After getting a clear look at the faces of these two people, Han Li secretly sighed. They were actually those two disciples who, like him, only possessed the eleventh layer of cultivation. One had an aged face, but with a glint of cunning in his eyes, while the other looked simple and honest, clearly a naive youngster new to the ways of the world.
This strange pair seeking him out did surprise Han Li a little. However, with a quick thought, he vaguely guessed at their intentions.
"Senior Brothers, is there something you need?" Han Li asked coldly out of politeness, but his tone clearly showed a disinclination to get close to others, hoping to make them give up and leave.
Clearly, this Senior Brother Xiang's skin was much thicker than Han Li had imagined. Not only did he not mind Han Li's distant and aloof tone, but he also enthusiastically said with familiar ease:
"Hehe, I wonder if Junior Brother Han has any good strategies for tomorrow's forbidden land expedition? You should know, the three of us have the lowest magical power. If we clash with another sect, we'll likely be the first to fall! Why don't we discuss together and come up with a plan?"
Hearing this, Han Li blinked a few times but remained silent, fully confirming the other party's intentions. He had already guessed about eighty to ninety percent of what this person wanted to say.
It seemed this old fox intended to rally some disciples with low magical power to act and fight together. This would be much safer, and the chances of survival would seemingly increase significantly.
But Han Li clearly understood that doing so had both advantages and disadvantages.
Because everyone would be concentrated together, the area they could search would be much smaller, resulting in pitifully few spirit herbs being discovered. Moreover, even if they found some spirit herbs, it was still hard to say who would ultimately get them. Most likely, strength would determine possession.
Han Li naturally had no interest in such an alliance. Not only would he gain no benefit, but there was also a high chance he'd be used as cannon fodder.
As for this old fox, he probably harbored ill intentions, planning to fish in troubled waters and seek advantage in chaos.
Seeing that Han Li remained silent after his words, the old man felt a bit anxious and couldn't hold back, saying again:
"I have an idea, would you like to hear it? It can absolutely help everyone get through this safely!"
The old man put on a mysterious and profound expression, looking quite secretive, his forehead wrinkles all scrunched together, making Han Li feel both amused and exasperated.
And the yellow-haired youngster beside him seemed to greatly admire this old fox. Though he didn't say a word, his expression showed he followed the old man's lead.
Since he definitely wouldn't join their alliance, Han Li didn't want to continue entangled with them, so he bluntly refused:
"I'm sorry! I'm not used to acting with others, and I have no such plans this time. If you want to team up with someone, you'd better look for other Senior Brothers!"
Han Li spoke very frankly and clearly.
He knew that only by showing he wasn't some inexperienced newcomer could he thoroughly make the other party give up and stop bothering him. Otherwise, with only these fellow disciples around, this Senior Brother Xiang would likely persist with any target as long as there was even a sliver of possibility. Han Li didn't want to be continually pestered by him.
After hearing this, the old man surnamed Xiang realized he had targeted the wrong person. The person before him looked very young but spoke with the practiced ease of someone experienced. He was clearly a seasoned hand who had weathered storms, so the old man said no more, looking slightly disgruntled as he took his leave.
Judging by the direction they went, they were heading toward another disciple who was meditating on a rock.
Han Li smiled faintly and turned back to continue observing the notable fellow disciples. But this time, he saw "Junior Sister Chen" standing with another ordinary-looking woman, with a few guys who considered themselves handsome young talents gathered around them vaguely.
The corners of Han Li's mouth twitched a few times, and for some reason, those people just rubbed him the wrong way. Finally, he decided it was better not to look at all, and found another empty spot to close his eyes and rest.
Thus, the next morning, all the disciples gathered again on the mountaintop, standing in orderly rows, waiting for the arrival of the other immortal sects.
This wait lasted for several hours, but until now, not a single figure had appeared. This made Han Li curse inwardly, almost suspecting that the people from the other sects were deliberately doing this to wear out the strength of everyone from Yellow Maple Valley.
