Chapter 542: Sword Might Emerges

Volume 4: Winds from Beyond the Seas

“You…”

“Wait. I want to hear what this woman has to say. As for whether her information is true or false, I will judge that myself. Shujia Literature.” Madam Fan frowned, about to speak again, when Han Li’s expression darkened, and he suddenly interrupted her.

“Since Senior Niece Wen knows something, it’s fine for Fellow Daoist Li to ask her,” Yun Tianxiao said with a glint of cold light in his eyes, smiling after a brief deliberation.

“Alright then!” Madam Fan paused, then reluctantly agreed.

“Many thanks,” Han Li said, not being overly polite, expressing his gratitude with a slight nod.

This casual attitude caused a flicker of almost imperceptible gloom across Yun Tianxiao’s face, which he quickly concealed.

At this point, Han Li was staring at Wen Siyue’s delicate face and began to ask, “Tell me how you know about an eighth-level demonic beast’s lair.” Han Li’s voice was cool and calm, betraying no emotion. This made Wen Siyue, who was standing nearby, hesitate slightly. But then, remembering something terrifying, she spoke with determination:

“When I first arrived in the Outer Star Sea, I unintentionally found a sea chart that depicted a specific location. At the time, I thought it might be a treasure map, so I secretly went to investigate. There, I discovered a young Split Wind Beast. Fortunately, the beast was only at the second or third level, so it didn’t notice me. I was terrified and immediately left the area. As seniors know, Split Wind Beasts only begin to reproduce after reaching the eighth level. They also care for their young until they reach around the fifth level before leaving them. Therefore, there must be an eighth-level Split Wind Beast living there as well. If Senior is willing to agree to my conditions, I am willing to lead the way.” Wen Siyue recounted, bit by bit, an experience deeply buried in her heart.

Han Li’s expression remained unchanged after listening, but a hint of excitement appeared in his eyes.

What the woman said was correct; adult Split Wind Beasts were indeed genuine eighth-level demonic beasts. If her words were true, then there must be Companion Demonic Grass in that lair.

“Fellow Daoist, what conditions do you propose in exchange for this information about the demonic beast’s lair?” Han Li stared at the woman for a long moment, then exhaled lightly and asked in a deep voice.

Han Li believed that the other party wouldn't be so foolish as to deceive a Core Formation cultivator with false information, so he directly inquired about Wen Siyue’s conditions.

“I wish to ask Senior to take me away from here and accept Siyue as your concubine.” Wen Siyue’s face flushed slightly, then she spoke without hesitation.

“What?!” Han Li froze, an unexpected look on his face.

“Siyue, what nonsense are you spouting?!” Madam Fan couldn’t sit still upon hearing this. Her beautiful face was filled with a mix of shock and anger.

The other cultivators were similarly astonished, but then most of them showed a mocking expression, like they were watching a show. A few cultivators couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Sitting beside them, Yun Tianxiao’s face abruptly darkened, an icy blue hue subtly covering his features.

“I didn’t quite hear what conditions you proposed to Fellow Daoist Li just now. Say it again.” Yun Tianxiao suddenly placed his clean, white hands on the round table, staring at his fingers. He spoke coldly, without expression.

The delicate body tightly clutching Han Li’s waist trembled a few times. Upon hearing those words, Wen Siyue’s face became bloodless.

However, when her bright eyes fell upon Han Li, whose expression had returned to calm, she seemed to regain some courage.

“I… I want to become Senior Li’s concubine and leave the Marvelous Sound Sect forever!” Wen Siyue used all her strength, with immense difficulty, to utter these two sentences to Yun Tianxiao. Then, she lowered her head, not daring to look further.

*Poof!*

Half a foot of gray flames shot from Yun Tianxiao’s hands, enveloping them and burning fiercely.

The eerie gray light reflected on his face, making it look sinister and menacing. It was truly terrifying.

“Bone-White Yin Flame,” someone whispered.

Immediately, the other Core Formation cultivators who had been laughing stopped smiling, showing a hint of solemnity.

“Fellow Daoist Li! It seems this woman has practiced her cultivation incorrectly and is somewhat confused. I hope Fellow Daoist doesn’t take her recent rambling seriously. Guards! Take Wen Siyue away, restrict her magic power, and make her face the wall for half a month!” Yun Tianxiao commanded coldly, devoid of any emotion.

As soon as the command was given, two cultivators in green robes, both at the late Foundation Establishment stage, walked in from outside the stone door and headed directly toward Han Li.

Wen Siyue’s face instantly paled, and her gaze towards Han Li was full of pleading, revealing a heartbreakingly vulnerable look.

