"How is it, Zilin knows Han Dao-you?" Hua Qinglei asked, his voice soft. "Indeed, I and Han brother have known each other for some time!" Zilin's eyes, previously misty, suddenly cleared. She quickly turned her gaze away from Han Li, offering a strained smile. Yet the rising and falling of her chest revealed how deeply stirred she was, completely unable to control her emotions. "Miss Zilin, I didn't expect to meet you here." Han Li rubbed his nose, then smiled faintly after a moment. He, after all, was no ordinary person—his composure returned instantly. "Ah, since Zilin and Han Dao-you are old acquaintances, that's even better. Zilin, please raise your cup to Han Li now. Once we enter my magical palace, we shall have no connection to the past—this cup shall mark the end of that chapter." Hua Qinglei paused silently, then spoke lightly and casually, as if he had no intention of asking at all about the nature of Han Li's relationship with his future wife. Upon hearing this, the smile that had been勉强 maintained by Zilin suddenly froze. At once, a maid from the magic palace hurriedly placed a tray before her. The tray held a teapot and a jade-green wine glass. Zilin bowed her head and glanced at the items on the tray; her flowing, cloud-like hair momentarily obscured half her face, making it impossible to see her current expression. Yet, after a brief stillness, she gently extended one slender wrist and lightly grasped the handle of the teapot. The tense atmosphere in the hall instantly relaxed. The stern expression on the elder with the wooden crown softened. Han Li, meanwhile, quietly watched as Zilin poured a cup of rich, rose-colored wine. Then, with delicate jade fingers like green stalks, he lightly supported the wine cup and raised his head, silently making his way toward him. Zilin's unusual demeanor vanished, and her expression returned to calm and composed, now gazing at Han Li as though seeing him for the first time. Han Li's lips twitched slightly, then settled into calmness. "Master Han, please take this cup of light wine!" The voice of Zilin seemed to come from a distant place, lifeless and detached, as though only the body were speaking. Those present in the hall, upon hearing it, each expressed a subtle sense of pity. Han Li gazed at the wine cup, now just a few inches away, and did not immediately reach out to take it. Instead, his eyes followed the cup along the woman's arm, down her body, and finally settled upon her refined, jade-like face. His eyes, which had been half-closed all along, now narrowed slightly. At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall, which had just lightened, grew once again heavy and tense. Yet the elderly elder with the wooden crown remained unchanged in expression, though a flash of cold light passed briefly through his eyes. Xiang Zhilǐ, standing nearby, seemed to sense something, and frowned slightly at the old demon. As for Feng, the old monster, he only smiled gently, his expression unreadable, as though he were unsure of his own thoughts. The other Yuan-Elm cultivators also displayed varied expressions, though most of them clearly harbored a sense of relief mixed with disdain. Han Li raised his hand suddenly and took the wine cup from Zilin's hands. With a simple gesture, he drank it all in one go. This unexpected action left everyone in the hall momentarily stunned. Hu Qinglei's eyebrows arched slightly, but soon settled back to their usual expression. Zilin's composed face suddenly revealed a touch of complexity, her eyes fixed on Han Li for a moment before she silently accepted the now-empty cup and began to slowly turn to leave. "Wait a moment!" Han Li spoke calmly, as if he had just realized something. "If I'm not mistaken, there is a seal placed within Zilin's body!" Just when everyone expected that, under Hu Qinglei's authority, the matter would proceed smoothly without further complications, Han Li calmly interjected. Zilin's poised figure trembled slightly, and indeed, her feet came to a sudden halt—she paused without realizing it. The entire hall fell instantly silent, everyone holding their breath, as if even the sound of a needle dropping to the ground could be heard. "Friend Han, haven't you had too much to drink? Don't let the wine fail to intoxicate you, yet you yourself grow drowsy!" Hu Qinglei showed no change in expression, calmly sipped his wine, and then said this. The clear displeasure in his words was unmistakable. "Brother Hu, please don't worry. Though I've had two or three cups, I'm quite sober and not at all disoriented." Han Li's eyes flickered slightly, yet he smiled lightly, unconcerned. "Indeed? Zi Ling, I'd like to ask you—do you think Friend Han is drunk, yet unaware of it himself?" Hu Qinglei glanced down at the palm adorned with a crimson ring, his head still lowered, and spoke softly. Upon hearing this, Zi Ling's expression changed several times in an instant. Her rosy, luminous lips moved twice, as though ready to speak, yet in the end, she said nothing. Huo Qinglei seemed to sense Zilin's hesitation and lifted his gaze toward her. Upon seeing the old man's face, everyone was startled, their hearts suddenly growing cold. Though Hu's expression remained as before, a faint layer of dark mist now hovered over