Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 212

After Han Li’s cold reaction, Madam Fan gave up trying to appear pitiful and began to speak again.

“The Heavenly Thunder Bamboo was originally a treasure of a small sect, but as their power declined, only one descendant remained, and it ended up in our sect. Originally, our sect leader was going to put it up for auction right after this trade, but things went wrong.

However, we had installed a tracking device while transporting a large quantity of goods, so it wasn’t long before our sect disciples succeeded in tracking down the lost goods. But there were too many Nascent Soul stage cultivators [a high level of cultivation] in the opposing force, so our sect alone couldn’t do anything about it.

The reason I’ve come forward this time is not only to purchase a large quantity of demon beast parts but also to seek the help of a senior cultivator with high cultivation. If the two of you, with your high cultivation, could help us with this matter, I will offer the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo as a token of our sincerity.”

She had finally gotten to the point after going around in circles. Han Li remained calm, lost in thought.

Seeing that he was weighing the pros and cons, Madam Fan quickly added,

“If the reward is not enough, we can also send our sect’s female disciples to serve as your maids.”

“I have no interest.”

Her disappointment was evident at his dismissive attitude. Then, Han Li asked something unexpected.

“Is that Heavenly Thunder Bamboo unrefined and still able to grow?”

“The Heavenly Thunder Bamboo was cultivated by a small sect for nearly a thousand years before being harvested with its roots, so of course, it can still grow. Surely, you’re not planning to refine a magic treasure right away and leave it for your descendants? The Heavenly Thunder Bamboo grows so slowly that it only grows about an inch every thousand years, so it won’t be easy to cultivate.”

Instead of dispelling her doubts, Han Li lowered his head again and began to consider various things. Just as Elder Jo was about to show his discomfort, Han Li made his decision.

“If we succeed, I will choose one other item from the goods you were transporting, besides the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo. After all, Gu Hun and I are both helping, so the reward can’t be just one.”

“No problem. I promise on behalf of our sect.”

“Then, before we depart, send someone to contact me at my residence. Your sect must know where I’m staying.”

With a blank expression, Han Li got up from his seat.

Before Madam Fan could say anything, he and Gu Hun bowed and left. He didn’t even bring up the fact that she had tried to manipulate him with her charm technique.

* * *

Back at his residence, Han Li immediately sought out other Nascent Soul stage cultivators and asked them about the Myriad Sound Sect.

They knew about the Myriad Sound Sect and had even traded with them before. According to them, the Myriad Sound Sect could be considered both a sect and a merchant group.

The Myriad Sound Sect was mainly composed of female disciples, and the sect leader was always chosen from among them. They weren’t considered a powerful force in the Chaotic Star Sea, so they usually brought in two or three external elders to supplement their power.

This put them in a position that was neither too prominent nor too lacking among the mid-level powers. However, just because their power was average didn’t mean they were easy to mess with.

The female disciples of the Myriad Sound Sect were all exceptionally beautiful and talented, and they often cultivated with disciples from other forces, becoming their partners, which led to complex relationships.

One of the things Han Li wanted to know most was the sect’s reputation, but there was nothing particularly noteworthy in that regard. In fact, they had fewer rumors of harming other cultivators compared to other forces.

However, the Myriad Sound Sect’s charm techniques were famous in the Chaotic Star Sea, and there were quite a few stories of male cultivators who had ruined their lives by falling for their charms.

After gathering their stories, Han Li had a general impression of the Myriad Sound Sect. After considering all the circumstances, he was still drawn to the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo.

It seemed he would have to help them this time! Back at his residence, Han Li devoted himself to refining the third-grade puppets day and night.

Half a year later, a communication talisman [a magical message delivery device] flew in.

After checking the contents, Han Li left his residence with Gu Hun and the two Blood Jade Spiders.

At the city gate near Heavenly Star City, a girl named Yeon-ah was anxiously waiting for him. When she saw Han Li and Gu Hun, she smiled and hurried over.

“Seniors! Madam Fan has asked me to bring you to the island.”

Han Li nodded silently, took out the Green Rainbow Sword, and flew up with the girl. Gu Hun followed behind, emitting a yellow glow.

The girl seemed to be riding a magic treasure for the first time, as she looked around with curious eyes, occasionally giving directions. However, she would often avoid eye contact with Han Li, as if embarrassed. The two of them were standing quite close on the sword, almost touching.

Even if he just lowered his head, he could see the girl’s white neck, and when he inhaled, he could smell her faint fragrance, which was like enjoying a beauty for a moment.

The girl seemed to notice this, as her cheeks flushed and she made a strange expression.

If his guess was correct, Madam Fan had sent her maid to guide him because her charm technique hadn’t worked, and she was now trying to use a beauty trap by sending a real beauty.

So, he freely enjoyed the girl’s fragrance, and the girl trembled, her ears turning red, not knowing what to do.

But that was it. Han Li didn’t take any other action, and the girl, slightly relieved, continued to guide the way.

After some time, Han Li arrived at an unnamed small island, Huangshan.

On top of a mountain several dozen feet high, Madam Fan and Elder Jo, along with a dozen other people, were either meditating or talking to each other.

Five of them were Nascent Soul stage cultivators, and the rest were late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators [a lower level of cultivation], which meant the Myriad Sound Sect had spent a lot of money on this matter. When Madam Fan saw Yeon-ah bringing Han Li and Gu Hun, she approached them.

“It is our sect’s fortune that the two seniors have come. Now, let me introduce you to the other seniors.”

She led Han Li and Gu Hun to introduce them to a Nascent Soul stage cultivator with the surname Meng, as well as four late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, strangely, she skipped introducing the rest of the people. Moreover, she looked at a woman on the other side with a slightly smug expression.

