Chapter 1169: So Underestimated

"Elder Mu, this Han Li is Le'er's elder brother. How can you treat him so discourteously? If other wild tribes learn of this, they will surely mock the hospitality of our Celestial Fox clan. You may leave now; I will receive this Fellow Daoist Han." The white-robed man said to the gray-robed elder with an indifferent expression.

"Clan Chief, Le'er's current situation... This person's appearance at the Eight Desolation Mountains at this time must harbor ulterior motives and hidden intentions. We must be on guard..." The gray-robed elder's expression changed, and he hastily said.

"I have my own judgment. You may leave now." The white-robed man raised his hand to stop the gray-robed elder from speaking further and said.

"Yes." The gray-robed elder, still unwilling, shot a glare at Han Li before walking out.

"Han Li, it's been many years. I didn't expect your cultivation to advance so quickly; that is quite rare." The white-robed man turned to face Han Li, looked him up and down, and said with a slight smile.

"Clan Chief Liu Qing flatters me. How could my meager strength be worthy of your attention?" Han Li cupped his hands and said.

"Oh, you know my name?" Liu Qing showed a hint of surprise on his face.

"I happened to hear it mentioned." Han Li, having no intention of discussing the Gray Realm, said lightly.

"Elder Mu had several descendants killed by human cultivators, so he harbors deep resentment toward them. Moreover, Le'er is currently busy cultivating a secret technique to prepare for the upcoming Blood Sacrifice Assembly, a matter of great importance. Elder Mu's concern has clouded his judgment, leading to such extreme behavior. I ask for your understanding." Liu Qing did not press further, nodding slightly.

"I would not dare." Han Li shook his head.

"Elder Mu's words, though blunt, are indeed the truth. Han Li, Le'er is no longer the Le'er of old. To be frank with you, she bears the supreme bloodline of the Celestial Fox clan, and after this Blood Sacrifice Assembly, she will soar even higher. Fellow Daoist Han, though you are Le'er's elder brother, that is a matter of the mortal past. Moreover, you are merely a human cultivator; ultimately, you and Le'er will not belong to the same world. Do you understand?" Liu Qing suddenly changed the subject, gazing into Han Li's eyes and speaking slowly.

Upon hearing this, although Han Li's expression remained unchanged, he felt as if he might vomit blood from anger.

Both Liu Qing and the gray-robed elder had regarded him as a beggar who, seeing Liu Le'er's success, had come to seek favors based on their past relationship.

To be honest, since stepping into the cultivation world, he had never been so underestimated.

"Your current situation is unfavorable. Your conflict with the Qing Yuan clan at the city gate is about to expose your identity. It's only natural for you to seek help from Le'er. However, Le'er needs to focus on cultivation and cannot be disturbed by external matters. How about this: I can grant you permission to stay in our Celestial Fox clan until the Blood Sacrifice Assembly. During this time, we will ensure your safety, but after the assembly, you must leave the Eight Desolation Mountains immediately. Of course, if you have any other requests, you may raise them freely. But you must promise never to pester Le'er again..." Seeing Han Li momentarily silent, Liu Qing thought he was bargaining and continued.

"Clan Chief Liu's concerns are unnecessary. Though my cultivation is not high, I have never coveted what belongs to others. As for my safety, your clan need not worry. My visit to see Le'er is purely to reminisce about old times. Whether we meet again in the future will be left to fate. Farewell!" Even with Han Li's good temper, he could no longer endure. He coldly interrupted Liu Qing, then walked straight out.

Liu Qing frowned slightly, a flash of anger in his eyes. His sleeve moved as if he were about to do something, but then he stopped and suddenly looked outside.

Although Han Li was walking out, he kept most of his attention on what was behind him. Sensing Liu Qing's movement, he also looked outside and paused in his steps.

At that moment, two figures walked in from outside.

One of them was Likima, and the other was a middle-aged man in a snow-white robe, with a face like jade, sword-like eyebrows, and starry eyes—truly handsome and extraordinary. It was the Primordial Spirit King Bai Ze.

"Your Majesty! Why have you come? Why did you not inform your subject so that I could arrange a welcome?" Liu Qing quickly stepped forward and said respectfully to the snow-robed middle-aged man.

"Your Majesty..." Han Li was startled, then immediately realized the identity of the snow-robed middle-aged man, and his face turned slightly pale.

The reason he had come to the Celestial Fox clan was to probe the strength of this Primordial Spirit King and decide whether to follow Likima to meet him. Little did he expect that before he had gained any information, the other party had come to him.

Moreover, as Han Li looked at the snow-robed middle-aged man before him, although the man did not emit a powerful aura, Han Li felt an inexplicable dread in his heart.

Han Li had only experienced such a feeling from a few individuals, such as Yin Chengquan, the awakened Crab Daoist, and the Demon Lord.

"Clan Chief Liu, no need for formalities. I have come here for a private matter, so there is no need for such empty rituals. Do not tell anyone about my visit here." Bai Ze said calmly.

"Yes. May I ask what matter brings Your Majesty here? Your subject will handle it immediately." Liu Qing's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he quickly said.

"This matter has little to do with the Celestial Fox clan. I have come to see this young friend Han." Bai Ze looked at Han Li, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Hearing this, Liu Qing was momentarily stunned and looked at Han Li in astonishment.

"I am Han Li. Greetings, Senior Bai Ze." Han Li glanced at Likima, then cupped his hands and bowed to Bai Ze.

