"Fellow Daoist Han, please hold back. You have already passed the test, and these eight Yellow Springs Ghost Kings still have some use to this old monk. I would appreciate it if you could show them some mercy." The monk's eyes flashed with surprise at the sight, but he immediately flicked one long sleeve, and a strange ripple of fluctuation surged forth before the golden vortex, severing its tremendous suction force in an instant.
The moment the eight ghosts regained their freedom, they let out low growls and dissolved one after another into wisps of black mist before vanishing completely.
"Fellow Daoist, rest assured — how would I actually attack these ghost creatures? I was merely curious and wanted to test just how powerful they really are." Han Li let out a low chuckle. The Dharma Avatar behind him and the golden vortex simultaneously flickered and disappeared, but in his hand, a pitch-black sphere of ink-like darkness had materialized out of thin air, and he examined it with considerable interest.
It was precisely the Yellow Springs Yin Wind he had collected earlier with the Void Golden Light.
However, this yin wind had already been compressed by his immense Magical Power into a single sphere, which was why it now took this form.
"Brother Han's abilities far exceed my expectations. It seems the rumors are no exaggeration at all. This old monk's little test was rather superfluous — an unnecessary exercise." The monk exhaled softly as he spoke, though his expression remained as impassive as ever.
"Brother Bi, now that the test is over, perhaps you could discuss the real matter at hand with me?" Han Li ignored the monk's earlier remarks and posed the question directly.
"Very well. Fellow Daoist certainly has that right. You should already be quite clear about my identity," the monk said.
"If that girl outside didn't lie to me, you should be the one in charge of the Helian Merchant Alliance on the Xuetian Continent — a position roughly equivalent to that of Fellow Daoist Ming," Han Li said calmly.
"That is indeed my role. But how much do you actually know about our Helian Merchant Alliance itself?" the monk countered.
"I don't know all that much — only that your alliance is enormously powerful, one of the rare superpowers that spans three continents." Han Li furrowed his brow slightly before answering.
"Ours is actually a rather loose organization. Apart from establishing a branch on each of the three continents to facilitate the exchange of resources and information, there are generally no mandatory regulations or obligations. When disputes arise, they are settled jointly by the Elder Council, composed of all the Mahayana cultivators in the alliance. It was precisely because the Elders on the Xuetian Continent recommended this old monk that I was put temporarily in charge of affairs on this continent. Should any Mahayana fellow daoist wish to join our alliance, they would typically be appointed to the position of Guest Elder. This would not affect their daily cultivation or their standing within their own race, and they would also enjoy numerous unexpected conveniences. The only obligation, roughly speaking, would be to lend a hand should the alliance ever face a crisis." The monk spoke in an unhurried manner.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Han Li stared at the monk and asked flatly.
"I would like to formally invite you to join our merchant alliance. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Han might be interested." The monk revealed a trace of a smile for the first time.
"So the test just now and bringing me here — all of that was just for this?" Han Li's expression remained remarkably composed.
"Of course not. It's simply that if you were to become a member of our alliance, I would have considerably fewer reservations about what I need to discuss with you next," the monk replied candidly.
"Although I do have some interest in the Helian Merchant Alliance, I would first like to hear what you have to say about the real matter before deciding anything else," Han Li said without betraying any emotion.
"Very well. Since you insist, this humble monk Bi naturally won't press the matter. How much do you know about the Underworld's Bureau of Netherworld Affairs?" the monk nodded and then abruptly asked.
"The Underworld? Although I hear people mention it from time to time, it seems no one has truly verified its existence. As for the Bureau of Netherworld Affairs, it is even more of a legend — whether it truly exists is something no one can ascertain. At the very least, I cannot confirm it. What, is what you want to discuss related to these two things?" Han Li was somewhat taken aback.
"It is indeed related. Roughly over a hundred years ago, while exploring a spatial rift on the Xuetian Continent, our branch alliance inadvertently discovered the entrance to a newly formed minor world."
"A newly formed minor world! Is this true?" Han Li was startled.
"Absolutely genuine. However, although it is called newly formed, it has in fact existed for a great many years — it simply never gave birth to any high-order living beings and was never discovered by the outside world until now. The minor world isn't particularly large, but the variety of resources within it is extraordinarily abundant. Just as our branch was overjoyed and preparing to invest large numbers of people and resources to develop it fully, another plane also discovered its existence and invaded it simultaneously." At this point, the monk paused, a flicker of reminiscence passing through his eyes.
"Another plane — could it be..." Han Li fell into thought.
