Han Li pondered to himself that on the final day, at most three or four high-level cultivators would arrive. It was impossible for a Nascent Soul old monster to coincidentally appear nearby.
After all, this wasn't the Outer Sea. Even across a vast expanse of ocean, there wouldn't be many Core Formation cultivators.
If that were the case, then with his current cultivation base, he naturally had nothing to fear.
Though he didn't want to attract attention, if these cultivators truly didn't know when to back off, he would have no choice but to be ruthless.
Having made up his mind, Han Li closed his eyes expressionlessly once more.
...
At that moment, the Mei siblings and the man surnamed Fu had already flown back to their original location. When the old man surnamed Zhao saw them return so quickly, a peculiar expression flickered across his face.
"So, the three fellow Daoists have already scouted the situation on the island?" the old man asked, seemingly probing.
"We were a step too late. Another cultivator had already claimed the spot where the celestial phenomenon occurred. Furthermore, they had already set up restrictions. The other party could command several high-level puppets. Their tone was shockingly arrogant—estimated to be a Core Formation cultivator. The three of us are no match," the Mei woman said, a trace of alarm flashing in her eyes as she shook her head.
"A Core Formation cultivator? So the celestial phenomenon on the island is indeed special and not naturally occurring. Could it really be a treasure manifesting?" the old man blurted out in surprise after a moment of stunned silence.
"Who knows? Logically, we should have been the first to reach this island. The other party probably landed before the phenomenon even appeared and set up a formation. It seems there's something going on," the white-robed man said, gently stroking the jade flute in his hand without looking up.
"What did the other party look like? Can the three of you describe him? Perhaps I might even know him," the Zhao surnamed old man pondered for a moment and asked.
Hearing these words, the Mei siblings and the white-robed man couldn't help but exchange glances.
"What? The three of you didn't see his appearance?" the old man frowned, a hint of suspicion on his face.
Seeing the old man's expression, the white-robed man suddenly remembered what had happened earlier, and his face darkened instantly.
"Hmph! If Brother Zhao doesn't believe it, you can go try it yourself. Whether they'll show mercy again remains to be seen!" he said in a tone devoid of friendliness.
"Hehe! Fellow Daoist misunderstands. I was merely asking casually. Since there's already a Core Formation senior on the island, whether they're cultivating a technique or a treasure has truly manifested, it naturally leaves no room for our interference," the old man said with a laugh.
"Not necessarily! Even if the other party is a Core Formation cultivator, if we unite a dozen or so Foundation Establishment fellow Daoists, we could still put up a fight," the Mei man said, curling his lip with some unwillingness.
"Brother Mei jests. Never mind that there aren't so many Foundation Establishment cultivators around now—even if there were, before knowing whether a treasure has truly appeared on the island and its value, who would want to offend a Core Formation cultivator first?" the white-robed man shook his head, dismissing the idea.
Hearing the white-roaked man's words, the woman's brother's face turned ugly. He opened his mouth but had nothing to refute. In the end, he could only sigh and fall silent.
"Brother, since the waters here are too deep, let's not get involved. Let's leave now!" the Mei woman looked at the man beside her and advised gently.
Her brother heard this, and a hesitant look appeared on his face.
Although he knew that with a Core Formation cultivator involved, there would be no harvest this time, it was still hard to give up when they had finally encountered what could be the manifestation of a rare treasure.
After all, for loose cultivators like them, such an opportunity was truly hard to come by.
"Leave? You wish! Before I give the word, no one is going anywhere!"
Before the Mei man could finish deliberating, a cold, drifting voice echoed from all directions.
The Mei siblings and the white-robed man were greatly startled. They immediately placed their hands on their storage pouches and looked around warily.
However, the surroundings were clear, with no sign of anyone else.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, what is going on?" the Mei man asked, his face pale, as he shouted at the old man while releasing his spiritual sense to search the vicinity.
"Fellow Daoists, don't ask me. I'm in the same boat as all of you—I cannot leave either," the old man said with a bitter smile, his face full of helplessness.
Hearing these words, the other three froze. Just as they were debating whether to believe the old man, a yellow light flashed about ten zhang away, and a white figure appeared before them.
This white figure was surrounded by swirling white mist, its form blurred and indistinct, like an illusory apparition.