“So it turns out Fellow Daoist Han is acquainted with the Enchantress Linglong and played a significant role in the demon-slaying battle at Mount Kunwu. Tsk tsk, and the recent events at the Yin Luo Sect were also your doing. This truly surprises me, Hu. I initially thought it was the work of a Deity Transformation cultivator. With such divine abilities, Fellow Daoist Han indeed qualifies to interact with us as equals.” After Xiang Zhili finished his message transmission, Hu Qinglei’s gaze toward Han Li softened considerably.
“I have long admired Brother Hu’s reputation. I hope you won’t take offense at my unannounced visit,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, his tone equally courteous.
“Naturally, I would be delighted to befriend a rare talent like Fellow Daoist Han. By the way, you two old fellows must also recognize some of the other guests who came to offer congratulations,” Hu Qinglei said with a slight smile before turning to Xiang Zhili and the others.
The Nascent Soul cultivators standing behind the wooden-crowned elder were initially stunned upon hearing that Han Li was connected to the Yin Luo Sect incident they had just discussed. When they saw the elder treating Han Li as an equal, they couldn’t help but show astonishment.
Now, at Hu Qinglei’s words, they seized the opportunity to step forward and pay their respects to Xiang Zhili and Elder Feng.
The two merely waved their hands in acknowledgment. However, one of them, after greeting the two elders, suddenly clasped his fists toward Han Li and said with envy, “Congratulations, Brother Han. It’s been so long since we last met, and you’ve finally advanced to the late stage.”
This man, dressed in a green robe with white hair and a youthful face, was none other than Elder Ku Zhu, whom Han Li’s humanoid puppet had once fought over the Black Phoenix Feather. Still at the peak of mid-Nascent Soul stage, it seemed he had been unable to break through the bottleneck to the late stage, likely marking the end of his cultivation journey.
“I didn’t expect to meet Fellow Daoist Ku Zhu here either. My advancement was merely a stroke of luck,” Han Li replied with a smile. Though his impression of Elder Ku Zhu was neutral, the Black Phoenix Feather had been instrumental in crafting the Three Flames Fan, so he responded amiably.
Elder Ku Zhu coughed dryly and was about to say more when Hu Qinglei impatiently interrupted, “Enough. This isn’t the place for conversation. Fellow Daoists, why not follow me into the hall for a proper discussion?”
At this, Elder Ku Zhu swallowed his words and merely smiled at Han Li in silence.
The group then descended toward the grand hall from which Hu Qinglei and the others had emerged.
Upon entering, they took their seats as hosts and guests. At Hu Qinglei’s command, a group of maids swiftly replaced the banquet tables. Han Li, Xiang Zhili, and the others were seated closest to Hu Qinglei, a clear indication of their elevated status.
While no one batted an eye at Xiang Zhili and Elder Feng receiving such treatment, Han Li—ostensibly a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator—being accorded the same honors raised eyebrows. The other cultivators couldn’t help but scrutinize Han Li, speculating about his background.
Though inwardly perplexed, none of these influential figures showed it outwardly. However, one cultivator seated near Elder Ku Zhu couldn’t resist quietly inquiring about Han Li’s origins. Though the question was whispered, everyone in the hall heard it clearly.
Elder Ku Zhu, having only met Han Li once, knew little. His vague answers left the others disappointed.
Han Li remained seated calmly, his expression unchanged, as if oblivious to the inquiries.
Meanwhile, the wooden-crowned elder and Xiang Zhili engaged in lively conversation, while the other Nascent Soul cultivators chatted among themselves.
Since none of the three Deity Transformation cultivators volunteered information about Han Li, the others dared not pry further and pretended ignorance.
After a while, the blue-robed scholar stood up and addressed Han Li with a fist salute, “Fellow Daoist Han, earlier, Senior Hu mentioned that the recent events at the Yin Luo Sect might involve you. Is this true?”
