The moment Hai Dashao heard these words, he immediately understood that Han Li intended to shoulder all the relevant pressure on his own. Deeply grateful at heart, he bowed twice more to Han Li before naturally raising not the slightest objection.
Han Li nodded, gesturing for Hai Dashao to step aside, then pointed toward Silver Moon and Daoist Crab nearby and addressed his assembled disciples in a calm tone: "This is your Aunt Silver Moon and Senior Daoist Crab. From now on, you are to regard them as you would regard me — as elders. Come pay your respects."
"Greetings to Aunt Silver Moon and Grand Uncle Daoist Crab!"
"Greetings to Grand Aunt Silver Moon and Senior Daoist Crab!"
Qi Lingzi had long since noticed Silver Moon and Daoist Crab's presence. Upon hearing Han Li's words, he immediately led his disciples forward and bowed respectfully.
Silver Moon smiled faintly and waved her hand in acknowledgment. Daoist Crab, his expression as blank as ever, gave a slight nod.
"This girl is Zhu Guo'er," Han Li continued, pointing to the young woman beside him with a serious expression. "Her name differs from your Junior Sister Bai's by only a single character — I was quite surprised when I first heard it myself. However, she has no actual relation to your Junior Sister Bai. She hails from another obscure and little-known place. I will tell you more about it in due time, but for now she will be staying at my side. You may regard her as a junior sister of your generation."
"So she is Junior Sister Zhu. If Junior Sister Bai were to meet her, she would surely be delighted." A flicker of something unusual crossed Qi Lingzi's face, but after cupping his fists toward Zhu Guo'er, he quickly said with a smile.
"Guo'er will likely need to stay at Senior Han's place for a while. Should I commit any breach of etiquette, I ask that both Senior Brothers please be understanding." Bai Guo'er curtsied most gracefully to Qi Lingzi and Hai Dashao before speaking.
The two naturally hurried to say that she need not stand on ceremony.
In the time that followed, Han Li made careful inquiries of Qi Lingzi and the others regarding everything that had occurred during his seclusion.
Of particular interest was the matter of the Demon Race's sudden withdrawal from the Spirit Realm, about which Han Li questioned them in painstaking detail.
Unfortunately, neither Qi Lingzi nor Hai Dashao knew much about it either. All they knew was that one day, an order had come down from the Heavenly Capital City Elder Council announcing a temporary ceasefire with the Demon Race, and shortly afterward, the Demon armies that had been occupying human territory had poured back through the passageways into the Demon Realm like a receding tide.
After that, the human and demon beast races had easily reclaimed all their lost territory, though a small number of stubborn demons had refused to leave. During this period, the various factions of the two races had focused their efforts mainly on recovering from the devastation of the Demon Tribulation and eliminating these lingering remnants, resulting in a rather flourishing atmosphere of post-catastrophe recovery.
Han Li listened to Qi Lingzi's account with a placid expression, giving no hint of what was going through his mind.
The moment Qi Lingzi finished his report, Han Li pondered briefly before his gaze sharpened and he asked: "You're saying that Lord Mo Jianli and Lord Ao Xiao both vanished without a trace shortly after the Demon Tribulation ended?"
"That's correct, Master. Although our cultivation is low, we have maintained certain connections with the disciples of several Elders in Heavenly Capital City. As soon as it happened, we learned of it. The reason Sacred Island dared to openly pressure Heavenly Capital City into handing over Junior Brother has very likely something to do with the disappearance of those two seniors. Otherwise, with their prestige, no matter how brazen the people of Sacred Island might be, they could not have disregarded the relationship between those two seniors and Master. They would never have dared to come knocking with such arrogance." Qi Lingzi thought for a moment before answering with certainty.
"Hmph. I will have to make a trip to Sacred Island sooner or later. In addition, there is something I need you to do for me." Han Li gave a cold laugh before suddenly changing the subject.
"Please give your instructions, Master. Your disciple will handle it thoroughly." Qi Lingzi was briefly taken aback but promptly bowed his head and replied.
"I have here a list. I need you to have your people gather information and make inquiries on my behalf. These items are rare and precious even across the entire Spirit Realm. Even if you cannot obtain them, at the very least find out their exact whereabouts. I will find a way to acquire them myself." Han Li spoke in a grave tone.
"Yes, your disciple will obey your instructions to the letter." Qi Lingzi agreed without hesitation.
Beside them, Daoist Crab's expression shifted subtly upon hearing this exchange between master and disciple, but he said nothing.
"Good. You two may withdraw for now. I still have matters to discuss with your Aunt Silver Moon." Han Li nodded and issued his final instruction.
Qi Lingzi and Hai Dashao dared not voice any objection. After acknowledging the order, they led their disciples out of the hall.
Zhu Guo'er, without waiting for Han Li to tell her, discreetly followed them out as well.
In the blink of an eye, only Han Li, Daoist Crab, and Silver Moon remained in the hall.
"Silver Moon, before you left your grandfather's side, did Grand Elder Ao Xiao ever mention anything related to his disappearance?" Han Li asked Silver Moon with a somewhat solemn expression.
"He did not. If something truly serious enough to endanger his life were afoot, I am his only direct descendant by blood — how could he not have given me even the slightest hint? When I left, there was nothing unusual about him at all." Silver Moon's face had grown somewhat grim, but her tone was utterly certain.
"Then it would seem that your grandfather's disappearance, along with Lord Mo's, truly is connected to the Demon Race. Heavenly Capital City likely does not possess any further details either — only Sacred Island might have some answers. It seems I really will have to make that trip after all." Han Li stroked his chin, a contemplative look in his eyes.