Han Li did not rise immediately. Instead, he lifted his head and gazed forward, his expression unreadable.
The two streaks of light in the distance clearly spotted Han Li on the small island and abruptly accelerated. With a sharp whistling sound, the white light arrived above the island and dissipated, revealing a male and a female cultivator.
The woman appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with snow-white skin and lustrous black hair cascading like clouds. She wore an emerald-green palace gown, exuding an air of noble elegance. The man, on the other hand, was a white-robed scholar in his forties, with an ordinary face but strikingly thick, sword-like eyebrows. His entire body radiated a chilling aura, and his expression was as cold as ice.
The two hovered about thirty zhang in the air, scrutinizing Han Li.
Han Li slowly rose to his feet, his body floating upward effortlessly.
Moments later, he was suspended at the same altitude as the pair.
“The fame of the Twin Saints of Heavenly Star has long reached my ears. To meet both of you today is truly an honor,” Han Li said with a dry chuckle, his tone neither warm nor cold.
Seeing Han Li’s composed demeanor, the palace-gowned woman, who had met Han Li once before and was named Wen Qing, smiled radiantly, her beauty blooming like a hundred flowers.
“There are only a handful of late-Nascent Soul cultivators in the Star Sea. Since Fellow Daoist Han agreed to meet us, how could we possibly break our promise? This is my husband, Ling Xiaofeng. Though we have some reputation, very few know our true names,” she said, her red lips parting slightly.
Han Li smiled faintly but said nothing, his gaze carefully studying the man. Their eyes met briefly, and both felt an inexplicable wariness, sensing that the other was no ordinary opponent.
“Elder Zhao informed us that Brother Han already has a cultivation partner, also a Nascent Soul female cultivator. That is indeed regrettable. However, all female cultivators in the Star Sea who have reached the Nascent Soul stage—even those who are reclusive—would not escape the notice of our Star Palace’s influence. Brother Han must not be from the Star Sea. Did you come from the Great Jin?” Ling Xiaofeng spoke, his words causing Han Li’s expression to flicker slightly.
“Have the two of you also been to the Great Jin?” Han Li exhaled softly, his mind racing, neither confirming nor denying the statement.
His tone, however, naturally led the Twin Saints to confirm their assumption.
The man nodded, his face revealing a look of understanding.
“The Great Jin is hailed as the holy land of human cultivation. How could we not have visited? Although there is an ancient teleportation array connecting the Chaotic Star Sea to the Great Jin, its location is extremely secretive. Even with our current abilities, reaching it still carries risks. Thus, apart from successive Star Palace Masters, few Nascent Soul cultivators venture to the Great Jin. Of course, very few even know of this ancient teleportation array’s existence. However, our Star Palace has stationed a permanent elder to guard it. If Fellow Daoist had used this array to arrive in the Star Sea, we would have known. Alternatively, one could spend over a decade flying through other treacherous seas to reach the Great Jin, but the journey is fraught with dangers, and one might easily fall prey to unknown demonic beasts. Few would be foolish enough to attempt it. May we ask how Brother Han arrived in our Star Sea?” Wen Qing asked directly, her eyes shimmering with curiosity.
“I arrived here by chance, not by intention. As for the method, it is difficult to replicate. The two of you need not worry overly,” Han Li replied vaguely, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
Ling Xiaofeng and Wen Qing exchanged glances. Though puzzled, they did not press further.
The man spoke coolly:
“Did Elder Zhao mention the purpose of our meeting with Fellow Daoist?”
“He mentioned a little. It was said that the two of you wished to discuss matters related to breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage. How could I not be tempted?” Han Li chuckled after a brief silence.
“Indeed. Though my husband and I have been stuck at the late-Nascent Soul stage for centuries, we are confident that our insights could save Fellow Daoist some detours. We can provide several methods and secret techniques highly effective for breaking through to Deity Transformation. Of course, success ultimately depends on your own fortune,” the palace-gowned woman said with a melodic voice, her smile unwavering.
“Oh? Such generosity. Surely the two of you wouldn’t share these secrets without conditions,” Han Li said, showing no particular joy. Instead, a hint of caution flashed in his eyes.
“Had Fellow Daoist agreed to marry Yu Ling, we would have imposed no conditions. But since that is not the case, we can only propose a trade,” Wen Qing said leisurely.
