Chapter 1259: Sea Mist

"Playing around? For just a measly sixth-level demon core?" Han Li raised an eyebrow, revealing a half-smile.

"Hmph, if it were just an ordinary sixth-level demon core, we wouldn't even bother with it, but the Thunder Whale Beast's demon core is an exception. Moreover, as soon as you appeared, you stirred up trouble by questioning Brother Fan's demon core—this is certainly worth pondering." The silent surnamed Sun cultivator, a stern-faced old man, finally spoke coldly.

"You killed the Thunder Whale Beast and delayed for quite a while, didn't you? That's why, over such a long time, the beast drained most of the demonic power from its core. After you killed it, the core couldn't replenish its power—how could its quality possibly remain good? It seems you two haven't slain many high-level demons, otherwise you wouldn't be unaware of this taboo." Han Li chuckled, offering no denial.

Upon hearing this, the two surnamed Fan cultivators exchanged glances, their faces unconsciously showing hesitation.

"Even if the demon core matter is true, how did you get in here? Daoist Fan clearly concealed this place with illusionary techniques. Did you come specifically for us?" The white-bearded elder suddenly asked, wary.

"A mere illusion formation—I don't even take it seriously. As for you all, this is my first time in this sea region, so I certainly didn't come just for you. Han Li is in a good mood today, so I've said what I needed to. Ask more, and I won't bother answering. The conditions I mentioned earlier remain unchanged—is anyone willing to make this deal? I have no intention of lingering here longer."

Seeing Han Li's tone so bold, the several Nascent Soul cultivators in the stone pavilion were instead inwardly startled.

The opponent appeared so mysterious that they didn't believe he was boasting. Out of caution, no one dared to speak rashly—until the lovely green-clad woman, her eyes flashing, stared at Han Li for a moment and suddenly asked:

"From your tone, you don't seem to be a cultivator of the Five Dragons Sea, but may I ask if you're from the Great Jin and know Senior Xiang Zhili?"

"Do you know Daoist Xiang?"

Han Li stared at the woman, his eyes slightly narrowing. He was quite surprised!

"Senior Xiang once stayed for a time on my island, guiding me in cultivation and benefiting me greatly. Since you address him as an equal, are you also a Nascent Soul cultivator?" The green-clad woman, upon hearing Han Li's words, flashed a strange light in her eyes, suddenly stood up, and bowed respectfully—her demeanor now extremely reverent.

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?"

The others, who had been sitting properly, jumped in shock and all rose to their feet.

Even the surnamed Fan cultivator and the stern old man, who had just refrained from speaking ill, now showed a trace of panic on their faces.

"Since you've recognized him, I have nothing left to hide. When did you meet Daoist Xiang?" Han Li ignored the others' reactions, frowned slightly, and asked the woman.

"I met Senior Xiang over two hundred years ago, when I had not yet successfully formed my Nascent Soul. Had it not been for his guidance, I might still be wandering in the Core Formation stage." The lovely woman replied, her face lit with joy.

Two hundred years ago—exactly when Xiang Zhili and others discovered the spatial node in the Five Dragons Sea—so this must be true.

Han Li's thoughts raced, and in an instant he judged her words to be true, his expression easing:

"Since you know Daoist Xiang, that's perfect. Take this demon core, and bring me the sea chart."

Han Li raised his hand—the rare demon core in his palm shot instantly toward her.

The woman felt joy, lifted her hand, and drew the core into her palm. Then, bowing in thanks, she took out a pale green jade slip from her storage bag and walked over with light steps.

Han Li received the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, compared it with the information left by Xiang Zhili, and instantly found the exact location of the spatial node. It wasn't far—just about a month's journey away.

He nodded in satisfaction:

"Not bad. Now I have a few questions—listen well." Once he revealed his Nascent Soul cultivator status, Han Li's aura surged, and he spoke in an unquestionable tone.

In truth, he is now the pinnacle of existence in the human world. If not for the concern of his lifespan fading, nothing in this realm would frighten him.

The green-clad woman naturally agreed without hesitation.

Han Li then moved his lips silently, producing no sound, while the woman's beautiful eyes flickered as she received his mental transmission and replied in turn, answering each question one by one.

After listening, Han Li stroked his chin, lowered his head, and fell into deep thought.

The other cultivators dared not even breathe loudly, standing still in place, afraid to disturb this Nascent Soul senior and bring upon themselves great disaster.

