“Fellow Daoist Gu, I presume you have a dedicated arena for sparring here? I’m afraid I’ll need to borrow it for a while.” Han Li turned and addressed the gray-robed elder.
“Of course. The Douyuan Pavilion has a private space created from a spatial rift. Even battles between Body Integration cultivators won’t affect the outside world. If the two of you wish to spar, there will naturally be no issues.” The elder surnamed Gu was momentarily taken aback but quickly replied.
Golden Zen Master watched as Han Li settled the “three strikes” agreement with just a few words, his lips twitching slightly.
Although the elders had all heard from Silverlight Fairy that Han Li’s abilities far surpassed those of ordinary cultivators of the same rank—having even slain several Demon Clan Venerables—if it was merely three strikes, Frost Li the Transcendent should be able to withstand them.
Otherwise, this newly appointed Nine Stars Sect elder of Skydeep City would be nothing more than an empty title, and the Elder Council would have no reason to risk offending Han Li by continuing to shield him.
Golden Zen Master quickly grasped the stakes and attempted a few more words of persuasion. Seeing no effect, he could only sigh and fall silent.
As for Silverlight Fairy and Elder Gu, one was already somewhat inclined toward Han Li, while the other sought to remain neutral and avoid offending either side. Neither voiced any objections.
Thus, under Elder Gu’s lead, the group headed for the door.
However, just as they stepped outside, Han Li suddenly turned his head and swept a cold glance over Xiao Hong and the others.
“At this time tomorrow, if I don’t see you all at my residence… well, you can imagine the consequences,” he said indifferently before striding out without another word.
Xiao Hong and the others shuddered but dared not make a sound.
Golden Zen Master and the others acted as if they hadn’t heard, leaving without so much as a glance.
Frost Li the Transcendent turned back to look at them expressionlessly but ultimately said nothing before exiting the hall.
“Fairy Xiao, what are we to do? Senior Frost Li doesn’t seem inclined to stand up for us. What now?” A beastman cultivator with thick black fur on his face immediately wailed at Xiao Hong as soon as Han Li and the others disappeared.
“Indeed, this is not what you promised. When you persuaded us on Senior Frost Li’s behalf, you assured us that Senior Han had already perished, and even if he did return, everything would be under Senior Frost Li’s control—that we wouldn’t be implicated. Now, you owe us an explanation!” another human cultivator added urgently.
The others remained silent but fixed their gazes on Xiao Hong, as if she had been their de facto leader all along.
“Hmph, do you think I can escape this either? Senior Frost Li gave me the same assurances, and I merely relayed his words. How was I to know that, as a fellow Body Integration cultivator, he would be so intimidated by Han Li that he wouldn’t even dare to protect us? Fortunately, we all have some status and connections. No matter how formidable Han Li is, he surely won’t outright kill us. But tomorrow, we’ll undoubtedly suffer some hardships.” Xiao Hong’s expression darkened as she retorted sharply.
“So, we really have to go to Senior Han’s residence tomorrow?” one person asked hesitantly, his face flickering between fear and uncertainty.
“Hmph, I advise you not to even think of fleeing. If you do, that man will have every reason to deal with us harshly. Even our elders won’t be able to save us then.” Xiao Hong snorted, warning them bluntly.
“Fellow Daoist Xiao is right. If he let us leave so freely, he’s likely already planted spiritual marks on us without our knowledge. Trying to escape would be suicide. Besides, Skydeep City is completely surrounded by the Demon Clan army—where could we even go? Tomorrow, we’ll have to swallow our pride and beg for mercy. I need to inform one of my elders, so I’ll take my leave first.” A more composed cultivator sighed deeply, clasped his fists, and left with a heavy heart.
The remaining few exchanged uneasy glances before reluctantly accepting that they had no other choice and dispersed in low spirits.
In the blink of an eye, only Xiao Hong remained in the hall.
She stood frozen for a long while, her expression shifting between fury and fear, before finally stomping her foot and leaving in resignation.
As for whether these individuals would prepare lavish gifts or seek intermediaries to plead on their behalf—each had their own plans.
—
Meanwhile, Han Li and the others, led by the gray-robed elder, had arrived at a larger hall on the top floor of the pavilion.
Han Li’s eyes flickered slightly as he observed the small formation array at the center of the hall.