“What kind of trade? Please enlighten me,” Han Li said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her beautiful face, his expression unreadable.
“It’s simple. I hope to exchange these secret techniques and insights for your assistance in ensuring my daughter’s stable succession as the Star Palace Master,” Wen Qing said solemnly.
“Assisting Fellow Daoist Yu Ling…” Han Li frowned, falling into thought.
The Twin Saints waited patiently, allowing him to deliberate.
“Fellow Daoist Ling is only at the early-Nascent Soul stage, correct?” Han Li said gravely.
“That is correct,” the palace-gowned woman replied, her brows arching slightly as if anticipating his next question.
“How confident are the two of you in helping Fellow Daoist Yu Ling advance to the late stage? A hundred years? Two hundred? Or even longer?” Han Li asked slowly.
“We have methods to help her reach the mid-Nascent Soul stage within a century. But advancing to the late stage is far more difficult and depends entirely on her own fortune,” Ling Xiaofeng replied coldly.
“Do the two of you believe she can stabilize her position as Star Palace Master without late-Nascent Soul cultivation? Surely you don’t expect me to spend centuries on this matter?” Han Li stroked his chin and laughed coldly.
At these words, Wen Qing’s smile faltered momentarily before resuming its usual grace.
“If Fellow Daoist finds this condition unreasonable, we can propose an alternative. You must be aware of the provocations from the Anti-Star Alliance. If you agree to join us in eliminating Six Paths and Wan Sangu, we will likewise hand over the methods and secret techniques. As far as I know, you have already incurred the enmity of several Nascent Soul cultivators in the Anti-Star Alliance over the Void Heaven Cauldron. This would be killing two birds with one stone,” she said with a charming smile.
“A wise man does not stand under a collapsing wall. Six Paths and Wan Sangu are renowned major cultivators. Even with your assistance, I have no confidence in emerging unscathed. Moreover, I have no intention of interfering in the Star Sea’s conflicts. Once my business here is concluded, I plan to return to seclusion. I’m afraid I cannot help in this matter,” Han Li said impassively, shaking his head.
Seeing Han Li reject the second condition outright, the palace-gowned woman’s smile faded, though she remained silent, clearly displeased. Ling Xiaofeng, however, spoke again.
“Brother Han may not realize this, but many of the Deity Transformation breakthrough techniques we offer were painstakingly developed by successive Star Palace Masters over countless years. Their value to late-Nascent Soul cultivators like us is beyond measure. Surely you don’t expect to obtain them for free?” The man’s tone grew sharp, his face stern.
“I would never entertain such thoughts. However, I know that while most Star Palace Masters have been late-Nascent Soul cultivators, very few have ever reached Deity Transformation. Though these methods are undoubtedly rare, I have doubts about their efficacy for me. Of course, they would still provide valuable insights. But to spend the better part of my life on this or take extreme risks—I cannot agree to that. Perhaps the two of you could propose simpler conditions. Anything too complex or exorbitant is out of the question,” Han Li said indifferently, clasping his hands behind his back, unfazed by their displeasure.
At his words, the couple’s expressions darkened. Yet they said nothing further, instead exchanging glances before beginning to communicate via sound transmission in front of Han Li.
Seeing this, Han Li’s lips twitched slightly before he tilted his head skyward, feigning indifference.
After a short while, the couple seemed to reach a consensus. Ling Xiaofeng spoke expressionlessly:
“We propose this: in exchange for these techniques, you will assist our daughter three times in the future. Once you have fulfilled these three acts, the debt will be settled.”
“I can agree to that. But only if Fellow Daoist Yu Ling’s life is in danger, and only within my capabilities,” Han Li said after a brief consideration.
“Good. There’s no need for vows. Given your status as a major cultivator, we trust your word. Here are three ancient communication talismans crafted by special methods. Even across vast distances, writing on one half will instantly appear on the other. Please keep them.” Ling Xiaofeng flicked his sleeve, and three gleaming white jade talismans appeared before him. With a finger’s motion, a thin golden thread sliced each talisman in two, leaving six pieces.
He swept up three halves with his sleeve, while the other three shot toward Han Li as white streaks with a puff of breath.
Han Li raised an eyebrow and caught them mid-air with a casual grab. A brief inspection revealed intricate runes still glowing with spiritual light despite being halved—clearly extraordinary artifacts.
Without a word, he flipped his palm and stored them in his pouch.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage