Not long after, the news of the three great Green Spirit elders being annihilated by a single Human Realm cultivator of the Great Perfection stage swiftly spread. Neighboring ethnic groups immediately reacted with astonishment, dispatching their own agents to verify the authenticity of the report. Over time, the entire Xiao Ling Tian was thoroughly stirred by this event. By then, the Black Ink Spirit Vessel had already departed the Green Spirit realm's controlled territory, heading straight toward the Human Realm settlement at the other end of Xiao Ling Tian. Several days later, within a towering peak nearly ten thousand feet high, in an ancient-looking stone pavilion, several Human Realm cultivators were gathered around a stone table, engaged in conversation. These were three men and one woman, all possessing cultivation levels at or above the Consolidation stage, their expressions notably serious. "Has the information been confirmed? Indeed, it is a Human Realm cultivator of the Great Perfection stage who has eliminated those three senior Green Spirit elders, along with the ancient tree's ancestral spirit?" asked a middle-aged man with dark, deep skin, speaking with conviction. "Although our scouts cannot enter the Green Sea, the reactions of the various clans suggest that this news is likely accurate. Otherwise, the Green Spirit Clan would not have so swiftly withdrawn all its forces back into the Green Sea just in a few days, preparing to seal the forest completely." Another elderly man with white hair, stroking his beard, replied. "Yet we both know well that, in Xiao Ling Tian, our human race has never produced a being of the Great Stage—nor has it done so in the past, and it seems unlikely to do so in the future." A blue-robed woman with dark brows frowned and said. "This was once a reasonable statement. But now, have you forgotten about Lady Yue? With her astonishing talent of achieving the Consolidated Stage from the Immortal Realm in such a short time, she might truly break the tradition of no Great Stage beings in Xiao Ling Tian." A man with an unusually stern demeanor said thus. "Master Yue's potential is naturally no surprise—over just two thousand years, he has become the foremost strength among our human lineage, even able to hold his own against the ancient tree elders of the Green Spirit Sect. Yet, it would still be quite unlikely that Master Yue could attain the stage of Great Perfection despite the currently insufficient spiritual energy in Xiao Ling Tian." Upon hearing the title "Master Yue," the blue-robed woman's expression subtly shifted, yet she shook her head in reply. "It's merely unlikely—given Master Yue's exceptional talent, there's still a slim chance." The cold, direct man countered without hesitation. "Should Master Yue succeed in reaching the stage of Great Perfection, it would indeed be a great blessing for our human clan of Xiao Ling Tian. However, given Master Yue's current situation, he will need to accumulate at least several more centuries before attempting to overcome this critical threshold. By the way, Master Yue is currently refining a particularly significant secret technique—would he be able to attend this gathering?" The white-haired elder spoke calmly. "Rest assured, the railway friends. Though Lady Yue is currently unable to emerge from her seclusion, I have already delivered the relevant information directly to her retreat. I am confident she will soon send us updates." The previously silent, thin man suddenly spoke in a calm tone. "Only in the spiritual realm do we stand any chance of advancing to the Great Vehicle stage. Although the various races previously discovered exits from this realm, none could withstand the terrifying interface forces of the passage—only to gaze in admiration and sigh in disappointment. Indeed, if this Great Vehicle cultivator truly entered from outside, it would truly be a great fortune for our small spiritual human race." The cold, resolute man paused, then added with a spark of warmth in his eyes. "Yet, we know little about the spiritual realm, and it remains uncertain whether this Great Vehicle cultivator is genuinely from the spiritual realm, or whether he is truly of human origin. Nevertheless, one thing is certain—he will surely visit the human settlements on this world. Therefore, certain preventive preparations are necessary. Should he disregard our kinship and harbor ill intentions, we cannot afford to be unprepared at all." The white-haired elder spoke with calm and seasoned wisdom. "Your reasoning is sound, Master Bai," said the cold, sharp-voiced man. "But if that person has been able to slay all three ancestral spirits of the Green Spirit Clan—those ancient trees entrusted to them—then one can only imagine the magnitude of their power. At that point, Moon Lady will surely have to step forward to stand a chance against them. After all, she is the only one among us whose strength approaches true Great Perfection." His