“Ice Fiend, it’s not that you have a grudge against someone and want to stir me up to fight Ye Snake, is it?” The bald man glared, speaking with clear annoyance.
“Hehe! How could that be! Didn’t you want to see the Sect Leader? Now is the perfect time. The Sect Leader has just finished the blood sacrifice and hasn’t started refining qi yet!” The white figure, though having its intentions exposed, casually brushed it off and changed the subject.
The bald man knew the other was being insincere but could only snort and stride into the darkness.
After turning several corners and passing through six or seven courtyards, the man arrived near an extremely remote, massive rock garden. A look of reverence began to show on his face.
“Subordinate Iron Luo pays respects to the Sect Leader!” the man shouted, bowing deeply.
“Iron Luo! How were you injured?” a magnetic, middle-aged voice echoed from the base of the rock garden. The fact that the Black Fiend Sect Leader’s secluded cultivation spot was beneath the rock garden was something Han Li and the others would never have expected.
“Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. I merely used the Transformation Demon Art and expended some vitality,” the bald man replied carefully upon hearing the Sect Leader’s question.
After the man finished speaking, the Sect Leader did not respond immediately. Only after a long pause did he say quietly, “It seems the mission failed this time. Otherwise, my nominal disciple should have returned with you to report.”
“Please forgive me, Sect Leader. I failed to protect them. Both the Young Master and Guardian Wang have fallen into enemy hands. I am willing to accept any punishment from the Sect Leader!” the man said through gritted teeth, his face filled with shame.
“Punishment? Why should I punish you? Since you even used the Transformation Demon Art, it shows the enemies this time were indeed too powerful. It wasn’t due to any lack of effort on your part. Losing one disciple and one guardian is no great matter. But if you had fallen into enemy hands, that would have truly given me a headache!”
“Thank you for your leniency, Sect Leader. I will devote myself fully to serving you from now on to make up for this failure!”
The Black Fiend Sect Leader was very skilled at winning people’s loyalty. With just a few words, he had moved the bald man deeply, who immediately vowed his utmost devotion.
“Good, very good! Now, tell me about the battle. I want to know which sect’s cultivator was so formidable!” The Sect Leader, though pleased with the man’s words, was still very interested in hearing about Han Li.
“As you command!” the man responded promptly.
“The Foundation Establishment cultivator we were trying to capture used a very peculiar technique. He could control puppet-like mechanism beasts, and they were quite powerful. At that time…” The bald man recounted his battle with Han Li and the process of demon transformation when he realized the situation was turning against him.
After the man finished, silence fell around the rock garden. The Black Fiend Sect Leader seemed to be pondering something.
After a while, his calm, unruffled voice spoke again.
“Based on your description, the puppets controlled by this cultivator should be the Thousand Bamboo Sect’s puppet technique. He might be a cultivator from the Thousand Bamboo Sect. Some time ago, I heard that a group from the Thousand Bamboo Sect had appeared in the Yuan Wu Kingdom. He might be one of them. However, it was wise of you to rely on your instincts and flee immediately after transforming. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here speaking with me now,” the Black Fiend Sect Leader said indifferently.
“Really? Even if he was using a Treasure Talisman, I don’t believe my transformed demon body couldn’t withstand it. If I hadn’t lost control of my demon form after transforming, I would have tested myself against him! Even if I couldn’t defeat him, I could have retreated unscathed!” the man said somewhat defiantly.
“Iron Luo, I know you once withstood a Treasure Talisman attack unharmed, but the power of Treasure Talismans varies greatly. Even those refined from the same magic treasure can have vastly different potency. Based solely on the phenomenon you described, I can determine that your current demon form still couldn’t withstand a single strike from that Treasure Talisman. If it were Green Pattern’s Wood Demon form, there might be some chance,” the Black Fiend Sect Leader explained with what seemed like a gentle laugh.
“Thank you for your guidance, Sect Leader!” Though still somewhat skeptical, the man obediently expressed his gratitude.
“Sect Leader, how should we deal with these cultivators? Since they aren’t disciples of the Seven Sects, should the four Blood Servants mobilize together to capture this person alive for your cultivation purposes?” the bald man said eagerly, clearly intending to seek revenge on Han Li.
