Everyone who witnessed the scene could hardly believe their own eyes.
When they first saw the gray light turn back and fly toward the Seven Mysteries Sect, they had assumed the dwarf had changed his mind — that he intended to slaughter the weaker disciples first before turning back to deal with the gray-robed man.
But who could have guessed that the gray streak, upon reaching the crowd, would be casually snatched out of the air by an utterly ordinary-looking disciple with a simple flick of his hand? It was simply too incredible to be real!
On the Seven Mysteries Sect's side, everyone — Sect Master Wang included — was overwhelmed with a mixture of shock and elation at their narrow salvation.
In his wild joy, Wang Juechu felt even more grateful for his own foresight in agreeing to let Han Li participate in the death duel. He now realized that whether everyone could survive this contest, and whether the Seven Mysteries Sect would continue to exist, all depended on this Doctor Han who had suddenly grown so unfathomably mysterious.
Li Feiyu, who knew Han Li somewhat better than the rest, stood with his jaw hanging open, unable to close it for a long while. He had always known his friend was a bit unusual, but watching him casually seize a flying sword belonging to the likes of a sword immortal left him feeling as though he were trapped in a waking dream — dizzy and half-delirious.
As for Zhang Xiuer, Elder Li, and Jia Tianlong's group on the opposite side, they were equally struck dumb, each wearing an expression more dramatic than the last.
Countless gazes — filled with fear, confusion, and astonishment — all converged on Han Li. He, however, remained perfectly composed, a faint smile on his face the entire time, as though the stares of so many people meant absolutely nothing to him.
But no one knew that beneath Han Li's calm exterior, his mind was in turmoil.
Heaven knew — Han Li had never intended to make a move now! His original plan had been to wait until the dwarf let his guard down and dropped the golden shield, then sneak behind him and finish him off with a single small "fire bullet." That would have been the cleanest solution.
But man proposes and Heaven disposes. All Han Li had done was watch the gray light darting back and forth, and the sight had stirred an unbearable itch in him. Before he even realized it, he had unconsciously unleashed the Object Control Technique he had practiced countless times — and effortlessly seized the thing.
The ease with which he had captured it far exceeded his expectations. All he had done was extend his magical power into the gray light, easily erasing the dwarf's spiritual imprint and establishing his own connection with it. Under his command, the gray light had wobbled toward him like a toddler learning to walk, and he had collected it without the slightest effort.
Right now, Han Li felt a secret thrill at having so easily snatched his opponent's treasure — but also a measure of concern at having to confront the dwarf head-on.
He was well aware that he had very little confidence in breaking through the dwarf's turtle shell by force. The only thing that gave him a sliver of assurance was that his magical power was several times deeper than his opponent's.
Of course, none of this worry showed on Han Li's face. He understood well that whoever held the psychological advantage gained a tangible edge in actual combat — a real boost to one's chances of victory. This was a lesson he had learned from the Blink Sword Manual.
So, seeing the dwarf standing as though facing a mortal enemy, Han Li did the exact opposite: he put on an expression of absolute confidence and ease.
He was now leisurely examining the treasure in his hands. The gray radiance still pulsed with living energy, contracting and extending, shooting cold light in every direction — so bright that its true form remained hidden.
Han Li glanced up at the dwarf, whose face had gone somewhat pale, and offered a slight smile. He wrapped his hands in magical power, clamped the gray streak between his palms, and gave it a gentle twist. The radiance immediately dissipated, revealing the object's true appearance. It was a talisman — a peculiar one, painted with the image of a small gray sword.
The tiny sword depicted on the talisman paper was rendered with such vivid detail it looked almost real. Even without magical power to activate it, the little blade radiated a faint, flowing light, as though it were a genuine peerless sword — its chill palpable and piercing.
Han Li studied it, feeling a twinge of disappointment. This clearly wasn't a true flying sword or similar treasure. It was strange, to be sure, but it was still just a paper talisman.
Still, when he recalled the magnificent display it had put on moments earlier, his spirits lifted. He had witnessed its power firsthand, and it would surely prove useful in the future.
Han Li casually tucked the talisman into his robe. He had no intention of using it openly in front of its original owner — who knew whether the dwarf had placed some trick on the talisman? Besides, his Object Control Technique had seen very few practical applications and was still clumsy at best. Even if he tried to use this thing right now, it would likely do him little good in a fight.
Across from him, Jin Guang Shangren watched helplessly as Han Li slipped his treasure into his pocket. Fury surged inside him, but he lacked the courage to charge in and fight. The fact that the other had so easily erased his spiritual imprint on the talisman proved that his magical power was at least several times greater than his own. He simply did not dare challenge him.
Seeing the dwarf shrink back, visibly seething yet too afraid to act, Han Li knew he had thoroughly intimidated his opponent — who clearly had no idea what his true level actually was. His own boldness grew accordingly.
Han Li decided to play the fox borrowing the tiger's authority to the very end. He cast the Wind Riding Technique upon himself, flickered forward several times, and appeared before the dwarf in the blink of an eye.
Jin Guang Shangren was terrified by Han Li's ghost-like speed. He involuntarily stumbled back a few steps and stammered in a low, timid voice:
"What do you want? I haven't been mining the local mineral deposits or harvesting any spirit herbs — I've only been collecting gold from mortals. I haven't encroached on any of your family's interests. You have no reason to kill me."
Hearing this, Han Li felt a secret rush of joy. The dwarf had mistaken him for someone from a cultivator clan — and with that misunderstanding, his confidence surged a few notches higher. He put on a deliberately mild smile and leaned in with a mysterious air, asking quietly:
"I don't suppose I might ask who you are? Why would you voluntarily interfere in mortal affairs and disrupt the secular order here? It puts our family in a very difficult position."
The dwarf, hearing the other's relatively mild tone and sensing no immediate intent to attack, perked up. His tiny eyes darted back and forth several times before he hastily replied:
"I'm a disciple of the Ye Family of Qin Ye Ridge — I was merely passing through! I only got involved because I had an old acquaintance with the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang and couldn't refuse his earnest plea for help. I absolutely did not mean to infringe upon your family's territory. Please forgive me, Brother. May I ask the name of your honored family? I will certainly come and apologize in person at a later date!"