Chapter 558: Revisiting Miaoyin Sect

**Volume 4: Winds Rise Overseas**

Given Han Li's current cultivation, his escape light was astonishingly fast, even without his cloak and Wind-Lightning Wings.

Just half a month later, Han Li appeared on the desolate island where the Wonderful Sound Gate's market once was.

However, after a quick scan with his spiritual sense, he found the underground world completely empty. This meant he would have to find someone to ask for information.

So, Han Li looked around, adjusted his direction arbitrarily, and transformed into a streak of green light, vanishing from sight.

Since the Wonderful Sound Gate's market had been located on this island, it implied that even if it moved, it wouldn't leave the nearby waters. Furthermore, the islands in this sea area should be where human cultivators were relatively concentrated.

He believed that with his powerful spiritual sense, finding some human cultivators would not be too difficult.

As expected, after flying for half a day, Han Li discovered traces of human cultivators on a medium-sized island.

Moreover, it wasn't just one, but a group.

Standing high above the island, he saw several male and female cultivators below, besieging two Level Four demonic beasts on the sea surface near the island.

When he saw two somewhat familiar faces among them, Han Li was startled at first, then chuckled softly.

Afterward, Han Li, using his "Form Transformation Art," changed his appearance at will, transforming into a dark-faced middle-aged man. Without haste, he casually flicked out two streaks of green sword qi. After a flash of light, they instantly pierced through the heads of the two Level Four demonic beasts, killing them on the spot.

This move startled the cultivators below. They immediately spotted Han Li high in the sky, causing a stir among them. They knew a high-level cultivator, at least at the Core Formation stage, had arrived.

Immediately, after a brief discussion among themselves, a burly man in brocade robes flew towards Han Li.

"Greetings, Senior. Thank you for your assistance. Is there anything my companions and I can do for you?" Although the burly man in brocade spoke respectfully, a trace of unease flickered in his hook-nosed eyes. He wondered about the intentions of this Core Formation cultivator, who had suddenly appeared on the island.

Looking at the burly man named Yi, who had teleported with him, Han Li narrowed his eyes and did not speak immediately. Instead, he glanced downwards, his gaze falling on the scarred-faced cultivator, Xu Yun. As for Madam Liu and the other cultivators who had teleported with them, none were present.

As for the burly man in brocade and Xu Yun, after so many years, they were still lingering at the late Foundation Establishment stage. It seemed highly probable that their attempt at Core Formation had failed.

Seeing Han Li's somber silence, the burly man named Yi grew a little nervous.

He hesitated, and just as he was about to speak again, Han Li slowly spoke.

"I am looking for the Wonderful Sound Gate's secret market. Does anyone here know when it will open next, and where it will be held?" Han Li's gaze returned to the burly man in brocade's face, and he asked with an indifferent expression.

Hearing Han Li's question, the burly man named Yi's expression relaxed. With a respectful look, he quickly replied:

"Senior, there is still over a month until the Wonderful Sound Gate's secret market reopens. The market's location has already been decided; it's on Twin Peaks Island, several days' journey west of this island. If Senior wishes to go, this junior can lead the way." This person was indeed quite discerning.

"That won't be necessary. Just give me the sea chart." Han Li subtly shook his head.

He had no intention of reminiscing with them.

This person was indeed fortunate to have survived the beast tide. However, the others were likely beyond saving. This made Han Li sigh inwardly.

"Yes, Senior! This junior will mark the sea chart and the secret market's location for you now." A hint of disappointment appeared on the burly man in brocade's face. He had hoped to use this opportunity to build some connections with this high-level cultivator. The Outer Star Sea was becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. Knowing another Core Formation cultivator would be highly beneficial for his future.

However, after secretly glancing at Han Li's extremely cold expression again, he reluctantly took out a jade slip from his robes. After marking the Wonderful Sound Gate's market location on it, he presented it to Han Li with both hands.

Han Li took it, nodded after a quick scan with his spiritual sense, and without any hesitation, transformed into a streak of green light. He then vanished into the sky.

Only these low-level cultivators remained on the spot, with expressions of envy on their faces.

In the current Outer Star Sea, without cultivation at the Core Formation stage or higher, low-level cultivators hardly dared to venture far from their caves. But Han Li wasn't foolish enough to actually wait a month before going.

By then, he might not even have teleported away yet. The Wind-Splitting Beast would likely have found him.

Therefore, he intended to directly find Madam Fan and Yun Tianxiao, to see if he could quietly teleport away by paying a small price.

If they demanded an exorbitant price, he naturally wouldn't hesitate to forcibly teleport away without ceremony.

Several days later, Han Li arrived at the so-called "Twin Peaks Island." The island was quite large, featuring two massive peaks of similar height.

He circled one of the peaks a few times and, following the map's instructions, found the market's entrance.

After a moment's hesitation, Han Li reverted his appearance to how it was when he last visited the secret market.

He then landed directly halfway up the mountain, took a few steps, and stopped in front of a giant tree, several zhang in diameter.

He expressionlessly looked at the towering tree, dozens of zhang tall. A cold smile involuntarily formed on his lips. With a light flick of his finger, three white orbs of light unceremoniously struck the tree bark, producing three dull thuds.

A moment later, green light flickered, and a gap opened in the tree bark.

From within emerged an old man in white robes, at the late Foundation Establishment stage. He was surprisingly the same gatekeeper Han Li had seen at the last market.

The old man recognized the Core Formation cultivator Han Li was impersonating at a glance.

After all, Core Formation cultivators who came here were few and far between. And after the last market, he had heard rumors that this person, who had subdued over a dozen Core Formation cultivators by himself, was likely a Nascent Soul stage expert.

Therefore, as soon as he clearly saw Han Li's face, the old man immediately bowed deeply and hurried forward to ask with a profound bow:

"So it is Senior Li who has arrived. This junior was unaware; please forgive me, Senior! But, Senior, do you have urgent business for coming here now? There is still over a month until the secret market opens. There are no goods yet for Senior to inspect."

The old man spoke with extreme reverence, while a hint of confusion flickered in his eyes.

"I am not here to attend any secret market this time. I intend to meet your Sect Master Fan or Elder Yun." Han Li glanced at the old man and deliberately raised his head slightly, speaking with an arrogant tone.

"You wish to see the Sect Master and Elder Yun?" The old man was startled at first, then showed a hesitant expression.

"What? Is that not possible?" Han Li's voice suddenly turned cold, and his expression became gloomy.

"Of course not!" Seeing this situation, the old man shivered instinctively and immediately said with a fawning smile, a faint sheen of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

"If it were anyone else, it naturally wouldn't be possible. But for Senior to come personally, it must be for important discussions. This old man will inform Senior's arrival right away. Sect Master Fan happens to be here, overseeing the market's preparations. Please wait a moment, Senior!" The old man pondered for a moment and spoke honestly. He decided to pass this thorny matter up the chain of command. He certainly didn't need to provoke a confrontation with such a person!

"Then be quick about it. I don't have much patience for waiting." Hearing that Madam Fan was present, Han Li couldn't help but feel a surge of delight in his heart. Only then did his expression slightly soften as he spoke:

"Yes, Senior! This junior will use a message talisman to inform the Sect Master right away. It will only take a moment!" The old man replied hurriedly, greatly relieved.

If the other party truly intended to force their way in, he would only be able to stare helplessly, and certainly wouldn't step forward to foolishly block them.

So, in front of Han Li, the old man in white sent out a message talisman, which shot into the tree hollow.

"Where is your Elder Yun? Why isn't he with your Sect Master?" Seeing the message talisman vanish, Han Li casually asked with an indifferent expression.

"Well... this junior genuinely doesn't know Elder Yun's whereabouts. Recently, all matters concerning the market have been handled by the Sect Master alone," the old man looked troubled, hesitated for a moment, and then mumbled somewhat.

Seeing the other party's expression, how could Han Li not understand the implication of his hesitations? After a few cold laughs, he didn't press the matter further.

This made the old man secretly breathe a huge sigh of relief.

A moment later, the old man in white received a message talisman. After a quick scan with his spiritual sense, he respectfully spoke to Han Li:

"Senior Li, our Sect Master invites you inside for a discussion. This junior will lead the way for you now."

"Lead the way!" Han Li looked nonchalant.

The world beneath the tree hollow was largely similar to what he had seen in the market last time. It was also divided into two levels, a considerable underground world.

However, at present, apart from a dozen low-level male and female cultivators of the Wonderful Sound Gate preparing something, there was no one else inside.

The old man quickly led Han Li to a stone wall. Outside it stood two exceptionally beautiful female cultivators.

"Greetings, Senior Li. Our Sect Master is awaiting your esteemed presence inside!" The two young women bowed to Han Li simultaneously and spoke sweetly, their delicate faces flushed.