"How much does your alliance know about the ancient altars across the various continents?"
"How much we know? Fellow Daoist means..." The monk was somewhat taken aback.
"I'm asking how many of the ancient altar locations across the different continents your alliance has roughly identified." Han Li posed the question once more.
"As for other continents, this old man isn't too clear. But for the Blood Sky Continent, our alliance has already pinpointed quite a few of these ancient altar locations — roughly seventy to eighty percent of the total. Why, does Brother Han have an interest in these altars?" The monk asked with some curiosity.
This was hardly surprising.
These ancient altars were essentially defunct relics, and for beings at the Mahayana stage, they were hardly worth paying any attention to.
"As for joining your alliance, I'll need to think it over some more. I can't simply agree to join just because you've said a few words. However, I can agree to participate in the Battle of the Strong. But beyond the original compensation, I have one additional condition." Han Li said.
"What condition?" The monk's expression turned somewhat grave.
"During my time on the Blood Sky Continent, I hope to make use of your alliance's information channels to obtain whatever intelligence I need in a timely manner. As for information on the ancient altars, I want a detailed distribution map right now." Han Li replied calmly.
"That's simple enough. This old man agrees. As for the information about the ancient altars, once you leave, I'll have someone deliver a copy to you immediately." The monk's expression relaxed upon hearing this, and he agreed readily.
"Good. As long as your alliance keeps to the agreement, in three years I will certainly participate in the Battle of the Strong on schedule." Han Li smiled.
"With your status, Fellow Daoist, having given your word, I, Bi, am naturally quite at ease. Here is a token — keep it safe. When the Battle of the Strong is about to begin, it will notify you automatically. At that time, Brother Han need only find any branch of our alliance, and they will arrange passage to the pocket world's entrance for you." The monk produced a command plate from his sleeve.
"I'll accept this then. We'll rendezvous with the other fellow daoists at that time." Han Li didn't stand on ceremony. He raised his hand and drew the command plate into his storage bracelet.
After that, the monk discussed several matters to note regarding the Battle of the Strong, then provided an even more detailed map of the Blood Sky Continent before using his technique to send Han Li out of this space.
Outside the scroll, the cold, beautiful woman and the others felt a flash before their eyes as Han Li's figure reappeared before them, enveloped in a sphere of blood-red light.
"Senior Han!"
"Senior!"
Everyone cried out in surprise — some startled, some delighted — and hurried forward to bow in greeting.
"Rise. I've made you all worry." Han Li waved his hand and smiled faintly, motioning for them to stand.
At this point, the cold, beautiful woman appeared to have received Bi Ying's instructions. She stepped forward and said respectfully:
"Senior Han, the materials you requested have already been transmitted, and they will be delivered shortly. Please wait just a little longer!"
"I've already been here for so long. Naturally, waiting a little longer won't make a difference." Han Li replied evenly.
The cold, beautiful woman didn't dare say anything more. She bowed once more, then stored away the Eight Ghosts Buddha-Devouring Formation before retreating to the side to wait.
The round-faced young man, after Han Li emerged, had maintained a respectful expression while standing silently to one side the entire time.
It was more than an hour later before a flash of spiritual light appeared on the horizon. A crimson rainbow shot toward them at inconceivable speed, and after just a few flickers it arrived above the group, circling and hovering in the air.
The cold, beautiful woman formed a one-handed seal and beckoned upward.
Instantly, the crimson rainbow transformed into a scarlet flying sword that descended, carrying a pale yellow jade slip on its blade.
"Senior, the ancient altar data has arrived."
As soon as the cold, beautiful woman plucked off the jade slip, she hurriedly handed it to Han Li.
Han Li took the jade slip and swept it with his spiritual sense for a moment, then a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
"Indeed very thorough. Your alliance has been a great help this time. It's getting late — time to be on our way."
Han Li didn't say much more. After storing the jade slip, he raised one hand, and a ball of black light shot outward.
With a tremendous boom, fierce winds stirred in the high sky as a massive black ship materialized, looming like a small mountain.
It was none other than the Mo Ling Sacred Ship.