In a heavily guarded secret hall of the underground world, a massive formation radiating five-colored light was set up at the center.
Within the formation, over a dozen black-armored guards were busily placing top-grade spirit stones into seemingly countless grooves. Meanwhile, outside the formation in the hall, more than fifty men and women of varying auras stood in silence.
Among them, the most powerful auras unmistakably belonged to those at the Body Integration stage, though their numbers were few—only five. The majority of the others were at the Core Formation stage, with seven or eight at even lower cultivation levels.
Naturally, this included Xue Po and Zhu Guo’er.
Han Li stood in a corner of the hall with the two women and Hua Shi the Elder, quietly observing the black-armored guards at work. The dozen or so fragrant women could not be transported to the Blood Sky Continent all at once and had instead been entrusted to the merchant alliance to be sent to the human race.
The other Body Integration cultivators in the hall were clearly proud individuals as well. Some stood with their disciples, while others remained alone, occupying their own spaces without the slightest intention of conversing with one another. The other foreign cultivators stayed obediently in their places, not daring to even glance toward Han Li and the other Body Integration experts.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside the hall as Ming Zun entered, accompanied by Feiyun the Fairy. The previously silent foreign Body Integration cultivators tensed and immediately turned their attention to the newcomers.
Han Li, after casually touching a newly appeared green bracelet on his wrist, also cast a calm glance their way. The bracelet, resembling a storage bracelet, was actually Tian Fei’er in disguise.
“Fellow Daoists, this teleportation formation can typically only be used once every hundred years. Thus, I have come personally to ensure there are no errors in the transmission,” Ming Zun said with a smile, his gaze lingering briefly on Han Li before moving away.
“With Brother Ming personally overseeing the operation, this teleportation will undoubtedly proceed without a hitch,” said a tall, bamboo-thin foreign Body Integration cultivator with a laugh.
The others also expressed their gratitude with smiles. Faced with the renowned chief steward of the merchant alliance, none dared show the slightest disrespect.
Ming Zun exchanged pleasantries with each of them before finally clasping his hands toward Han Li. “Brother Han, I have long admired your reputation. Had it not been for the disturbances during the auction, I had originally planned to visit you afterward. It is only now that we meet—I hope you will forgive the delay.”
“Brother Ming is too kind. I was pleasantly surprised to encounter so many fellow cultivators of my level at your alliance’s auction,” Han Li replied with a smile, returning the gesture.
The other foreign Body Integration cultivators were taken aback by Ming Zun’s respectful attitude toward Han Li. After all, Ming Zun himself was one of the most renowned powerhouses of the Wind Yuan Continent. For him to treat Han Li as an equal suggested that Han Li was no ordinary Body Integration cultivator.
“Brother Ming, who is this Daoist Han…?” the tall foreign cultivator couldn’t help but ask.
“I am Han Li of the human race. Greetings to all fellow Daoists,” Han Li introduced himself before Ming Zun could respond.
“What? The human Body Integration cultivator who ventured into the demon realm and slew the Mother of Silkworms?!” The tall foreigner’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
The other Body Integration cultivators were equally shocked, their gazes toward Han Li now tinged with awe. It was now clear why Ming Zun had come—Han Li was the reason. Otherwise, their status alone would never have warranted his personal attention.
“I did indeed participate in the expedition to the demon realm. However, the slaying of the Mother of Silkworms was not my doing alone. The rumors have exaggerated my role,” Han Li replied noncommittally.
The foreign Body Integration cultivators suddenly became much more enthusiastic toward Han Li, introducing themselves and engaging in conversation. Ming Zun occasionally interjected as well.
Before long, a clear chime echoed through the hall. The massive formation had been fully loaded with spirit stones and now glowed brightly, countless five-colored runes appearing across its surface.
“The formation is ready. Fellow Daoists may now enter,” Ming Zun announced after a glance.
“Farewell, Brother Ming. I take my leave,” Han Li said with a cupped fist before leading the two women toward the formation. The other foreign Body Integration cultivators also bowed and followed.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of people had entered the massive formation. With a brilliant flash of light, their figures blurred and vanished.
“Finally, they’re gone. Lord Ming, was the dragon truly among them?” Feiyun the Fairy exhaled deeply before turning to Ming Zun.
