Mortal: Li Feiyu, who came from the realm of a supreme being

Chen Qiaoqian hesitated to stay, but Han Li persuaded her to leave, saying that "this place is dangerous and too many people would only be a burden."

Shortly after the Qi Refining stage disciples, laden with spirit stones, hastily evacuated the mine, violent tremors and shouts of battle erupted from the ground.

Han Li quietly flew to the vicinity of the entrance to investigate, then returned with a slightly serious expression: "It's an allied force from the Heavenly Fiend Sect and the Demon Flame Sect, and there are quite a few of them."

The demonic cultivators have begun to split up and pursue the scattered disciples of the seven sects, and shouts of killing and screams can be faintly heard.

Although the situation was critical, if they could escape with their share of spirit stones, it would be a great opportunity for these low-level disciples.

Xin Ruyin had already activated the Four Fiends Formation on the outer perimeter to temporarily block the powerful enemy.

Without further delay, Li Feiyu gestured for Xuan Le to lead the way, and the four of them quickly retreated deeper into the mine.

Xuan Le was burning with anxiety.

The pursuers were closing in from behind, and in front of him stood the unfathomable Li Feiyu, while he was only ten steps away from her.

These ten steps seemed so deadly after witnessing the swift and decisive methods the other party used to capture and kill Lü Tianmeng—perhaps only enough for him to use the Heaven-Covering Bell to protect himself, but being trapped inside the bell was no different from waiting to die. What's more, Han Li and that array master were also watching him closely.

The only variable is the level-four mutated monster guarding the teleportation array, the Blood Jade Spider.

But can it really contend against this terrifyingly powerful body cultivator?

The odds are slim, perhaps less than 10%.

Just then, the entire mine tunnel suddenly began to shake violently, with gravel falling down as if an earth dragon were turning over.

"It's an Earth-Shaking Talisman!" Xuan Le's expression changed, and he said in a deep voice. This is usually a siege weapon possessed only by the core disciples of major demonic sects, indicating that the enemy is of extraordinary status.

Li Feiyu's mind stirred slightly; it must be that Lian Feihua, the young lady of the Demon Flame Sect, had arrived.

He remained expressionless, only urging, "Hurry up. Don't worry, Senior Brother Xuan, we'll definitely share in any opportunities that come our way."

Xuan Le smiled bitterly to herself, but dared not say anything more and could only quicken her pace.

The four people passed through a passage that had begun to partially collapse due to the tremors and soon arrived at a naturally formed, spacious underground cave.

The cave was dark and gloomy, with a faint, cold, and fishy smell emanating from it.

Xuan Le's heart raced; he knew the Blood Jade Spider's lair was nearby!

The choice between life and death is now at hand!

'This man killed Lü Tianmeng, yet spared the low-level disciples of Spirit Beast Mountain; he took ninety percent of the spirit stones, yet still left a sliver for others to escape… Judging from his actions, he doesn't seem to be solely driven by bloodlust. The Blood Jade Spider is probably no match for him, and with Han Li and that formation mage involved, even if I succeed in my sneak attack, my chances of survival are slim.' Countless thoughts raced through Xuan Le's mind. 'To entrust one's life and death to the whim of another—is this the behavior of a cultivator?'

"No, that's not right!" he suddenly realized. "This person's vision and breadth of mind far surpass those of Lü Tianmeng and his ilk. His thoughts and ideas are unlikely to be confined to the petty squabbles of a corner of the south. This isn't about entrusting one's life to another; it's about gambling with one's own judgment and foresight! On the path of cultivation, many times, choice is more important than brute force!"

In a flash, Xuan Le made a decision!

He abruptly stopped, turned to face Li Feiyu and the other two, his voice carrying a deliberately suppressed urgency: "Fellow Daoists, be careful! Several years ago, I strayed into this place and discovered what appears to be an ancient teleportation array, but a level four mutated demonic beast, the Blood Jade Spider, lurks nearby! This beast is ferocious and adept at stealth and ambush!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Han Li's eyes.

He had been secretly on guard against Xuan Le, and was certain that she had a ulterior motive for bringing them here, but he never expected that Xuan Le would take the initiative to warn him!

Li Feiyu's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly.

With his nine orifices fully developed, his senses were incredibly sharp. He quickly sensed the approaching cold, fishy smell and subtle rustling sounds from behind the rock wall to the side.

Xuan Le's speaking up at this moment proves that he has made the wisest choice.

"Little Han, would you be interested in practicing against this level four demonic beast?" Li Feiyu asked leisurely.

