"You actually managed to find this place? That's not easy." The voice of General Skybreaker echoed around them. Yang Han laughed, "You think this formation can trap me?"
"Don't tell me you can break this formation. I don't believe you have that kind of ability," General Skybreaker said to Yang Han before leaving, smiling.
"You'll see soon enough whether I can leave or not." Yang Han finished speaking and began inspecting the formation, quickly identifying ten core points. Without hesitation, he attacked those points.
In an instant, the formation collapsed before Yang Han's eyes, utterly unable to withstand his attack. General Skybreaker, who had been planning to leave, was shocked and hurriedly escaped with his group through a pre-set exit.
After Yang Han and Gavin White stepped out, Yang Han smiled at the exit, "Trying to run? Let's see where you escape to this time."
With that, Yang Han and Gavin White chased after them through the escape route. When they emerged again, they found themselves in a city—far more luxurious than before, with even the architecture completely different. Most striking of all, in the center of the city stood a massive statue of a man holding a giant axe, surrounded by crowds of worshippers.
"Where is this place?" Yang Han asked curiously.
"I don't know. Let's ask around first," Gavin White replied.
"Yeah, let's find someone to ask." Yang Han looked around and, seeing someone passing by, asked, "Excuse me, what is this place?"
The person looked at Yang Han as if he were a weirdo and replied, "Of course this is Hanlin City, the city where Spirit King Hanlin descends."
"Spirit King Hanlin? General Skybreaker's superior?" Yang Han muttered. The person glanced at Yang Han oddly and ignored him, choosing to leave.
"Looks like that guy went to seek protection from his superior," Gavin White said.
"The Spirit King's strength is far above a Great Spirit. If we keep chasing, it'll definitely be dangerous. But if we don't, I can't swallow this anger," Yang Han said.
Gavin White thought for a moment and said, "I think we should let it go and find a place to ask about that grassland."
"How can I just let it go? After what he did to you, I can't rest until I destroy him." Yang Han, still unable to forget Gavin's ordeal, spoke angrily. Gavin was surprised by the expression and tone, realizing her importance in Yang Han's heart.
Gavin White said, "But it's really dangerous."
"It's fine. So what if he's a Spirit King? If he dares to block me, I'll go berserk and destroy him all the same." Yang Han said, staring at the massive statue.
"You..." Gavin White heard this and looked at Yang Han, unsure whether to feel moved or worried.
Yang Han said, "Don't rush. Let's find a place to ask where Spirit King Hanlin is. Maybe we'll find General Skybreaker's whereabouts."
"Okay." Gavin White nodded. Just as Yang Han was about to search for General Skybreaker, he heard a familiar voice. Turning toward it, he smiled wryly, "Looks like we're really fated to meet him again."
"Who is it?" Gavin White asked curiously. Yang Han pointed not far away at a shabby old man. "Look, it's Master Spirit Caller. Maybe he's even the Master Soul Summoner's senior brother. Not sure if they're connected, but let's go ask him."
"It really is him," Gavin White said, looking at the old man, who was once again scamming food and drink. As Yang Han approached, he laughed, "We meet again."
Master Spirit Caller turned around and, seeing Yang Han and Gavin White, grinned. "Hey, it's you two again. Fate really brings people together everywhere."
"We didn't expect to see you here either," Yang Han said with a smile.
"Come, let's find somewhere to have a good chat," Master Spirit Caller said with a smile.
"You're not going to drag us to another place for a free meal, are you? We're not doing that," Yang Han said immediately, seeing Master Spirit Caller's inviting attitude.
Master Spirit Caller laughed, "Fine, fine. I'll treat you today, all right? You two are so stingy."
"It's not that we're stingy; we just don't have any Soul Coins at all," Yang Han said with a wry smile.
"Whatever the reason, meeting twice must be fate. Let's go." Master Spirit Caller pulled the two of them to a restaurant, though this one was much less fancy than the last.
After ordering a few dishes, Master Spirit Caller smiled and said, "Well? It's only been a few days, but you both seem to have changed."
"We have changed, but actually, we have a question for you," Yang Han said with a smile.
"Oh? What is it? Tell me," Master Spirit Caller replied with a smile.
"Do you know Master Soul Summoner?" Yang Han asked.
"You mean that evil sly old man? Of course I know him. We were from the same sect back in the day, but he went down a crooked path and was eventually expelled. Why? Did you run into him? Did he bully you? Tell me, I'll go teach him a lesson," Master Spirit Caller said upon hearing Yang Han's question.
Yang Han shook his head. "He didn't bully me, actually I bullied him a bit. He was helping others, capturing vicious souls to forcibly strip their consciousness and refine some strange fan. We're here chasing his group."
