Han Li expressionlessly raised a single hand, and the twelve small swords instantly merged back into one. With a flash of white light, it returned to his sleeve and vanished from sight.
“Now, can we talk?” Han Li said calmly, lowering his hand.
The previous strike hadn’t killed his opponent but had severely wounded him, rendering him temporarily incapable of fighting.
After a moment, Yun Tianxiao struggled to stand up again. Covered in blood, he looked at Han Li with sheer terror in his eyes.
“Fine. I admit defeat. You may take Wen Siyue, Fellow Daoist Li. But let me be clear—a certain senior has already taken a liking to this woman, intending to use her as a cauldron. If you take her away, don’t blame me if trouble follows,” Yun Tianxiao said, his face pale. He then took out several talismans and slapped them onto his body. After a flash of green light, his wounds vanished at a visible rate.
“A cauldron?” Upon hearing this, Han Li finally understood why Wen Siyue was so desperate to escape.
However, the implied threat in Yun Tianxiao’s words made his expression turn cold.
“Someone else has taken a liking to her? It doesn’t matter. I am taking her with me. I suggest you keep your threats to yourself, Fellow Daoist. If I’m in a bad mood, I might just slaughter everyone here,” Han Li said, his expression unchanging, as he casually glanced around.
This was not entirely an empty threat. If not for the large number of Core Formation cultivators present, making it difficult to eliminate them all without certainty, he would have indeed killed everyone here to avoid future complications. Even so, the ruthlessness in his words made the other cultivators present pale.
If his earlier attack had left them shocked and suspicious, his audacious tone now led most to suspect that Han Li was actually an old monster at the Nascent Soul stage. They grew uneasy, some lowering their heads, none daring to meet his gaze directly.
Yun Tianxiao naturally considered this possibility as well. Coupled with the fact that this man, despite being only at the early Core Formation stage, had nearly killed him, a mid Core Formation cultivator, in a single strike, and was even seeking the lair of an eighth-grade demon beast, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth, inwardly lamenting his misfortune.
In Han Li’s arms, Wen Siyue’s beautiful eyes were wide open, equally stunned by the scene before her.
She would rather die than become someone’s cauldron, which was why she had risked everything earlier. Never could she have imagined that this Fellow Daoist Li possessed such terrifying power, single-handedly intimidating all the cultivators present. Yun Tianxiao, whom she had feared immensely, was severely injured, while Madame Fan wore a panicked expression and remained silent. This turn of events filled her with both shock and joy, as if she were dreaming.
Seeing everyone else too cautious to speak, Han Li let out a cold laugh and beckoned with his hand.
The bronze piece belonging to the dark-skinned cultivator suddenly floated up and shot into Han Li’s palm with a “whoosh” sound. Han Li unceremoniously lowered his head to examine it carefully.
The dark-skinned cultivator’s expression shifted slightly, and though his lips moved a few times, he didn’t dare voice any dissatisfaction. Since this man could severely injure Yun Tianxiao, who was of similar cultivation level, he knew he stood no chance against him either, though his expression remained far from pleased.
“I’ll take this. How many spirit stones?” Han Li set the bronze piece down and spoke indifferently to its owner.
“Sev—no, five thousand spirit stones will suffice!” the dark-skinned cultivator replied, somewhat surprised.
Han Li tossed a fifth-grade demon core, which landed accurately in front of the man.
“I’ll trade this demon core for it. Also, lest anyone accuse me of forcibly taking one of your sect’s female disciples, consider the materials on the table as compensation for her freedom,” Han Li said, turning to Madame Fan. He then patted the fragrant shoulder of the woman in his arms, signaling her to release him, before standing up and calmly walking out.
It took a moment for Wen Siyue to collect herself before she hurriedly stood up and followed him out, slightly flustered.
“Senior Li, please wait!” Madame Fan called out, her expression shifting.
This made Han Li pause and turn around, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
He was somewhat intrigued that this woman had the courage to stop him. Wen Siyue, however, grew slightly nervous and instinctively moved closer to Han Li’s side.
“What is it?” Han Li asked calmly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Does Senior not wish to return to the Inner Star Seas? Our Mystical Yin Sect has a way to allow fellow daoists to return to the Inner Sea in the near future,” Madame Fan said with a charming laugh, her tone noticeably more respectful. Facing someone who was most likely a Nascent Soul cultivator, she dared not show the slightest neglect.