On the way to the Eight Desolations Mountain, he had naturally already asked about the True Spirit King's name.

“Fellow Daoist Han, I told my father about Xiao Bai, and he immediately asked me to bring him here to see you. I hope it hasn't caused you any trouble?” Licima glanced at Han Li, smiled slightly, and briefly explained the reason for their visit.

“Not at all. It is my honor that Senior Bai Ze took time out of his busy schedule to meet me.” Han Li smiled wryly inwardly, but spoke with a smile on his face.

“Since you saved my son's life, our clan owes you a favor, so there's no need for such formality. I hear you possess True Spirit bloodlines, which means you have no small connection to our clan.” Bai Ze looked at Han Li and said with a smile.

“Senior, although I am a human cultivator and my body contains several True Spirit bloodlines, I acquired them mostly in the lower realm. Since ascending to the True Immortal Realm, I have never harmed any race in the Barbarian Wilderness.” Han Li hesitated for a moment, then said.

“Fellow Daoist Han, there's no need to worry. My father already knows everything about you. The greatest enemy of all races in the Barbarian Wilderness is the Heavenly Court. As the saying goes, an enemy of my enemy is my friend. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Han has greatly benefited the barbarian races by bringing Xiao Bai back to the Eight Desolations Mountain, so you can rest assured.” Licima laughed.

Hearing this, Han Li saw Bai Ze's smiling face and felt slightly relieved.

Liu Qing, listening to the conversation, was shocked again and again, and couldn't help but secretly regret his earlier attitude toward Han Li.

With these thoughts turning in his mind, he did not lose his composure. He respectfully ushered Bai Ze and Licima into the hall and invited Bai Ze to take the seat of honor.

Han Li, however, stood near the entrance of the hall and did not move.

“Fellow Daoist Han, why don't you come over and sit?” Licima saw Han Li still standing at the door and asked curiously.

“This is the territory of the Heavenly Fox Clan. As a mere human cultivator, how dare I sit casually? It's already fortunate that I haven't been thrown out.” Han Li sighed lightly and said indifferently.

“Hmm? What's going on?” Licima looked at Liu Qing.

Bai Ze also looked over.

“Your Majesty, Young Master, it's just a trivial matter. Fellow Daoist Han, I had a small misunderstanding with you earlier. Please forgive me.” Liu Qing's face flushed, and he quickly said, then walked over to Han Li and awkwardly cupped his hands.

Han Li sneered inwardly, but he did not completely fall out with Liu Qing, after all, Liu Qing's strength far exceeded his. He cupped his hands in return but said nothing.

“Clan Leader Liu, I have some matters to discuss with this young friend Han. You may leave now.” Bai Ze suddenly spoke, as if the Heavenly Fox Clan's residence were his own home.

“Yes.” Liu Qing showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever, but respectfully agreed and quickly walked out.

In recent years, the Heavenly Court had continuously invaded the Barbarian Wilderness under various pretexts. Only under the leadership of King Bai Ze could the barbarian races barely contend with the Heavenly Court. Bai Ze had long become the common lord of all barbarian races, possessing great authority.

Liu Qing soon left the hall and arrived at a nearby palace.

“Clan Leader, have you dealt with that Han Li? A human dares to come to the Barbarian Wilderness and even freeload off our Heavenly Fox Clan—truly reckless. How did you handle him?” The gray-robed elder was there, and seeing Liu Qing enter, he hurriedly approached.

Liu Qing glanced at the gray-robed elder, a surge of anger rising from his heart, and he gave a heavy snort.

He had been busy in the Heavenly Fox Hall earlier and only came out upon hearing that Han Li had arrived at the Heavenly Fox Clan's residence. He was not familiar with Han Li's situation.

When Liu Qing dismissed the gray-robed elder, the two exchanged thoughts in an instant. He carefully asked the gray-robed elder about Han Li's background, learning that Han Li had only come to the Eight Desolations Mountain following two minor barbarian tribes and had no special connections. Only then did he decide to follow the gray-robed elder's suggestion and drive Han Li out of the Eight Desolations Mountain. Who would have thought that the information the gray-robed elder gave him was so flawed?

“Clan Leader, what's wrong?” The gray-robed elder, seeing Liu Qing's expression, was taken aback.

“You just said that Han Li came to the Eight Desolations Mountain with the Silver-Horn Rhinoceros Tribe and the Cloud-Pattern Tiger Tribe, and had no other background?” Liu Qing raised his hand to set up several layers of barrier light screens before asking in a deep voice.

“Yes, what background could a human cultivator have in the Eight Desolations Mountain? But he seems to know the Young Master.” The gray-robed elder hesitated, then said somewhat falteringly.

“Since you knew he was acquainted with the Young Master, why didn't you tell me?” Liu Qing asked coldly.

“Well... even if he knows the Young Master, it's nothing. Clan Leader, you know that the Young Master is naive and frivolous by nature, and likes to make friends indiscriminately. His Majesty has scolded him many times for this. That Han Li is probably just someone the Young Master met outside; it's not important.” Seeing Liu Qing's grim expression, the gray-robed elder sensed that something was wrong. He stammered and continued to defend himself.

“Bullshit!” Liu Qing suddenly roared, then realizing his loss of composure, he sat back in his chair, closed his eyes, and said nothing.

The gray-robed elder was startled and dared not say anything more, standing with his head bowed to the side.