“You…”
“Hold on. I’d like to hear what this woman has to say next. As for whether the information is true or false, I will judge for myself.” Just as Madame Fan frowned and was about to speak, Han Li’s expression darkened as he abruptly interrupted.
“Since Nephew Wen knows something, it’s fine to let Fellow Daoist Li ask.” A cold glint flashed in Yun Xiaotian’s eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he chuckled and spoke.
“Very well, then.” Madame Fan was taken aback for a moment before reluctantly agreeing.
“I thank you for your consideration.” Han Li did not stand on ceremony, nodding slightly to express his gratitude.
This casual attitude caused a faint, almost imperceptible shadow to flicker across Yun Xiaotian’s face, though he quickly concealed it.
At that moment, Han Li fixed his gaze on Wen Siyue’s delicate face and began questioning her: “Tell me, how do you know about the den of an eighth-grade demon beast?”
Han Li’s voice was cool and calm, betraying no emotion, which made Wen Siyue, who was standing close to him, hesitate for a moment. However, as if recalling something terrifying, she resolutely replied:
“When I first arrived in the Outer Star Sea, I accidentally obtained a nautical chart that marked a specific location. At the time, I thought it might be some kind of treasure map, so I secretly went to investigate. There, I discovered a juvenile Wind-Splitting Beast. Fortunately, the beast was only at the second or third grade, so it didn’t notice me. I was so frightened that I immediately left. As you know, Senior, Wind-Splitting Beasts only begin producing offspring after reaching the eighth grade and will care for their young until they reach around the fifth grade before leaving. So, there must undoubtedly be an eighth-grade Wind-Splitting Beast residing there. If you are willing to agree to my condition, I am willing to lead the way.” Wen Siyue slowly recounted an experience buried deep in her heart.
After listening, Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but a faint trace of excitement flickered in his eyes. What she said was correct—an adult Wind-Splitting Beast was indeed a genuine eighth-grade demon beast. If her words were true, then the den must contain Spirit Nurturing Grass.
“I wonder what condition Fellow Daoist wishes to exchange for this information about the demon beast’s den?” Han Li stared at her for a long moment before letting out a light sigh and asking in a deep voice.
“I would like to ask Senior to take me away from here and accept Siyue as your concubine.” Wen Siyue’s face flushed slightly, but she spoke without hesitation.
“What!” Han Li was taken aback, a look of surprise flashing across his face.
“Siyue, what nonsense are you spouting?” Upon hearing this, Madame Fan could no longer remain seated. Her beautiful face was filled with a mixture of shock and anger.
The other cultivators were equally stunned, but most soon wore expressions of mockery, as if anticipating a spectacle. A few even couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Sitting nearby, Yun Xiaotian’s face darkened abruptly, a faint layer of iron-gray anger clouding his features.
“I didn’t hear clearly what condition you just proposed to Fellow Daoist Li. Say it again.” Yun Xiaotian placed his pale hands on the round table, staring at his fingers as he spoke coldly and expressionlessly.
The delicate figure clinging tightly to Han Li’s waist trembled slightly. Upon hearing these words, Wen Siyue’s face turned deathly pale. However, when her bright eyes fell upon Han Li, whose expression had returned to calm, she seemed to gather a bit of courage.
“I… I want to become Fellow Daoist Li’s concubine and withdraw from the Miaoyin Sect from now on!” Wen Siyue mustered all her strength to force these words out to Yun Xiaotian before lowering her head, not daring to look up again.
With a soft “poof,” half-foot-high gray flames erupted from Yun Xiaotian’s hands, enveloping them and burning fiercely. The eerie gray light cast a sinister and uncertain shadow over his face, making him appear terrifying.
“Bone Yin Flame,” someone murmured softly. Immediately, the previously amused Core Formation cultivators wiped the smiles from their faces, adopting more serious expressions.
“Fellow Daoist Li! It seems this woman has practiced cultivation improperly and is not in her right mind. I hope you will not take her ramblings seriously. Guards, take Wen Siyue away, seal her cultivation, and confine her to solitary reflection for half a month.” Yun Xiaotian issued the order coldly, devoid of any emotion.
As soon as the command was given, two blue-robed cultivators, both at the late Foundation Establishment stage, walked in from the stone door and headed straight for Han Li.
Wen Siyue’s face instantly paled with fear. Her eyes, fixed on Han Li, were filled with pleading, radiating a heartbreaking vulnerability.
