Han Li reckoned that this cultivation art was on par with the disguise techniques of legend. Even cultivators of a higher grade would be unable to easily see through his disguise. Hence, it was included amongst the collection of Profound Yin Arts.
The only shortcoming of the secret technique was that once the technique was used, one could only use seventy percent of their magic power at most. If one exceeded this limit in a fight, the disguise would dissolve and reveal one’s true appearance.
However, Han Li didn’t care about this in the least. Whenever he donned his disguise, he likely didn’t want to reveal his true strength anyways. As such, the limit shouldn’t pose much of a problem to him.
Just after Han Li changed his appearance, the streak of red light discovered his location and wildly flew in Han Li’s direction as if it were their only hope at life.
As for the grey balls of Qi chasing after the red streak, they were clearly demon beasts that ranged around grade three and four.
When Han Li saw this, he immediately stopped and let out a long sigh. He didn’t sigh because trouble came knocking on his door, but because the person flying towards him didn’t care in the slightest about whether or not he could deal with the demon beasts. It seemed the man being chased wished to dragged himself down along with Han Li. As he did this without any hesitation, there wasn’t much else to say about the unknown man’s nature.
Han Li, who had recently felt greatly touched by Gongsun Xing’s display of familial piety, once again questioned the complexity of human nature.
One simply couldn’t lump these things all together!
“Fellow Daoist, please save me! I, Huang Mingli, will definitely express my gratitude towards you!” A shriveled old man with a wicked appearance directly flew towards Han Li with a panicked expression.
He was quite shrewd. Although he hadn’t made out Han Li’s true cultivation, he knew that his life was saved after seeing Han Li’s steadfast, unshakable bearing.
Han Li calmly watched the old man flying at him with an indifferent expression. He then lazily raised his hand and shot out five giant azure sword streaks, instantly tying down the five demon beasts chasing after him.
When the old man saw this, he happily let out a long breath of relief and released a fire ring magic tool to attack the five demon beasts.
Han Li cast a sideways glance at the old man. The old man’s cultivation was at peak Foundation Establishment, the false core stage. It was no wonder why he had been able to flee from a joint attack by so many grade four demon beasts.
Han Li turned his gaze back to the demon beasts and commanded the several streaks of swordlight to slowly surround them in a calm display of his overwhelming strength. When the old man saw this, his spirit was greatly roused, and he controlled his fire-attribute magic tool with increasingly fierce intensity as he struck the now vulnerable demon beasts.
After another moment passed, Han Li felt it was about time to end the battle and had the azure essence swordstreaks exterminate the demon beasts.
With the demon beasts dead, the small old man already realized that Han Li was a Core Formation cultivator. As such, he respectfully saluted him and said, “Many thanks for Senior’s rescue! Could it be that Senior wishes to head to Southdark City?”
Han Li calmly nodded, “That’s right. I wish to head to the city to trade for a few items.”
Huang Mingli’s eyes shifted around for a moment and he bitterly smiled before saying, “Then Senior need not continue, the trip would be in vain.”
Han Li’s expression stirred and he asked with surprise, “What happened?”
As he faced a Core Formation cultivator, the small old man carefully explained, “Several days ago at Southdark City, there were a few low grade demon beasts that unexpectedly arrived. Although a majority were killed, the next day, a swarm of grade four and five demon beasts were brought over to the city by the survivors from the previous day. A great number of the city’s cultivators had been harmed, forcing us to break through the demon beast’s siege. I was among those who escaped. However, I didn’t expect to come across another group of demon beasts on my way out.”
“According to what you’ve said, this trip was for nothing?” Han Li frowned and wore a sullen expression.
Huang Mingli’s eyes faintly flickered before revealing a grin with crooked teeth. He then secretly said, “Well... If Senior truly wishes to trade, this little old man knows of another place. The items there are all precious. One must be at Foundation Establishment or higher to enter the city along with having a referral. Additionally, the market city frequently changes location. This old man currently has the qualifications to give you a referral to the city. If Senior wishes to go, Junior will lead the way as payment for saving his life. ”
Han Li paused for a moment before pensively saying, “Are you talking about a secret city?”
The old man wore an embarrassed expression and quickly explained, “Senior must think me silly. The market city can’t be considered to be secret. They merely fear conflict. Once the demon beasts discover it, it will be the city’s end.”
“So it’s like that!” Han Li couldn’t help but smile after hearing this. He then asked, “How far away is this place?”
Huang Mingli seemed quite familiar with this market city and instantly replied,“If we hurry, we should be able to reach it in half a months time. By then the market city should have just opened.”
After some consideration, Han Li replied, “Alright. I’ll go along with you.”
“Great!” Huang Mingli revealed an excited expression and paused as if he had suddenly thought of something. “Huh? Senior, please wait a moment!”
He hurriedly said a word of apology before shooting straight down to the sea where the corpses of the demon beasts were floating.
When Han Li saw this, he knowingly smiled.
A short moment later, the small old man dismembered the demon beasts with great familiarity and placed their parts into his storage pouch. He then flew back into the sky with high spirits.
