Seeing the two about to fight, the others instinctively took a few steps back and held their breaths.
For them, witnessing a battle between such high-level Qi Refinement cultivators was a rare sight. But for Han Li, dealing with a mere Qi Refinement cultivator held no interest. He simply stood there with his hands behind his back, calmly waiting for his opponent to make the first move.
The middle-aged man named Ma Yulin, seeing Han Li’s indifferent demeanor, grew furious. Without a word, he raised a small trident in one hand, muttering an incantation, while the other hand formed a series of hand seals. Moments later, the trident trembled slightly, emitting a faint spiritual glow before transforming into a streak of yellow light that shot straight toward Han Li.
Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, and he showed no intention of using a magical tool. With a casual wave of his hand, over a dozen talismans shot from between his fingers, instantly transforming into fist-sized crimson fireballs that surged forward to meet the yellow light.
Seeing this, Ma Yulin sneered inwardly. His Yellow Wind Trident was a mid-grade magical tool personally bestowed by his sect—how could it be blocked by mere fireballs?
Despite his confidence, he didn’t want to risk damaging his precious tool. With a quick hand seal, the yellow light abruptly curved, tracing an arc to bypass the fireballs and attack from the side.
Han Li smiled faintly and casually pointed toward the sky. The fireballs paused mid-air before converging into a massive wheel of fire, which then morphed into a ten-foot-long flaming serpent. With a flash of red light, the serpent shot forward, coiling around the yellow streak and trapping it.
Ma Yulin was shocked. He frantically channeled all his spiritual power into the trident, trying to break free. But after a brief flare, the yellow glow dimmed under the serpent’s tightening coils, and a faint whimper echoed—a clear sign the tool was on the verge of destruction.
“Stop! Fellow Daoist, your power is unmatched—I concede!” the middle-aged man cried out, unwilling to lose his prized tool.
Hearing this, Han Li smiled faintly and pointed skyward again. The flaming serpent loosened its grip, then burst apart into scattered embers, vanishing without a trace.
Han Li had effortlessly defeated such a high-level opponent, leaving the three women in the pavilion both shocked and delighted.
Meanwhile, the burly man Wu Xiaoyu paled, muttering hesitantly to his senior brother, “Brother Ma, this…”
“Forget it, Junior Brother Wu. You saw it yourself—there’s an expert here. Even with my Yellow Wind Trident, I was no match. Your nephew’s fate was sealed.” Ma Yulin cut him off firmly.
He retrieved his trident, relieved to find it undamaged, but his awe for Han Li’s abilities made him unwilling to meddle further.
Wu Xiaoyu, though unwilling, knew he stood no chance if even his tenth-level Qi Refinement senior brother had failed.
With nothing left to say, the two Lingxiao Sect disciples departed resentfully on their magical tools. Meanwhile, the three women—Cao Mengrong and her companions—crowded around Han Li, eager to learn about the spell he had used.
Han Li brushed it off with an excuse about practice making perfect and shared a few minor tips on controlling low-level spells, deflecting their curiosity. Soon, the two Daoist-robed women began earnestly seeking his advice on cultivation techniques, which he answered with ease.
Time passed quickly, and as evening fell, the women reluctantly took their leave.
The next day, when they returned together, they found the cottage empty—only a farewell letter remained. After reading it, Cao Mengrong stood frozen, her heart inexplicably hollow. Her two senior sisters exchanged glances, sensing something unspoken.
…
A thousand miles away, Han Li flew leisurely on his magical tool, conversing with the Great Divination Sage in his mind.
“Han boy, are you really heading to Jiangling Prefecture first to open the Feng family’s secret vault?” the Great Divination Sage asked.
“Of course. The effects of the Five Ghosts Locking Divine Technique could fail at any time. I need to find a Buddhist cultivation method to dispel the baleful energy first. Otherwise, it’ll be like a festering wound—I won’t be able to recover my power in peace,” Han Li replied calmly.
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up. I doubt a minor family’s Buddhist practitioner would have a high-level technique to remove baleful energy,” the Great Divination Sage said dismissively.
“I’m aware. But the Feng family vault is the easiest option. If it fails, I’ll have to try the renowned Buddhist sects—though with my current cultivation, that won’t be easy,” Han Li said with a frown.
“Tch. With your cultivation so diminished, even simple tasks become difficult. If you were still at mid-Nascent Soul stage, those bald monks might’ve just handed you a technique to curry favor,” the Great Divination Sage grumbled.
Han Li could only shake his head wryly.
Buddhist sects were notoriously insular. Even at his peak, they wouldn’t casually share high-level techniques. If all else failed, he’d have to infiltrate a sect and steal one—though the thought of shaving his head and taking vows was less than appealing.
Perhaps seeking a Confucian method to dispel the baleful energy would be easier. Frustrated, Han Li couldn’t help but consider the idea.
…
Guangning Prefecture lay at the western edge of Liaozhou, far from Wuyuan Prefecture. After over ten days of flight, Han Li finally crossed into its borders.
Along the way, he encountered only a few Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators, whom he ignored, focusing solely on his journey.
Days later, the landscape grew barren, with fewer mortals in sight. Eventually, he descended near a town called Sunyun and walked along a dirt road into its center.
The town was shabbier than others he’d passed—small, with only three or four crisscrossing streets, and houses made of mud and wood, looking rather grimy.
Frowning, Han Li strolled down a dirt path, glancing around.
Despite the bitter cold, he wore only a thin scholar’s robe—a sight that would normally draw stares. Yet the bundled-up mortals paid him no mind.
Puzzled, Han Li was about to ponder this when two white-robed figures—one tall and thin, the other short—approached. Both were in their twenties, with spiritual energy marking them as seventh- or eighth-level Qi Refinement cultivators.
They eyed Han Li curiously, stopping a few yards away.
The taller youth clasped his hands respectfully. “May we ask your esteemed name, Senior? Are you here for the Ginseng King Conference?”
“Ginseng King Conference? I’ve not heard of it. I’m merely searching for spirit herbs in the area,” Han Li replied, feigning surprise.
“Ah, no wonder! The conference began yesterday—if you were attending, you’d have gone to Snow Ridge Mountain already. You must be passing through,” the youth said, realization dawning.
“But it’s not too late! The conference is hosted by the three great families of Jiangning. Besides rare herbs for sale, there’s an auction featuring hundred-year spirit herbs and a millennium-old wild ginseng king. The main event hasn’t even started yet—far easier than scouring the wilderness. Many rogue cultivators and minor sects trade materials there, with no fees taken by the families,” the shorter youth added eagerly.
Han Li’s Foundation Establishment aura and multiple storage and spirit beast pouches had clearly earned their deference.
“Three great families? The Kong, Zhao, and Dong families?” Han Li asked, eyes glinting.
“Indeed! We’re disciples of the Kong family, stationed here to greet visiting seniors. We thought all guests had arrived, but meeting you is fortunate,” the tall youth said with a smile.
“Does your family govern this town? The mortals seem unusually accustomed to cultivators,” Han Li remarked, glancing around.
“Senior is perceptive. This town came under our joint management five or six years ago. The residents are all outer relatives of our families, hence their lack of fear,” the tall youth explained.
“I see. That complicates things,” Han Li murmured, frowning.
“Oh? Is there something else we can assist you with, Senior?” the short youth asked eagerly.
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