“You speak rightly, Fellow Daoist, but Han has no intention of yielding his concubine. I can only seek your guidance.” Han Li replied calmly, then without further ado, he released his spiritual sense outward, unleashing a formidable aura. Simultaneously, something shot fiercely toward his opponent.
“Well met!”
Rather than showing fear, Marquis Nanlong let out a loud shout and similarly released his spiritual sense. Two nearly visible, intangible forces collided and exploded in the empty space between them. A violent gale erupted, scattering in all directions.
Seeing this, Marquis Nanlong was inwardly startled and instantly amplified his probing spiritual sense severalfold. Explosions erupted continuously, and layers of gale-force winds formed a misty white current, engulfing both of them. Their figures blurred momentarily, transforming into two indistinct, motionless silhouettes high in the sky.
“Spiritual Sense Materialization! How is this possible? Junior Brother Han’s spiritual sense is actually this powerful?” Below, Lü Luo, who was observing the battle, couldn’t help but exclaim in disbelief.
“Spiritual Sense Materialization? Can the Young Master defeat his opponent?” Mu Peiling, though unsure of the term’s meaning, couldn’t resist asking.
“I don’t know. Normally, Spiritual Sense Materialization is a technique only mastered by mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators due to their immense spiritual sense. If Junior Brother Han can already perform it, perhaps his primary cultivation technique focuses on spiritual sense refinement. That must be the case—it’s the only explanation.” Lü Luo initially answered Mu Peiling’s question but soon trailed off into murmurs.
“So, the Young Master has a fighting chance?” Mu Peiling, disregarding Lü Luo’s incoherent muttering, asked hopefully.
“That’s hard to say. Even among cultivators of the same Nascent Soul stage, there are differences in strength. Marquis Nanlong entered the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm three hundred years ago. Though he remains at this stage, he has undoubtedly reached its peak, just a step away from the late stage. For Junior Brother to defeat this old monster… it will be difficult!” Lü Luo said with an uncertain expression.
Mu Peiling’s heart, which had just kindled with hope, instantly turned cold again.
At that moment, the explosions in the sky grew even more intense. The swirling gales formed a massive white ring of wind, completely submerging the two combatants.
Lü Luo couldn’t help but let out another surprised sound.
“Huh! I can’t believe it—Junior Brother Han isn’t at a disadvantage.” His face twisted into an odd expression.
Mu Peiling was overjoyed and was about to ask more when a blinding white flash erupted in the sky, followed by a thunderous boom. The hazy ring of energy exploded, sending violent gales surging outward in all directions.
Mu Peiling and the others, standing dozens of zhang below, paled at the sight of the raging white windstorm.
“Not good!”
Lü Luo let out a low roar, darting in front of Mu Peiling. With a sweep of his hands, a blue barrier materialized, shielding them both.
In the next instant, the ferocious gale struck the barrier, producing eerie creaking sounds. The thick shield instantly dented several inches inward as if struck by a massive hammer.
Fortunately, the gale dispersed quickly, most of it sliding past the barrier’s sides. The dented shield soon returned to normal, and Lü Luo’s face flickered with blue light.
Meanwhile, Marquis Nanlong’s golden-armored warriors, facing the gale, raised their halberds in unison. A vast golden radiance emerged above them, forming a massive golden shield that protected both them and the beast-drawn carriage at their center.
Yet, when the white gale swept past, the golden light shattered after only a brief resistance. The remaining winds tore through the formation, causing the warriors and female cultivators to clutch their heads in agony, their faces contorted in terror as blood seeped from their orifices.
Only the two palace-robed women in the carriage, shielded by its defensive formations, remained unharmed—though their faces were pale with fright.
Witnessing this, Mu Peiling gasped and stared blankly at Han Li, who had reappeared in the sky.
At that moment, Marquis Nanlong let out a cold snort. A golden light descended from above, exploding midair into countless golden strands that enveloped his subordinates.
Wherever the golden light touched, those clutching their heads ceased their screams and steadied themselves. Though still shaken, they appeared largely unharmed.
Having rescued his men, Marquis Nanlong turned to Han Li, his face filled with astonishment. He could hardly believe that the other’s spiritual sense was truly on par with his own.
After all, though he hadn’t unleashed his full spiritual sense, he had used seventy to eighty percent of it. Yet Han Li had countered effortlessly, suggesting he still had reserves—perhaps even surpassing Marquis Nanlong himself.
Just as Marquis Nanlong’s arrogance faded into hesitation, Han Li suddenly smiled at him.
“Shall we end this contest? If we continue, I fear I may truly be unable to hold on,” Han Li said lightly.
“Haha! Fellow Daoist Han is too modest. Regardless of cultivation techniques, your spiritual sense is certainly no weaker than mine. Let us cease this test now, lest we damage our rapport.” Marquis Nanlong, after a brief consideration, seized the opportunity to de-escalate.
Han Li smiled faintly but sighed inwardly. Even among Nascent Soul cultivators, strength dictated respect. At the very least, Marquis Nanlong, though skeptical that Han Li could truly match him in cultivation or techniques, now regarded him with caution, no longer daring to treat him lightly. Moreover, Han Li’s formidable spiritual sense aligned perfectly with his needs—he still had a request to make.
“Since Fellow Daoist Han’s spiritual sense is not far inferior to mine, I shall disclose the true reason for this test. As you guessed, I would not have insisted on this contest without purpose. However, the matter is of great importance and cannot be discussed openly. This jade slip contains a map. On the fourth day of the trade conference, come to the marked location. I will introduce you to several other fellow Daoists and share an extraordinary opportunity.” Marquis Nanlong gave Han Li a cryptic smile and transmitted a brief message directly into his ear.
He then retrieved a small jade slip from his storage pouch and tossed it toward Han Li without concern for Lü Luo and the others below.
Han Li, momentarily stunned, caught the jade slip with a wave of his hand. After scrutinizing Marquis Nanlong for a moment, he stored it away without reading it.
Marquis Nanlong, far from displeased, laughed heartily. A brilliant glow enveloped him as he descended rapidly.
Golden light flared anew from the beast-drawn carriage, and the armored retinue swiftly escorted it toward Dantian City, the sound of drums and music resuming from within.
Without even acknowledging Lü Luo, Marquis Nanlong departed abruptly. While such behavior might provoke resentment from other Nascent Soul cultivators, Lü Luo, familiar with the marquis’ eccentric temperament, merely smiled wryly.
Meanwhile, Han Li descended gracefully.
“Young Master, are you unharmed?” Mu Peiling, her face flushed, asked anxiously as Han Li returned. Her bright eyes remained fixed on him.
Though the battle had lasted only moments, the sight of Han Li standing firm against Marquis Nanlong had stirred something within her. Staying by his side no longer seemed so bad—instead, it felt reassuring, even comforting.
“I’m fine, just slightly drained of spiritual sense,” Han Li replied evenly, though inwardly, he noted her sudden concern.
“Junior Brother, you’ve kept us in the dark, making this old man worry for nothing!” Lü Luo exclaimed after studying Han Li for a long moment, his face alight with joy. The last traces of distance between them had vanished.
“I never concealed anything—you simply never asked. Let us depart now. The commotion from the spiritual sense gale may attract unwanted attention,” Han Li said mildly.
“Indeed. If other cultivators notice, it could be troublesome. Let us hurry to Dantian City!” This time, Lü Luo agreed without hesitation.
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