Not long after the cultivators of the Yin Luo Sect departed, two more figures suddenly appeared from a nearby pavilion and walked out.
The two glanced at the empty entrance, exchanged a few hushed words with grave expressions via voice transmission, and then followed after the others.
The moment they stepped out of the market, the pair split up. One of them held a small banner and gave it a gentle shake. His body, enveloped in a swirl of purple qi, vanished on the spot, and he pursued in the direction
The other headed in the opposite direction, transforming into a streak of light that shot toward the imperial city.
…
At that moment, on an nameless desolate mountain near Jinjing, the elderly man surnamed Fu was regarding
"I've already teleported us here. Doesn't fellow Daoist want to ask a few questions?"
"What would be the point? I'll admit I was somewhat puzzled as to why you insisted on using the teleportation array to leave the market. But you must have had your reasons." The instant the teleportation completed, Han Li had already carefully scanned the surroundings. Everything appeared normal, so he answered calmly.
Han Li's cautious behavior had not escaped the old man's eyes. But rather than taking offense, he was in fact quite pleased.
"Nothing major, really. I received advance word that several cultivators from the Yin Luo Sect were stationed at the market's main exit, apparently searching for someone. I figured fellow Daoist Han would certainly prefer not to run into those people, so I borrowed the teleportation array to help you avoid them. Surely fellow Daoist doesn't think I acted out of turn!" The old man's gaze flickered, and a faint, ambiguous smile played across his lips.
"The Yin Luo Sect? What exactly do you mean by that?" Han Li's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged as he asked calmly.
"Heh heh, no need to worry. If I truly intended to harm you, I'd have set up some contingency measures in the area by now. You must be the cultivator who clashed with Ge Tianhao in front of the Baoguang Hall that day, wouldn't you?" The old man smiled enigmatically and spoke in an unhurried tone.
"I didn't expect you to know about that as well. But why go out of your way to help me? Could it be that you're willing to offend a major demonic sect like the Yin Luo Sect simply because of our agreement that day? I find that hard to believe." Han Li was silent for a moment before answering flatly.
"What is the Yin Luo Sect? It seems fellow Daoist still doesn't know where I come from. I hold the position of Enforcement Elder of the Nine Abyss Sect. Our sect has long had a grudge against the Yin Luo Sect, so getting to make Ge Tianhao look like a fool is exactly what I'd want. Of course, the main reason I'm helping you is that I have a favor to ask." The old man spoke frankly, without any attempt at concealment.
"The Nine Abyss Sect?" Han Li was startled. He had heard of the sect's reputation for a long time. "My apologies for not recognizing you sooner. But with your sect's strength, what could you possibly need my help with?"
"This is a personal matter, and I cannot very well use the sect's people for it. There's no rush, however. Let's wait until the trade meeting is over, and then I'll explain everything in detail. Rest assured, this matter would benefit you as well. And if you find it unacceptable, I won't force you." The old man smiled mildly.
"Very well then. I'll accept this favor for now." After a brief consideration, Han Li broke into a smile.
He had already offended the Yin Luo Sect and naturally had no desire to make enemies of yet another major demonic sect. Regardless of whether he would actually agree to the man's request in the future, it was best to play along for now.
"I knew fellow Daoist Han was a straightforward man. Let's go—the trade meeting isn't far from here." A flash of delight crossed the old man's face, and he seemed quite satisfied with Han Li's response. The two then transformed into twin streaks of brilliant light and flew off into the distance.
After flying at high speed for a short while, the old man led Han Li down into a stretch of dark, desolate mountains some three thousand li from the Jinjing city walls. They spiraled down and came to a stop before an unremarkable stone cliff face.
The cliff had a faint greenish tinge, its surface mostly covered in mud and moss. There was truly nothing extraordinary about it.
Han Li didn't even glance at the cliff. Instead, his eyes narrowed as he surveyed the surroundings, and only then did he realize they were deep in a wild ravine between two peaks. Tall wild grass and thick brush grew everywhere—if the old man hadn't personally led him here, no one would ever discover that cultivators frequented this place.
The old man had clearly been here more than once.
With practiced ease, he flicked his sleeve, sending a palm-sized disc flying out. A flash of white light emanated from it, and the disc plunged straight into the cliff face, vanishing without a trace.
Moments later, a yellow radiance shimmered across the stone surface, and before Han Li's eyes, the cliff disappeared entirely, revealing a massive cavern opening more than ten zhang in diameter.
Standing before the entrance were two middle-aged cultivators dressed entirely in emerald-green robes.
Both possessed late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, and one of them was holding the old man's control disc in his hands.