Han Li tilted his head, coldly glancing at the two Jin Dan cultivators. Instantly, he cut off the words the man had yet to fully utter. The two were middle-aged cultivators he did not know—members of some unknown sect. At that moment, the shopkeeper and the two attendants standing before Han Li had been crushed to the ground by the immense spiritual pressure just inches away, completely immobile. They were filled with terror, and upon hearing that Han Li was a Yuan Yin cultivator, their fear reached a peak. They quickly tried to speak to beg for mercy, but their bodies felt as heavy as mountains, making it impossible for them to breathe or utter a single word. The other cultivators around them grew pale, with some even quietly retreating, fearing for their own safety. As for Sun Huo standing behind Han Li, thanks to Han Li’s special attention, he had only been pushed back a few steps and otherwise remained unharmed. But upon recognizing Han Li, his face changed instantly, and he hurried forward to pay a respectful bow, saying in a humble tone, "Disciple Sun Huo, paying homage to Master Han." Han Li paid no attention to the three figures before him, turned around, and glanced at the half-sheet of scroll clenched in Sun Huo's hands before nodding and saying, "It seems I need not elaborate further—you already know my current status." "At that time, I was unaware of Master Han's true form, and thus spoke with great arrogance. I hope Master Han will forgive me," Sun Huo recalled his earlier disrespectful behavior toward Han Li at the sacred site, feeling deeply uneasy and sincerely apologizing. "Back then, I had not yet become a senior monk of this sect, so I certainly wouldn't hold it against you. However, this fragment of scroll you hold seems to have some connection with me." Han Li looked steadily at Sun Huo, speaking slowly. "A fragment of scroll—does that mean Master Han is…" Sun Huo was momentarily stunned, delighted at the thought, and was about to say more, when suddenly a streak of silver light shot forth from the lower sky. "We'll discuss this matter later." Han Li waved his hand, silencing Sun Huo's further words. He narrowed his eyes, gazing toward the distant streak of light. Naturally, only the enforcement officers of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance could fly unimpeded within Qian Tian City. They were specifically assigned to maintain order before and after the city's trade fair. Sun Huo, naturally, dared not continue speaking and stood still, hands folded. Yet his inner excitement could not be contained; he held the scroll with even greater care. At that moment, the brilliant streak of light before Han Li dimmed slightly, revealing an elderly man with silver hair, evidently at the mid-Jie Dan stage of cultivation. A golden small sword motif embroidered on his chest was the clear mark of an enforcement officer. The elder had sensed Han Li's commanding presence as he approached from afar, but duty compelled him to proceed despite knowing that a Yuan Yin cultivator was now in full display. But as soon as he spotted Han Li standing motionless in the middle of the street, he immediately bowed both hands and said, "I am Wu Fei, the official enforcer from Qian Tian City. I don't know what has caused the elder's anger, but if there is anything I can do, please let me know." Naturally, as a junior official facing a Yuan Ying cultivator, he was exceptionally polite. "It's nothing. I merely passed by and heard that the merchant of your city has some complaints about us, the Luoyun Sect. So I simply wanted this friend to repeat his remarks before Han Li." Han Li said, arms crossed behind his back, with a calm demeanor. "Ah! This must surely be the merchant's exaggeration. How could those three dare to offend the elder? You three—hurry up and apologize immediately!" Upon hearing Han Li's words, the elder felt deeply troubled. Such matters involving the reputation of the sect were hard to explain clearly—either they could downplay or escalate, but it was difficult to find a middle ground. Thus, after offering a brief reassurance, he immediately turned stern and scolded the three merchants. Since Han Li had already withdrawn his spiritual pressure, the three Hearing this, the storekeeper, instantly pale, said, "Master, my apologies—my earlier words were merely a mistake. I had no intention of showing any disrespect to your sect. As for the Fire Cloud Scroll damaged by this guest, I would gladly waive any compensation. That shall be my act of apology." The elder, upon seeing this scene, immediately knew what to do and bowed slightly, saying: "Please rest assured, Master. This shopkeeper has been most unruly. I will deal with him severely and make it right for you." "Upon hearing this, the storekeeper's heart leapt again, and he immediately fell into a somber expression... In a quiet, secluded stone pavilion, the outlines of Han Li and Sun Huo emerged under the glow of yellow light. "Let's stay here. Take out that half-scroll of符paper, so I can examine it," Han Li said, giving Sun Huo a significant look. "Yes, Master!" Sun Huo showed no hesitation at all, immediately offering the scroll with both hands. Han Li took the scroll in one hand, glanced at it briefly, then silently flipped his other palm, and to his surprise, another half-scroll of符paper appeared. With Sun Huo's unwavering gaze, Han Li carefully aligned the two scrolls, bringing the split edges perfectly together—seamless, with not a single gap. Sun Huo's last lingering concern vanished completely, and without a moment's hesitation, he bowed deeply once more to Han Li. "Sun Huo bows to the Master." Han Li's expression remained calm, and upon nodding, a glow of red light emanated from his hands. The two scrolls turned to ash and vanished without a trace. Sun Huo was startled, but quickly regained composure. Han Li, observing this, was satisfied with his calmness. "It seems you are indeed a descendant of Sun Er-gou. However, before you call me master, tell me—what generation of his lineage are you?" Han Li asked calmly. "I am the seventh-generation descendant of the ancestral line," Sun Huo replied without hesitation. "When Sun Er-gou made his vow, he pledged that from him onward, the Sun family would serve me generation after generation. But at that time, I was not present in the southern lands. Thus, the Sun family never truly served me, nor did I offer them any protection. Now that you, as a descendant of the Sun family, have entered the realm of cultivation, that original vow may no longer hold. Yet, considering the goodwill of your ancestor back then, I shall grant you two options." "The first is that I provide you with certain benefits—such as pills or magical artifacts—after which we shall become entirely independent of one another." You won't expect me to take care of you in the future. The alternative is that you remain willing to uphold the ancestors' vow and continue to regard me as your master. But I will implant restrictions within you to ensure your loyalty. I'll also assign you certain tasks—some of which may prove dangerous. As compensation, however, I will strive to enhance your cultivation, offer guidance in your practice, and provide you with benefits you never imagined, never falling short of your expectations. As long as your aptitude isn't exceptionally poor, achieving Dan Stage is certainly within reach." Han Li smiled gently and spoke calmly. Hearing this, Sun Huo's expression shifted between uncertainty and unease, clearly taken aback by the remarks, which had far exceeded his expectations. He didn't know how to respond at first. After a while, a determined resolve flashed across Sun Huo's face. "Master, I—” "No need to rush your answer. To prevent any hesitation, I'll wait until after the transaction is finalized and then return to the sect to give you my formal reply." "During this time, think carefully about the pros and cons, truly reflect upon your decision, and then come to my abode," Han Li unexpectedly interrupted Sun Huo's words, speaking calmly. "Disciple shall do as instructed, thank you, Master!" After some thought, Sun Huo found this approach more appropriate and quickly agreed. "Well. I have other matters to attend to. Go now, and take care!" Han Li nodded gently, and with a flash of yellow light, he vanished once more. Sun Huo did not immediately leave. Instead, he lowered his head and pondered for a long while before finally sighing and slowly making his way out. At that moment, Han Li had already arrived at the pavilion in front of his residence. He looked up at the now completely dark sky, his face briefly revealing a strange expression.