After a hundred breaths passed in a strange silence, Hong Yin looked at Gong Shanhe and Li Yan again.
She was now seventy percent convinced of what they had said.
"You two don't need to communicate secretly. As I said, I have no ill intentions. After I finish asking my questions, I will leave!"
She clearly guessed that the two of them had been communicating, perhaps even with Gong Chenying, but she didn't care.
By pointing this out, she was telling them, so what if you're two Nascent Soul cultivators? Even if I'm just a wisp of a soul, I am not afraid to face you, exuding a powerful confidence.
"Then do you know where the head of this spear comes from?"
Hong Yin waved the long spear in her hand, creating a hazy red halo, and continued speaking.
"This... is A'ying's?"
Only then did Gong Shanhe notice the long spear. He knew his daughter used a long halberd, which she usually liked to carry on her back.
He had previously thought it was stored away in a storage space when they entered the underground. He had always assumed the crimson-glowing spear was Hong Yin's magical treasure. Her question made him immediately realize that she was holding his daughter's weapon.
"I gave the head of this magical treasure to Senior Sister. It comes from the Desolate Moon Continent!"
When Li Yan had seen the long spear in Hong Yin's hand earlier, he had suspected that Gong Chenying might be under her control.
"The Desolate Moon Continent? Are you joking, Fellow Daoist?"
A trace of anger appeared on Hong Yin's clear-featured face. She was doing this intentionally. After hearing what Gong Chenying had said and seeing Li Yan's cultivation, she already believed that Li Yan had obtained it by crossing realms.
At this moment, she was merely trying to verify the information.
"It's just an origin. Is there a need to hide it? Besides, I can only tell that it's a decent residual fire-attribute magical treasure, not some heaven-defying treasure. I obtained this item from the second floor of the Northern Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda on the Desolate Moon Continent!"
As Li Yan spoke, he carefully observed Hong Yin's expression. But to his disappointment, apart from her slight emotional reaction to the "Red Whisk Temple," he could no longer discern her thoughts.
"You don't have to stare at me like that, Fellow Daoist. This spearhead was originally a magical treasure of my temple. Seeing it now just brings back some old memories and makes me wonder where the people of the temple ended up.
If you think it's a heaven-defying treasure, you can think whatever you like! As for its origin, can you be a little more specific?"
Hong Yin directly saw through Li Yan's intentions. He wanted to find out if the crimson spearhead held any secrets. Li Yan showed no embarrassment at this and smiled slightly.
"The place where this item was located is under the Red Maple Pool on the second floor of the 'Northern Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda,' in a place called the 'Flame Palace.'
I obtained it from the magma spewing out there. Is this answer satisfactory, Fellow Daoist?"
As Hong Yin listened to Li Yan's words, her face remained noncommittal, but when she heard the words "Flame Palace," her heart stirred.
"May I ask, Fellow Daoist, is there anything special about that 'Flame Palace'?"
"It's just a palace buried deep within the magma, completely empty inside. Oh, right, there's a kind of monster with a big head and a thin tail there that likes to eat hot magma!"
Li Yan gave a simple account. The fact that the other party had sealed Gong Chenying made Li Yan very unhappy. Although he didn't lie, he only gave a rough outline.
At the same time, Li Yan's mind was also stirred. He immediately brought up the origin of those big-headed, thin-tailed monsters. He had always felt that this thing held some secret, more than just dream-devouring and shapeshifting.
"An empty great hall? Monsters with big heads and thin tails..."
Hong Yin muttered to herself. After more than ten breaths.
"Fellow Daoist, are there any statues or the like in that great hall?"
Hong Yin asked again. Hearing this, Li Yan immediately shook his head.
"No, there are only eighteen huge pillars supporting it, all carved with patterns of various demonic beasts, large and small."
Seeing the other party ask about the great hall again, Li Yan felt a little disappointed. It was clear that Hong Yin was not interested in the big-headed, thin-tailed monsters, and probably didn't know about them either, being more concerned with the hall.
'No Buddha statues... but eighteen pillars... demonic beasts...'
Hong Yin's heart trembled, but her face remained unchanged.
"What kind of demonic beast patterns were they?"
"This... I really didn't pay attention. At that time, I was trapped in a side hall. The moment I escaped, all I could think about was getting out!"
Li Yan said, half-truthfully. He hadn't gotten the information he wanted from her, especially about the big-headed, thin-tailed monsters he was most concerned about.
