Winds Stir Beyond the Seas

1,788 words

“Elder Zhao, my apologies for keeping you waiting! This is Senior Han, the owner of those beast materials!” As soon as the woman from the Sublime Sound Sect entered the room, she spoke respectfully to the gray-robed old man.

“Oh, Fellow Daoist Han! Please, have a seat. I just brewed a pot of Ice Cloud Spirit Tea myself. Do try a cup.” The gray-robed old man looked up, glanced at Han Li, and said in a detached tone.

Han Li frowned. The old man’s appearance was unremarkable, except for his cheeks, which were an abnormally deep red—as if he had just recovered from a serious illness. Han Li felt a flicker of doubt.

With his spiritual sense now far stronger than that of a cultivator at the same level, he immediately recognized that this old man was also a Core Formation First Layer cultivator.

Without saying a word of refusal, he sat down directly across from the old man. But he cast a discreet glance at the cup of fragrant tea just poured for him and did not reach for it.

Even though the man before him showed no sign of hostility, Han Li’s long-ingrained caution prevented him from consuming anything in an unfamiliar place.

Seeing Han Li’s prudence, the old man showed no displeasure. He simply smiled faintly, poured himself a small cup, and began sipping it at his leisure.

For a moment, he seemed to have put Han Li and the others entirely out of his mind.

“Senior Han! I have come on behalf of the Sublime Sound Sect to purchase all of the remaining beast materials in your possession. We are open to negotiation on the price.” As soon as she was seated, Fan Jingmei parted her red lips and began speaking to Han Li in a measured tone. Her demeanor was elegant and composed.

“I did have some beast materials, but the last batch was just sold. I’m afraid I will have to disappoint your sect.” Unaware of their true intentions, Han Li was hardly going to admit he still had a large stockpile of rare materials. He calmly attempted to shut down the conversation.

Hearing Han Li’s refusal, Fan Jingmei gave a charming smile and spoke in a gentle, warm voice.

“Senior Han, that is a bit unfair to us. Although our sect does not know exactly how many beast materials you still have, I suspect the number is considerable. Otherwise, you would not have been so cautious, selling only to small outside merchants, a tiny bit at a time, and always to a different buyer.”

“If our sect had not happened to be gathering such materials throughout Heaven Star City, we might never have noticed the pattern. Senior, you are worried about exposing your wealth, are you not? If so, please set that concern aside. Though our sect is not a major power, its reputation in the Chaotic Star Sea has always been good. You may safely sell all of your materials to me. That would save us the trouble of recollecting them from the smaller merchants!”

The woman said all of this with a radiant smile, her demeanor perfectly composed. But Han Li’s eyes flickered with a cold light, and a trace of anger appeared on his face.

No one enjoys being investigated without their knowledge.

Perhaps sensing his displeasure, Fan Jingmei suddenly shifted her tone and began to explain.

“Senior Han, please do not blame me for my earlier presumptuousness. I only resorted to this because the matter is urgent. I had to mobilize most of our sect’s strength in Heaven Star City to track you down. I hope Senior will help me this once!”

By this point, she had placed herself in a position of weakness, her words and her gaze hinting at a plea.

Hearing this, the anger on Han Li’s face gradually receded.

He did not say anything immediately. Instead, he extended an index finger and tapped it lightly on the tea table before him, his face utterly expressionless.

In truth, his mind was racing, rapidly analyzing the pros and cons of the situation.

He did not know why this woman or the Sublime Sound Sect was so urgently in need of a large quantity of beast materials. But she had clearly set her sights on him. Denying it would be useless and would only create enmity for no reason.

The Sublime Sound Sect—he had never heard of it. But judging from the presence of this Elder Zhao, its strength could not be too weak.

Han Li did not want to make an enemy of them for no cause.

Besides, he had far too many beast materials on hand. Trickling them out a little at a time would eventually attract more attention. It was better to take this opportunity to unload them all at once.

Furthermore, this was Heaven Star City, where cultivator conflict was strictly forbidden. He was not afraid of any foul play during the transaction.

With this in mind, Han Li remained silent for a moment, then spoke calmly.

“Since you have been so direct, Madam, I will no longer conceal the truth. I do still have some beast materials that your sect may want. I am just not sure if the quantity will meet your needs.”

Hearing Han Li’s admission, the woman across from him and the girl standing behind her showed visible delight. Even the old man, who had been sipping his tea like a detached sage, gave Han Li a sidelong glance and seemed to relax considerably.

“May I ask how much Senior has? Whatever the amount, I will take it all!” Fan Jingmei asked eagerly, her beautiful eyes full of anticipation.

