After five or six days, the massive finally flew out of the wasteland, and a vast stretch of rolling hills appeared ahead.
Small mountain peaks of black and green rose and fell in succession, stretching so far that their ends could not be seen.
The giant vessel plunged into the sky above the hills, and after a few more flickers, it vanished into the distant void at the horizon.
One month later, nestled within a basin surrounded by hills, an enormous city constructed from yellow stone appeared in full view. It spanned well over a thousand li in area — half of it built directly against the mountains, while the other half was enclosed by a towering wall over a hundred zhang high.
Over the entire city, a yellowish luminescent barrier hung inverted like a pot lid, clearly a grand and sophisticated restriction of immense scale.
Han Li stood at the bow of the flying vessel, gazing at the distant city with a contemplative expression.
"Brother Han, this is our Bai family's Phantom Night City. It can't compare to those super-sized cities of the Holy Region, but for such a remote area, it's quite sizable. There are over a dozen Demon Venerable-level existences here alone. Our Bai family is one of the four great clans of this city. Whether you're looking to purchase something or run into any trouble, just mention the Bai family's name and most people will show some deference." Bai Yunxin stood beside Han Li, speaking with a light laugh.
"I appreciate the lady's kind offer. I do actually intend to purchase some things in your city." Han Li's expression shifted slightly as he replied with a hint of a smile.
"Since Brother Han is traveling alone anyway, why not stay directly in our Bai family's Guest Elder Tower? With your cultivation, I don't think the elders overseeing the clan would object." Bai Yunxin's beautiful eyes gleamed as she probed him with a few carefully worded suggestions.
"Guest Elder Tower? The lady still hasn't given up on recruiting me?" Han Li let out an amused laugh.
"Your cultivation has already reached the great completion of the late-stage Void Refining realm — you're only half a step away from entering Body Integration. Otherwise, you couldn't have slaughtered that swarm of demon bats so effortlessly. Such remarkable cultivation, combined with your status as an independent cultivator, would make any family eager to recruit you. Our Bai family is no exception." Bai Yunxin smiled brightly, showing not the slightest embarrassment about her intentions.
"My answer remains the same as before. I have no intention of affiliating with any clan for the time being. My cultivation is currently at a bottleneck, and I need to travel for a while before there's any hope of advancing to the Demon Venerable level. So for the next several centuries, I won't be joining any faction. However, I can promise that if I do decide to join a clan in the future, I will consider the Bai family first of all." Han Li yawned vaguely and replied in a somewhat noncommittal tone.
"I shall hold Brother Han to those words. Our Bai family's doors will always be open to you. As for the matter of meeting Ancestor Futian, I'll relay the request as soon as we return. Given how you helped us in the wasteland, it shouldn't be a problem at all." Bai Yunxin sighed, a trace of regret in her voice.
"I've heard that to cross the Phantom Roar Desert, it's best to have an Eight-Legged Demon Lizard as a mount. Does the Bai family happen to keep such demon beasts?" Han Li smiled, then abruptly changed the topic as if asking only in passing.
"Eight-Legged Demon Lizard? Brother Han, you're looking to obtain one to enter the Phantom Roar Desert?" Bai Yunxin was taken aback, clearly surprised.
"That is indeed my intention. Otherwise, crossing the Phantom Roar Desert on foot would take far too long. What — the Bai family doesn't have any?" Han Li's eyes flickered as he replied calmly.
"We do have them, but if you're hoping to get one, I'm afraid it's quite unlikely. Not just our Bai family — none of the other clans would sell Eight-Legged Demon Lizards to outsiders either." Bai Yunxin furrowed her delicate brows, looking troubled.
"Oh? Why is that? If it's a matter of price, I believe I've saved up a fair amount and could part with most of it to purchase one." Han Li felt no surprise inwardly and asked in an unperturbed tone.
"No amount of demon stones would convince the great families to sell the lizards. Their rarity is one reason, but the main issue is that these demon beasts are, in a sense, the very foundation upon which our families maintain their footing in Phantom Night City. How could we just hand them over to anyone?" Bai Yunxin hesitated before speaking with deliberate weight.
"A foundation? What do you mean? A few demon beasts could hardly be involved in something like that!" Han Li's expression shifted, genuinely puzzled.
"The reasons, while not exactly a closely guarded secret, are not something I can casually reveal without the permission of a clan elder. Brother Han would do well to ask when you meet Ancestor Futian. If the Ancestor chooses to tell you, there would be no issue at all. Besides, matters concerning the Eight-Legged Demon Lizards can only be decided by the clan's ancestors." Bai Yunxin hesitated once more, her tone turning more solemn.
"So that's how it is. It seems I'll need to consult Ancestor Futian if I want to obtain an Eight-Legged Demon Lizard." Han Li murmured thoughtfully.
Bai Yunxin nodded and said nothing more.
By now, the giant vessel had been hurtling through the sky and finally arrived in the airspace above Phantom Night City. Its light dimmed as it descended, coming to a stop before a city gate several dozen zhang tall.
A number of demons were passing in and out through the gate. The moment they spotted the yellow giant vessel landing nearby, they promptly gave it a wide berth, most wearing expressions of awe.
It seemed all of these demons recognized where the vessel came from.
At that moment, Han Li and the Bai family group disembarked from the vessel.
Bai Yunxin formed a single-handed seal, and the giant vessel's light flashed as it shrank countless times over, transforming into a foot-long streak of yellow light that vanished in a flash into her body.
Including Bai Yunxin, the group headed briskly toward the city gate, some of them visibly excited.
After all, they had been away from home for so long. Now that they were finally returning safely, it was only natural that their hearts were eager to be back.