"What? He dares do something like that? That guy's really gone mad," Master Spirit Caller said angrily.
"Yeah, we've chased them here but lost their trail. We're planning to ask about Spirit King Hanlin's whereabouts—maybe we'll find them that way," Yang Han said.
"What does it have to do with Spirit King Hanlin? Is he helping Hanlin refine souls? That can't be, he's not strong enough," Master Spirit Caller said, curious.
"He's working for one of Hanlin's subordinates, General Skybreaker. They lost to us and probably came here to look for Hanlin," Yang Han explained.
"So that's how it is. Well, you've found the right person—I know where Spirit King Hanlin is," Master Spirit Caller said.
"Then tell me," Yang Han said with a smile after hearing this.
"No way. I can't tell you," Master Spirit Caller refused.
"Why? Are you afraid I'll hurt your fellow sect brother?" Yang Han frowned.
"Wrong, totally wrong. I don't care about that. I'm just afraid you'll get yourself killed. Spirit King Hanlin isn't simple—if you barge in demanding people, you'll get cut down for sure," Master Spirit Caller said.
"So what should I do? I can't just give up looking," Yang Han said.
"Don't forget, you still have me. Who am I? Master Spirit Caller! I know plenty of big figures. Just follow me—I'll introduce you to Spirit King Hanlin. If we can avoid trouble, let's avoid trouble," Master Spirit Caller said.
When Master Spirit Caller said this, Yang Han and Gavin White exchanged surprised looks. Something felt off about his words. Having been tricked before, they doubted him—was he really familiar with big figures, or would he just lead them off and slip away?
Seeing their surprised looks, Master Spirit Caller laughed, "What? You don't believe me?"
"It's not that. We're just curious—how do you know Spirit King Hanlin and his people?" Yang Han asked.
"Can't say. Let's go, we're leaving now." Master Spirit Caller stood up, tossed a few black coins on the table, and swaggered out the door. Yang Han and Gavin White exchanged a glance and could only follow him out.
Master Spirit Caller led Yang Han and Gavin White out of the city. Yang Han frowned, "Isn't Spirit King Hanlin supposed to be in Hanlin City? Why are we heading to the outskirts?"
"I told you, you're clueless. What important figure would live in a noisy city? Of course they hide somewhere quiet, far from the crowds," Master Spirit Caller said with a laugh.
Yang Han and Gavin White were half skeptical, but soon they arrived at the foot of a mountain. The place was desolate, covered in dense forest, and didn't look inhabited at all.
"Don't be fooled by appearances. Just follow me," Master Spirit Caller said, seeing their doubtful looks.
As soon as Master Spirit Caller stepped into the mountain, he vanished. Yang Han and Gavin White exchanged glances, curiously walked in, and also disappeared. When they reappeared, they saw rows of buildings, all guarded and heavily patrolled.
"So there's a hidden cave-heaven inside," Yang Han remarked.
Master Spirit Caller smiled. Just then, a patrol of guards approached, and the captain barked, "Outsiders, leave immediately or face the consequences."
"No rush, no rush. Young man, go report to Spirit King Hanlin that Hua Tian is here," Master Spirit Caller said.
"Hua Tian? Looking for Spirit King Hanlin?" The guard captain said suspiciously.
"Yeah, just go. Otherwise, you'll be in trouble," Master Spirit Caller said. The captain didn't believe Spirit King Hanlin would know someone like this, so he sneered, "Don't try to fool me. Too many people have tried, and it never ends well for them."
"So, you're really not going to listen?" Master Spirit Caller sighed.
"What, you want to fight?" the guard captain sneered.
Master Spirit Caller shook his head, took out his staff, and stomped it on the ground. The whole area trembled. Yang Han and Gavin White were shocked—he wasn't as useless as he looked.
The guard captain was stunned, and many others sensed the disturbance and rushed over. In an instant, countless guards surrounded them.
"I just wanted to say hello to a friend, but now you've brought all these unrelated people here," Master Spirit Caller sighed.
"Causing trouble? You're dead!" the guard captain shouted angrily.
"What, you want to teach me a lesson? Kid, let Grandpa Spirit Caller teach you instead." Master Spirit Caller waved his hand, and the captain spun in place like a puppet under his control.
Yang Han and Gavin White were stunned. Luckily, they hadn't offended Master Spirit Caller. Still, Yang Han wondered: with such power, why did he scam for food and drink? Someone this capable should be respected everywhere.
Master Spirit Caller had no idea what Yang Han was thinking. He turned to the other guards, "Do you want to try too?"