"I never imagined that in just over a hundred years, Miss Yuan would have actually entered the Core Formation stage. Truly a cause for celebration!" Just as the beauty in black robes was growing exasperated under his gaze, Han Li's smile vanished, and he spoke with perfect seriousness.
"What Miss Yuan? You've got the wrong person. My surname is Ruan." The moment Han Li addressed her as "Miss Yuan," the mortified anger on the black-robed woman's face was instantly banished to the heavens, replaced by a panicked denial.
This turn of events was completely unexpected for Han Li, and he couldn't help but fix his gaze on her somewhat evasive, beautiful eyes.
At this moment, the stunning woman's face had paled slightly, one hand resting on the storage pouch at her side. Her eyes were wide open, openly radiating hostility.
The atmosphere abruptly became tense!
And all of this stemmed from Han Li's utterly ordinary address of "Miss Yuan" moments before.
Han Li still wore a smile, but he was genuinely perplexed inside.
As for the Fairy Zi Ling, the situation before her was even more unexpected.
Without a moment's hesitation, she naturally took a half-step closer to Han Li, making her stance crystal clear.
Regardless of strength or familiarity, Han Li was her obvious choice.
"It seems there may be some misunderstanding here! Fellow Daoist Yuan probably doesn't remember me. After all, we only met briefly once, and that was many years ago." Han Li's expression didn't change as he spoke leisurely.
"A hundred years ago? A brief meeting?"
Hearing this, the black-robed beauty's expression softened slightly, though her eyes still held a trace of wariness, followed by a hint of confusion.
The atmosphere eased considerably!
However, after staring intently at Han Li for a moment, the black-robed beauty still said suspiciously: "You look utterly unfamiliar to me. I truly cannot recall ever meeting you. Are you perhaps trying to deceive me?" As she finished speaking, a cold light flickered in her eyes, and a hint of hostility emerged once more.
Han Li felt caught between laughter and tears.
"Miss Yuan, did you perhaps visit the 'Heavenly Capital Market' on Kui Star Island over a hundred years ago?" He dropped the circumlocution and asked directly.
"The Heavenly Capital Market on Kui Star Island? Yes, I've been there a few times. Is that where you saw me?" The black-robed woman paused in surprise, then recalled and nodded. Her gaze then circled Han Li's face before a thoughtful expression appeared.
At this moment, she seemed to remember something.
"That's right. You were with another Fellow Daoist Yan at the time. You ran into me and my Master Qu right outside the market." When he mentioned Qu Hun, Han Li glanced almost imperceptibly at the Fairy Zi Ling. This woman knew that Qu Hun was his clone.
Sure enough, upon hearing Han Li refer to Qu Hun as his "Master," the Fairy Zi Ling's face took on an enigmatic, half-smiling expression.
Although she didn't know the circumstances at the time, she could guess that Han Li must have been putting on some kind of two-man act. She couldn't help but find it amusing in her heart!
But of course, she had no reason to bring this up unprompted.
And speaking of Qu Hun, the Fairy Zi Ling had long been wondering. Why hadn't Han Li brought this clone with him? It was a formidable asset!
"Listening to you now... I feel I might recognize you. Could you be the other person standing with Senior Qu, who was at the late Foundation Establishment stage, at the entrance to the Heavenly Capital Market?" After blinking her beautiful eyes several times, the black-rosted woman suddenly realized with a look of dawning comprehension.
An expression of disbelief then appeared on her face.
Han Li smiled ruefully!
"Miss Yuan has finally remembered. It seems the impression I made on you back then was rather mediocre!" Han Li said with a chuckle.
Hearing Han Li say this, the black-rosted woman blushed deeply, but since she had recognized that he wasn't the person she feared, she completely relaxed and said somewhat sheepishly: "Fellow Daoist Han, please don't take offense! It's just that at the time, you were truly..." Trailing off, she found it difficult to continue.
But Han Li laughed and picked up the thread: "Was it that my cultivation level and appearance were simply too ordinary, making it hard for two young ladies to spare me a second glance?" Han Li spoke with a perfectly composed expression, showing not a hint of displeasure.
"Fellow Daoist Han, you jest!" Seeing his demeanor, the black-rosted woman felt relieved.