“No, seven or eight years ago, I was helping Senior Brother Ma tend the herb garden. Wasn’t the Bloody Trial also around that time? Why do you ask, Senior Sister Chen?” Han Li looked up and replied calmly, even managing to show a hint of curiosity on his face.
Chen Qiaoqian’s face instantly turned pale. After biting her red lips, she said stiffly, “No? But I remember Junior Brother Han happened to go out once back then, and the timing seems just right!”
“Oh, at that time, I was preparing for the Bloody Trial, so I went out to purchase some magical tools and talismans. But nothing unusual happened,” Han Li denied composedly.
Hearing this, Chen Qiaoqian fell silent for a long while. She just stared coldly at Han Li, making him feel uneasy under her gaze.
“If that’s the case, there’s nothing more to say! You may leave, Junior Brother. I want to be alone for a while.” A barely noticeable flicker of disappointment crossed Chen Qiaoqian’s face as she gently turned away, her voice filled with weariness.
Han Li sighed inwardly, knowing that whether she believed him or not, Senior Sister Chen would not bother him again. His intention to keep his distance was something she, with her pride, would surely understand. Given her nature, she would not take the initiative to seek him out again.
“Senior Sister, I take my leave then!” Han Li cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave the garden without hesitation.
Only after Han Li’s figure had completely disappeared did Chen Qiaoqian turn around and gaze in the direction of the garden gate with a complex expression. She murmured softly, “If it wasn’t you, then who else? Back then, you were the only one in the valley with that strength who happened to be away, Junior Brother Han!”
After saying this, she gracefully walked over to a blooming peony, reached out with her jade-like fingers, and gently plucked the vibrant flower. She brought it to her nose and took a light sniff.
Surrounded by the fragrant scent, Chen Qiaoqian lost herself in deep thought.
Han Li walked out of the garden and let out a long sigh. Shaking his head, he briskly returned to the hall. The others were surprised to see him back so quickly, but no one was tactless enough to ask about what had happened.
Even if someone made a few jokes about Han Li and Chen Qiaoqian, Han Li simply laughed them off without a care, showing no unusual expression on his face.
Not long after, Chen Qiaoqian also returned. Her expression was normal as she sat back down next to Zhong Weiniang and continued whispering with her.
Seeing this, the others naturally felt it inappropriate to joke about the two anymore and quickly shifted the topic back to the upcoming battle against the Black Fiend Cult.
Time flew by, and the day soon passed.
The cultivators from Yellow Maple Valley had already returned to their rooms to prepare for the upcoming battle.
Although everyone felt that their side, with its greater number of Foundation Establishment cultivators, held the upper hand and victory should be assured, they all remained extremely cautious. After all, no one would carelessly risk their lives.
However, the thought of the many benefits they could gain after destroying the Black Fiend Cult’s stronghold made it hard for them to contain their excitement.
Normally, these people rarely had the chance to openly besiege Foundation Establishment cultivators—except when fighting demonic cultivators in life-or-death struggles where their heads were on the line.
This time, the Black Fiend Cult had more than one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Surely, they would be able to acquire plenty of valuable materials and fine magical tools! This was especially true for those who had come to assist Senior Sister Chen—most of them had come precisely for this reason.
Otherwise, who would come here to risk their lives for nothing but empty words about eliminating evil cultivators?
Han Li was also in his room, quietly inspecting several puppet beasts. The Meng Mountain Four stood respectfully before him, clearly looking to him as their leader.
Since Han Li’s fellow disciples had arrived, the dark-faced old man had tried to cozy up to these Foundation Establishment cultivators, hoping to gain some benefits.
However, whether it was Song Meng and the others or the later arrivals like Senior Sister Chen, none of them paid any attention to a Qi Condensation loose cultivator like the dark-faced old man. After a few dismissive words, they sent him and his companions away. This made them realize that not every Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Seven Great Sects was willing to associate with them, and they grew even more reverent toward Han Li.
“For this battle against the Black Fiend Cult, whether we win or lose, there’s no need for you all to participate. It would be best for you to leave the capital overnight and lay low for a while,” Han Li said indifferently as a white light flashed, and the puppet beasts in his hands were stored away in his pouch.
“But Senior, how can we retreat at such a critical moment?” the dark-faced old man hurriedly spoke on behalf of the others.
“This isn’t about retreating or not. The truth is, you simply won’t be of any help. Joining the fight recklessly would only mean throwing your lives away. Here are a few high-grade magical tools—take one each. Consider it a parting gift from me, your senior.” Han Li shook his head and smiled faintly.
With that, he waved his sleeve, and several gleaming, exquisite magical tools appeared on the table.
Han Li was not lacking in extra top-grade magical tools; in fact, he had quite a few. After all, he had killed many Foundation Establishment cultivators, and his collection was impressive.
However, he had no intention of giving such items to these people. A few high-grade magical tools were already generous gifts for Qi Condensation loose cultivators. If he were to give them top-grade tools, it might only fuel their greed, making it harder for him to subdue them in the future.
Sure enough, the Meng Mountain Four were overjoyed at the sight of the magical tools. They repeatedly expressed their gratitude and promised that if Han Li ever needed their help in the future, he need only come to Meng Mountain to find them. They would be more than willing to serve him.
Having heard the commitment he wanted, Han Li went the extra mile to show them respect by personally escorting them out of Yuejing City. This gesture made them even more grateful.
However, before leaving, the dark-faced old man suddenly pulled Han Li aside privately and said cautiously, “Senior, will Fifth Sister not be appearing in the Black Fiend Cult? Senior need not say anything—we brothers are already well aware of the situation. Even Fourth Brother has likely guessed most of it. But none of us have spoken about it openly. After all, Fifth Sister is already too deeply entangled. It might be better if she never appears before us brothers again.” After saying these meaningful words, the old man seemed to have unburdened himself of a heavy weight. He bid Han Li farewell with a respectful demeanor and left.
Han Li stood in place, watching the figures of the Meng Mountain Four gradually fade into the distance, pondering the implications of the dark-faced old man’s final words.
A moment later, Han Li suddenly chuckled to himself and gracefully returned to the city.
…
By the time he returned to the Qin residence, it was already dark. The Yellow Maple Valley group was gathered in the hall, ready to depart, but Han Li was surprised to find that Third Senior Brother was not among them.
Han Li couldn’t help but ask Song Meng, who was polishing a blue longsword magical tool, “Fourth Senior Brother, where is Third Senior Brother?”
“Senior Brother Liu went to try persuading Sixth Junior Brother again. If Junior Brother Wu agrees to join us, we’ll have a better chance in tonight’s battle. But in my opinion, Senior Brother Liu is wasting his time! If that kid Wu Xuan were willing to help, he wouldn’t have left in the first place!” Song Meng replied without looking up.
“He went to find Sixth Senior Brother?” Han Li frowned. Just as he was about to ask for more details, Liu Jing returned alone from outside with a strange expression on his face.
“Junior Brother Liu, is your Junior Brother Wu still unwilling to come? If so, forget it. Whether he comes or not makes no difference. The nine of us are more than enough to handle the Black Fiend Cult,” said the eldest-looking male disciple among Senior Sister Chen’s group dismissively.
“If only it were that simple! The problem is, when I went there, I didn’t even see Junior Brother Wu!” Liu Jing forced a bitter smile and spoke slowly.
Everyone, including Han Li, was taken aback.
“What happened, Senior Brother Liu? Wasn’t that coward staying at a nearby inn? Did he check out early and return to the sect?” Zhong Weiniang blinked her large eyes and guessed.
“No! I asked the innkeeper. Junior Brother Wu went out yesterday morning and never returned. His change of clothes is still in the inn, untouched. It doesn’t seem like he returned to the valley,” Liu Jing shook his head, his voice filled with concern.
Hearing this, the others began discussing among themselves, but no one could figure out what had happened.
However, Han Li privately wondered, “Could it be that Wu Xuan was unlucky enough to be captured by the Black Fiend Cult?”
Perhaps Liu Jing had the same thought. He glanced at the sky outside and decisively said, “We’ll deal with Junior Brother Wu’s matter later. For now, let’s set out! We must succeed in this battle and completely eradicate the Black Fiend Cult!”
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