"You... " "Hold on a moment. I would like to hear what this young lady has to say regarding the matter. As for whether the information is true or not—"范夫人眉头一皱，正欲再说些什么时，韩立却神色一沉，忽然开口打断道。 "Since your nephew, Wen, knows something, perhaps it would be best if Li friend asked her directly."云天啸眼中寒光一闪，略作沉吟后，便笑着说道。 "Very well!"范夫人怔了怔，随即有些勉强地应道。 "Thank you."韩立并未多加客套，微微一点头便表示了谢意。 This casual demeanor cast a subtle shade of displeasure on Yun Tian Xiao's face, which he quickly masked. At that moment, however, Han Li had already been intently gazing at Wen Siyue's delicate features, and began to ask: "Tell me, how did you come to know the location of the eight-tiered beast's lair?"Han Li's voice was clear and composed, devoid of any visible emotion—neither excitement nor displeasure—causing Wen Siyue, who was just a few feet away, to hesitate But then, remembering something dreadful, she firmly said: "When I first arrived at the extraterrestrial sea, I accidentally obtained a map that depicted a specific location. At the time, I thought it might be some kind of treasure map, so I quietly went to have a closer look. There, I discovered a young 'Split-Wind Beast.' Fortunately, this creature was only at the second or third level, so I didn't notice me. I was so startled that I immediately left. As you know, the Split-Wind Beast only begins to reproduce once it reaches the eighth level, and it continues to care for its young until they reach about the fifth level before departing. Therefore, there should definitely be an eighth-level Split-Wind Beast living there as well. If you agree to my conditions, I would be honored to guide you there." Wen Siyue gradually shared a deeply buried experience. Han Li listened attentively, his expression unchanged, yet a subtle spark of excitement gleamed in his eyes. She is indeed correct—the mature裂风兽 is a genuine eight-tier immortal beast. If her statement is true, then there must surely be a companion herb plant within the lair. "Unknown to you, what terms have you offered in exchange for this information about the beast's lair?" Han Li stared at her for a while, then asked calmly and deeply. Han Li believed she would not deceive a Jin Dan stage cultivator with fabricated details, so he directly inquired about Wen Siyue's request. "I would like to ask my esteemed senior to accompany me from here and take Wen Siyue as my concubine," Wen Siyue said, her face slightly blushing, then speaking without hesitation. "What?" Han Li was taken aback, his expression revealing genuine surprise. "What are you talking about?" Lady Fan reacted just as sharply, her graceful face filled with shock and indignation. The other cultivators were equally stunned at first, but soon most of them adopted a bemused, amused expression, as though watching a scene unfold with interest. Several monks could not help but chuckle softly. Cloud Tianxiao, seated beside them, suddenly grew stern, his face taking on a faintly ashen hue. "I didn't catch what condition you just proposed to Li Dao友. Could you please repeat it?" Cloud Tianxiao suddenly placed his two clean, pale palms flat upon the round table, fixing his gaze on his fingers, his expression cold and composed. The slender figure tightly embracing Han Li's waist trembled slightly. Upon hearing this, Wen Siyue's face turned pale. Yet, when her bright eyes settled upon the now calm and composed Han Li, a renewed sense of courage seemed to stir within her. "I... I would like to serve as Li Dao's concubine and step down from Miao Yin Monastery!" Wen Siyue strained every muscle, barely managing to utter these words to Cloud Tianxiao. Then, she lowered her gaze once more, unable to look up. A soft "puff" sound followed. Cloud Tianxiao's hands burst forth with gray flames reaching half a foot high, enveloping both palms and setting them ablaze. The eerie gray glow cast a somber light on his face, making him appear remarkably intimidating. "White Bone Yin Fire," he murmured softly. At once, the other Dan-stage cultivators who had been laughing now paused, their expressions turning serious. "Lǐ Brother! It seems this young lady has been practicing improperly, her mind somewhat disoriented. Her earlier ramblings may not be entirely accurate. Attend! Take Wen Siyue and restrain her magical energy, have her face the wall for fifteen days." Cloud Tianxiao issued the command with cold, emotionless precision. Immediately, two young cultivators in green robes stepped forward from the stone gate—both at the late Foundation Stage—approaching Han Li directly. Wen Siyue instantly paled, her gaze fixed on Han Li, filled with pleading and a poignant sense of vulnerability. Han Li's brow furrowed slightly. "Wait a moment!" "He