Chapter 292: Overwhelming Power

Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, and there was no trace of anger in his gaze toward the young girl. However, the chilling aura emanating from him was clearly felt by the old man.

Startled, the old man had no time to pull the girl behind him before an overwhelming pressure burst forth from Han Li. The terrifying spiritual force contained within it forced the girl, who was standing right in front of him, to stagger back seven or eight steps without any ability to resist.

Fortunately, the old man moved swiftly, darting behind the girl and placing his hands on her shoulders to steady her retreating figure.

By now, the girl’s face was as pale as paper. She had finally experienced firsthand the fearsome depth of Han Li’s cultivation and couldn’t help but look panicked toward her grandfather behind her.

The old man’s expression was equally grim!

If before, the old man had held even a sliver of confidence that the two of them could escape Han Li’s grasp together, after witnessing even a fraction of Han Li’s true power, that hope was completely dashed.

The terror of a Foundation Establishment cultivator far exceeded his imagination. They were absolutely not someone minor cultivators like them could afford to provoke.

The thought of the petty tricks he and his granddaughter had just tried to play in front of such an expert made cold sweat pour down the old man’s back.

This expert was definitely not like those dull, reclusive cultivators he had met before! His intelligence and reflexes far surpassed ordinary people.

Could it be that this person was actually a centuries-old monster who merely maintained a youthful appearance through some art?

The more the old man thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and the more fear gripped his heart.

Sensing that the spiritual pressure emanating from Han Li seemed to be growing even stronger, the old man swallowed hard and tremblingly pleaded, “Senior, please show mercy! My granddaughter is just too young and doesn’t know any better. I beg you, calm your anger!”

Han Li cast a cold glance at the old man and, seemingly convinced of his sincerity, withdrew his overwhelming aura in an instant, reverting to his earlier unassuming demeanor.

Only then did the old man, surnamed Xiao, cautiously withdraw his hands from the girl’s shoulders. By now, the young girl was utterly subdued. After stealing a glance at Han Li, she immediately averted her eyes, too afraid to look directly at him again.

Her current demeanor was a world apart from her earlier fearless bravado!

But now, with her petite and delicate frame paired with her extremely frightened, pale face, she looked like a startled little bird, evoking immense pity.

Han Li’s eyes lit up upon seeing her like this. For the first time, he noticed this kind of fragile beauty in a young woman—it was truly captivating and gave him a stunning impression. He couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that although she was young, likely only fourteen or fifteen years old, she was undoubtedly a rare beauty in the making. In all likelihood, she would grow into a peerless enchantress capable of captivating nations.

Perhaps Han Li’s gaze was a bit too peculiar, because when the old man noticed it, his heart sank.

“Could it be that the reason this senior summoned us here is because he has taken a fancy to my granddaughter’s beauty? What should we do? His power is unfathomable—there’s no way I can resist him!” The old man’s thoughts spiraled into anxiety.

“Since the two of you are unwilling to disclose your clan, or perhaps you have no clan and are merely rogue cultivators, I won’t press the matter. The reason I called you here is simply to propose a trade. Once the trade is completed, you may leave.”

After a long silence, Han Li finally spoke.

“A trade?” The old man was stunned, faintly sensing that he might have misunderstood the situation.

“Indeed! I’ve taken a liking to something of yours and would like to make an exchange,” Han Li said calmly.

Hearing this, the old man instinctively glanced at his granddaughter, thinking to himself, “Could it be that what he wants to trade for is my granddaughter?”

But upon second thought, it didn’t seem likely. Aside from that earlier extra glance, Han Li hadn’t looked at his granddaughter again.

Relieved, the old man respectfully said, “What is it that has caught Senior’s eye? If this humble one possesses it, I will naturally offer it sincerely! But I truly cannot imagine what object could possibly be worthy of Senior’s attention.”

The last sentence revealed the old man’s confusion.

Seeing the other party so compliant, Han Li’s expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

“What technique did the two of you use in the hall to conceal your spiritual energy so completely that the Taoist, also at the Qi Refining stage, failed to detect your identities?” Han Li didn’t answer directly but instead asked in a gentler tone.

