At this moment, the nearby Core Formation and Foundation Establishment cultivators who noticed the situation quickly scanned Han Li and the others’ cultivation levels. Their expressions changed drastically, and they scattered in panic, not daring to linger nearby to spectate. Once high-level cultivators like these truly unleashed their power in battle, small fry like them would inevitably suffer as collateral damage.
Coldly observing the surroundings, Han Li saw that in the blink of an eye, only their group remained near the stone hall. Several pavilions had also activated their protective barriers as if facing a formidable enemy. The muscles on Han Li’s face twitched slightly, and a layer of eerie crystalline blue light emerged from his skin, his eyes gleaming with a chilling, sinister glow.
Seeing this, Ge Tianhao, the Heavenly Lasso Saintess, and the other two immediately circulated their spiritual power, adopting defensive postures, their magic treasures stirring restlessly within them.
But just then, Han Li seemed to recall something. With a sudden cold laugh, he dispersed the blue light from his face and said indifferently, “If I remember correctly, the Western Jin Market strictly prohibits cultivators from engaging in combat or casting spells within its bounds. Violators will be jointly hunted down by the three great Daoist sects and four major Buddhist sects backing this market. Do you all wish to experience the taste of being pursued across ten thousand miles? Or do you think that with the Yin Luo Sect as your backing, you can disregard the authority of the three sects and four schools?”
“Hmph! Who dares to disregard the authority of our Daoist and Buddhist factions? This humble Daoist, Wu Bi, would like to witness such audacity!” Just as Han Li finished speaking, an aggressive voice suddenly rang out from afar.
Immediately afterward, two streaks of light—one gold, one silver—shot out from a pavilion at the other end of the street, swiftly arriving before the group. After circling once, the lights dissipated, revealing a Daoist and a monk.
“I wondered who it was. So it’s fellow Daoists from the Yin Luo Sect. What, does your sect intend to break the rules and engage in battle within our Western Jin Market?” The speaker was the Daoist, his tone unfriendly. The old Daoist had grayish-white hair and a ruddy complexion, but his eyes blazed with a fiery temper.
The other was an ugly middle-aged monk with an upturned nose. Though he didn’t speak rudely, his expression was equally displeased as he coldly scrutinized the Yin Luo Sect members. However, when his gaze swept over Han Li and the Heavenly Lasso Saintess, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
In the Great Jin, it was rare for unknown Nascent Soul cultivators to appear, let alone those at the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Yet the man and woman before him were both mid-Nascent Soul cultivators with unfamiliar faces. This couldn’t help but startle the monk.
“Wu Bi! Brother Ge merely wishes to verify some matters with this fellow Daoist. Must you meddle in others’ affairs?” Ge Tianhao clearly recognized the old Daoist and spoke coldly.
“Regardless of your intentions, no one is allowed to break the market’s rule against combat. If you truly wish to fight, please take it elsewhere. Otherwise, don’t blame this humble Daoist for being impolite,” the old Daoist said sternly.
“Wu Bi, you can wait until we actually start fighting before intervening. Brother Ge has long wanted to experience the True Extremes Sect’s divine abilities,” Ge Tianhao retorted angrily, his tone hardening.
“Brother Ge, there’s no need for anger. As long as none of you activate your spiritual power, this humble monk and my companion will not interfere in your affairs. However, these two benefactors seem unfamiliar. Might we inquire about your esteemed names?” The ugly monk grinned slightly, his eyes shifting craftily.
“Lin Yinping of the Heavenly Lasso, greetings to both fellow Daoists. The matter is simple: I suspect this fellow Daoist is a great enemy of our Heavenly Lasso Shrine. Thus, I wish to ask him to open the bundle on his back to confirm his identity. If he is not the person I suspect, Yinping is willing to offer a toast in apology and will not trouble him further,” the Heavenly Lasso Saintess said, her snow-white neck turning slightly as she gazed at Han Li with star-like eyes.
“Ridiculous. Who do you think I am? Why should I prove my identity to you?” Han Li replied calmly, unperturbed.
“If the fellow Daoist refuses, then you may very well be the sworn enemy of our shrine. As the Saintess, I cannot allow you to simply walk away,” Lin Yinping said coldly, her lips tightening as a trace of killing intent flashed in her eyes.
“Heavenly Lasso Saintess? Could you be the Saintess of the Utangu Clan from the grasslands?” The old Daoist’s brows furrowed slightly as he asked. Beside him, the ugly monk also showed surprise.
“You flatter me, fellow Daoists. I do indeed hold the position of Saintess in my clan,” Lin Yinping acknowledged without batting an eyelid.
