Chapter 870: Gu Qianxun's Invitation

“Fellow Daoist Chen, please come in.” A faint smile appeared on Han Li's face as he stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

“I’m troubling Fellow Daoist Li.” Chen Lin cupped his hands toward Han Li and entered the room.

“I previously promised to repay you for the Star Shell Beast’s reward soon, but I’ve spent all my Xuan points on cultivation during this time, so…” Han Li said with slight embarrassment.

“Fellow Daoist Li, there’s no need to say more. I naturally understand your situation. I’m not here to collect a debt today, but to discuss something else with you.” Chen Lin raised his hand to stop Han Li and said with a faint smile.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, please speak freely.” Han Li’s heart stirred as he raised his hand.

“Then I’ll come straight to the point. Fellow Daoist Li should also know that the Poison Dragon boss will emerge from seclusion before long. Given his nature, he will surely come after you immediately, and he will show no mercy. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Li has a plan to deal with this?” Chen Lin put away his smile and said solemnly.

“What plan could there be for such a matter? I’ll just fight with all my might.” Han Li said indifferently.

Seeing Han Li so calm, Chen Lin was slightly taken aback.

“The Poison Dragon boss is formidable. Although you, Fellow Daoist Li, are not weak, you are still somewhat inferior to him. I have a method that can help you through this crisis. Would Fellow Daoist Li be interested in hearing it?” He then spoke with a mysterious expression.

“Oh? What method might that be?” Han Li raised an eyebrow.

“Though the Poison Dragon boss is strong, he is not invincible. Among the leaders of other regions, several are even more powerful than him. I happened to become acquainted with Lord Gu Qianxun in the past. If Fellow Daoist Li is willing, I can ask Lord Gu Qianxun to step in and mediate this conflict between you and the Poison Dragon boss.” Chen Lin looked into Han Li’s eyes and said.

Han Li was slightly startled upon hearing this.

Having spent some time here, he was no longer completely ignorant of the Xuan Dou Arena and had long heard of Gu Qianxun’s great name.

This person was the chief Xuan Dou Warrior of the First District, unmatched in strength, and recognized by all as the number one Xuan Dou Warrior in the arena. Even more extraordinary, this Gu Qianxun was a woman, adding a touch of legend to her name.

“I have never met Fellow Daoist Gu, so how could I presume to trouble her on my behalf?” Han Li’s expression quickly returned to calm as he said.

“Lord Gu Qianxun has watched two of your matches, Fellow Daoist Li, and is very interested in you. To be honest, when she heard about your matter with the Poison Dragon boss, she took the initiative to send me to find you.” Chen Lin said meaningfully.

“Though Fellow Daoist Gu is powerful, taking on this matter must not be easy. What price would I have to pay?” After a moment’s deliberation, Han Li did not beat around the bush and asked directly.

“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Li is straightforward. Since that’s the case, I won’t hide anything. Lord Gu Qianxun is very interested in you and would like to invite you to join the Thousand Bone Alliance.” Chen Lin laughed heartily and said.

Although the Xuan Dou Arena was divided into ten regions, there were also power organizations formed by Xuan Dou Warriors from different regions. The largest among them was the Thousand Bone Alliance, centered around Gu Qianxun, with members spread across all regions.

Qingyang City did not oppose these factional activities; in fact, it tacitly supported them.

The more power circles there were among the Xuan Dou Warriors, the more intense the conflicts would be. The Xuan Dou Arena feared not conflict, but the lack of it.

“So Fellow Daoist Chen is a member of the Thousand Bone Alliance. However, I’ve always been used to a free and easy life, so I’m afraid I must decline the kind offers of Fellow Daoist Chen and Fellow Daoist Gu.” Han Li lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and said.

He knew quite a bit about the Thousand Bone Alliance and Gu Qianxun. Although Gu Qianxun was a woman, she was extremely strong-willed and strict with her subordinates.

Joining the Thousand Bone Alliance would provide protection, but it would also bring considerable constraints.

Being forced into the Xuan Dou Arena had already left him deeply dissatisfied, and he did not want to be controlled by others. More importantly, he was still not fully familiar with the situation in the Xuan Dou Arena, so joining the Thousand Bone Alliance rashly would be very unwise.

As for the problem with the Poison Dragon, if it came to it, he would have no choice but to reveal his trump card, the Divine Refining Art.

“Fellow Daoist Li, think carefully. The Poison Dragon boss’s strength is no small matter.” Seeing Han Li’s calm expression, Chen Lin’s heart sank, but he still persisted in persuading him.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen. I have thought this through very clearly. Please convey my gratitude to Fellow Daoist Gu.” Han Li said slowly.

“Since Fellow Daoist Li has made up his mind, I won’t say more.” Chen Lin sighed, stood up, and took his leave.

After seeing Chen Lin out, Han Li stood still for a moment, then returned to the room and sat down cross-legged.

As he closed his eyes, points of light from Xuan Apertures lit up on his body, and there were now forty-three of them.