Han Li frowned slightly. “Hold on!” he finally spoke.
“What? Does Fellow Daoist Li truly fancy this female cultivator from our sect?” Before Yun Xiaotian could speak, Madame Fan interjected coldly, unable to contain herself.
“Perhaps. But what I want more is information about the demon beast. I ask Madame and Brother Yun not to be so hasty. Why not hear my conditions first?” Han Li replied indifferently without even blinking.
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiaotian’s expression shifted uncertainly. After a moment of contemplation, he waved his hands, and the flames extinguished.
“Step back for now. I will hear him out.” Yun Xiaotian glanced at Han Li again and spoke with detached coolness.
He decided to grant Han Li some face for the time being. After all, the other party was also a Core Formation cultivator, and he had an important matter to attend to that required the assistance of all the Core Formation cultivators present. He did not want to offend anyone lightly.
“Since Fellow Daoist Wen has voluntarily offered to become my concubine, I would feel remiss if I stood by and did nothing. Moreover, I am determined to obtain the information about the demon beast she holds. How about this—I will exchange this pile of materials for her freedom. What do you think, Brother Yun?” Without batting an eye, Han Li pushed forward the pile of extremely rare materials and looked at the other party with a faint, ambiguous smile.
“You wish to exchange these things?” Yun Xiaotian said coldly, though a trace of doubt flickered in his eyes. The materials before him were all rare items from sixth or seventh-grade demon beasts, worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones. Yet the other party offered them without hesitation in exchange for a mere Foundation Establishment female cultivator. Even if she were exceptionally alluring, it was still surprising. Could the information about an eighth-grade demon beast be so important to him? Should he take this opportunity to back down or extort even more from the other party?
These two thoughts raced through Yun Xiaotian’s mind. Just as he had made up his mind and was about to speak with a relaxed expression, Madame Fan, sitting beside him, leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words. Instantly, Yun Xiaotian’s expression changed dramatically, and he hesitated.
“Fellow Daoist Li, no matter how many materials you offer, this woman cannot be taken away. If we allow this precedent, anyone who takes a fancy to a female cultivator from our sect could easily take her away. Where would that leave the dignity of our Miaoyin Sect?” After a moment of silence, Yun Xiaotian spoke with righteous indignation.
His words stunned the other cultivators present. They exchanged thoughtful glances. Logically, such a large quantity of rare materials should be more than enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment female cultivator. Yet Yun Xiaotian had refused. There had to be something more to this. And Han Li seemed equally unwilling to let her go. The others couldn’t help but sneer, sensing that a good show was about to unfold.
“Miaoyin Sect?” Han Li pursed his lips, a strange expression flashing in his eyes.
“What? Does Fellow Daoist Li not know that this secret room is run by our sect? And though I may be lacking in talent, I am an elder of the Miaoyin Sect, assisting Sect Leader Fan in managing the sect’s affairs.” Yun Xiaotian spoke coldly, a faint layer of eerie gray energy appearing on his face, making his intimidating intent unmistakable.
However, Yun Xiaotian’s actions were merely intended to intimidate the other party slightly.
“He’s only an early Core Formation cultivator, and this is my territory. After weighing the pros and cons, he should have no choice but to back down. It’s just a pity about these materials.” Yun Xiaotian thought regretfully, feeling not the slightest bit of concern.
But at that moment, he suddenly noticed a cold smile curl on Han Li’s lips as the latter uttered a single word: “Fine.” Then, as if seeing the other party raise a hand, a blinding white light flashed before his eyes, and a streak of white essence shot toward him.
Yun Xiaotian was horrified. His protective technique activated automatically, and countless gray flames enveloped his body, shielding him instantly.
However, at that very moment, the white light mercilessly struck the flames. After a blur, it suddenly revealed twelve inch-long small swords, all stabbing down fiercely.
“Ah!” Yun Xiaotian was terrified out of his wits and hurriedly opened his mouth to summon his magic treasure.
But under the fierce assault of the twelve flying swords, his protective gray flames could not hold for even a moment. In an instant, the flames dissipated, and over a dozen bloody holes were pierced through his body.
By then, Yun Xiaotian had just managed to spit out a small gray fork, but with a blood-curdling scream, he collapsed to the ground.
The remaining cultivators stared in stunned silence, their mouths agape, unable to close for a long time.
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