Stirring the Seas Beyond; Breaching the Sublime Sound Sect Anew

Chapter 563: Stirring the Seas Beyond; Breaching the Sublime Sound Sect Anew

With Han Li's current level of cultivation, even without the cloak and the Wind Lightning Wings, his flying light was astonishingly fast.

Only half a month later, Han Li appeared on the desolate island where the Sublime Sound Sect’s market once stood.

However, after sweeping the area with his spiritual sense, the underground world was indeed empty. This being the case, he would have to find someone to ask for information.

Thus, Han Li glanced around, casually chose a direction, and transformed into a streak of azure light, vanishing from sight.

Since the Sublime Sound Sect had once set up its market on this island, even if the market had relocated, it would not have moved far from the nearby sea. Furthermore, the islands in this area should be relatively populated with human cultivators.

With his powerful spiritual sense, he believed it would not be too difficult to find a few human cultivators.

As expected, after flying for half a day, he discovered traces of human cultivators on a medium-sized island.

Not just one; there was a group.

Standing high in the sky above the island, he watched several male and female cultivators below, on the sea surface near the island, besieging two fourth-tier demon beasts.

When he spotted two somewhat familiar faces among them, Han Li was first startled, then chuckled softly.

Following that, the “Shape-Shifting Art” effortlessly altered his features, turning him into a swarthy, middle-aged man. Unhurriedly, he flicked two streaks of azure sword qi. After a flash of light, they instantly pierced the heads of the two fourth-tier demon beasts, killing them on the spot.

This sudden intervention startled the cultivators below. They immediately noticed Han Li’s figure high in the air, causing a stir among them. They knew that a Nascent Soul or higher-level senior had arrived.

After a brief discussion among themselves, a man in splendid clothes flew up to Han Li.

“Greetings, Senior. Thank you for your aid. Is there anything this junior and his companions can do for you?” The man in splendid clothes spoke with a respectful expression, but a hint of unease flashed in his eyes beneath his aquiline nose. He wondered what this Core Formation cultivator’s intentions were in suddenly appearing at this island.

Gazing at the burly man named Yi, who had teleported with him, Han Li narrowed his eyes. He did not speak immediately but let his gaze drift downward, landing on the scar-faced cultivator, Xu Yun. As for Madam Liu and the others who had teleported with them, none were seen.

As for the man in splendid clothes and Xu Yun, so many years had passed, and they were still lingering at the late Foundation Establishment stage. It seemed highly likely that they had failed in their Core Formation breakthrough.

Seeing Han Li’s sullen expression and silence, the burly man named Yi grew nervous.

He hesitated, about to say something more, when Han Li slowly spoke.

“I’m looking for the Sublime Sound Sect’s secret market. Does anyone here know the time of the next opening and the location?” Han Li’s gaze returned to the face of the man in splendid clothes as he asked calmly.

Hearing this, the burly man named Yi visibly relaxed. With a respectful expression, he quickly replied:

“Senior, there is still over a month until the Sublime Sound Sect’s secret market opens. The location has already been decided: it will be on Twin Peaks Island, a few days’ journey west of this island. If Senior wishes to go, this junior can guide the way.” The man was quite astute.

“No need. Just give me the sea chart.” Han Li shook his head, his expression unchanged.

He had no intention of reminiscing with the man.

This fellow was fortunate to have survived the beast tide, but the others were likely doomed. Han Li felt a brief, quiet sigh inwardly.

“Yes! This junior will immediately mark the sea chart and the secret market’s location for Senior.” A flicker of disappointment appeared on the face of the man in splendid clothes. He had hoped to curry some favor with this high-ranking senior. The outer star seas were getting harder and harder to navigate. Knowing a Core Formation cultivator would be of great benefit to him in the future.

But after stealing another glance at Han Li’s utterly cold expression, he reluctantly gave up. He took out a jade slip from his bosom, marked the location of the Sublime Sound Sect’s market, and handed it to Han Li with both hands.

Han Li took it, briefly scanned it with his spiritual sense, and nodded. Without a moment’s pause, he transformed into a streak of azure light and shot away into the sky.

Only these few low-level cultivators remained, their faces filled with envy.

In the current outer star seas, without at least Core Formation-level cultivation, low-level cultivators dared not venture far from their caves.

…

Although the market was still a month from opening, Han Li was not foolish enough to wait that long.

By then, his Spirit Wind Beast problem would have caught up to him before he could even teleport.

Therefore, he planned to directly find Madam Fan and Yun Tianxiao and see if he could teleport through discreetly at a modest cost.

If they tried to gouge him, he naturally would not hesitate to force his way through.

A few days later, Han Li arrived at the so-called “Twin Peaks Island.” It was fairly large, with two enormous peaks of similar height.

He circled one of the peaks several times before finding the entrance to the market, following the instructions on the map.

After a moment’s hesitation, he changed his appearance back to the one he had used when he last visited the secret market.

He then landed directly on the mountainside. After a short walk, he stopped before a giant tree several zhang thick.

He looked up at the towering tree, a faint sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. Flicking his finger, three white light spheres struck the bark without ceremony, producing three dull thuds.

A moment later, green light flashed, and a slit opened in the tree bark.

Out walked an old man in white robes, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. He was the same gatekeeper Han Li had seen at the previous market.

The old man instantly recognized Han Li’s disguised Core Formation-level identity.

After all, Core Formation cultivators who visited the market were few and far between. After the last market, he had vaguely heard that this person, who had single-handedly intimidated over a dozen Core Formation cultivators, might actually be a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Therefore, upon recognizing Han Li’s face, the old man immediately lowered his posture, stepping forward and bowing deeply as he asked:

“So it’s Senior Li. This junior failed to recognize you; please forgive me, Senior! But, Senior, what important business brings you here? The secret market is still over a month from opening. There are no goods for you to inspect yet.”

The old man spoke with deep reverence, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

“I’m not here for the market. I wish to see your Sect Leader Fan or Elder Yun.” Han Li looked the old man over, deliberately lifting his chin with an air of arrogance.

“You want to see the Sect Leader and Elder Yun?” The old man was first startled, then a look of hesitation appeared on his face.

“What, is there a problem?” Han Li’s voice suddenly turned cold, his expression becoming grim.

“Of course not!” The old man shuddered at this, immediately forcing a flattering smile. A thin sheen of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

“For anyone else, it would be impossible. But since Senior has come in person, it must be to discuss something important. This old man will report it immediately. Sect Leader Fan happens to be here, overseeing the market preparations. Please wait a moment, Senior!” After a moment of thought, the old man answered honestly. He decided to hand this thorny problem over to his superiors. He was not about to risk his life confronting a cultivator of this level.

“Then hurry. I don’t have much patience to wait.” Hearing that Madam Fan was here, Han Li was inwardly pleased, and his expression softened slightly.

“Yes, I will send a message talisman to inform the Sect Leader immediately. It will only take a moment!” The old man replied quickly, inwardly relieved.

If this senior had insisted on forcing his way in, he could only watch helplessly. He would not step forward to die for no reason.

So, in front of Han Li, the old man sent a message talisman, which shot into the tree hollow.

“Where is Elder Yun? Why isn’t he with your Sect Leader?” Han Li asked casually, his expression indifferent, as the message talisman disappeared from sight.

“Well… this junior truly does not know Elder Yun’s whereabouts. Recently, Sect Leader Fan has been handling all the market matters alone.” The old man’s face showed distress. After hesitating, he murmured the answer.

Seeing this expression, Han Li knew the old man was being evasive. He let out a few cold laughs but did not press further.

This allowed the old man to breathe a secret sigh of relief.

A short while later, the old man received a message talisman. After a quick sweep with his spiritual sense, he respectfully said to Han Li:

“Senior Li, our Sect Leader invites you inside for a discussion. This junior will lead the way.”

“Lead on.” Han Li said, indifferent.

The world inside the tree hollow was similar to what he had seen at the previous market. It was divided into an upper and lower level, forming a fairly large underground space.

But now, besides a dozen or so low-level male and female disciples of the Sublime Sound Sect preparing something, no one else was inside.

The old man quickly led Han Li to a stone wall, where two exceptionally beautiful female cultivators stood guard.

“Greetings, Senior Li. The Sect Leader is inside, welcoming your arrival!” The two young women bowed to Han Li simultaneously, their delicate faces flushed as they spoke charmingly.

(wave for monthly votes, recommendation votes, and review votes! I certainly don’t mind having too many!)