Without hesitation, Elder Gu stepped forward, forming a series of intricate hand seals and sending several streams of spiritual light into the formation.
A resonant hum filled the air as the formation activated.
Turning back to the group, Elder Gu smiled.
“This teleportation formation will take us directly to the sparring grounds. Fellow Daoists, please step onto it. It can transport all of us at once.”
“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony.” Han Li smiled faintly, his figure blurring as he appeared at the center of the formation.
Given his current abilities, a minor spatial rift posed no threat to him, so he had no reservations.
Frost Li the Transcendent, unwilling to appear weak, flicked his sleeve and soared onto the formation in a swirl of azure light, his face dark.
Golden Zen Master shook his head and followed, while Ice Phoenix frowned slightly before stepping onto the formation as well.
Elder Gu and Silverlight Fairy were the last to enter.
The moment they did, Elder Gu activated the formation with another incantation.
A dazzling five-colored radiance erupted, swiftly enveloping the group.
Han Li felt his surroundings blur before finding himself in an unfamiliar space.
His gaze swept the area, taking in every detail.
The space was sizable, spanning thousands of acres, with the same gray spatial barriers typical of spatial rifts. At its center stood a raised platform about a hundred zhang in diameter.
The platform shimmered faintly with spiritual light, clearly reinforced by special restrictions. Around it stood over a dozen stone pillars, each over ten zhang tall, adorned with intricate patterns and embedded with top-grade spirit stones.
“The Primordial Dual-Polarity Formation! Brother Gu, you’ve spared no expense. With this formation in place, even battles between our level of cultivators won’t affect those outside the platform,” Silverlight Fairy exclaimed in surprise.
Golden Zen Master also showed a flicker of astonishment.
“Heh, I’m flattered by your praise. I occasionally test my techniques here, so I’ve put some effort into its construction.” Though Elder Gu spoke modestly, a trace of pride gleamed in his eyes.
Han Li studied the formation for a moment before silently forming a hand seal. A streak of piercing azure light carried him onto the platform.
As the radiance dissipated, he reappeared and coolly addressed Frost Li the Transcendent:
“Fellow Daoist Frost, since we’ve arrived, why delay any longer?”
Frost Li’s expression darkened. With a cold snort, he stepped forward, a surge of azure qi lifting him effortlessly onto the platform, where he halted mid-air opposite Han Li.
Despite his stormy countenance, he cut an ethereal figure, like an immortal descending from the heavens.
Seeing this, Elder Gu wasted no time. He flipped his hand, producing a silver jade disk, which he tossed toward the platform.
The disk transformed into a silver orb hovering high above.
Elder Gu then pointed at it from afar, chanting an incantation.
A thunderous rumble echoed as the spirit stones embedded in the pillars flared brilliantly. Beams of light shot from the pillar tops, converging on the silver orb.
The orb exploded into countless silver motes, forming a dense barrier that encased the entire platform.
The shimmering curtain, adorned with swirling milky-white runes, cast an eerie glow over the platform.
“The restrictions are in place. Now, no matter how fiercely the two of you battle, it won’t affect us,” Elder Gu said, exhaling in relief before turning to Golden Zen Master with a smile.
“Many thanks, Benefactor Gu. I only hope the two fellow Daoists will cease after a brief exchange, lest they damage their rapport,” Golden Zen Master said, still uneasy.
“Rest assured, Master. With just three strikes, Fellow Daoist Frost will surely endure. But this time, both will surely unleash their true power. Witnessing it will be a rare privilege—especially Fellow Daoist Han’s abilities. Rumor has it he’s slain several Demon Clan Venerables. I’ve long wished to see his prowess firsthand,” Elder Gu said cheerfully.
“Let’s hope so,” Golden Zen Master murmured, sighing as he chanted a Buddhist mantra.
Ice Phoenix, meanwhile, watched Han Li through the barrier, a flicker of concern in her eyes.
“Are you prepared, Fellow Daoist? I’m about to strike!” Han Li’s voice turned icy as a trace of killing intent flashed across his face.
Almost simultaneously, he clenched his fists, and thunder roared.
Golden lightning erupted from his arms, coalescing into two massive electric serpents that coiled menacingly into the sky, their ferocity awe-inspiring.
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