Chapter 565: Strange Misidentification

Feng Xi immediately spotted Han Li within the teleportation array, and his expression changed dramatically. While he had some suspicions about Han Li seemingly seeking death by hiding on the small island, he never would have imagined a teleportation array was located there. He watched as Han Li, mixing a spell incantation with a mouthful of vital blood, activated the teleportation array in an instant, despite the significant drain on his true essence. A loud humming sound erupted.

“No!”

With an enraged roar, he instinctively opened his mouth, unleashing a ball of green light that shot directly towards a corner of the teleportation array. If he destroyed the teleportation array, Han Li would naturally become his captive. As he launched the attack, the demon cultivator’s figure blurred, and he lunged like a whirlwind towards the teleportation array, a menacing grimace on his face. He was attempting to interrupt Han Li’s teleportation.

However, his actions were clearly too late. Han Li responded to the ball of green light by unleashing more than ten streams of sword qi, temporarily delaying its approach. Yet, facing the viciously pouncing Rifting Beast, he showed no intention of dodging. This was because the formation had already emitted a milky-white light, instantly enveloping Han Li’s figure and pulling him in.

By the time Feng Xi surged forward like a gale and reached the formation, Han Li's figure had already blurred within the light and vanished without a trace. The enraged Rifting Beast was left fuming in the hall. He had no idea where this formation led, and lacking a teleportation talisman, he naturally didn't dare to rush in and pursue.

Just then, Miao He, mounted on a white crane, flew in through the shattered roof. He only caught sight of the formation's fading white light, his face similarly filled with astonishment and vexation. But at this moment, Feng Xi suddenly turned, his crimson eyes fixed intently on the Taoist, a chilling murderous glint flashing across his face.

“All humans here must die!” The Rifting Beast, driven into a frenzy by Han Li’s escape, immediately unleashed all its pent-up fury on Miao He upon seeing him enter. Then, the demon cultivator’s body erupted with green light. In an instant, he transformed into a streak of azure light, aggressively lunging towards Miao He. Upon seeing this, Miao He’s expression shifted. Without hesitation, he simultaneously brought forth his ancient mirror and jade hammer. Lights of various colors intertwined in the air…

Over a month later, rumors began to circulate among the human cultivators in the nearby sea region. It was said that True Master Miao He, a Nascent Soul cultivator, had his physical body shattered by a Level 9 demonic beast, and only by exhausting all his abilities did his Nascent Soul manage to flee back to his cave dwelling. For a time, humans were once again struck with terror by the demonic beasts’ ferocity. What they never suspected, however, was that this was merely the beginning.

Only a few months later, the Flood Dragon clan from the abyss suddenly dispatched a large number of high-level members. They soared out of the deep sea, launching raids and relentlessly hunting down human cultivators above the Core Formation stage. Although these attacks only lasted a few years, the resulting casualties among high-level cultivators were significant, even comparable to the death toll from a beast tide invasion. Furthermore, two other Nascent Soul stage old monsters were also besieged by several high-level Flood Dragons, similarly suffering severe injuries. From then on, cultivators in the nearby sea region blanched at the mere mention of Flood Dragons, and no one dared to venture out of their residences lightly. This state of affairs persisted for over a decade before gradually returning to normal.

However, what puzzled some cultivators who had narrowly escaped the demonic beasts was that each time before attacking, these beasts would inquire if there were any Core Formation cultivators surnamed Li among them. If no one could provide an answer, they would immediately launch an unceremonious attack. This led the cultivators to surmise that the Flood Dragon clan’s major offensive was, more than likely, triggered by this cultivator surnamed Li. They had no idea how this individual had managed to provoke the Flood Dragon clan! The consequence of this widespread rumor was naturally that everyone cursed the person for inviting such disaster. It was even speculated that if this cultivator surnamed Li could be found, he might be bound and handed over to the Flood Dragon clan as an apology to settle the matter.

Yet, to their puzzlement, while there were indeed some severely injured high-level cultivators, not a single one bore the surname Li. Even if they wished to lay blame, they simply couldn't locate the true instigator.

Meanwhile, Han Li, unknowingly destined to be cursed by thousands, appeared in an unfamiliar location amidst a flash of white light, clutching a Grand Teleportation Token. Given Han Li's cautious nature, he had naturally anticipated encountering enemies even before completing his teleportation. He had also altered his appearance to that of a stranger. However, before he could fully recover from the dizziness of the transfer, a languid voice suddenly drifted from nearby.