Han Li quickly shook his head and said with a wry smile, "With you here, why should I try to teach you? Let's resolve this quickly so we can discuss the next steps."

He had almost wasted his time on this trip, as he was preoccupied with the "profit sharing" promised by Li Feiyu and was unwilling to waste his magical power.

Li Feiyu didn't force him. He chuckled lightly, and with a slight movement of his feet, he swept away like a gentle breeze, suddenly heading towards a dark crevice in the rocks to the side.

Xuan Le heard a sharp, piercing screech suddenly erupt from the darkness, followed by a muffled crash as rocks were shattered by tremendous force!

The hissing sound carried a clear hint of shock, anger, and...panic? Immediately following, a series of violent collisions and the piercing noise of sharp objects scraping against the rock face came from different directions, as if the hunter and prey were engaged in a high-speed chase and fight in a confined space.

But it sounds more like... a monster desperately dodging and fleeing?

The whole process was incredibly brief. In just a dozen or twenty breaths, all the sounds abruptly ceased.

Li Feiyu's calm voice came from the darkness: "Alright, let's keep going."

Xuan Le's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head!

Li Feiyu had clearly sensed the location of the Blood Jade Spider long ago! He hadn't made a move yet because he was waiting for me to make a statement!

If I had taken a chance and tried to use the power of the demon beast to cause trouble, I would probably be a corpse by now!

The relief of surviving the ordeal and the fear of Li Feiyu's deep scheming intertwined, leaving him almost exhausted. But what surged up next was a strong excitement that he had made the right bet—his judgment was correct!

Guided by Xuan Le, the four of them quickly found the ancient teleportation array deep inside the cave.

The formation was constructed of an unknown silver-white stone with intricate and mysterious patterns, exuding the aura of time. However, one corner of the edge was clearly cracked, and the spirit stone groove was empty.

"Oh no?!" Xuan Le's heart sank.

The ancient teleportation array that he had placed his hopes on and regarded as his only hope of escaping the conflict in Tiannan was actually damaged!

Han Li's eyes also flickered as he stared at the formation, seemingly deep in thought.

"Can it be repaired?" Li Feiyu looked directly at Xin Ruyin.

Xin Ruyin stepped forward, her delicate hand gently tracing the array patterns. After examining them carefully for a moment, she nodded and said, "The main body of the array is intact, but the foundation here is damaged, causing some of the guiding spirit patterns to break. In the past, I might have needed a long time to deduce and try. But now..." She glanced at Li Feiyu, her eyes filled with confidence, "I'm absolutely confident. It's just that repairs will take time, at the very least... about two months."

"So she's the array master that Fei Yu relies on." Only now did Han Li fully confirm Xin Ruyin's identity, and he suddenly realized.

Li Feiyu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the array platform. He reached out and grabbed a pale yellow token that was neither gold nor wood, along with a small jade bottle, which flew into his hand. These were the Great Teleportation Token and five Heaven-Mending Pills of different colors that had not yet been refined.

The Heaven-Mending Pill can cleanse spiritual roots, which is of little use to him and Han Yunshu, but it is a precious foundation that Xin Ruyin, whose talent is not outstanding but is still crucial, may use when she breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Since we've encountered this opportunity, there's no reason for us to let it go.

However, he didn't intend for Han Li to leave empty-handed.

Li Feiyu turned around and tossed two fist-sized monster eggs with blood-red patterns on their surfaces to Han Li: "These are Blood Jade Spider eggs. You can play with them."

Han Li took the still-warm beast egg, his eyes showing joy.

He has always been interested in the arts of cultivation and studying these strange insects and beasts, and this item is exactly what he wanted.

Li Feiyu had no interest in raising livestock, just as he had no interest in growing spiritual plants. He felt that even if it was disguised as cultivating immortality, it was still hard labor, which did not suit his style and dignity as a high-ranking Dharma Master.

If he really needed it, he would just snatch Han Li's pills and spirit pets himself; he wouldn't need to make any effort on his own!

Speaking of which... Han Li hasn't gone to find Qu Hun yet, and hasn't obtained the legacy of that Core Formation cultivator from the Yu Ling Sect.

Now that Xuan Le is still alive, and he's lost the [Hidden Spirit Veil], won't he be killed by the Golden-backed Mantis?

However, the possibility is slim, not to mention the joke about being the chosen one of the planes.

Han Li was always cautious. Although his cultivation level was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, his strength was much stronger than that of the same period in the original story. In particular, his mastery of the Nine Apertures technique was very effective against demonic beasts.

