Chapter 604: The Rising Star Named Li Xuezhu?

Li Hongtian did not hesitate, transmitting a essence of Grandmaster-level spiritual energy into Ba Zhanshen's body; the latter's fading aura instantly stabilized.

Seeing Ba Zhanshen's aura steady, Li Hongtian's face turned pale; he ceased gathering spiritual essence and without hesitation tossed Ba Zhanshen to Hamms.

"Don't forget your promise to me!"

Although Li Hongtian expended a great deal of spiritual essence, the cost was heavy.

But what he paid was negligible compared to the entire month's harvest from the Saiki Kusuo by the British Empire! Li Hongtian declared this deal a massive win for China.

"Rest assured!"

James, though now realizing the truth, winced with pain in his cheeks, yet offered not a single word of protest.

To default on a Grandmaster's debt is no longer merely a matter of being tired of life.

This is an issue that could spark a national-level diplomatic conflict.

James embraced Ba Zhanshen, bowed deeply to Li Hongtian, then turned and soared into the air without hesitation; several Europeans also bowed to Li Hongtian and followed James.

Nothing else matters now—getting Ba Zhanshen back to Europe and providing him with the best possible treatment is paramount.

...... Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Su Han returned to his room and treated the earlier incident as nothing, closing his eyes to further familiarize himself with Kenbunshoku Haki.

Only half a minute passed before his phone rang.

Su Han glanced at the phone and realized the caller was Master Li Hongtian.

"...... This old man is barely a kilometer from my house—why not just come over in person instead of calling?"

Su Han's eyebrow twitched, but he ultimately answered the call.

"Sheng! Hello, I am Li Hongtian, the one you met briefly last time!"

Li Hongtian's tone was undeniably respectful.

"Just say what you want."

Su Han frowned, his voice tinged with irritation.

After all, it was very late.

Being called in the middle of the night was never pleasant.

"...... My deepest apologies! But it concerns what just happened."

Su Han's voice showed no emotion: "You're the ones who brought that... Ba Zhanshen here."

"How could that be?"

Li Hongtian was instantly startled and denied it immediately.

He had not forgotten that Su Han possessed what appeared to be instantaneous teleportation.

If he admitted it now, Su Han might appear right behind him.

His fate would be no different from Ba Zhanshen's.

"What I mean is—your intervention this time will likely expose your true power!"

Li Hongtian sighed, "Of course, not to the general public.

But the high echelons of every nation will know! What do you intend to do?"

Li Hongtian's tone carried a hint of helplessness—he was in a difficult position too.

On one hand, Ba Zhanshen had openly challenged Su Han, leaving no room for refusal.

On the other hand, Su Han wished to live a normal life.

Thus, intelligence regarding Su Han's power must be suppressed as much as possible.

"I don't care what the world's nations think—as long as they don't start trouble."

Su Han ended the call abruptly.

If it had been Grandmaster Dama calling, given their previous decent rapport, he might have been willing to chat a little.

But Li Hongtian was neither close to him nor someone he'd met often—he had no desire to elaborate.

Yet even after Su Han hung up, once Su Han had clearly conveyed his stance,

Li Hongtian finally exhaled in relief.

After ending the call, Su Han also did not cultivate for long.