“Your Excellency,” the voice drawled, “it seems you’re quite impatient. We two are the earliest to arrive. The others haven't shown up yet!”

Hearing this, Han Li’s heart tensed, but with a quick thought, he uttered a noncommittal "Hmm" before glancing to the side. Not far from the teleportation array beneath his feet, a black-clad figure sat cross-legged on a blue stone, his head bowed. Upon seeing Han Li look his way, the figure raised his head and flashed a wide grin, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth. But after Han Li clearly saw the person’s face, he was greatly startled. The person's appearance was truly terrifying: his face was gaunt and shriveled, like a living skull. And after grinning at Han Li, his eyes glowed with a faint, eerie blue light.

Despite his inner shock, Han Li didn’t dare to underestimate this individual, for with a quick glance, he ascertained that this person was a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator – a rare sight among high-level cultivators in the Starfall Sea. The 'Skull-face' evidently also discerned Han Li’s late-stage Core Formation cultivation. After a flicker of surprise in his eyes, his tone became noticeably more polite.

“Brother, please rest for a moment,” the Skull-face chuckled. “The others should be arriving soon. We should all reap considerable benefits from this operation.”

Han Li was secretly surprised, but given the unclear circumstances, he nodded without betraying any hint of surprise, his expression remaining neutral. At this point, Han Li also took in his surroundings clearly, and his heart eased slightly. The location was a cave-like chamber, roughly twenty zhang in length, width, and height. Besides the ancient teleportation array beneath his feet, there were two other arrays installed nearby. Everything here was exactly as Madam Fan had described the teleportation array on Imperial Bright Island. He hadn't encountered any mishaps during the transfer and had indeed returned to the Inner Star Sea. He recalled feeling a bit apprehensive earlier when disciples of the Wonderful Sound Sect mentioned that the teleportation array hadn't been fully tested yet. As it turned out, his luck was quite good.

Just as Skull-face was speaking to him, another formation flashed with yellow light, and a tall figure vaguely materialized within it. The black-clad man’s eyes lit up, and he immediately stood and walked over. Seizing this opportunity, Han Li subtly emitted a wisp of green sword qi from his feet, etching a barely discernible crack into the teleportation array he stood upon. This rendered the ancient teleportation array beneath him ineffective. He no longer had to fear Miao He or the Rifting Beast pursuing him with their own teleportation talismans.

Han Li’s subtle action was extremely secretive; neither the black-clad man nor the stern-looking burly man who had just materialized noticed what he had done. The two men, seemingly acquainted, began to chat and joke. Seeing this, Han Li calmly stepped off the array and walked towards the cave entrance. However, he had only taken a few steps when Skull-face’s slightly surprised voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

“Brother, not everyone has arrived yet,” Skull-face said, a hint of surprise in his voice. “I received notice that five of us would be acting together. The one giving instructions and another person still haven't arrived. We'd best wait in the cave for now, or it'll be difficult to explain later! Could this be your first time participating in such an operation? Your face does look a bit unfamiliar!” He initially sounded surprised but then seemed to reassure himself. For some reason, he never doubted Han Li’s identity from beginning to end.

Han Li frowned slightly, then deliberately mumbled with a hint of dissatisfaction: “Why is this so troublesome? No one mentioned these rules when I arrived.”

“Hehe!” Skull-face chuckled, clicking his tongue, though his meaning was unclear. “It must be that your cultivation is too high, Brother, so those who gave you instructions naturally didn't dare to elaborate. But please bear with it for a bit longer. Once the task is complete, you can once again enjoy your freedom.”

Hearing this, Han Li had already deduced about seventy to eighty percent of the situation. His eyes flickered subtly. Just as he was about to try and glean more information, another formation glowed brightly, and this time, two individuals teleported out simultaneously. One was a gray-robed old man with pristine white beard and hair, and the other was a lean, capable fellow. Han Li’s eyes gleamed as he noticed a vivid, blue flame-shaped emblem embroidered on each of the old man’s wide sleeves. It subtly shimmered with spiritual energy, appearing to be no ordinary symbol.

With their arrival, there were now five people in the cave. Among them, Han Li was at the late Core Formation stage, Skull-face at the mid Core Formation stage, and both the burly man and the old man were at the early Core Formation stage. As for the lean man, he was merely at the late Foundation Establishment stage.