Chapter 278

Han Li watched Qi Yunxiao disappear into the forest and smiled casually.

Seeing Qi Yunxiao so flustered, Han Li, though inexperienced in matters of the heart, immediately realized that Qi Yunxiao's feelings for the array-mastering woman were far beyond mere friendship. It was likely a deep, unrequited love, otherwise, he wouldn't be so anxious.

The maidservant also followed him, just as frantic.

After Han Li waited leisurely outside the forest for a while, Qi Yunxiao and the pretty maidservant emerged from the woods, happily accompanying a woman in blue, and approached Han Li.

Han Li unceremoniously took a good look at the woman in blue.

She was of average height, with a delicate nose and clear, watery eyes. When her gaze met Han Li's, she offered a faint smile.

It seemed Qi Yunxiao had already told her about his identity.

Truth be told, her facial features were not particularly outstanding; in fact, she was slightly less striking than the pretty maidservant.

However, her elegant and composed demeanor, the grace in her every movement, combined with those expressive black eyes, more than compensated for any lack in her appearance. Anyone who saw her would not perceive her as plain but would instead be struck by her astonishing presence, and would never confuse her with the maidservant by her side.

Yet, upon seeing this woman's extraordinary grace, Han Li felt a headache brewing.

He knew without a doubt that she was the kind of sharp, intelligent woman far beyond the average. Dealing with her would likely be incredibly difficult, certainly not as easy as negotiating with Qi Yunxiao, where he could control everything.

"Many thanks for senior's rescue! This humble one, Xin Ruoyin, is eternally grateful!" The woman in blue moved gracefully to Han Li's front, performing a delicate bow, her voice remarkably clear and pleasant.

"There's no need for such formality, Miss Xin. It was merely a small effort on my part! However, we should return quickly. These people might have significant backgrounds; it would be troublesome if their elders are also nearby," Han Li said, waving his hand politely, subtly urging them to leave immediately.

Hearing Han Li's words, Qi Yunxiao, standing by, nodded repeatedly in agreement, appearing somewhat worried.

"Yes, Yin'er! We should leave this place quickly; it truly is too dangerous here!"

Ever since Qi Yunxiao saw Xin Ruoyin, his eyes hadn't left her fair, jade-like face. Now, he addressed her with an intimacy that Han Li found somewhat cloying.

A faint blush appeared on Xin Ruoyin's cheeks, two rosy spots rising.

She glanced at Qi Yunxiao beside her, a hint of playful annoyance in her eyes. After a moment's hesitation, she parted her red lips and agreed.

"Alright, then let's go now. But, these bodies..." Xin Ruoyin glanced at the corpses, about to say something more.

"That's easy to handle; just burn them on the spot!" Han Li said nonchalantly, then spread the five fingers of his right hand. Seven or eight fireballs, the size of bowls, shot out, instantly reducing the bodies to ashes, leaving only their storage bags on the ground.

Han Li's practiced method of destroying the bodies made the woman's face subtly change, a chill creeping into her heart.

But she was no ordinary weak woman; she quickly regained her composure and chatted with Qi Yunxiao as if nothing had happened.

"The items in these storage bags are of no use to me. If this young lady doesn't mind, feel free to take them to avoid leaving any traces," Han Li said, turning to the pretty maidservant standing on Xin Ruoyin's other side.

"Senior, are you really giving them to me?" The maidservant's face lit up with surprise upon hearing Han Li's words, and she couldn't help but ask again in disbelief.

When she saw Han Li smile faintly and nod definitively, she immediately thanked him, then excitedly ran over and picked up the storage bags one by one. For her, this was an unexpected windfall, as the bags contained valuable treasures!

Xin Ruoyin was momentarily stunned by this scene, but then, composed as ever, she politely spoke to Han Li before boarding the small boat hovering in mid-air with Qi Yunxiao.

After the pretty maidservant, clutching a large pile of storage bags, excitedly boarded the magic artifact, Han Li's figure flickered, and he was the last to step onto the small boat. Spiritual energy flowed from his feet, and the artifact soared into the sky.

Midway back, the woman in blue invited Han Li and Qi Yunxiao to her residence for a proper expression of gratitude for saving her life.

Qi Yunxiao, presented with an opportunity to be closer to the woman he had loved for so long, wouldn't utter a single "no" and eagerly agreed. Han Li also felt it was a good chance to propose the repair of the teleportation array, so he pondered for a moment and did not object.

Thus, under Han Li's control, the small boat slightly turned its heading and flew towards the northwest.