“Whether it’s true or not, we’ll find out soon enough,” Ming Zun replied indifferently, reaching out toward the formation with one hand.
A circular array disk flew out and landed in his palm. The disk was translucent, with a ring of scale-like markings along its edge, most of which glowed faintly.
“Fifty-seven. Indeed, the formation consumed energy for one more person than planned. I wonder how she managed to slip in unnoticed, despite the hall’s restrictions,” Feiyun observed with a pleased expression.
“The true dragons possess unfathomable abilities. It’s not entirely surprising that some techniques or treasures could deceive our senses. If she wished to return to the dragon race soon, this teleportation was her only opportunity. Still, with the troublesome Nightmare Dragon’s blood now gone, we can breathe easier,” Ming Zun said, finally allowing a faint smile.
“Fortunately, Lord Ming’s close friend from the dragon race informed us in time that the item was not ‘Ancestral Dragon’s Blood’ but ‘Nightmare Dragon’s Blood.’ That allowed the dragon envoy to seize it during the auction. Otherwise, whether we had auctioned it off or harmed the dragon envoy in the process, the alliance would have faced dire consequences,” Feiyun said with a bitter smile.
“Given the sinister nature of Nightmare Dragon’s blood, which corrupts the true essence of those who refine it, auctioning it would have invited endless trouble. Handing it over to the dragon race outright would have been an option, but that would have made us appear weak, damaging the alliance’s prestige and making it difficult to justify to our subordinates. Letting the dragon envoy take it was the lesser of two evils—though it still tarnished the auction’s reputation,” Ming Zun said coolly.
“Indeed. Even if we had attempted negotiations, time was likely too short. This compromise was the only viable solution,” Feiyun replied respectfully.
“Very well. This matter is now concluded. As for the bounty, maintain an outward appearance of urgency while relaxing internally. In a few years, this affair will likely fade from memory. Let us return. Though the auction is over, there are still matters within the alliance to attend to,” Ming Zun said with a nod before turning and walking away, his sleeves billowing.
Feiyun smiled gracefully and followed him out of the hall.
Han Li, of course, had no idea that the so-called theft of the Nightmare Dragon’s blood was actually the merchant alliance deliberately allowing the dragon envoy to escape. Even if he had known, he would likely have been momentarily speechless before dismissing it from his mind.
As the white light before his eyes faded, Han Li quickly shook off a slight dizziness and took in his surroundings.
Beneath him was another massive formation, but the area around it was an unusually vast expanse of bluestone ground. Aside from a man and woman standing side by side, there was no one else in sight.
“Welcome, esteemed seniors and fellow Daoists, to the Blood Sky Continent. I am Fang Jin, the representative of the merchant alliance here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I will do my best to answer,” the man said with a cupped fist. He had a round, cheerful face and appeared to be in his thirties, exuding an amiable demeanor.
The young woman beside him, however, was strikingly cold and aloof. She silently scrutinized the people in the formation without uttering a word.
“Ah, Daoist Fang, do you have maps of the nearby regions and information on the local powers to be aware of?” one of the newly arrived cultivators asked respectfully, returning the greeting.
“Of course. Those who need them may take a copy,” the round-faced man replied without hesitation. With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of jade slips of varying colors appeared before him.
Delighted, the people in the formation stepped forward to collect one each. Some impatient individuals scanned the contents with their spiritual sense before immediately departing with satisfied expressions. Others lingered to ask additional questions before also leaving.
Among those who departed were the four Body Integration cultivators and their disciples.
In no time, only Han Li and a small group of five or six foreign cultivators remained near the formation. The foreigners huddled together, whispering as if discussing something.
“Let’s go,” Han Li said indifferently after reviewing the jade slip—which Hua Shi the Elder had retrieved for them—with a sweep of his spiritual sense.
Xue Po and the others naturally had no objections and promptly agreed, preparing to leave together.
“Senior Han, please wait a moment. I have been tasked with welcoming you and hope you will accompany me to another location,” the coldly beautiful woman suddenly spoke up, her voice unexpectedly sweet and melodious.
“Tasked with welcoming me? By whom? Are you also from the merchant alliance?” Han Li paused, turning to ask with slight surprise.
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