A Plea and a Deal

Chapter 565: Stirring the Seas Abroad – A Plea and a Deal

Han Li was rendered speechless. The world was truly full of wonders. There were even people who could recognize others by their scent alone.

Having encountered such a situation, Han Li could only lament his bad luck. However, he did not reveal the slightest trace of panic.

As long as it wasn’t someone like Man Brutal Beard or Feng Xi, given his current cultivation and treasures, there weren’t many he needed to fear.

This woman had witnessed his strength firsthand, and she had deliberately come alone to speak in secret. It seemed she had some ulterior motive.

Thinking this, Han Li spoke in an indifferent tone:

“Since Madam has already recognized me, I won’t stubbornly deny it. However, should I address you as Left Envoy Fan now, or as Sect Leader Fan?”

“It seems, Senior, that you do not approve of my becoming the Sect Leader of the Sublime Sound Sect. But, Senior, you may not know that if I hadn’t followed the orders of those from the demonic path back then, the Sublime Sound Sect would have long since vanished from the Chaotic Star Sea. I admit that I do have some attachment to the position of Sect Leader, but back then, it was mostly out of necessity.” Upon hearing Han Li’s words, a flash of joy first appeared on Madam Fan’s face, then she gave a bitter smile and explained.

“Madam, there is no need to tell me these things. I have absolutely no interest in who becomes the Sect Leader of the Sublime Sound Sect. I only hold this Elder status in name. However, from what Madam just said, it seems you know something about my affairs. This is somewhat curious. Could you tell me a bit about it?” Han Li said with a calm expression, stretching lazily, putting on an air of complete indifference.

A flicker of surprise crossed Madam Fan’s face. After gazing at Han Li for a moment, she let out a charming laugh.

“While Senior Han’s name may not be known to everyone, it is certainly famous among high-level cultivators. A Core Formation cultivator, in front of so many Nascent Soul old monsters, snatching a supreme treasure like the Void Heaven Cauldron and then escaping without a trace. That single feat has made Elder Han’s name spread far and wide.” Madam Fan said, her smile radiant, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.

“Yes. Out of ten cultivators who know about it, nine want to kill me. The last one is just swallowing his saliva, dreaming of getting his hands on the cauldron. Left Envoy Fan, have you not had similar thoughts?” Han Li let out a cold laugh, glanced at her, and addressed her by her former title.

“Senior is joking. If this humble one were a Core Formation cultivator, I might indeed entertain such foolish thoughts. But ever since I failed to form my core a second time, I have long since abandoned any hope of further advancement in cultivation. Such a supreme treasure is not something I am blessed enough to possess. Nor do I wish to do anything stupid that would invite disaster.” Upon hearing Han Li’s words, the beautiful woman repeatedly sighed and shook her head.

Han Li carefully observed her demeanor. Her expression seemed sincere, but he would not easily trust her spoken words. Raising his caution slightly, he continued to press on, his expression unchanged:

“Besides the matter of the Void Heaven Cauldron, are there any other rumors related to me?”

Having previously dared not easily approach high-level cultivators, Han Li actually knew very little about the information concerning himself. Since he had a rare opportunity, he naturally wanted to ask a few more questions.

“It seems Senior has also heard some news. There is indeed another rumor connected to Senior. Some say that Senior Han is the ‘Bug Demon’ who has been killing many cultivators in the nearby seas in recent years. I, for one, don’t really believe this. Since Senior has obtained a treasure like the Void Heaven Cauldron, you would want to hide your identity, not do something so conspicuous. However, I hear that many cultivators who don’t know the truth have been stirred up. If not for the sudden beast tide, those whose friends and relatives have fallen victim to the Bug Demon would probably have formed an ‘Extermination Society’ specifically to hunt you down.” The woman covered her mouth and giggled lightly, her eyes fixed on Han Li with a knowing smile.

Han Li didn’t even blink. He merely nodded faintly, saying nothing.

This made Madam Fan herself start to wonder.

Was the ruthless, merciless great demon of the rumors really this “Elder Han”?

“Alright, Left Envoy Fan, let’s hear the real reason for your visit tonight. I’ll listen,” Han Li said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Since Elder Han has said so, I’ll be direct. I would like to ask Senior to make a move and help me eliminate the villain Yun Tianxiao. Given the divine ability you displayed that day, eliminating this thief would take no effort at all.” Madam Fan hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said. An expression of deep, venomous hatred flickered across her strikingly beautiful face.

“Yun Tianxiao? Isn’t he your backer?” Han Li didn’t look surprised. He remained silent for a moment before asking unhurriedly.