Han Li smiled faintly and casually named a staggering number, filling the woman with surprise and joy.

She had suspected he had a significant stock, but she had never imagined it would be this much.

With this, her mission could finally be completed!

“I will take all of it, Senior! When would it be convenient for you? Could we transact today?” The Sublime Sound Sect’s Fan Jingmei abandoned her reserve, her voice trembling slightly as if afraid Han Li might change his mind.

Han Li was somewhat surprised by her eagerness.

But he, too, wanted to unload these items quickly to avoid further trouble. After a brief deliberation, he said,

“Very well. We will transact here. Madam, prepare the spirit stones. I will go retrieve the materials.” Han Li’s crisp, decisive manner suited the woman’s wishes perfectly. She nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining with delight.

So Han Li rose unhurriedly, took his leave with composure, and strode out of the room.

A short while after Han Li’s figure disappeared through the doorway, the excitement in Fan Jingmei’s eyes gradually faded.

She was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned to the old man and asked,

“Elder Zhao, what is his cultivation like? I have heard that he only recently formed his core and may not have even had time to refine a magic treasure. If we were to strike suddenly, could you subdue him in an instant? If so, we could save ourselves a massive amount of spirit stones.”

When she spoke, her tone was icy cold, and her elegant demeanor had vanished completely, replaced by a chilling expression that sent a shiver down the spine.

“No good! Though he has only recently formed his core, the technique he cultivates is quite unusual. Not only is his magic power exceptionally pure, I also sensed a faint aura of treasure energy inside him. Either he has secretly refined a magic treasure already, or he is in possession of an inherited treasure from another cultivator. We cannot take him lightly.” Elder Zhao shook his head and voiced his opposition.

“So he is not weak, after all. How about this? For the operation in half a month, we will drag him into it! If things go smoothly, we will do him a favor and try to recruit him. If they do not, he will serve as an excellent scapegoat.” The woman’s eyes flickered with a strange light as she spoke.

“That is a good plan. But from what I have seen of his speech and demeanor, though he appears young, he is measured and composed. He will not be so easy to use. Are you confident? Or are you thinking of using seduction?” As the old man spoke, a hint of displeasure crept into his voice.

Fan Jingmei cast him a sidelong glance and suddenly let out a soft, tinkling laugh, her eyes brimming with allure.

“Hehe! Elder, are you jealous? Rest assured, aside from you, I will not let a single other man touch me.”

With that, she pulled aside the gauze veil covering her face, revealing a stunningly seductive visage that could captivate a kingdom.

The old man’s face, which had been rather sickly, went completely rigid at the sight of her true appearance. His eyes grew dazed, and his cheeks flushed even darker red.

Seeing this, Fan Jingmei was deeply satisfied.

“Elder, you were severely injured protecting me last time. I have always kept that in mind.”

As she spoke, she twisted her waist like a water snake, sliding her voluptuous body into the old man’s arms. Her delicate hands began to caress his chest.

At this moment, her face was full of spring, her large, limpid eyes looking as if they were about to drip water. She was a veritable enchantress, one who could seduce a man to death without remorse.

The moment her jade-like hands touched his chest, the old man’s breathing grew ragged.

His rough, large hands began to wander over her fragrant body, growing increasingly restless.

The girl who had been standing behind Fan Jingmei watched this scene, her pretty face turning crimson. She bit her lip and hung her head low.

“Lian’er! Go outside for a while. When that person returns, come in and inform me.” Fan Jingmei said in a voice that was almost a moan.

“Yes.”

The young woman replied as if granted a pardon, then quickly backed out of the room.

But just before she gently pulled the door shut, she caught a few muffled words from inside.

“That girl has been growing more lovely by the day over these past two years. Why not let me tutor her for a few days? It would be a waste to let such a resource go to outsiders.”

“Hmph, dream on! I have plans for Lian’er. Don’t you dare set your sights on her! Do I not…”

Hearing the flirtatious banter of the man and woman inside, the young woman let out a sigh of relief and slowly walked away from the door.

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Reading Guide Decoding

The Mask of Courtesy—A Deeper Look at Fan Jingmei’s Predatory Charity

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

The “Polite Predator” Trope: The most dangerous transaction in a xianxia novel is not the one that starts with a blade; it’s the one that starts with tea and a polite smile. Fan Jingmei’s performance—deferential request, confession of weakness, personal appeal—is a textbook social engineering tactic in the cultivation world. The moment the target agrees, the mask drops. This isn’t unique to this novel; it’s a core trope in “Mortal Stream” literature, where every handshake is a potential strangulation. The reader is constantly reminded that “face” and “courtesy” are often the sharpest weapons in a cultivator’s arsenal.

The “Skinny on Sublime Sound Sect”: This chapter gives us our first real look at the Sublime Sound Sect as a political actor. They are not a combat powerhouse, but they are politically agile, charm-oriented, and unafraid to use their networks for dirty work. Fan Jingmei’s shift from grateful ally to cold strategist is a masterclass in how a mid-tier faction operates: always calculating, always looking for leverage, and never hesitating to turn a friendly vendor into a liability.

A Dark Joke on “Face”: Fan Jingmei’s line about the sect’s “good reputation” is a cruel dramatic irony. She literally says “our reputation has always been good” while already planning to either exploit or discard Han Li. This is a recurring theme in the novel: the cultivation world’s public morality is a layer of paint over a rotting frame. The sign of an experienced cultivator is how quickly they see through the paint.

Foundation Establishment Cultivator

The second major cultivation realm, a true cultivator who has established a stable internal foundation and can wield magic tools.

Illusionary Heaven Art

A technique used to mask true appearances; in this chapter, it is broken by the protagonist’s more powerful spiritual sense.

Chapter Overview

Chapter 406 pulls back the curtain on the “polite negotiation” and shows what really goes on behind closed doors in the cultivation world. Han Li has just struck a massive deal with Fan Jingmei of the Sublime Sound Sect—or so it seems. While he steps out to gather materials, the true face of this transaction is revealed, and it’s not pretty. What started as a straightforward trade turns into a sharp lesson in the Dark Forest logic of the Chaotic Star Sea. Get ready to see a mask drop so hard it shatters.

Key Plot Points

The chapter opens with Han Li meeting Elder Zhao and Fan Jingmei. He immediately clocks Elder Zhao as a Core Formation First Layer cultivator with abnormally red cheeks, which raises a red flag. He refuses the offered tea out of ingrained caution—a smart move. Fan Jingmei, using a polished and deferential tone, reveals that the Sublime Sound Sect has been tracking Han Li’s small, cautious sales across Heaven Star City. She puts him on the spot, forcing him to admit he has a large stockpile of beast materials, but she frames her request as a plea for help, placing herself in a weak position.

Han Li, weighing the risks of making an enemy of an unknown sect against the convenience of unloading his hoard, agrees to the trade. He leaves to fetch the materials.

But the moment he’s gone, the mask drops. Fan Jingmei coldly asks Elder Zhao if he can subdue Han Li instantly to avoid paying. Elder Zhao warns her not to underestimate Han Li—his pure magic power and hidden treasure aura mark him as no easy target. So, she pivots to a new plan: drag Han Li into their upcoming operation as either an asset or a disposable scapegoat. The scene ends with a disturbingly intimate exchange between Fan Jingmei and Elder Zhao, revealing their true relationship and a predatory interest in a young female disciple.

Reading Guide

This chapter is a classic “double reveal” setup. On the surface, it’s a trade negotiation. Beneath the surface, it’s a plot to entrap Han Li. And then, at the very end, it reveals the intimately corrupt relationship between Fan Jingmei and Elder Zhao. Pay close attention to Han Li’s reaction to the tea: that one, small refusal is all the reader needs to be reminded that he is not a fool. The real tension here is that we know Han Li is walking into a trap, but we don’t know if he knows it. This sets up a delicious narrative game: will he see through their scheme before they spring it? Or will he play along, pretending not to see, until the time is right to turn the tables?

Also, note the function of the young female disciple, Lian’er. She is a silent witness to the corruption, and she is terrified. Her reaction—relief at being ordered out—tells us more about the internal culture of the Sublime Sound Sect than any exposition could. In the Mortal Stream, a single tight-lipped expression is often more telling than a thousand words.

The Duality of the Cultivation World: Beneath the Surface

This chapter is a stunning deconstruction of the “benevolent superior” archetype. Fan Jingmei, with her elegant dress and polished speech, embodies a certain ideal of a female sect leader. But her voice is a weapon, not a sign of civility. The moment Han Li’s back is turned, her voice drops to ice, and she talks about him as a resource to be used and discarded.

This dual-layered interaction—courteous surface, predatory interior—is a hallmark of the novel. It means that for the reader, every polite conversation is now automatically suspicious. Han Li’s method of dealing with this is his consistent policy of smiling but never drinking the tea, listening but never fully trusting. He doesn’t need to see the knife to know it’s there; the very fact that someone is being polite is enough to activate his survival instincts. The chapter is a stark reminder: in this world, a friendly face is always the beginning of a trap.