A Name Shakes the Region — Conditions

Chapter 759: A Name Shakes the Region — Conditions

Hearing Lu Luo’s words, Han Li’s mind immediately conjured the scene of Mu Peiling and Nangong Wan meeting. He grumbled inwardly, but voiced two more perfunctory thanks.

“What plans does Junior Brother have for the future? Originally, according to our agreement, since you’ve already fought once, you wouldn’t need to participate in the battles to come. But a few days ago, our Alliance, the Righteous and Demonic Sects, and the Nine Nations Alliance held a strategy meeting where someone mentioned you. They pointed out that since you could instantly kill that Black-robed Dharma Warrior, your techniques must be capable of suppressing these black-robed cultivators. Therefore, they all hope you will still take part in the upcoming major battle. The representatives from our Heavenly Dao Alliance also felt that you represent a major combat asset; it would be hard to justify you not fighting. So we…” Lu Luo’s expression showed hesitation as he spoke, trailing off.

“I can certainly fight again. If the Heavenly South is truly overrun by the Moulan, our Falling Cloud Sect won’t fare well either. But what about the Alliance’s previous promise? Do they intend to just pay lip service and consider it settled?” Contrary to Lu Luo’s expectation, Han Li did not show anger. Instead, he let out a cold laugh and asked calmly.

“Of course not. Adding your merit in exposing a spy from the Imperial Spirit Sect and killing a black-robed man, the Alliance has promised that as long as Junior Brother is willing to continue fighting, you may raise any conditions you wish. As long as they can fulfill them, they will try their best to do so, as compensation.” Lu Luo said with a wry smile.

“Compensation? That is reasonable. I’ll discuss the specific conditions face-to-face with the person in charge.” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly at this, but he spoke impassively.

“That works. I’ll take you to meet the duty overseers of our Heavenly Dao Alliance right now. As long as your conditions aren’t too excessive, they should be able to make the decision.” Lu Luo smiled faintly, but his words carried a hidden implication.

“Rest assured, Brother Lu. I won’t ask for the moon and make things difficult for you.” Han Li chuckled softly, speaking slowly.

“Junior Brother jests. Don’t worry about my face. It’s rare for those old fogies to be generous for once. You should take what you’re owed.” Seeing that Han Li had grasped his meaning and had a sense of proportion, Lu Luo relaxed inwardly, though what he said was naturally a different story.

Han Li wore a faint, unreadable smile at this but said nothing more.

Lu Luo then led Han Li out of the Falling Cloud Sect encampment, heading straight for the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s main议事大殿.

“The Heavenly Dao Alliance is currently overseen by a council of elders composed of cultivators from over a dozen major sects. Every ten years, a few of them are rotated out. Naturally, the three founding sects—the Luanming Sect, the Ancient Sword Sect, and the Ni Hang Studio—are exempt from replacement. Most of the Alliance’s affairs are actually decided by these three. Comparatively, the Luanming Sect is slightly stronger than the Ancient Sword Sect and Ni Hang Studio. The overseers here in Heavenly Star City are Fellow Daoists Long Han and Feng Bing of the Luanming Sect. You must already know that they are a dual-cultivation couple who can, when working together, contend with a late-Nascent Soul cultivator. It’s largely thanks to them that our Alliance can hold its own against other powers. Currently, it’s just Fellow Daoist Long Han who handles public matters. Elder Feng Bing went into seclusion as soon as she arrived at Heavenly Star City—she seems to be at a critical point in cultivating a certain secret art. If you can settle things with the overseer elders here in Heavenly Star City, it will be as good as passing the council. Long Han is presiding over the main hall, and the other two major sects also have permanent elder representatives there.” Lu Luo walked shoulder to shoulder with Han Li, explaining matters regarding the Alliance.

Some of this Han Li already knew; some he was hearing for the first time. He said nothing, merely nodding silently.

The main hall was located at the center of the western district. After a leisurely stroll, they arrived at their destination.

A grand stretch of imposing pavilions surrounded a bluestone main hall, which appeared before them.

“Greetings, Senior Lu. Are you here to see the elders? And this Senior is…” The few Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the hall entrance clearly recognized Lu Luo, an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect. One of them saluted respectfully and asked politely, though his gaze fell on the unfamiliar Han Li with some hesitation.

“This is Elder Han of our sect. We are here to see Elder Long and the others.” Lu Luo’s expression did not change as he spoke calmly.

“Ah! So this is Senior Han. Please wait a moment, Seniors. The elders are currently discussing matters in the side hall. I shall announce you at once.” The cultivator was startled, casting a few more reverent glances at Han Li before his demeanor became even more deferential—clearly aware of who Han Li was.

The cultivator took out a transmission talisman, spoke a few low words into it, and then tossed it away.

A red light shot inside.

A moment later, three resonant chimes echoed from the hall. Hearing this, the gatekeeper immediately stepped aside and bowed.

“Seniors, please enter. The elders have been informed of your arrival.”

Lu Luo nodded and strode into the hall with an air of ease.

Han Li followed calmly, unhurried.

After passing through several corridors, Lu Luo led Han Li into a side hall on one side.

