"You—"
"Hold on. I'd like to hear what this woman has to say next. As for whether the information is true or false, I'll judge that for myself." Fan Furen's brow furrowed and she was about to speak again, but Han Li's expression darkened as he cut in abruptly.
"Since Junior Niece Wen knows something, it wouldn't hurt to let Fellow Daoist Li ask." A cold glint flickered through Yun Tianxiao's eyes. After a brief pause, he broke into a smile and spoke.
"Very well!" Fan Furen hesitated for a moment, then gave a somewhat reluctant agreement.
"I appreciate it." Han Li didn't stand on ceremony. He gave a slight nod to express his thanks.
This casual attitude brought a barely perceptible shadow across Yun Tianxiao's face, which he quickly concealed.
By now, Han Li had fixed his gaze on Wen Siyue's delicate features and began his questioning.
"Tell me how you came to know the lair of a level-eight demonic beast." Han Li's voice was cool and measured, betraying no hint of joy or displeasure. It made Wen Siyue, who was pressed close to him, show a flicker of hesitation. But then, as if recalling something terrible, her resolve hardened and she spoke: "When I first arrived in the Outer Star Sea, I happened to come across a sea chart that depicted a certain location. At the time, I thought it might be some sort of treasure map, so I sneaked over to investigate. But what I found there was the pup of a 'Stormwind Beast.' Fortunately, the beast was only around level two or three, so it didn't notice me. I was terrified and fled the place immediately. As the senior surely knows, Stormwind Beasts only begin producing offspring once they reach the level-eight stage. They'll continue caring for the young until roughly level five before leaving, so there must be a level-eight Stormwind Beast cohabiting at that lair as well. If the senior is willing to agree to my terms, I'm willing to lead the way." Wen Siyue recounted the experience that had been buried deep in her heart, bit by bit.
Han Li's expression remained unchanged after hearing this, but a trace of excitement flickered in his eyes.
The woman wasn't wrong. A fully mature Stormwind Beast was indeed a genuine level-eight demonic beast. If her account was accurate, then the lair was sure to contain Devil-Attendant Grass.
"I wonder what terms you wish to exchange for the information about this beast's lair," Han Li said in a deep voice after staring at the woman for a long moment, letting out a soft breath.
He trusted that the woman wouldn't be foolish enough to fabricate information to deceive a Core Formation cultivator, so he asked about her conditions directly.
"I would like the senior to take me away from here, and take Siyue as a concubine." Wen Siyue's cheeks flushed slightly, but she answered without the slightest hesitation.
"What?!" Han Li was stunned, surprise plain on his face.
"Siyue, what nonsense are you spouting?!" Fan Furen shot to her feet the instant she heard those words. Her delicate face was a mask of mingled fury and shock.
The other cultivators were equally dumbfounded, though most of them soon adopted amused, watchful expressions, as though eager for a good show. A few even couldn't help chuckling softly.
Sitting to the side, Yun Tianxiao's face sank abruptly, a dark iron-grey hue creeping over his features.
"I didn't hear clearly what conditions you just proposed to Fellow Daoist Li. Say it again." Yun Tianxiao suddenly placed both pale, slender hands flat on the round table, staring at his own ten fingers as he spoke in a flat, cold voice.
The delicate body clinging to Han Li's waist trembled several times. Upon hearing those words, all the color drained from Wen Siyue's face.
However, when her bright eyes fell upon Han Li, whose expression had returned to calm, a measure of courage seemed to stir within her once more.
"I—I want to become this senior's concubine, and from this day leave the Myriad Sound Gate!" Wen Siyue poured every ounce of strength she had into forcing those words out toward Yun Tianxiao. Then she didn't dare look up and lowered her head again.
With a "poof," grey flames half a foot tall erupted from Yun Tianxiao's palms, enveloping both hands and burning furiously.
The eerie grey glow played across his face, which shifted between dark expressions, making him look thoroughly terrifying.
"White Bone Yin Fire," someone murmured in a low voice.
Immediately, all the other Core Formation cultivators who had been laughing moments ago wiped the smiles from their faces, revealing expressions of solemnity.
"Fellow Daoist Li! It appears this woman has been practicing her techniques improperly and has lost her wits. Please don't take her ramblings just now to heart. Guards! Take Wen Siyue away, seal her cultivation, and have her face a wall for half a month!" Yun Tianxiao issued his cold, emotionless orders.
At once, two blue-robed cultivators walked in through the stone gate. Both were at the late Foundation Establishment stage. They made straight for Han Li's side.
Wen Siyue's face went pale instantly. Her gaze as she looked at Han Li was filled with desperate pleading, brimming with a heartbreaking vulnerability.