Han Li, unfazed, nodded calmly. “Indeed, I am connected to those events. Do you have ties to the Yin Luo Sect?”
“I am but a rogue cultivator with no affiliation to them. However, I did know Fellow Daoist Fang from the sect. His demise wouldn’t also be related to you, would it?” The scholar’s eyes flickered, his expression growing solemn.
The hall fell silent as everyone awaited Han Li’s response. Even the wooden-crowned elder paused his conversation to watch with an enigmatic smile.
“If you truly wish to know, I have no reason to hide it. The Yin Luo Sect’s leader was indeed slain by me,” Han Li replied coolly after studying the scholar for a moment.
A murmur rippled through the hall as the Nascent Soul cultivators reacted with mixed expressions.
“I see. Thank you for clarifying, Brother Han,” the scholar said, inwardly shaken but outwardly composed as he sat back down, dropping the subject.
This surprised Han Li, who simply smiled in response.
Hu Qinglei chuckled, about to speak, when a palace maid entered and whispered something to him.
His eyes gleamed as he stroked his beard and announced, “Earlier, before the arrival of our three guests, some of you expressed interest in meeting my three new concubines. They are now waiting outside. Let me summon them to offer you all a toast. Hehe, this would also be the time to present your congratulatory gifts. Let’s see if they meet the ladies’ expectations—especially you two, Elder Feng. Don’t embarrass yourselves by being outdone by juniors.”
Hu Qinglei laughed heartily.
“Humph! Since meeting you, I’ve lost count of how many treasures I’ve gifted your demon palace for your endless concubines. You’re truly profiting at our expense,” Elder Feng grumbled, though he reluctantly produced a small wooden box and placed it on the table.
Xiang Zhili, smiling wordlessly, also took out a jade box.
“Ha! I’ve never kept any of your gifts for myself. Bestowing treasures upon beauties is a noble act. Why begrudge such trifles? With your wealth, these are but a drop in the ocean. Isn’t a beauty’s smile worth more?” Hu Qinglei retorted, unperturbed and even smug.
The other cultivators also produced gifts—rare materials, dazzling ancient treasures, and the like.
Han Li, having prepared in advance, took out two bottles of pills from his storage pouch. Such a gift, beneficial for advancing Nascent Soul cultivation, was hardly shabby.
As he observed the others’ offerings, footsteps echoed from the hall entrance. A group of maids in colorful palace attire escorted three stunning female cultivators inside.
All eyes instantly locked onto the trio, and gasps of admiration arose from both sides.
Each woman was breathtakingly beautiful, their charms unparalleled.
One was petite with delicate features and a hint of youthful innocence; another had an alluring figure and captivating eyes; the last was tall and slender, with lustrous black hair and an ethereal, icy demeanor.
At first glance, their beauty and cultivation seemed evenly matched. But the tall woman’s striking features, combined with her cold elegance and an inexplicable allure, made her stand out. Her contradictory charm—both enchanting and aloof—drew gazes irresistibly toward her.
Han Li, who had been smiling calmly, stiffened upon seeing this woman in white palace robes. His expression shifted dramatically.
“Come, greet our guests with a toast. These fellow Daoists have traveled far to celebrate our union. Ziling, you come up here and personally serve Xiang and the others,” Hu Qinglei said, beckoning the tall beauty.
The other two women immediately complied, accepting trays of wine from attendants and beginning to serve the guests, who rose respectfully to accept.
But “Ziling” hesitated, her brows furrowing slightly as her gaze swept over Xiang Zhili and Elder Feng. When her eyes landed on Han Li, her body trembled, and her previously vacant eyes ignited with an intense light, fixed unwaveringly on him.
Her jade-like face cycled through emotions—disbelief, elation, and then confusion.
Anyone could see that she and Han Li shared a deep, unmistakable connection.
Hu Qinglei’s face darkened instantly. The hall fell silent as all eyes darted between the woman and Han Li, expressions turning peculiar.
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