Han Li tilted his head slightly and cast a cold, sidelong glance at the two Core Formation cultivators, instantly scaring the words that had not yet fully left the other man's mouth back down his throat.
They were two unfamiliar middle-aged cultivators whom Han Li did not recognize, and he had no idea which sect they belonged to.
By this point, the shopkeeper and two attendants in front of Han Li had already been crushed to the ground by the enormous spiritual pressure so close at hand, unable to move even a fraction.
Their faces were filled with terror, and when they heard that Han Li was actually a Nascent Soul cultivator, their souls nearly fled their bodies in fright. They tried desperately to beg for mercy, but the weight on their bodies was as heavy as a mountain — they could hardly draw breath, let alone utter a single word.
The surrounding cultivators all turned pale as well. Some of the more timid ones, afraid of being caught in the crossfire, had already slipped quietly away.
Sun Huo, standing behind Han Li, had received special consideration from Han Li. Apart from being forced back a few steps, he showed no other ill effects.
However, once he recognized Han Li, his expression changed. He immediately stepped forward and performed a deep bow of respect, saying reverently: "Disciple Sun Huo pays respects to Grandmaster Han."
Han Li paid no more attention to the three before him. He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the half-sheet of talisman paper clutched in Sun Huo's hand, then nodded and said: "It seems I needn't explain — you already know what my current status is."
"On that day, this disciple did not know Grandmaster's true identity and spoke many arrogant words. Please forgive me, Grandmaster!" Sun Huo recalled how disrespectful he had been toward Han Li at the sacred ground, and his heart filled with unease. He honestly admitted his faults first.
"At that time, I had not yet become an Elder of the sect, so naturally I hold nothing against you. However, this torn talisman in your hand seems to share some connection with me." Han Li stared at Sun Huo as he spoke slowly.
"The torn talisman — could Grandmaster be..." Sun Huo froze for a moment, then, overjoyed, was about to say more when a silver streak shot toward them from low in the sky in the distance.
"We'll discuss this in a moment." Han Li raised his hand, cutting off anything further Sun Huo might have said. His eyes narrowed as he gazed toward the approaching streak of light.
The only cultivators who could fly freely through Tiantian City without restriction were none other than the Nine Nations Alliance's Enforcers.
They were specifically responsible for maintaining order throughout the Tiantian City trade fair.
Sun Huo naturally dared not say another word, standing there obediently with his hands at his sides.
But he could barely contain his excitement inside. The hand clutching the talisman paper gripped it just a little more carefully.
At that moment, the light before Han Li converged and faded, revealing an elderly man with yellow hair. He appeared to have mid-stage Core Formation cultivation. Embroidered on his chest was the pattern of a small golden sword — the mark of an Enforcer.
The old man had been flying over from a distance, having naturally sensed the overwhelming aura Han Li had just unleashed.
But duty called, and so even knowing that a Nascent Soul cultivator was showing his power here, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and come over.
The moment he spotted Han Li standing motionless in the middle of the street, he cupped both fists and said: "This junior is Wu Fei, an Enforcer of Tiantian City. I wonder why Senior is angered — is there anything this junior can assist with?" This Enforcer, facing a Nascent Soul cultivator, was naturally extremely courteous.
"Nothing much. I was merely passing through when I heard this shopkeeper of yours speak ill of our Fallcloud Sect. I simply wanted this fellow Daoist to repeat it once more in front of me, that's all." Han Li clasped his hands behind his back and spoke coldly.
"Ah! This must be the shopkeeper talking nonsense. How would these three dare offend a Senior? You three — go over there and apologize at once!" The old man winced at Han Li's words. Matters involving a sect's reputation were never straightforward — they could blow up or fizzle out, and it was impossible to say how they would end. After offering a word of reassurance, he immediately put on a stern face and berated the three shopkeepers.
Han Li had already withdrawn his spiritual pressure, so the three were finally able to tremblingly crawl to their feet. The shopkeeper, upon hearing this, turned deathly pale and immediately said: "Senior, this junior merely misspoke just now. I absolutely did not intend any disrespect toward your esteemed sect. As for the Fire Cloud Talisman that this fellow Daoist damaged earlier, this junior is willing to waive all compensation. Consider it an apology to Senior."
Han Li frowned at these words. His expression did not lighten — on the contrary, it grew even more dark.
"What, do you think I'm standing here trying to take advantage of you over some petty matter? First let me see whether these Fire Cloud Talismans in your box are truly talismans crafted by a master. If they are, I will naturally compensate you in spirit stones on behalf of this sect disciple. But if they're not — heh heh!" Han Li's face wore a cold, unfriendly smile.
"No need for Senior to look — these Fire Cloud Talismans of mine are only ordinary talismans. This junior is willing to accept the punishment." The shopkeeper was quite sharp. Before Han Li could actually take the wooden box to examine, he hastily exposed his own shortcomings.
At these words, Han Li said nothing more. He merely glanced at the Enforcer standing to one side.