Han Li couldn’t help but frown.

“Wait!” he finally spoke.

“What, Fellow Daoist Li has truly taken a liking to this female cultivator of our sect?” Yun Tianxiao hadn’t spoken yet, but Madam Fan impatiently interjected with a cold remark.

“Perhaps. But I am more interested in the news of the demonic beast. I ask Madam and Brother Yun not to be so impatient. Why not hear my conditions first?” Han Li said indifferently, without blinking.

Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Yun Tianxiao’s face was overcast and uncertain. After pondering for a moment, he waved his hands, and the flames on them extinguished.

“You two, step down for now. I shall hear him out,” Yun Tianxiao said to Han Li, neither warmly nor coldly.

He decided to give Han Li face for now. After all, the other party was also a Core Formation cultivator, and he had a major task to complete, requiring the strength of all Core Formation cultivators present, so he didn’t wish to easily offend anyone.

“Since Fellow Daoist Wen has voluntarily offered to become my concubine, I would be heartless to simply ignore her, especially since the demonic beast information she possesses is something I absolutely must obtain. How about this: I will use this pile of materials to exchange for this woman’s freedom, Brother Yun, what do you say?” Han Li pushed the pile of extremely rare materials forward without batting an eyelid, then looked at the other party with a faint smile, remaining silent.

“You’re exchanging these things?” Yun Tianxiao said coldly, but a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes.

The items before him were all rare materials from sixth or seventh-level demonic beasts, worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones. Yet, the other party was using them to exchange for a Foundation Establishment female cultivator without batting an eye. Even if the woman was exceptionally alluring, he was still somewhat surprised.

Could the news of an eighth-level demonic beast truly be that important to this person? Was this an opportunity to back down gracefully, or to press for a further hefty payment?

Various thoughts rapidly spun through Yun Tianxiao’s mind. Just as he finally made up his decision and was about to say something with a softened expression, Madam Fan, who was sitting nearby, flickered her body and whispered a few words into his ear. This immediately made Yun Tianxiao’s expression change dramatically, revealing hesitation.

“Fellow Daoist Li, no matter how many materials you offer, this woman cannot be taken away. Otherwise, if such a precedent is set, anyone who fancies a female cultivator from our sect could easily take them away. Where would that leave the face of our Marvelous Sound Sect?” Yun Tianxiao said righteously after a moment of silence.

These words first startled the other cultivators present, then they couldn't help but exchange thoughtful glances.

So many rare materials should, by all accounts, be more than enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment female cultivator. Yet, Yun Tianxiao had refused, which clearly indicated some underlying issue.

And judging by Han Li’s demeanor, he didn't seem willing to let this woman go either.

This made others involuntarily sneer, suddenly feeling that a good show was about to unfold.

“Marvelous Sound Sect?” Han Li pursed his lips, a strange expression flickering in his eyes.

“What, Fellow Daoist Li doesn’t know that this secret market was opened by our sect? And I, Yun, am merely an elder of the Marvelous Sound Sect, assisting Sect Leader Fan in managing our sect,” Yun Tianxiao said coldly, a strange gray aura faintly appearing on his face. His deterrent intent was fully revealed!

However, Yun Tianxiao’s actions were merely an attempt to intimidate the other party.

“The other party is just a Core Formation initial stage cultivator, and he’s on my territory. After considering the pros and cons, he will surely have to yield. It’s just a pity about these materials,” Yun Tianxiao thought with some regret, feeling no worry at all.

But at that moment, Han Li’s lips suddenly curled into a cold smile, and he uttered a blunt “Good.”

Then, as if seeing the other party raise his right hand, a burst of white light erupted, blurring his vision, and a white streak of light appeared before his eyes.

Yun Tianxiao was greatly alarmed; his protective cultivation technique automatically activated, and countless gray flames appeared around him, spontaneously enveloping him.

But at that moment, the white streak ruthlessly struck the gray flames, and after a brief blur, suddenly revealed twelve inch-long miniature swords, which simultaneously stabbed down fiercely.

“Ah!” Yun Tianxiao was terrified out of his wits, hastily opening his mouth to spew out his magical artifact.

However, under the furious assault of the twelve flying swords, the protective gray flames couldn’t even block for a moment; they instantly dissipated, and more than a dozen bloody holes were pierced through his body.

At this point, Yun Tianxiao had only just managed to spew out a small gray fork, but he had already screamed and collapsed to the ground.

The other cultivators watched, dumbfounded, their mouths wide open, unable to close them for a long time.