Han Li pondered in his mind that on the final day, there would probably be no more than three or four senior cultivators arriving. After all, this wasn't the outer sea—across such a vast expanse, even among the Dan-period cultivators, there wouldn't be many. With his current cultivation level, he naturally wouldn't feel intimidated. Though he didn't wish to draw attention, if these cultivators proved indecisive and unyielding, he would have to be both firm and resolute. Having made up his mind, Han Li closed his eyes calmly once more. His tone was surprisingly imposing—likely a Jiadian cultivator. As for us three, we’re no match for him." Meiji, the woman, flashed a moment of surprise in her eyes, slightly nodding her head. "A Jiadian cultivator? Then indeed, the celestial phenomena on the island must be no ordinary thing—clearly not naturally formed. Could it be that a precious treasure has just come to light?" The elder was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but ask aloud. "Who knows? According to our understanding, we should be the very first group to arrive on this island. That person must have reached the island even before the celestial signs became apparent, and has already set up a magical array. There must be something significant going on." The young man in white, gently stroking the jade flute in his hands, spoke without lifting his gaze. "Could you describe the appearance of the other party? Please share what you remember, the three of you. Perhaps I’ve seen him before." The elder, after a brief pause, inquired. Upon hearing this, Meiji's siblings and the young man in white exchanged glances, puzzled. "Wait—have none of you seen the other party's appearance?" The elder frowned slightly, his The young man with white robes suddenly recalled the earlier incident, his expression darkening instantly. "Hmph! If Master Zhao doesn't believe me, he can go himself. As for whether the other party will still show mercy afterward—well, that's another matter entirely!" he said with irritation. "Ah, ah! My dear friend, you've misunderstood. I was only making a casual inquiry. Since there's already a senior cultivator at the jade island in the Dan stage, whether the other party is refining their cultivation techniques or a precious treasure has indeed emerged, there's no room for us to interfere." The elder chuckled lightly. "This isn't certain at all! Even if the other party is a Dan-stage cultivator, if we unite with several dozen Jian-Stage cultivators, we certainly stand a chance to compete with them." The Mei-named man shook his head, somewhat reluctantly. "Mei brother, you're being overly optimistic. Even if there were more Jian-Stage cultivators now, who would dare to offend a Dan-stage cultivator—especially before knowing whether a true treasure has indeed appeared and what its worth might be?" The bearded man shook his head, unconvinced. Upon hearing this, the woman's brother frowned, opened his mouth, but could find nothing to counterargue. He sighed and finally fell silent. "Brother, since the waters here are so deep, we'd better step aside and leave now!" The Mei-named woman glanced at the man beside her, gently suggesting. Her brother listened, his expression now hesitating. Though he knew that with a Jiadian cultivator involved, there was little chance of further gains, he still felt reluctant to let go of this potential rare treasure. After all, for siblings like them, who were independent practitioners, such an opportunity was truly rare. "Leave? That's quite the dream! Before I speak, no one is going anywhere!" A cold, steady voice drifted unexpectedly from all around, before the Mei-named man could even consider his response. Mei's siblings and the white-robed man were stunned, immediately pressing their hands against their storage bags, eyes scanning the surroundings with cautious alertness. Yet, there was no sign of anyone else in sight. "Zhao, what's going on?" Mei asked the elder, his face flushed with urgency, while simultaneously expanding his awareness to search the immediate area. "None of you need to ask me," the elder replied, his expression full of helplessness, a wry smile on his face. "I'm no different from any of you—I can't move either." Hearing this, the other three exchanged glances, uncertain whether to believe him. Just as they were hesitating, a flash of yellow light appeared ten or twelve zhang away, and a white figure stepped into view before them. This figure was wrapped in a misty vapor, his form blurred and indistinct, as if a phantom emerging from the fog. The appearance of this figure startled Mei's siblings and the others, who immediately activated their magical implements to protect themselves, eyes fixed on the newcomer with wary vigilance. "Hmph! Do you younglings really intend to fight me?" A voice of icy clarity and faintly irritated tone emerged from the mist. "I'm not worthy. I only wonder how we have offended the elder, and why we are not allowed to leave." Although the Mei woman could not see the figure's face clearly, the ripple of spiritual energy emanating from him enabled her to recognize the stage of a Jiadian cultivator. Her face paled slightly as she politely explained. "Offend you? You're quite entitled to that! I merely wish to keep this matter private. Until I am certain whether any treasures have surfaced on the island, no one is to approach this gate even a step. Otherwise, I shall immediately dispatch them and eliminate them." The figure seemed supremely proud, issuing a firm command without hesitation. The Mei siblings exchanged bewildered glances. "Then, if so, when shall we be privileged to visit the island?" The white-robed man exhaled gently and asked calmly. "Rest assured, I shall set out immediately. However, before then, please recount to me in detail everything you have encountered since arriving on the island." "White Shadow sneered and said so. Upon hearing this, the three of them exchanged glances. Among them, the woman with the Mei surname furrowed her brows slightly, then composed herself and spoke: 'In truth, we have little to say—we were essentially driven back by the other party's fifteen or so puppets. At that moment...' She recounted in detail what had happened on the island. 'To control fifteen high-level puppets is indeed something not typically achieved by a Foundation Stage cultivator. It seems you all have a few clever moves. If the situation had persisted any longer, I'm certain you wouldn't be standing here now!' After listening intently, White Shadow fell silent for a moment, then chuckled softly. Subsequently, without further words, her figure flickered and transformed into a beam of yellow light, swiftly heading toward the small island. The other cultivators were relieved, feeling their escape now within reach—when suddenly, a slow, measured voice drifted from afar. 'Listen carefully. Until I return, should anyone dare to leave without cause, don't be surprised if I come back and hunt you down. I'm not someone known for my magnanimity!' The voices gradually faded from loud to soft, and the elder figures exchanged glances, growing silent. As the golden light receded, they all naturally harbored thoughts of quietly slipping away. Yet, after weighing the pros and cons, they all remained, restrained by the reputation of the Jiadian-period cultivator. Almost simultaneously, Han Li's expression darkened as he opened his eyes at the valley entrance. "I thought he'd come back tomorrow. Instead, he's just as impatient!" Han Li murmured, as though slightly dissatisfied. At that moment, Han Li's expression shifted, he turned his head toward another direction, his face showing thoughtful concentration. "Another group has arrived. It seems we'll have to deal with one at a time. Jiadian cultivators aren't easily daunted." He glanced upward at the sky, sighed lightly, and continued in quiet reflection. Immediately after speaking, Han Li raised his hand and struck the pouch at his waist. A large swarm of three-colored, gold-devouring insects buzzed and surged out of the pouch. After a spiraling motion above, it swiftly solidified into a massive tri-colored pike. "Go!" Han Li stared at the pike, then softly exhaled. A rushing sound followed, and as the pike trembled, it vanished. "If you've decided to meet your end, then don't blame me!" Han Li's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he watched the direction where the pike had disappeared. This vehicle is about six to seven zhang long, crafted entirely from an unknown fragrant wood, adorned with layers of incantations that emit a gentle, pale glow. In front, three strange green birds pull it forward. Each bird is about one zhang in size, with six eyes and four wings, fierce and imposing, yet they fly with remarkable speed, reaching the vicinity of the small island within a matter of eye blinks.