Chapter 563: Unexpected Incident

As Yun Tianxiao entered the room, he saw a man seated low in the center, his hands gleaming brightly as he seemed to be tinkering with something. He glanced around in surprise, noticing the absence of the woman named Yun Qin. A moment of confusion turned into a surge of sharp vigilance.

"Who are you, and where is that girl Yun Qin?" he slowly asked, his gaze fixed on the man, while the magic treasures within him stirred, ready for action.

"Heh heh! Brother Yun, it hasn't been that long, yet you've forgotten me," the man chuckled softly, lifting his head to look at him.

"It's you?" Yun Tianxiao's expression instantly changed as he recognized the man's face. Without a moment's hesitation, he abruptly moved, intending to transform into a streak of light and flee the area.

"Too late!" the man's faint voice echoed, and a burst of colorful light suddenly flew from his hand.

After a flash, several five-colored copper rings materialized on Yun Tianxiao's body. With a low hum, the rings simultaneously tightened. Yun Tianxiao cried out, flipping over and collapsing to the ground.

Alarmed, he hastily attempted to release his magic treasures, but they remained motionless within him, as if dead, completely restrained.

"Senior Miaohua, help me!" Utterly terrified, Yun Tianxiao cast all caution aside and immediately cried out frantically.

He barely managed to utter that cry before the man opposite him opened his mouth. A blue rainbow shot out, circled once, and then sliced off Yun Tianxiao's head with a single stroke. Then, without hesitation, the man reached out a hand, and the storage bag on the corpse flew into it. Immediately after, the Five Elements Rings and the blue light automatically returned to his side. This entire sequence of actions was completed in an instant, with the speed of lightning.

However, almost simultaneously with Han Li acquiring the storage bag, a 'boom' echoed from one side. The wall of the stone house on one side abruptly shattered. Amidst a cloud of flying dust, True Person Miaohua appeared, his Taoist robe fluttering.

The old Taoist grimly glanced at the decapitated corpse on the ground. Then, raising his head to look at Han Li, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he softly uttered: "You seek death."

Then, with a flick of his finger, a scorching, dazzling white light appeared and instantly shot towards Han Li. Han Li's eyes narrowed, his heart seizing with alarm. The Five Elements Rings in his hand rapidly expanded, merging into a giant multicolored ring that enveloped and protected him. Simultaneously, he flipped his palm, and a red and yellow jade Ruyi appeared in his hand.

This was Han Li's first direct confrontation with a Nascent Soul cultivator's attack since his cultivation had significantly advanced, relying on the potency of ancient treasures. He naturally harbored a desire to test his limits. Thus, while he appeared calm on the surface, his heart pounded with uncertainty; he had no confidence at all.

With a muffled 'bang,' the white light slammed into the five-colored aura. Han Li felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. His body abruptly flew backward, violently crashing into the stone wall behind him, causing his head to spin.

"Eh!"

As Han Li reeled, dizzy from the impact, a surprised 'eh' sound came from his opponent. White light flared up again before his eyes. Han Li gasped, then fiercely swung his jade Ruyi. Within the five-colored halo, a red and yellow light shield instantly materialized. Another powerful blow struck, but this time it was noticeably less severe than the last. He staggered back a few steps before steadying himself.

Han Li's heart settled. Simultaneously, with a thought, a pair of silvery-white wings unfurled behind him. With a rumbling sound of thunder, he instantly vanished from his spot, reappearing in another corner of the room the next moment, perfectly dodging the next round of white light attacks.

It was then that Han Li clearly saw the true form of the white light: a gleaming white jade hammer. The oval hammerhead, covered in runes and only palm-sized, emitted astonishing spiritual energy.

At this moment, after Miaohua's attack failed to connect, a flicker of emotion crossed his face. He extended a hand, and the small hammer returned with a 'whoosh,' vanishing into his wide sleeve.

"Unbelievable. A mere Core Formation cultivator possessing so many ancient treasures. What is your name?" Miaohua asked, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Han Li pursed his lips, about to speak, when the room door was suddenly pushed open, and Madam Fan entered, looking slightly excited.

"Senior Miaohua! This Senior Li is the helper I specially invited to deal with the traitor Yun Tianxiao. Please rest assured, whatever conditions that scoundrel agreed to, I am willing to compensate double." Madam Fan curtsied respectfully to True Person Miaohua.

