Han Li was left speechless. The world truly held no shortage of strangeness — there were actually people who could identify someone by their aura alone.
Running into a situation like this, Han Li could only sigh at his own bad luck. Still, he didn't let any hint of panic show on his face.
As long as it wasn't some monster like the Bearded Man or Feng Xi who'd shown up, there were precious few people he needed to fear given his current cultivation level and his treasures.
This woman had witnessed his power firsthand and had come to meet him alone for a private talk. She clearly had her own agenda.
With that thought, Han Li said in an indifferent tone: "Since Madam has already recognized me, I won't waste time denying it. But should I address you as Left Envoy Fan, or Sect Master Fan now?"
"It seems the Senior doesn't approve of me taking the position of Misty Sound Sect's master. But perhaps you're not aware — if I hadn't followed the Demonic Dao cultivators' orders back then, the Misty Sound Sect would likely have vanished from the Scattered Star Seas long ago. I'll admit I did have some ambition for the sect master's throne, but back then it was mostly a choice born of desperation." Fan Furen's face brightened for a moment at Han Li's words, then she smiled bitterly as she explained.
"There's no need to tell me any of this, Madam. I have no interest whatsoever in who leads the Misty Sound Sect. This elder title of mine is nothing but a hollow formality. However, from what you just said, it sounds as though you know a thing or two about me. That does pique my curiosity — care to share?" Han Li's expression remained flat. He stretched lazily, putting on a look of complete nonchalance.
Fan Furen looked faintly surprised. She studied Han Li with her beautiful eyes for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile.
"Senior Han's name may not yet be on everyone's lips, but among high-ranking cultivators, it is certainly well known. A Core Formation cultivator seized the Void Heaven Cauldron — a supreme treasure — right under the noses of numerous Nascent Soul monsters, then vanished without a trace. That single deed alone has already made Elder Han's reputation far and wide." Her smile was entrancing as she spoke, her gaze dancing.
"That's right. Nine out of ten cultivators who know about it would love nothing more than to kill me. The tenth one is probably still drooling and dreaming of getting their hands on that cauldron! Tell me, Envoy Fan — have you been having the same thought?" Han Li let out a cold laugh, glanced at the woman, and once again used her former title.
"Senior is joking. If I were a Core Formation cultivator, perhaps I'd indulge in such fantasies. But ever since my second attempt at Core Formation failed, this little woman has long since abandoned any hope of advancing further in cultivation. A treasure of that magnitude isn't something I'd have the good fortune to keep. Nor do I wish to be so foolish as to invite a fire that would consume me." The beautiful woman shook her head with a soft sigh upon hearing Han Li's words.
Han Li studied her expression carefully. She looked as though she was speaking from the heart, but he certainly wasn't about to take her words at face value. Keeping a slightly elevated guard, he pressed on without betraying any emotion: "Aside from the matter of the Void Heaven Cauldron, are there any other rumors related to me?"
He hadn't dared to casually approach high-ranking cultivators before, so he actually knew very little about the information circulating about him. Now that he had this rare opportunity, he wasn't about to hold back.
"It seems Senior has already heard some of the news. There is indeed another rumor tied to you. Some say that Senior Han is the 'Insect Devil' who has been slaughtering numerous cultivators in the surrounding seas in recent years. This is something this junior doesn't quite believe. Since you obtained a supreme treasure like the Void Heaven Cauldron, you'd want to conceal your identity if anything. Why would you draw attention to yourself with such reckless acts? However, I hear that many cultivators who don't know the full story have been stirred up. if not for the sudden beast tide, these people — whose friends and family supposedly fell to the Insect Devil — might well have formed some kind of Demon Slaying Alliance specifically to hunt you down!" The woman covered her mouth with her hand and gazed at Han Li with a smile that was not quite a smile.
Han Li didn't even blink. He simply nodded calmly and said nothing.
This made Fan Furen a bit uneasy.
Could the ruthless, cold-blooded devil from the rumors truly be this "Elder Han"?
"All right. Tell me the real reason you came here tonight. I'm listening for now." Han Li's expression didn't change as he asked in a level voice, devoid of any emotion.
"Since Elder Han puts it so directly, this little woman will be straightforward then. I would like to ask Senior to help me eliminate that scoundrel Yun Tianxiao. With the power you demonstrated that day, getting rid of him would be as easy as flipping your hand." Fan Furen hesitated briefly, then gritted her pearly teeth and said it. A look of deep, venomous hatred surfaced on her otherwise delicate face.
"Yun Tianxiao? Isn't he your backer?" Han Li showed no surprise. He was silent for a moment before asking in an unhurried voice.
"Senior, why must you say such things? You must have already gleaned some idea of what happened in the main hall today. Inside the Misty Sound Sect, I've already become something close to a puppet. If not for the fact that I alone still know the sect's secret charm techniques and that I have a handful of loyal subordinates, I probably wouldn't even be sitting in the sect master's chair anymore." Fan Furen's voice was laced with hatred, and her expression turned ugly.