Published: August 27, 2025
Chapter 402: The Dual Envoys
“Kidnapped?” Han Li’s eyes flickered with disbelief.
“It seems you don’t believe what I say, senior, but this is absolutely true!” Madam Fan suddenly wiped away her smile, revealing a bitter grin.
“Two months ago, our sect’s shop took on a huge deal. The scale was so large that it could sustain Miaoyin Sect for ten years without needing to accept similar business. After assembling a large batch of goods, our sect master Wang led most of our top experts to escort the delivery. But midway, we were ambushed by a group of masked cultivators. Among them, five or six were at the core formation stage, each well-versed in sinister secret techniques. The others were masters of coordinated attacks. Our sect master was overwhelmed and died on the spot, and the storage bags containing the goods were seized. More than half of our ordinary disciples were killed or wounded. If it weren’t for the two elders who deliberately lowered their cultivation base to activate secret techniques and fought desperately, the whole group might have been wiped out without anyone learning of it.” The woman’s voice grew low and heavy with sorrow.
“Could it be a trap set by the buyer?” Han Li blurted without much thought.
“Impossible! The buyer is one of the Four Great Merchant Alliances in the Chaotic Star Sea, with an impeccable reputation. They would never commit murder and robbery like this. Besides, their strength is such that they wouldn’t risk destroying their own reputation over a shipment like this!” Madam Fan shook her head pale-faced, conveying a sense of frailty.
Han Li only cast her a cold glance and said nothing more, showing no trace of sympathy or comfort.
Seeing Han Li’s cold demeanor, Madam Fan reluctantly suppressed her sorrow and continued explaining:
“That small section of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo was originally the treasure of a minor sect, which is now in dire straits with only one successor left. Not long ago, they sold it to our Tianyin Sect. Our sect master was carrying it personally while delivering the goods, planning to auction it off immediately in Tianxing City after completing the deal. Unexpectedly, it was also stolen by those cultivators.”
“However, our sect master had made a slight modification on this batch before departure. Because of this, our disciples soon tracked down the thieves’ hideout. But there were too many core formation stage cultivators among the thieves, and with just our sect’s strength, we couldn’t confront them head-on. That’s why I was sent out—not only to purchase replacement goods but also to invite powerful experts to assist us. You both look exceptionally skilled in magical power. If you’re willing to help, I can offer this section of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo as a reward. How about it?”
After carefully choosing her words, the woman finally revealed her true intent. Han Li’s expression remained the same, but his eyes flickered as if weighing something carefully.
Seeing this, Madam Fan quickly added an extra incentive:
“If you think the reward is too small, our sect is also willing to offer you a flawless female disciple as a maid.”
“No interest!” Han Li rejected without hesitation.
The woman immediately showed disappointment.
“That section of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo hasn’t been refined, right? Can it still grow?” Han Li suddenly asked, surprising her.
“No refinement at all. This bamboo was carefully cultivated for over a thousand years by that minor sect and was uprooted entirely. It can naturally continue to grow. Do you not want to use it to forge a magical treasure, but rather keep it for future generations? But…” She paused, a little puzzled, “Heavenly Thunder Bamboo grows extremely slowly—only about an inch every thousand years. It’s incredibly difficult to cultivate!”
Han Li didn’t answer her question but lowered his head, lost in thought.
It was only when Elder Zhao showed signs of impatience that Han Li made a decision: