The four Body Fusion stage cultivators instantly unleashed numerous defensive measures, yet a cold sweat still broke out on their backs.

These four black fire pythons seemed to be only three or four zhang in length, but they were clearly formed by the condensed essence of the vast Nine Heavens Demonic Flames that had previously filled the entire valley. As high-ranking cultivators of the Heavenly Ghost Sect, none knew better than they the terror of this flame.

Even for Body Fusion stage cultivators, a moment of carelessness could lead to dire consequences.

They had never imagined that one day they would directly face the full force of these demonic flames.

At that moment, a sharp sound of air being torn suddenly rang out!

A streak of white light flashed from the sky above the canyon, dividing into four and shooting down rapidly, appearing before the four as if teleporting.

It was four crystal-clear sword radiances!

As the sword radiance flickered, it spun rapidly, transforming into four sword wheels each about ten zhang in diameter.

Almost immediately, the four black fire pythons crashed into them.

A series of "rumbling" explosions erupted!

Countless black fireballs detonated and roared on the surface of the four sword wheels, igniting a fierce blaze. Invisible waves of energy rippled outwards.

The four menacing black fire pythons instantly disintegrated, turning into wisps of black smoke and dissipating.

Then, the air in the middle of the valley rippled, and a black-robed man in his forties flashed into view. His features were regular and refined, his appearance scholarly, but his eyebrows were as thick and black as swords, giving him a sense of coldness.

The four crystal sword radiances transformed back into four streaks of white light, flashing back from the four corners and disappearing into his body without a trace.

"Shishu Duan!"

Relief washed over the purple-bearded man and the others. Seeing the figure in the air, they were overjoyed.

Han Li stood on the spot, his pupils slightly constricted, his gaze fixed on the newcomer.

Needless to say, it was Duan Renli, one of the two Grand Ascension stage ancestors of the Heavenly Ghost Sect.

Duan Renli glanced slightly around, seeing the Demon Flame Valley, the sect's forbidden ground, in a state of devastation, and the four Body Fusion stage cultivators looking disheveled. His expression did not change in the slightest, but the corner of his eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling on Han Li. Without any incantation gestures, he simply extended a palm, his five fingers slightly separated, and slowly pointed downwards.

His five fingers suddenly became incredibly crystalline, spiritual light flashing at their tips.

"Swish, swish" sounds rang out one after another!

Streaks of white light shot out from the tips of his five fingers, growing larger as they met the wind, then transforming into hundreds of white bone flying swords, heading towards Han Li like rain with a shrill sword whine.

Seeing this, Han Li simply made a quick hand seal, and a series of muffled sounds like firecrackers came from his body. His figure expanded suddenly, golden light bursting forth from his body, and pale golden scales emerged from within, instantly covering his entire body.

The sky full of white bone swords arrived in an instant, striking his body surface, erupting in clusters of gold and white light, engulfing his figure, and emitting a barrage of popping sounds like rain hitting a fence!

Rings of energy waves exploded around him, sweeping outwards like hurricanes, causing countless slender white traces in the void within a radius of several dozen zhang to flash and disappear erratically.

At the same time, a ripple appeared in the sky a hundred zhang above the center of the explosion, and a black seal appeared out of thin air. With a quick spin, it transformed into the size of a pavilion, releasing thousands of black rays of light as it descended from the sky.

Before it actually landed, a suffocating spiritual pressure caused the surrounding void to twist, its power terrifying to the extreme.

A deafening crash!

The giant seal stopped its descent a mere zhang above the ground, unable to fall any further.

Seeing this scene, a trace of emotion finally flickered across Duan Renli's face.

Although he had unleashed two powerful divine abilities in quick succession, it had all happened within a single breath. As the gold and white light faded below, the situation within was revealed.

Han Li stood firmly in place, not moving an inch, his right arm covered in golden scales raised, supporting the black giant seal. His feet had sunk into the deep black ground, and cracks radiated outwards.

He grinned at Duan Renli in the air, revealing a set of snow-white teeth, then bent his right arm and suddenly straightened it again.

Immediately, a deafening rumble echoed out. The black giant seal, which seemed as heavy as Mount Tai, was tossed up like a piece of wood, flying out of the valley at an incredible speed and disappearing without a trace.

Then, his feet suddenly stomped, and he soared into the air. With a flash, he appeared eerily not far in front of Duan Renli, his arm blurring slightly, ready to unleash a punch.

Seeing this, the latter's expression did not change at all, he just narrowed his eyes.

At this moment, behind Han Li, a silver ring flew out silently.

Anticipating this, he turned swiftly and delivered a light chop, cleaving the ring in mid-air.

A bizarre scene unfolded!

As runes swirled on their surfaces, the two halves of the silver ring suddenly transformed into a series of afterimages and vanished into thin air.

The next moment, the two halves appeared on either side of Han Li with incredible eeriness.

A soft "clang"!

Han Li felt his body tighten, and the two halves of the silver ring snapped together in the middle, turning back into a complete ring and locking him tightly.

The ring shone brightly, tightening fiercely. As the inner circle made contact with the golden scales, sparks flew wildly, and a series of cracking sounds echoed, as if it would be crushed directly by this immense force in the next moment.

