When Han Li saw that the two had acknowledged him, a faint, indescribable wave of emotion stirred in his heart. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke in a leisurely tone: "When I left home all those years ago to seek the Dao, I never imagined that the Han clan would become a great family in its own right. It truly shows that nothing in this world is certain. Rise, both of you. I haven't returned home once in all these years — to the current Han clan, I'm little more than a stranger. There's no need for such formalities."
"Granduncle speaks too humbly. It is we descendants who have been unfilial, not knowing that Granduncle was still alive. Had we known, we would have sent people to serve at Granduncle's side long ago." The middle-aged Confucian scholar rose and bowed respectfully.
"There's no need for that. I've only come to take a look, and I won't be staying. I am someone who walks the path of seeking immortality — the less entanglement with worldly affairs, the better." Han Li waved his hand and spoke evenly.
"Granduncle, you're leaving already? That's far too hasty. Won't you at least come into the fortress and meet the other members of the Han clan before departing?" The scholar was startled.
"No need. When I arrived here just now, I flew over the Han clan fortress and swept it with my spiritual sense. Although the Han clan is numerous, not a single one possesses a Spirit Root. There is no fated connection between us. Otherwise, I wouldn't have minded taking one or two clan disciples with me for cultivation." Han Li sighed, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Then I suppose we descendants are simply too lacking in fortune to share an immortal fate with Granduncle." A flash of disappointment crossed the scholar's face as he said with a bitter smile.
"Having a Spirit Root — the kind that cultivators possess — is something that occurs in perhaps one in ten thousand. That several hundred members of the Han clan lack this aptitude is entirely normal. Besides, in my own opinion, it would be better for the descendants of the Han and Li families not to enter the world of cultivation. After all, the cultivation world is far from peaceful these days. Entire clans and sects are annihilated from time to time. If the whole Han clan were dragged into it, that would be far worse." Han Li shook his head.
"We will obey Granduncle's instructions in all things." The scholar was momentarily stunned by these words but quickly replied with deference.
"Han Li's gaze shifted, and he suddenly fixed it on the bearded, powerfully built man. "You're a descendant of Li Feiyu — which generation, and what is your name?"
The big man hastily lowered his head in response: "This junior is Li Feng, an eleventh-generation descendant of Ancestor Feiyu. Greetings, Granduncle Han."
"Feiyu and I were like brothers back in the day. If you call me Granduncle, I can certainly accept that. Just now I saw how much you've looked after Tianxiao. It seems the Li family has indeed taken good care of our Han clan over the years. As the Han clan's Granduncle, I naturally cannot mistreat the Li family. Here are some medicinal pills — they will greatly benefit those who practice martial arts and can save the Li family's disciples half the years of bitter inner-force training. Take them." Han Li tapped his storage pouch with one hand. A flash of white light, and seven or eight small bottles of various colors appeared in his palm, which he handed to the big man.
The big man was overjoyed and eagerly accepted the bottles with profuse thanks. He knew that while martial artists didn't need decades to cultivate their inner force the way cultivators did, achieving even modest proficiency still required many years of effort. With these pills, the Li family could surely produce numerous experts from now on.
Seeing this, the middle-aged scholar was happy for his friend, but a trace of anticipation also crept into the gaze he turned toward Han Li.
Han Li smiled faintly at the sight. Unhurriedly, he unclasped a spirit beast pouch from his waist and tapped it lightly.
Instantly, over a thousand tri-colored Gold-Devouring Beetles poured out in a frenzy, their buzzing forming a three-colored cloud of insects roughly ten feet across, shimmering brilliantly like ten thousand points of starlight manifesting in broad daylight.
The scholar and the big man were struck dumb, marveling silently at the spectacle.
Han Li said nothing further. He pointed a finger at the cloud of beetles hovering above.
The thousand-odd Gold-Devouring Beetles suddenly converged toward the center, instantly transforming into a tri-colored spirit sword that floated motionless in the air. Han Li beckoned, and the sword let out a clear ring, dropping of its own accord into his hand.
This bizarre scene left the two men even more slack-jawed than before.
Han Li held the sword in one hand while the other gently ran along the blade, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
After a long moment, he still let out a sigh. He opened his mouth, and a wisp of azure spiritual energy shot out, striking the sword precisely. Azure light flickered, and a verdant, ancient-looking scabbard materialized over the blade's surface.
Han Li sheathed the sword and laid it horizontally before him.
"This sword was forged by refining spirit insects into a single form. It can slay enemies on its own. I will leave it here in this ancestral hall. Should the Han clan ever face true annihilation, the clan members may take refuge within this hall. With this sword, they can temporarily avert disaster. However, you must remember — this sword is not personally controlled by me. Once drawn from its scabbard, it will kill every living being within a ten-mile radius, except those inside this hall. So you must use it with extreme caution. This jade pendant contains a trace of my vital essence. Only someone wearing it can draw the sword — otherwise, a mere mortal cannot unsheathe it. From now on, let this pendant be passed down through the heads of the Han clan." Han Li produced a crystalline, translucent piece of fine jade and handed it to the scholar with a warning.
"Your grandnephew will remember Granduncle's instructions!" Having witnessed Han Li's incredible powers moments before, the scholar no longer harbored a shred of doubt. Upon hearing these words, he answered with delight and haste.