Chapter 1009: Rescue

"A human cultivator!"

The white-dressed woman was first greatly startled, then immediately recognized Han Li's identity. Hatred welled up in her eyes, and a cold white light flared at her hand as she prepared to strike him down.

"If you want these two to live, stay right where you are and don't act rashly!" Han Li said calmly, then casually raised his hand and waved.

A beam of green light shot from his hand, blocking the surging blue cold light.

The blue flame seemed provoked, leaping violently, and the blue cold light lashed out like an enraged beast, fiercely assaulting the green light.

The green light appeared thin but was extremely resilient, standing firm no matter how the blue cold light struck it.

Seeing this, the white-dressed woman halted her raised arm, but the cold white light at her hand did not fade as she stared intently at Han Li.

Han Li ignored the white-dressed woman and waved his sleeve again.

Another beam of green light shot out, merging with the first, and then pressed the blue cold light back rapidly.

The blue cold light that Ye Susu and the others had struggled to push back with great effort was no match for Han Li, and in an instant, it was forced back to the calf area.

Han Li waved his hand again, and a ball of silver flame shot out from his sleeve. After spinning in the air, it transformed into a silver firebird, which plunged into the blue cold light and vanished.

Immediately, a melodious chirp came from within the blue cold light, followed by a flash of silver. An intensely hot temperature rolled out, distorting and blurring the surrounding air.

The blue cold light was instantly torn apart and dispersed, vanishing without a trace, replaced by rolling waves of heat that swept in all directions, driving out all the cold in the room.

The ice crystals in the stone chamber quickly melted and soon disappeared.

The white-dressed woman was momentarily stunned, surprise showing in her eyes, but she did not relax her guard in the slightest.

Soon, the silver firebird reappeared in a flash, holding a ball of blue flame the size of a fist in its beak. It opened its mouth and inhaled.

With a slurping sound, the blue flame disappeared into its mouth, and it let out a joyful cry, as if it had enjoyed a delicious meal.

Then the silver firebird flew back and vanished into Han Li's sleeve.

By this time, the blue ice crystals on the green-clad young woman had completely disappeared, and she had somehow awakened, an expression of disbelief in her eyes.

The blue ice around Ye Susu had also vanished, and she looked stunned.

But then her face contorted in pain, the green light on her body rapidly dissipated at a visible rate, her body slowly shrank, and a layer of green fur emerged on her skin.

"Susu!" The green-clad young woman cried out in alarm at the sight and tried to rise from the bed.

"Don't move!" Han Li said calmly, pointing with both hands.

Two beams of green light shot from his hands, entering the bodies of the green-clad young woman and Ye Susu respectively.

Their bodies instantly froze in place, as if struck by a paralysis spell.

"Human scoundrel, what are you doing!" The white-dressed woman roared, lunging forward.

Without turning his head, Han Li waved his sleeve.

Five crystalline threads shot from his hand, flashing into the white-dressed woman's body.

The white-dressed woman's lunge halted abruptly, and she froze completely, standing motionless. No matter how she struggled with her cultivation, she could not move a single finger.

Han Li made a hand seal with his other hand and waved, sending a beam of blood light from his hand into the blood array on the ground.

Hum!

The blood-colored formation on the ground flared up again, buzzing as it activated.

Countless blood-colored threads emerged once more, entangling the green-clad young woman and Ye Susu, forming a bridge of blood threads between them.

Han Li's figure flickered, and the next moment he appeared beside the green-clad young woman, placing a single palm on her forehead.

A thick beam of blood light shot from his palm, surging like a torrent into the green-clad young woman's body, circulating once.

The green vein patterns on the young woman's skin reappeared, but as the blood light rushed through, nearly half of them were swept away, becoming much dimmer.

The blood light then flowed out of the green-clad young woman's body, traveling along the blood-colored crystalline threads and pouring into Ye Susu's body.

The blue fox bloodline patterns that had vanished from Ye Susu's body reappeared, and her form returned to its previous state as the fur on her body swiftly receded and disappeared.

Not only that, but the blood light also merged into her body, fully replenishing the vital energy she had consumed while activating the formation. Her pale complexion instantly recovered, even taking on a rosy flush.

Han Li ceased activating the blood formation on the ground and placed his hands at his sides.

Ye Susu and the other two stirred, regaining their ability to move one after another.

“You are?” The young woman in blue stood up from the bed, swaying slightly from having lain down for so long, and Ye Susu quickly steadied her.

“Mother, this is Senior Han, whom I mentioned to you before. Senior Han, this is my mother, also the chieftain of the Blue Fox Clan.” Ye Susu, just coming to her senses, hastily introduced them.

“So you are Fellow Daoist Han. A pleasure to meet you. I am Ye Luo. Thank you for your assistance just now, helping me expel the cold poison from my body and restoring Susu's blue fox bloodline. Words cannot express my gratitude. If you ever need anything from our Blue Fox Clan in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.” The young woman in blue said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, the woman in white frowned but said nothing.