finally spoke. "Well, Master Li, you truly seem to have taken a liking to this female cultivator from our sect." Cloud Tianxiao had yet to respond, but Lady Fan couldn't contain her impatience and spoke coldly. "Perhaps that's true. But I'd like to know more about the beast creatures first. I kindly ask that you and Master Cloud not be so eager. Why not hear my terms before making any decisions?" Han Li said calmly, without even blinking. Upon hearing Han Li's words, Cloud Tianxiao's expression shifted between gloomy and thoughtful. After a moment's pause, he waved his hands, and the flames in his hands faded. "You both go ahead. I'll just listen for now!" Cloud Tianxiao said to Han Li with a neutral tone. He decided to give Han Li a face-saving gesture. After all, Han Li was also a Jiandan-stage cultivator, and he had a major matter to attend to that required the combined strength of all the Jiandan cultivators present, so he didn't wish to offend anyone lightly. "Since Master Wen has proactively offered to serve as my concubine, I find it difficult to simply ignore this matter. Moreover, the information about the beast-wielders she possesses is precisely what I have been eager to acquire. Why don't I trade these materials—so rare and precious—for her freedom? What do you think, Yun brother?" Han Li didn't blink as he pushed the pile of exceptionally rare materials directly toward the other, then regarded him calmly, with a half-smiling, thoughtful expression. A flurry of thoughts raced through Yun Tianxiao's mind. Just as he had finally settled on a decision, his expression calming and ready to speak, Fan Fu-ren suddenly shifted slightly, moving close to his ear and whispering a few words softly. At once, Yun Tianxiao's expression changed, his hesitation becoming evident. "Liyu, no matter how many materials you offer, this young lady cannot be taken away. Otherwise, once this precedent is set, anyone who happens to admire one of our female cultivators will simply be able to carry them off with ease. Where will our Mei Yin Sect's dignity stand?" After a moment of silence, Yun Tianxiao spoke with firm conviction. The other cultivators present were first taken aback, then exchanged glances, each one pondering thoughtfully. Given the abundance of rare materials, one would expect to easily exchange them for a female cultivator at the Juzhi stage. Yet Yun Tianxiao had refused outright—there must be something more at play. And from the way Han Li was looking at the young lady, it seemed clear he too would not let her go. This prompted the others to chuckle dryly, instantly sensing that an engaging drama was about to unfold. "Mei Yin Sect?" Han Li pursed his lips, a strange expression flickering in his eyes. "How could Li Daojun not know that this secret market was established by our sect? As for me, though I may not be particularly distinguished, I am indeed a senior disciple of Mei Yin Sect, assisting Master Fan in overseeing the affairs of our sect," said Yun Tianxiao coldly, a subtle, eerie gray haze beginning to rise on his face—his authority radiating unmistakably. Yet Yun Tianxiao's actions were merely intended to impress and intimidate the other party. "The opponent is only at the Jie Dan initial stage, and they're on their own territory. After weighing the pros and cons, they'll surely have to yield. It's a pity, though, that these materials will be lost," Yun Tianxiao thought, feeling no concern at all. Just then, however, he suddenly noticed Han Li's lips curl into a cold smile, and Han Li stiffly pronounced the word "good." Then, it seemed as though the other lifted his right hand, and a sudden flash of white light erupted, causing a brief blur in his vision. A bright, sharp beam of white light materialized before him. Yun Tianxiao was deeply startled, and his protective inner energy automatically activated, causing countless gray flames to rise around him and form a shield around his body. Yet, at that very moment, the white beam struck the gray flames without hesitation, blurring slightly before suddenly manifesting twelve slender, inch-long swords, which then plunged sharply into his body. "Ah!" Yun Tianxiao was so terrified that his spirit seemed to flee, urgently opening his mouth to summon his own magical artifact. However, under the relentless assault of the twelve swords, the protective gray flames could not withstand even a moment, instantly dissipating, and leaving dozens of blood holes puncturing his body. At that moment, just as he had managed to expel a single gray, small fork, he collapsed to the ground, gasping in pain. The other cultivators stared in utter astonishment, their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.