“I’ve made an embarrassment of myself. While these demon beasts certainly wouldn't have caught Senior's eyes, they are quite valuable to this Junior!” The old man spoke with slight embarrassment. After all, those five demon beasts had all been slain by Han Li.
“It’s nothing. Those demon beasts had no value to me anyways. Let's hurry!” Han Li shook his head and urged him with an unchanged expression.
Chapter 535: Trade Gathering
When Huang Mingli heard Han Li’s desire to depart, he agreed with an embarrassed smile. He then flew off to the east on his magic tool while Han Li leisurely followed after him with a calm expression.
As Huang Mingli flew, he turned his head to steal a glance at Han Li’s face, and carefully asked, “Senior’s face is quite unfamiliar. Have you been in secluded cultivation for a long time? Junior might’ve heard of your name before!”
Han Li casually said, “My surname is Li. I’ve remained in my cave residence for secluded cultivation until recently, when I finally formed my core. It isn’t surprising that Fellow Daoist Huang hadn’t heard of me before.” Of course, Han Li didn’t give his real name.
The small old man didn’t notice anything amiss from Han Li, and could only speak words of congratulations despite still holding a few doubts in his heart.
Huang Mingli was quite tactful and didn’t further inquire about Han Li. Instead, he took the initiative to tell Han Li about a few of the recent confrontations between cultivators and demon beasts. However, from his deep sighs, it seemed the old man didn’t hold much hope towards humanity’s future in the Outer Star Seas.
Although the endless conversation was almost entirely one-sided, Han Li had gained a much greater understanding towards the current circumstances of the Outer Star Seas.
Nothing strange occurred in the following half month, allowing Han Li and the small old man to eventually spot a small, peaceful island in the distance. This island was only about
fifty kilometers in area and possessed sparse amounts of spiritual Qi. Apart from a small growth of vegetation, the island only consisted of bare grey rock and appeared like any other desolate island.
It was an optimal location for a secret city. But even in that case, about half a day out, Han Li and the old man concealed their flight and approached the island under the guise of concealment techniques.
This, of course, was a requirement for entering the secret city.
When Huang Mingli beseeched him to conceal himself, Han Li silently complied without any complaint. This was a great relief to Huang Mingli as Core Formation cultivators weren’t always particularly easy to deal with in his experience.
Huang Mingli flew a circle around the small island before landing on a heap of rocks.
When Han Li saw this, a strange expression flickered from his eyes. If he wasn’t mistaken, there shouldn’t be any restrictions there. Could it be...?
As Han Li continued to mull this over, Huang Mingli stepped towards a large rock beside him and knocked three times on the stone with practiced familiarity. A short moment later, the huge rock suddenly split open to reveal a three meter wide hole.
Huang Mingli immediately stepped into the hole and softly said a few words into it. He then turned to Han Li and shouted, “Senior Li, it’s right here. Let’s go in!”
Han Li indifferently looked down and descended from the sky.
The hole led to a set of slanted stone stairs. To the side of the stairs stood a grey-robed, white-haired old man with a late Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Upon seeing Han Li enter, the old man smiled at him and spoke in a manner that was neither arrogant nor humble, “Senior, welcome to our market city. I hope Senior will be able to find what he needs.”
“I hope so as well.” Han Li calmly replied as he climbed down the stairs.
Han Li realized that in order to prevent any demon beasts from detecting spiritual Qi, formation spells couldn’t be established. As such, the only option left to maintain secrecy was building everything underground.
After walking down the stairs for a short time, Han Li’s eyes brightened.
There was an expansive underground world before him. The ceiling was twenty meters high with occasional pillars of transformed grey stone supporting it. There were many small square buildings at the center of the cavern, each sporting their own sign. There were over a hundred cultivators trading amongst these stone buildings.
At Han Li’s side, Huang Mingli pointed to a set of descending stairs beside a stone pillar and said, “Senior Li, this floor is only for trading ordinary items. If Senior wishes to acquire rare materials, it would be best to go down to the next floor.”
Han Li glanced at the stone stairs, but didn’t move. He asked with a deep voice, “If I wanted information on the whereabouts of a high grade demon beast nest, where could I find it?”
Huang Mingli was obviously startled upon hearing this. A trace of confusion flickered from his eyes before he answered with great familiarity, “It would depend on what grade of demon beast Senior requires information about. If it’s grade five or six demon beasts, Senior can head over to the Wind Whisper Pavilion. They specialize in selling the whereabouts of difficult to acquire treasures and high grade demon beasts, allowing one to acquire them based on their own skill. However, they won’t have any information on demon beasts of a higher grade. In that case, your only option would be to ask other Core Formation Seniors. After all, the whereabouts of demon beasts of that grade aren’t easily divulged. Senior could participate in the trade gathering specifically for Core formation cultivators. Perhaps that is where Senior can find what he is looking for.”
“Trade gathering?” Han Li’s expression revealed a trace of excitement.