"Indeed. The very first time our people clashed with these new enemies, they were quite alarmed. They turned out to be exactly the same kind of ghost creatures you just saw. Their strength varies — the weak ones are barely a match, comparable only to early-stage Qi Refining cultivators from our world. But the powerful ones are on par with our Spirit World's Integration or even Mahayana stage existences. That Yellow Springs Yin Wind was something I collected after battling one of their stronger members. The eight ghosts were also conjured by extracting the aura from these creatures. Of course, they are merely similar in appearance — their strength cannot compare to that of true Ghost Kings. Real Yellow Springs Ghost Kings are terrifying existences on par with ourselves. According to what these creatures claimed, the plane they come from is called the 'Underworld,' and the power they belong to is something called the Ten Kings of the Bureau of Netherworld Affairs. Our merchant alliance fought several battles with these ghost creatures over control of this world, and the result was a stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. To avoid mutual destruction, our alliance and these ghost creatures ultimately entered into a pact, agreeing to settle the matter through a battle of powerhouses to determine the share of resources each side would claim. The reason this old monk has come to see you, Fellow Daoist, is to invite you as one of our alliance's representatives to participate in one of these contests. Of course, if Brother Han were willing to formally join our alliance in the process, that would be even more fitting. Regardless of victory or defeat, as long as you take part, our alliance will certainly reward you generously." After a moment's hesitation, the monk finally laid everything bare.
"So that's how it is. I wonder whether this 'Underworld' is the same legendary Underworld, and what kind of existences these Ten Kings of the Bureau of Netherworld Affairs actually are — and whether they too will participate in this battle of powerhouses." Having heard all this, Han Li showed a degree of genuine interest.
"Our alliance has naturally conducted a thorough investigation. Although there is not much concrete evidence, I believe this plane is probably not the truly mysterious Underworld of legend — it is more likely a Yellow Springs ghost realm of some sort, a plane well-suited for powerful ghost creatures to inhabit. The so-called Ten Kings of the Bureau of Netherworld Affairs are simply ten beings somewhat more formidable than ordinary Ghost Kings. Otherwise, even with our alliance's considerable power, we could never have held our own against them for so long. As for this battle of powerhouses, it is quite likely that some of the Ten Kings will participate." The monk thought for a moment before answering.
"It's not the real Underworld — what a pity. I was thinking I might finally get to explore the true secrets of reincarnation." Han Li rubbed his chin, his gaze flickering with a hint of regret.
"Although it isn't the true Underworld, the techniques these ghost creatures cultivate are indeed quite different from our own, containing within them glimpses of Dao principles fundamentally distinct from those of ordinary living beings. If you were to exchange blows with them, with some fortuitous timing, you might genuinely come to comprehend some of the mysteries of the Dao of Reincarnation." The monk smiled.
Han Li listened, then fell into contemplation and said nothing.
After a long pause, he finally raised his head again and asked carefully:
"When is the scheduled date for this contest between your alliance and these ghost creatures? Where will it take place, and how many bouts are there? Apart from me, which other fellow daoists from your alliance are preparing to participate?"
Seeing Han Li ask in such detail, the monk showed no displeasure whatsoever. On the contrary, his spirits brightened as he promptly replied:
"The date is three years from now, and the location will be inside that newly discovered minor world. This battle of powerhouses will consist of five bouts. In addition to myself, a fellow daoist from the Thunder Continent branch alliance and a Guest Elder of the Elder Council will also take part. Besides them, I have invited the top-tier powerhouse of the Xuetian Continent — Xue Sha. With you included, that makes exactly five participants. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han — this contest is in a one-on-one format. Even if you are outmatched by your opponent, there will be no risk to your life. If you are able to win a bout, in addition to the originally agreed-upon compensation, I can also authorize you to enter our alliance's Ascension Pavilion and select one secret technique inherited from the Immortal World."
"An Immortal World secret technique? I hope I'm not hearing things." Han Li was somewhat stunned by these words.
"What this old monk has said is indeed an Immortal World secret technique. Actually, the fact that our alliance possesses several Immortal World secret techniques is known to some — it is not exactly a closely guarded secret. The reason is that the founders of our merchant alliance were the true descendants of Immortal World cultivators who had remained in the Spirit World. The alliance's predecessor was originally an extremely covert surveillance organization established by the Immortal World in the Spirit World, staffed entirely by the direct descendants of those immortals. It is therefore only natural that they would know several Immortal World techniques. However, after the great upheaval of Heaven and Earth, when all planes lost their connection with the Immortal World, these founders had no choice but to recruit other powerful cultivators into the organization. After so many years of development, it eventually became the merchant alliance you see today. So apart from being one of the rare superpowers spanning three continents, our alliance also does its utmost behind the scenes to maintain stability in this world and to repel interference from outside forces. Like the incident with the Mother of the Devilish Insects not long ago — our alliance sent several Mahayana fellow daoists into the Devil World, but unfortunately they were trapped within the restrictions of the Land of Origin Devils before they could make any contribution, and it was thanks to you and the others that they managed to escape. So in that sense, Fellow Daoist Han, you have earned the gratitude of quite a few of our Elders." The monk smiled as he explained.
Having heard all of this, Han Li's gaze flickered once more, and a look of deep contemplation returned to his face.