“Forget it. Regardless of their origins, since a Mahayana-stage existence has appeared, it seems the matter can no longer be concealed. It might as well be spread openly. Leveraging their strength to take a gamble is feasible. This is better than missing the opening time and gaining nothing.” The masked man’s eyes flickered a few times before he finally made up his mind. With a flick of his sleeve, his body twisted and vanished into the void.
Meanwhile, Han Li was already walking down a street, entering and exiting several large-looking shops to replenish some backup materials. However, he didn’t purchase anything else and instead headed straight to a secluded inn-like place, where he rented a private courtyard and began meditating without stepping out again.
Three days later, Han Li returned to the square with a slightly peculiar expression, found Hua Shi the Elder and Zhu Guo’er, who had been waiting there, and brought them back to his residence.
He then informed them that he had suddenly gained some insight into a certain secret technique, so the matter of the ancient altar would have to wait. He needed to go into seclusion for a while and instructed them to cultivate diligently and avoid going out unnecessarily.
Hua Shi the Elder and Zhu Guo’er naturally nodded in agreement.
Thus, for the next month or so, none of the three left the residence, all focusing on their cultivation.
One day, over a month later, while meditating in his room, Han Li suddenly opened his eyes as if sensing something. His expression darkened, and his body immediately radiated golden light, transforming into a golden streak that shot out of the room.
Almost simultaneously, a deafening explosion—”Boom!”—resounded through the sky.
A massive, sun-like ball of light erupted above the inn, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Buildings crumbled in its wake, and some Blood Sky beings caught in the blast were instantly reduced to bloody mist.
Only a few with higher cultivation or those who managed to deploy protective treasures in time rushed out of the shockwave’s range, looking up in shock and fury.
Hua Shi the Elder and Zhu Guo’er were among them.
Though the city’s flight-restriction formation prevented anyone from flying up to investigate, the distance was short enough for everyone to clearly see what was happening in the sky.
At the spot where the sun-like explosion had occurred, two figures now hovered in mid-air, facing each other from a distance.
One was a young man in Taoist robes, the other a wrinkled, white-haired old woman. Both exuded astonishing auras.
Clearly, the earlier commotion had been caused by them.
“Mahayana ancestors! They must be Mahayana ancestors. Otherwise, the flight restrictions in Blood Crane City are so severe that even Body Integration cultivators can’t ascend this high!” someone exclaimed in shock.
The survivors below, initially filled with rage, gasped in unison. After exchanging glances, they scattered without looking back.
After all, if two Mahayana ancestors were fighting, staying nearby would be suicidal.
As for demanding an explanation—such a thought didn’t even cross their minds.
The sudden appearance of two Mahayana ancestors in Blood Crane City was enough to send shockwaves through the entire city.
Hua Shi the Elder and Zhu Guo’er didn’t see Han Li. Though slightly puzzled, they weren’t worried and remained calmly in place.
At that moment, a cold male voice echoed from the sky:
“Fellow Daoists, what impressive methods. To act so recklessly—do you truly not regard the Blood Bone Sect with any respect?”
A faint ripple appeared in the void between the young Taoist and the old woman. A flash of white light revealed a man wearing a pale white mask, silently materializing.
The mask was deathly pale, inscribed with faint silver spirit patterns, revealing only a pair of black eyes and nothing else of its wearer’s face.
“Xiao Ming, you’ve finally shown yourself. Earlier, someone was hiding and refusing to meet us. If you hadn’t appeared, I would’ve torn this city apart!” the old woman snorted, rolling her eyes.
“Fellow Daoist Xiao, please don’t blame us. Lady Wanhua and I had no choice but to resort to this. Fortunately, we deliberately controlled the blast radius and didn’t cause much damage to your city,” the young Taoist said apologetically, his demeanor warm and pleasant.
“Not much damage? Nearly a thousand people lived in this area, and only a few dozen managed to escape. More importantly, in the centuries since I took charge of this city, no one has dared to act so brazenly within its walls. If you two don’t give me an explanation today, I won’t let this matter rest,” the masked man replied coldly.
