They were none other than Han Li and Elder Lü, who had traveled all the way from the State of Xi. As for the beautiful female cultivator, she was Mu Peiling, Han Li’s concubine.
Elder Cheng, with his silver hair, had stayed behind to guard the Falling Cloud Sect to prevent any troublemakers from taking advantage of their absence. According to him, he had already attended such grand gatherings seven or eight times and had no urgent needs, so he naturally yielded the opportunity to his two younger junior brothers.
Thus, Han Li and Elder Lü ended up here.
Mu Peiling, having encountered a bottleneck in her cultivation, had just emerged from seclusion. Upon reuniting with Han Li and hearing about the grandest trade fair in the South Sky, she couldn’t resist asking to tag along to broaden her horizons. After all, if she failed to form a Golden Core, this might be her only chance to attend such an event.
Han Li, not one to be harsh, saw no danger in attending the trade fair and readily agreed. Besides, the journey was long, and having a beautiful companion was a pleasant bonus.
Of course, the three sects of the Cloud Dream Mountains also had other cultivators traveling to the fair, either in groups or alone. However, Han Li and his companions had no interest in mingling with these juniors and set off early, heading straight for the State of Yu.
They deliberately avoided territories controlled by the Righteous and Devil Dao factions, traveling uneventfully into the jurisdiction of the Nine Nations Alliance and eventually arriving near Tiancheng City.
At the moment, Han Li was casually surveying the scenery. Occasionally, distant cultivators would pass by, but as soon as their spiritual senses swept over Elder Lü and Han Li, their expressions would change drastically, and they would flee without hesitation, as if afraid of provoking something terrible.
Han Li and Elder Lü made no effort to conceal their cultivation levels. Any ordinary cultivator encountering two Nascent Soul-stage experts together would naturally be terrified and immediately take a detour.
At first, Mu Peiling found this somewhat unsettling, but after witnessing it repeatedly, she grew accustomed to it.
Meanwhile, Elder Lü, while advancing, was amiably discussing something with Han Li.
“The trade fair’s relocation to Tiancheng City is a recent development, only in the past century. Previously, it was always controlled by the Righteous and Devil Dao factions, held alternately in the State of Tian Luo and the State of Feng Du. Back then, the Heavenly Dao Alliance hadn’t yet been established, and the Nine Nations Alliance was under immense pressure from the Mulan Grassland’s spellcasters. Such a lucrative event naturally fell under the control of those two major powers. However, once the Righteous and Devil Dao factions began expanding, other factions’ cultivators naturally grew uneasy about letting them host the fair. So, starting from the last session, the hosting rights were indisputably handed over to the neutral Nine Nations Alliance. This could be considered a silent loss for the Righteous and Devil Dao factions after their rise in power.”
“Elder Lü’s words make it clear that the Nine Nations Alliance got quite the bargain. Still, I’m genuinely intrigued by the legends surrounding Tiancheng City. It’s the only true cultivator city in the entire South Sky. I’ve heard that during the Mulan spellcasters’ invasion, they once pushed deep into the State of Yu, only to be decisively defeated beneath Tiancheng City’s walls by the newly allied Nine Nations cultivators, who employed the Great Shangyuan Annihilation Formation. It’s said that battle claimed the lives of several Nascent Soul-stage cultivators—truly a brutal conflict.” Han Li’s face showed keen interest as he spoke.
“Haha! Rest assured, Junior Brother Han, Tiancheng City will not disappoint you. However, I’ve been feeling that you seem somewhat different since emerging from seclusion, though it doesn’t appear to be due to an advancement in cultivation. It seems you must have mastered some secret technique, or else I wouldn’t have this peculiar sense about you.” Elder Lü chuckled before abruptly shifting the topic, probing subtly.
“I have indeed been practicing a new technique, but it’s far from mastery. On the other hand, I’ve heard from other disciples that Elder Lü’s ‘Thousand Waves Art’ is a renowned top-tier technique. I’ve long been eager to witness it.” Han Li smiled faintly, deftly redirecting the conversation to the other party.
“Junior Brother, don’t listen to the idle talk of the sect’s disciples. My Thousand Waves Art is merely an ordinary water-attribute technique. While it easily overcomes Core Formation cultivators, it often falters against peers of the same realm. Fortunately, it includes two life-preserving divine abilities, so at least I don’t lose my life in defeat.” Elder Lü shook his head with a bitter smile.
