what we seek this time is no ordinary Yellow Millet Dream Stone, but a Yellow Millet Stone Spirit — one that has already developed spiritual awareness. This stone spirit can only be born within Yellow Millet Dream Stones, and the conditions for its birth are extraordinarily stringent — no less harsh than those governing famous natural spirits. This is precisely why so few people know of its existence. The stone spirit here was discovered by a senior of our clan tens of thousands of years ago, quite by accident. Unfortunately, that senior failed to seize the opportunity to capture it. Instead, the spirit was startled and has since refused to emerge even slightly from the Yellow Spring Earthfire. And as for how formidable the Yellow Spring Earthfire is — even a Mahayana cultivator would not dare venture deep into it lightly. But this time is different. Mighty cultivators of the Holy Island have cast divinations specifically for this purpose, and it so happens that the coming period coincides with the Yellow Millet Stone Spirit's tribulation — it cannot remain hidden deep within the earthfire. This is our only chance to seize this spirit." Tian Chan explained in thorough detail.
"So that's why. I was wondering why I had never heard anything about it before. For this Yellow Millet Stone Spirit to have hidden itself deep within the Yellow Spring Earthfire for tens of thousands of years… But surely, even if such a stone spirit has developed spiritual awareness, it shouldn't possess any great powers? You mean to say that even the two of you lack confidence in capturing it?" Han Li's expression shifted to one of understanding, though a trace of doubt still lingered.
"You underestimate this creature, Brother Han. The Yellow Millet Stone Spirit is vastly different from an ordinary stone spirit. In addition to the standard abilities one would expect from a spiritual stone, it possesses the power to unleash illusions. Moreover, its illusionary technique activates almost instantaneously — the moment one engages it, one falls into its illusions without even realizing it. The human senior who discovered it all those years ago was no minor figure either, yet upon confronting the stone spirit, not only did he fail to capture it — he was trapped by its illusions for a full half year before he managed to escape by sheer fortune. Even then, he fell gravely ill upon his return and was said to have suffered significant losses to his vital essence. This time, we must capture the stone spirit alive — it cannot be harmed. That is why, despite the special measures that Master Tian Chan and I have prepared for this expedition, we still cannot guarantee certain success." The Black Rain Sovereign offered a brief supplementary explanation.
"Illusions! If such a thing is the innate ability of a heaven-and-earth spiritual treasure like this stone spirit, then it is indeed no trivial matter. No wonder the two of you are so cautious about this. By the way — since the Holy Island sent you here to capture the Yellow Millet Stone Spirit, do either of you know the reason behind it?" Han Li nodded, then pressed further.
"Before setting out, I did hear something about that. It seems that the demon crystal within the stone spirit's body is a rather important tool our human race uses to combat the demon tribulation, and it was personally conveyed through the Holy Island by Lord Mo Jianli himself. Beyond that, I am not particularly clear on the specifics." The old man answered without the slightest hesitation, with characteristic bluntness.
"An assignment from Senior Mo Jianli!" Han Li's expression changed, and he could not help but draw a sharp breath.
"Heh heh. If not for that, would the two of us — people of considerable renown and standing among the human race — have bothered to come all the way out here?" The old man chuckled.
"Since this matter concerns the greater fate of the entire human race, it is Han's natural duty to lend whatever strength he can. Whatever assistance the two of you require, you need only say the word." Han Li lowered his head in thought for a moment, and his expression turned solemn.
"I knew Brother Han would never stand by and do nothing. In truth, capturing this spirit does not require you to do anything overly complicated. All we ask is that you react as the situation demands and lend us your support. Should either of us have any oversight or slip, we hope Brother Han will be able to restrain the spirit in time and prevent it from fleeing back into the earthfire." Upon hearing Han Li's words, Tian Chan was visibly delighted.
The Black Rain Sovereign, likewise, expressed his gratitude in kind.