Chapter 314: Peace and Reinforcements

"Ice Demon, are you trying to incite me to fight Ye She just because you dislike someone?" the big man asked, glaring irritably.

"Hehe, how could that be!" the white figure said, nonchalantly changing the subject despite the big man having seen through his intentions. "Aren't you going to see the Sect Leader? Now's a perfect time; he just finished his blood sacrifice and hasn't started cultivating yet!"

The bald man knew the other person wasn't being sincere, but he could only snort before striding into the darkness.

After several turns and passing through six or seven courtyards, the big man arrived near an extremely secluded, enormous artificial mountain, his face now showing reverence.

"Your subordinate, Tie Luo, greets the Sect Leader!" the big man said loudly, bowing.

"Tie Luo! What happened? Are you injured?"

A magnetic voice belonging to a middle-aged man echoed from deep within the artificial mountain. The Blackfiend Sect Leader's secluded cultivation chamber was, unexpectedly, located beneath the mountain—a fact Han Li and his companions would likely never have guessed.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader," the bald man replied cautiously. "Your subordinate merely used the Demonic Transformation Art, which resulted in some depletion of vital energy."

After the big man finished speaking, the Sect Leader remained silent for a moment before finally speaking in a soft, drawn-out voice:

"It appears this mission was a failure. Otherwise, my nominal disciple would have returned with you to report."

"Sect Leader, please forgive me," the big man said, gritting his teeth, his face flushed with shame. "Your subordinate failed to protect them adequately; both the Young Master and Protector Wang have fallen into enemy hands. I am willing to accept your severe punishment!"

"Punishment? Why would I punish you?" the Sect Leader asked. "Since you even resorted to the Demonic Transformation Art, it means the enemy this time was indeed too powerful, and your failure wasn't due to a lack of effort. It was merely a disciple and a protector; it's not a big deal. However, if *you* had fallen into enemy hands, that would truly give me a headache!"

"Thank you for your leniency, Sect Leader!" the big man exclaimed. "Your subordinate will certainly serve you with all his heart and strength in the future to make up for this mistake!"

The Blackfiend Sect Leader was very skilled at winning people's hearts. With just a few words, he made the bald man deeply emotional, who immediately expressed his profound loyalty.

"Hmm, very good!" the Blackfiend Sect Leader said, clearly pleased with the big man's declaration of loyalty. "Now, tell me about the details of this encounter. I'm very interested to know which sect's cultivator is so ruthless!"

"As you command!" the big man replied hastily.

"The cultivation art of the Foundation Establishment cultivator we were trying to capture this time is very peculiar," the bald man began to recount slowly. "He can even control mechanical beasts like puppets, and their power is considerable. At that time..." He meticulously described his battle with Han Li and how he transformed into a demon when he realized the situation was unfavorable.

After the big man finished his account, silence fell beneath the artificial mountain. The Blackfiend Sect Leader seemed to be pondering something.

After a while, his calm, unruffled voice spoke again.

"Based on your description, the puppets this cultivator controls must be the Thousand Bamboo Sect's Puppet Art," the Blackfiend Sect Leader said calmly. "This person is likely a cultivator from the Thousand Bamboo Sect. I heard recently that a group of their members appeared within Yuanwu Nation; he might be one of them. However, your instinctive escape after transforming was a very wise choice; otherwise, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me."

"No way!" the big man said, somewhat unconvinced. "Even if he used a talisman-treasure, I refuse to believe my demonic form couldn't withstand it. If only I could freely control my transformed body, I would have truly confronted him! Even if I weren't his match, I should have been able to retreat safely!"

"Tie Luo," the Blackfiend Sect Leader said, seeming to smile gently as he explained to the big man, "I know you once took a talisman-treasure head-on and emerged unharmed. However, the power of talisman-treasures can vary immensely. Even those refined from the same magic artifact can possess vastly different powers. And this particular talisman-treasure, just from its unusual phenomenon, I can conclude that with your current Fiendish Demon transformation, you still wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow from it. Perhaps with Qingwen's Wood Demon transformation, there might be a chance."

"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Leader!" the big man said, still somewhat unconvinced inwardly but politely expressing his gratitude.

"Sect Leader, how should we deal with these cultivators next?" the bald man asked eagerly, clearly intending to seek revenge on Han Li. "Since they aren't disciples of the Seven Sects, should all four of us Blood Servants be dispatched to capture this person alive and present him to you for cultivation?"

