At this moment, the various Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators nearby who had noticed the situation took one look at the cultivation levels of Han Li and his group, and their faces drained of color. They scattered in a panic, with none daring to linger and watch. Once high-level cultivators like these truly clashed without restraint, they would be nothing more than small fish caught in the crossfire.
Coldly watching the area around the stone hall, where in the blink of an eye only their small group remained and even the surrounding pavilions had activated their protective restrictions as if facing a formidable enemy, the muscles on Han Li's face twitched slightly. A layer of crystalline azure light rose eerily from his face, and his eyes shot out a gloomy, frigid gleam.
Ge Tianhao and the Tianlan Holy Maiden Lin Yinping, along with their two companions, saw this and immediately circulated their Magical Power, assuming defensive postures as their respective treasures stirred restlessly within their bodies.
But just then, Han Li seemed to recall something. He let out a cold laugh, and to everyone's surprise, dispelled the azure light on his face, saying calmly:
"If I remember correctly, fighting and using spells within the Jinxi Market is strictly forbidden. Anyone who violates this rule will be jointly hunted down by the three great Daoist sects and four great Buddhist orders behind the market. Would you all care to experience what it feels like to be hunted across ten thousand li? Or do you perhaps believe that with the Yinluo Sect backing you, you can afford to ignore the three sects and four orders?"
"Hmph! Who dares ignore our Daoist and Buddhist paths? This poor Daoist, Wu Pi, would very much like to see for himself."
The moment Han Li's words left his mouth, a booming, aggressive voice suddenly echoed from the distance.
Immediately after, two streaks of light — one gold, one silver — burst forth from a pavilion at the far end of the street and shot straight toward them. In the blink of an eye, they arrived before the group, circled once, and descended. The light faded to reveal a Daoist and a Buddhist monk.
"I was wondering who the esteemed cultivator might be. It turns out to be several fellow Daoists from the Yinluo Sect. What's this — does your sect intend to break the rules and start a fight in our Jinxi Market?" The speaker was the Daoist whose voice had sounded none too friendly. He was an old man with graying hair and a ruddy complexion, but the glare in his eyes gave him a fiery, volatile air.
The other was a middle-aged monk with an ugly face and a bulbous upturned nose. Though the monk had not uttered any offensive words, he too wore an unhappy expression and coldly surveyed the Yinluo Sect members. However, when his gaze swept over Han Li and the Tianlan Holy Maiden, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
For unknown Nascent Soul cultivators to appear in the Great Jin was possible but certainly rare. For one who had reached mid-stage Nascent Soul to remain completely unknown — that was even more extraordinary. And yet the man and woman standing before him were not only both mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators but also wore entirely unfamiliar faces. How could this not startle the monk inwardly?
"Wu Pi! I merely wanted to verify a few matters with the fellow Daoist before me. What — are you going to meddle in this as well?" Ge Tianhao clearly recognized the old Daoist and spoke with a cold edge.
"No matter what you intend to do, the rule against fighting in the market cannot be broken by anyone. If you truly wish to trade blows, I suggest you take your business elsewhere. Otherwise, don't blame this poor Daoist for being inhospitable," the old Daoist said, his tone turning grim.
"Wu Pi, you are welcome to wait until we actually make a move before intervening. I have long wanted to experience the techniques of the True Ultremity Sect for myself." Ge Tianhao flew into a rage upon hearing this, his tone growing stiff and confrontational.
"There is no need for fellow Daoist Ge to be angry. As long as none of you channels your Magical Power, this poor monk and I will not interfere in your affairs. However, these two benefactors look somewhat unfamiliar — might you first grace us with your names?" The ugly monk beside him cracked a grin, his eyes darting back and forth as he spoke.
"Lin Yinping of Tianlan. Greetings to you both, fellow Daoists. The matter is actually quite simple. This humble woman suspects that this fellow Daoist is a mortal enemy of our Tianlan Holy Temple, and so I would like to ask him to unwrap the bundle on his back to confirm his identity before me. If he turns out not to be the person I believe him to be, I, Yinping, will offer him a toast of apology and will not trouble him further." Lin Yinping, the Tianlan Holy Maiden, cast a sidelong glance at Han Li, her bright eyes like stars.
"Ridiculous. What do you take me for? On what grounds must I prove my identity to you?" Han Li replied, his expression betraying neither alarm nor concern.
"If you refuse to do so, then you are likely the mortal enemy of our Holy Temple. As the Holy Maiden of the Temple, I absolutely cannot allow you to leave here unchallenged." Lin Yinping pressed her delicate lips together, a trace of killing intent surfacing in her eyes as she spoke with icy detachment.
"The Tianlan Holy Maiden? Could that be the Holy Maiden of the Tumü tribe from the grasslands?" The old Daoist's heart stirred at these words, and he furrowed his brow slightly. The ugly monk beside him also showed a flash of surprise.
"You flatter me, fellow Daoists. This humble woman does indeed serve as the Holy Maiden of the tribe," Lin Yinping confirmed, her expression unchanged.
"Your tribe's Immortal Master Sun possesses extraordinary talent. He advanced to mid-stage Nascent Soul before even reaching four hundred years of age. He and this old Daoist once met on several occasions. I wonder — is he still well?" Wu Pi's angry expression softened, and his tone grew somewhat gentler.
"Immortal Master Xu is well in every way. He advanced to late-stage Nascent Soul several decades ago and is now one of the four great Immortal Masters of our tribe," Lin Yinping replied. Learning that this old Daoist apparently had some acquaintance with her tribe's great Immortal Master, she was inwardly delighted.
"Fellow Daoist Xu has reached the late stage, as I predicted. To have come so far at such a young age — he may very well have a chance to advance one step further still." The old Daoist's expression shifted with some complexity before he let out a wistful sigh.
A sense of unease crept over Han Li, and his thoughts began to race like lightning.