Published: August 25, 2025
Chapter 254: Ancestor of the Yan Family
Was this a solo action by the Ghost Spirit Sect, completely unrelated to the six demon sects and their five passes? If that were the case, then the Seven Sects would have nothing to fear. Even the power of the Yan family alone could handle the guests from the Ghost Spirit Sect, after all, the Yan family had core formation stage cultivators stationed there!
After thinking this over, Han Li finally felt a bit relieved.
Even if the sky were to fall, there would still be tall people to hold it up! Whatever dark dealings the Ghost Spirit Sect had here, a mere foundation establishment stage cultivator like himself had no need to worry; the Yan family would handle it. As long as he was careful to avoid collateral damage, everything would be fine.
Whether the others thought the same, after the initial panic they gradually returned to normal expressions, and no one brought up the matter again! Instead, they started discussing cultivation insights, which immediately caught Han Li’s attention, and he joined the conversation without hesitation.
Time passed quickly, and as dusk fell, the few who had grown somewhat parched from talking parted ways shortly after the other cultivators left.
This exchange of insights had been very beneficial to everyone! Especially the methods and opportunities for breaking through bottlenecks shared by those in the mid foundation establishment stage gave Han Li and the other early foundation establishment cultivators a strong sense that the trip wasn’t in vain.
Clearly reluctant to end the discussion, the middle-aged man surnamed Wu suggested that the next day they find a more secluded place to continue talking with a few more like-minded peers. They could even hold a small item trading event—wouldn’t that be wonderful!
This proposal met full agreement from the others, and Han Li naturally did not object.
With the plan made, the group dispersed.
Han Li then headed to an inn marked on the map, one that specialized in accommodating visiting cultivators.
This inn was located in the southeast corner of Yanling Fortress. It was small and very inconspicuous, clearly inferior compared to several others, so few cultivators stayed there.
But Han Li liked the quiet and few people there, since the fewer people, the less chance of trouble or accidents. Also, it was close to the city wall, so if anything unexpected happened, it would be easier for Han Li to make a quick escape!
After all, the appearance of those Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators still made Han Li feel uneasy. It was only natural for him to prepare just in case—this was his cautious habit.
The “Breeze Joy Inn” indeed had few cultivators, all of whom seemed to dislike noise or were naturally reclusive. They all stayed in their rooms, with no one wandering around inside. This made Han Li even more satisfied, and he promptly rented a cleaner room to settle in.
As for where Dong Xuan’er was staying, Han Li couldn’t be bothered to search. After all, once the treasure seizing tournament began, he would surely see her. Then, he only needed to return to Yellow Maple Valley with her! Thinking this, Han Li drifted off into a drowsy sleep.
At night, when many cultivators had already entered sleep or were meditating to refine their qi, in the highest building of Yanling Fortress—the “Flying Cloud Pavilion,” the command center of the entire fortress—inside a heavily guarded room, a red-haired old man was pacing back and forth, hands clasped behind his back, his face expressionless.
Not far in front of him stood three elders in gray robes, their expressions extremely respectful.
“Zijun, did that Ghost Spirit Sect brat really say he would come to see me tonight?” The red-haired elder finally stopped pacing and glanced faintly at one of the elders.
“Yes, Ancestor! That young lord of the Ghost Spirit Sect did privately transmit that to me after the martial competition!” the man replied respectfully.
“Hm!” The red-haired elder nodded expressionlessly, but the gleam in his eyes flashed briefly.