Published: August 27, 2025
Chapter 316: Disappearance
“No, seven or eight years ago I was helping Senior Brother Ma tend the medicinal garden. Wasn’t the Blood Trial happening around then as well? Why does Senior Sister Chen ask this?” Han Li looked up calmly and answered, even showing just the right amount of curiosity on his face.
Chen Qiaoqian’s face suddenly turned pale. After biting her red lips, she said somewhat stiffly, “No? But I remember that Senior Brother Han went out once back then, and the timing seemed to match perfectly!”
“Oh, that was because I was preparing for the Blood Trial, so I went out to purchase some magical artifacts and talismans. But nothing unexpected happened,” Han Li denied calmly without any hesitation.
Hearing Han Li’s words, Chen Qiaoqian was silent for a long moment! She just coldly stared at Han Li, her gaze making him feel a little uneasy inside.
“If that’s the case, then there’s nothing more to say. You may leave now, Junior Brother. I want to be alone for a while.”
A faint and almost imperceptible look of disappointment flashed across Chen Qiaoqian’s face. She gently turned her face to the side, her voice filled with fatigue.
Seeing this, Han Li sighed, knowing that no matter whether she believed him or not, Senior Sister Chen would not bother him again.
Because of the respect he showed from a distance, this senior sister should be able to understand. And with her proud nature, she naturally wouldn’t actively come looking for him again and again.
“Senior Sister, then I’ll take my leave!” Han Li crossed his arms and turned around without lingering, walking out of the garden.
Only after Han Li’s figure completely disappeared did Chen Qiaoqian turn back with a complex look in her eyes, gazing toward the garden gate. She softly whispered, “If not you, then who? Back then, in the valley, the only one with such strength who happened to be away was you, Junior Brother Han!”
After saying this, she gracefully walked over to a blooming peony, extended her delicate fingers, gently plucked the flower at its most vibrant, and brought it to her nose for a light sniff.
Accompanied by the fragrant scent, Chen Qiaoqian sank deeply into contemplation.
Han Li left the garden, exhaled deeply, shook his head, and then returned to the hall with light steps.
The others were surprised by how quickly Han Li had returned, but none dared to presumptuously ask about it.
Even though some joked a few words about Han Li and Chen Qiaoqian, Han Li simply smiled indifferently, showing no unusual expression on his face.
Soon after, Chen Qiaoqian also came in, sitting by Senior Sister Zhongwei as usual, continuing to whisper to her.
Seeing this, the others naturally felt embarrassed to joke about the two and promptly changed the topic back to the upcoming battle against the Black Death Cult.
Time flew by quickly; daytime passed in a blink.
The cultivators of Yellow Maple Valley had long returned to their rooms, preparing quietly for the impending great battle.
Although everyone felt confident that their side, with a numerical advantage of foundation establishment stage cultivators, would win without much trouble, each one was still extremely cautious. After all, no one was willing to be careless with their own life.
However, thinking about all the benefits to be gained after eradicating the Black Death Cult’s lair, they found it hard to suppress their excitement.
After all, these people rarely had the opportunity to openly crush foundation establishment stage cultivators. Of course, fighting demonic path cultivators was another matter, a danger-filled life-or-death struggle where they had their heads on the line.
This time, the Black Death Cult had quite a few foundation establishment stage cultivators. Surely, there would be plenty of valuable materials and fine magical artifacts to divide up!
Especially those junior sister disciples who came to assist; most had actually come for this reason.
Otherwise, who would risk their lives just for the empty words of exterminating heretical cultivators?