After demonstrating his overwhelming power, it was only natural to employ a softer approach—using both carrot and stick was the most effective method!

The old man exchanged a doubtful glance with the young girl beside him before hesitantly replying, “Senior, I… I don’t actually know what technique it is.”

Hearing this, Han Li didn’t get angry but continued to gaze calmly at the old man. He knew the other party would surely provide a reasonable explanation.

Sure enough, the old man cautiously continued, “The technique I use comes from an incomplete, nameless Taoist manual. It doesn’t mention the name of this spiritual energy concealment art. My granddaughter and I merely practiced it haphazardly!”

“Nameless Taoist manual? Where did you obtain it? Don’t tell me it’s a family heirloom,” Han Li said with keen interest, a meaningful glint in his eyes.

If this technique were circulated among cultivation clans, the major sects would have long since seized it by fair means or foul. Yet Han Li had never heard of any similar method.

“You have a discerning eye, Senior. This manual was actually discovered by my granddaughter while she was playing in a cave on a desolate, uninhabited mountain. Aside from this energy concealment chant, we couldn’t comprehend any of the other contents. If you desire it, Senior, this humble one will return to our residence to retrieve it and offer it to you!” the old man said with an ingratiating smile.

Han Li looked pleased and said, “Rest assured, I won’t take your things for nothing! The two of you may return first and wait for me at your residence. In the meantime, think about what you would like in exchange—something you feel would be of equal value so you don’t suffer a loss.”

Han Li’s voice was extremely calm. But after speaking, he suddenly raised his hand and extended two fingers. Two pea-sized green lights shot out from his fingertips, vanishing into the bodies of the old man and the young girl in the blink of an eye.

“Senior, what is this…?” The old man was both shocked and furious. He hadn’t expected Han Li to suddenly attack them mid-conversation. Although he didn’t know what those green lights were, he was certain it couldn’t be anything good. The young girl was equally terrified.

“Don’t worry. These are merely two tracking marks. With them, I can accurately locate you. I will remove them for you and your granddaughter when the time comes,” Han Li said indifferently.

Hearing this, the old man breathed a sigh of relief but inwardly sighed bitterly.

This Senior was truly meticulous, leaving no room for them to exploit.

With these marks on them, even if they tried to flee without a word, they likely wouldn’t get far.

However, the old man, surnamed Xiao, was well aware that if Han Li hadn’t taken this precaution, he would have indeed taken his granddaughter and fled immediately.

After all, making a trade with someone who could easily annihilate them was nerve-wracking, especially when the other party seemed so unpredictable. Even if there were heavenly benefits, he would have to consider whether he had the life to enjoy them.

But now, it seemed they had no choice but to go through with the trade. His only hope was that Han Li wouldn’t kill them to silence them after obtaining the manual.

In the short time they had interacted, he still couldn’t discern Han Li’s true nature. He only knew that this person was not only unfathomably powerful but also extremely shrewd—any attempt to cut corners would likely be useless.

“Very well. This humble one and my granddaughter will await Senior’s arrival at our home,” the old man said, feigning composure and speaking respectfully.

“Good. I will come to collect the item tonight. Take care until then.”

As Han Li spoke, his body gradually grew indistinct. By the time he uttered the final word, he had vanished into thin air before their eyes, leaving the spot empty.

Witnessing the mystical and unfathomable technique Han Li displayed upon his departure, the old man surnamed Xiao turned deathly pale, his last vestige of hope utterly shattered.

He weakly called out to the young girl and slowly began retracing their path.

However, the old man failed to notice the look of extreme admiration in his clever granddaughter’s eyes after seeing Han Li’s vanishing act. It was only after he called out to her that she snapped out of her daze and followed.

But as she walked behind her grandfather, the girl frequently glanced back at the spot where Han Li had disappeared, seemingly reluctant to leave.

“Such a small body, yet such a mature mind,” Han Li thought, lightly shaking his head as he coldly watched the two figures depart from his hiding spot in a nearby tree.