Hearing this, Miaohua's brows furrowed slightly. His gaze swept over the dead body on the ground, and his expression became uncertain. Han Li remained silent, standing his ground. However, Madam Fan grew tense as she observed Miaohua's expression.

"Very well. Since this is an internal matter of the Wonder Sound Sect, I shall not interfere further. Sect Master Fan, do not forget what you just promised," Miaohua finally said, his expression relaxing.

"Please rest assured, Senior. How could I possibly break my word!" Madam Fan, her heart having been in her throat, immediately relaxed and promised with a charming smile.

The old Taoist nodded, but then a hint of suspicion arose on his face as he looked at Han Li. "Fellow Daoist Li, where did you cultivate previously? Your face is quite unfamiliar!" he paused, then suddenly inquired.

"Junior..." Han Li's heart tightened. After a brief consideration, he opened his mouth to dispel the other's suspicion. But just as he uttered two words, a green light flashed across his face, and his expression abruptly changed. The Wind Spirit energy, encased in golden threads within his body, violently erupted at that moment. Judging by its fierce and violent nature, the human-shaped Wind Splitting Beast, Feng Xi, was clearly not far off.

Overwhelmed by shock and anger, Han Li instinctively channeled his full magic power, only then managing to forcefully suppress the sudden surge of Wind Spirit energy. Despite his efforts, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Just as Han Li survived this crisis and let out a sigh of relief, he met Miaohua's gaze, which was filled with surprise and a strange, delighted expression. Han Li was startled. Then, something flashed in his mind, and he hurriedly touched his face, turning pale. As expected, his Disguise Art had failed, and he had reverted to his original appearance.

"Han Li?" A grim expression flashed across True Person Miaohua's face as he instantly called out Han Li's name.

Han Li's face instantly paled, and he inwardly cursed his luck. Without a moment's hesitation, the silver wings on his back flashed, and amidst a thunderous roar, his figure abruptly vanished from his spot. Simultaneously, the old Taoist flicked his wide sleeve, transforming into a streak of white light that also vanished.

Only Madam Fan remained in the room, her expression blank, her face a mask of complex emotions.

Above Twin Peaks Island, a silver light flickered, and Han Li's figure suddenly materialized. But the very next moment, a streak of white light abruptly shot up from the island, hurtling towards Han Li with astonishing speed. Han Li's expression darkened. He furiously channeled the Purifying Evil Divine Thunder within him into the Wind-Thunder Wings. Amidst bursts of thunder, he vanished instantly, reappearing a hundred zhang away the next moment, only to vanish and reappear again. In the blink of an eye, Han Li's figure became a tiny black speck in the distance.

Upon witnessing this, True Person Miaohua, enveloped in white light, felt a pang of shock. Almost instinctively, he concluded that the wings on Han Li's back must be treasures acquired from the Void Heaven Cauldron, and his heart burned with even greater fervor. He let out a low roar, transforming into a dazzling streak of light. Immediately, a rapid 'whooshing' sound ripped through the air as the dazzling light also transformed into a mere speck, fiercely giving chase to Han Li in the distance. In a flash, both the speck of light and the black dot vanished from sight.

Ahead, Han Li, using the Purifying Evil Divine Thunder to activate his Wind-Thunder Wings, achieved an astonishing speed, leaving True Person Miaohua far behind. At this pace, Han Li would soon be able to completely lose the old Taoist. However, at this very moment, the Wind Spirit energy within his body began to act up frequently. It would erupt almost every brief interval. This forced Han Li to frequently halt and channel his spiritual energy to suppress the backlash of the Wind Spirit energy. Such delays provided True Person Miaohua an opportunity; he managed to lock onto Han Li with his divine sense and relentlessly pursued him.

But Han Li's greatest concern wasn't this; it was that as the Wind Spirit energy's surges became more severe, the Wind Splitting Beast, Feng Xi, was clearly drawing closer. This filled Han Li with apprehension.

Left with no choice, Han Li, with a resolute heart, fled towards the small island where a teleportation array was being constructed. He now hoped that the island's teleportation array had indeed been completed quickly under Madam Fan's orders. As long as he could reach the island before Miaohua and Feng Xi caught up, he would have a chance to escape their pursuit.

While the Wind-Thunder Wings offered astonishing speed, they also consumed a considerable amount of Purifying Evil Divine Thunder. Therefore, after Han Li once again outdistanced Miaohua, he retracted his wings and put on a crimson cloak. Then, enveloped in a crimson glow, he shot towards the small island.