Hearing this, Han Li found it somewhat believable. He recalled how, during their last encounter, this elder and the silver-haired Elder Cheng had been ambushed by the combined forces of the Righteous and Devil Dao factions. Yet, Elder Lü had escaped unscathed back to Cloud Dream Mountain, while the slightly more powerful Elder Cheng had suffered severe injuries before breaking free. This clearly demonstrated Elder Lü’s extraordinary survival skills.
Just as Han Li was about to inquire further, his expression suddenly shifted, and he turned his head in surprise toward one side.
“Young Master, what’s the matter?” Mu Peiling, standing close to Han Li, asked curiously. Now his concubine, she no longer maintained her icy demeanor, her delicate features blooming with charm, her eyes shimmering with allure.
“A group of cultivators is flying toward us, including one Nascent Soul-stage expert. It seems they’ve detected us as well.” Han Li frowned briefly before calmly explaining.
“Oh! You’re right. I didn’t expect Junior Brother’s spiritual sense to be so formidable—you noticed them even before I did! Still, Junior Brother is truly cautious, keeping his spiritual sense extended even near Tiancheng City!” Elder Lü followed Han Li’s gaze, his face revealing astonishment, and he couldn’t help but regard Han Li with even greater respect.
Han Li smiled without responding.
In truth, given the strength of his spiritual sense, he didn’t need to actively extend it—he had sensed them automatically. However, the fact that the distant Nascent Soul cultivator had also detected them from such a distance suggested their spiritual sense was no slouch either.
Both Han Li and Elder Lü were curious about the approaching party, so the trio slowed their flight speed.
Moments later, the faint strains of melodious drumming and music drifted over. At the distant horizon, golden light flickered as a procession of golden-armored warriors, resembling celestial soldiers, marched in formation, escorting a resplendent beast-drawn carriage. Ahead, white cranes danced in the air, while behind, palace maidens carrying incense burners followed in stately procession—a scene reminiscent of an emperor’s grand procession.
Mu Peiling stared, her lips slightly parted in shock.
Han Li, though equally astonished inwardly, maintained his composure. He knew that in the world of cultivation, eccentricities were common, especially among Nascent Soul-stage experts, whose temperaments could become bizarre due to their techniques or other factors. After the initial surprise, he dismissed it as nothing unusual.
However, Elder Lü gasped sharply upon seeing this spectacle and immediately lowered his voice in alarm. “The Marquis of Nanlong! Why has this old monster come to the trade fair? Junior Brother Han, be extremely careful with your words. This man is immensely powerful and notoriously temperamental. I once met him briefly in the past, so let me handle this.”
Elder Lü hastily issued a few warnings before signaling Han Li and Mu Peiling to halt their flight. With a solemn expression, he stood respectfully in place, awaiting the approaching procession.
Seeing Elder Lü’s tension, Han Li’s expression finally flickered with curiosity, but he asked no questions and complied without hesitation. Mu Peiling, understanding the gravity of the situation, remained silent.
Within moments, the golden-armored warriors and the beast-drawn carriage drew near. As Han Li observed them more closely, his heart chilled.
The spear-wielding warriors, though imposing and majestic, were merely at the Foundation Establishment stage. What truly unsettled Han Li were the two spirit beasts pulling the golden carriage.
One was covered in azure scales, adorned with armor, and bore a strange horn—resembling a qilin. The other had fiery plumage, golden eyes, and long tail feathers—a phoenix-like bird.
As Han Li marveled at these creatures, the carriage came to a stop before them.
Before it could fully approach, Elder Lü stepped forward, cupping his fists respectfully. “Might the esteemed Marquis of Nanlong be within? Lü Luo of the Falling Cloud Sect pays his respects. The last time I had the honor of meeting Your Lordship was three hundred years ago, accompanying my master, the Venerable Wooden Sage. To see you again today is truly a privilege!”
Though Elder Lü’s tone was neither subservient nor arrogant, Han Li clearly detected his underlying fear—he even seemed to position himself as a junior before this figure.
The massive carriage was enveloped in a golden glow, obscuring its interior. However, the music emanating from within abruptly ceased upon Elder Lü’s greeting.
The procession halted abruptly, dozens of feet away from the trio, plunging the scene into silence.
Han Li’s eyes narrowed slightly at this but quickly returned to normal.
“Ah, so you’re that pedantic Wooden Sage’s disciple. Back then, you were just a Core Formation cultivator. I never imagined you’d form a Nascent Soul in three hundred years. I heard your master passed away after our last meeting—truly a pity. But who is this fellow beside you? His face is unfamiliar.” A languid voice emerged from the golden light, its final remark directed squarely at Han Li.
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