After exhausting the spirit stones in his pouch, Han Li had managed to gather most of the ingredients for the new ancient formula.
For the remaining shortfall, Han Li gritted his teeth and took the risk of selling two four-hundred-year-old medicinal herbs. After that, he had no choice but to participate in several more missions to hunt down demonic cultivators. Not only did these missions offer substantial spirit stone rewards, but the items found in the enemies’ storage pouches could also be exchanged for even more spirit stones.
Thanks to the power of several talisman treasures and the Great Development Technique, Han Li could escape unscathed even when encountering Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivators. Similarly, if demonic cultivators at the early or mid-stage of Foundation Establishment encountered Han Li, they would inevitably meet their end at his hands without any chance to fight back.
Of course, abnormal individuals like the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect, given their status, would never participate in such operations.
As a result, over the course of the year, Han Li had gained a bit of a reputation among the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the seven sects. Everyone knew that the Yellow Maple Valley had produced a fierce new character. Despite being only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he had successfully ambushed over a dozen demonic cultivators and returned unscathed—a feat considered almost unbelievable.
After using the spirit stones he had obtained to gather the remaining ingredients for the ancient formula, Han Li heard that similar trading posts had been set up in the camps of the other sects. He asked Fatty Chen to keep an eye out for any alchemy formulas, though it seemed there was little hope for now.
Just as Han Li was about to bid farewell and leave, a delicate fragrance wafted past him.
Slightly surprised, Han Li turned his head to look and saw a coldly beautiful female cultivator standing behind him.
Recognizing her captivating face and voluptuous figure, Han Li maintained a calm expression on the surface, but inwardly he felt uneasy. It was actually Junior Sister Chen, with whom he had once shared an intimate encounter. The memory of that fiery, passionate night stirred a peculiar feeling within him.
It had been a long time since they had last seen each other after parting ways in the forbidden area, and he had no idea when she had arrived here.
“Uncle Five, these are the items you requested!” Junior Sister Chen glanced indifferently at Han Li, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, before stepping forward to Fatty Chen and handing him a storage pouch.
“Hehe! Niece Qiaoqian, you’ve arrived just in time. We were urgently waiting for these goods!” Fatty Chen said, his chubby face trembling with joy at the sight of her.
“Uncle Five?” Han Li was stunned by this form of address.
He never would have guessed that the fatty he had known for over half a year was actually Junior Sister Chen’s elder. Given his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, it was clear that he held a relatively high status within the Chen family.
After her initial glance, Junior Sister Chen coldly ignored Han Li, not even sparing him another look. This left Han Li feeling somewhat unsettled.
“Brother Chen, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll visit again another time!” Unwilling to stay any longer, Han Li offered a polite farewell and turned to exit the trading post.
Only after Han Li had left did Chen Qiaoqian coldly glance at his retreating figure. Frowning slightly, she asked Fatty Chen, who was inspecting the storage pouch, “Uncle Five, was that coward here to buy something from you?”
“Coward?” Fatty Chen was taken aback by her words.
“Yes, the guy who was just standing here.”
“You mean… Han Li?” Fatty Chen blinked his small eyes, his face showing an expression of disbelief.
“Yes, him. Is there something wrong with that?” Chen Qiaoqian asked curiously.
During their time in the forbidden area, Han Li had left a poor impression on Junior Sister Chen, who had always regarded him as a lucky opportunist who avoided battles.
Fatty Chen fell silent for a moment before sighing. In a somewhat strange tone, he said, “Qiaoqian, you’ve just arrived here, so there are some things you don’t know. I’m not sure why you think he’s a coward, but your fellow disciple has quite a reputation here! He’s taken down over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators—a formidable figure, far from mediocre. I’ve even been considering recommending him to the family head after this battle concludes. If we can win him over, he would be a significant asset.”
“He’s taken down over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators?” Junior Sister Chen’s cold expression turned to one of shock, unable to believe what she was hearing. She stared blankly toward the trading post entrance, but by then, Han Li had long since left the building.
