Chapter 2004: Three Strikes

Main Text, Volume 10: Battle of the Demon Realm

"So it's Master Jin Yue. It's been several years; is everything well with you?" Although Han Li was eager to act immediately, facing the monk, he could only forcefully suppress his anger and salute slightly as he spoke. After all, Master Jin Yue was considered one of the elders in Tianyuan City with whom he had a relatively good relationship, and he couldn't completely disregard him.

Upon seeing Master Jin Yue arrive, Reverend Qinglong naturally felt a great sense of relief. Knowing full well Han Li's formidable powers, he had absolutely no desire to truly engage in a fight. He had merely been cornered by Han Li's words earlier, forcing him to put on a tough facade in front of the younger generation. Immediately, he politely cupped his fist towards the monk and said, "Daoist Jin Yue, when did you arrive? Qing had not gone out to greet you; I hope you don't take offense."

"This humble monk received news that Daoist Han had returned to the city. Upon hearing it, I set off immediately. Thankfully, I arrived in time to prevent anything serious from happening. However, on my way here, I already notified two other fellow Daoists nearby. By now, they should have arrived. How about the three of us mediate between you two then? After all, with the great demonic enemy outside, both of you are top-tier figures in the city. This humble monk truly hopes no major incident will occur that could affect the stability within our city. Daoist Gu, do you think this humble monk's words hold some truth?" Master Jin Yue smiled faintly at the two, then suddenly turned his head and meaningfully asked someone beyond the main door.

"Daoist Jin Yue, this old man truly has you to thank. Otherwise, my Douyuan Pavilion might truly have ceased to exist." After a hearty laugh, a figure in grey appeared from outside the door without any prior warning, moving with quiet ease. It was a black-faced old man in a grey robe!

"Daoist Gu!" Han Li's gaze swept over the old man, recognizing him as the Master of Douyuan Pavilion, a Soul Transformation stage cultivator, with whom he had met a few times before. "Daoist Han, congratulations on your safe return. You must come visit this old man's place sometime. Tsk, tsk, to escape safely from a Demon Saint Ancestor, you must tell this old man all about it later." The grey-robed old man said with a smile to Han Li. Though he had only met Han Li a few times, the old man displayed extraordinary enthusiasm, as if they were old friends.

"Brother Gu exaggerates," Han Li said with a bitter smile, explaining, "it was merely a Saint Ancestor avatar. If the true body of a Demon Saint Ancestor had descended, how could I have possibly escaped with my life?" "Even if it was just a Saint Ancestor avatar, ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators like us would have a near-certain death encounter. The fact that Brother Han is here at all speaks volumes about your great divine abilities," the grey-robed old man insisted, shaking his head repeatedly.

Hearing the other party speak this way, Han Li found it awkward to elaborate further. He simply smiled faintly, not engaging on that topic, and instead asked Master Jin Yue, "Daoist Jin Yue, you mentioned notifying two Daoists. Now that Brother Gu is here, I wonder who the other Daoist is?"

"Haha, rest assured, Daoist Han, the other person is also someone you are familiar with," Master Jin Yue said with a smile at the corner of his lips. "Someone familiar? Could it be..." Han Li's eyes narrowed upon hearing this, and with a thought, he immediately remembered one person. This was the only person he was truly familiar with in all of Tianyuan City.

Reverend Qinglong cleared his throat, about to speak, but just then, a silver light flashed outside the door. A silver rainbow shot in, circled once in the hall, and suddenly revealed a woman in a silver robe. "Brother Han, it's been years, and your cultivation has greatly advanced once more. This is truly fortunate! After that battle, I too was pursued by a Demon Venerable and encountered some unexpected trouble on my journey, only recently returning to the city," the woman exclaimed with great delight upon seeing Han Li. She was none other than Silverlight Fairy, who had become separated during the battle at Yitian City.

"So Daoist Silverlight has also only just returned; no wonder then," Han Li said, surprised, a smile appearing on his face. "Very well, since both of you have arrived, let us all sit down and discuss this matter thoroughly," Master Jin Yue said, reciting a Buddhist chant. "Sit down? With this Daoist Qinglong! If that's the case, then forget it. I, Han, have no interest in wasting time again," Han Li said, his expression darkening, his tone icy. Reverend Qinglong's face naturally turned extremely grim, his features slightly distorted.

"Good, good! How dare you insult this old man like that! I'll risk damaging my vital energy before my next tribulation and have a proper fight with you!" he suddenly bellowed. "If you are willing to do so, I, Han, would be more than happy to," Han Li interjected without hesitation. A faint blue light shimmered on his body, indicating he was about to make a move again. "Daoists, wait! Please allow this humble monk a word. Daoist Silverlight may not be entirely clear about the incident, but Daoist Gu and I know a bit. It's just that the recent surge in demonic attacks prevented us from mediating this matter earlier. Frankly, Daoist Ice Phoenix has been wronged somewhat," Master Jin Yue quickly interjected again, placing himself between them, and spoke with some apology towards Ice Phoenix.

