Chapter 701: Provocation

"Yes, I hope we can gain something," Han Li said, looking into the distance.

Chieftain Xiyan soon brought nearly a thousand books and some jade slips, mostly books, with jade slips being relatively rare.

The Gray Lizard Clan seemed to have few readers, and the books were poorly preserved, many covered in dust and some even damaged.

Chieftain Xiyan felt quite ashamed and repeatedly apologized, but Han Li and the other didn't mind such trifles and quickly dismissed him.

These texts covered a wide range of topics, and the two wanted to learn about the Gray Realm from various aspects.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, the Gray Lizard Clan set off again, with only a slight adjustment in direction.

Han Li and Shi Chuankong stayed in the chieftain's tent, never leaving, maintaining a sense of distance like high-ranking nobles, while carefully studying the texts.

Like sponges, they frantically absorbed all information about the Gray Realm.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, over three years had passed.

After a long journey, the Gray Lizard Clan finally reached their destination: Boleng Lake.

Boleng Lake, located in the central region of the June Grasslands, was vast, spanning tens of thousands of li, and was named for the special crystal, Boleng Stone, found in abundance there.

"So this is Boleng Lake!" Han Li and Shi Chuankong stood in the tent, gazing at the massive lake before them.

The water of Boleng Lake was extremely clear, with a few scattered white birds slowly gliding on the surface. A gentle breeze blew, causing ripples on the lake.

Han Li took a deep breath. Despite its somewhat monotonous color, the scenery of Boleng Lake gave a rare sense of openness, resembling some vast lakes in the Immortal Realm.

A moist breeze greeted them, refreshing their spirits.

On a large flat area south of the lake, a massive crowd had gathered. Although the Tamuda Conference was still some time away, most clans had already arrived.

A white cloud suddenly flew over and stopped in front of the Gray Lizard Clan.

On the cloud stood several figures in white robes, all with human bodies and bird heads, their eyes bright and sparkling.

Their white robes were made of fine material, embroidered with various patterns that shimmered, far superior to the attire of the Gray Lizard Clan.

The leading tall youth exuded a powerful aura, already at the True Immortal level.

His face was featherless, with smooth cheeks and features quite close to human, though his nose was slightly long and his eyes somewhat sunken, giving him a cold and arrogant look.

"Are you the Gray Lizard Clan?" the tall youth said, scanning the clan with a condescending tone.

"I am Xiyan of the Gray Lizard Clan. Greetings, Envoy Miao," Xiyan quickly flew out and bowed to the tall youth, clearly recognizing him.

"Xifeng, who is this?" Han Li called over a Gray Lizard member outside the tent and asked.

This person was a He Dao stage elder of the Gray Lizard Clan, assigned by Chieftain Xiyan to attend to them and explain the conference's matters.

"Reporting to the two immortals, his name is Miao Kui, an enforcement envoy under Lord Sanmiao," Elder Xifeng said respectfully.

"So he's from Lord Sanmiao. No wonder he puts on such airs," Han Li said with a faint, indifferent smile.

...

"Only two months until the Tamuda Conference. You Gray Lizard Clan are quite early. Most of the good spots at the venue have already been taken by other clans," the tall youth said, glancing at Xiyan.

"What? Only two months? But according to past practice, the conference should still be at least a year away!" Chieftain Xiyan exclaimed, his face changing color.

To avoid disrupting the order of the Tamuda Conference, the camping grounds and trading areas for each clan were pre-assigned and corresponded one-to-one.

The camping grounds didn't matter much, but the location of the trading area greatly affected business.

"Lord Sanmiao has ordered the conference to be held early. Does Lord Sanmiao's order need your approval?" the tall youth sneered.

"No, no, I misspoke. Please forgive me, Envoy Miao. Here's a small token, please accept it and arrange a better spot for our Gray Lizard Clan," Chieftain Xiyan quickly apologized.

As he spoke, he stepped forward, took out a small black pouch, and pressed it into the tall youth's hand.

The tall youth scanned the pouch with his divine sense and relaxed slightly.

"The good spots are all taken. How about this: Zone Twenty-Two is still unused, so I'll give it to your Gray Lizard Clan," the tall youth said, taking out a white jade token and tossing it to Xiyan.

"Thank you, Envoy," Xiyan said, his expression easing as he caught the token and bowed with a smile.

The tall youth waved his hand, and the white cloud shimmered before whisking away.

Xiyan watched them leave, sighed softly, then led the Gray Lizard Clan in a direction, soon arriving at the designated camping ground.

The spot was neither too far back nor particularly good, with many clans lined up ahead, making the Gray Lizard Clan's position quite inconspicuous.

Inside the tent, Han Li and Shi Chuankong looked out at the surrounding clans.