his face, and his eyes—unaccountably turned a subtle shade of red—shone with streaks of cold light, utterly unlike the eyes of a human being. "Hu, you—," Xiang Zhi-li tried to speak, but the old man's cold words immediately cut him off. "Even if this person was brought by Brother Xiang, do you think I would remain unaware of being slighted? Unless he gives me a clear explanation today, he won't leave this place." Hearing this, Xiang Zhi-li could only offer a wry smile and stopped trying to persuade Hu. Instead, he turned to Han Li and shook his head: "Han brother, you should be well aware of what you're doing." As for this matter, I'm truly unable to settle things for you. You'll have to think for yourself how to make amends to Brother Hū. I believe what my younger brother should say to Brother Hū. After saying this, Xiang Zhi-li no longer looked at either of them, leaned back, and closed his eyes, seemingly entering a state of meditation. Though Xiang Zhi-li said little, Han Li could sense a subtle sense of protection in his words. Clearly, as fellow Huashen cultivators, the old man wished to avoid direct confrontation with Brother Hū. Thus, after gently guiding him a few times, he simply chose to remain a passive observer. Han Li smiled slightly and turned to Zǐ Líng, asking, "Miss Zǐ Líng, we've known each other for many years now. You're one of my few close friends. Since you're bound by a seal within your body, perhaps you feel compelled to act. Though I don't wish to offend Brother Hū, I can't remain indifferent and simply watch you being ignored. However, before I take any further action, I hope you can give me a genuine answer—do you truly wish to become Hū's concubine?" If it is something I willingly agree to, then I would certainly not make a scene. If I am unwilling, however..." Han Li's words were not fully spoken, yet his meaning was clear. "Me...," Zi Ling's face was a tapestry of joy, hesitation, helplessness, and various emotions intertwined, as though she desperately wanted to respond but momentarily struggled to find the right words. "No need to ask her. Once someone enters our palace, is it their wish to become a consort of the Master—or can she decide for herself? But even if she refuses, what then? Do you really intend to force her to leave our palace?" Hu Qinglei gave a sharp laugh, his tone laced with scorn. "Indeed! Is this truly the case." Han Li sighed lightly, yet still asked Zi Ling one final confirmation. "A few years ago, I accidentally revealed my true form and was captured by several senior monks of the Tian Mo Sect, who together seized me and carried me up the mountain. Naturally, it was far from a voluntary arrangement." Zi Ling's gaze fell upon Han Li, who now stood at the peak of Yuan Ying Late Stage, calm and composed despite the fact that he faced the Magistrate of the Magic Palace—someone whom he had always found intimidating. Unexpectedly, a surge of warmth stirred within her, prompting her to bite her lip and finally reveal the truth. Upon hearing this, Hu Qinglei only sneered, remaining silent. The other cultivators in the hall showed no signs of surprise. In the orthodox sects such as Taiyuan, such a forced abduction of a female cultivator might draw significant criticism. Yet, among the Magi and various independent cultivators, such occurrences were commonplace—seemingly taken for granted. Naturally, those who had come to the Magic Palace would not be closely tied to the orthodox sects. It was therefore no wonder they remained indifferent. "With Zi Ling's words, this is sufficient. Brother Hu, there's no need for you to be angry. I have never intended to oppose you. In the world, all things can be exchanged equally. I wonder what terms I might offer to secure Zi Ling's freedom." After nodding, Han Li suddenly addressed the wooden-crowned elder in this manner, as though completely indifferent to his displeased expression. "A swap! By you?" Hu Qinglei was first taken aback, then his face took on a strange look. "Is it that you feel I'm not worthy?" Han Li replied calmly. "Indeed, you're no more worthy than a typical Yuan-Stage late-stage cultivator in my eyes. Even if you're slightly stronger than the average, it still doesn't matter. Perhaps you truly believe that since I brought you here, you can now stand on equal footing with me. Moreover, what treasure in this world could possibly move me? Oh, I heard you have two spiritual treasures. But if I so choose, I could easily kill you—those two treasures would then be mine entirely." Hu Qinglei spoke with a chilling tone, his body radiating a tangible, almost solid, dark glow, as though he had truly resolved to strike Han Li. "The spiritual treasures—seems you told Hu brother about them." But I wonder if you've also informed me of the matter concerning the Immortal Immolation Pearl. And do you truly believe that the spatial node documents I've provided are all I have revealed? Or do you, in your own judgment, still manage to capture me and perform a soul-siphoning ritual upon me, despite my possessing the Immortal Immolation Pearl?" Han Li's gaze flickered strangely, and then, with a subtle movement of his lips, he whispered directly into the ear of the wood-crowned elder. Double the period—get a monthly pass once!