"No need!" the Sect Leader replied. "Calling him a Thousand Bamboo Sect cultivator is just speculation; we can't be entirely sure, and he might even have allies. Furthermore, I am in a critical period of my seclusion and do not wish to provoke powerful enemies. For now, restrict the sect members in the capital; have them all remain within the imperial palace. Everything else can wait until my cultivation art is complete! Even without a Foundation Establishment cultivator for the blood sacrifice, it will only delay things by a few months. By then, apart from Core Formation cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators will no longer be worth my attention." As the Sect Leader spoke, his previously calm tone was tinged with a hint of excitement.

The Blackfiend Sect Leader's intentions indeed coincided with Han Li's predictions.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader, on your cultivation art nearing completion!" the big man said loudly and shrewdly. "Your subordinate will immediately arrange for the sect disciples to increase their vigilance within the imperial palace, ensuring no one disturbs you in the slightest."

"Good, go and make the arrangements!"

After speaking, the Blackfiend Sect Leader seemed a bit tired, and no further sound came from him. The bald man then respectfully retreated several steps before turning and leaving.

The area once again became an inconspicuous, neglected corner of the palace.

Time passed quickly. After Han Li sent out the new intelligence he had obtained, another half a month went by.

During this period, both the Blackfiend Sect and Han Li, as if by tacit agreement, kept a low profile.

The Blackfiend Sect did not mobilize a large force to search for Han Li's hiding place, nor did Han Li dare to recklessly barge into the imperial palace. Both sides acted calmly and with restraint, as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Meanwhile, the cultivators of the Demonic Dao, who should have appeared by now, remained entirely silent for some unknown reason, which greatly relieved Han Li.

The worst scenario he feared—the Blackfiend Sect colluding with the Demonic Dao cultivators to cause trouble together—fortunately did not materialize. Han Li couldn't help but feel secretly relieved.

According to Han Li's calculations, even if Li Huayuan sent someone, it would still take at least ten days. Therefore, Han Li practiced diligently every day without haste, no longer venturing out easily. Under Han Li's subtle hints, Qin Yan also consistently declined invitations to go out, choosing to remain in his residence and enjoying some family bliss.

However, this morning, while Han Li was meditating and cultivating qi on his bed, his tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, revealing a glint of cold light.

"It seems a fellow Daoist has come to visit," he called out. "Stop hiding and show yourself!"

Han Li said this in a cold voice, then patted the storage pouch at his waist. Instantly, the White Phosphorus Shield flew out, hovering in front of him, while he also clutched a Fire Cloud Talisman in his hand, his entire demeanor that of someone facing a formidable foe.

The reason Han Li reacted with such seriousness was his alarming perception of three or four Foundation Establishment cultivators lurking just outside his door. Although they had all used concealment spells, Han Li, who cultivated the nameless chant, could still faintly sense their presence.

In his shock, Han Li secretly wondered, "Could it be that all four Blood Servants of the Blackfiend Sect have arrived at the same time?"

The moment this thought appeared, Han Li, while inwardly complaining, immediately made plans to escape. As for the Four Friends of Mengshan and the residents of the Qin manor, Han Li couldn't spare them a thought; he could only hope they would fend for themselves.

As various thoughts swirled in Han Li's mind, the anticipated frantic assault of magic artifacts and Daoist spells did not occur. Instead, a clear, cheerful laugh echoed from outside.

"Haha! See?" a voice boomed. "I told you few couldn't hide from Junior Brother's senses! Junior Brother has already entered the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, so stop showing off your meager skills in front of him."

The voice was very familiar to Han Li. With a stirring in his heart, he called out:

"Could it be Senior Brother Song has arrived? This junior brother greets Senior Brother!"

Han Li's words were filled with pleasant surprise.

"Junior Brother, you guessed correctly right away!" the owner of the voice said, then swaggered into Han Li's room. It was indeed his fourth Senior Brother, Song Meng.

Behind him stood two other men and one woman. Apart from a handsome young man who wore a stern expression, the other man and woman smiled as they gazed at Han Li.

The refined-looking man among them said with a smile:

"Eighth Junior Brother, I've long heard your name from our Master. Unfortunately, my Seventh Junior Sister and I never had the chance to meet you! Now we finally get to see the real you. But your cultivation has reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage so quickly—tsk-tsk! I'm truly speechless."

The beautiful woman standing beside him heard this and lightly chuckled, covering her mouth, her bright eyes curiously scrutinizing Han Li.

Hearing this and observing the man and woman's appearances, Han Li immediately understood who they were. He quickly got up from the bed and said with a respectful expression:

"You must be Third Senior Brother and Seventh Senior Sister! This junior brother has long heard of your esteemed names; it's just that we've always missed the chance to meet! As for cultivation, Senior Brother, haven't you already reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage? What's my humble cultivation worth?"

Han Li's words were filled with sincerity, leaving a good impression on his Third Senior Brother.