After this incident, Han Li naturally knew the newcomer was no ordinary cultivator. He had no intention of tangling with that furtive white shadow and immediately commanded the Gold Devouring Beetles, now formed into a giant spear, to easily strike down the phantom.
Now he could focus entirely on dealing with the newly arrived Late Core Formation cultivator.
He glanced back at the situation within the valley.
Han Li saw that the formation site was already surrounded by a dense, pitch-black Yin energy, so tight that not even water could pass through. He estimated that Yuan Yao's soul-recovery ritual had also reached a critical moment. If disturbed now, not only would Yan Li likely not be revived, but the woman herself would suffer a backlash from her technique and sustain serious injuries.
Han Li frowned slightly, then turned his head and pondered for a moment.
Although he didn't know who this young man was, his spiritual sense alone was formidable to such a degree, which meant Han Li couldn't afford to underestimate him in the slightest.
Of course, he felt no fear either.
He was confident that with his own magic treasures and abilities, no Core Formation cultivator could pose a threat to him.
He was considering whether to take the initiative to attack and send this person away.
After all, the opponent seemed somewhat troublesome. If he teamed up with other cultivators, it would become quite a nuisance.
Just as Han Li hesitated, his expression suddenly changed as he sensed something, his eyes narrowing as he abruptly stood up.
That man had actually left the beast-drawn carriage with the stunningly beautiful young woman by his side and was flying towards this location.
Han Li's face darkened. He raised his hands and released over a dozen giant ape puppets, leaving them behind in the original spot. This was to prevent any opportunistic villains from slipping through while he was gone.
Without the slightest hesitation, he stomped his foot and transformed into a streak of azure light, shooting into the sky to intercept the pair.
If cultivators of their level clashed nearby, it could very well affect Yuan Yao, who was performing her ritual in the valley. Moreover, the opponent appeared not to be weak, and Han Li estimated he couldn't instantly kill him. Thus, he could only intercept him further away.
The opponent didn't seem to be flying at full speed, and their pace wasn't particularly fast.
Therefore, after just a moment, Han Li met them at the outer edge of the small island.
He had already altered his appearance when he began his guard duty, so he wasn't afraid of being recognized by this person as the owner of the Void Sky Cauldron.
Instead, separated by over a hundred zhang, Han Li coldly watched the man and woman, his face devoid of expression.
After a brief appraisal, a hint of surprise flickered in Han Li's eyes.
The man was one thing, although the golden light between his brows was somewhat eye-catching, it was most likely due to the unique cultivation technique he practiced. The woman, however, possessed looks that were too stunning, even inspiring a sense of awe that made one not dare to trifle with her. This caused Han Li to glance at her a few extra times.
For some unknown reason, Han Li suddenly felt a sense of familiarity towards this woman, especially those clear, bright eyes, as if he had seen them somewhere before.
However, Han Li was certain he had met this stunning young woman for the very first time.
Otherwise, with her extraordinary beauty, it would have been impossible not to leave a deep impression.
At this moment, the young man and the stunning woman on the opposite side also looked Han Li over.
"I wonder, Daoist, what is your name? Is the one performing that heaven-defying secret technique in the valley your companion?" Wen Tianren put his hands behind his back, a peculiar glint flashing across his face before he spoke with a slight smile.
Hearing this, Han Li's heart clenched again!
The other party was so confident in identifying the source of the celestial phenomenon. It seemed this young man's capabilities exceeded even his imagination!
"What my surname is isn't important. Rather, I advise you two Daoists to turn back! Since you know this celestial phenomenon isn't a sign of a treasure manifesting, why bother coming to this island?" Han Li said, his tone betraying no emotion.
The young man's face darkened upon hearing these words, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"I didn't come here for any celestial phenomenon, but for you, Daoist!" he said calmly.
"For me?" Han Li frowned. This was somewhat unexpected.
"Indeed! Since you are unwilling to reveal your name, I won't force you. However, I am familiar with the names of all the famous Core Formation cultivators from every sect. Yet your face is quite unfamiliar. It seems you should be an independent cultivator. In that case, I shall give you and your companion in the valley two choices. First, join my Alliance and serve as an enforcer of my Spirit Vulture Hall, obeying my commands from now on. Second, let me take action, and I will make you fall right here." Wen Tianren's scholarly face revealed a trace of killing intent as he spoke in an icy tone.
"Obey your commands! Your Alliance... Are you from the Anti-Star Alliance?" Han Li was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, but then he re-examined the young man with renewed suspicion.
"Young Master Wen is the esteemed disciple of Patriarch Six Paths of the Anti-Star Alliance. If you submit now, it won't be considered an insult to your status. Moreover, with your cultivation level, you would surely be valued highly within the Alliance." The stunning young woman beside him suddenly spoke, her tone neither warm nor cold, and she revealed the man's identity.