After returning to Twin Peaks Island, Madame Fan, with Han Li’s assistance, swiftly eliminated all the cultivators loyal to Yun Tianxiao. She then settled in the market to await his arrival.
Five days later, Han Li was meditating with his eyes closed in the market hall, while Madame Fan sat opposite him, her expression shifting between anxiety and uncertainty.
Just then, a streak of fiery light shot in from outside. Madame Fan’s eyes lit up, and with a graceful wave of her hand, the light flew into her palm.
A panicked woman’s voice emerged from the light: “Sect Leader, it’s bad news! Besides Elder Yun, Master Miaohe has also returned with him. They’ve already entered the market. Please prepare yourself!”
“What? That old ghost Miaohe is here too?” Madame Fan exclaimed in shock, crushing the message talisman to pieces. Her face turned extremely grim.
“Miaohe of the Green Cloud Sect?” Han Li opened his eyes, his expression shifting slightly before quickly returning to calm.
“Who else could it be? It’s too late to back out now—Yun Tianxiao’s followers have already been completely eliminated. If he spends even a little time in the market, he’ll notice something’s wrong,” Madame Fan said, her face ashen. Seeing Han Li’s composed demeanor, she fixed her gaze on him, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart.
Noticing her intense stare, Han Li rolled his eyes and said impatiently, “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t tell me you expect me to take on a Nascent Soul cultivator head-on?”
Still, he wasn’t particularly worried. Since it wasn’t someone like Barbarian Beard or Wan Tianming, even if he couldn’t win, he could simply make a quick escape. Especially with the Wind and Thunder Wings treasure, he was confident he could get away safely from an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. If possible, he still preferred to stick to the original plan and return to the Inner Star Sea via the teleportation formation. Though he spoke dismissively, his mind was already racing with calculations.
Hearing his words, Madame Fan’s face paled, and she stood frozen in place, momentarily at a loss.
But a moment later, a cold glint flashed in Han Li’s eyes. He licked his lips and asked in a low voice, “What is the relationship between Miaohe and Yun Tianxiao? If I were to suddenly kill Yun Tianxiao, would Miaohe definitely seek revenge?”
Madame Fan was taken aback by his question but quickly caught on and replied in surprise, “What relationship could they have? That old Taoist only has ties to Yun Tianxiao because Yun offered him female cultivators from our Mystic Sound Sect as cauldrons. Although they’re relatively close, if we promise him better terms afterward, he likely won’t interfere in our sect’s affairs. However, this only works if Yun Tianxiao doesn’t have a chance to ask for his help. Otherwise, the old Taoist might feel obligated to step in for the sake of face.”
“That’s all I need to know. Later, lure Yun Tianxiao alone into the room next door. I’ll take him out instantly—he won’t have time to call for help. Once you’re firmly in power, the old Taoist won’t have anything to say. Then, you can win him over with better offers,” Han Li analyzed calmly.
“Alright! At this point, we have no choice but to fight. Senior, you must give it your all and eliminate Yun Tianxiao as quickly as possible! Please wait in the room farthest from here. I’ll handle luring him in,” Madame Fan replied, gritting her teeth. She was no ordinary woman, and pushed to this extreme, she agreed resolutely.
Seeing her determination, Han Li wasted no time and quickly headed toward a side door leading to a series of rooms behind the hall.
As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around with a dark expression, and said, “Sect Leader Fan! I hope you won’t suddenly get any ideas about exposing my identity to curry favor with that old Taoist Miaohe after I kill Yun Tianxiao. Whether you’ve considered it or not, let me give you a warning. With my current abilities, even if I can’t defeat Miaohe, escaping from him would be effortless. If that happens, I’m sure you can imagine what I might do. Consider this a warning so you don’t do something rash that would harm us both.” His voice turned icy toward the end.
Madame Fan was stunned by his words. After her expression shifted several times, a bitter smile appeared on her face. “Senior, you jest. How could I repay kindness with betrayal? Besides, Elder Han is no ordinary Core Formation cultivator—I’m well aware of that. Please rest assured. Once Yun Tianxiao is dealt with, I will not go back on my word,” she said solemnly, then swore a fierce oath to the heavens.