“Chieftain, you are too kind. Since I am lodging in Blue Fox City, it is only natural for me to lend a hand when I see my host in trouble.” Han Li's eyes flickered as he said with a faint smile.

“Senior Han's divine abilities are truly astounding. You effortlessly expelled the cold poison from my mother's body and retrieved my bloodline power. How did you do it?” Ye Susu looked at Han Li, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

“I have done some research on bloodline power. Fortunately, your bloodline power had not fully merged with the chieftain's body, or I would not have been able to retrieve it.” Han Li explained vaguely.

“Fellow Daoist Han, thank you for saving the chieftain and the young miss. But I have a question: this is a restricted area of our Blue Fox Clan. How did you enter uninvited?” At that moment, the woman in white walked over. Though her words were grateful, her tone was aggressive.

“Fellow Daoist Han, this is our clan's elder, Ye Qiu. Elder Qiu, Fellow Daoist Han is an honored guest of our clan; you must not be so rude.” Chieftain Ye Luo quickly introduced the woman in white, then scolded her in a low voice.

“No matter. Elder Qiu's doubts are understandable. I am quite skilled in detection techniques. Bored tonight, I went out to enjoy the moonlight. Sensing intense fluctuations in vital energy here, I used a spell to investigate. Seeing the critical situation, I came uninvited to meddle. Please forgive any offense.” Han Li chuckled lightly and said.

“So that's how it is. Thank goodness Senior Han arrived in time.” Ye Susu stuck out her tongue and said.

“You still dare to speak! What happened just now was all due to your recklessness. How dare you take it upon yourself to transfer bloodline power! If not for Fellow Daoist Han, the consequences would have been unthinkable.” Ye Luo scolded sternly.

Ye Susu lowered her head at this, but her lips pouted slightly, as if she was not entirely convinced.

Seeing Ye Susu's expression, Ye Luo shot her a glare but, perhaps mindful of Han Li's presence, did not scold her further.

“This place is in a mess; it is too discourteous to host Fellow Daoist Han here. Susu, first escort Fellow Daoist Han back. I will personally visit you tomorrow.” Ye Luo said.

“Then I shall take my leave.” Han Li gave a slight bow.

Ye Luo returned the bow, but Elder Ye Qiu beside her did not move, her expression cold, clearly full of distrust toward Han Li.

Han Li naturally paid no heed to Elder Ye Qiu's opinion of him and turned to fly outside.

Ye Susu followed closely, and soon they emerged from the underground passage to the outside.

Han Li looked at the many spirit fields in the basin and stopped.

“I noticed this when I came over. I didn't expect so many spirit fields to be opened here, and the spirit herbs and medicines cultivated in them are of very high quality. Is your Blue Fox Clan skilled in cultivating spirit herbs?” Han Li turned to Ye Susu and asked.

“There are restrictions around the spirit fields, yet Senior Han can still see the spirit herbs inside? Ah, of course, Senior is skilled in detection techniques; these minor restrictions here naturally cannot stop you.” Ye Susu seemed relieved of a heavy burden now that her mother was healed, and she relaxed considerably. She raised an eyebrow playfully, then said with a sudden realization and a smile.

Han Li just smiled and did not respond.

“When it comes to cultivating spirit herbs and medicines, not to brag, but in the entire Jinyuan Mountain Range, if our Blue Fox Clan claims second, no one dares claim first! Does Senior Han need spirit herbs for cultivation? This is a list of all the spirit herbs and medicines our clan cultivates. Whatever you need, just say the word, and I'll have them sent over immediately.” Ye Susu paused, said proudly, then took out a jade slip and handed it to Han Li.

“I do need some spirit herbs, so I won't stand on ceremony.” Han Li took the jade slip, swept it with his divine sense, nodded slightly, and said.

He had already examined all the spirit herbs and medicines in the spirit fields, and they basically matched the records on this jade slip; Ye Susu had not concealed anything.

“Senior Han, please forgive Elder Qiu for not being very friendly to you just now. She wasn't deliberately targeting you, but her parents and two younger brothers were all killed by human cultivators in their early years, so she is very hostile toward human cultivators.” Ye Susu's lips moved slightly as she transmitted her voice.

“I see. I understand.” Han Li nodded in realization. No wonder the woman in white was so hostile toward him, but he did not take it to heart.

The two did not linger there and soon set off flying into the distance.

…

In the underground stone chamber, Elder Qiu formed hand seals and laid down several layers of restrictions around the room before stopping.

“Elder Qiu, I know you hate human cultivators, but Fellow Daoist Han has repeatedly shown kindness to our clan. Please try to restrain your hostility, at least not be so rude openly.” Chieftain Ye Luo sighed and said.

“Chieftain, do you think this person came to our Blue Fox Clan with benevolent intentions?” Elder Qiu sneered.

“What do you mean by that?” Chieftain Ye Luo frowned and asked.