“Senior, why say such things in jest? Elder Han must have seen some clues during today’s events in the main hall. Within this Sublime Sound Sect, I have become little more than a puppet. If it weren’t for the fact that I am still the only one who knows some of the sect’s secret charm arts and have a group of loyal subordinates, I fear I would have already been deposed as Sect Leader.” Madam Fan said bitterly, her expression turning somewhat ugly.

“Since you used the power of the demonic path to ascend to the position of Sect Leader back then, you should have been prepared for this outcome. Now, what use is there in complaining? Being a puppet Sect Leader is better than losing your life,” Han Li said expressionlessly, showing no intention of agreeing.

“But now, I can barely even guarantee my own life. A jade slip containing the Sublime Sound Sect’s secret techniques I was preserving recently went missing, along with a trusted disciple of mine. It has almost certainly fallen into Yun Tianxiao’s hands. Once he has his favored female disciples train in these techniques and they succeed… Elder Han, do you think I still have any hope of living? If Senior will help me eliminate this villain, I am willing to offer most of the wealth the Sublime Sound Sect has accumulated over the years as a gift. All the virgin female disciples within the sect will also be at Senior’s disposal.” Speaking of her perilous situation, Madam Fan’s face wore a look of bitterness. Then, a ferocious expression flashed across her beautiful face as she made her promise.

“I have no interest. Madam, please take your leave.”

Although the conditions she offered were tempting, Han Li refused without a second thought.

It wasn’t that he suspected her of lying.

If she truly wanted to deceive and scheme against him, it would have been more effective to pretend not to recognize him and secretly set a trap. That would have given her a much greater chance of success.

The real reason was that Han Li had no intention of wasting any time here. He still had a deadly pursuer who could show up at any moment.

Even if this woman offered him the entire Sublime Sound Sect, Han Li would kick it aside and focus on saving his own skin first.

Seeing this, Madam Fan was somewhat puzzled.

But after a few more earnest entreaties, seeing that Han Li still showed no sign of changing his mind, her beautiful expression shifted several times.

Finally, after a brief hesitation, the beautiful woman clenched her teeth and spoke again:

“What if I had a way to send Senior back to the Inner Star Seas in the short term? Would Elder Han be willing to lend me a hand?” After saying this, Madam Fan looked at Han Li with a tense expression.

This was the last condition she could offer.

Hearing this, Han Li was taken aback. Then, without any hesitation, he replied:

“If you can truly get me back to the Inner Sea within ten days, then this matter is not something that can’t be discussed. However, isn’t the Illusory Dreamstone needed for the teleportation array unavailable? Or was Left Envoy Fan intentionally deceiving me during the day?” When he said the last sentence, Han Li’s expression darkened slightly, and his voice turned cold.

“Of course not. It’s true that the teleportation array lacks a great deal of Illusory Dreamstone as far as Yun Tianxiao knows. But what he doesn’t know is that our Sublime Sound Sect purchased a significant amount of this rare material back then. These Illusory Dreamstones were among them, originally intended for setting up teleportation arrays between several branch halls in the Inner Sea. When I came to the Outer Sea back then, I brought them all along. Later, when I saw Yun Tianxiao’s wolf-like ambition, I naturally wouldn’t hand over these materials. Otherwise, if he received support from the demonic path in the Inner Sea, I would have even less chance of turning things around.” The beautiful woman’s heart raced as she hurriedly explained to Han Li.

Upon hearing this, Han Li was overjoyed. But on the surface, he forcefully suppressed his excitement and lowered his head in thought for a moment.

After a short while, he looked up and said calmly:

“Bring out the Illusory Dreamstone and let me see it. Then take me to the teleportation array site for a look. If there is truly a sufficient quantity of materials and it can be completed immediately, I can act once.” Han Li’s voice emerged, word by word.

“This…” Upon hearing this, Madam Fan was overjoyed at first, but then a look of hesitation appeared on her face.

“If this cannot be done, I will not involve myself in this matter,” Han Li added in an unmistakable tone.

“Fine! The materials are easy to handle. I could even take Senior to see them tomorrow, or right now. But the site where the teleportation array is being built is some distance away. Moreover, most of the disciples guarding that place are Yun Tianxiao’s trusted subordinates. It might be a bit difficult,” Madam Fan frowned, looking troubled.

“Since we’re going to deal with this Elder Yun, why should we care about a few of his trusted subordinates? It’s the perfect opportunity to first clip his wings, then strike him down in one blow. But where is Yun Tianxiao right now? He’s not too far from here, is he?” Han Li thought of something and asked with some concern.