After exiting the trading post, Han Li pondered for a moment before heading to his master, Li Huayuan’s residence, intending to pay his respects as was customary and fulfill his duties as a disciple.
As a Core Formation cultivator, Li Huayuan’s living quarters were naturally incomparable to those of ordinary cultivators. He resided in an extremely comfortable house at the center of the great formation, with his young wife naturally living alongside him.
Among Han Li’s seven senior brothers, only the eldest remained behind at Green Wave Cave, while the others were away on missions. The only ones present here were Han Li and his fourth senior brother, Song Meng.
On the first day Han Li arrived, when he went to pay his respects to Li Huayuan, his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation shocked his master. After all, it had only been a few years since Han Li had successfully built his foundation.
Under normal circumstances, even cultivators with excellent aptitudes would take over a decade to advance from the early to mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Han Li’s rapid progress naturally piqued Li Huayuan’s curiosity.
After examining Han Li’s body without finding any clues, Li Huayuan questioned him about the reason for his swift advancement.
Han Li, of course, did not reveal the truth. Instead, he feigned ignorance, leaving Li Huayuan frustrated for a while before eventually dropping the matter. After all, with enemies at their doorstep, Li Huayuan had little time to dwell on it.
As for the Yan family’s betrayal and Dong Xuan’er’s capture, both Li Huayuan and Hong Fu already knew. While they were extremely angered, they did not blame Han Li excessively. Given the overwhelming strength of the enemy, it was already a miracle that Han Li had managed to escape with his life.
Lost in thought, Han Li soon arrived outside Li Huayuan’s residence.
To his surprise, his fourth senior brother, Song Meng, was standing outside with his arms crossed, looking exceptionally alert, as if standing guard.
When Song Meng saw Han Li, a smile appeared on his face, and he said in a deep voice, “Junior Brother Han, here to pay respects to Master again?”
Han Li responded with a light laugh.
Since Han Li had gained fame, this Senior Brother Song had insisted on sparring with him in private. Although Han Li had narrowly won thanks to his superior magical tools, the two had gradually grown closer, and their relationship as senior and junior brothers had become more amicable.
“Junior Brother Han, Master is currently discussing matters with a few guests. Let’s wait outside for a while. By the way, my cultivation has improved slightly recently. How about a sparring match later?” Song Meng explained with a smile before issuing an invitation that gave Han Li a headache.
Ever since his defeat, Song Meng had repeatedly asked Han Li for rematches. However, Han Li was unwilling to reveal his true capabilities and consistently refused.
If they were back at Yellow Maple Valley, Senior Brother Song would not have been so easily dissuaded. Fortunately, here, there were many powerful cultivators, providing Song Meng with plenty of opponents. After several failed attempts to persuade Han Li, Song Meng grew impatient and sought out others instead.
This was a relief to Han Li. Hearing Song Meng’s latest proposal, Han Li forced a bitter smile and carefully avoided committing to anything.
However, Han Li was curious about the guests inside with Li Huayuan.
Given that Song Meng had used the word “discussing,” it was likely that the people inside were Core Formation cultivators. Just as Han Li was about to probe Song Meng for information, the tightly shut door suddenly opened, and several male and female cultivators emerged, followed by Li Huayuan and his wife, who saw them off with clasped hands.
As expected, they were all Core Formation cultivators! Han Li could clearly see four men and three women, each with unfathomable cultivation levels.
He and Song Meng quickly stepped aside, standing respectfully to let them pass.
Li Huayuan noticed Han Li and smiled slightly but paid him no further mind. The other cultivators also glanced at Han Li but mostly dismissed him after a quick look. A mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was hardly worth their attention.
However, one tall, elegantly built female cultivator, her face veiled, paused after glancing at Han Li. Her bright autumn eyes flickered with an indescribable, complex emotion.
“Fairy Nangong, have you met my humble disciple before?” The other cultivators noticed the female cultivator’s unusual reaction and looked at her with curiosity. Li Huayuan, especially puzzled, asked the question.
The words “Fairy Nangong” struck Han Li’s ears like a thunderclap, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within him.
Though he managed to keep his expression neutral, he couldn’t help but glance at the female cultivator.
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