Upon entering, they found five or six Nascent Soul cultivators seated within.

As they entered, all eyes turned to them.

But the gazes only swept briefly over Lu Luo before settling mostly on Han Li, their expressions showing keen interest.

These individuals all possessed remarkable cultivation bases, but as Han Li’s eyes flickered, he focused on a middle-aged man seated in the central position. Dressed in a grey robe, the man was striking in appearance, with a broad frame and powerful bearing. His cultivation was even stronger than the average mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, seeming to have reached the peak of the mid-stage—only one step away from entering the late stage.

Han Li’s heart tightened. He immediately knew this was the Long Han of the Luanming Sect.

With such profound cultivation, it was no wonder that he and his dual-cultivation partner could contend with a late-Nascent Soul cultivator.

He had once thought the rumors were exaggerated, but it seemed they had actually undersold the man’s strength.

Before anyone else could speak, the middle-aged man broke into a broad smile.

“Brother Lu, this must be Elder Han of your sect. We have been hearing your name loud and clear these days,” Long Han said, raising his hands in greeting with a friendly expression.

“Fellow Daoist Long Han? I have long admired your reputation as well.” Han Li scrutinized the middle-aged man for a moment before returning the greeting with a faint smile.

“When it comes to fame, which cultivator in recent times has a reputation greater than yours, Fellow Daoist Han? You have brought great honor to our Heavenly Dao Alliance.” An elder with a pale complexion, seated beside Long Han, said half-jokingly.

“You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. May I ask your name?”

Han Li had already noted this elder. As he was another mid-Nascent Soul cultivator present, apart from Long Han, Han Li naturally did not dare to be negligent.

“Junior Brother Han, this is Fellow Daoist Kuang of Ni Hang Studio. His ‘Dry Earth Art’ has been famous throughout the Heavenly South for centuries,” Lu Luo interjected before the pale elder could reply.

“So it is Brother Kuang. I have long admired you as well.” Han Li seemed slightly surprised, a flash of astonishment crossing his face.

This was not flattery. The Kuang-surnamed cultivator of Ni Hang Studio was indeed a household name, second only to Long Han and his wife in the Heavenly Dao Alliance. The silver-haired elder of the Falling Cloud Sect had mentioned him repeatedly. Han Li had not expected to meet him here.

Following this, Lu Luo introduced the remaining cultivators to Han Li one by one. The others were unremarkable, but when he was introduced to an elder of the Ancient Sword Sect—a man with an ugly face surnamed Tian—Han Li could not help but take a second look.

After the introductions, Han Li and the others took their seats once more.

Long Han smiled gently and began speaking in a calm tone:

“Fellow Daoist Han, by coming to the main hall today, I assume you already understand the Alliance’s hope that you continue to participate in the war. I must admit, we have defaulted on our promise to you. However, with the great battle imminent, your divine abilities make you a significant pillar of strength for the Heavenly South cultivators. We were left with no choice. As compensation, we can make amends with materials, pills, and the like. If you are unsatisfied with that, other conditions can be discussed. In principle, as long as the Alliance is capable of fulfilling it, we will not refuse.”

As long-time helm of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, Long Han was indeed a master of diplomacy. Before Han Li and Lu Luo could even state their purpose, he had already offered an apology.

Even if Han Li had harbored any displeasure, it would have been difficult to express it now.

However, Han Li had never been angered in the first place.

He had managed to escape with his life from a Moulan Divine Priest. Even if the subsequent battles were fiercer, he was more than capable of protecting himself.

With his life not in danger, he naturally had no complaints. Instead, he saw this as a rare opportunity!

After a brief moment of deliberation, Han Li spoke frankly:

“Since you put it that way, Brother Long, I have no objection to continuing in the coming battles. After all, I am well aware that when the nest overturns, no egg remains intact. However, there are indeed some matters where I must rely on the Alliance’s power to succeed. I will not stand on ceremony and will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Han Li’s expression was open and candid as he finished.

He knew that with these old monsters, it was better to avoid playing too many clever tricks. Being straightforward was more likely to achieve his goals.

As expected, this unadorned speech left a favorable impression on most of the cultivators present.

Fellow Daoist Kuang laughed and said bluntly:

“Fellow Daoist Han is a man of direct speech. That suits my temper well. Let’s hear your conditions! I’m rather curious.”

Long Han’s gaze flickered a few times, but he only smiled enigmatically and said nothing.

The others also fixed their eyes on Han Li, waiting to see what conditions he would propose.

“It’s quite simple. I wish to borrow the Alliance’s power to help me collect a certain refining material. To be honest with you all, this material is extremely important to me. If I can gather it before the great battle, I should be even more confident in dealing with those black-robed Dharma Warriors.” Han Li’s expression was calm as he spoke flatly.

“A refining material?” The assembled cultivators exchanged glances, but none looked particularly surprised.

With their intelligence, they naturally understood that such a material would be exceptionally rare and difficult to find. Otherwise, Han Li would not have used this opportunity to raise it as a condition.

(One more chapter to come. I’ll continue writing, but it will be a bit later.)

(End of chapter.)