After spending most of the spirit stones in his pocket, Han Li had managed to gather the majority of the raw materials needed for the ancient formula. For the remaining shortfall, he gritted his teeth and sold two four-hundred-year-old herbs, but beyond that, his only option was to participate in more missions to hunt down demonic cultivators. Not only did these missions earn a considerable bounty in spirit stones, but the contents of the enemy storage pouches could be exchanged for even more.
With several talisman treasures in hand and the power of the Great Derivation Art, Han Li could safely extricate himself even when encountering late Foundation Establishment cultivators. Likewise, early or mid Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators who crossed paths with Han Li stood no chance and perished at his hands.
Of course, someone as monstrous as the young master of Ghost Spirit Gate — a Foundation Establishment cultivator of such terrifying caliber — would never participate in such operations given his status.
As a result, over the course of that year, Han Li had actually gained a small reputation among the Seven Sects' Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Everyone knew that Yellow Maple Valley had produced a ruthless newcomer who was only at mid Foundation Establishment, yet had successfully ambushed more than a dozen demonic cultivators and escaped unscathed each time — an feat considered nothing short of incredible.
Using the spirit stones he had earned, Han Li gathered the remaining ingredients for the ancient formula. Hearing that the camps of the other sects also had similar trading posts established, he asked Fatty Chen to keep an eye out for any pill formulas on his behalf. But it seemed there was no luck in that regard.
Just as Han Li was about to bid farewell and leave, a waft of fragrance suddenly swept past him.
He turned his head in mild surprise to find a strikingly cold and beautiful female cultivator approaching from behind.
Upon taking in that captivating face and that full, graceful figure, Han Li's expression remained unchanged on the surface, but his heart began to race with unease. It was none other than Junior Sister Chen — the woman with whom he had once shared an intimate encounter. The moment he recalled that passionate, scandalous night, a strange feeling welled up inside him.
Truth be told, ever since their parting in the forbidden grounds, he and this woman had not seen each other for quite some time. He had no idea when she had arrived at this place as well.
"Fifth Uncle, here is what you asked for!"
Junior Sister Chen gave Han Li a cool, detached glance. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes before she stepped forward to Fatty Chen and handed over a storage pouch.
"Hehe! Qiaoqian, niece — you've arrived just in time! We're urgently waiting for this batch of goods!" Fatty Chen's face lit up with delight upon seeing Junior Sister Chen, the fat on his face jiggling as he spoke.
"Fifth Uncle?"
Han Li was stunned for a long while by Fatty Chen's address!
He had never imagined that this man he had come to know for the better part of a year was actually Junior Side Chen's elder. Given his mid Foundation Establishment cultivation, he must surely hold a position of considerable standing within the Chen family.
Apart from that initial glance at Han Li, Junior Sister Chen remained cold and indifferent, not casting so much as a sideways look in his direction. This left Han Li feeling rather unpleasant.
"Brother Chen, I shall take my leave now. I'll come again another time!" Han Li had no wish to linger any longer. After politely excusing himself, he turned and walked toward the exit of the trading post.
It was only then that Chen Qiaoqian cast a cold glance at Han Li's retreating back, her delicate brows furrowing as she addressed Fatty Chen, who was busy inspecting the storage pouch.
"Fifth Uncle, did that coward come here to buy things from you?"
"Coward?"
Fatty Chen was left momentarily bewildered by Chen Qiaoqian's words.
"Mm, the fellow who was just standing here."
"You mean... Han Li?" Fatty Chen blinked his small eyes. A look of disbelief surfaced on his round face.
"That's the one. Is something wrong?" Chen Qiaoqian asked, somewhat puzzled.
During their expedition to the forbidden grounds, Han Li had left anything but a good impression on this Junior Sister Chen. She had always regarded him as a lucky opportunist who avoided battle at every turn.
Fatty Chen fell silent for a moment. Then he sighed, his tone turning somewhat peculiar.
"Qiaoqian, you've just arrived here and there are things you don't yet understand. I don't know why you think this fellow is a coward, but your fellow disciple here has quite the reputation! He has eliminated over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators in succession — he's a formidable figure, absolutely not someone mediocre. I've even been thinking of recommending him to the clan head once this war is over. If we could bring him under our wing, it would be no small help!"
"He killed over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators?" Junior Side Chen's face, normally cold and detached, now showed visible shock. She could hardly believe what she had heard.
She stood there in a daze, gazing toward the entrance of the trading post, but by then Han Li had already walked out of the building.
