Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 272

The high-ranking members of the Rebel Alliance seemed intent on capturing all the Star Palace cultivators on South Bright Island.

At that moment, the Rebel Alliance cultivators who had been floating in the sky slowly descended.

Judging by their attire, they were divided into two groups: one group wore silver robes with gold belts, and the other was a bizarre group clad in full green robes.

The righteous and demonic paths had appeared together.

Han Li was surprised by how quickly the battle had concluded, but he was also pondering the hidden meaning behind it.

In any case, the opposing force was strong, so it was not strange that the Star Palace cultivators had fled to save their lives. He was internally debating whether he should take this opportunity to leave the island.

While he was contemplating, an old man, who appeared to be in the early Core Formation stage, stepped forward from the group wearing green robes. He stopped in the sky above where Han Li and the others were hiding, looked around with a meaningful gaze, and then spoke.

“Everyone, please listen carefully! I am Chang Yunlong, a Protector of the Rebel Alliance, and I have a message to deliver on behalf of Elder Wang. Our Alliance has just defeated the Star Palace forces, but there may be remnants and misunderstandings. Therefore, please refrain from hastily trying to leave the island.

In about two hours, the remnants will be eliminated, and you will be free to move about. Our Alliance only considers the Star Palace and its collaborators as enemies, so everyone can act with peace of mind.”

The old man’s voice was not loud, but it clearly resonated in everyone’s ears. The cultivators hiding nearby exchanged glances at the old man’s words.

Since they were politely asking for cooperation, no one wanted to object and cause trouble. In an instant, the area became as silent as a graveyard.

Han Li also breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that the Rebel Alliance was acting cautiously to gain public support, so they would not harm them. All they had to do was wait a little while.

Besides, even if he arrived at Heavenly Star City right away, he didn’t know how he would enter amidst the chaos.

The green-robed old man returned to the port without another word. Han Li watched the old man’s retreating figure, keeping an eye on the movements of the Rebel Alliance cultivators. The other cultivators were doing the same.

The cultivators in silver robes with gold belts began to dismantle the island’s formations in an orderly manner and set up their own formations.

The green-robed group also divided into two groups in an orderly fashion.

One group went outside the port to guard the perimeter, while the other group passed over Han Li and the others to inspect the interior of the island. Everyone was silently and quickly carrying out their assigned tasks.

Han Li felt a chill run down his spine.

The righteous and demonic paths had clearly been planning to seize control of the Chaotic Star Sea for a long time.

Otherwise, they could not have trained such highly skilled disciples in just one or two years. Their occupation of South Bright Island was likely to use it as a forward base to attack Heavenly Star City.

However, what was strange was that the Star Palace was so easily giving in to the alliance of the righteous and demonic forces. Could their power have weakened that much? Or were the Twin Stars of Heavenly Star still in closed-door training, buying time? Or perhaps…

As his mind raced with unanswered questions and speculations, Han Li chuckled to himself.

What did it matter to him what schemes the Star Palace and the righteous and demonic paths had or what cards they were hiding! There was no reason for him to worry about such things.

He just needed to be careful not to get caught up in their conflicts and suffer any harm. As he sorted out his thoughts, Han Li maintained his composure.

After quietly waiting for two hours, the old man he had seen earlier returned with three other Core Formation stage cultivators and spoke.

“Cultivators who wish to leave may show us proof of their identity or their cultivation techniques. If you wish to remain on this island, we will maintain the existing rules as long as you do not show hostility towards the Rebel Alliance.”

There was a bit of a commotion at those words, but it soon calmed down.

Although they had spoken politely, who would want to reveal their identity first?

If the other side was putting on an act to take advantage of them, it would be like voluntarily offering their necks! Although the possibility seemed quite low, everyone was waiting for someone else to step forward first.

Han Li also remained still.

Since all three were Core Formation stage cultivators, he was not in danger of being discovered if he did not reveal himself first. He was definitely not the type to take risks by stepping forward first.

As the silence continued for a long time, the green-robed old man’s face darkened. It was then that a single white streak of light rose from the ground.

Although it was not fast, it was a young-looking cultivator in blue robes. The young man stood before the old man and respectfully bowed.

“I am Shin Myung, a disciple of the Open Sky Gate. This is the White Water Sword, which proves my identity as a disciple.”

The young man handed over a short sword that emitted a white light.

“Oh, the Open Sky Gate! I am acquainted with your sect’s leader, True Person Ryu. This sword is indeed a magical artifact given to the disciples of the Open Sky Gate, so you may go.”

The old man returned the sword to the young man with a much gentler expression.

The young man was delighted and bowed again, and none of the Rebel Alliance cultivators stopped the white light as it left the port.

Since someone had stepped forward and proven it was safe, others gradually rose and flew towards the old man.

The old man seemed to be knowledgeable, recognizing any proof or cultivation technique they presented at a glance. Han Li, who was watching from below, also thought he was impressive.

As the other Core Formation stage cultivators left the island without any problems, it was Han Li’s turn to step forward. He suddenly revealed himself, turning into a blue light and soaring into the sky.

The old man, recognizing that he was a Core Formation stage cultivator, changed his tone.

“May I ask who you are, Fellow Daoist?”

“I am a guest elder of the Myo-eum Sect. Please check my token.”

He had been carrying around the elder token given to him by Fairy Jaling without a second thought, and now it had come in handy.