“No need! Calling him a Thousand Bamboos Sect cultivator is merely speculation. We can’t be certain, and he might have accomplices. I am at a critical stage in my secluded cultivation and don’t want to provoke powerful enemies. Recently, restrict the sect members in the capital to remain within the imperial palace. All matters will wait until my technique is perfected! Even without Foundation Establishment cultivators for blood sacrifice, it will only delay things by a few months. By then, except for Core Formation cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators will be beneath my notice.” As he spoke, the originally calm tone of the Black Fiend Cult Leader carried a hint of excitement.
The Black Fiend Sect Leader’s thoughts unexpectedly aligned with Han Li’s predictions.
“Congratulations on your impending success, Sect Leader. I will immediately arrange for sect disciples to increase vigilance in the imperial palace to ensure no one disturbs you,” the man said obsequiously.
“Good, go make the arrangements.” After saying this, the Black Fiend Sect Leader seemed tired and no further sounds came through. The bald man respectfully retreated several steps before turning to leave.
The place once again became an inconspicuous corner of the cold palace.
…
Time flew by. More than half a month had passed since Han Li sent out the new intelligence he had obtained.
During this period, both the Black Fiend Sect and Han Li had coincidentally gone into hiding.
The Black Fiend Sect did not mobilize extensively to search for Han Li’s hiding place, and Han Li did not dare to recklessly break into the imperial palace. Both sides acted calmly and restrainedly, as if nothing had happened between them.
Moreover, the demonic path cultivators who should have appeared long ago showed no signs of activity, which greatly relieved Han Li.
His worst fear—that the Black Fiend Sect and the demonic path would collude and cause trouble together—had not materialized. Han Li couldn’t help but feel secretly relieved.
According to Han Li’s calculations, even if Li Huayuan sent people, it would take at least ten more days for the fastest arrival. So he was in no hurry, spending his days intensifying his cultivation and avoiding unnecessary outings. Following Han Li’s hints, Qin Yan had also recently declined all invitations to go out, staying within the residence and enjoying some family time.
But this morning, as Han Li was meditating and refining qi on his bed, he suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes, revealing a cold glint.
“Which fellow Daoist is visiting? Stop lurking around and show yourself!”
After coldly saying this, Han Li slapped his storage pouch, and the White Scale Shield flew out, hovering in the air to block in front of him. At the same time, he held a Fire Cloud Talisman in his hand, looking as if facing a great enemy.
The reason for Han Li’s extreme vigilance was his alarming discovery of three or four Foundation Establishment cultivators lurking near his door. Although they were using techniques to conceal their auras, Han Li, who practiced the nameless chant, could faintly sense their presence.
In shock, Han Li wondered, had the Black Fiend Sect’s four Blood Servants arrived simultaneously?
As soon as this thought emerged, Han Li inwardly lamented and immediately planned to flee. As for the Meng Mountain Four Friends and the people of the Qin residence, Han Li couldn’t afford to care about them anymore; they would have to fend for themselves.
While Han Li’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, instead of the expected barrage of magical instruments and techniques, a clear, bright laugh came from outside.
“Haha! What did I say? I told you guys you couldn’t hide from Junior Brother’s perception! Junior Brother has already reached the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Don’t show off your meager skills in front of Junior Brother Han.”
Han Li found this voice very familiar. With a stir in his heart, he called out in response, “Is that Senior Brother Song? Junior Brother greets you!”
Han Li’s voice was full of pleasant surprise.
“Junior Brother, you guessed right away!” The owner of the voice swaggered into Han Li’s room—it was Fourth Senior Brother Song Meng.
Behind him stood two other men and a woman. Apart from the handsome young man who wore a stern expression, the other pair smiled as they looked at Han Li.
The scholarly-looking man said with a smile, “Eighth Junior Brother, I’ve long heard about you from Master. It’s a pity Seventh Junior Sister and I never had the chance to meet you! Now we finally get to see you in person. But to reach mid Foundation Establishment so quickly—tsk tsk—it’s truly beyond words.”
The elegant woman standing beside him covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, her bright eyes curiously examining Han Li.
Hearing this and seeing the appearances of the man and woman, Han Li immediately realized who they were. He quickly got out of bed and said respectfully, “You must be Third Senior Brother and Seventh Senior Sister! Junior Brother has long heard of your esteemed names but never had the chance to meet you! As for cultivation, Senior Brother already reached mid Foundation Establishment long ago. How could my humble progress compare?”
Han Li’s words, full of sincerity, left a good impression on the Third Senior Brother.
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