"Brother!" Liu Le'er had already retreated to a corner of the valley. Seeing this scene, she cried out in alarm.

The purple-bearded man and the others were secretly delighted.

Han Li showed no sign of panic. He gritted his teeth and let out a low roar.

A series of muffled thunder-like popping sounds came from his body, and five blue light spots suddenly appeared on his chest and abdomen. His muscles bulged, and his body suddenly grew thicker.

He thrust his arms outward, and the silver ring shone madly, being forced open by a circle. Countless silver runes flickered wildly, then with a "crack," it shattered.

Duan Renli's face finally turned grave, and his figure shot backwards, his sleeves billowing, as if he were about to activate other treasures and divine abilities.

How could Han Li let the other party easily attack again? With a shake of his shoulder, he disappeared from the spot in a blur.

The next moment, behind Duan Renli, who had barely flown back a hundred zhang, a figure flickered, and Han Li appeared like a ghost. Without a word, he clenched his fist and punched out.

The fist was golden and dazzling, as if cast from pure gold. Where the fist wind passed, a white streak appeared in the air!

Duan Renli turned sharply, spitting out a cloud of blood, which solidified into a blood-colored light shield in front of him.

With a "boom!"

Han Li's fist struck the blood shield, and the shield surface caved in deeply. Then, it shattered, turning into a large patch of blood mist. The force of the punch continued, directly piercing Duan Renli's chest.

But there was no joy on his face, but rather a cold snort.

Duan Renli's flesh and blood suddenly "popped" and disintegrated like foam. As large amounts of blood energy dissipated, his entire body turned into a white skeleton, hanging on Han Li's arm.

A hundred zhang away, a ripple appeared in the void, and Duan Renli's figure reappeared silently, appearing unharmed, but with a hint of paleness in his face.

A series of changes happened in a flash. Seeing this scene, the purple-bearded man and the others exchanged glances, all seeing a trace of horror and shock in each other's eyes.

"I didn't expect that after only a few hundred years of seclusion, such a force cultivator comparable to the Grand Ascension stage would emerge in this world. May I ask for your esteemed name?" Duan Renli sized Han Li up and down, as if confirming again, and spoke slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Duan overpraises me. My name is Han Li."

Han Li smiled slightly, casually flicking the white skeleton to the side. The pale golden scales on his body faded away, and he did not attack again.

"So it is Fellow Daoist Han. But since you possess such strength, you should maintain your status. Why did you come to my Heavenly Ghost Sect to cause trouble for no reason, and bully the small to injure my disciples? Shouldn't you give me an explanation?" Duan Renli's voice suddenly sank.

"Hehe, the Heavenly Ghost Sect knows how to play the victim. You captured my people first, and then used secret techniques to forcibly teleport me here. I would also like to ask you for an explanation." The corner of Han Li's mouth twitched, and he sneered.

Duan Renli was slightly stunned when he heard this. He glanced at the purple-bearded man and the others below and asked:

"What's going on?"

The few exchanged glances, and the other three looked at the purple-bearded man.

"Reporting to Shishu Duan. I previously received a message from the sect saying that someone was trespassing, so I went out to investigate. Seeing that this... this Fellow Daoist Han had powerful divine abilities, I activated the restriction and teleported him here. As for why this person came to my Heavenly Ghost Sect, I really don't know." The purple-bearded man hesitated for a moment and said.

"Investigate this immediately!" Duan Renli ordered without question.

"Yes." The purple-bearded man quickly agreed and flew out of the valley.

Duan Renli's gaze returned to Han Li's face, and he said nothing more.

Han Li glanced at a certain place below, signaled Liu Le'er not to worry, and then faced the other party with a faint smile.

After about an incense stick's worth of time, the purple-bearded man returned to the canyon and respectfully transmitted a low voice to Duan Renli.

Duan Renli frowned slightly, but then quickly returned to normal and waved his hand.

The purple-bearded man quickly retreated to the side.

"So Fellow Daoist Han comes from the Cold Flame Sect?" Duan Renli looked up at Han Li and said slowly, seeming to be weighing his words.

"That's right." Han Li said frankly.

"I didn't expect your sect to act so low-key. It has produced a force cultivator like you, and has never revealed any news. It is truly gratifying." Duan Renli's eyes flickered slightly, and he said with a somewhat forced smile.

"Fellow Daoist Duan, it's best not to change the subject." Han Li said with a faint smile.

"I have basically figured out the matter. You have some grievances with an outer sect elder of this sect. As for the various things that followed, they were all misunderstandings. Since that person is dead, and things have been clarified, it is pointless for you and I to continue fighting. Why don't we just stop here, and I will have someone send you and your companions away?" Duan Renli was silent for a moment and said.

In his opinion, although Han Li's cultivation seemed not high, he had obviously used some means to hide his true strength. Now, the other Grand Ascension stage cultivator in the sect happened to be away from the sect during this period. Continuing to fight would probably be more harmful than good.

"If it were you, being detained in another sect for no reason, and being besieged by almost the entire sect regardless of the reason, and then being dismissed with a light sentence of misunderstanding, would you agree, Fellow Daoist Duan?" Han Li stared directly at the other party and said with a smile that was not a smile.