The old man carefully examined the token and then looked at Han Li, asking,

“If you are from the Myo-eum Sect, I heard that your sect has two elders, Elder Han and Elder Gok, who have been in closed-door training and rarely show themselves. Which of the two are you?”

Han Li was startled internally by the detailed information that was flowing out, but he replied with a smile.

“I am Han Ga. It is surprising that you are aware of even an unknown cultivator like me.”

“Haha, you flatter me. Your sect is well-known in the Chaotic Star Sea, and especially Fairy Jaling, our young master has long admired her after hearing many praises. If you happen to meet Fairy Jaling, please give her my regards.”

Han Li was a little surprised and asked with a hint of doubt,

“Young master, you mean….”

Before the old man could answer, Jang Han, who was standing next to him, replied coldly.

“Our young master is the sole heir of the Saint Ancestor. Although his name is not well-known, he will shake the Chaotic Star Sea in the future.”

Although it was a bit strange, Han Li answered the old man’s words smoothly.

“I will. I will be sure to convey your regards when I meet the sect leader.”

The green-robed old man seemed satisfied with that answer and returned the token.

“Very well. Since your token has been verified, you may go.”

Han Li cupped his fist and calmly flew up. As he turned into a blue light and disappeared in an instant, a strange look appeared on the old man’s face.

Jang Han, seeing the old man’s expression, quickly asked,

“Is there something strange? Like a false identity?”

The green-robed old man stroked his beard and shook a jade book in front of Jang Han.

“It’s not a false identity. According to the portraits of the elders we obtained through a disciple we planted in the Myo-eum Sect, he has the same face. No matter how much he changed his face with magic, he wouldn’t have been able to deceive Elder Wang at the port.”

Jang Han snorted and asked with dissatisfaction,

“Then why are you making that face?”

“It seems that the identity of the Myo-eum Sect’s Elder Han is not as simple as it seems. You might not even be his match.”

Jang Han shook his head at the old man’s words.

“What are you talking about? We are both Core Formation stage cultivators. Besides, he is just a rogue cultivator, so he can’t be compared to us who have received the teachings of the Saint Ancestor.”

The old man remained calm and began to explain.

“As Protector Ryu knows, my Seven Killings Art may not be the highest-grade cultivation technique, but it is sensitive to the killing intent of others. However, this is the first time I’ve seen someone with such a strong killing intent among Core Formation stage cultivators. It means that the number of cultivators who have died at Elder Han’s hands is not small.”

“So what? Killing low-level cultivators is something anyone can do if they set their mind to it.”

“That’s not it. Killing low-level cultivators will accumulate a faint killing intent, but it will soon dissipate. However, this person’s killing intent is not only dense but also intense and dark. It is something that is difficult to achieve without killing countless cultivators of the same level. Such killing intent must be carried on the body forever until it is removed by some secret technique.

Moreover, this person is skilled in concealing his aura. The killing intent he revealed is probably only a tenth of what he actually has, so how amazing is that! If ordinary cultivators try to deal with him using illusions or mind-confusing techniques, they will likely suffer instead.

And if they are momentarily careless and their will is shaken by the killing intent, they will only be able to exert seven or eight tenths of their original abilities. If such a person were to cultivate the Seven Killings Art, they would be able to make tremendous progress.”

The old man’s voice was somehow eerie.

He had no idea that Han Li had hardly killed any Core Formation stage cultivators and that his killing intent had become so dense from killing hundreds of fifth-level demon beasts, which were equivalent to the early Core Formation stage.

Jang Han was a little surprised, but he lightened the mood with a joke.

“Protector Chang, what does it matter to us how strong his killing intent is? You don’t want to take him as a disciple, do you?”

“Taking a cultivator of the same level as a disciple is nonsense. I’m just curious about how he accumulated such a strong killing intent. I just want to know the secret.”

Having heard this far, Jang Han completely lost interest.

There were hardly any cultivation techniques in the Chaotic Star Sea that allowed one to advance through cultivation by accumulating killing intent within the body, and he had not learned such a technique. So naturally, he had no interest in it.

However, he became curious and changed the subject.

“What about the story you mentioned earlier about our young master being interested in Fairy Jaling of the Myo-eum Sect? I’ve never heard of it before. Did the young master give you private instructions?”

“Hehe, would he give instructions for such a thing? You know what kind of cultivation technique our young master practices, right? Offering Fairy Jaling, a famous beauty in the Chaotic Star Sea, would be a great help. She has already reached the late Core Formation stage, so she will surely reach the Nascent Soul stage within a hundred years under the teachings and protection of the Saint Ancestor.”

Jang Han nodded excitedly as if he had finally understood. He rubbed his palms together with a sinister smile.

“Then when should we make a move? It seems that the young master will soon go into closed-door training again.”

“There’s no need to rush. It would be better to make a move after this battle is over. The Myo-eum Sect will probably be too afraid of the Rebel Alliance’s power to refuse at that time. If they don’t comply, we can accuse them of colluding with the Star Palace by using their move to transfer their headquarters to Heavenly Star City as an excuse, and they will become obedient, wouldn’t they?”

“That’s a good idea. The Myo-eum Sect, with only two early Core Formation stage elders, is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot if they oppose us! As expected, Elder Chang’s mind is brilliant!”

Listening to Jang Han’s laughter, the old man secretly thought.

That way, he would naturally be able to find out the secret of the Myo-eum Sect’s Elder Han. It was killing two birds with one stone!

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