So, he didn't want to say any more. In fact, he could recognize some of the carved demonic beast patterns.
Besides, he had originally planned to visit the Northern Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda after finishing his business on the Wind God Continent. If he couldn't get answers now, he would go and investigate himself.
Hong Yin looked at Li Yan's calm face, and for a moment, she too didn't know if he was telling the truth. But she had already memorized what he said. If she could ever cross realms, she would definitely go and investigate personally.
She had a suspicion in her heart, but it was a result she was most unwilling to contemplate. And in his account, Li Yan had just happened to omit some things about the Flame Palace.
Even in the future, Li Yan never remembered, which deprived Hong Yin of an important basis for judgment.
Afterward, Hong Yin asked some more questions about the current situation on the Wind God Continent. An hour and a half had passed by the time she was done.
But Gong Shanhe and Li Yan remained unhurried, which made Hong Yin even more vigilant.
Her experience was countless times richer than these two young fellows. Of course, she knew that the more people like Gong Shanhe and Li Yan appeared calm, the more terrifying they would be once they acted.
It would be a desperate counterattack, like a venomous snake waiting for an opportunity. They would absolutely not hold anything back.
"Alright, you two retreat a thousand li away. A thousand li is not much of a distance for us anyway. This can be considered a sign of my sincerity.
After you have reached a thousand li, I will immediately release her seal. She can then send you a voice transmission to confirm her recovery.
But you and she must both remain in place. She can continuously send voice transmissions to confirm that she is unharmed. After I have flown another five thousand li, you will be free to do as you please!"
Hong Yin looked at Gong Shanhe and Li Yan with a placid gaze.
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yin, after all this talk, we have already guessed your origin. Now you say you want to leave this place, but where can this wisp of a soul go?"
Gong Shanhe suddenly said this. After hearing it, Hong Yin's pretty face sank, but she quickly returned to normal.
"A clever person like you, Fellow Daoist, actually doesn't wait until I release her to say such things. Or do you have other ideas?"
She was first startled. It was not impossible for her to deal with the two of them, but it would most likely end with both sides severely injured.
However, she was also an extremely shrewd person. She immediately thought that since the other party had been cooperating with her, it was impossible for them to turn on her before they got the person back. It was just that Gong Shanhe's words made her uncomfortable.
"Hehehe... Fellow Daoist Hong Yin, do you remember what I said earlier? I told you that this is the border area where the territories of the two beast clans intersect.
If you leave this place, you either have to go through my clan's territory or through the beasts' territory. In your current state, Fellow Daoist, you won't be able to get through the beasts' territory.
The beast clan has at least two Fourth-rank beasts, and one of the clans even has a peak Fourth-rank existence. This is no empty threat. Fellow Daoist is certainly powerful, but you have lost your physical body. If you want to get out smoothly..."
Gong Shanhe's words trailed off here, and he shook his head.
"Oh? Are you offering to escort me out? But even so, I can't release her now. Gong Chenying must remain under my control along the way!"
Hong Yin said this.
"Hehehe, Fellow Daoist Hong Yin, in your current state, you must be looking for a suitable physical body. Otherwise, walking around as a soul is several times more dangerous.
On the Wind God Continent today, it's almost impossible to find a rogue Nascent Soul-level cultivator. Ninety-nine percent of them have been recruited by some sect as guest elders. It would be difficult for you to even make a move.
And once you do, if you don't succeed in one blow, you will attract more than just one Nascent Soul cultivator!
However, I have a better suggestion. Why don't you settle down in my clan, Fellow Daoist? With my clan's strength, we can find a suitable physical body for you.
Although it may not be possible immediately, the chances are much higher than you searching for one as a soul.
If Fellow Daoist Hong Yin is not at ease, the seal on my daughter can be left for now, as long as it does her no harm. You can wait until you arrive at my clan and have a look around before making a decision. What do you think?"
As Gong Shanhe spoke, he stared at Hong Yin with a smile in his eyes.
Although Hong Yin's face remained calm, a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.
In fact, the moment Gong Shanhe spoke, with her intellect, she had immediately guessed his intention. But for him to suggest not releasing Gong Chenying's seal for the time being, that was what surprised her.
'This person could be a great leader of his generation!'
Hong Yin thought to herself. At the same time, she glanced sideways at Gong Chenying. She didn't know if it was because Gong Shanhe had already sent her a voice transmission, or if it was just Gong Chenying's nature, but her face remained calm and placid, just standing there quietly.