As his physical cultivation advanced and the number of opened Xuan Apertures increased, the demand for Star Power to open new Xuan Apertures had also changed somewhat.

During this time, he had practiced diligently without slack, barely managing to open one Xuan Aperture, and the speed was somewhat slower than before.

Han Li sat silently for a moment, then shook his head and stopped thinking. He took out a Tarot Beast Core, swallowed it, closed his eyes, and began to refine it.

……

Chen Lin left Han Li's residence and headed out of the Ninth District, soon arriving at the exchange hall.

Two charming women stood side by side outside the exchange hall, both with their backs to the hall, gazing out at the square below, their faces unseen.

Both were tall and slender; the one on the left wore a purple gauze dress, while the one on the right was dressed in a goose-yellow gown.

As if sensing Chen Lin's approach, the woman in purple on the left turned to look. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with fair skin and a rather beautiful face, always carrying a hint of aloof pride.

"Alliance Leader, I'm sorry I couldn't complete the task you assigned. He didn't agree." Chen Lin nodded to the woman in purple, walked behind the woman in yellow, and said somewhat apologetically.

"What! This man is so ungrateful. Doesn't he know Poison Dragon's strength? Sister, you kindly wanted to save his life, yet he dares to refuse!" Before the woman in yellow could speak, the woman in purple beside her spoke coldly, a sharp, icy glint flashing in her eyes.

Gu Qianxun slowly turned around. She was of medium build, and her facial features were not particularly outstanding—even slightly inferior compared to the woman in purple beside her.

But her entire demeanor exuded a composed grace, and coupled with her clear, lively eyes and skin that shimmered like jade, it more than compensated for any lack in her appearance.

Anyone seeing the two women would first fix their gaze on Gu Qianxun.

"It's fine. I had already anticipated he wouldn't agree. This way, we get to witness a clash of titans." Gu Qianxun smiled faintly, her bearing so captivating that even Chen Lin was momentarily stunned.

Her voice was also extremely melodious, carrying an indescribable charm—soft yet imbued with a certain authority.

Seeing that Gu Qianxun did not blame him, Chen Lin breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"A clash of titans? Sister, you think too highly of that Li Feiyu. He's a human with only about forty opened acupoints—we have plenty of such people in our Thousand Bone Alliance. Why do you care so much about him?" The woman in purple curled her lip, her words dripping with disdain for Han Li.

"Li Feiyu has opened fewer acupoints, but he possesses a very strong combat awareness when facing enemies. Even against opponents stronger than himself, he can always remain calm and seek victory from defeat. That is truly commendable." Gu Qianxun said calmly.

"What use is just having good combat skills? Once he meets someone far beyond his level, brute force will overcome all skill, and he'll still end up dead." The woman in purple retorted coldly.

"That's true. Poison Dragon's strength far surpasses his, so in this battle, defeat is more likely than victory." Gu Qianxun smiled faintly.

Hearing Gu Qianxun say this, the woman in purple finally smiled.

"So it seems Li Feiyu is doomed this time." Chen Lin couldn't help interjecting.

"That depends on Li Feiyu's judgment." A strange glint flickered in Gu Qianxun's eyes, and then she turned and left.

The woman in purple immediately followed.

"Judgment?" Chen Lin stood there puzzled, then quickly came to his senses and hurried after them.

In the blink of an eye, a day and a night passed.

With a loud rumble, the door to Poison Dragon's room slowly opened, and a massive figure emerged.

"Boss Poison Dragon." Scarface, who had been waiting at the door, immediately stepped forward.

The Xuan warriors in the Ninth District had been waiting for this day, and now most of them had gathered here, Chen Lin among them.

Poison Dragon's towering figure stood like a mountain peak. Though he wasn't exerting himself, an immense aura radiated from him, even slightly stronger than before, causing those nearby to involuntarily step back.

"Boss Poison Dragon, your cultivation..." Scarface's eyes lit up.

"Though this injury was severe, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise—I opened another acupoint." Poison Dragon grinned.

"Boss, it's only been about a hundred years since you last opened an acupoint, and you've done it again so quickly! You truly are gifted!" Scarface flattered, then turned to glance at Han Li's residence, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

Hearing this, the nearby crowd burst into excited chatter.

Chen Lin frowned, a hint of worry flickering deep in his eyes.

"Is that brat inside?" Poison Dragon also glanced toward Han Li's residence, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Yes, yes. He hasn't come out for days. Probably either too scared to move, or cramming at the last minute, hoping for a miracle to suddenly boost his strength." Scarface said deliberately.

Many in the crowd echoed with laughter, and even those who had previously been friendly with Han Li, after a flicker of hesitation, burst out laughing.

A smile also appeared on Poison Dragon's face. He strode to Han Li's door and raised his hand, about to strike.

But just then, with a soft creak, the door slowly opened, and Han Li's figure emerged.

His expression was as calm as an undisturbed ancient well. Gazing at Poison Dragon, Scarface, and the other Xuan warriors outside the door, his demeanor remained utterly unchanged.