Mortal: I, Li Feiyu, a cultivator of attributes!

The masked man observed everyone's expressions out of the corner of his eye, only Han Li frowned slightly, a hint of worry showing between his brows.

"Inner demons may be something precious that you cannot obtain, or they may be painful memories that you cannot forget. Only by overcoming inner demons can you pass the trial."

After speaking, the masked man waved his hands, and four beams of light enveloped the four people respectively.

At this moment, Li Feiyu suddenly transmitted his unfinished words to the masked man.

"After the trial, whether you succeed or not, please tell me the truth about the secrets of Netherworld Peak and the true purpose of the Netherworld Token."

Faced with Li Feiyu's telepathic message, the masked man remained calm and unsurprised, replying indifferently, "If you can come out alive, I will tell you some things you need to know, but some secrets are not something you can bear."

Li Feiyu nodded, her eyes revealing determination.

Then, a flash of light, and the four figures disappeared from the spot, leaving only the masked man behind.

"I hope you can pass the trial and not repeat the mistakes of those who failed..." The masked man muttered to himself, staring at the spot where the four had disappeared.

……

Han Li felt a blinding light flash before his eyes, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a familiar yet unfamiliar place: Qingniu Town.

The air was filled with the smell of damp earth, mixed with the scent of grass and flowers.

As the sun sets, the familiar little wooden house comes into view.

"Brother! Is that you?" A melodious voice came from behind Han Li.

Han Li was startled and turned his head sharply. He saw a girl running towards him at high speed. The girl had a smile on her face. This girl was Han Li's sister.

Before Han Li could react, the girl had already run up to him.

"Little sister..."

"Brother, you're finally back! I missed you so much! Where did you go? I didn't hear from you at all!"

"I……"

Han Li hesitated, and when he saw the girl's face again, it was already covered in tears.

"Brother, you've been gone for so long! Mother and I have missed you terribly! Come on, let's go home!"

The girl cried as she took Han Li's hand and walked towards the wooden house.

Han Li felt the warmth of his sister's hand, and saw the tears still wet on it. It all felt so real that Han Li could hardly believe it. "Xiao Li, you're back."

At this moment, Han Li's mother suddenly appeared at the door, her clothes covered in flour, holding a few scallions in her hand. She smiled and said to Han Li, "It's good that you're back. I made you your favorite white flour pancakes."

Looking at the wrinkles on his mother's face and her slightly hunched body, Han Li felt a pang of sorrow. He nodded subconsciously, hesitated for a few seconds, and then called out, "Mother."

His mother stepped forward and gently stroked his face. "Hmm, you've grown taller and thinner. It's good that you're back. From now on, we'll live a good life as a family and never be separated again, okay?"

At this moment, the younger sister beside him also grabbed his arm, her eyes full of expectation.

"Brother, please don't go, okay? You promised me you'd take me to see the fireworks, you can't go back on your word! Without you, there's no one to protect me and Mom..."

"With you gone, there's no one to protect me and Mother..."

Han Xiaomei's unintentional remark pierced Han Li's heart like a needle.

He looked at his mother and sister, his heart filled with complex emotions, guilt, and a wavering.

At that moment, he recalled being sick as a child, his mother staying by his side all night, stroking his forehead again and again. He remembered his little sister always following him like a tail, calling out in her childish voice, "Brother, brother..."

But the next second, Han Li suddenly froze on the spot.

No, that's not right! The last time he saw his sister, she had grown into a beautiful young woman and was busy getting married. But now, she looks no more than eleven or twelve years old.

Also, the white flour pancakes that my mother mentioned were a rare treat; not every household had them, and in the past, people had to borrow them.

Instantly, a chill rose from the depths of Han Li's heart.

This illogical event was like ice water poured over his head, instantly sobering Han Li up.

Han Li closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing his emotions. Images of Li Feiyu's teachings and the cultivation of Yin Po and Zhan Hun appeared in his mind.

When Han Li opened his eyes again, his previously struggling expression gradually became firm.

"I'm sorry... I can't stay. I still have a path to walk. Only that path can give me the power to truly protect everything I want to protect."

"Brother Li, don't you want me and Mother anymore?" The younger sister's voice was choked with sobs as she tightly gripped Han Li's arm and looked at him with pleading eyes.

The mother glanced at Han Li and shook her head in disappointment. "Cultivating immortality, again! For that illusory thing, you've abandoned your family, you don't even care about your little sister's life or death..."

Her mother's words were cold and biting, and when she looked at Han Li again, her expression had completely changed. (End of Chapter)