"However, will Azure Dragon truly leave Heavenly Abyss City? Even if he were willing, I doubt the Elder Council would let him go so easily. After all, a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator is a considerable fighting force for the city in its current state." Ice Phoenix asked with lingering worry.
"A considerable fighting force? A man who couldn't even withstand three of my strikes — do you really think the Elder Council places that much value on him? Besides, as I said before, under ordinary circumstances the Elder Council might exert pressure on me to prevent this out of a desire to maintain their dignity. But with the demon army bearing down on the city's gates, those old foxes know perfectly well who matters more to Heavenly Abyss City right now — me or Azure Dragon. I expect they'll send someone to offer a few halfhearted protests, and then quietly accept it." Han Li smiled faintly, completely unconcerned.
"Brother Han speaks the truth. Under the current dire circumstances, the Elder Council truly wouldn't dare do anything to offend you. However, Lord Azure Dragon will bear an extreme grudge against you from now on. Brother Han ought to be on his guard — and remind his disciples to be careful as well. Brother Han yourself naturally needn't fear the man, but the same can't necessarily be said for those under your charge." Ice Phoenix considered for a moment, then offered the warning with a graceful smile.
"There's no need for such trouble. Azure Dragon won't be causing me any further problems." A strange expression flickered across Han Li's face at these words. After a long pause, he added a single sentence.
"Wait — does Brother Han intend to…" Ice Phoenix was as sharp as they came. She grasped his meaning instantly, and her heart lurched.
"His heart is a petty thing. Since the grudge has already been drawn, it would be unwise to leave this Lord Azure Dragon walking the earth. There is no such thing as standing guard against a thief for a thousand days — better to deal with the thief once and for all." Han Li exhaled softly, his voice turning cold.
"Brother Han may have the resolve to act decisively, but this won't be easy to accomplish. At the very least, the Elder Council will absolutely forbid you from making a move inside the city. And even if you succeed, no matter how discreetly it's done, the Elders will still suspect Brother Han." Ice Phoenix hesitated.
"I won't make my move inside the city, nor will I appear in person. Someone else will handle it on my behalf." Han Li let out a light laugh.
"Brother Han has other helpers? But please — don't take this lightly. Azure Dragon may be helpless before you, but he is still a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator. Others may find it very difficult to kill him." A look of surprise crossed Ice Phoenix's face, but she hurriedly added a word of caution.
"Rest easy, Daoist Feng. Having made this decision, I've naturally already accounted for every possibility." Han Li replied with quiet confidence. Then he flicked his sleeve, and a ball of yellow light shot out from within. It spiraled once through the air before transforming into a girl of two or three years of age.
The child had fair, tender skin and extraordinarily dark eyes. She stood before the two of them, staring at Han Li without blinking, impossibly adorable.
"Go. Keep your eyes on Lord Azure Dragon. If I've guessed correctly, he may not even wait the full three days before slipping quietly out of the city. Follow him in secret, and when you're beyond the walls, find a secluded spot and put an end to him." Han Li issued these instructions to the little girl.
"That's easy for you to say. Keeping watch on him is no problem at all — with my current abilities, once I conceal myself, even a late-stage Body Integration cultivator would have trouble spotting me. But killing him is another matter entirely. I've only recently achieved human form. Even if my strength edges slightly above his, it's not as though there's a vast gulf between us." The girl's lips didn't move, yet a young woman's voice suddenly echoed through the hall — sounding no older than thirteen or fourteen.
"Lord Azure Dragon is already wounded. Even if he takes medicine the moment he returns, there's no way he'll fully recover within a few days. On top of that, I've already tampered with something inside him. When the time comes to fight, if he can channel even thirty percent of his Magical Power, he'll be doing well. You'll have more than enough strength to finish him." Han Li said with a half-smile.
"Oh, if that's the case, then there's no problem at all. Just wait for my good news!" The girl blinked, a charming smile appearing on her face. Then golden light flashed across her body, and she dissolved into a faint, translucent shadow before vanishing from the spot.
"Brother Han, who exactly is that Daoist…?" Ice Phoenix couldn't help but ask after witnessing the entire exchange.
"She's my spirit beast. She only recently achieved human form." Han Li stroked his chin and replied.
"Your spirit beast! From what you say — has she also advanced to the Body Integration stage?" Ice Phoenix asked, aghast.
"Mm. She has early-stage Body Integration cultivation, but she inherited a portion of the bloodline of the True Spirit Qilin, so even a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator is unlikely to be her match." Han Li answered candidly.
Ice Phoenix's mouth twitched at this. After a long moment, she managed a bitter smile: "Now I understand why Brother Han pays the Elder Council so little mind. With a spirit beast like that at your side, you are likely the foremost cultivator in all of Heavenly Abyss City — bar none."
"The foremost cultivator? I wouldn't dare claim such a title. Daoist Feng, you don't truly believe that Heavenly Abyss City has managed to protect the human and demon races for hundreds of thousands of years on the strength of its visible power alone? Who knows how many great cultivators are hidden within these walls." Han Li shook his head with a grave expression.
"Oh? Has Brother Han perhaps heard something?" Ice Phoenix asked in some surprise.