Chapter 617

Han Li rubbed his chin, and with a sweep of his spiritual sense, a flood of murmurs and conversations surged into his ears.

"Who is this guy?"

"Such a unfamiliar face—is he a new disciple?"

"Why is Master Mu here with this man?"

"Is this guy related to Master Mu? Master Mu never travels with male cultivators—how could she come with him!"

…

Han Li heard every one of those questions and envious remarks clearly.

His expression remained calm, but he sighed inwardly. Then he stepped away from the palace entrance and slipped into the crowd.

Even so, he still felt numerous eyes constantly scanning him.

"Han younger brother, I never expected we'd meet again after our parting back then." Just then, a seemingly hearty voice came from behind him.

Han Li paused, then turned to look.

There, several zhang away behind him, stood a large man—it was the man called Du Dong.

He was beaming at Han Li with a wide smile.

After a flicker of oddness in Han Li's eyes, his face broke into a smile, and he bowed politely.

"So it's Brother Du. How are you doing under Master Jiang's guidance?" The Master Jiang Han Li referred to was the white-haired elder who had taken Du Dong away that day.

"Fine, very fine," the big man chuckled, appearing utterly simple-minded.

Han Li sneered inwardly, but outwardly chatted with him about their respective experiences since they'd parted.

From what Du Dong said, the white-haired elder believed he had a natural talent for talisman-making and intended to nurture him seriously. When he spoke of this, Du Dong's face lit up with joy, as if ecstatic.

Han Li listened, and inwardly felt a pang of sympathy for the white-haired elder. Why pick this scheming fellow for intensive training? He'll surely suffer serious consequences from being tied to him later.

Thinking this, Han Li naturally had no intention of warning Master Jiang. He continued chatting with the big man, half-heartedly.

But just then, the big man suddenly wore a mysterious expression and said to Han Li:

"Han younger brother, did you know? Master Mu, who's assigned to guide you, is the number one beauty of Tianquan Peak—and among the top three in the entire Luoyun Sect. Now that you've arrived with her, you've surely stirred up quite a commotion."

"Not 'surely'—it's already happened!" Han Li gave a bitter laugh, glanced around, and said helplessly.

"Still, you arrived with Master Mu riding your magical artifact together. Did she mention anything related to this gathering?" Du Dong's tone shifted, feigning casual curiosity.

"Oh? That? No, she didn't. Did Brother Du hear something? Tell me, then!" Han Li's expression didn't change, but his eyes turned into a half-smile, and he gave the man a meaningful look.

The big man's previously simple smile faltered under Han Li's gaze—he suddenly felt as if his every secret had been exposed.

A chill of alarm shot through him.

But as soon as Han Li turned his head to look elsewhere, the feeling vanished completely—as if it had been an illusion—leaving the man secretly bewildered.

Because of this, the big man subtly avoided staying near Han Li. After forcing a few more words of farewell, he excused himself and walked toward another familiar Tianquan Peak cultivator.

Han Li watched his retreating figure, a flicker of mockery crossing his face—when suddenly, the voice of Yin Yue echoed in his mind.

"Han brother, did you intentionally scare him off? Aren't you afraid he'll grow suspicious of you and turn hostile later?"

"His identity is unknown, but his infiltration into Luoyun Sect can't be for good. I don't want to associate with him further—I'd rather he distances himself from me. If something serious happens later, I won't be dragged into it. As for suspicion—what does it matter? He's got his own hidden agenda; what can he do to me? At most, he'll keep a closer eye on me. Even if he tried to ambush me secretly, do you think he could succeed? And I have no intention of stopping him—just don't want any further contact." Han Li replied slowly with his spiritual sense.

Hearing this, Yin Yue fell silent—clearly acknowledging Han Li's reasoning.

After all, if Du Dong truly intended something illicit within Luoyun Sect, and if it ever came to light, any close fellow disciples would surely draw the attention and suspicion of the sect's higher-ups.

That was not something Han Li wanted.

Thus, in the time that followed, Han Li observed the lower-grade disciples around him alone.

