“So it’s the two Mei Daoists! This old man and a few disciples were passing by when we noticed the unusual phenomenon on this island from afar and came to investigate. We’ve only just arrived. However, you two siblings are well-informed—have you discerned anything peculiar from these celestial signs?” The elderly man surnamed Zhao seemed acquainted with the pair and spoke with a beaming smile.
“Brother Zhao, you jest. If even you are unaware of this celestial phenomenon, how could my brother and I know? But judging by the tangled yin energy, even if a treasure were to emerge, it would likely be a malevolent one!” the woman replied gracefully, while the man beside her merely nodded faintly, exuding an air of aloofness.
Unfazed by their demeanor, the old man coughed lightly and was about to speak further when a melodious flute melody drifted from afar. A green light flickered on the distant horizon, and a luminous dot approached rapidly.
The elegant countenance of the woman surnamed Mei flickered with emotion upon hearing the flute, but she quickly composed herself.
The old man surnamed Zhao froze momentarily before recalling something and casting a peculiar glance at the woman.
Meanwhile, the man beside her remained expressionless, though a trace of irritation flashed in his eyes.
Moments later, the green dot drew near—a handsome young man in flowing white robes, flying gracefully with a jade flute in hand.
“Fu was not mistaken—Lady Mei has indeed come here,” the white-robed man exclaimed cheerfully as he landed before the group, ceasing his flute playing to address the woman.
“Daoist Fu, you’ve come too,” the woman replied reluctantly, her tone strained, as though displeased by his presence.
“What exactly is your intention? My sister has already made it clear she has no interest in becoming your cultivation partner. Why do you persist? Do you think just because you have a Core Formation master, I wouldn’t dare to drive you away?” the woman’s brother rasped coldly.
“My feelings for your sister are genuine. As long as Lady Mei remains unwed, I shall follow her wherever she goes. Surely, Daoist Mei will one day be moved by my devotion!” The white-robed man gazed at the woman with infatuation, his expression brimming with affection.
Hearing this, the woman flushed and turned away, ignoring him entirely. Her brother, meanwhile, wore a menacing scowl, his corpse-like pallor making him appear even more fearsome.
Yet the white-robed man continued staring at the woman’s back, oblivious to all else.
“Ahem! Why must the three of you quarrel? Soon, more fellow Daoists will arrive. If there truly is a treasure emerging on the island, we must act swiftly! Otherwise, if more arrive—or worse, Core Formation seniors—we’ll have no chance at all.” The old man surnamed Zhao interjected smoothly, steering the conversation back to the island.
At this, the trio paused.
“Ah! The celestial phenomenon on the island is changing!” The white-robed man, previously indifferent, suddenly stiffened as he glanced toward the island.
The old man and the Mei siblings followed his gaze in alarm.
Indeed, the churning dark clouds above the island had begun rotating around a central point, drawing in vast swathes of yin energy from the surroundings. The mass expanded rapidly, forming a colossal, shadowy entity.
“What is this? Could the treasure be emerging now?” the woman gasped, her face pale with fright.
“Whether it is or not, we should investigate. Perhaps this is our destined opportunity,” the man surnamed Mei murmured, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
“But what if it’s not a treasure? What if a senior is cultivating some supreme technique? Wouldn’t we risk provoking them?” the woman hesitated.
“Nothing in this world comes without risk. If we want the treasure, we must dare to take chances. Besides, if a senior truly resides here, we can simply apologize and withdraw,” the man retorted impatiently. Without another word, he stepped onto his sword-shaped artifact and shot toward the island.
After a brief hesitation, the woman followed anxiously. The white-robed man wavered, then glanced sidelong at the unmoving old man surnamed Zhao, suspicion flickering across his face.
“Daoist Zhao, aren’t you coming to investigate? Weren’t you the one who suggested searching the island? Have you changed your mind so quickly?” he asked with a frown.
“My words were merely a suggestion—I never said I would go myself. Besides, I have juniors with me and prefer not to take risks. If there is indeed a treasure, it’s yours for the taking,” the old man replied with a chuckle, stroking his beard.
“Hmph! How noble of you, Brother Zhao. Using us as your scouts, are you?” The white-robed man glared but, after a glance at the departing woman, gritted his teeth and flew after her.
The old man watched his retreating figure with a faint smile before shaking his head and muttering, “The perils of beauty! Once entangled in matters of the heart, your troubles will only multiply.”
His disciples exchanged bewildered glances.
As the trio entered the island’s vicinity and headed toward the epicenter of the celestial phenomenon, the old man tensed, his gaze fixed intently, a mix of anticipation and unease in his expression. Suddenly, a cold voice spoke from behind them: “You’re wise not to take the risk. Even if a treasure were to emerge, do you juniors truly think yourselves worthy of it?”
The old man’s heart lurched. His disciples whirled around, but the space behind them was empty.
“Which senior has graced us with their presence? Taiyang Sect’s Zhao Qiao pays respects,” the old man said hastily, bowing despite seeing no one.
“Taiyang Sect! What is your relation to Bu Diankong?” The icy voice echoed from all directions, still without a visible source.
“The sect master is my martial uncle. Does the senior know him?” The old man stiffened, replying cautiously.
“Heh. We’ve met once. I was considering eliminating you to avoid nuisance, but since you’re under his tutelage, I’ll spare you. Stay where you are—move, and I won’t be so lenient.” The voice softened slightly after a pause.
“Of course. We wouldn’t dream of troubling the senior,” the old man replied, his face pale but inwardly relieved at his sect’s far-reaching connections.
Meanwhile, the white-robed man caught up with the Mei siblings as they neared a small valley. Just as they pressed forward, a shimmering barrier materialized before them.
“Turn back, all three of you. Advance further, and I will not be polite.” A calm, detached voice—Han Li’s—echoed in their ears.
The trio exchanged uneasy glances.
“May we ask who you are and what business you have on this island?” the man surnamed Mei demanded.
“I’ll count to ten. Leave now, or stay forever. Ten, nine, eight…” Han Li’s voice turned frigid as he began counting, ignoring the question entirely.
The three Foundation Establishment cultivators paled. Such arrogance—was this a bluff, or was the speaker truly a Core Formation senior or above?
As they hesitated, Han Li reached five. The barrier flickered, and over a dozen puppet apes emerged, advancing in a disciplined arc.
“Retreat, now! These are high-grade puppets—we’re no match!” The woman surnamed Mei, evidently knowledgeable, blanched and yanked her brother’s arm, fleeing without another word. The white-robed man, no fool either, gasped and followed suit.
Seeing them retreat, the counting ceased. The puppet apes halted after a short pursuit, watching coldly as the trio fled the island before vanishing back into the barrier.
Seated cross-legged at the valley’s entrance, Han Li opened his eyes, his expression grim. His spiritual sense had already detected a Core Formation cultivator lurking nearby, their concealment futile against his scrutiny.
He hoped the trio’s retreat would deter other Foundation Establishment cultivators. While he feared none of their caliber, he had no desire for unnecessary bloodshed.
This was only the beginning.
He estimated that any real trouble would likely arise on the final day. By then, nearby high-level cultivators would have had time to gather.
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