Among them, the Long family ancestor naturally continued traveling with the black-robed cultivator surnamed Hui, while Han Li paired up with the feather-robed young woman.
As for the Spirit Race side, under the leadership of Saintess Qianqiu and Bai Qi, they split into two other groups.
After flying forward for roughly ten thousand li, one after the other, the young woman suddenly halted her escape light and flicked a sleeve to one side.
With a muffled thud, something shot out from her sleeve, swelling in the wind until it transformed into a black flying skiff.
This demonic artifact was over ten zhang long, its surface a uniform dull black and entirely unremarkable in appearance.
The feather-robed young woman then flickered and appeared atop the skiff, raising her arm to wave Han Li over.
Han Li's expression shifted slightly. Without standing on ceremony, he altered his escape light and flickered to a spot beside the young woman.
Only then did the feather-robed young woman smile brilliantly and speak:
"This Black Jade Skiff is a flying demonic artifact I purchased in Blood Crow City. It's quite fast for traveling, and it also helps keep a low profile."
"It's a fine artifact indeed. Fairy Ye, you've put thought into this." Han Li studied the skiff for a moment and returned a faint smile.
"With Brother Han's discerning eye, what is such a mere skiff? Let us step inside and discuss matters further." The young woman let out a soft laugh, raised her hand, and released a ball of yellow light that flickered and transformed into a puppet in the form of a yellow-turbaned strongman. It stood at the bow of the skiff, motionless.
The young woman then turned and walked toward the cabin in the middle of the skiff.
She clearly intended to use this puppet to pilot the flying vessel in her stead.
Han Li showed no surprise at this. He nodded and followed her into the cabin.
Once inside, the space was several zhang across, yet fully furnished with tables, chairs, and even a bed. In the corners sat several black meditation cushions roughly a foot in size.
The skiff could accommodate four or five people at once, which was quite spacious relative to its exterior dimensions.
The feather-robed young woman and Han Li each took a seat in a chair, and the young woman then adopted a serious expression and spoke:
"Brother Han, when we were with the others before, it was inconvenient for me to discuss certain matters privately with you. Now, however, there are no such concerns. What I'm about to say concerns the route the two of us will be taking. It would be best if Fellow Daoist Long and the others did not learn of it."
"Oh? Then I'm all ears."
Han Li's expression stirred slightly as he recalled that this woman had been the first to select this particular route and had actively requested to travel with him. Among the others, she was the only one with whom he had a reasonably good relationship, and as for the route itself, it made no difference to him—so he agreed without much deliberation.
It now seemed that this woman truly did have some ulterior purpose.
"You carry the blood of the Heavenly Phoenix as well, Brother Han. There's no need for you to deny it. I've heard quite a bit about the battle when the demonkin besieged Sky Abyss City. Your transformation is already known to many. Moreover, between those who share the same type of bloodline, our Ye family possesses a secret technique that can faintly sense the aura of the Heavenly Phoenix. However, what's rather strange is that besides the Heavenly Phoenix aura, there seem to be several other mixed auras emanating from you, none of which are weaker than the Heavenly Phoenix itself. I can't quite distinguish the specifics, but I imagine it has something to do with the other transformations you underwent that day. Could it be that you truly carry several different True Spirit bloodlines within you?" The young woman fixed her gaze on Han Li for a moment before suddenly uttering words that startled him.
"Since Fairy Ye already knows of this, I see no need to conceal it. During my past travels through the Savage Wilderness, I did indeed have some fortunate encounters with other races and obtained several types of True Spirit Blood. But why does Fairy Ye bring this up now?" Han Li kept his expression calm as he asked in return.
"There's no need for you to be wary, Brother Han. I have no intention of tracing the origins of these true bloods. Rather, since you've found a way to fuse different True Spirit bloodlines, I was wondering whether you might be willing to refine yet another type of true blood." The young woman replied in a nonchalant tone.
"What do you mean by that? Does Fairy Ye perhaps have another type of True Spirit Blood in her possession?" Han Li's face showed a flash of surprise, and he narrowed his eyes as he asked.
"I don't currently have any True Spirit Blood on me. However, there is a place we'll be passing through—a demon territory—that does contain True Spirit Blood." The young woman blinked her lovely eyes, a glimmer of sly cunning passing through them.