Chapter 173: Qingxu Gate

(Strongly recommended! If you have votes, please don't forget to cast them!)

After clearly seeing the faces of the two individuals, Han Li secretly sighed. They were indeed the two disciples who, like him, only possessed eleven layers of cultivation. One had an aged face but eyes that gleamed with cunning, while the other seemed naive and simple, clearly a fresh-faced youth unfamiliar with the ways of the world.

Han Li was genuinely surprised by such an odd pair seeking him out. However, after a moment's thought, he vaguely guessed their intentions.

"Seniors, can I help you?" Han Li asked politely, though his tone was cool and distant, clearly conveying his reluctance to engage. He hoped this would deter them.

Evidently, Senior Xiang's composure was thicker than Han Li had anticipated. Far from being put off by Han Li's aloofness, he spoke with an almost self-familiar warmth:

"Haha, Junior Brother Han, do you have any good strategies for tomorrow's forbidden zone expedition? You know, the three of us have the weakest magical power. If a fight breaks out with other sects, we'll likely be the first to fall! How about we discuss it together and come up with a plan?"

Han Li blinked a few times upon hearing this. He didn't speak, but he had completely confirmed their purpose and largely guessed what the man wanted to say.

It seemed this old sly fox intended to gather some disciples with weaker magical power to act and fight together. This would significantly increase their safety and seemingly improve their chances of survival.

But Han Li knew full well the consequences of such an action, which came with both advantages and disadvantages.

With everyone concentrated in one place, the searchable area would be greatly reduced, resulting in very few spiritual medicines being found. Moreover, even if some were found, it would be difficult to say who would ultimately claim them! Their ownership would most likely still be decided by strength.

Han Li naturally had no interest in such an alliance. Not only would he gain no benefits, but there was a high possibility of being used as cannon fodder.

As for the old sly fox, he probably didn't have good intentions either, surely aiming to fish in troubled waters and seize opportunities amidst chaos.

Seeing Han Li remain silent after he had spoken, the elder couldn't help but feel a little anxious. He spoke again, unable to contain himself:

"I actually have an idea. Would Junior Brother like to hear it? It can absolutely ensure that everyone gets through this trip safely!"

The elder put on a profound expression, looking utterly mysterious, with the wrinkles on his forehead squeezed together, making Han Li both amused and slightly annoyed.

The young man beside him, however, seemed to greatly admire the old fox. Although he remained silent, he consistently displayed a deferential attitude towards the elder.

Since he had absolutely no intention of joining their alliance, Han Li was unwilling to drag the conversation out any further. He straightforwardly refused:

"My apologies! I've never been accustomed to acting with others, and I have no such plans this time. If you wish to team up with someone, Senior Brother, please find other fellow disciples!"

Han Li spoke very frankly and clearly.

He knew that only by showing he wasn't some naive newcomer could he thoroughly discourage them and prevent them from pestering him further. Otherwise, with so few fellow disciples here, Senior Xiang would likely persist if he thought there was even a slim chance. Han Li didn't want to be bothered by him.

Upon hearing this, the old man surnamed Xiang realized he had targeted the wrong person. The individual before him looked young but spoke with practiced wisdom, clearly an experienced veteran. He said no more unnecessary words, took his leave with a slight hint of annoyance, and departed.

The direction they walked was towards another disciple who was meditating on a rock.

Han Li smiled faintly, then turned back to continue observing the notable fellow disciples. This time, however, he saw "Junior Sister Chen" standing with another ordinary-looking woman, while several self-proclaimed young talents vaguely gathered nearby.

Han Li's lips twitched a few times. For some reason, he found those individuals unappealing no matter how he looked at them. Finally, he decided to simply put them out of sight, found an empty spot, and closed his eyes to rest.

Thus, by the next morning, all the disciples had gathered once again on the mountaintop, standing in an orderly formation, waiting for the arrival of other immortal sects.

They waited for several hours, yet not a single person appeared. This made Han Li curse inwardly, almost suspecting that the people from the other sects were deliberately doing this to exhaust the disciples of Yellow Maple Valley.

