Han Li could see that Ziling's earlier words had come from the heart. Though a faint, indescribable sense of loss stirred within him, he offered no further persuasion, merely bidding her a few more words of advice.
After all, as she herself had said, her constitution was indeed better suited to cultivating demonic cultivation techniques. If she returned to the human race, he would have no way to truly ensure she could ascend to the Immortal World.
If that was the case, it was better to let her remain in the Demon World. Perhaps she would truly have a chance to find her own destiny.
And so, Han Li stayed at the Guangyuan Pavilion for an entire month.
During that time, he imparted all of his insights regarding demonic cultivation techniques to Ziling in one go, hoping to deepen her understanding of the demonic path.
Throughout this period, Lan Ying, the young woman, made no pretense of modesty and sat in on Han Li's teachings as well. Judging by the contemplative expression that graced her face after each session, she too had clearly benefited immensely.
Guidance from a Being of Transcendence — for beings of their level, it was a rare and extraordinary opportunity.
As expected of the Guangyuan Pavilion, a colossal power that spanned multiple realms, within just under a month's time they had actually located a place identical to the one marked on the Weeping Spirit Secret Treasure Map, and the information soon reached Lan Ying's hands.
Lan Ying relayed the news to Han Li without the slightest hesitation.
Upon learning of it, Han Li was naturally overjoyed.
Over the following days, Han Li stopped giving Ziling lectures on his insights. Instead, they toured together the many scenic locales of the Blue Waterfall Lake region.
Side by side, they admired landscapes utterly different from those of the Spirit World, reminiscing about old times from their days in the mortal world, sharing the occasional knowing smile.
Yet naturally, neither of them brought up that one night of spring they had once shared. They didn't even engage in anything particularly intimate, as though they were truly nothing more than the closest of confidants who could speak of anything under the sun.
Time flew. One morning, Han Li departed Blue Waterfall City alone, drifting away on the wind.
In the four-story pavilion of the Guangyuan Pavilion, Ziling stood by the window, gazing in a daze at the distant sky, her jade-like features layered with complexity — a touch of sweetness mingled with an equal measure of resolve.
"Sister Zi, are you truly willing to be separated from Brother Han by two realms, rather than staying by his side? I clearly remember that not long ago, you were very much looking forward to it." Lan Ying stood some distance behind Ziling, her brow furrowed as she asked.
"If I went back with him, it would indeed ease the pain of longing for a time, and I would have the chance to stay by his side for a while. But what about tens of thousands of years from now? Or a hundred thousand years? With his talent, entering the Immortal World is only a matter of time. If I truly wish to remain by his side for eternity, the only path that could make it possible is to enter the Immortal World myself. Do I indulge in a fleeting moment of happiness, or do I pursue the slim chance of an everlasting companionship? Sister Lan, if it were you, what would you choose?" Ziling did not turn around, but a soft, wistful sigh escaped her lips.
The linen-clad girl listened to these words, and her expression shifted. Unable to help herself, she too sank into deep thought.
Half a month later, in a valley not far from Blue Waterfall Lake, Han Li's white flying boat descended gently from the sky.
Beneath a colossal tree, a silver-haired woman of peerless beauty waited there in silence, a smile gracing her features.
It was Yinyue!
The moment she saw that Han Li was alone, a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.
"Brother Han, you've met Sister Ziling, then?" she asked softly.
"I did. But she intends to remain in the Demon World to continue her cultivation. After giving it some thought, I believe it is a sound choice. If she continues cultivating demonic techniques here, she may genuinely have a chance of reaching that final step," Han Li replied calmly.
"If Brother Han approves, then Sister Ziling's choice is most likely the right one. In that case, shall we be heading back to the Spirit World now? My ancestor, Senior Mo, and several other Spirit World Beings of Transcendence have already returned ahead of us," Yinyue said. A faint flicker of something complicated crossed her face, but she nodded.
"Returning now would be a bit premature. I still have a demonic secret treasure map in my possession. There should be quite a few treasures within," Han Li said after a moment's thought.
"A secret treasure map?" A hint of surprise flashed across Yinyue's face — this was clearly the first time she had heard Han Li mention it.
"Heh heh. Just come with me. If the journey goes smoothly, it will only be a matter of a few months," Han Li said with a smile.
"If Brother Han says so, then naturally I have no reason to doubt it. Then let us be on our way." Yinyue smiled radiantly. Her jade-like foot took a delicate step, and she transformed into a streak of silver light that drifted gracefully onto the flying boat.
Han Li nodded and lightly tapped the spirit boat beneath his foot. A low hum resonated through the air as the boat transformed into a beam of white light and shot forward into the void.
Several months later, the flying boat carrying Han Li and Yinyue entered the wastelands — a desolate region that even high-ranking demon race members were reluctant to tread.
At the bow of the dozens-of-zhang-long flying boat, two giant ape puppets, each a zhang in height, stood motionless, faint spiritual light flickering beneath their feet as they steered the vessel onward.
Inside a sealed chamber within the boat's cabin, Yinyue sat cross-legged upon a verdant meditation cushion, one hand forming a seal, both eyes closed tight as she cultivated some technique. Five-colored spiritual light flowed ceaselessly across her body's surface, while behind her, the phantom of a massive silver wolf flickered in and out of visibility, vivid and lifelike!
In another nearby chamber, its walls layered with protective restrictions, Han Li likewise sat cross-legged on the ground. But his expression was one of irresolution, and in his hands he toyed with an object.
Look closely!
The object in his hands was an entirely crystalline, pitch-black stone — the sole remnant of the unknown black crystal left behind after the Matriarch Insect had been slain by the Lightning of Punishment.
Han Li had possessed this item for quite some time now. Through countless rounds of spiritual sense inspection and repeated consultation of various texts, he had come to understand its origins.
It was the remnant left behind when a supremely powerful demonic insect like the Matriarch Insect poured all the essence within its body into its demon core before facing destruction.