Calm and Reinforcements

Chapter 316: Calm and Reinforcements

“Ice Fiend, you’re not just looking at him wrong and trying to goad me into a fight with Ye Snake, are you?” The bald, burly man glared back, his voice flat with irritation.

“Hehe! How could I! Don’t you need to see the Sect Master? Now’s the perfect time—he just finished a blood sacrifice and hasn’t started his qi refining yet!” The white-robed figure, caught out by the big man, casually changed the subject without the slightest sign of shame.

The burly man knew full well the answer was dishonest, but he only snorted and strode into the darkness.

After several turns and passing through six or seven courtyards, he arrived near an enormous, secluded artificial mountain. A look of reverence crept onto his face.

“Subordinate Tie Luo pays his respects to the Sect Master!” The big man bowed deeply and announced himself.

“Tie Luo. How did you get hurt?”

A magnetic, middle-aged man’s voice came faintly from the base of the artificial mountain. The Black Fiend Sect Master’s secluded cultivation chamber was actually beneath that mountain—a location Han Li and his allies would never have guessed.

“Thank you for your concern, Sect Master. I merely used the Demonic Transformation skill and suffered some loss of vitality,” the bald man answered cautiously.

After the man finished speaking, the Sect Master remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking in a measured tone:

“So from what you’re saying, the mission failed. Otherwise, my nominal disciple should have returned with you to report.”

“Forgive me, Sect Master! I failed to protect them adequately. The young master and Protector Wang have both fallen into enemy hands. I accept whatever severe punishment you deem fit!” The big man gritted his teeth, his face flushed with shame.

“Punishment? Why would I punish you? If you’ve even had to use the Demonic Transformation, it means the enemy was indeed too strong. It’s not a failure of effort on your part. A disciple and a protector are no great loss. If you had fallen into enemy hands, that would have truly given me a headache.”

“Thank you for your mercy, Sect Master! I will dedicate myself fully to your service to make up for this mistake!”

The Black Fiend Sect Master was clearly skilled at winning loyalty. A few words stirred the burly man deeply, and he promptly swore his unwavering allegiance.

“Good. Now, tell me how the fight went. I want to know which sect’s cultivator is so troublesome.” The Black Fiend Sect Master, apparently satisfied with the man’s words, asked about Han Li with genuine interest.

“As you command!” The man quickly replied. “The Foundation Establishment cultivator we were ordered to capture uses a very strange technique. He controls puppet-like mechanical beasts that are surprisingly powerful. At the time...”

The bald man narrated the encounter in detail, recounting his fight with Han Li and the circumstances that led him to use the Demonic Transformation before fleeing.

When the man finished, silence fell beneath the artificial mountain. The Sect Master seemed to be contemplating something.

After a moment, his clear but impassive voice came again.

“The puppets you described sound like the Thousand Bamboo School’s puppet arts. This cultivator might be one of their members. I recall hearing recently that a group of Thousand Bamboo cultivators had appeared in Yuanwu Country. He might be among them. Still, your instinct to flee immediately after transforming was wise. Otherwise, you would not be standing here talking to me.” The Sect Master spoke in a cold, detached tone.

“That can’t be right! Even if he was using a Talisman Treasure at the time, I refuse to believe my demonic body couldn’t have withstood it. If I hadn’t lost control of my form after transforming, I would have fought him head-on! Even if I couldn’t win, I could have gotten away safely!” The big man protested, unconvinced.

“Tie Luo, I know you once weathered a Talisman Treasure strike and emerged unharmed. But the power of Talisman Treasures varies hugely. Even two created from the same original artifact can differ wildly in might. Based on the phenomenon alone, I can tell you that with your current Demonic Fiend Form, you could not survive a single blow from that Talisman Treasure. If you had Elder Qingwen’s Wooden Fiend Form, perhaps you would have a chance.” The Black Fiend Sect Master seemed to smile gently as he explained.

“Thank you for the guidance, Sect Master!” Though he still doubted it in his heart, the burly man dutifully acknowledged the advice.

“Sect Master, how should we respond to these cultivators? Since they’re not from the Seven Sects, should we mobilize all Four Blood Servants to capture this man alive and present him to you for your cultivation?” The bald man spoke with eagerness, clearly intent on avenging his defeat.