Han Li studied her for a moment before turning and entering the side door without another word. After walking down a short passage, he entered the last room. Though smaller, its layout was similar to the main hall.
Han Li flashed to a sandalwood chair and sat down. He closed his eyes, suppressed his aura, and concealed his spiritual energy completely to avoid detection by Miaohe and the others.
He was confident that, having reached the late Core Formation stage, he could evade the spiritual sense of an early Nascent Soul cultivator. But this was still speculation—whether he could truly hide from Miaohe’s detection was uncertain. He could only do his best.
In the main hall, Madame Fan was equally anxious. Though she had spoken with confidence in Han Li’s abilities, she wasn’t entirely sure whether he could eliminate Yun Tianxiao instantly. Although Han Li had demonstrated his skills at the previous exchange meeting, she knew much of that had been due to the element of surprise. Still, she was a shrewd woman. Suppressing her doubts with mental discipline, she sat in the main seat, poured herself a cup of hot tea, and sipped it slowly, using the action to regain her composure.
Soon, footsteps sounded outside the door. Moments later, a scholar and a middle-aged Taoist in a robe adorned with crane patterns entered.
“Senior Miaohe! Elder Yun!” Madame Fan feigned surprise, quickly setting down her teacup and rising to bow first to Miaohe.
Miaohe nodded faintly without a word, maintaining the demeanor of an aloof expert. Meanwhile, Yun Tianxiao scanned the room, his brow furrowing slightly as a hint of suspicion crossed his face.
“Why isn’t Yun Qin here attending to the Sect Leader? Has she grown lazy? I’ll have to teach her a lesson,” Yun Tianxiao said after a slight bow, feigning anger.
“Yun Qin? She…” Madame Fan hesitated, glancing at Miaohe as if unsure whether to speak.
“Sect Leader, Senior Miaohe is no outsider. Speak freely,” Yun Tianxiao said, pretending to be displeased.
“In that case, I’ll be direct. Yun Qin is currently entertaining a rogue cultivator who has a batch of Dream Illusion Stones to sell to our sect. She insisted on negotiating with him personally, so I allowed it,” Madame Fan replied, also feigning annoyance.
“What? Dream Illusion Stones?” Yun Tianxiao, who had been about to speak to Miaohe, shuddered with excitement upon hearing this.
Miaohe’s eyes also gleamed with interest, and he narrowed them slightly.
“Hmph! Elder Yun’s prized disciple insisted on discussing matters alone with him—she wouldn’t even let me, the Sect Leader, observe,” Madame Fan said coldly, as if venting long-suppressed frustration.
“Ahem… Yun Qin has indeed overstepped, but I’m sure she meant no harm. Sect Leader, where are they now? I’m a bit concerned,” Yun Tianxiao said lightly after a dry cough. He then turned to Miaohe and said respectfully, “Senior Miaohe, please wait a moment. After I handle this minor matter, we can continue our discussion.”
“Since Fellow Daoist Yun has urgent business, attend to it first. This humble Taoist will meditate here for a while,” Miaohe said with a faint smile, appearing unconcerned.
Yun Tianxiao was delighted and turned his gaze to Madame Fan.
“Elder Yun, follow me. I’ll show you the way,” Madame Fan said reluctantly, slowly heading toward the side door as if displeased.
Yun Tianxiao, already intoxicated by the news of the Dream Illusion Stones, dismissed his last traces of suspicion and hurried after her.
Miaohe casually watched their retreating figures before finding a chair and sitting down with an air of indifference.
Meanwhile, Yun Tianxiao followed Madame Fan eagerly to the last stone room in the passage. The door was closed.
“We’re here! Discuss matters properly. It’s not like I, the Sect Leader, have any say anyway,” Madame Fan said with a snort, pointing at the door before turning to leave with apparent dissatisfaction.
A cold smile flickered across Yun Tianxiao’s face. Without a second thought, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
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