Over the following period of time, Patriarch
Han Li naturally understood that on a strategic level involving a grand war spanning multiple races, he was in no position to compare with the two Mahayana cultivators before him who had lived for untold tens of thousands of years. He therefore refrained from interjecting unprompted, only offering his own carefully considered thoughts when asked.
As for the Crab Daoist and Silver Moon, though they were both present in the hall, neither showed much interest — one wore a completely expressionless face, while the other maintained a serene silence.
Zhu Guo'er, for her part, stood obediently off to the side with her hands clasped before her; she had absolutely no standing to speak up here.
And so, time trickled on little by little.
Han Li remained at Mo Jianli's cave abode for the better part of a day. When all matters had been finally discussed and settled, Patriarch Ao Xiao rose to his feet and took his leave, departing first with Silver Moon in tow.
Mo Jianli stayed behind to chat privately with Han Li for a while longer, then sent out a summons, calling forth a middle-aged cultivator who appeared to be one of his disciples. He instructed the man to arrange temporary quarters for Han Li.
The middle-aged cultivator naturally complied with the utmost respect. He set Han Li up in a pavilion built upon the branch of a giant tree, located no more than ten-odd li from Mo Jianli's cave abode.
Though the density of spiritual energy here could not compare with Mo Jianli's dwelling, it was still far superior to most other areas within the wooden city, which left Han Li quite satisfied.
He made no complaints and moved in at once with the Crab Daoist and Zhu Guo'er.
Over the next half month, Han Li did not venture out from the pavilion's sealed chamber. Instead, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivating the divine sense secret technique he had obtained from Patriarch Ao Xiao, hoping to bring it to full mastery as soon as possible so that it could truly be of significant help to Silver Moon.
Zhu Guo'er, however, was visiting the Spirit World's cities for the very first time. Unable to contain her curiosity, she went out every single day to wander through every level of the wooden city.
No one knew what words the little girl had used to persuade the Crab Daoist, but to Han Li's surprise, he ended up accompanying her on those daily excursions, leaving early and returning late. This effectively neutralized Han Li's original intention to put a stop to it.
Through the snippets of description Zhu Guo'er brought back each day, Han Li could clearly sense that the various allied armies stationed in the wooden city were growing restless — as if a storm was about to break.
It seemed the high-ranking leaders of the allied factions had, in the end, reached an agreement. They were truly going to fight a great battle against the demons to break free from their current predicament.
And he, naturally, could no longer afford to idle about.
Sure enough, a few days later, just as he had anticipated, Mo Jianli suddenly appeared at the pavilion where he was staying.
Upon detecting the arrival of this human Mahayana cultivator with a sweep of his spiritual sense, Han Li immediately went out to greet him and ushered Mo Jianli into the hall on the ground floor. After exchanging a few pleasantries and taking their seats, he sat quietly and waited for the other to state his purpose.
Mo Jianli settled into his seat, considered for a brief moment, and then spoke with candor:
"The various strategies for this battle against the demons have finally been finalized. Among the allied reinforcements that have arrived, three of us — myself, Brother Ao, and Sang Hai of the Nightcaller Tribe — possess the highest cultivation. Thus, no matter how many Holy Ancestors the demons currently have, the three of us old fellows will be the ones to hold them in check. As for the Wood Tribe, given their earlier devastating defeat, very few Wood Tribe cultivators at the Integration stage remain. Therefore, in the execution of the various strategies, we will still have to rely on the high-level cultivators from our allied races. Fellow Daoist Han, with your level of cultivation, you will naturally be entrusted with an important role."
"Since this battle is equally vital to our human race, as a member of the clan, this junior naturally ought to do his part. Please give whatever instructions you see fit, Senior — this junior will do his utmost," Han Li replied with a smile.
"Mm. With cultivation second only to us three old fellows, there is no avoiding a role holding your own front. However, before that, I would like to ask — has Fellow Daoist the Crab recovered his strength?" Mo Jianli's gaze flickered, and he posed another question.
"I'm afraid this may disappoint you, Senior. Brother Crab overexerted himself quite severely last time. Without at least half a year, he will not be able to recover to his former level." Han Li understood exactly what the other was asking and answered without hesitation.
"That is truly unfortunate. If Fellow Daoist the Crab could recover to full strength, our odds in this battle would improve by at least another ten percent." Mo Jianli sighed, a note of regret in his voice.