Is this an independent operation by the Ghost Spirit Sect, completely unrelated to the Six Demon Sects? If so, the Seven Sects have nothing to fear. Even the Yan Family alone could handle the Ghost Spirit Sect’s envoys, especially since the Yan Family has a Core Formation cultivator overseeing things!
After thinking this through, Han Li felt somewhat reassured.
Even if the sky were to fall, it would be the tall ones holding it up! Whatever shady dealings the Ghost Spirit Sect was up to here, why should a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him worry? The Yan Family would handle it. He just needed to be careful not to get caught in the crossfire.
It seemed the others felt the same way. After the initial shock, their expressions gradually returned to normal, and no one brought up the matter again. Instead, they started discussing insights into cultivation, which immediately captured Han Li’s interest. Without hesitation, he joined the conversation.
Time flew by, and as the sky darkened, the group, their throats dry from talking, decided to part ways shortly after the other cultivators left.
The exchange of insights had been immensely beneficial for everyone. The methods and opportunities the mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators shared about breaking through bottlenecks made the early-stage cultivators like Han Li feel the trip was well worth it.
Clearly not yet satisfied, the middle-aged man surnamed Wu suggested they find a secluded spot the next day, invite more like-minded cultivators, and continue their discussions. They could even hold a small trading event alongside it—a perfect idea!
The proposal was met with enthusiastic agreement from everyone, and Han Li naturally had no objections.
With that settled, the group dispersed.
Han Li headed toward an inn marked on his map, one specifically catering to visiting cultivators.
The inn was located in the southeast corner of Yanling Castle. It was small and inconspicuous, far less impressive than the others, so it likely housed few cultivators.
But Han Li preferred its quiet and sparse occupancy. Fewer people meant fewer chances of trouble. Plus, its proximity to the city walls made it convenient for a quick escape if anything unexpected happened.
The appearance of those Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators still left Han Li feeling uneasy. Preparing for the worst was just his cautious nature.
The “Breeze Delight Inn” indeed had few cultivators, mostly those who disliked crowds or were naturally reclusive. They all stayed in their rooms, with no one loitering in the common areas. This suited Han Li perfectly, and he quickly settled into a relatively clean room.
As for where Dong Xuan’er was staying, Han Li couldn’t be bothered to find out. He would surely see her when the Treasure Seizing Conference began. Then, he could just return to Yellow Maple Valley with her. With that thought, Han Li drifted into a deep sleep.
That night, as most cultivators were either asleep or meditating, in a heavily guarded room within Yanling Castle’s tallest structure—the command center known as the “Soaring Cloud Pavilion”—a red-haired old man paced back and forth, his expression unreadable.
Standing respectfully before him were three gray-robed elders.
“Zijun, did that Ghost Spirit Sect brat really say he’d come to see me tonight?” the red-haired old man finally stopped pacing and glanced coolly at one of the elders.
“Yes, Ancestor! The Ghost Spirit Sect’s young master privately sent me a voice transmission after the competition ended,” the man replied respectfully.
“Hmm!” The red-haired old man nodded expressionlessly, though a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Just then, a black-robed middle-aged man entered and bowed. “Ancestor, three elders, the guest has arrived and is waiting in the main hall. But his two guards refuse to wait outside. Several Iron Guards tried to force them out but were subdued instead. They seem to be Core Formation cultivators. How should we proceed? Please advise, Ancestor!”
“Core Formation cultivators? That’s no surprise! If the young master of such a prominent sect didn’t have bodyguards, his father wouldn’t have let him come here. Let’s go meet him. I’m curious to see what lies beneath that mask, making him so secretive.” A trace of anger flickered across the red-haired old man’s face as he spoke.
He led the way out of the room, with the others following closely.
Upon entering the main hall, the red-haired old man saw a tall young man wearing a silver demon mask sitting motionlessly in the guest seat.
Behind him stood two green-robed figures. One had a face deeply lined with wrinkles and snow-white hair, appearing extremely aged. The other was a child-like figure with neat teeth and small braids.
In the center of the hall lay seven or eight black-robed cultivators, their faces dark and unconscious.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the famous Li brothers. No wonder you have no regard for our Yan Family,” the red-haired old man said, his pupils contracting slightly at the sight of the two green-robed men, though his expression remained neutral.
He walked to the main seat in the hall, flicked his robe, and sat down. Then, he clapped his hands lightly, and several black-robed men entered silently from outside, dragging the unconscious cultivators away.
“Hehe, we didn’t expect our reputation to be so great that even the Yan Family Ancestor knows of us. Tsk, tsk! What an honor! However, my brother and I are only here to protect the young master. The one truly in charge is him. If you have any matters to discuss, please speak directly with our young master.” The child-like figure spoke with a voice as rough as a broken gong, startling the Yan Family guards.
Hearing this, the red-haired old man felt a chill. If these two notorious demons deferred to the young master, he must be no ordinary figure. His gaze shifted to the silver-masked youth.
After a moment of scrutiny, he asked coolly, “So you’re the Ghost Spirit Sect’s young master? Why wear a mask? Is there something you’re hiding?”
“You misunderstand, Senior. I wear this mask for reasons I cannot disclose, but it’s not because I have anything to hide. If you truly wish to see my face, I can remove it for you.” The Ghost Spirit Sect young master chuckled, his tone neither submissive nor arrogant.
“Hmph, what’s so interesting about a man’s face? I have no interest in that! But why has the Ghost Spirit Sect come all the way to our Yan Family? And why insist on meeting me? Now that I’m here, and you’ve seen me, speak your piece directly. I have no patience for games.” The Yan Family Ancestor coldly glanced at the young master, his tone cutting, as if ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
“Since you put it that way, Senior, I’ll be direct. My father has a letter for you and two words he asked me to convey.” Despite the Yan Family Ancestor’s harsh tone, the young master remained calm and composed, displaying remarkable poise.
“What letter? I’ve never met your father, and the Yan Family has no ties to the Ghost Spirit Sect. What letter could you possibly have for me? And what’s with the mysterious two words? Are you mocking me?” The Yan Family Ancestor spoke while subtly glancing at the Li brothers, checking for any unusual movements.
He still found it hard to believe the young master was truly in charge.
The Li brothers noticed his suspicion but only exchanged a faint smile, making no move.
Meanwhile, the young master took out a jade slip, stood up, and approached to hand it over. But the Yan Family Ancestor remained seated, making no move to accept it. Instead, he coldly said, “The letter can wait. Tell me those two words first. After hearing them, I’ll decide whether to read the letter.”
The young master showed no anger at this. Instead, he sighed softly behind his mask and whispered two words into the red-haired old man’s ear.
Though the others couldn’t hear the words, the Yan Family Ancestor jolted upon hearing them, leaping to his feet with a dark expression.
“Give me the letter and follow me to the secret chamber!” After a moment of visibly conflicted emotions, the red-haired old man made up his mind.
Thus, in front of many Yan Family disciples, the Yan Family Ancestor led the Ghost Spirit Sect young master into a heavily warded secret chamber.
The others, including the two Core Formation Li brothers, remained outside. They showed no concern for the young master’s safety, appearing utterly confident.
And so, they waited the entire night.
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