Cultivating immortality is a matter of individual destiny, and there's no use in Li Feiyu overthinking it; he can only trust the Dao Ancestor.

With everything settled, Li Feiyu had no intention of waiting any longer.

He turned to Xuan Le and said bluntly, "Since you've made the right choice, I won't kill you. However, Han Li is my childhood friend and closest confidant; I can entrust him with my life and share his secrets. But you…"

Xuan Le felt a slight relaxation in her tense state. The fact that the other party was willing to be frank meant that their chances of survival were now in sight.

"How can I gain Fellow Daoist Mo's trust? Please speak frankly." Xuan Le adopted a very humble attitude.

"Simple. I need to place a restriction on you. However, you are also at the late Foundation Establishment stage, having endured all this way. If you are easily subdued, you will surely be unwilling." A hint of interest flashed in Li Feiyu's eyes. "How about we have a duel? Within ten breaths, I will not use any magical artifacts or spells. As long as you can avoid being caught by me, you win. What do you say?"

Xuan Le was also a decisive person. Although the other party's request seemed to be very contemptuous of him at first glance, he did not hesitate when he heard it. He flashed down to the open space below.

At the same time, a thin, shimmering gauze robe was draped over his body, making his figure blurry and elusive. This was the [Hidden Spirit Veil] he relied on.

However, just as he regained his footing, he saw Li Feiyu leap down from the platform several meters high!

boom!

It wasn't magic; it was purely the impact of the falling body that stirred up a visible shockwave on the ground, with dust spreading in a ring!

Xuan Le's pupils contracted, and she dared not be careless. She quickly waved her hands, and several thick ice walls instantly solidified in front of her. At the same time, ice shards spread under her feet, and sharp ice spikes pierced the ground, trying to hinder Li Feiyu's steps.

Li Feiyu charged straight at him without dodging or avoiding. With each punch and kick, the ice wall shattered like paper, and the ice spikes were crushed into dust.

His movements appeared slow but were actually swift, carrying a crushing, violent beauty. Every step made Xuan Le feel suffocated pressure, and she couldn't even find a gap to unleash the Heaven-Covering Bell. She could only continuously cast ice spells to create obstacles and delay the approach of that deadly figure.

Ten breaths, which is only about thirty seconds, felt like an eternity.

Finally, at the eighth breath, Xuan Le's slight hesitation during a spellcasting transition was precisely detected by Li Feiyu. A flash of green shadow appeared, and a warm, powerful hand gripped his wrist like an iron clamp.

A scorching aura, completely different from magical power, instantly surged into his meridians, throwing his circulating magical power into chaos.

"Not bad, you held out for eight breaths." Li Feiyu released his grip, his tone calm. "Unfortunately, you still lost."

Xuan Le sighed deeply, suppressing all resistance, and bowed respectfully: "Xuan Le... is willing to serve you as my master, and will obey your every command to repay the kindness of not killing me."

"Are there still worldly matters unresolved?" Li Feiyu asked.

Xuan Le's lips moved slightly, as if she had a thousand words to say, but in the end she just shook her head: "...I have no more attachments."

"Alright." Li Feiyu nodded. "You will stay here and guard the teleportation array. It will take at least three months, and at most half a year, before I repair the array and leave."

"Xiao Han, are you coming or not?" Li Feiyu turned his head and asked.

Han Li knew that there were many battles going on, and since they were the main fighting force, they would definitely be asked to go to the front lines to fight.

Therefore, leaving this place of trouble is undoubtedly the best choice, but the problem is... three months to six months is too short a time.

"Let's go!" Han Li nodded.

"Alright, I'll use a Thousand-Mile Talisman to notify you in advance. You need to finish your business quickly, or I won't wait for you," Li Feiyu reminded him.

Han Li nodded, indicating that he understood.

With everything finished, Xuan Le claimed to have no ties, so Li Feiyu didn't need to let him leave. With a flick of his hand, he cast a mysterious spell that entered Xuan Le's body—it was a kind of unorthodox spell from his previous life called the "Earth Binding Spell".

The teleportation array itself was concealed and protected by a small inverted five elements array set up by Xin Ruyin, which can be described as double insurance.

He kept Xuan Le because he valued her quick wit and decisiveness in assessing the situation. Such a shrewd person could surely be of use in the Chaotic Star Sea.

As for loyalty? That was never something he pursued with his subordinates.

In his eyes, useful abilities are far more important than empty loyalty; making the best use of people's talents and resources is his way of managing his subordinates.