Chapter 536

Han Li's expressionless hand gestured once, and the twelve small swords instantly merged into one. A flash of white light, and they vanished into his sleeve.

"Now, can you calm down?" Han Li lowered his hand, his face serene.

Han Li had not killed his opponent in that strike—only severely wounded him, leaving him unable to fight for the moment.

Moments later, Yun Yun Tianxiao Mianqiang rose to his feet again, drenched in blood, his gaze toward Han Li filled with terror.

"Very well! I am outmatched! Wen Siyue and Li Dao you may take her. But I warn you plainly: an elder has already set his sights on this girl, intending to use her as a cultivation vessel. If you take her now, don't blame me if trouble comes knocking." Yun Yun Tianxiao's face was pale as he pulled out several talismans and slapped them onto his body; a flash of green light made his wounds vanish before their eyes.

"Cultivation vessel?" At this, Han Li finally understood why Wen Siyue had fought so desperately to escape.

But the hidden implication in his words made Han Li's expression turn icy.

"Someone else wants this girl? Fine. I'm taking her regardless. Save your threats, Dao—you'd be wiser to speak less. If I'm in a bad mood, I might just slaughter everyone here." Han Li's expression remained unchanged as he casually scanned the surroundings.

His words were not mere bluff.

Had there not been so many Core Formation cultivators present, and had he not been uncertain he could eliminate them all without exception, he would have already slaughtered them all to end it once and for all.

Yet even so, the ruthlessness in his tone caused the cultivators present to turn pale.

If his earlier strike had left others in shock and doubt, his current arrogance led most to suspect Han Li was a Nascent Soul elder. Some grew uneasy, others lowered their eyes—no one dared meet his gaze.

Yun Yun Tianxiao naturally considered this possibility. Recalling that Han Li was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator of early stage, yet had nearly killed him—a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator—with a single strike, and was now seeking the lair of an eighth-rank beast, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth and silently cursed his misfortune.

Inside Han Li's arms, Wen Siyue's beautiful eyes widened in shock, stunned by the scene before her.

She would rather die than become another's cultivation vessel—that was why she had risked everything before. Yet she never imagined this Li cultivator possessed such terrifying power, single-handedly silencing every cultivator in the hall.

Yun Yun Tianxiao, whom she had once feared most, lay grievously wounded; Lady Fan was pale with alarm, silent as a stone.

All of this left her heart trembling with both fear and joy, as if in a dream.

Seeing everyone now silent and cautious, Han Li sneered, then raised his hand.

The copper tablet belonging to the black-skinned cultivator suddenly floated up, zipped through the air with a soft *whoosh*, and landed in Han Li's palm.

Han Li looked down at it without ceremony, studying it closely.

The black-skinned cultivator's expression shifted slightly, his lips moving several times, yet he dared not utter a word of complaint.

If this man could wound Yun Yun Tianxiao—whose cultivation matched his own—with a single strike, he was certainly no match for him. His face, of course, was far from pleasant.

"I'll take this. How many spirit stones?" Han Li set the tablet down and spoke coolly to its owner.

"Seven… no, five thousand spirit stones!" The black-skinned cultivator answered instinctively, surprised.

Han Li tossed a fifth-rank beast core, landing it precisely before the man.

"Use this beast core as payment. Also, don't say I forcibly seized your sect's female cultivator—these materials on the table will serve as compensation for her freedom." Han Li turned to Lady Fan, then patted the woman in his arms on the shoulder, prompting her to release him before rising calmly and walking out.

Wen Siyue only realized moments later and hurriedly rose, following him out in a fluster.

"Venerable Li, wait!" Lady Fan's expression changed, and she called out.

Han Li halted, turned, a flicker of interest crossing his face.

This woman dared to stop him—Han Li found it intriguing. Wen Siyue, however, tensed slightly and instinctively moved closer to Han Li's side.

"What is it?" Han Li's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone calm.

