Published: August 25, 2025
Chapter 250: Encounter with an Old Friend
Han Li was willing to keep his distance from Dong Xuan’er, and naturally Senior Brother Feng and Yan Yu were more than happy about that!
So not only did they not try to stop him, but Yan Yu even enthusiastically gave him a Jade Slip. Inside was a map of Yanling Fortress, which could save Han Li some time by allowing him to go straight to his destination without wandering around like a dizzy fly.
As for Dong Xuan’er herself, although she was very surprised that Han Li suddenly let go and no longer restrained her, she was naturally delighted to be free and able to swim freely among the many male cultivators. Of course, she still looked at Han Li a few times with astonished eyes, unable to understand the purpose behind his actions.
“Purpose? Hmph, I just don’t want to carry a burden. Plus, acting alone is so much more free!” Han Li thought leisurely as he walked along the Bluestone Road in Yanling Fortress, hands clasped behind his back, occasionally glancing at the shops on either side.
These shops mainly sold talismans, pill refining and artifact forging materials, and there were one or two selling low-grade magical artifacts, though their owners were mostly mortals without magical power.
This was not surprising. Yanling Fortress was vast, with a population of over a hundred thousand. But only a small portion had spiritual roots and could cultivate spells; most were ordinary mortals.
These mortals, who should have lived in the secular world, were partly people with no spiritual root but with bloodlines from the Yan Family, and partly relatives of Yan Family disciples. After all, marrying only within the Yan Family clan was improper; bringing in some new blood was necessary to keep the Yan Family strong.
Of course, this was kept secret. Once mortals entered Yanling Fortress, they could never leave again and had to live out their entire lives within its walls. Although they were free from want, it was still a deeply sad fate.
For newcomers migrating in from outside, at least they had seen the colorful world beyond. But those born inside the fortress without spiritual roots never even had a chance to glimpse the outside world.
However, when mortals first entered the fortress, none were forced. They had either run out of options or were deeply grateful to the Yan Family and came voluntarily. Moreover, Yanling Fortress was heavily guarded, covered by formations, and any mortal caught trying to leave would be immediately executed. So far, no mortal was known to have escaped.
Han Li didn’t guess all this himself; it came with the information attached to the Jade Slip map. So he had a rough impression of Yanling Fortress.
He now headed toward a teahouse inside the fortress. According to Han Li’s understanding, cultivators loved good tea, and teahouses were almost always places all cultivators frequented. He thought he might meet other cultivators there and join some small groups—rare opportunities for genuine exchange. After all, working behind closed doors wasn’t ideal.
At the end of this stone street, at a three-way intersection, he should see the teahouse’s sign. Thinking so, Han Li quickened his pace.
Suddenly, from a shop on one side came the sounds of a heated argument between a man and a woman, followed by the man’s angry roar. A young woman dressed as a married lady stormed out of the room, furiously stepping onto the stone street, just as Han Li was passing by. The two collided face to face.
The young woman seemed very beautiful, so Han Li, as men do, glanced carelessly at her. But once he clearly saw her face, he was stunned and froze in place.
The woman, seeing Han Li staring at her without shame, was furious!
Yet she had lived in the fortress for quite some time. Even though she had no magical power at all, from Han Li’s clothing she immediately recognized he was a cultivator. Although her anger made her neglect Han Li’s appearance at first, she felt he looked somewhat familiar. Still, she forced down her anger, lowered her head slightly, and said stiffly: