Along the way, there were only the two of them, and initially, Han Li and the woman surnamed Song naturally didn't have much to say to each other.
However, when they caught sight of Tianyi City in the distance, she hesitated mid-flight and suddenly spoke up.
"Martial Uncle Han. Fallen Devil Valley — from ancient times to the present, who knows how many Nascent Soul monsters have entered it and never returned. After we Core Formation cultivators go in, is it really possible to find the spirit fruit and withdraw safely?"
Hearing this, Han Li was somewhat surprised. The azure light around him flickered as he slowed his flying speed, then he turned his head to glance at her with a look of astonishment.
That the woman surnamed Song would ask this at such a time was somewhat beyond his expectations.
However, after a moment of silence, he said calmly: "In terms of cultivation techniques and power, you are naturally far inferior to those treasure-seeking cultivators who entered the valley before. That your chances of survival upon encountering danger in the valley would be much lower than theirs is perfectly normal. However, the reason those cultivators perished in the valley was most likely greed. Otherwise, with so many Nascent Soul cultivators entering the valley, it's impossible that none of them managed to safely obtain one or two treasures. Most likely, the treasures tempted them — after getting one, they wanted another, or they were single-mindedly searching for spirit herbs that could extend their lifespan or allow them to break through their realm in a short time. In this way, after traversing several more danger zones, encountering disaster was only a matter of time."
"So according to Martial Uncle, going in would be just as much a nine-dead, one-alive venture for us?" The woman surnamed Song knitted her delicate brows tightly, looking rather worried.
"Without a method to enter the valley and a relatively safe route, let alone a nine-dead, one-alive venture — of all those cultivators who entered before, aside from Cangkun Shangren, how many ever walked out of that valley? On that point, without these two conditions, I wouldn't even consider entering Fallen Devil Valley. Otherwise, that wouldn't be treasure-seeking — it would be suicide. Although your cultivation is lower, as long as you're not greedy and beforehand ascertain the exact location of the Spirit Illuminating Fruit, you can head straight for it upon entering the valley. If your luck isn't too bad, there will naturally be an opportunity to succeed. Of course, Fallen Devil Valley is known as the most dangerous place in the Tianlan region. Even with the most thorough preparations, you must be ready to perish within it. If the Spirit Illuminating Fruit were truly so easy to obtain, the Ghost Spirit Sect would have known about it and wouldn't have waited until now to make a move. Their current venture to seek treasure in Fallen Devil Valley is most likely because they saw that Marquis Nanlong had also obtained a method to enter the valley, and feared he would beat them to seizing the treasures within. That's why they had no choice but to risk the attempt. I'm afraid their method of entering the valley carries considerable danger." Han Li hesitated briefly before voicing his speculation.
"Since Martial Uncle has guessed that the Ghost Spirit Sect's method of entering the valley is unreliable, just now why did you—" Upon hearing Han Li's words, surprise flashed through the woman surnamed Song's beautiful eyes, and she became somewhat startled.
"Why didn't I say it in front of Zi Ling and the others just now, is that it? Do you think I had some ulterior motive?" Han Li's lips curved upward as he chuckled lightly.
"I wouldn't dare. This junior has no intention of doubting Martial Uncle." The woman surnamed Song was startled and hurriedly clarified.
"Rest assured. Your suspicion is perfectly natural. However, the reason I didn't say these things earlier wasn't from any ill intent. Because if I said this, it might be useful to you and Mei Ning. But for Zi Ling, it would most likely have no effect. You see, while the Creation Pill is extraordinarily precious, it's somewhat wasteful for Core Formation cultivators. Not to mention Mei Ning — if she takes this pill, she has a great chance of entering the Core Formation stage. It would be worth the gamble. After all, upon reaching Core Formation, one's lifespan extends by several centuries. But you and Zi Ling are only at early Core Formation, and both possess extraordinary talent. Even without taking this pill, you would most likely be able to safely break through the bottleneck and enter mid Core Formation. Taking it would only save you both over a century of bottleneck contemplation. On one side, you save a century of cultivation time. On the other, you must risk entering Fallen Devil Valley, trapped between life and death. How to choose depends entirely on the individual. I'm not sure how you would decide, but Zi Ling would most likely risk entering the valley for the sake of saving that century. She doesn't want to remain a mere Core Formation cultivator. Saving over a century of painstaking cultivation would significantly increase her chances of reaching the Nascent Soul stage." As Han Li spoke, a meaningful expression appeared on his face.
"Martial Uncle means that Fellow Daoist Zi Ling has an iron will and is dead set on becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator? So no matter how dangerous it is, she'll venture into the valley to try!" The woman surnamed Song murmured, a peculiar expression subtly appearing on her face.
"That's right. That's exactly what I mean. Zi Ling's experiences differ somewhat from yours and Mei Ning's. She has been coerced by powerful cultivators on multiple occasions. Even the sect her mother left her was seized by other forces. Though she eventually escaped and never mentions it in front of others, I can still faintly sense that her desire to become strong is probably much stronger than most." Han Li raised his head to look at the reddish evening glow in the distance, recalling some past events, and spoke in a leisurely manner.
Then, under the astonished gaze of the woman surnamed Song, Han Li seemed to grow more engaged. He paused briefly before continuing.
"If there truly are Spirit Illuminating Fruits in the valley, I would most likely take the gamble as well. After all, once one's cultivation reaches the Nascent Soul stage, advancing even one step further is extraordinarily difficult. If I don't seize this opportunity, I might remain trapped at early Nascent Soul for the rest of my life. But until the trip to Fallen Devil Valley becomes absolutely necessary, I don't want to prattle on with useless words. When the time truly comes that we must go to Fallen Devil Valley, I will naturally reemphasize the dangers of the journey and point out the potential flaws in the Ghost Spirit Sect's method of entry. However, the above is merely my speculation. Perhaps the Ghost Spirit Sect has long since researched a more refined method of entering the valley than Cangkun Shangren. That's not impossible either. That's one of the reasons I didn't immediately voice my speculation."
Upon hearing this, the woman surnamed Song fell silent, but a look of dawning understanding appeared in her bright eyes.
"Alright, I originally didn't intend to tell you all this right now. But since you asked, I've said a thing or two. Now that you've come to Tianyi City, the most important thing is to ensure you don't perish in the upcoming great battle. That's the pressing priority. If your luck is bad and something happens during the battle, there's no need to worry about Fallen Devil Valley at all. I'm the same — once back in Tianyi City, I'll set this matter aside and not think about it anymore." After finishing these words, a trace of self-mockery appeared at the corner of Han Li's lips.
"Thank you for your guidance, Martial Uncle!" The woman surnamed Song felt a chill at Han Li's words, clasped her hands in salute, and expressed her gratitude.
"It's nothing worth calling guidance. I don't need to tell you this — you'd understand with just a moment's thought. Alright, let's enter the city. The day is getting on." Han Li waved his hand, his expression calm and indifferent.
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
The azure flying light surged forward at full speed once more, shooting straight toward the city gates.
……
Several days later, inside a sealed chamber at the Falling Cloud Sect's outpost in Tianyi City — a chamber surrounded by layer upon layer of restrictions on the outside — Han Li sat cross-legged in the center, holding a massive sword five or six feet long with both hands, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
The sword was wreathed in bizarre flames of purple and cyan — none other than Han Li's Purple Extreme Fire and that strange azure lamp flame.