Chapter 927

Longzhou is a large prefecture located at the western-central border of Da Jin. Within its borders, towering mountains and rugged ridges abound, along with miasmas and venomous snakes, making it famed for producing a wide variety of toxic insects and spiritual beasts.

Unlike other prefectures, this vast territory is entirely controlled by only two factions: the renowned orthodox sect Yueyang Palace and Muxu Sect, one of the Ten Dark Sects. External powers cannot possibly interfere in any affairs within Longzhou. Other local cultivation factions are insignificant minor sects, incapable of threatening these two super-sects. They are forced to submit to one or the other for protection.

The entire Longzhou is now fully under the control of these two factions, forming a stalemate of two dominant powers in the east and west.

Yueyang Palace sits atop Nantian Peak, deep within the Tianyue Mountain Range, located in the jurisdiction of Chuanchuan Prefecture. The entire mountain range, spanning over a hundred thousand li, is an endless expanse of desolate wilderness. Tens of thousands of Yueyang Palace disciples are scattered across the surrounding peaks and hills, turning the heart of the Tianyue Mountains into a fortress of bronze and iron. Not only do no cultivators dare plot against Yueyang Palace, but even the boldest intruders cannot penetrate the thirteen layers of forbidden arrays that encircle Nantian Peak from within outward.

Yet on this day, as a squad of Yueyang Palace disciples flew past on their flying treasures, having just departed from a deserted peak at the mountain range's edge, a sudden flash of green light appeared on the now-empty summit. There stood a young man in green robes, arms folded behind his back, gazing silently at the retreating backs of the disciples, his face expressionless.

It was none other than Han Li.

"Little Han, you really intend to strike at Yueyang Palace? I don't think that's a good idea. Even among the top ten orthodox sects, Yueyang Palace ranks among the top five—it's not something you can lightly provoke."

"I know that well. But we've gathered nearly all the materials for the Three Flame Fan—both openly and covertly. Now we only lack the long feathers of the Haoyang Bird and the scales of the Chihuo Dragon. The Chihuo Dragon is manageable; we've received word from the marketplace that several fierce dragons have surfaced along the eastern coast of Da Jin, devouring cultivators. One of them appears to be a red dragon—whether it's the Chihuo Dragon or another fire-type dragon, we can try our luck there. As for the Haoyang Bird, we've inquired at every marketplace in the south, and only Yueyang Palace keeps this spiritual bird. Where else could we go? Even if Yueyang Palace is dangerous, we have no choice but to press forward."

"I'm not stopping you from avoiding Yueyang Palace—why not just go there and ask for the feathers directly? With your Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivation, and a few rare treasures, they might grant you a favor."

"Don't joke, Elder. Exchange requires roughly equal power. I'm merely a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator, while Yueyang Palace has Nascent Soul late-stage masters in residence. Why would they care about my meager cultivation? Moreover, Yueyang Palace clearly treats the two Haoyang Birds as sacred lineage creatures—they would never allow outsiders to pluck their feathers and weaken them. The treasures I offer would be too worthless for them to notice; if I offer something too rare, they might just kill me and seize it. I'm an outsider, within their territory. Yueyang Palace has no reason to hold back. I have no interest in leaving my safety to their whim. Had I reached Nascent Soul late-stage, I might have tried your suggestion."

"You have a point. But you've been lingering at the mountain range's edge for over ten days. Are you just waiting for the Haoyang Bird to fly out on its own? And your actions lately—searching for something—what are you planning?"

After a moment of silence, Elder Dayan Elder Dayan Shenjun had to admit Han Li's reasoning held weight, yet he grew curious about Han Li's recent behavior.

"Nothing much—just looking for a suitable spot to set a trap."

"A trap? I knew you wouldn't dare target Yueyang Palace without some trick up your sleeve. Tell me what you're thinking."

"Heh, once I find the right spot, you'll know the details. But between the two Haoyang Birds—one large, one small—which one is better to target?"

"Obviously the large one! I've heard it's at the eighth-level beast stage. Do you think you can defeat it in a short time?"

"True. If these ancient spiritual birds weren't so difficult to awaken to full sentience, and if they couldn't transform into human form in the mortal realm, they'd never submit to Yueyang Palace's control. I have no confidence facing a spiritual bird with such immense power. The smaller one, I've heard, is weaker—only seventh-level. That should be manageable."

"But if you use the feather of the eighth-level Haoyang Bird to forge the Three Flame Fan, its power would be far greater."

"Forget it. Nothing in this world is perfect. There's no zero chance against the eighth-level Haoyang Bird, but the risk is too great. Even a slight delay might alert the entire Yueyang Palace. I don't want to relive the scene on the Tianlan Grassland—being hunted, gravely wounded. Better to go for the smaller one—it's safer."

"Hmm. Your thinking is sound. But whether large or small, these two Haoyang Birds spend most of their time inside Yueyang Palace, only venturing out occasionally within a hundred li of the sect. They rarely leave the mountain's heart. To succeed, your skill will be put to the test."

"Rest assured. I've already used Dream-Inducing Technique to extract the Haoyang Birds' schedule from a Yueyang Palace disciple. To prevent the two spiritual birds from becoming too close and hard to control, they release them on staggered monthly schedules. That's our opening."

"Since you understand the stakes, I won't offer further advice. But don't delay the Jinjing Trade Fair. I still need several materials for my golem—likely available there."

"The Jinjing Auction is one of Da Jin's three major auctions, held only once every ten years—I won't miss it. Once this matter is settled, we'll head straight to Jinjing, then proceed east to find those rogue dragons."

"You've truly impressed me. I thought gathering all these materials would take you at least three or four years. Yet you've pursued both open and covert methods without hesitation. In just one year, you've nearly assembled everything. Remarkable—such decisive ruthlessness is beyond what I expected."

"I wanted to gather materials slowly and safely, but time doesn't wait. Your primordial spirit, though nourished by Yanghun Wood, is clearly much weaker than before. If I wish to see your Nascent Soul golem with my own eyes, I must hurry."

You've truly cared. I know you can sense my condition. I can hold on for another three or four years at most—then my primordial spirit will truly disintegrate. But with your speed in gathering materials, there's a good chance you'll complete the golem before I reincarnate.

"Since meeting me, you've aided me countless times. I, Han Mou, am no ungrateful man—I remember every favor. I will do everything in my power to fulfill your wish."

"Hmph. Actually, helping you was self-preservation. If I fell into others' hands, my fate wouldn't be better."

Han Li smiled, then his body flickered. A flash of green light, and he vanished into the wind, disappearing once more.

Two days later, Han Li appeared in a small, unremarkable valley.

The valley was covered in a vast grove of peach trees, their blossoms painting the ground in soft pink—a scene of exquisite beauty.

Han Li hovered above the valley, observing its every detail, then extended his spiritual sense to scan the surrounding hundred li. Finally, a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

"Perfect. This location is remote, with no Yueyang Palace cultivators nearby, and ideal for setting up arrays. This is the place."

Without hesitation, Han Li immediately began working in the valley.

He set up seven or eight different arrays using flag and disc formations—mostly barriers to block spiritual energy and conceal aura. Only two or three were actual trapping arrays. On top of these, he added a separate illusion array, masking the valley's true appearance.

Elder Dayan Elder Dayan Shenjun watched, curious but holding his tongue.

After completing everything, Han Li did not act immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged at the center of the peach grove and entered meditation.

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