Upon hearing Kuihuan’s words, Han Li gave a faint smile and calmly replied, “The only matter of interest between me and you two senior brothers is that Snow Cloud Fox. If not that, what else could it be?”
His expression remained utterly composed.
Kuihuan opened his mouth but seemed at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Senior Brother Wang sighed and said, “Junior Brother Han is indeed astute. It is indeed about that Snow Cloud Fox. A mishap has occurred. My fellow disciples and I wanted to sell the beast early, so after parting with you, we headed straight for the market. However, after traveling a short distance, I felt uneasy and asked Junior Brother Kuihuan to check the Azure Cloud Bag. To our surprise…”
Here, Senior Brother Wang paused, his face twisting into a peculiar expression.
“That fox somehow vanished without a trace from the bag! It’s absolutely bizarre!” Kuihuan interjected with frustration.
“Completely disappeared?” Han Li frowned slightly, pondering the implications of this statement.
Seeing Han Li’s reaction, Senior Brother Wang inwardly groaned.
Though Han Li’s cultivation wasn’t particularly high, he was skilled in talisman-making and possessed several remarkable magical tools. Senior Brother Wang had already resolved to befriend him. Yet, before he could even establish a proper connection, this awkward situation arose. If he were wealthy, he could generously compensate Han Li to leave a good impression. Unfortunately, like his fellow disciples, he was strapped for spirit stones. Winning Han Li over now seemed nearly impossible.
A flicker of dismay crossed Senior Brother Wang’s face, but he forced himself to speak earnestly, “I know this sounds unbelievable, but it truly happened. Regardless, since you entrusted the fox to us, I owe you an explanation. I’ve already instructed the others to sell the Polygonatum first to repay the spirit stones we borrowed from you. As for your share from the fox, we’ll compensate you as soon as we can.”
Kuihuan’s expression changed, and he anxiously protested, “Senior Brother! That’s a significant sum for us. Even if we pool our resources, it’ll take at least two or three years. Without spirit stones for elixirs, our cultivation will suffer!”
Senior Brother Wang shook his head as if to respond, but Han Li suddenly spoke up, “There’s no need for such distress, Senior Brothers. I never said I doubted you. The Snow Cloud Fox is skilled in escape techniques—it’s no surprise it slipped away from the bag. I had considered warning Brother Kuihuan but hesitated, thinking it might be inappropriate. As for the spirit stones, just return what you borrowed. I’ve suffered no real loss.”
Kuihuan immediately brightened, clapping his hands in delight. “I knew Junior Brother was magnanimous! Though this was our fault, we truly lack the means to compensate. Given your resources, this amount must be trivial to you. I, Kuihuan, am determined to be your friend!”
Senior Brother Wang, however, hesitated before sighing helplessly. “Since Junior Brother Han is so generous, I’ll reluctantly accept on behalf of my fellow disciples. Should you ever need assistance, don’t hesitate to seek us out. If it’s within our power, I won’t refuse.”
He suspected Han Li’s politeness masked deeper thoughts, so he chose his words carefully to leave a favorable impression. After speaking, he discreetly observed Han Li’s reaction, but the latter’s expression remained unreadable, which only deepened Senior Brother Wang’s unease.
The three chatted outside the herb garden for a while until the short, stout youth and his companion arrived, bringing the spirit stones from the Polygonatum’s sale.
Han Li accepted the pouch, scanned it briefly with his spiritual sense, and stored it away without a word.
“By the way, Junior Brother Han, your magical tools are quite impressive. Will you participate in the Sword Trial Conference half a year from now?” Senior Brother Wang asked, suddenly recalling the event.
“Sword Trial Conference?” Han Li blinked in surprise.
“What? You don’t know about it?”
Not only Senior Brother Wang, but Kuihuan and the others also looked astonished.
Han Li feigned calmness. “Is it strange that I’m unaware?”
“Of course! Ah, but you only joined the sect a year ago and have been secluded in the herb garden. It’s understandable,” Kuihuan said, nodding in realization.
The others exchanged glances and agreed.
“It’s just surprising since the event is so close. Every disciple, whether inner or outer, is discussing it. Those eager to prove themselves are already preparing,” Senior Brother Wang remarked with a peculiar expression.
“Among us, only Senior Brother Wang has participated in the sect’s selection. Though he triumphed among outer disciples, he lost to an inner disciple. Still, he won a mid-grade magical tool as a reward,” the stout youth added enviously.
“Losing in the sect’s selection still earns rewards? This conference must be extraordinary. Could you elaborate, Senior Brother?” Han Li asked, intrigued.
“Of course. The Sword Trial Conference is a grand event organized by the three sects of Yunmeng Mountain for new disciples. Only those under thirty, regardless of status, may participate. Junior Brother Han, you appear to be around twenty-five and are newly joined—perfectly eligible,” Senior Brother Wang explained.
“Then the number of participants must be limited,” Han Li mused.
“True. The conference is closely tied to the Sacred Tree jointly managed by the three sects.”
“Sacred Tree?” Han Li’s initial confusion quickly gave way to realization—the Spirit Eye Tree of Yunmeng Mountain. His casual demeanor vanished, replaced by seriousness.
“What’s the connection?” he pressed.
“The conference is held just before the Sacred Tree’s nectar flows. It determines how the three sects—Luoyun Sect, Ancient Sword Sect, and Hundred Crafts Academy—divide the nectar. The sect that dominates the conference claims half, while the other two split the remainder. Though it’s nominally a competition for new disciples, all three sects take it extremely seriously. Outstanding performers gain immense favor from their elders, with countless future benefits.”
Senior Brother Wang paused before adding solemnly, “Even disregarding long-term rewards, the top performers receive lavish prizes—top-grade magical tools and, for the champion, an additional Stabilizing Spirit Pill. While useless to low-level disciples like us, this pill could easily be traded with Core Formation experts for three or four top-grade tools. However, since our sect moved to Yunmeng Mountain, the Ancient Sword Sect has monopolized victory. Given their sword cultivation techniques and formidable artifacts, surpassing them is nearly impossible for disciples like us.”
His tone wavered between resentment and admiration.
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