Storms Brew Overseas, the Inner Hall Opens

Chapter 480: Storms Brew Overseas, the Inner Hall Opens

“Little sister?”

Han Li stared at the young woman before him with flickering eyes. Her face and her words had suddenly stirred something buried deep in his heart for many years.

“Fourth Brother, why am I here? Didn’t I die of a serious illness years ago? I’m so scared!”

The white shadow trembled as it rose to its feet, its face pale as it drifted closer to Han Li, a frightened, delicate expression of utter helplessness.

A strange look flickered in Han Li’s eyes.

Just as the woman, who looked so much like his little sister, was about to take two more steps and throw herself onto him—

A cold light flashed in Han Li’s eyes. He raised a hand, and a small azure sword shot silently from his palm, flashing past to pierce the young woman’s forehead.

The white shadow let out a sharp cry, then dissolved into a puff of black smoke and vanished without a trace.

“Even if you could transform into the likeness of my little sister… she and I were separated when we were young. Not to mention what I look like now, even the face I had when we parted was probably something she’d long forgotten. How could she possibly recognize me as her fourth brother at a single glance?”

Han Li stared at the spot where the black smoke had disappeared, a trace of loneliness seeping into his voice as he murmured to himself.

He lifted his wrist and glanced at the four Brahma Pearls on his bracelet.

Though he spoke with such confidence, it was only because the Brahma Pearls had suddenly grown hot as the white shadow approached that he had banished even the last shred of hesitation from his heart. Otherwise, he might not have struck so decisively. Even as the flying sword pierced through her, a tremor ran through him.

After all, even knowing full well that the thing was only an illusion or some ghostly transformation, he had still wanted to gaze a little longer at his little sister’s face.

Carrying this nameless grief, Han Li continued forward alone into the darkness.

…

A day later, before a towering, pagoda-like structure, more than a dozen figures sat cross-legged, motionless.

The pagoda scraped the clouds, immense beyond measure, its entire body built from massive azure stone blocks.

From a distance, the structure seemed to have five tiers, tapering slightly with each level. But the distance between floors was a staggering hundred zhang or more. Even the lowermost stone gate alone was fifty or sixty zhang tall. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking.

The pagoda was shrouded in a faint white light barrier. Before this barrier, the assembled figures sat like ants at the foot of a mountain, their eyes closed in quiet meditation. In the center of their circle, a white teleportation formation sat silently in place.

Among this group were Extreme Yin, Wan Tianming, and the other Nascent Soul cultivators of the righteous and demonic paths. Also present were Wu Chou, the Profound Bone Saint, and another late Core Formation cultivator. The only ones still missing were Han Li, Yuan Yao, the two Star Palace Elders, and one other late Core Formation cultivator.

Extreme Yin Patriarch wore a calm expression, as if he were in no hurry at all. But inwardly, he felt a faint unease. By the pace at which ordinary cultivators cleared the trials, Han Li should have appeared here long ago, just as Wu Chou had.

A knot of worry formed in his chest.

Just then, a white light flared within the formation, and a figure materialized there.

Man Brutal Beard, Extreme Yin, and the others all opened their eyes at once. But a flicker of disappointment passed across several faces. The person who appeared was the black-robed, veiled woman, Yuan Yao.

Feeling the simultaneous gaze of so many Nascent Soul elders, the young woman’s heart clenched. But she forced herself to act composed, walking out of the formation in silence.

As luck would have it, the moment she stepped out, the teleportation formation flashed again. Han Li’s figure materialized in the very same spot.

Extreme Yin’s brow twitched, a faint, involuntary smile crossing his face. Man Brutal Beard and the Confucian-robed elder exchanged a knowing glance, both seeing the relief in each other’s eyes.

Han Li, noticing Yuan Yao right in front of him as he appeared, paused for a moment.

But he gave her a faint smile, then walked calmly toward Extreme Yin Patriarch. With a slight bow, he took his place behind him.

Extreme Yin Patriarch seemed exceedingly pleased with this display of “respect for his master.” He turned to Han Li with a nod and said nothing more.

Predictably, he did not bring up returning the Brahma Pearl bracelet. Nor did Man Brutal Beard mention the armor he had lent out. It was as if, at this point in time, everyone had chosen to selectively forget the treasures they had entrusted to Han Li.

Now that Han Li had arrived, the assembled cultivators still sat motionless, as if waiting for something else.

Only then did Han Li notice the giant pagoda before him, and he could not help but be stunned by its scale.

So this was the Inner Hall. It was… not quite what he had imagined, he muttered to himself.

Taking the opportunity, he stole a glance at the Profound Bone Saint.

The Saint sat obediently in a spot near the back, eyes closed in meditation, as if utterly unaware of Han Li’s gaze.

“Lad, stop staring. Careful—my traitorous disciple might notice. Don’t worry. I’ve long since planned how to deal with Extreme Yin. It’s a sure thing. But that plan only becomes viable after you retrieve the treasure using the Blood Jade Spider. Until then, just go with the flow. And remember—don’t try to send me voice transmissions; it’ll only give us away.”

The Profound Bone Saint’s voice suddenly rang in Han Li’s ears without warning. First came a word of reassurance, then a warning.

Han Li listened expressionlessly, taking in every word. Then, with a calm face, he shifted his gaze away from the Saint.

Only becomes viable after retrieving the treasure? What does that mean? Is this old demon after the treasure inside the Void Heaven Cauldron as well?

A ripple of doubt and unease stirred in Han Li’s heart.

With the opening of the Inner Hall imminent, he was growing increasingly worried about what would happen after the treasure was taken. Whether he succeeded in retrieving the Void Heaven Cauldron or not, his situation seemed… less than promising.

While Han Li was churning through these anxious thoughts, a cold voice rang out from across the way.

“The time for the Inner Hall’s opening is almost upon us. The two Star Palace men still haven’t arrived. It seems they won’t be wading into this muddy water after all. What do you think, Brother Man?”

Wan Tianming, who had been seated among the two other righteous-path cultivators, opened his bright, crystalline eyes. They glimmered faintly as he fixed his gaze on Man Brutal Beard, a formidable aura emanating from his body.

“Heh! What, Old Man Wan, getting impatient? Let’s wait a bit longer. Those Star Palace fellows are a sly bunch. They might just be dragging their feet on purpose, hoping you and I will tear into each other first.”

Man Brutal Beard gave a dismissive laugh, stroking his beard lazily as he spoke.

Wan Tianming fell into brief contemplation. Then he nodded, closed his eyes again, and seemed to accept Man Brutal Beard’s reasoning.

After another hour of waiting, a violent tremor suddenly rumbled through the ground. The Inner Hall’s massive stone gate slowly rose, revealing an azure stone passage within. From a distance, the passage seemed impossibly tall and wide.

At the same time, the teleportation formation in the center of the group, with its faint white glow, suddenly dimmed. Its light converged and died.

“Haha! Good! Good! It seems the Star Palace men really aren’t coming to cause trouble. In that case, Wan Tianming! Let’s have ourselves a proper duel. The loser stays out of the Inner Hall. What do you say?”

Man Brutal Beard, not waiting for the other side to speak first, suddenly leaped to his feet with a burst of manic energy, baring his stark white teeth.

“No. I’ve changed my mind. I don’t wish to fight you, Brother Man.”

To everyone’s surprise, Wan Tianming refused outright, his expression resolute.

“Changed your mind? What, are the righteous path planning to surrender without a fight? Conceding defeat, are you?”

Man Brutal Beard was taken aback for a moment, then a cruel grin spread across his face as he sneered.

“Concede? Of course not. But it would be ridiculous to start fighting over a treasure that hasn’t even been unearthed. Why don’t we make a pact instead, with both sides taking turns to retrieve the treasure? Until then, both parties will exercise restraint. This way, we avoid pointless conflict. After all, our true enemy is the Star Palace, not each other. And even with all our confidence, there’s a good chance neither side will be able to claim the treasure in the end. If that’s the case, this fight would be even more meaningless.”

Wan Tianming shook his head and spoke calmly, without hurry.

Extreme Yin, Man Brutal Beard, and the others stiffened for a moment. They exchanged glances and began to converse in hushed tones through voice transmission.

Wan Tianming, Tian Wuzi, and the others seemed to have discussed this among themselves long ago. They showed no impatience, quietly waiting for the demonic path’s reply.

After a moment, Extreme Yin spoke with a darkened expression.

“Your words sound fine and fair. But which side goes first? If we retrieve the treasure, how can we trust that you won’t try to take it by force? Are we supposed to rely on the smooth words of your silver tongue?”

Wan Tianming broke into a smile at this.

“Brother Extreme Yin, your words are pointless. If the treasure is claimed by your side, we will naturally try to seize it by force. And if it falls into our hands, you will likewise do the same. When that time comes, we can settle the matter with our skills. That is far better than wasting our energy fighting now.”

Wan Tianming laughed, speaking without hesitation.