“What do you mean by that?” Han Li frowned. He had little patience for such vague remarks.
Noticing Han Li’s impatience, Madame Fan quickly explained without beating around the bush: “Our Mystical Yin Sect is preparing a teleportation formation to return to the Inner Star Seas. However, we still lack some key materials to complete it. That is why I organized this exchange meeting—to seek help from fellow daoists. As long as you help our sect complete this teleportation formation, we can send everyone back to the Inner Star Seas free of charge.”
Her words caused a stir among the other Core Formation cultivators, most of whom showed surprised delight. With the Outer Star Seas now overrun by demon beasts, even they felt it was no longer safe to stay and had long been thinking of returning. Without a teleportation formation, flying back to the Inner Sea would take at least five or six years, not to mention the various risks along the way, which was why they had remained stranded here.
“Even with a teleportation formation, teleportation talismans are still necessary. Don’t tell me your Mystical Yin Sect has also mastered the method to refine teleportation talismans?” the white-haired old woman asked coldly, though a hint of interest flickered in her eyes.
“Senior Qing need not worry about that. Although our sect cannot refine teleportation talismans, we secretly acquired a number of them from other sources before the beast tide. We have more than enough to teleport all fellow daoists present back to the Inner Star Seas. However, the most critical material for this formation, Illusion Dream Stone, is extremely rare. After years of searching, we found a source, but it happens to be near the habitat of a group of high-level demon beasts. Most of these demon beasts are around fifth or sixth grade, and there are quite a few of them. It’s impossible for a small number of cultivators to eradicate them completely. Moreover, if a few escape and alert even higher-level demon beasts, the situation would become dire. That is why our sect seeks your assistance!” Madame Fan said with a serious expression.
After hearing this, the others fell into thoughtful silence. Clearing out high-level demon beasts was no small matter, and they needed to weigh the risks carefully.
“Why seek help from us Core Formation cultivators? Wouldn’t it be more certain to ask a Nascent Soul senior to take action?” the dark-skinned cultivator asked after a moment of contemplation.
“Do you think I haven’t tried? Since the beast tide, most of these seniors have gone missing. I’ve only managed to contact Senior Miaohe. Even with his help, we can only handle the seventh-grade demon beasts among this group. And Wen Siyue is the cauldron this senior specifically requested,” Madame Fan said with a bitter smile, glancing helplessly in Han Li’s direction.
The others exchanged looks upon hearing this.
Han Li, stroking his chin, showed a thoughtful expression but soon spoke briefly: “I have no interest in this matter. Fellow daoists, you may proceed on your own.” With that, he walked out without another word.
Wen Siyue followed closely behind, not daring to fall behind a single step.
No one dared to stop Han Li, leaving the hall full of cultivators staring at each other in bewilderment.
Madame Fan made no effort to hide her disappointment, while Yun Tianxiao, who had remained silent until now, spoke up again.
“Since Fellow Daoist Li is unwilling to assist, our sect will not insist. Next, I will provide some details about the demon beasts near the Illusion Dream Stone deposit. Fellow daoists can then decide for yourselves. The situation there is…” Yun Tianxiao spoke calmly and at length, as if the severe injury Han Li had inflicted on him had never happened.
…
“Senior, do you truly not wish to return to the Inner Star Seas?” Wen Siyue murmured from behind Han Li.
“What, do you want to go back?” Han Li replied indifferently without turning his head.
“Not exactly, it’s just…” Wen Siyue’s voice trailed off, leaving her final words unspoken.
By then, Han Li had already led her out of the stone wall and headed straight for the exit without another word. Since he had achieved his goal for this trip, he had no interest in staying any longer.
Under the astonished gaze of the old gatekeeper, Han Li left the secret market with Wen Siyue through the giant stone entrance. He then enveloped her in his escape light and soared into the sky.
Throughout the journey, Wen Siyue remained silent, not asking about their destination, as if entrusting everything to Han Li.
Han Li, likewise, offered no explanation and flew onward without a word.
Two days later, Han Li finally found a desolate island with faint spiritual energy and descended.
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