“Elder Miaohé and Elder Huang Kun from Lílóng Island? Weren’t they supposed to have perished in a beast tide ambush at Bìlíng Island in the outer sea?” The old woman was taken aback upon hearing this.
“That was merely the official story. In truth, according to surviving alliance members who escaped Bìlíng Island, neither elder had returned to the island on the day of the beast tide. However, someone from our alliance did spot someone resembling Hán Lì on Thunder Void Island, where Miaohé resided. Coincidentally, it was on that very day that both Miaohé and Huáng Kūn mysteriously vanished, and their soul lamps in the alliance extinguished on their own. The beast tide invasion of Bìlíng Island actually occurred later.” Wàn Tiānmíng sneered before explaining slowly.
“Even so, isn’t it a stretch to conclude that Miaohé and Huáng Kūn died at his hands?” The old woman hesitated after a long pause.
“Indeed, our alliance lacks concrete evidence to pin this on him. But if the cultivator who recently breached our formation truly is this Hán Lì, and if he possesses the power of a Great Cultivator, then it’s highly likely.” Wàn Tiānmíng’s eyes flashed coldly, his voice turning icy.
“If he has truly reached the late stage and wields the Void Heaven Cauldron, while you, Brother Wàn, have only recently become a Great Cultivator, wouldn’t that…” The old man surnamed Lóng couldn’t help showing concern.
“Heh, now that I know of him, how could I not have a countermeasure? Rest assured, if he doesn’t come, so be it. If he does, leave him to me. I may not be certain of killing him, but defeating him? That, I’m confident in.” Wàn Tiānmíng chuckled dismissively.
The old woman and Lóng exchanged glances, their faces briefly showing surprise before settling into relief. Knowing Wàn Tiānmíng as they did, his words carried weight.
“If you say so, then this old woman is at ease. The others can be handled by Lóng and me.” The old woman smirked darkly.
“For routine harassment, entrusting the formation’s core to you two is more than sufficient. But if they’re desperate, they’ll send many high-ranking cultivators. That’s why I’ve arranged additional help to secure the core with you.” Wàn Tiānmíng turned back, his expression oddly cryptic.
“Help? Brother Wàn, you mean…” Lóng and the old woman were startled.
Instead of answering, Wàn Tiānmíng flicked his sleeve, launching a massive fireball into the sky. It exploded in a dazzling display, drawing the attention of all nearby cultivators.
Amidst the confusion, a sultry voice rang out from a small boat: “Big brother, Wàn is summoning us! It seems our time has come. Hiding here for so long has been stifling.”
“Time means little to us cultivators. If Wàn is revealing us now, the real battle must be upon us. No more skirmishes—this time, we kill to our heart’s content.” A deep male voice replied.
Two blinding white streaks shot from the boat, landing before Wàn Tiānmíng’s group. A burly, wild-haired man and a petite, alluring woman appeared.
“The Twin Demons of Lán?!” Lóng gasped in horror, while the old woman paled.
“Oh? So someone in Starry Sky Sea still remembers us. We’ve been secluded on Demon Isle for years,” the woman giggled, her gaze playful.
“Weren’t you two slain by the Twin Saints of Heavenly Star?” the old woman asked warily.
“We were indeed cornered by those old fools back then. But here we stand—proof that fortune favors the survivors. Do you have a problem with that?” The wild-haired man’s voice emanated from his abdomen, his teeth glinting ominously.
The old woman instinctively stepped back, then angrily stepped forward again. The man smirked, his aura darkening.
“Enough. My adversary has arrived. I’ve kept you hidden for this very battle. The Star Palace planted spies among us, thinking I wouldn’t notice. Now, let’s see who walks into the trap.” Wàn Tiānmíng’s voice turned grim.
The group turned toward the formation. Chaos erupted as a massive beast-drawn chariot emerged, followed by thousands of cultivators. The opposing forces faced off around the towering wind-fire pillar.
Lóng and the old woman forgot the Twin Demons, focusing on the Star Palace cultivators. Lóng’s lips dried as he spotted Hán Lì in the chariot, arms crossed, studying Wàn Tiānmíng intently.
“The Twin Demons of Lán?!” The purple-robed elder echoed Lóng’s earlier shock.
Hán Lì remained indifferent, but Líng Yùlíng and Elder Zhào were alarmed. “Elder Mǎ, are you certain? Didn’t my parents eliminate them years ago?” Líng Yùlíng asked.
“No mistake. I accompanied the former palace masters in hunting them. It was after that they advanced to the late stage. How are these two still alive? Their cultivation remains at mid-Nascent Soul.” Elder Mǎ was baffled.
“Not surprising. Some rare elixirs can extend lifespan by centuries. They likely consumed one,” Hán Lì remarked casually.
“That must be it. But these two were infamous even before the former palace masters. The man slaughtered two islands overnight—thousands of cultivators and mortals. The woman cultivated the ‘Yīn-Nü Slays Yáng’ art, capturing young male cultivators to drain their vitality before torturing them to death. Together, they could rival a Great Cultivator. Only the former palace masters dared confront them,” Elder Zhào explained grimly.
“I see. So even if I handle Wàn Tiānmíng, these two tip the scales against you,” Hán Lì mused.
“Exactly. I brought extra elders for an advantage, but with the Twin Demons here, holding our ground is the best we can hope for,” Líng Yùlíng admitted, troubled.
Hán Lì smiled faintly, but before he could speak, Wàn Tiānmíng flew forward from the pillar.
“Fellow Daoist Hán, since we last met in the Void Heaven Hall, your progress astonishes me—now a Great Cultivator. Given you’re not from Starry Sky Sea, why involve yourself in our conflict? Name your price from the Star Palace, and I’ll double it. All I ask is your neutrality today.” Wàn Tiānmíng’s offer stunned Hán Lì and horrified Líng Yùlíng’s group.
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