Chapter 1278: Jinyu Sect

Han Li’s pupils slightly contracted.

These two were clearly not ordinary body refiners; otherwise, a mere glance from them wouldn’t carry such an intimidating aura. To him, they seemed even more formidable than Zhang Kui.

“Brothers, this is the newly joined Han Li. The mistress mentioned earlier that she wished to meet him. Could you kindly announce his arrival?” The young man surnamed Luo stepped forward, clasping his fists respectfully.

“Oh, so this is the one who cultivated the Vajra Arts to the third layer. He does look young—perhaps he’s taken some youth-preserving elixirs?” A slightly shorter burly man scrutinized Han Li and suddenly remarked.

His tone was rather impolite!

“If the two of you believe I’ve taken such pills, then so be it,” Han Li thought, his heart skipping a beat, but he merely chuckled lightly.

“Hmph, I doubt you’ve truly reached the third layer of the Vajra Arts. Let me test you—you don’t mind, do you?” The burly man’s earlier words had been casual, but now his eyes flashed coldly as he abruptly seized Han Li’s wrist, his grip unyielding.

Han Li’s brow twitched slightly, but he didn’t evade, allowing the man to grasp his wrist. Instantly, he felt the man’s icy fingers tighten with monstrous strength, as if they weren’t made of flesh and blood.

Instead of anger, Han Li smiled faintly, though his gaze darkened.

Under the crushing force, a faint golden sheen flickered briefly on his wrist before vanishing. He remained motionless, letting the man do as he pleased.

Moments later, the burly man’s expression shifted drastically when he realized Han Li remained unfazed despite his exertion. Yet, instead of releasing his grip, he took a deep breath, and his fingers suddenly gleamed with a dark light, his strength surging further.

Han Li’s smile finally faded. With a soft snort, he casually flicked his arm.

The burly man felt his fingers tremble violently, his body instantly going numb. Before he could react, an overwhelming force sent him flying uncontrollably through the air.

Just as the man was about to crash headfirst into a nearby stone wall, the other silent guard suddenly dashed forward, intercepting him midair with a lightning-fast grab.

But the moment his hand touched his companion’s collar, his expression changed. He swiftly extended his other hand, bracing with both palms.

A loud *bang* echoed, followed by several heavy *thuds*.

Though he managed to catch his companion, the force sent him staggering back seven or eight steps before he steadied himself, his face pale.

Han Li narrowed his eyes, studying the second guard.

To withstand his strength and still catch his companion—this man’s body-refining techniques were clearly superior to the first.

The young man surnamed Luo stood dumbfounded.

These two guards were the personal attendants of “Madam Fang.” Though they rarely interacted with the riders, their mastery of body-refining arts was so profound that even their captain, Zhang Kui, secretly admired them. In the past, riders who fancied themselves skilled had challenged them, only to suffer humiliating defeats.

Yet this newcomer, Han Li, had effortlessly overpowered both with a single hand.

Could the third layer of the Vajra Arts truly be this formidable?

The young man’s expression flickered uncertainly.

He had no idea that Han Li’s immense strength stemmed from centuries of consuming Dragon Scale Fruits in the human realm and cultivating the Bone Tempering Art. Without these, even the Vajra Arts’ third layer would only match these two guards. Moreover, Han Li had already advanced to the fourth layer.

“Brother Han’s skills are astounding. We concede defeat. Please, enter,” the second guard said, forcing a smile after circulating his energy to expel the stifling pressure in his chest. His gaze now held a trace of reverence.

The first guard’s face remained grim.

Han Li smiled faintly, offered a slight bow, and strode calmly into the courtyard.

The young man surnamed Luo, lacking the authority to follow, remained outside.

The door to the main hall was shut. Just as Han Li raised his hand to knock, a melodious woman’s voice called from within.

“Young Master Han, please come in. I’ve been expecting you.”

Han Li’s eyes flickered briefly, but he showed no surprise, pushing the door open calmly.

A quick scan of the room made his expression shift slightly.

The number of people inside was unexpected.

Seated at the head of the room was a woman in her thirties, dressed in a blue-green robe, her skin fair and features elegant. Behind her stood a blue-robed youth in his mid-twenties, bearing a resemblance to her.

Opposite her sat a young-looking man in brocade robes, his temples streaked with gray, his demeanor aloof. Beside him were a strikingly handsome young man and a stunningly beautiful woman, likely a couple.

They all turned their gazes toward Han Li, their expressions varied—some surprised, some curious, others faintly wary.

“Young Master Han, please don’t take offense. The earlier test was my idea. I merely wished to see if the third layer of the Vajra Arts lived up to its reputation. This technique is widely known but rarely mastered beyond the second layer, let alone the third like you,” the beautiful woman said, rising to greet him with a graceful bow.

“I’m now part of the caravan. A simple test means nothing. I trust my skills meet your expectations?” Han Li replied with a faint smile.

Though he intended to lay low in the Tian Dong Trading Company, he had no interest in being treated as a mere underling. A display of strength was necessary.

His earlier performance had clearly impressed Madam Fang.

“The third layer’s power exceeds my expectations. Truly eye-opening. Let me introduce you—this is my son, Pan Qing, a cultivator of the Golden Jade Sect. These three are his fellow disciples,” she said, gesturing to the others.

“So you are the young master and esteemed cultivators,” Han Li said, clasping his fists calmly.

Though his divine sense couldn’t extend far, at this proximity, he could roughly gauge their cultivation levels. All were at least Foundation Establishment stage, with Pan Qing and the young couple being recent breakthroughs, their spiritual energy still weak. The gray-templed man, however, exuded a dense aura, nearing the late Foundation Establishment stage—a pseudo-Core Formation realm.

Given Han Li’s earlier display, none dared to slight him, returning his greeting respectfully.

The gray-templed man even smiled faintly. “Though I’ve never practiced body-refining arts, my master once befriended a high-level body refiner. It was said he single-handedly slew several sixth- and seventh-grade demon beasts. I once doubted such claims, but seeing Brother Han’s prowess, I’m now convinced. Though, your strength seems not solely from the Vajra Arts—perhaps innate talent?”

The man had sharp eyes, discerning the unusual source of Han Li’s power.

“Brother Qin is perceptive. Some of my strength is indeed innate,” Han Li replied smoothly, avoiding mention of the Dragon Scale Fruits.

Qin nodded, his doubts mostly dispelled.

The conversation shifted, with Madam Fang engaging Han Li warmly, subtly probing his background. Han Li deftly sidestepped her inquiries, feigning ignorance.

Seeing this, she didn’t press further. Instead, she explained that Qin and the others, including Pan Qing, were dispatched by their sect to aid An Yuan City against the beast tide—partly due to the city’s ties with the Golden Jade Sect, and partly because such events offered low-level cultivators chances to break through bottlenecks.

Other sects had also sent disciples.

As for the caravan, its guards would inevitably be conscripted by the city. Thus, Madam Fang appointed Han Li as Zhang Kui’s deputy to assist in leading the team.

After brief consideration, Han Li accepted.

Pleased, Madam Fang dismissed him to rest, warning that the beast tide could erupt anytime—a large-scale convergence of multiple beast hordes.

Han Li smiled faintly and left.

Once the door closed, Madam Fang’s smile faded, replaced by hesitation.

“Changed your mind about him?” Qin asked lightly, stroking his chin.

“Indeed. With his talent, he could become another ‘Elder Fire.’ Perhaps we should stick to the original plan—have Zhang Kui or the Liu brothers accompany you after the beast tide,” she murmured, frowning slightly.