"Hehe, Han Li has gotten what he wanted—I won't linger here. You may continue." Han Li seemed to have realized something, suddenly raised his head, chuckled, flicked his sleeve, and a flash of green light passed—then he vanished without a trace.

No one present saw how Han Li departed. But now that his identity had been revealed, the previously anxious surnamed Fan cultivators and others finally breathed a sigh of relief—until their eyes swept to the green-clad woman's hand holding the Thunder Whale Beast's demon core, and envy unconsciously appeared on their faces.

Just taking out a sea chart and exchanging a few words, and they get a Thunder Whale Beast demon core? This luck is too good to be true.

Seeing the cultivators' glances sweep toward her hand, the green-clad woman remained calm, stored the demon core, and then said with a soft chuckle:

"Several fellow Daoists, since Han Han Qianbei has already left, let us continue as well!"

"Fairy Bi, the exchange isn't urgent! I never expected Fairy to have once befriended a Nascent Soul cultivator—truly, I am deeply remiss!" The blue-robed scholar sighed, then forced a bitter smile.

"That was long ago—I was merely a lowly Core Formation cultivator then, dare not claim such friendship. It was only that Senior Xiang casually offered a few pointers."

"Even if it was just casual advice, being connected to a Nascent Soul cultivator is something countless people dream of. But it's strange—how did all these top-tier existences from the Great Jin end up in our Five Dragons Sea? Could something major be about to happen here?" The surnamed Fan cultivator first looked envious, then furrowed his brow, growing suspicious.

"That very well may be. But since a Nascent Soul cultivator is planning to intervene, how could we possibly participate? One misstep, and they could crush us with a flick of the wrist. Better not to pry recklessly—if you anger a Nascent Soul cultivator, hehe..." The white-bearded elder chuckled, his words trailing off as he warned them.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted slightly, and they all nodded in agreement.

As for what they truly thought inside—only heaven knows.

While these Five Dragons Sea cultivators secretly speculated about Han Li's purpose, he had already long since transformed into a streak of green light, appearing above the sea ten thousand miles away.

From questioning the green-clad woman, he learned the general state of the Five Dragons Sea, knew no Nascent Soul cultivator currently resided there, and thus dispelled his last lingering hesitation, heading straight toward the spatial node.

With Han Li's current Nascent Soul cultivation, if he fled at full speed, his velocity would be unimaginable—but doing so might disturb the heavenly and earthly qi, causing his lifespan to drain. So he chose to maintain an ordinary escape speed, preferring to spend more time on the journey.

Over a month later, he arrived smoothly at a vast, boundless sea of mist.

Gazing at the white, hazy expanse before him, Han Li twitched his eyebrow slightly, then without hesitation, drove his escape light forward and shot into the mist.

After flying for a long time through the sea fog, Han Li's escape light suddenly paused—he had come to a stop.

He glanced around, then clenched both hands into fists and thrust them forward, shouting, "Break!"

Two thick golden arcs flashed and shot out, striking the void—booming thunder echoed, the nearby sea mist twisted and churned, then dispersed, revealing in an instant a broad, open space several li wide.

Below, a small island faintly visible, with what appeared to be a few structures on it.

Seeing this, Han Li's face showed delight, and he murmured a few words:

"Old Monster Xiang and the others didn't deceive me—they really left a disciple to guard this spatial node. But if I had come a century or two later, would anyone still be here? Hard to say."

As he muttered to himself, three streaks of escape light shot from the small island below, flying straight toward him, as if they had detected his presence.

Han Li's expression remained unchanged—he hung in midair, hands clasped behind his back, motionless.

The escape light faded, revealing a woman and two men—three middle-aged cultivators, all at the Core Formation stage!

As their gazes swept over Han Li's face, they instantly showed delight and stepped forward one by one to pay their respects.

"We pay our respects to Han Han Qianbei—we have been waiting here long under the orders of several of Master Xiang's ancestors!"

"Are you disciples of Daoist Xiang? Have we met before?" Han Li's expression shifted slightly as he asked.

"Indeed, we are disciples of Master Xiang, and we possess his portrait of Han Han Qianbei, so we recognize you." One of them spoke respectfully.

"Hmph, you've worked hard these years. I will not fail to reward you, but from now on, I will send my own disciples to take over guarding this place—you no longer need to remain trapped here." Han Li nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

These three people were overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately asked Han Li to sit down first in the lower structure. But Han Li shook his head and directly stated that he wanted to first check the location of the spatial node.

These three naturally dared not refuse, immediately agreed, and led Han Li toward one side of the small island.

net