“Your clan’s Immortal Xu is a prodigy, advancing to mid-Nascent Soul before the age of 400. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times in the past. I wonder how he fares now?” The old Daoist’s anger faded slightly as his tone softened.
“Immortal Xu is well. Decades ago, he advanced to late-Nascent Soul and is now one of our clan’s four great Immortals,” Lin Yinping replied, inwardly pleased that the old Daoist seemed acquainted with her clan’s grand Immortal.
“Immortal Xu has reached the late stage? Just as I predicted. To achieve such heights at such a young age—he may very well advance further,” the old Daoist mused, his expression turning wistful.
Han Li sensed trouble brewing. His mind raced. Would he really have to fight so many Nascent Soul-level opponents here and then flee using the Bloodshadow Escape?
As he hesitated, the Great Divination Sage’s nearly inaudible voice transmitted into his consciousness. After listening to the brief message, his expression steadied.
Meanwhile, the old Daoist asked a few more questions about Immortal Xu before glancing at Han Li. After a moment’s hesitation, he finally addressed Han Li: “Fellow Daoist, your cultivation is extraordinary. Might you share your origins? Perhaps this humble Daoist can mediate between you two.” Though unaware of Han Li’s true identity, the old Daoist spoke politely, unwilling to antagonize a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, even if he were a rogue cultivator.
“As far as I know, entering the Western Jin Market doesn’t require disclosing one’s origins. If such a rule exists, I will naturally comply. If not, forgive me for declining to elaborate,” Han Li said flatly, his tone laced with sarcasm.
The old Daoist’s expression darkened at this, but before he could respond, the monk interjected with a grin: “Our market has no such rule. Brother Wu Bi merely wished to mediate out of goodwill. If the fellow Daoist prefers not to speak, so be it. However, we can only prevent conflict within the market. If Benefactor Lin and the others block the entrance outside, preventing your departure, that is beyond our jurisdiction. Facing four Nascent Soul cultivators alone, you would likely…”
Though the ugly monk wore a smile, his words carried an unmistakable threat.
Han Li sneered but glanced at Ge Tianhao and the Heavenly Lasso Saintess. Their flickering gazes suggested they might indeed resort to such measures for the Ghost Luo Banner and the captured sacred beast’s avatar.
With a shift in thought, Han Li fixed his gaze on Lin Yinping and said darkly, “So, if I show you the contents of my bundle, that’s it? If I am indeed your enemy, so be it. But if you’re mistaken and the bundle doesn’t contain what you suspect, what then? Do you truly think a mere apology will suffice to appease my grievances?”
“What do you mean? Are you threatening us?” Ge Tianhao’s voice turned icy.
“Ridiculous. If you’re wrong yet still force me to open my bundle, such bullying—do you think I’ll let it slide? I may lack other abilities, but I am somewhat proficient in escape techniques. Even if all four of you attack, I have a sixty to seventy percent chance of escaping. After that, don’t blame me for retaliating against your sect and each of you without restraint. As a lone cultivator, I have no fear of your reprisals,” Han Li said with a sinister laugh.
At this, not only did Ge Tianhao and Lin Yinping’s expressions shift, but even the monk and old Daoist exchanged uneasy glances.
From Han Li’s tone, he was not only a mid-Nascent Soul rogue cultivator but also one who held grudges. Such a troublesome figure was precisely the kind major sects sought to avoid provoking.
After all, a cultivator of his level, if unconstrained by rules, could wreak havoc on a sect’s disciples. If he truly excelled in escape techniques, the situation would be even more dire. Even late-Nascent Soul cultivators might not capture him in time, and the damage he could inflict would be unbearable even for the Ten Great Demon Sects.
Thus, major sects typically sought to befriend mid-Nascent Soul cultivators, avoiding conflict if friendship was impossible. Only if they became irreconcilable enemies would the sects mobilize high-level cultivators to eliminate them swiftly.
Ge Tianhao and the others had acted aggressively only because of the Ghost Luo Banner, a sect treasure. But if Han Li wasn’t the culprit from the South Heaven Region, they would have needlessly made a formidable enemy for their sect.
Ge Tianhao couldn’t help but glance at the Heavenly Lasso Saintess. Lin Yinping also frowned slightly, realizing the predicament. If Han Li were truly vengeful and later launched retaliatory attacks on the Heavenly Lasso grasslands, it would be a nightmare.
“Fellow Daoist, why escalate a minor matter so gravely? We merely wish to see the contents of your bundle. How about this: if I am mistaken, Brother Li may propose a reasonable condition to compensate for our offense. What do you think?” Lin Yinping blinked her beautiful eyes, her delicate face breaking into a charming smile.
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