“Xiao Ming, what explanation do you want? A few low-level cultivators died—so what? Or do you have other ideas? Perhaps you’d like to test this old woman’s skills?” The old woman’s eyes gleamed dangerously.
The young Taoist frowned but remained silent.
“I know why you’ve come to Blood Crane City. If you wish to discuss this matter, Lady Wanhua, why not accompany me to the arena later? If you can withstand three moves from me, regardless of the outcome, we’ll consider the matter settled,” the masked man said indifferently.
“Three moves? Fine. Even thirty or three hundred moves—this old woman will take them all!” the old woman cackled.
“Good. As long as you agree, I can justify this to others. Ah, I forgot to mention—you two aren’t the first Mahayana cultivators to arrive in Blood Crane City. Someone else came even earlier,” the masked man added, startling the old woman.
“Someone else arrived before us? Who could be so well-informed and swift?” the young Taoist asked, exhaling sharply.
Ignoring him, the masked man turned to another part of the void and said, “Fellow Daoist, you’ve been watching for a while now. Why not come out and meet us?”
“Hmm? You’ve seen through my concealment? Impressive. Very well, I’ll join you.” A surprised voice came from the direction he’d addressed, followed by a flash of faint blue light. A plainly dressed man in green robes appeared, smiling faintly at the three.
“So it’s you. Detecting your concealment isn’t remarkable—most of the city’s formations were set by me. No one can hide from me within these walls,” Xiao Ming said, chuckling as he studied Han Li.
“So you’re also a master of formations. No wonder. But why have you called me out?” Han Li asked, his expression slightly puzzled.
“I admire your patience! Knowing the time for ‘that thing’ is near, you entered Blood Crane City but didn’t seek me out. Instead, you stayed quietly here without even stepping outside. Had Fellow Daoists Wanhua and Qingping not arrived, you might’ve waited even longer. Yet, by coincidence, they chose to fight right above your street—how ironic,” Xiao Ming said with a smirk.
“Fellow Daoist Qingping and I had no idea another Mahayana cultivator resided on this street. We merely scanned the area and found it sparsely populated, so we acted here. Fellow Daoist, your ability to suppress your cultivation to mid- or low-tier is remarkable—I didn’t detect anything amiss. But your face is unfamiliar. May I ask your name?” the young Taoist inquired, exchanging a glance with the old woman.
“My surname is Han. As for my unfamiliar face, that’s no surprise—I’m not from the Blood Sky Continent. I’m merely passing through and have no interest in your affairs. However, had I not dodged quickly earlier, I’d have been caught in your attack. Shouldn’t you two give me an explanation as well?” Han Li replied coolly, his gaze sharpening as he stared at the young Taoist and the old woman.
Xiao Ming blinked, then glanced between Qingping and the old woman, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Qingping frowned, studying Han Li as if gauging his sincerity, before replying, “So Fellow Daoist Han is from another continent. Our earlier actions were indeed rash. But what kind of explanation do you seek? Do you also wish me to withstand three moves, like Fellow Daoist Xiao?”
“Three moves aren’t necessary. One move each from you and Fellow Daoist Wanhua will suffice,” Han Li said impassively.
“One move? Fine! This old woman would like to see what kind of power a cultivator from another continent wields to speak so boldly!” the old woman snapped, her temper flaring.
Qingping sighed but asked Han Li again, “Fellow Daoist Han, are you truly just passing through, not here for the rumored object?”
“I don’t even know what this ‘rumored object’ is. How could I be here for it? Rest assured, I have other matters to attend to. As long as your affairs don’t involve me, I won’t hinder you,” Han Li said calmly, as if reading Qingping’s thoughts.
Qingping brightened visibly.
Lady Wanhua’s expression also softened slightly.
Xiao Ming’s eyes flickered briefly before he said evenly, “Regardless of Fellow Daoist Han’s purpose, as the host of this city, I must extend proper hospitality. After our spar in the arena, I insist all of you join me at my abode for a gathering.”
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