Huang Mingli carefully explained, “That’s right! Normally, only other Core Formation cultivators have the materials and treasures that a Core Formation cultivator would need. As a result, every time the market city opens, the city lord will hold a meeting where Seniors gather together for a private, small-scale exchange, where they can trade for what they wish. The city lord would also take out several rare items for the meeting as well.”
With a faint smile, Han Li slowly asked, “When does this trade gathering take place?”
The small old man promptly replied, “Senior Li will likely have to wait a few more days. I reckon around halfway through the opening of the market city, Senior will receive an invitation to join.”
When Han Li heard this, he narrowed his eyes and wore a pensive expression as if he were thinking about it.
A short moment later, he glanced at Huang Mingli and spoke without restraint, “Fellow Daoist Huang, I plan on going the rest of the way alone so we’ll be parting ways here. I no longer require your assistance.” Han Li didn’t wish to have someone following him around while he was searching for the Thousand Leaves Dew.
The small old man wasn’t particularly surprised by Han Li’s words. With a beaming smile, he said, “Senior’s words suits Junior’s intentions as well. Junior happens to want to go buy a few materials. Then I will bid you goodbye. If Senior requires any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to find me.” Huang Mingli respectfully saluted Han Li and bid his farewells. He then headed into a nearby materials store. It seemed he wished to first sell off those demon breasts corpses from before.
Han Li was quite satisfied with how tactful and quick-witted the old man had behaved.
He swept his gaze past the nearby stores and walked into the store across from him with his arms behind his back. The first store he entered had piles of all sorts of medicinal ingredients.
……
Inside a quiet room, Han Li was resting with eyes closed. He felt somewhat gloomy.
During his first day in the market city, he had browsed both floors of the market city and found plenty of Demon Echo Grass but none that had grown near a grade eight demon beast. In addition, the Wind Whistle Pavilion didn’t have any information on demon beasts of grade seven or higher. He could only wait for when the trade gathering convened and see if any other Core Formation cultivators had relevant information.
In the following two days, he had no intention of heading out and rented a quiet room specifically to cultivate and see whether or not he could break through his current bottleneck.
In the end, he had achieved nothing.
Thumps came from the door of his room. Although Han Li had anticipated this he still indifferently asked, “What is it?”
A woman’s pleasant voice respectfully said, “Senior Li! Junior is under orders to invite you to the trade gathering. Would Senior be interested in participating?”
Han Li slowly replied, “Yes, of course I am!” He then opened the stone door and walked out of the room.
There was a white clothed woman standing outside with a lowered head, respectfully waiting for him. When she saw Han Li appear, she immediately raised her head and revealed a charming face.
When Han Li saw the woman’s beautiful face, he felt his heart tremble. After staring at the woman’s face, a flicker of astonishment appeared within his eyes.
‘How could it be her? What is she doing here?’ Han Li thought, astonished.
The woman saw Han Li staring at her, causing her to blush. She then lowered her head and uncomfortably asked, “Senior, is something wrong?”
Han Li quickly regained his bearings and calmly said, “It’s nothing. Lead the way.”
The white clothed woman faintly felt that something was amiss, but she respectfully agreed and walked away with calm steps.
Gazing at the woman’s silhouette, Han Li unconsciously frowned and wore a face full of confusion.
Passing through the plaza of the second floor, the woman brought Han Li to a remote stone wall.
The woman gently pressed her hand against the wall, creating ripples of white light and revealing a stone door covered in talisman characters.
Chapter 536: A Display of Women
Han Li nodded and walked in without another word as the woman closely followed after him. The stone door then closed by itself and disappeared, returning the wall to its previous unremarkable appearance.
After entering, Han Li saw a grey stone passageway that didn’t appear very long based on the white light he saw faintly shining at the end.
Han Li silently walked forward and made a turn at the end of the passage, suddenly facing a wide open stone door. There was a gloomy middle-aged, mid Core Formation cultivator standing outside the doorway.
When he saw Han Li appear, he immediately smiled and said, “So you’re Fellow Daoist Li? I am Yun Tianxiao, the master of the city. Welcome to my trade meeting. Nearly all of the fellow Daoists have already arrived.” The Confucian scholar surnamed Yun was very courteous to Han Li. He then indifferently turned to the woman and said, “Young Lady Wen, properly attend to Brother Li. Make sure not to neglect him!”
‘Fellow Daoist Wen?’
It had caused Han Li no small amount of amazement. Naturally, since he had used the Appearance Exchange Arts, the woman was unable to recognize him.
When Wen Siyue heard him, her flowery expression changed and she hastily acknowledged him.
Although Han Li didn’t turn around, he could faintly perceive that Wen Siyue was very fearful of Yun Tianxiao.
A strange expression flickered within Han Li’s eyes, but he merely smiled and casually said a few words of formality before entering.
The door let to a large square hall with a huge round table at its center. The table had over a dozen remarkably wide armchairs surrounding it. Most of the chairs were already occupied by other cultivators.
But when Han Li clearly saw the circumstances in the room, he wore a baffled expression.
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