What made Han Li even more agitated was that, whether by coincidence or not, when the standing order was arranged, "Junior Sister Chen" happened to be on his right side. The familiar scent of her perfume occasionally wafted into his nostrils, making his mind wander, as if he were reliving that extremely enchanting night.

To hide the unnatural expression on his face, Han Li reluctantly lowered his head, feigning awkwardness. But in his heart, he greatly chastised himself for being so pathetic, that merely a pretty woman could make him lose his composure.

However, Han Li greatly admired Grandmaster Li, who stood at the very front. He had maintained his posture gazing at the sky for such a long time without moving an inch. Han Li wondered if he was lost in thought or pondering something profound!

Suddenly, Han Li felt a stir among the people around him; something seemed to have happened!

He couldn't help but raise his head.

All the fellow disciples around him were craning their necks, looking towards one side of the horizon. Han Li followed their gaze.

In the clear blue sky, several star-like points of light appeared, flickering and gradually growing larger. Moments later, a series of black dots emerged.

Below the black dots, silver light shimmered, as if the black dots were riding these starry lights, arriving from beyond the heavens.

Seeing this wondrous sight, the commotion among the crowd intensified.

"Silence! What has gotten into you all! This is the Pure Void Sect's flying magical artifact—the Snow Iris Silk. Don't make such a fuss and disgrace our Yellow Maple Valley." A short, stout middle-aged steward at the front darkened his face, turned, and reprimanded them.

His words proved effective; the commotion immediately subsided, though quiet murmurs occasionally persisted.

By this time, the black dots were clear: they were cultivators dressed in grey Taoist robes. Most of them were true Taoist priests, holding whisks and with their hair coiled into Taoist buns. However, a few wore only Taoist robes, while everything else about them was entirely secular, seemingly lay disciples who had not left home.

Han Li and the others clearly saw that the "stars" beneath their feet were actually an immaculate white rainbow bridge, adorned with twinkling silver lights, exceptionally dazzling. He wondered what was embedded within it.

As Han Li was observing closely, the white rainbow bridge, carrying the Pure Void Sect members, descended onto the mountain, landing directly opposite the Yellow Maple Valley contingent.

The leading middle-aged Taoist priest lightly beckoned with his hand, and with a flash of white light, the rainbow bridge formed by the Snow Iris Silk vanished, replaced by a brocade-like item in his hand.

"I didn't expect Donor Li to lead the team again this time. This humble Taoist, Floating Cloud Child, greets you!" The Taoist priest walked a few steps to Grandmaster Li, speaking with a beaming smile. From his tone, they seemed to be old acquaintances.

"Hmph! If you old Taoist can come, why can't I, Li, come?" Grandmaster Li clasped his hands behind his back and said unceremoniously.

"Hehe, among our respective sects, you and I were the last to enter the Core Formation stage. If we don't do this errand work, who will?" The Taoist priest didn't mind, flicking his whisk, his smile unwavering.

"You old Taoist are full of tricks. You really put me through it last time. Don't think you can pull that stunt again this time!"

"What are you saying, Donor Li? Accepting a loss is only natural. There's no talk of who 'put through' whom," the Taoist priest chuckled.

Upon hearing this, Grandmaster Li's eyes flashed with a cold light, as if he wanted to get angry, but then he seemed to remember something, and his imposing aura receded. He said with strong reluctance:

"That piece of refined iron of mine, melted into your Azure Monarch Sword, made its power even greater, didn't it! I, Li, worked hard for over ten years and only refined that one piece, and it benefited you old Taoist!"

His words were full of bitterness, clearly indicating how much he regretted the loss of that "refined iron."

"Haha, so the renowned Immortal Master Li cares so much about a mere bit of refined iron! Very well, this time I've brought another item, absolutely superior to that refined iron. As long as we win this gamble, it will be enough to compensate for your previous loss." The Taoist priest stroked his beard, smiling.

(If you find this book enjoyable, please don't forget to add it to your collection!)