eyes flashed with frost as he spoke. "As for Moon Lady's imminent emergence from seclusion, it may not be so easy. Indeed, Master Moon is currently—" The thin, gaunt man furrowed his brow, ready to add more. After a slight tremor, the young sword transformed into a streak of silver light, rushing forth and vanishing without a trace as the hall doors disappeared. Everyone's gaze instantly shifted to the object held by the white-haired elder. The elder then pressed the jade scroll against his forehead and gently closed his eyes, extending his divine awareness into the scroll. After a brief moment, his expression brightened, and with a pleased smile, he opened his eyes: "Indeed, it is the flying sword message from the Moon Immortal. The Moon friend has promised that once the great cultivator enters the human settlement area, she will join us to meet him personally." "That is most excellent. With the Moon friend's assistance, we can now feel much more at ease," said the thin, frail elder, visibly delighted. Everyone else also relaxed in turn. Then, after further discussion, they all departed the stone hall and began preparing for their next steps. In another hidden valley, within a chamber sealed off by layers of ice, a silver disc, bright and moonlike, rests upon which a slender white-clad maiden sits in stillness, meditating. Her figure appears as if carved from stone—motionless, yet exuding an indescribable, world-class grace. Her face, delicate as jade, is softly enveloped in a gentle silver glow, making it impossible to discern her true features. However, some attentive individuals, upon spotting the black giant vessel, immediately used special artifacts to transmit the news directly to the rear. Thus, although the magical spirit vessel was remarkably striking, it encountered no obstruction or inquiry from anyone as it swiftly traversed the skies above the human realm. Two days later, after crossing a broad lake, the black vessel came to a halt among several small, clear mountains. "Senior Han, that is where my mother's dwelling lies. Besides myself and my mother, there are several uncles and aunts residing on other peaks." A voice full of joyful anticipation came from within the sky vessel. Then, a flash of silver light, and Zhu Guo'er leapt down from the vessel with great excitement, rushing straight toward one of the small mountains. "It seems this girl truly misses home—otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed out without even saying a word." A light, amused male voice echoed from within the vessel. "Master Han, Ju Guo had never left home for such a long time before. This time, finally being able to return and see her family, she naturally expressed her genuine emotions." Another voice of profound respect also echoed out. As soon as the words were spoken, a faint green light shimmered in the air, and Han Li, accompanied by the Elder of the Flower and Stone, appeared before the great vessel, gazing down upon the several small mountains with an elevated posture. At that moment, Ju Guo suddenly flashed forward and vanished into a stone wall halfway up one of the mountain slopes, disappearing completely. Han Li smiled gently and then remained quietly in the sky, waiting. Naturally, he could sense that people on the other mountain peaks were using various magical instruments to observe him and the great vessel behind him quietly—fearing that direct exposure might reveal their intentions. After a full meal's time had passed, a sudden flash of light erupted on the stone wall where Ju Guo had disappeared, and from within stepped a graceful young woman dressed in simple, elegant attire. This young lady's appearance bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Guo'er, while the young girl beside her, with her slightly flushed cheeks, was none other than Zhu Guo'er herself, just arrived earlier. "Late disciple Shi Xianyun bows to the senior! As Guo'er mentioned, it was thanks to the senior's timely rescue that I was able to survive outside these past days. I am truly deeply grateful." After a swift glance at Han Li and the Elder of the Hua Stone in the air, the young lady immediately bowed respectfully with Zhu Guo'er at her side. "You are indeed Zhu Guo'er's mother, and your cultivation is quite strong. Rise, please. Besides bringing Zhu Guo'er home, I also have a few matters I would like to inquire about." After a brief assessment of the young lady's Lingxu cultivation level, Han Li's expression subtly brightened before he spoke calmly. "Yes, Senior, please come to our abode. Though our humble dwelling lacks fine Ling-tea and Ling-wine, we do have several rare Ling-fruits from outside the region. I hope you will take the time to sample them." After rising, the young lady spoke with utmost courtesy. "Ah, since you've made up your mind, then I shall not hold back. Huashi, you stay outside for now." Han Li nodded, then gave a brief command to the elderly master by his side.