“Of course, while we dare not claim that the Black Domain is the wealthiest among the two clans, we are certainly not inferior to the forces of the Three Emperors and Seven Kings. Some of our rare treasures were even specially procured from other exotic races of the Primordial World. I trust they will not disappoint you, Senior.” The black-robed woman nestled in Han Li’s arms chuckled softly.
By now, she had removed her veil, revealing an enchantingly beautiful face. Every smile and word from her was captivating, enough to ensnare one’s soul.
Clearly, this black-veiled attendant had cultivated a unique charm technique; otherwise, she could not have exuded such mesmerizing allure.
Yet, Han Li remained utterly indifferent to her seductive demeanor. He merely nodded faintly and asked, “For the Black Domain to cultivate a group like you every year is indeed a grand gesture. However, what puzzles me is that women of your striking appearance would surely be recognized if they ventured outside. Unless…”
“Senior guessed correctly. My sisters and I have lived in the Black Domain since we were old enough to understand the world and have never stepped outside. If Senior does not disdain me, perhaps you could take me as your concubine. That way, I might finally see the light of day…” The woman, referred to as Number Nineteen, immediately adopted a pitiful expression.
An ordinary cultivator might have been deeply moved by her heart-wrenching plea.
But Han Li’s spiritual sense was formidable, and his will was unshakable. With a slight curl of his lips, he dismissed her request effortlessly: “I dislike having others follow me.”
Number Nineteen was astute. Seeing that Han Li was truly unmoved, she promptly dropped the matter and instead nestled closer to him with practiced grace.
Han Li showed little reaction, though he instinctively tightened his arm slightly around her slender waist, indulging briefly in the pleasure of a beauty throwing herself into his embrace.
In the following moments, Han Li inquired further about the details of the Black Domain’s grand gathering. The woman in his arms answered dutifully, leaving him quite satisfied.
Meanwhile, the previously empty flying pavilions around them gradually filled with more figures. Evidently, as time passed, more participants of the gathering began arriving in the grand hall.
A thunderous boom erupted from below, shaking the entire void.
Han Li, who had been lounging lazily in his chair, stirred. A blue glint flashed in his eyes as he pierced through the dark void to locate the source of the commotion.
At the entrance of the hall below stood a towering figure, nearly thirty feet tall, wreathed in scorching flames, gesticulating wildly. Beside him, a black-veiled attendant was frantically explaining something, her face pale with panic.
The fiery giant seemed enraged. With a furious roar, a massive hand shot out from the flames, aiming to crush the woman into pulp.
But just then, a golden streak of sword light materialized from the void, slashing ruthlessly toward the giant’s face.
The giant bellowed in anger, abandoning his attack on the attendant to swat at the golden sword light instead.
A metallic screech erupted as flames and sword energy clashed. The giant staggered back several steps, while the void above him rippled like water, revealing a gray-robed figure who had been forced out of concealment.
Han Li focused his gaze. The figure wore a gray robe of an indistinct material, giving an ethereal impression. Yet, his face was concealed behind a grotesque green-masked visage with fanged teeth, his eyes sharp as lightning as they fixed on the fiery giant below.
“Fellow Daoist of the demon race, why such fury that you would attack a junior? Number Thirty-Seven, how have you offended our esteemed guest? Come and apologize at once!” Contrary to expectations, the gray-robed figure, who had struck without mercy moments ago, now sternly reprimanded the black-veiled attendant.
“Senior, I beg your forgiveness for my earlier oversight!” The attendant, Number Thirty-Seven, still pale from her brush with death, hurriedly bowed in a pitiful manner.
“Hmph, let it pass this time. But if you dare repeat such an offense against my race’s taboos, I will devour you alive,” the giant rumbled, his anger subsiding but his tone still icy.
With a swirl of flames, the giant shrank to the size of an ordinary man, now clad in red robes, his face obscured by a crimson haze, though a pair of fiery horns were faintly visible.
The gray-robed figure exchanged a few silent words with the attendant before nodding and addressing the fiery figure apologetically: “So, Fellow Daoist is of that race. Number Thirty-Seven’s actions were indeed offensive, but given her ignorance of your people’s customs, I hope you can overlook it. I will assign a more suitable attendant to serve you.”
“Hmph, do as you please. I only wish for the exchange to begin soon. I have no time to waste in your Black Domain,” the red-robed demon cultivator snorted. Without waiting for guidance, he transformed into a massive fireball and soared toward an empty stone pavilion above.
The gray-robed figure shook his head wryly, dismissed the still-prostrate attendant with a wave, and vanished as abruptly as he had appeared.
Though Han Li was curious about the demon cultivator’s outburst, seeing the matter resolved, he withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes to conserve his energy.
The woman in his arms, ever attentive, rose quietly and stood behind him, massaging his shoulders with her jade-like hands, as if she were a mere mortal servant.
Given Han Li’s formidable physique, such ministrations were unnecessary, but the faint maidenly fragrance and the rhythmic kneading were undeniably pleasant.
He remained motionless, as if half-asleep.
As time passed, the pavilions gradually filled. After three or four hours, nearly all were occupied. Though the total number of attendees was only four or five hundred, considering that dozens were likely at the Body Integration stage and the rest were mostly Nascent Soul cultivators bearing rare treasures, the gathering promised to be extraordinary.
Despite the increased numbers, the atmosphere remained eerily silent. The cultivators and demons sat impassively, either motionless or quietly drinking, with no inclination to converse.
Half an hour later, a blinding golden light erupted from the white platform at the center of the hall. Within the golden formation appeared a massive black gong and a green figure.
The gong, as tall as a man, was ancient and tarnished, its edges rusted. At its center was engraved the image of a one-eyed black flood dragon, its eye shimmering with a sinister red glow.
Beside the gong stood a bare-chested, green-skinned giant wielding a purple mallet. Though his emerald hue suggested he was not human, he emitted no demonic aura, making his race unclear.
His golden-tinged skin gleamed metallically, hinting at a formidable physique honed by some unique body-refining technique.
All eyes in the pavilions turned to the gong and the figure, awaiting their next move.
The green giant ignored the scrutiny. Taking a deep breath, his body swelled to twice its size, reaching nearly thirty feet tall. His arms bulged with sinews as he gripped the mallet with both hands and struck the gong with solemn deliberation.
A resonant *dong* echoed, and a purple halo rippled from the gong’s center before vanishing.
Han Li was puzzled. The sound seemed ordinary, yet the giant’s body withered instantly into a skeletal old man, his vitality seemingly drained by the single strike.
The cultivators in the pavilions tensed. The Black Domain’s actions were never without purpose.
Han Li’s pupils contracted. Though the gong’s sound had seemed mundane, moments later, his spiritual energy surged violently, his blood boiling as if scorched.
“What’s this…?”
Startled, Han Li rose abruptly. Suppressing the anomalies with his immense cultivation, he noticed a slight increase in his spiritual power—an effect of the gong’s resonance.
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