Han Li studied the expressions of the two women, stroked his chin with a thoughtful look, and nodded without saying a word.
One of the female cultivators reached out and touched the wall. A shimmer of green light rippled outward, and a stone door appeared there.
"This junior can only escort the senior this far. I shall take my leave," the old man seized the opportunity and hurriedly withdrew.
Han Li paid him no mind and strode into the room.
Through a short corridor, Han Li stepped into a spacious hall.
Standing in the center of the room, waiting respectfully, was Madam Fan — dressed in a pale green gown with light makeup on her face. A warm, welcoming smile adorned her features.
"This concubine failed to greet the senior from afar. Please forgive my offense." The woman opened her cherry lips, curtsied gracefully with a hundred charming smiles, and then stepped aside to invite Han Li to sit.
Han Li glanced at the sandalwood chair behind her, raised an eyebrow, and sat down without standing on ceremony.
After letting his gaze linger for a moment on her lovely face — with its delicate brows and gentle smile — he said calmly: "It seems Madam is not the least bit worried that I might have come here with ill intentions toward your sect."
"You jest, Senior. With your level of cultivation, why would you trouble a junior like me, who is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage?" Madam Fan glided over with light, lotus-like steps and settled into a seat to Han Li's side, covering her mouth with a soft laugh.
At this moment, the beautiful woman sat barely ten feet from Han Li, and waves of delicate fragrance drifted toward him.
Han Li furrowed his brow slightly but otherwise kept his composure.
However, the moment this enchanting woman sat down, a barely perceptible flicker of surprise crossed her face, and she suddenly began studying Han Li with a peculiar gaze.
A cold glint flashed in Han Li's eyes. Just as he was about to ask what she meant— A young female cultivator with fine, clear features quietly entered, carrying a light reddish-brown tea tray.
She placed a cup of fragrant tea before each of them and then, without being told, took up a position standing behind Madam Fan.
Though Madam Fan's expression appeared unchanged on the surface, a trace of anger flashed through her eyes. She said nothing about it.
Seeing this, Han Li looked at the two women, and something stirred in his mind.
"Has the senior come with a request for our sect? If there is anything within our power to assist with, our sect will certainly do its utmost." Madam Fan held her teacup, took a small sip, and asked with an air of calm composure.
"Since Madam puts it so directly, I, Li, will not beat around the bush. I'd like to know whether the teleportation array back to the inner sea has been completed. I wish to borrow it." Han Li's expression didn't change as he spoke, as though he were mentioning something utterly trivial.
"The teleportation array?" Madam Fan was momentarily taken aback. Then her beautiful eyes shifted thoughtfully a few times, and a smile that wasn't quite a smile appeared on her face.
"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Senior. The array has not been fully completed yet. However, it shouldn't be long now — just a little more time is needed..."
"How long?" Han Li cut her off coldly before she could finish.
"That's hard to say! As you know, Senior, the array is only lacking the Phantom Dream Stones. Last time, Elder Yun and several other seniors ventured to the source of those stones to retrieve some, but they ended up alarming the demon beasts there. After a fierce battle, they managed to bring back only a small amount of the material — and several seniors were lost in the process. With no other choice, Elder Yun has been planning another expedition, and was just about to—" Madam Fan hesitated slightly, set her teacup back on the table, and proceeded to explain.
"Ahem..." The female cultivator standing behind Madam Fan suddenly gave a light cough.
A flash of irritation crossed Madam Fan's lovely face. But then, as if something gave her pause, she fell silent.
Han Li's expression turned odd. He raised his head and gave the young woman a cold stare, making her shrink back and lower her head in fear.
"Since the teleportation array can't be used for the time being, there's no further need for this discussion. I'll take my leave." Han Li considered for a moment, then rose to his feet with no intention of staying.
Seeing this, a complicated expression flickered across Madam Fan's face. After a moment's hesitation, she slowly spoke words that made Han Li pause.
"Though I cannot help you with the teleportation, our sect has always held the deepest respect for all Core Formation seniors. Would the senior consent to rest here for the night and depart tomorrow?"