Han Li pondered in his heart that at most, three or four high-level cultivators would arrive on the last day. It was highly unlikely that an old monster at the Nascent Soul stage would coincidentally appear nearby. After all, this wasn’t the Outer Sea, and in such a vast expanse of ocean, even Core Formation cultivators would be few and far between. If that were the case, given his current cultivation level, he naturally had nothing to fear. Although he didn’t want to draw attention, if these cultivators truly didn’t know their limits, he would have no choice but to be ruthless.
Having made up his mind, Han Li closed his eyes again, his face expressionless.
The trio had already flown back to their original spot. When Elder Zhao saw them return so quickly, a strange expression flickered across his face.
“What? Have the three of you already scouted the situation on the island?” the old man asked, as if probing.
“We were a step too late. There’s another cultivator on the island who has taken the spot where the celestial phenomenon occurred and even set up a barrier ahead of us. The opponent can command high-level puppets and speaks with an intimidating tone. We suspect they’re a Core Formation cultivator. The three of us are no match,” Mei the woman said, a trace of fear flashing in her eyes as she shook her head slightly.
“A Core Formation cultivator? So the celestial phenomenon on the island does have some significance and wasn’t naturally occurring. Could it truly be a treasure manifesting?” The old man was taken aback and couldn’t help but blurt out the question.
“Who knows? Logically speaking, we should have been the first to arrive on this island. That person must have boarded the island before the celestial phenomenon appeared and set up a formation. It seems there’s something unusual going on,” the white-robed man said lightly, stroking the jade flute in his hand without looking up.
“What does the other party look like? Describe them to me. Perhaps I might recognize them,” Elder Zhao asked after a moment of contemplation.
Hearing this, the Mei siblings and the white-robed man exchanged glances.
“What? The three of you didn’t see the other party’s appearance?” The old man frowned, a hint of suspicion appearing on his face.
Seeing the old man’s expression, the white-robed man suddenly recalled the earlier events, and his face darkened.
“Hmph! If Brother Zhao doesn’t believe us, you can go and try your luck yourself. Whether they’ll show mercy when the time comes is anyone’s guess!” he said irritably.
“Haha! Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I was merely asking casually. Since there’s already a Core Formation senior on the island, whether they’re cultivating a technique or a treasure has truly manifested, there’s naturally no room for us to interfere,” the old man said with a forced laugh.
“That’s not necessarily true! Even if the other party is a Core Formation cultivator, if we gather a dozen or so Foundation Establishment comrades, we might still stand a chance,” Mei the man said with a smirk, unwilling to give up.
“Brother Mei, you jest. Even if there were that many Foundation Establishment cultivators, who would dare provoke a Core Formation senior without knowing whether there’s truly a treasure or its value?” The white-robed man shook his head dismissively.
Hearing this, Mei the woman’s brother opened his mouth, his expression ugly, but he had no retort. He could only sigh and remain silent.
“Brother, since the waters here are too deep, perhaps we should just leave and not get involved,” Mei the woman said gently, glancing at her brother.
Her brother hesitated upon hearing this. Although he knew that with a Core Formation cultivator involved, there was little chance of gaining anything, he couldn’t bear to leave so easily after encountering such a rare opportunity. For wandering cultivators like them, such chances were truly once in a lifetime.
“Leave? Wishful thinking! No one leaves until I say so!”
Before Mei the man could make up his mind, a cold voice drifted eerily from all directions.
The Mei siblings and the white-robed man were startled. They immediately placed their hands on their storage pouches and looked around warily, but the surroundings were empty, with no sign of anyone else.
“Fellow Daoist Zhao, what’s the meaning of this?” Mei the man demanded coldly, his spiritual sense scanning the area.
“Don’t ask me. Like you, I’m unable to leave,” the old man explained with a bitter smile.
Hearing this, the other three were stunned. Just as they were debating whether to believe him, a flash of yellow light appeared about ten zhang away, and a white figure materialized before them. The figure was shrouded in white mist, its form indistinct, like a phantom.
The sudden appearance startled the Mei siblings and the others. They immediately summoned their magic tools, guarding themselves as they stared warily at the figure.
“Hmph! You juniors dare to raise your hands against me?” An icy voice laced with anger emanated from the white mist.
“We wouldn’t dare. We merely wish to know how we’ve offended you, Senior, and why we’re not allowed to leave,” Mei the woman said politely, though she couldn’t see the figure’s face. The spiritual pressure radiating from it confirmed its Core Formation status, causing her face to pale.
“Offend me? You’re not worthy! I simply don’t want word of this place to spread. Until I determine whether there’s truly a treasure here, no one leaves. Otherwise, I’ll eliminate them on the spot,” the white figure declared arrogantly.
The Mei siblings and the others were dumbfounded.
“In that case, when will you investigate the island, Senior?” the white-robed man asked calmly after taking a deep breath.
“Don’t worry, I’ll head there shortly. But before that, recount everything you encountered on the island in detail,” the white figure sneered.
The three exchanged glances. Mei the woman frowned slightly before speaking composedly, “There’s little to tell. We were essentially driven off by over a dozen puppets. At the time…” She recounted the events on the island in detail.
“Controlling over a dozen high-level puppets is indeed beyond a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s ability. It seems you three have some sense. Had you lingered, you likely wouldn’t be standing here now,” the white figure mused before chuckling darkly.
Without another word, the figure flickered and transformed into a streak of yellow light, shooting toward the island.
The other cultivators felt a flicker of hope, thinking they might escape, but a slow, deliberate voice drifted from afar: “Listen well. If anyone dares to leave before I return, don’t blame me for hunting you down later. I’m not a forgiving man!” The voice faded gradually, leaving the group exchanging uneasy glances.
As the yellow light vanished into the distance, they all considered slipping away. But after weighing the risks, none dared to actually leave, fearing the Core Formation cultivator’s wrath.
At almost the same time, Han Li at the valley entrance opened his eyes, his expression darkening.
“I thought this guy would wait until tomorrow. Seems he’s just as impatient,” Han Li muttered, sounding somewhat displeased.
Just then, Han Li’s expression shifted as he turned to glance in another direction, his face thoughtful.
“Another group is coming. Guess I’ll have to deal with them one by one. Core Formation cultivators aren’t so easily scared off,” he murmured, looking up at the sky with a sigh.
Without hesitation, he slapped a spirit beast pouch at his waist. A swarm of tri-colored Gold Devouring Beetles buzzed out, circling above his head before swiftly coalescing into a massive tri-colored spear.
“Go!” Han Li commanded, staring at the spear. With a whoosh, the spear vanished into the distance.
“Since you’re seeking death, don’t blame me,” Han Li muttered coldly, a flash of killing intent in his eyes as he watched the spear disappear.
The white figure’s yellow light had already reached the island, pausing briefly at the edge before stopping. The white mist dispersed, revealing a pale-faced, middle-aged man in his forties with bloodless lips.
He glanced toward the celestial phenomenon, a strange glint in his eyes. White mist surged around him, blurring his form before he vanished entirely.
Just as the white figure activated his concealment technique to sneak in for a closer look, a dozen streaks of red light approached from the other side of the island, escorting an exquisitely crafted flying beast carriage.
The carriage, about six or seven zhang long, was made of an unknown fragrant wood, its surface covered in layers of talismans emitting a faint white glow.
Pulling the carriage were three bizarre green birds, each about a zhang in size, with six eyes and four wings, their appearances fierce and menacing. Yet they flew swiftly, arriving near the island’s airspace in the blink of an eye.
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