The clans here were diverse in form, broadening their horizons.

There were already twenty to thirty clans present.

Moreover, the nearby clans were all quite large, surpassing the Gray Lizard Clan in both numbers and experts, with most having True Immortal-level beings.

In comparison, the Gray Lizard Clan was much weaker.

Han Li smiled faintly, unconcerned, and turned his gaze to another large open area by the lake.

There, zones were marked out, each with stalls displaying various items, clearly a trading area for the clans.

Countless figures moved about, bustling with activity.

Han Li's eyes lit up, and Shi Chuankong also looked in that direction.

The Gray Lizard Clan's procession suddenly stopped as another group appeared ahead, blocking the way.

"Oh, if it isn't Chieftain Xiyan! It's been over a hundred years, and your Gray Lizard Clan still has so few people. Seems like no development at all. The once-mighty Gray Lizard Clan has really fallen, tsk tsk," a harsh voice rang out as a middle-aged man with scales on his face stepped out from the front group.

The man had a long, gaunt face with sunken cheeks, a flat nose, and narrow eyes, making him extremely ugly.

Despite his ugliness, his cultivation had reached the True Immortal stage, albeit only early True Immortal, but still far stronger than the entire Gray Lizard Clan.

"Yun Zhao, what my Gray Lizard Clan does is none of your business. Move aside!" Xiyan said coldly, his face dark.

"Heh, how can it be none of my business? Our two clans were rivals back in the day. Seeing your Gray Lizard Clan like this really troubles me," the middle-aged man sneered, showing no sign of moving.

Xiyan's face turned ashen, but he remained silent.

Nearby clans watched the scene, none stepping forward to mediate, most looking on with amusement and schadenfreude.

"Xifeng, who is this?" Han Li asked slowly from inside the tent.

"Reporting to the immortal, that is Yun Zhao, chieftain of the Winged Serpent Clan. Our Gray Lizard Clan once had a conflict with them over a mine, leading to a blood feud. He holds grudges and always causes trouble at every Tamuda Conference," Xifeng said, his expression also grim.

"With your Gray Lizard Clan's strength, you dared to fight them?" Han Li asked curiously.

"Well... to be honest, immortal, Chieftain Xiyan was originally at the True Immortal stage, and our clan had two Mahayana elders. But a few hundred years ago, we were attacked by a very powerful True Immortal-level Gray Beast. The two Mahayana elders fell, and the chieftain was severely injured. Though healed, his strength dropped to the Mahayana stage. Otherwise, our Gray Lizard Clan wouldn't be in this state," Xifeng said, red-faced in defense.

"I see," Han Li nodded slightly.

As Han Li spoke with Xifeng, the Winged Serpent chieftain still blocked the way.

"Yun Zhao, I'm not in the mood for a verbal fight today. The Tamuda Conference is hosted by Lord Sanmiao. Are you deliberately blocking my clan's entry, disregarding Lord Sanmiao's orders?" Xiyan took a deep breath and said slowly.

"Chieftain Xiyan, what are you saying? How would I dare defy Lord Sanmiao's orders? I just came to greet an old acquaintance. Why be so distant? Are you afraid of little old me?" Yun Zhao said, his face briefly tensing at the mention of Lord Sanmiao before he laughed.

The nearby onlookers also burst into laughter, pointing at the Gray Lizard Clan.

"You..." Xiyan was furious and humiliated.

The entire Gray Lizard Clan looked grim.

Seeing this, Han Li's expression darkened.

Inside the tent, Xifeng's face was ashen, trembling with rage. Suddenly, he turned and bowed deeply to Han Li: "Immortal, the Winged Serpent Clan goes too far. Could you please intervene..."

Han Li glanced at Xifeng and turned to walk inside.

Xifeng's face turned pale. If Han Li didn't act, the Gray Lizard Clan would be utterly humiliated today.

"Xiyan, quickly settle matters. I have no time to waste here with some ridiculous clowns," Han Li said as he sat down in the tent.

Though his voice was not loud, it echoed like thunder, drawing everyone's attention.

Hearing this, some knowledgeable onlookers immediately dropped their mocking expressions.

Yun Zhao frowned.

Xiyan was overjoyed at Han Li's reprimand and turned to bow toward the tent: "Yes! Rest assured, immortal."

"Yun Zhao, move aside. I have things to do and no time for a verbal spat with you," Xiyan said coldly, his demeanor completely changed from before.

"Oh, with someone backing you, you've become tough. What a loyal lackey. Who have you brought? Call them out and let us all see what they're made of!" Yun Zhao's eyes flickered, then he sneered again, looking toward the tent.

Some quick-witted onlookers inwardly cursed Yun Zhao for his cunning and shamelessness, trying to drag everyone into the fray.