After leaving the trading post, Han Li pondered briefly before heading toward Master Li Huayuan's residence, intending to pay his customary respects and fulfill his duties as a disciple.
As a Core Formation cultivator, Li Huayuan's quarters naturally could not be compared with those of ordinary cultivators! He resided in an exceptionally comfortable dwelling at the heart of the great formation, and naturally his wife lived there with him.
Of Han Li's seven senior brothers, only the eldest was still stationed at Emerald Wave Cave. The others all had assignments elsewhere. The only ones remaining here were Han Li and Fourth Senior Brother Song Meng.
However, on the very first day Han Li arrived and went to pay respects to Li Huayuan, his mid Foundation Establishment cultivation had shocked this master of his greatly!
After all, it had been only a few years since Han Li had achieved Foundation Establishment. Under normal circumstances, even a cultivator with outstanding talent would need more than ten years to progress from early to mid stage. Han Li's meteoric advancement naturally piqued Li Huayuan's curiosity.
After examining Han Li's body and finding nothing amiss, he questioned him about the reason for his rapid progress.
Han Li naturally would not reveal the truth, so he put on a bewildered act of not understanding it himself. After leaving Li Huayuan frustrated for a while, the matter was ultimately set aside. After all, with a powerful enemy looming, he had no mind to spend too much time delving into this matter.
Regarding the Yan family's defection and Dong Xuaner falling into enemy hands, both Li Huayuan and Hong Fu were already aware. Beyond their extreme anger, they had not overly blamed Han Li.
After all, the enemy's strength had been overwhelming. The fact that Han Li had managed to escape with his life was already no small feat.
As Han Li was lost in thought, he had already arrived outside Li Huayuan's residence!
To his surprise, Fourth Senior Brother Song Meng was standing outside the door with his arms crossed over his chest, looking unusually spirited — as if standing guard on sentry duty.
Song Meng caught sight of Han Li, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face. He spoke in a deep voice.
"Junior Brother Han, here to pay respects to Master again?"
Han Li chuckled softly and gave a brief "Mm."
Truth be told, ever since Han Li had gained renown, this Senior Brother Song had insisted on sparring with him in private. Although Han Li had narrowly won by relying on his superior artifacts, the two had gradually grown closer and their relationship as fellow disciples had become much more cordial, with frequent conversation and laughter.
"Junior Brother Han, Master is currently discussing matters with several guests. Please wait outside for a while!" Song Meng explained with a smile, but then immediately proposed an invitation that made Han Li's head ache.
Ever since his defeat at Han Li's hands, this Senior Brother Song would periodically challenge him to another spar. But Han Li would never willingly reveal the extent of his abilities, so he firmly refused each time.
Back at Yellow Maple Valley, this Senior Brother Song would not have been so easily deterred! Fortunately, there were many powerful cultivators here with no shortage of opponents. After several futile attempts to badger Han Li, Song Meng had grown impatient and sought out others instead.
This had finally given Han Li some relief!
So now, hearing that last remark from Song Meng, Han Li could only smile bitterly, making sure not to readily respond to the challenge.
However, Han Li had grown somewhat curious about the guests who were with Li Huayuan.
After all, for Song Meng to use the word "discussing," it meant the people inside were most likely Core Formation cultivators as well. Just as he was about to probe Song Meng for more information, the tightly shut door suddenly opened, and several male and female cultivators stepped out.
Li Huayuan and his wife followed closely behind, cupping their hands in farewell.
Indeed, they were all Core Formation cultivators! Han Li could see it clearly — four men and three women, each one possessing unfathomably deep cultivation.
He and Song Meng dared not block the way and quickly stepped aside, standing at attention on either side!
Li Huayuan spotted Han Li immediately. He gave a faint smile but otherwise paid him no further attention. The other cultivators also noticed Han Li, but most simply glanced over him without a second thought. After all, a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator was hardly worth their notice.
Yet one of them — a female cultivator with a tall, perfect figure and a veil covering her face — after sweeping her gaze across Han Li, suddenly froze in her tracks. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes flashed with an expression that was difficult to discern.
"Has Fairy Nangong met my disciple before?"
When the other cultivators noticed this female cultivator's unusual reaction, they looked at her with slight surprise. Li Huayuan, feeling most puzzled, spoke up to ask.
The moment the words "Fairy Nangong" reached Han Li's ears, his heart skipped a beat, as if a plate of five flavors had been overturned — every emotion imaginable surged through him at once.
Though he struggled to keep his expression unchanged, he could not help but steal a glance at this female cultivator.