Still, even as
Soul-bewitching techniques weren't something Han Li was particularly skilled in, but he knew a thing or two about them.
The "Heavenly Eye Technique," which every cultivator learned, could actually be considered the most basic form of soul-bewitching spell. If there was a significant gap in magical power between two cultivators, one could use the Heavenly Eye Technique to stare into the other's eyes and potentially cause them to lose their mental composure, leaving them at a disadvantage during a fight.
Even other types of soul-bewitching techniques relied primarily on an overwhelming gap in magical power to forcibly seize control of the opponent's mind.
But judging by the man's demeanor, and that venomous look he wore when he left, that didn't seem to be the case at all! There was no way he was a Core Formation cultivator disguised as a Foundation Establishment cultivator just to toy with them.
Only after turning this over in his mind did Han Li truly feel at ease. After all, that venomous expression the man had worn upon his departure was something he took very seriously.
When he looked up from his thoughts, he happened to see Dong Xuan'er flirting with those two men again — every trace of her earlier pitiful, doe-eyed act had vanished without a sight.
Seeing this, Han Li sighed inwardly, stood up, and headed back to his room.
But just as he placed his palm on the wooden door and was about to push it open, a man's booming voice suddenly rang out from beyond the inn.
"All guests in the inn, listen well! The Treasure Competition tomorrow will be divided into two groups. Cultivators from this kingdom will compete on the mountain peak west of Yanling Fortress, while cultivators from other kingdoms will compete on the eastern peak. All participants are to arrive promptly tomorrow morning. Anyone who fails to appear on time will be considered to have forfeited the competition."
The announcement repeated three times before the speaker finally departed.
Han Li was momentarily taken aback but then paid it no further mind and pushed the door open, returning to his room.
Separating the two kingdoms' cultivators for the competition — Han Li was a bit surprised, but he didn't sense anything particularly wrong with it.
After all, if the Seven Sects' cultivators competed alongside those from other kingdoms, it would inevitably spark all manner of trouble. That kind of xenism was universal. The confrontation in the teahouse the other day was proof enough of that.
As he mused, Han Li sat cross-legged on his bed, preparing to meditate and cultivate his qi through the night — getting ready for tomorrow's Treasure Competition.
…
Inside a certain residence in Yanling Fortress, the eerie, stunningly handsome man sat on a wooden chair. Several men and women stood before him, respectfully reporting something. The man listened with an expressionless face, his eyes occasionally flashing with glints of cold light, and he let out a cold, inexplicable laugh.
…
Meanwhile, on the western peak of Yanling Fortress, over a dozen green-robed figures from the Ghost Spirit Gate were busily working on the hilltop, occasionally burying things in the ground. The Ghost Spirit Gate's young master and two Core Formation cultivators hovered in midair, coldly observing everything below.
"How is it? This temporary Yin Fire Grand Formation has been weakened so much — will it still work?" the Ghost Spirit Gate's young master suddenly asked.
"Rest assured, Young Master! There's absolutely no problem. Although it's only a temporary formation, with us brothers overseeing it, it can still display a fraction of its trapping power. Of course, if there happen to be late Foundation Establishment cultivators inside, or anyone wielding particularly fearsome magical treasures, that would be harder to say! But the vast majority of cultivators will certainly have no ability to escape," said the elder of the Li brothers, coughing a few times in his frail, trembling voice.
"Mm, that puts my mind at ease! The Ghost Spirit Twelve Guards I brought along aren't just sitting idle — with their strength, dealing with a few stragglers will be more than sufficient!" the Ghost Spirit Gate's young master said without a trace of worry.
The Li brothers exchanged a glance and, feeling there was nothing to object to, said nothing more.
In truth, had it not been for the need to preserve the cultivators' souls and primordial spirits intact, the two brothers could have simply struck directly and eliminated a handful of Foundation Establishment cultivators — it would have been child's play. Why go through all this trouble? The Li brothers thought to themselves with quiet pride.