As if sensing Han Li's hostility and the wariness on his face, the sky-obscuring dark clouds began to spin rapidly, contracting toward their center. In an instant, black qi rolled and demonic energy surged.
Han Li's heart clenched. He was on the verge of giving in to the urge to have his puppets strike first when Xuan Gu's icy voice reached his ears.
"Don't be rash, boy. He's just trying to intimidate you — he hasn't truly set his mind on killing you. Wait and see what this traitorous disciple actually wants from you first!"
Xuan Gu's voice transmission stunned Han Li for a moment, then clarity dawned.
He forced down the impulse and asked, his tone neither servile nor overbearing:
"Patriarch Ji Yin graces me with his presence. May I ask what guidance he has for this junior?"
Han Li's voice was low and calm.
"You can still remain so composed after taking a blow from me. It seems you have quite the nerve." From the dark clouds above came Patriarch Ji Yin's answer — words that left Han Li unsure whether they were a compliment or a slight.
"If a Nascent Soul stage cultivator like yourself truly wished to eliminate me, Senior, what difference would it make whether I was bold or timid?" Han Li furrowed his brows ever so slightly, but his expression quickly returned to normal.
Knowing that Xuan Gu hadn't gone far and was concealed nearby, he felt somewhat reassured. If he and this old devil — who knew the weaknesses of the Mysterious Yin Grand Technique — joined forces, it might not be impossible to fight back. Of course, that was on the premise that Xuan Gu would actually lend a hand during his confrontation with Ji Yin. On that point, Han Li had absolutely no confidence. Therefore, he had no intention whatsoever of provoking his opponent.
At that moment, the black clouds above finally converged into one.
After flashing several times, with a soft "poof," the clouds dissipated and the mist scattered, revealing a middle-aged man and a short, ugly young man floating in the air — Patriarch Ji Yin and Wu Chou.
"Your name is Han Li, a rogue cultivator in Heavenly Star City. Am I correct?" The middle-aged man regarded Han Li with keen interest.
"That's right. I am indeed Han Li. It seems Senior knows quite a bit about me." Han Li showed a trace of bitter resignation as he spoke.
"Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble, nor am I here to take my anger out on you over the Wonderful Sound Gate incident. That attack just now was simply because I found that formation somewhat in the way, so I dismantled it." Patriarch Ji Yin smiled faintly, his tone indifferent.
*Some formation in the way! He just wanted to use his overwhelming power to intimidate me!* Han Li thought, seeing through it perfectly. But outwardly, he asked with a measure of deference:
"Then what brings Senior here?"
He knew the other was waiting for exactly this question, but Han Li had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask.
Hearing this, Patriarch Ji Yin let out a chuckle and looked Han Li up and down with those penetrating eyes, staring until Han Li's skin crawled.
"Do you recognize this?" Patriarch Ji Yin suddenly turned his palm over, revealing a small whitish object, his face turning stern.
Before Han Li could get a clear look, he tossed it lightly, and the object flew straight toward him.
A flicker of suspicion crossed Han Li's face. When the object reached him, he swept his sleeve forward, caught it in the fabric, and carefully brought it before his eyes.
It was small and fragmentary. But Han Li recognized it at a glance.
It was a segment of pristine white spider silk, spat out by the Blood Jade Spider.
Han Li froze, puzzled as to why the other would possess this. But after a moment's thought, he immediately recalled the battle at the Hidden Evil Gate — when he'd broken through the encirclement, he had used the Blood Jade Spider against the blocking corpse creature. The other must have obtained it then.
What was the purpose behind asking about this? Han Li's expression shifted subtly as a flood of suspicions rushed through his mind.
However, the other wasn't going to give him time to deliberate. After a brief pause, he answered honestly:
"This junior certainly recognizes it. It is the silk web spun by my spirit beast. Did Senior come here because of this?"
Han Li wore a face full of suspicion, as though he still wasn't quite convinced.
But Patriarch Ji Yin, upon hearing this, broke into a smile.
"Good, very good! The reason I sought you out this time was precisely to see your spirit beast. Release it and let this Patriarch take a look!" Patriarch Ji Yin's voice carried a note of excitement, turning remarkably gentle.
But Han Li's wariness surged dramatically.
Because within that smile, he had caught a glimpse of well-concealed greed — a look that vanished in the blink of an eye.
Yet the fact that a Nascent Soul stage cultivator could show such an expression toward his Blood Jade Spider was, to say the least, an ominous sign.
Despite the unease churning inside him, under Patriarch Ji Yin's gaze, Han Li hesitated only briefly before gritting his teeth and uttering a single word:
"Very well."