“No need. Calling him a Thousand Bamboo cultivator is only a guess. I cannot be certain. And he may have reinforcements. I am at a critical stage in my seclusion and do not wish to provoke a powerful enemy. For now, restrain all our disciples in the capital and have them guard the imperial palace. We will resume everything once my technique is complete. Even without a Foundation Establishment cultivator for the blood sacrifice, it will only delay me by a few months. By then, I will have little to fear from any cultivator below Core Formation.” When the Black Fiend Sect Master reached this point, even his usually calm tone carried a hint of excitement.

The Sect Master’s thinking had aligned perfectly with Han Li’s earlier prediction.

“I wish you a swift breakthrough, Sect Master! I will immediately arrange for the sect’s disciples to reinforce the palace security and ensure no one disturbs your cultivation.” The big man dutifully spoke up.

“Good. Go carry out the arrangements.”

After saying this, the Black Fiend Sect Master seemed somewhat fatigued, and no further sound came from the recess. The burly man took several respectful steps backward before turning and walking away.

The place once again became an unremarkable corner of a forgotten palace.

…

Time passed quickly. More than half a month had gone by since Han Li had sent out his latest intelligence reports.

During this period, both the Black Fiend Sect and Han Li had inexplicably hunkered down.

The Black Fiend Sect did not mount a large-scale search for Han Li’s hiding place, and Han Li did not dare risk invading the imperial palace. Both sides remained calm and restrained, as if nothing had ever happened between them.

The demonic path cultivators, who by all logic should have already appeared, had for some reason given no sign of their presence. This was a massive relief for Han Li.

The worst-case scenario he had feared—an alliance between the Black Fiend Sect and the demonic path—had not materialized. Han Li counted himself fortunate.

According to his calculations, even if Li Huayuan had dispatched help immediately, they would still be at least ten days away. So he calmly intensified his daily cultivation practice and stopped venturing out. On Han Li’s hint, Qin Yan had recently declined all social invitations and stayed at the residence, enjoying some unexpected family time.

But that morning, as Han Li sat on his bed meditating, his tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open, a sliver of cold light flickering within them.

“Which fellow Daoist is visiting? Stop skulking and show yourself!”

As he spoke coldly, he slapped his storage pouch. The White Phosphorus Shield flew out and hung in the air before him. At the same time, he slid a Fire Cloud Talisman into his palm, his entire posture on high alert.

The reason for Han Li’s extreme wariness was his shocking discovery that several Foundation Establishment cultivators—three or four of them—were lingering just outside his door. Though they were using aura-concealing techniques, Han Li’s cultivation of the nameless oral formula allowed him to faintly sense their presence.

Could it be that the Four Blood Servants of the Black Fiend Sect have arrived all at once?

The thought struck him like a blow. As he inwardly lamented, he immediately began planning his escape. As for the Meng Mountain Four and the Qin household, he would have to leave them to their own devices.

But just as Han Li’s mind raced through contingencies, instead of the expected onslaught of magical tools and spells, a clear, cheerful voice rang out from outside.

“Haha! See? I told you all that you couldn’t fool our junior brother’s senses! Our junior brother has already reached mid Foundation Establishment. With your little tricks, you can’t hope to deceive Brother Han.”

The voice was very familiar. Heart stirring, Han Li answered aloud:

“Is that Senior Brother Song? This junior offers his greetings!”

Han Li’s voice was full of pleasant surprise.

“Junior brother, you guessed right on the first try!” The owner of the voice said this as he pushed open the door and strode confidently into Han Li’s room. It was Fourth Senior Brother Song Meng.

Behind him stood two other men and a woman. Aside from a handsome young man who wore a stiff expression, the other man and woman were looking at Han Li with warm smiles.

The scholarly-looking man spoke with a gentle laugh:

“Eighth Junior Brother, I’ve heard your name from the master long ago! I’m sorry that Seventh Junior Sister and I have never had the chance to meet you before. Now we finally get to see you in person. And at mid Foundation Establishment already! Tsk tsk, there’s nothing more to say.”

The beautiful woman standing beside him covered her mouth with a light laugh, her bright eyes curiously examining Han Li.

After hearing this and seeing the couple’s appearances, Han Li immediately knew who they were. He quickly rose from the bed and said with a respectful tone:

“It must be Third Senior Brother and Seventh Senior Sister! I’ve long heard of your esteemed names, but our paths simply never crossed. As for my cultivation, you’ve been at mid Foundation Establishment for a while now, Senior Brother. My meager progress is nothing worth mentioning.”

Han Li’s words were full of sincerity, which left a good impression on his Third Senior Brother.