Not long after the cultivators of the Yin Luo Sect had left, two figures suddenly emerged from a nearby pavilion, their silhouettes flickering into view.
The two glanced at the empty entrance, exchanged a few hushed words with grave expressions, and then followed suit, stepping out as well.
Once outside the market, they immediately split up. One of them, holding a small banner, gave it a gentle shake. Enveloped in a swirl of purple mist, his figure vanished into thin air, then he stealthily pursued in the direction Ge Tianhao and the others had gone.
The other took a different path, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight toward the imperial city.
…
Meanwhile, on a nameless desolate mountain near Jinjing, Elder Fu, with an enigmatic smile, addressed Han Li: “Now that we’ve teleported here, don’t you have any questions, Fellow Daoist?”
“Why bother with unnecessary words? I admit I was puzzled as to why you insisted on using a teleportation array to leave the market, but I assume you had your reasons.” The moment they teleported out, Han Li had already cautiously scanned their surroundings, finding nothing amiss, so he replied calmly.
Han Li’s careful actions didn’t escape Elder Fu’s notice, but instead of being annoyed, the elder was inwardly pleased.
“Actually, it’s nothing much. I received word earlier that several Yin Luo Sect cultivators were searching for someone near the market’s exit. I figured you wouldn’t want to run into them, so I borrowed this teleportation array to avoid them. I hope you don’t think I overstepped, Fellow Daoist!” Elder Fu’s eyes gleamed as he spoke with a half-smile.
“The Yin Luo Sect? What exactly do you mean by that?” Han Li’s heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged as he countered.
“Heh, no need to worry. If I truly meant you harm, I would’ve set up an ambush long ago. Brother Han, you must be the cultivator who clashed with Ge Tianhao in front of the Treasure Light Hall that day, right?” Elder Fu chuckled mysteriously, speaking slowly.
“So you knew about that. But why help me? Surely you wouldn’t risk offending a major demonic sect like the Yin Luo Sect just because of our prior agreement. I find that hard to believe.” Han Li fell silent for a moment before coolly admitting.
“The Yin Luo Sect? It seems you don’t know my background, Brother Han. I may not be much, but I serve as the Law Enforcement Elder of the Nine Serenities Sect. Our sect has old grudges with the Yin Luo Sect, so seeing Ge Tianhao humiliated is a delight for me. Of course, my main reason for helping you is that I have a favor to ask.” Elder Fu spoke frankly, unbothered.
“The Nine Serenities Sect? My apologies—I’ve long heard of your esteemed sect. But with your sect’s power, what could you possibly need my help for?” Hearing that the elder was also a high-ranking member of one of the Ten Great Demon Sects, Han Li was inwardly startled and grew even more wary.
“This is a personal matter, so I can’t involve the sect’s forces. But there’s no rush. Let’s attend the trade meeting first, and I’ll explain in detail afterward. Rest assured, Brother Han, this matter could benefit you as well. If you find it unsuitable, I won’t press you.” Elder Fu smiled warmly.
“In that case, I’ll accept your kindness for now.” After a brief consideration, Han Li returned the smile.
Having already offended the Yin Luo Sect, he had no desire to provoke another major demonic sect. Whether he’d actually agree to help later was another matter—for now, he’d play along.
“I knew you were a straightforward man, Brother Han. Let’s go—the trade meeting isn’t far from here.” A flicker of satisfaction crossed Elder Fu’s face before the two transformed into streaks of light, speeding away.
After a short flight, they descended into a dark, rugged mountain range about three thousand li from Jinjing. Elder Fu led Han Li to an ordinary-looking stone wall covered in moss and mud, utterly unremarkable.
Han Li ignored the wall, instead narrowing his eyes to survey the surroundings. He realized they were in a secluded valley between two peaks, overgrown with tall wild grass and shrubs. Without Elder Fu’s guidance, he’d never have guessed this place hosted cultivator activity.
Elder Fu, clearly familiar with the location, flicked his sleeve, sending out a palm-sized disk. A flash of white light later, it vanished into the stone wall.