Among them were both young and old, men and women. The older ones weren't necessarily higher in cultivation, and the younger ones had already reached the twelfth or thirteenth level of Qi Refining.

Several of the young women were quite beautiful and stood out in the crowd. Yet beside each eligible female cultivator stood several male cultivators of similar age—clearly, like other sects, Luoyun Sect greatly favored young, beautiful female disciples.

As Han Li pondered, the palace doors finally opened.

A commanding voice rang out from within, inspiring solemn respect.

"All disciples of Tianquan Peak, enter the hall!" The faint male voice belonged to the peak's master—the mid-Stage Core Formation cultivator surnamed Xin, whom Han Li had met once before.

Upon hearing this, the disciples outside immediately bowed in unison, respectfully saying:

"We humbly obey our Ancestor's command!" Then they entered two by two in orderly procession.

Han Li, having joined the sect last, naturally fell into line at the very end with Du Dong before entering the Xixin Hall.

The interior of the hall was vast, stretching three to four hundred zhang wide. Aside from dozens of towering pillars, only two chairs stood at the center front—one facing forward, the other sideways.

The rest of the space was empty; embedded along the pillars were blocks of polished moonlight stones, emitting a soft, pale white glow.

Two cultivators already sat on the chairs: one was a refined-looking man in white robes, the other a gray-robed elder with wild hair and a fearsome face.

Slightly ahead of the chairs stood a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, arranged in two rows.

The coldly beautiful Mu woman and the young Yu man who had guided Han Li into the sect stood in the same row, while the young Miao man who had tested them with the Questioning Talisman stood at the head of the opposite row, his face still pale and frail, as if he could barely stand.

As the disciples entered the hall, the two seated figures rose again in unison and bowed.

"We pay homage to Ancestor Xin and Ancestor Yu!"

"Rise," said the middle-aged man in the center, smiling. He waved his hand, and all the disciples stood up.

The lower-grade disciples respectfully lined up in two rows along the sides of the hall—Han Li and Du Dong stood near the entrance.

Han Li briefly scanned the fearsome elder with his spiritual sense and found him to be merely a Stage Core Formation cultivator—this must be the famed but never-before-seen vice-peak master, "Ancestor Yu."

Han Li glanced at him twice, then withdrew his spiritual sense without further thought.

At this moment, the peak master, Master Xin, began speaking slowly.

"I've summoned you all here because some of you may already have guessed why. Indeed, yesterday our sect officially received a formal notice from the Ancient Sword Sect. The Sword Trial Gathering will begin in half a year. Since the last one was held here, this year's gathering will take place at the Baiqiao Courtyard, our allied sect. Our participants and those from the Ancient Sword Sect will travel to the western range of Mount Mount Yunmeng. However, as per tradition, only thirty disciples from each of the three sects may compete, with only the top ten receiving major rewards. Thus, Luoyun Sect must first hold an internal selection to determine our competitors." The man paused slightly, then continued:

"Of course, six slots are reserved—each of our six peak masters may directly nominate one disciple without competition. The remaining twenty-four slots will be decided through a competition among qualified disciples from each peak. The winners will then receive personal guidance from our Elders during the remaining time. Yesterday, we peak masters discussed this with the Sect Master, and the internal selection will be held in one month. But before that, I'll warn those unfamiliar with the Sword Trial Gathering: any disciple over thirty years old, or whose cultivation hasn't reached the tenth level of Qi Refining, is forbidden to compete. No other restrictions apply. You have one incense stick's time to consider—anyone who believes they qualify and wishes to compete, step forward now. I have additional instructions. Oh, and the one disciple who will compete without trial has already been jointly nominated by me and Ancestor Yu—your Master Mu. Very well, Jun'er! Begin the incense."

"Yes, Master," the young Yu man stepped forward and swiftly pulled a bronze tripod from his storage bag, placing it in the center of the hall.

He inserted a sandalwood incense stick, flicked his fingers, and ignited it with a flash of flame.

A wisp of blue smoke rose gently into the air.

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