What troubled Han Li even more was whether it was a coincidence or not, but when the standing order was arranged, "Junior Sister Chen" happened to be standing on his right side. The familiar feminine scent from her body occasionally drifted into his nostrils, making his mind wander, as if he had returned to that extremely romantic night.
To hide the unnatural expression on his face, Han Li had no choice but to lower his head, pretending to be uneasy, but inwardly he complained greatly about his own lack of composure. She was just a somewhat beautiful woman, yet she could make him lose his composure like this.
However, Han Li greatly admired Granduncle Li who stood at the very front. His posture of gazing at the sky could be maintained for such a long time without moving an inch, and he didn't know whether the Granduncle was lost in thought or contemplating something!
Suddenly, Han Li felt a commotion among the people around him, as if something had happened!
He couldn't help but raise his head.
All the fellow disciples around were craning their necks, looking toward one side of the horizon. Han Li also followed their gaze.
He saw several star-like lights flickering in the clear blue sky, gradually growing larger. After a moment, a series of black dots appeared.
Below the black dots, silver light shimmered, as if the dots were riding on these starlights, coming from beyond the sky.
Seeing this wondrous sight, the crowd became even more agitated.
"Silence! Look at the state of you all! This is the Qingxu Sect's flying artifact—the Snow Rainbow Silk. Don't make a fuss and lose face for our Yellow Maple Valley." A stout middle-aged steward with short limbs at the front darkened his expression and turned to reprimand them a few words.
These words were indeed effective, and the commotion immediately subsided. Of course, there were still occasional quiet mutterings.
At this point, the black dots had become clear—they were individual cultivators wearing gray Daoist robes. Most of them were genuine Daoists, holding horsetail whisks and wearing their hair in traditional topknots. However, there were a few who only wore Daoist robes, while everything else about them looked completely secular, appearing to be lay disciples who had not taken religious vows.
Han Li and the others saw clearly that the "stars" beneath their feet were actually a flawless white rainbow bridge, with dots of silver light shining brightly on it, inlaid with some unknown substance.
While Han Li was observing carefully, the white rainbow bridge had already carried the people of the Qingxu Sect down to the mountain, landing directly opposite Yellow Maple Valley and the others.
A middle-aged Daoist at the front gently beckoned with his hand, then with a flash of white light, the rainbow bridge formed by the Snow Rainbow Silk vanished, leaving only a brocade-like item in his hand.
"I didn't expect it to be Benefactor Li leading the team again this time. This humble Daoist, Fuyunzi, pays his respects!" This Daoist took a few steps to Granduncle Li's front, speaking with a face full of spring breeze, and from his tone, they seemed to be acquaintances.
"Hmph! If you old Daoist can come, can't I, Li, come too?" Granduncle Li put his hands behind his back and said unceremoniously.
"Hehe, in our respective sects, you and I were the last to enter the Core Formation stage. If we don't do this errand work, who will?" The Daoist said nonchalantly, flicking his horsetail whisk, the smile on his face unchanged.
"You old Daoist are full of tricks. Last time you really tricked me badly. Don't think you can pull the same stunt this time!"
"Benefactor Li, what kind of talk is that? Accepting defeat in a bet is a matter of course. How can anyone be said to have tricked anyone else?" The Daoist laughed heartily!
Hearing this, Granduncle Li's eyes flashed with a cold light, seeming about to fly into a rage, but then he seemed to think of something, his momentum subsided again, and he said with great reluctance:
"That piece of iron essence of mine was refined into your Azure Cloudsword, increasing its power by another degree! I, Li, worked hard for over ten years to refine just this one piece, and it ended up benefiting you, you old Daoist!"
His words were full of bitterness, clearly feeling great heartache over that so-called iron essence.
"Haha, so the famous Immortal Li actually cares so much about a mere bit of iron essence! Well, this time I've brought another item, definitely superior to that iron essence. As long as you win this bet, it will more than compensate for your previous loss." The Daoist stroked his beard, saying with a smile.