Moments later, yellow radiance shimmered across the wall, and in a blur, the wall disappeared, revealing a massive cave entrance over ten zhang wide. Two middle-aged cultivators in green robes stood guard at the entrance, both at the late Core Formation stage. One held Elder Fu’s disk.
“Ah, Elder Fu has arrived. This other senior’s face is unfamiliar—may I ask for his esteemed name?” The cultivator holding the disk bowed slightly before addressing Han Li with polite neutrality.
“This is Fellow Daoist Han from overseas. I’m his sponsor—what’s there to investigate? Hurry up and give him an identity disk. We’re in a hurry to join the exchange.” Elder Fu glared, his tone impatient.
“Of course, if Elder Fu vouches for him, there’s no issue. This is an identity disk for Nascent Soul cultivators. Not only will it grant entry to this trade meeting, but it’s also valid for the next three sessions. Of course, if the senior violates the meeting’s rules, the disk will be revoked. Also, by convention, acquiring this disk requires a fee of ten thousand spirit stones.” The green-robed cultivator returned Elder Fu’s disk and handed a similar one to Han Li, explaining courteously.
“Here, the spirit stones.” Though inwardly wincing at the hefty sum, Han Li handed over a bulging pouch without hesitation.
“Please take this disk, Senior.” After a quick count, the green-robed cultivator presented the disk—engraved with the number “347”—with both hands.
Han Li glanced at it, eyebrows rising slightly. “Three hundred forty-seven? That many participants?”
“Not quite. Some seniors, for various reasons, won’t attend. Based on past experience, around two hundred usually come,” the other green-robed cultivator explained.
“Ah, still a sizable number.” Han Li nodded in understanding.
“Time’s wasting. Let’s head in.” Elder Fu, seeing Han Li now had his disk, strode into the passage without further delay.
“Those two weren’t weak. From your tone, they share a master? Who might that be?” Han Li followed, making casual conversation.
“Their master is no ordinary figure. Have you heard of the Four Great Wanderers of the Great Jin?” Elder Fu chuckled.
“Of course. Is their master one of them?” Han Li’s curiosity was piqued.
“Indeed. Their master is Yi Xitian, the most enigmatic of the four. He reached late Nascent Soul stage centuries ago. I once saw him effortlessly slay an eighth-grade demon beast—his power is truly unfathomable. Rumor has it he’s one of two in the Great Jin most likely to reach the Deity Transformation stage in the last millennium. Having these two guard the entrance likely leverages their master’s prestige.” Elder Fu sighed admiringly.
“With your profound cultivation, Brother Fu, breaking through to late Nascent Soul seems within reach. Why envy others? Though, who’s the other candidate for Deity Transformation?” Han Li probed.
“The other is Buddhist Monk Biyue of the Pure Flame Sect. He reached late Nascent Soul in just over four hundred years—a prodigy unseen in ten millennia. As for me? I’ve been stuck at this stage for two or three centuries. I’ve long given up on further advancement. But you, Brother Han, having recently broken through to mid-stage, might yet surpass such bottlenecks.” Elder Fu smiled wryly.
“You jest. Such fortune is rare in this world.” Han Li laughed dryly, brushing off the remark.
By then, guided by Elder Fu, Han Li spotted a glowing hall entrance ahead, the murmur of voices growing distinct. His spirits lifted.
…
Elsewhere, a hundred li from the underground trade meeting, Ge Tianhao hovered mid-air, his face twisted in fury, dark energy roiling around him. He gripped the skull of an unfamiliar cultivator, forcibly extracting memories through a soul-searching technique at a critical juncture.
The victim’s face contorted in agony, eyes rolling back, body convulsing violently. Lin Yinping and a black-robed elder in his fifties watched impassively.
Suddenly, the victim shuddered violently, black blood trickling from his ears and nose before collapsing unconscious.
Ge Tianhao frowned, then ignited dark flames from his fingertips, reducing the man to ashes. Closing his eyes, he digested the extracted memories.
“Well? Did you uncover his identity? Why was he tailing us?” Lin Yinping demanded the moment Ge Tianhao reopened his eyes.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage