The Scent of Recognition

Han Li glanced at the expressions of the two women, rubbed his chin, and revealed a thoughtful look. He nodded silently.

One of the female cultivators reached out and touched the wall; azure light rippled, and a stone door appeared.

“This junior can only lead Senior here. I shall take my leave.” The old man promptly excused himself and withdrew.

Han Li paid him no mind and strode into the room.

Passing through a short corridor, he entered a large hall.

Madam Fan, dressed in a light green gown with a light layer of makeup, stood in the center of the hall waiting respectfully. Her face was full of smiles.

“This unworthy one failed to greet you from afar. I hope Senior will forgive my negligence.” She parted her cherry lips, smiled with a hundred charms, and curtsied gracefully.

Then she stepped aside and invited Han Li to take a seat.

Han Li glanced at the rosewood chair behind her, raised an eyebrow, and without any politeness, walked over and sat down.

Then, after letting his gaze sweep over her delicate brows and smiling face, he said calmly:

“It seems Madam is not at all worried that my visit might be detrimental to your sect.”

“Senior is joking. With your level of cultivation, how could you trouble a mere Foundation Establishment junior like me?” Madam Fan moved with lotus steps and sat down beside Han Li, covering her mouth with a light laugh.

At this moment, the beautiful woman was only a few meters away, and waves of faint fragrance wafted toward him.

Han Li furrowed his brow slightly, but otherwise maintained a calm expression.

However, as soon as this charming woman sat down, a hint of inadvertent surprise appeared on her face, and she suddenly began to scrutinize Han Li with a strange gaze.

A cold light flashed in Han Li’s eyes. He was about to ask what she meant when—

A young female cultivator with delicate features, carrying a pale red tea tray, silently entered.

She placed a cup of fragrant tea before each of them, then unexpectedly stood behind Madam Fan on her own.

Madam Fan’s face appeared calm, but a trace of anger flickered in her eyes. However, she said nothing.

Seeing this, Han Li glanced at the two women and felt a slight stir in his heart.

“Senior has come this time—is there something that our sect can assist with? If it is within our power, our humble sect will certainly do its utmost.” Madam Fan lifted her tea, took a small sip, and asked with considerable composure.

“Since Sect Leader Fan puts it that way, I, Li, will not beat around the bush. I wonder if your sect’s teleportation array back to the Inner Star Seas has been completed? I would like to borrow it.” Han Li’s expression did not change, as if he were mentioning a trivial matter.

“Teleportation array?” Madam Fan was momentarily startled. Then her beautiful eyes flickered a few times, and she revealed a half-smiling expression.

“I’m afraid I will disappoint Senior. This teleportation array has not yet been fully completed. However, it should be soon; we just need to wait a little longer…”

“How long will it take?” Han Li interrupted her coldly before she could finish.

“It’s hard to say! As Senior knows, the array is only lacking those Dream Stones. Elder Yun went with some other seniors to the Dream Stone mine to harvest them, but they ended up alarming the demon beasts there. After a great battle, they only managed to collect a tiny amount of that material and lost several seniors. Helpless, Elder Yun is planning the next action, about to…” Madam Fan hesitated a little, placed her tea cup back on the table, and still explained to Han Li.

“Ahem…” The female cultivator standing behind Madam Fan suddenly let out a light cough.

A flash of anger passed over Madam Fan’s charming face. But then, as if she had some concern, she stopped speaking.

Han Li’s face showed a hint of strangeness; then he raised his head and shot a cold glare at the female cultivator, causing her to hastily lower her head in fear.

“Since the teleportation array cannot be used in the short term, there is no need for me to say anything further. I will take my leave.” Han Li thought briefly, then stood up, indicating he had no intention of staying longer.

Seeing this, a complex expression flashed across Madam Fan’s face. After hesitating for a moment, she said a sentence that stunned Han Li.

“Though I cannot help with the teleportation matter, our sect has always held great reverence for Core Formation seniors! Senior might as well rest here for the night, and set out tomorrow!”

“Stay the night? Very well. I’ll rest a night before leaving.” Han Li had originally frowned and was about to refuse outright, but after meeting her beautiful eyes, he changed his mind.

“Hehe! Our sect will certainly treat Senior well. Someone, take Senior Li to the best room.” A strange light flashed in Madam Fan’s eyes as she giggled.

Immediately, another young female cultivator answered and entered.

Han Li said nothing more, stood up, and followed the woman outside.

However, just before leaving the hall, as if to confirm something, he cast a meaningful look back before unhurriedly departing.

“Sect Leader! Why did you keep that person here? Isn’t that a bit rash? That cultivator surnamed Li flatly refused our overtures last time.” As soon as Han Li’s figure disappeared from the hall, the young female cultivator behind Madam Fan spoke. Her voice was soft but carried an indescribable seduction, quite at odds with her delicate features. Nine out of ten men would be moved.

However, though her tone was still respectful, it carried a hint of challenge.

“Yunqin! Your audacity grows by the day. This Senior Li’s cultivation is astonishing; what harm is there in my making an effort to befriend him? Since when does the Sublime Sound Sect answer to you?” Madam Fan’s face darkened at these words.

“I wouldn’t dare. This disciple was merely entrusted by Elder Yun before he left. I hope Sect Leader doesn’t do anything that would put this disciple in a difficult position.” The young woman’s words were humble, but she showed no sign of backing down, and brought up Yun Tianxiao.

“Hmph! When Yun Tianxiao returns, I will tell him myself. This Sect Leader has other important matters to attend to. I will not accompany you further!” Madam Fan’s face turned even more icy. With a flick of her sleeve, she walked away without looking back.

The hall was left with only the young woman, whose expression shifted between gloom and uncertainty.

…

That night, in a tastefully decorated and comfortable room, Han Li lay on a wooden bed, staring unblinkingly as he thought.

He had rashly decided to spend the night in this market, but he felt no worry at all. He had already secretly scanned the area with his powerful spiritual sense.

The highest cultivations here were only Madam Fan and a few other late Foundation Establishment cultivators; there were no Core Formation cultivators present, let alone those Nascent Soul old monsters.

Thus, unless some unexpected incident occurred, he could be perfectly safe here.

But he was already weighing whether he truly had to spend several years flying back to the Inner Star Seas by sea route.

Just then, a few knocking sounds came from the door.

“Enter.” Han Li said faintly from the bed without moving his body, as if he already knew who was coming.

As expected, a charming light laugh came from outside, and Madam Fan, in full formal attire, pushed the door open and entered.

She glided with lotus steps to the center of the room, her cloud-like hair jet-black, radiating a hundred charms.

“Senior is not resting so late. It seems you knew I was coming.” A fragrant breeze rose as the woman sat down unceremoniously on the edge of Han Li’s bed, looking at him with a smiling expression.

“Sect Leader Fan’s hints were so obvious. I am also curious to know what secret matter you need to discuss with me in private. But let me make it clear: if it’s not related to the teleportation array, I have no interest in hearing it.” Han Li didn’t even look at her, keeping his eyes closed as he spoke calmly.

“Of course. After being hunted to the Outer Star Seas by so many Nascent Soul old monsters, Elder Han naturally wants to go back.”

“What did you say? Who is Elder Han!” Han Li’s lying body stiffened slightly. He immediately opened his eyes, shooting a sharp glare at the charming woman before him, his voice suddenly cold as he demanded.

“Naturally, I am referring to our sect’s Elder Han.” Madam Fan, despite being stared at so fiercely, spoke leisurely without any change in expression, showing no sign of panic at all.

Han Li stared at her coldly for a moment, then abruptly sat up.

“How did you recognize me? With your cultivation level, it’s impossible for you to see through my true appearance.” Han Li had regained his composure and asked slowly.

“I did not see it, I smelled it.” Madam Fan extended her jade-like wrist, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and a cunning flash passed through her beautiful eyes as she replied.

“Smelled it?” Han Li was stunned for a moment, a mixture of realization and confusion on his face.

As if she saw Han Li’s lingering confusion, Madam Fan pursed her lips and explained with a soft laugh:

“I have been different from ordinary people since childhood. I can very clearly distinguish the differences in people’s body scents, and I can permanently remember any scent I wish to remember. Unfortunately, I took a great interest in Elder Han at the time and have long since memorized your scent. I haven’t forgotten it to this day! Last time in the market, Elder Han was too far from me, and there were too many people with mixed scents, so I did not detect your identity. But today in the daytime hall, at such a close distance, Elder Han naturally could not hide from me.” At this moment, Madam Fan’s eyes seemed as if they could drip water at any moment, looking at Han Li with full charm, lowly chuckling.