Following Madam Fan’s gaze, Han Li noticed that the cultivators she hadn’t introduced were all gathered around that woman.

The woman had her hair neatly tied up, revealing beautiful eyes and a graceful nose. Her eyes were lively, and it was clear at a glance that she had a high status. Her aloofness stimulated the instincts of the men.

She met Madam Fan’s gaze with a sneer and then looked at Han Li and Gu Hun with a slightly surprised expression. She whispered something to the middle-aged cultivator next to her, clearly showing that she didn’t want to deal with Madam Fan.

“Who is that woman?”

“She is the Right Envoy of our sect, Tak Yeo-jeong.”

Madam Fan answered Han Li’s question, but she seemed reluctant to talk about it.

“Hmm.”

Han Li replied quietly and, without realizing it, glanced at her. It was natural for Fan Jeong-mae to make a displeased expression when she saw this.

Han Li didn’t look at Tak Yeo-jeong with any particular intention. However, her aura and demeanor were so familiar that they drew him into his memories.

‘Nan Gong Wan!’

Han Li finally realized the source of his déjà vu.

The female cultivator Tak Yeo-jeong’s appearance was completely different from Nan Gong Wan, but her elegant demeanor was similar. Although a long time had passed, traces of her remained deep in his heart.

Having identified the cause, Han Li withdrew his complicated gaze and didn’t look at her again.

Even though Han Li and Gu Hun had arrived, Madam Fan and Tak Yeo-jeong showed no signs of departing. They often looked at the sky, as if they were waiting for someone.

Although he was a bit curious, Han Li found a suitable spot and sat cross-legged with Gu Hun to calm his mind and body. Half a day passed like this.

If they weren’t cultivators with great patience, several of them would have already caused a commotion. As more time passed, the cultivators began to show their dissatisfaction.

Seeing this, Madam Fan and Tak Yeo-jeong also looked anxious and forced themselves to gather and discuss something.

As Han Li was observing the situation, a black cloud suddenly appeared in the sky.

The cloud was moving so fast that even those who were resting stood up to look at it.

In an instant, the cloud, which was surprisingly about six or seven feet in diameter, arrived above the heads of the cultivators, and strange sounds like thunder and lightning drew everyone’s attention.

As everyone was bewildered, a clear female voice came from within the cloud.

“Senior Jeok, could you drop me off here? It seems I need to talk to my fellow disciples.”

“Heh heh. As you wish.”

A grating voice followed. At the sound of the two voices, Madam Fan and Tak Yeo-jeong’s expressions changed, and they exchanged glances. The other cultivators also seemed to know something about the cloud, as their faces turned pale.

“The Myriad Sound Sect is quite something. They even managed to invite the Old Monster Jeok of Turtle Island.”

Someone muttered quietly, which was detected by Han Li’s powerful consciousness.

The words ‘Turtle Island’ and ‘Old Monster Jeok’ rang in his ears, and Han Li immediately recalled what he had heard while chatting with other Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

He had reached the late Nascent Soul stage early on and could freely use the Sunflower Water Demon Art. He was known for being cruel and ruthless.

Many people considered him a cultivator who would reach the next Spirit Transformation stage, meaning he would become a big shot like the Extreme Yin Ancestor. That was why no one dared to challenge his monopoly over Turtle Island.

‘How is such a notorious demonic cultivator here? Did the Myriad Sound Sect ask for his help?’

Han Li remained expressionless but became more vigilant as he carefully observed the inside of the black cloud. At the same time, the black cloud swirled, and a woman emerged from within.

The woman had a long, slender figure and a graceful demeanor, but her face was hidden by a purple aura. As soon as she appeared, Madam Fan and Tak Yeo-jeong immediately approached her.

Tak Yeo-jeong frowned and asked in a low voice,

“Junior Sister Wang, why did you come with the Old Monster Jeok? Did you ask him to come? Was there a need for that?”

“That old monster is not someone to be trifled with. He could turn on us at any time. The people we’ve gathered should be enough.”

“Do the senior sisters really think that the people who appeared last time were the entirety of the enemy forces?”

At the purple-clad woman’s words, Madam Fan was surprised and immediately asked,

“Are you saying there are even more powerful experts in the enemy forces?”

“According to the information I urgently obtained, the enemy’s lair is led by a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. That’s why I thought the people the senior sisters gathered were insufficient, so I stopped by Turtle Island and asked the Old Monster Jeok for help.”

The other two women were skeptical but couldn’t refute the purple-clad woman’s calm words.

They knew that the conditions they had offered to bring the Old Monster Jeok were not small, but they were not in a position to argue about it right now.

The purple-clad woman looked around at the gathered cultivators and nodded with satisfaction, then said coldly,

“There are more Nascent Soul stage cultivators that the two of you requested than I expected. If we also have the Old Monster Jeok’s help, we should be able to kill all those evil people and avenge my mother.”

Tak Yeo-jeong brushed her black hair back and said,

“Don’t worry. We two will also avenge our sect leader!”

“Yes. The sect leader has shown us great kindness, so we will risk our lives to destroy the enemies.”

Madam Fan also looked solemn. At those words, the purple-clad woman seemed moved and bowed deeply.

“I trust the two senior sisters! As I said before, if we can avenge my mother, one of you can take the position of sect leader of the Myriad Sound Sect. I, Wang Eung, have no desire for the sect leader position.”

At the woman’s words, a complex emotion appeared on Tak Yeo-jeong’s face, and she seemed to have something to say but didn’t voice it. In contrast, Madam Fan’s expression and eyes revealed an undisguised ambition.

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