Chapter 443: Searching

“Let’s leave it at that for now… I’m heading back.”

“Come find me if anything else comes up.”

Han Yuan said softly.

The situation in the Great Li Capital had now completely stabilized, so he was no longer needed to stand guard at the Treasure Pavilion.

He stood up, sheathed his Heaven-Defying Saber, and walked away.

“Thank you for everything tonight, Palace Master Han.”

“Once we’ve dealt with these matters, the Celestial Net Department will be sure to reward you handsomely!”

Dong Xuan said, cupping his fist.

Without looking back, Han Yuan waved his hand and left the Celestial Net Department.

By now, the sky was completely bright.

Han Yuan had seen the Great Li Capital in the early morning before.

It had been a scene of vibrant life, the streets bustling and noisy, filled with the warmth of everyday living.

But now, large swathes of the streets were in ruins. Many buildings had collapsed, and some still billowed black smoke. A few corpses could be seen occasionally, and the streets were filled with homeless people, sitting numbly by the roadside, lost in their own thoughts.

Seeing this, Han Yuan’s heart was heavy with complex emotions.

He had done all he could last night, but the sight still stirred something within him.

He made his way back to the inn where he was staying.

Because Han Yuan had returned here to slay an Evil Demon Seed, this area had been spared from significant damage.

The inn was still standing.

Han Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

‘If this inn had collapsed, I would’ve had to dig the Fat Thief out myself.’

The inside of the inn was a complete mess.

A few people were gathered in the main hall, discussing what to do next.

The Shopkeeper and the waiters, however, were nowhere to be seen.

Han Yuan paid them no mind and went straight upstairs to his room.

A woman wearing a veil was sitting on his bed.

“You didn’t catch the Source Seed Shredded Meat?” Han Yuan asked.

“No… It was too fast. We hadn’t prepared the proper means to deal with it.”

Yan Qingyu sighed.

“Then you’d better start preparing.”

“After all, I’m afraid the Source Seed Shredded Meat will only appear more frequently from now on.”

Han Yuan said.

“Mm… After this, we’ll be more careful.”

Yan Qingyu said earnestly.

“The Immortal Sect Organization didn’t get their hands on the Nautical Chart this time.”

“But before Wooden Snake died, he said they had another way… What do you think it could be?”

Han Yuan asked curiously.

‘As an old rival of the Immortal Sect Organization, the Profound Celestial Alliance should know something.’

“Another way besides the Nautical Chart?”

Yan Qingyu frowned.

She thought for a moment. “We can currently confirm that the Immortal Sect is located in the Storm Sea… but that is an incredibly vast sea. All sorts of severe weather and strange phenomena occur there frequently. No ship dares to enter.”

“Without a Nautical Chart, just entering the Storm Sea to try one’s luck… you probably wouldn’t find the Immortal Sect’s location even in a hundred years.”

“I can’t think of any other way…”

When Han Yuan heard the name “Storm Sea,” he voiced his surprise and asked, “Do you know of Glazed Island?”

“Glazed Island? Where is that?” Yan Qingyu asked with a frown.

Han Yuan said flatly, “It’s where the Immortal Sect Organization originated… and it’s also in the Storm Sea.”

This was what the Fat Thief had told him before falling into a deep slumber.

However, he currently had no way to find out more about the Storm Sea, so he figured he might as well just tell Yan Qingyu.

‘The Profound Celestial Alliance is sure to be very interested in Glazed Island.’

Yan Qingyu’s voice suddenly rose. “Are you sure?!”

Han Yuan nodded. “I’m sure.”

“This information is very important… I’ll report it immediately.”

Yan Qingyu said softly.

“If you find the location of Glazed Island in the Storm Sea, be sure to let me know.”

Han Yuan said in a low voice.

“Alright.”

Yan Qingyu had only come to exchange information with Han Yuan. Having unexpectedly obtained such a shocking piece of news, she quickly took her leave.

After watching her leave, Han Yuan closed the window, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to restore his Heart Spirit.

….

「Three days later.」

The Great Li Capital had finally, just barely, returned to normal operation.

Of course, it would still take some time for it to return to its former bustling prosperity.

Damaged buildings were being cleared away, filling the streets with clouds of dust.

The Innkeeper had unfortunately died during the attack, leaving the inn unmanaged and increasingly chaotic.

Han Yuan moved out of the inn and into a courtyard provided by the Celestial Net Department.

On this day, Cheng Xuan paid him a personal visit.

“Director Cheng?”

Han Yuan was surprised to see Cheng Xuan at his door.

‘After all, the Celestial Net Department should be swamped with work right now.’

‘For Director Cheng to take the time to find me means something important must have come up.’

“Palace Master Han, I’ve come to fulfill our earlier promise.”

Cheng Xuan said softly.

“Please, come in and talk.”

Han Yuan nodded, inviting Cheng Xuan inside.

After they sat down on the stone benches in the courtyard, Cheng Xuan took out a bottle of Elixir Pills.

“Palace Master Han, these are five Dragon Essence Pills.”

“Furthermore, the Middle Spiritual Land we promised you will be upgraded to an Upper-class Spiritual Land.”

Cheng Xuan said with a serious expression.

“That’s very generous.”

Han Yuan was somewhat surprised.

The previously agreed-upon reward had been one Dragon Essence Pill and a chance to use a Middle Spiritual Land for Cultivation.

‘This is a huge increase. It must be because of my performance during the attack.’

“It’s what you deserve.”

“If you hadn’t been there to turn the tide, Palace Master Han, the Immortal Sect Organization’s plot would have succeeded.”

Cheng Xuan said earnestly.

Hearing this, Han Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony and quickly put the bottle of Dragon Essence Pills away.

“Have you found the Nautical Chart?”

Han Yuan asked softly.

“Not yet… We’ve sealed off the entire Treasure Pavilion. No one is allowed near it.”

“The National Preceptor, Ling Yunzi, has personally inspected it several times… but he still hasn’t found anything.”