"Venerable, don't you wish to return to the Inner Star Sea? Our Miaoyin Sect has a way to get all of you back to the Inner Sea soon." Lady Fan smiled sweetly, her tone now markedly respectful. Facing a cultivator almost certainly of Nascent Soul rank, she dared not show the slightest disrespect.

"What do you mean?" Han Li frowned. He had no interest in vague, cryptic talk.

Seeing Han Li's impatience, Lady Fan abandoned all pretense and spoke quickly:

"Our Miaoyin Sect is currently constructing a teleportation array to return to the Inner Star Sea. But we still lack several key materials and cannot complete it. That's why we held this exchange meeting—to seek help from all of you. If you assist us in completing this array, we will transport you all back to the Inner Star Sea free of charge."

Upon hearing this, the Core Formation cultivators stirred. Most revealed surprised delight.

The Outer Star Sea had become the domain of beasts; even they felt they could not remain much longer. Naturally, they all longed to return.

But without a teleportation array, flying back on their own would take five or six years at least—not to mention the dangers along the way. That was why they had remained here this long.

"Even with an array, without teleportation talismans, it's useless. Don't tell me your Miaoyin Sect has mastered the art of crafting teleportation talismans," the white-haired old woman asked coldly, her expression shifting.

"Venerable Qing, don't worry about that. Although our Miaoyin Sect cannot craft teleportation talismans, before the beast tide, we secretly acquired a large stockpile from other sources—enough to send every cultivator here back to the Inner Star Sea with ease. But the most crucial material, Dream Cai Huan Stone, is exceedingly rare. After years of searching, we found a deposit—but it lies near the lair of a group of high-rank beasts. Most are fifth- or sixth-rank, and their numbers are considerable. No small group of cultivators could wipe them out cleanly. Worse, if even a few escaped during the operation and alerted higher-rank beasts, the situation would become disastrous. That's why we seek your aid!" Lady Fan spoke with solemn sincerity.

After hearing this, all others fell into thought. Clearing out high-rank beasts was no trivial matter—they would need to weigh their options carefully.

"Why come to us Core Formation cultivators instead of seeking a Nascent Soul elder? Your chances would be far greater," the black-skinned cultivator asked slowly after a pause.

"Do you think I haven't tried?" Lady Fan sighed. "Since the beast tide, most of those elders have vanished. I've only managed to contact one—Venerable Miaohao. Even with his help, I could only handle the seventh-rank beasts among them. And Siyue… she was the one Venerable Miaohao specifically requested as his cultivation vessel." She glanced helplessly toward Han Li.

The others exchanged glances.

Han Li, meanwhile, rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. But then he said briefly:

"I have no interest in this matter. You all handle it yourselves." Without another word, he walked out the door.

Wen Siyue followed without a moment's delay.

No one dared stop Han Li. The hall was left with a group of cultivators staring dumbfounded at one another.

Lady Fan openly revealed her disappointment. But Yun Yun Tianxiao, who had remained silent until now, spoke again.

"Since Venerable Li refuses to assist, we will not force him. Now, let me first describe the beasts near the Dream Cai Huan Stone deposit, and then you may judge the situation yourselves. There…" As if Han Li's earlier wound had never happened, Yun Yun Tianxiao spoke calmly and at length.

…

"Venerable… you truly don't want to return to the Inner Star Sea?" Wen Siyue murmured behind him.

"Do you?" Han Li asked coldly, not turning around.

"Not really… it's just…" Her voice faded, the rest unspoken.

At this point, Han Li had already led her past the stone wall and headed straight for the exit without a word.

Since his goal had been achieved, he had no interest in lingering here.

Han Li, with Wen Siyue in tow, exited the secret market through the giant stone entrance, drawing the old gatekeeper's astonished gaze. He wrapped her in his aura and shot into the sky.

Along the way, Wen Siyue fell silent. In the aura, she did not ask where they were going—as if surrendering all to Han Li.

Han Li offered no explanation, and remained equally silent as he flew onward.

Two days later, Han Li finally found a desolate island with faint spiritual energy and landed.

Wang