For a time, Hong Yin did not answer Gong Shanhe's words, but fell into deep thought. On the other side, Li Yan was also pondering.
'I hope she agrees. Otherwise, that Hong Yin will probably take the crimson spear with her. With Sixth Senior Sister's personality, as soon as she is free, she would dare to demand it back with a strength approaching initial-stage Nascent Soul. At that time, a fight will be inevitable!'
Li Yan knew Gong Chenying's personality. She was ten out of ten unwilling to lose the crimson spearhead he had given her. This senior sister was like a silent volcano.
Therefore, he had been considering this matter before and had come up with this solution. He then discussed it secretly with Gong Shanhe, though he didn't mention the crimson spear specifically.
When Gong Shanhe heard that Li Yan wanted to pull this person into the Tianli Clan, after a moment of deliberation, he readily agreed. Although Hong Yin was only a soul, she was, after all, a Nascent Soul-level soul.
Moreover, in such a state, she still retained the aura of a Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, which showed how powerful she must have been with a physical body. If she regained a physical body in the future, she would definitely be a great asset to the Tianli Clan.
Seeing Hong Yin remain silent in thought, Gong Shanhe timely added.
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yin, you are not very familiar with the Wind God Continent now. Although you have asked me some things, compared to the long years that have passed, this information is not enough for you to understand the current situation.
My clan has many historical records of the Wind God Continent. I can bring them out for you to peruse. This is something I can decide!
Moreover, my clan also has soul-nurturing pills of good quality. If you can stay, my clan will provide these soul-nurturing pills until you find a physical body!"
Upon hearing this, Hong Yin's body trembled slightly. Gong Shanhe was truly worthy of being a clan chief. Every word he said, every suggestion he made, was very difficult for her to refuse.
After only a few breaths, Hong Yin spoke.
"If I go to the Tianli Clan, let Gong Chenying accompany me for three days. During this period, apart from your clan's core areas, I can be allowed to roam freely.
After three days, I will make my decision. At that time, regardless of whether I stay in your clan or not, I will release the seal on her when I leave. What do you think?"
"Hehehe... no problem. A'ying would also be happy to show you around the Tianli Clan."
After hearing this, Gong Shanhe agreed with a laugh. The other party just wanted to confirm what kind of clan the Tianli Clan was and whether it was suitable for her to stay. Gong Shanhe was not worried about this.
Just then, Gong Chenying, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"As long as Senior doesn't mind the primitiveness of my clan, you can also see the current rampage of the beasts!"
When Gong Chenying said this, Li Yan's eyes flashed, and he felt a sense of admiration for this father and daughter pair.
He was the one who suggested keeping Hong Yin, which included the alternative meaning of "forcing" her to stay. In his view, everything was certainly centered on getting his senior sister free.
Li Yan had even been thinking that if the other party still insisted on leaving or proposed some unacceptable conditions, he would take the opportunity to secretly poison her.
Unexpectedly, Gong Shanhe and his daughter seemed to take the danger very lightly and agreed to all of Hong Yin's conditions.
In fact, Gong Shanhe saw things differently. After hearing Li Yan's suggestion, he had decided to recruit this person into the clan, even if it meant paying a certain price. Nascent Soul cultivators were too important to any sect or clan on the Wind God Continent.
In his view, although he didn't know why Li Yan had come here, he would have to leave sooner or later. Of course, it would be better if he could leave behind a guest elder.
So he sent a separate voice transmission to Gong Chenying. After hearing it, Gong Chenying directly spoke to Hong Yin. She had always been very assertive and knew how significant this matter was.
This was not her personal matter, but a matter concerning the clan. She agreed without hesitation.
In her heart, personal interests had long become insignificant in the continuous wars. She didn't even care about her life, let alone these conditions.
"Alright, since it's settled, when do we depart?"
Hong Yin was also a decisive person. She also felt that the other party's proposal was indeed more beneficial to her. She knew that the other party also wanted to use her, but so what?
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Why should people give you something for nothing?
As for the danger of going to the Tianli Clan, in her current situation, where wasn't it dangerous! Just as Gong Shanhe had said, if she left now, she might encounter a Fourth-rank beast soon after.
"Please wait a moment. A'ying, bring out the Sixth Elder. We want to check his condition first. Fellow Daoist Hong Yin, is that alright?"