The island boasted several towering mountains, each hundreds of zhang high, lush with verdant trees and vegetation.
Han Li circled these peaks once before descending with Wen Siyue at the foot of one of them.
Under her astonished gaze, Han Li summoned his flying sword. Over the next few hours, he carved out a small cave dwelling within the mountain. Although this new abode was only half the size of his former Misty Sea cave and far simpler in structure, it still contained all the essentials: a bedroom, a secret chamber, an artifact refining room, and even a medicinal herb garden.
After a satisfied inspection, Han Li set up several protective formations at the entrance and led Wen Siyue inside.
“You may reside here from now on,” he said, settling onto a hastily carved stone chair in the bedroom and studying her carefully. “I will teach you the incantation to control the cave’s formations. This place is secluded, ideal for focused cultivation. With diligence, you may even have a chance to reach Core Formation.”
“Thank you, Senior Li!” Wen Siyue replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks under his gaze, her demeanor slightly flustered.
“Senior Li?” Han Li chuckled.
“Apologies, I should address you as—” She lowered her head, hesitation evident on her face. Unsure of how to address him after becoming his concubine, she trailed off.
“Just call me Mr. Li,” Han Li said lightly, rubbing his nose. He had not revealed his true appearance to her, maintaining the illusion of a middle-aged man.
“Yes, Mr. Li,” she responded after a moment’s pause, her voice obedient.
Han Li nodded in approval, carefully considering his next words before asking gently, “When did you arrive in the Outer Seas, Fellow Daoist Wen? And how did Madame Fan become the leader of the Mystic Yin Sect? As far as I knew, the sect was always led by Fairy Violet Spirit.”
“Oh! You are quite familiar with our sect’s history, Sir!” Surprised that he inquired about the Mystic Yin Sect instead of the demon beast’s lair, a flicker of astonishment passed through her beautiful eyes.
After a moment’s thought, she explained, “Before the sect moved to the Outer Star Seas, the young mistress was indeed in charge. But after she left to retrieve treasures from the Void Palace, a sudden upheaval occurred within the sect. By the time I returned, Right Emissary Zhuo had vanished, and power had fallen into the hands of Left Emissary Fan and a group of outsiders. Later, I learned they were demonic cultivators, and the Mystic Yin Sect had become their subsidiary. Left Emissary Fan declared herself leader and immediately gathered a large number of disciples, bringing us here through Heavenly Star City’s teleportation formation. I was among those forced to come. Since then, the sect has operated a secret market here, which continues to this day. Over the years, disloyal female disciples have either disappeared or been sent away, most vanishing without a trace. Had you not rescued me today, Sir, I fear I would have shared their fate as a cauldron for others.” Her tone grew somber.
“What is your Leader Fan’s purpose in coming to the Outer Star Seas? Surely not just to establish a secret market?” Han Li asked, his expression unchanging but his mind alert.
“I am not entirely sure,” Wen Siyue admitted uncertainly, a puzzled look crossing her face. “But Left Emissary Fan and that demonic cultivator surnamed Yun have been using the secret market to gather all sorts of intelligence, as if searching for something.”
Han Li ceased his questions, pondering her words. It seemed the Mystic Yin Sect’s rebellion occurred after he had rescued her, while Fairy Violet Spirit and he were trapped in the Void Palace. Once Madame Fan seized power, she immediately transported her disciples to Black Wind Island, shortly before the Inverse Star Coalition launched its assault on Heavenly Star City. Clearly, whichever demonic faction plotted against the Mystic Yin Sect held significant influence within the coalition, given the impeccable timing.
By the time Fairy Violet Spirit emerged from the Void Palace, the sect would have been long deserted.
As for what the demonic faction sought with the Mystic Yin Sect’s female cultivators in these waters, there was undoubtedly some deeper scheme at play. However, since it did not concern him, Han Li saw no reason to involve himself further. Moreover, the enmity between him and the Mystic Crane Taoist, who now seemed connected to the sect, made him even more reluctant to entangle himself. Hence, he had outright rejected Madame Fan’s proposal at the secret market.
As for returning to the Inner Star Seas, he had not even considered it before breaking through his current bottleneck. While this area was fraught with demon beasts, the Inner Star Seas were no safer for someone carrying treasures as coveted as his.
After carefully reviewing Wen Siyue’s account multiple times, he found no inconsistencies. It appeared she had been truthful with him.
His caution was not unwarranted—the Void Cauldron he possessed was a target of envy, with countless Nascent Soul old monsters scouring the lands for him. History was rife with tales of cultivators falling into traps set by beautiful women, and Han Li had no intention of joining their ranks through carelessness.
That said, the likelihood of Wen Siyue being part of such a trap was minuscule. No one could predict when or where he would appear, and he held considerable confidence in his “Shape-Shifting Technique.” Even early Nascent Soul cultivators would struggle to see through it!
Noticing Han Li’s shifting expressions, Wen Siyue grew uneasy.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Han Li smiled at her apparent anxiety. “I have fulfilled our agreement by bringing you out of the secret market and settling you here. Now, it is time to tell me the location of the demon beast’s lair. Once I know, I will depart immediately, and we will be even.”
“You do not intend to take me as your concubine, Senior?” she asked, stunned.
“I am accustomed to solitude and have no need for companionship,” Han Li replied calmly.
Wen Siyue fell silent, her jade-like features clouded with complexity. After a moment, she shook her head gently. “Thank you for your kindness, Sir. But since I offered myself as your concubine, I have no intention of going back on my word. Please rest assured, I will honor my promise without complaint.” Her voice was eerily calm, a strange light flickering in her bright eyes.
“I was not testing you, Fellow Daoist Wen. My words were sincere. But if you insist on becoming my concubine, I will not refuse. However, do not regret your decision later,” Han Li said, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips. He doubted her offer was genuine—more likely a desperate move born of necessity in the secret market.
While being a concubine was preferable to becoming a cauldron, no Foundation Establishment female cultivator would willingly choose such a fate unless forced. Though he was not immune to Wen Siyue’s stunning beauty, Han Li knew this was a critical period for his breakthrough. Having a Foundation Establishment cultivator by his side long-term was impractical. It was better to release her gracefully.
“I…” Wen Siyue hesitated, half-convinced by his explanation but still uncertain.
“What? Do you truly wish to become my concubine?” Han Li asked softly, amusement glinting in his eyes.
“No! I—I thank you sincerely, Sir! This junior, Wen Siyue, will never forget your great kindness!” she blurted out in a fluster, then bit her lip and bowed deeply, her face filled with trepidation.
“Then let us consider the matter of the concubine settled. You need not dwell on it further,” Han Li said without any intention of making things difficult for her.
“Thank you for your generosity, Sir!” Overwhelmed with relief and joy, her tension melted away, and her beauty blossomed anew, breathtakingly radiant.
For a moment, Han Li felt a stir of emotion, but he quickly suppressed it with practiced rationality.
“Fellow Daoist Wen, let us now discuss the matter of the Splitwind Beast,” he said, recentering his focus.
“Mr. Li, the Splitwind Beast’s lair is now perilously close to the abyssal border. Please reconsider whether it is wise to venture there,” Wen Siyue advised, her smile fading into concern.
“The abyssal border?” Han Li frowned. That did sound troublesome.
The abyss was an exceedingly dangerous place now.
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