Several hours later, guided by Xin Ruoyin, Han Li landed on an inconspicuous small mountain.

Aside from some faint mist surrounding the mountain, Han Li noticed nothing unusual. It appeared very ordinary, like many nameless hills in the world.

However, Han Li knew well that as the residence of an array master, there would surely be significant protective measures nearby, most likely powerful arrays. He merely lacked the knowledge of arrays to discern any mysteries in the vicinity, but he dared not show the slightest contempt.

Led by the woman in blue, Han Li and his companions stopped in front of a cluster of bamboo houses on the mountainside. This was Xin Ruoyin's residence.

Xin Ruoyin led Han Li and Qi Yunxiao into a larger bamboo house to rest, while she and her maidservant went to another room to wash and change their clothes. After the chase and ordeal, both women's clothes were a bit dusty, which was unbearable for women who naturally loved cleanliness.

Han Li sat on a bamboo chair, quite amused by Qi Yunxiao's restless demeanor. The latter would periodically walk to the doorway, peering out, as if even this short wait felt like an eternity, appearing utterly lovestruck.

Han Li found it truly amusing, and his lips couldn't help but curl into a slight, knowing smile, which Qi Yunxiao inadvertently noticed when he turned around.

Immediately, Qi Yunxiao's face turned beet red. He mumbled a few excuses before shyly sitting back in his original seat.

"A fair lady, a gentleman's pursuit—this is a perfectly honorable matter! Why should Fellow Daoist Qi be concerned?" Han Li took a light sip of the fine spiritual tea on the table, then smiled faintly and said with an unconcerned expression.

"Senior! No... I didn't..."

Qi Yunxiao became even more flustered!

Just then, the pretty maidservant entered, finally coming to Qi Yunxiao's rescue. Soon after, Xin Ruoyin also entered, having changed into a white gown, presenting a distinct charm. She was like a blooming snow lotus, dazzling to behold.

"I am deeply grateful to Senior Han and Brother Qi for your rescue this time. Ruoyin will never forget it! Please allow this humble one to offer tea in place of wine, a toast to both of you, as a small token of my appreciation!" Upon entering the room, Xin Ruoyin took a cup of tea from the pretty maidservant's hand and charmingly offered a cup to both Han Li and Qi Yunxiao.

Han Li took the cup of tea, a wry smile in his heart, sighing inwardly:

"This woman is truly extraordinary! Her words are impeccable; she hasn't promised anything, yet there's nothing to find fault with!"

As for Qi Yunxiao, seeing his beloved offering him tea, he was already too delighted to know north from south! He drank the tea without tasting its flavor, merely grinning foolishly.

Seeing Qi Yunxiao's expression, Xin Ruoyin felt a headache and turned to converse with Han Li. She intended to subtly inquire about Han Li's identity, to see if he was a cultivator from a prominent sect or a major family.

After all, a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage surely had a notable background.

Of course, Han Li wouldn't be so naive as to easily reveal his details. He deliberately engaged Xin Ruoyin in a roundabout conversation.

After their exchange, the woman failed to obtain any useful information. Xin Ruoyin quickly became quite frustrated by her unsuccessful probing. But her wariness toward Han Li only increased!

For Xin Ruoyin, even though Han Li had provided such significant help, it didn't necessarily mean that Han Li didn't harbor the same intentions as those other people. To be safe, she naturally had to be extra vigilant and cautious.

"Senior Han, I promised you that as long as Ruoyin could be saved, you could pick any of the array flags and array plates I've previously refined! At this moment, I happen to have a few sets with me. Why don't you take a look first to see if you're satisfied?"

This statement surprised Han Li and delighted him at the same time. He could finally steer the conversation to the matter he cared about most.

When Xin Ruoyin heard this, she was initially surprised, but then she smiled at Qi Yunxiao with great gratitude, causing Qi Yunxiao to once again grin foolishly in happiness.

"There's no rush for the array flags and plates! I actually have another matter I need Fellow Daoist Xin's help with. If you can help me resolve this, there's no need to mention any reward. Instead, I can give Fellow Daoist Xin an 800-year-old spiritual herb used for alchemy, for your illness," Han Li suddenly said, astonishing both of them.

"Senior is willing to part with the spiritual herb?" Qi Yunxiao couldn't help but stand up upon hearing this, asking with a mix of surprise and joy.

Clearly, at this moment, he was completely engrossed in the excitement of his beloved having a spiritual herb to treat her illness, with great hope for recovery.