"This matter was entirely Reverend Qinglong's doing; what does it have to do with Master Jin Yue and the other seniors?" Even though Ice Phoenix harbored some dissatisfaction towards the monk and the others, she naturally showed no trace of it on her face, replying respectfully instead.

"You can't put it that way! Since this humble monk is one of Tianyuan City's elders, how can I be entirely blameless when things have turned out like this? However, Reverend Qinglong is now an elder of this city, and I hope Brother Han can give him some consideration! Although benefactor Qinglong's past actions were inappropriate, he did not genuinely cause harm to Daoist Ice Phoenix. How about having Daoist Qinglong provide a sum of spirit stones as a calming gift for Fairy Ice Phoenix? As for the amount of these spirit stones, this humble monk guarantees that Daoist Ice Phoenix will be completely satisfied," Master Jin Yue said, shaking his head, then sincerely addressed both Han Li and Ice Phoenix.

"Does Master think I, Han, lack a bit of spirit stones?" Han Li asked, his brow furrowing upon hearing this. "Daoist Han naturally wouldn't lack a small sum of spirit stones, but this amount would surely be of no small benefit to Daoist Ice Phoenix. Of course, if Daoist Han has any other conditions, you may also state them," Master Jin Yue said with a profound meaning.

Han Li pondered for a moment, not replying directly. Instead, he turned to the other two and asked, "Brother Gu, Daoist Silverlight, what are your thoughts?" "Originally, this old man truly didn't wish to meddle in such affairs. However, with the demon race currently posing a threat, it's indeed not good for us to have internal disputes. This humble one also hopes that both Daoists can set aside your past differences," the old man surnamed Gu said somewhat vaguely, stifling a yawn.

Han Li secretly cursed "old fox" in his mind. After displaying an non-committal expression, he glanced at Silverlight Fairy. "Although I have only recently returned, I've heard a little about this matter. Daoist Qinglong's actions were indeed somewhat excessive. However, there aren't many Soul Transformation cultivators in the city right now, and each one is a vital force against the demon race, so it's truly not advisable to engage in a major confrontation. But merely compensating with spirit stones is indeed a bit lacking. Daoist Qinglong might as well offer some materials or treasures that Daoist Ice Phoenix needs. I think that would be more appropriate!" Silverlight Fairy thought for a moment, then offered a suggestion that slightly favored Han Li.

"Hmph, it seems all three of you have already determined that I am in the wrong!" Reverend Qinglong's expression changed several times before he couldn't help but let out a cold snort. "Whether you are truly in the wrong or not, I believe Daoist Qinglong should be quite clear about it yourself! Do you, Daoist Qinglong, wish for us to present you with evidence, like common mortals? However, if we were truly to seek witnesses, it seems there are a few right here," Master Jin Yue replied with unusual calm, his expression slightly darkening after glancing at Xiao Hong and the others.

Xiao Hong and her group, upon hearing themselves mentioned, exchanged glances but dared not utter a single word. Han Li remained lost in thought for a long time before turning to Ice Phoenix and asking seriously, "Ice Phoenix, what is your opinion?"

"Since the seniors have intervened, this humble one has little more to say. Everything is up to Brother Han to decide!" the sensible Ice Phoenix said.

"In that case, putting aside the spirit stones and treasures mentioned earlier, I have one more condition. If he agrees to it, then this matter can be temporarily laid to rest," Han Li said slowly, after pondering for quite some time, his eyes narrowed. "What condition, Daoist Han? Please do tell!" Master Jin Yue naturally pressed him. "It's very simple. Spirit stones and treasures aside. Although I, Han, am not exceptionally wealthy, I don't lack such things. Daoist Qinglong only needs to take three of my attacks without dodging or avoiding!" Han Li said, a murderous glint flashing briefly across his face.

"What? Brother Han still wishes to fight?" Master Jin Yue was slightly startled. "It's merely taking three of my attacks; that hardly counts as a fight, does it? Master could even call it a sparring match," Han Li said indifferently. After discussing briefly in a low voice with Silverlight Fairy, Master Jin Yue turned to Reverend Qinglong and asked, "Daoist Qinglong, what are your thoughts?" "If I am to forcibly take your three strikes, may I use treasures?" Reverend Qinglong asked cautiously after a slight hesitation.

"As cultivators, most of our divine abilities rely on treasures, so naturally, you may use artifacts. What, Daoist Qinglong, are you of similar cultivation to me, yet you lack the confidence to even withstand three of my attacks?" Han Li said coldly, his words clearly laced with sarcasm. "Hmph, you don't need to try and provoke me. This old man agrees to this condition," Reverend Qinglong said with a cold snort, his expression fluctuating between dark and light for a moment before finally agreeing. Just as Han Li had said, if a cultivator of his same cultivation level didn't even have the courage to take three strikes, he would likely be too ashamed to remain in Tianyuan City.

"Very well. Since Daoist Qinglong has no objections, let's find a place and settle this matter immediately. You wouldn't want to drag this out any further, would you?" Han Li said sinisterly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Since this old man has agreed, it makes no difference whether it's sooner or later. You find the place!" Reverend Qinglong replied without hesitation, displaying a surprisingly straightforward attitude after agreeing to Han Li's condition.