Heavenly South, deep within the Mulan Grassland, in an unnamed valley.
Silence reigned within the cave abode. Only pure spiritual energy, fine as silken threads, gathered of its own accord toward the innermost Quiet Chamber. Han Li sat cross-legged on a stone platform at the entrance, like a rock that had stood there since time immemorial. His eyes were half closed, and not the slightest fluctuation of spiritual power escaped his body. Yet the aura spreading invisibly from him drew every living thing in the valley-whether insects hidden underground or spiritual herbs stubbornly growing in cracks in the rock-into a strange stillness, almost akin to reverent pilgrimage. This was absolute suppression on the level of life itself, a "field" naturally emanating from a Deity Transformation cultivator after he had begun to merge with heaven and earth.
His spiritual sense spread like the most intricate of networks over hundreds of miles, monitoring every rustle of wind and grass outside while carefully tracking every change in Zi Ling's breathing within the Quiet Chamber. Her injuries were healing better than expected. The insidious poison of the Spirit-Locking Pill and the demonic qi Hu Qinglei had forced into her had been cleansed by his true demon qi. What remained was chiefly the nurturing of her meridians and the restoration of her divine soul, both of which required time and meticulous care.
Meanwhile, his spiritual sense quietly maintained a connection with Star-Magnetic Peak. The earthquake his telepathic announcement of his return had caused among the Star Palace's senior ranks was still sending out aftershocks, spreading and gathering force.
The Star Palace Main Altar, Star-Magnetic Peak.
Over the past few days, an indescribable atmosphere had settled over the usually orderly palaces and pavilions-a mixture of excitement, fervor, and profound awe. Although the low-ranking disciples did not