Chapter 892: The Five-City Martial Meet

Han Li did not know how long he had slept.

When he awoke, he felt completely refreshed, his body brimming with boundless strength, and a fervent battle lust surged in his mind, making him eager to find someone to fight for three days and three nights.

But such a reckless impulse was naturally restrained by his reason.

However, the fervent battle lust in his mind was so powerful that he barely managed to suppress it.

"It seems having too much energy isn't such a good thing," Han Li muttered self-deprecatingly, then sat cross-legged to carefully examine his internal condition.

Two hundred and thirty-seven acupoints on his body shimmered with starlight, and surging forces coursed through him, demanding release, causing the battle intent to rise again.

"I wasn't this combative before. Could it be because of cultivating the 'Heavenly Fiend Hell Suppression Art'?" Han Li raised an eyebrow, suppressed his battle intent once more, and formed his left hand into a blade, slashing forward through the air.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

Where his hand passed, multiple trembling shadows appeared in the void, emitting a chilling howl.

His eyes lit up. In the past, even with full force, he could barely disturb the void within this secret realm, but now a casual wave sufficed.

As the void trembled, a sharp palm wind shot out in the direction of his hand, striking the wall.

The solid wall, as soft as tofu, was easily pierced, leaving a large hole.

Startled, Han Li quickly stopped, and the sharp palm wind vanished.

A delighted smile appeared on his face. He had only used thirty to forty percent of his strength, yet the power was immense. Clearly, the might of the 'Heavenly Fiend Hell Suppression Art' far exceeded his expectations.

For him, this was naturally the best possible outcome.

Just as Han Li was about to try again, a knock came from outside the door.

His eyes flickered, and he rose to open the door, finding Chen Yang standing outside.

"Fellow Daoist Li, I heard some commotion from your room a couple of days ago. You've indeed emerged from seclusion. This seclusion of yours was quite long," Chen Yang said, his face brightening upon seeing Han Li, though with a hint of complaint.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Chen—oh, I should call you City Lord Chen. Please, come in," Han Li said indifferently, inviting Chen Yang inside.

"Fellow Daoist Li, no need for formalities. Just call me Chen Yang. You've been in seclusion for five years, and it seems your strength has greatly increased," Chen Yang said, sizing up Han Li with a flicker in his eyes.

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Chen. How could my meager progress compare to yours?" Han Li chuckled, brushing it off.

Chen Yang also smiled, but his smile was stiff.

Han Li's current demeanor felt peculiar to him, as if shrouded in a fog, making it impossible to gauge his depth.

But how could that be? Just five years ago, Han Li was merely a minor figure who had opened only seventy-some acupoints. Though he had some strength, Chen Yang hadn't taken him seriously. Could Han Li have been hiding his true strength all along?

"Fellow Daoist Chen, what brings you here today? Has there been any progress on the Black Calamity Bugs?" Han Li changed the subject.

"I'm truly sorry. Over the past few years, I've searched every possible place where Du Qingyang might have hidden things, but to no avail. It seems the hope of finding a way to remove the Black Calamity Bugs is slim. I'll have to ask you to choose another request," Chen Yang said with a wry smile.

"We'll discuss that later. First, tell me the real reason for your visit today. It's not just about the Black Calamity Bugs, is it?" Han Li's expression darkened, though he had anticipated this.

"Indeed not. The Five-City Martial Meet is approaching, and I came to discuss it with you," Chen Yang said, raising an eyebrow before smiling.

"Five-City Martial Meet?" Han Li was taken aback.

Besides the main city, Xuan City had four subsidiary cities: Qingyang City, where he was now, Tongyu City, Xuanzhi City, and Baiyan City.

But he had never heard of any Five-City Martial Meet.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you haven't been in Qingyang City long, so you might not know. The five cities of Xuan City are far apart, and communication is extremely difficult. To strengthen ties among the cities, City Lord E Qiu holds a martial meet every millennium in the main city, where each city selects elites to compete," Chen Yang explained with a smile.

"So there's such an event in Xuan City. But why are you telling me this, Fellow Daoist Chen?" Han Li asked, recalling what Crab Immortal had said earlier.

Could this be what Crab Immortal was referring to?

"The Five-City Martial Meet is a rare grand event in Xuan City. Would Fellow Daoist Li be interested in attending?" Chen Yang inquired.

"Are you just asking me to go watch the event in Xuan City? If you have something to say, just say it plainly," Han Li snorted.

"Fellow Daoist Li is indeed straightforward. Very well, I'll be direct. I came today to invite you to join Qingyang City's side and participate in this martial meet," Chen Yang said with a chuckle, then his expression turned serious.

"What are the rules of the Five-City Martial Meet?" Han Li asked after a moment's thought, showing no surprise.

"Though the rules vary each time, generally it's a knockout tournament. Those who last and rank high not only gain fame in Xuan City but also receive substantial rewards. The prizes are provided by City Lord E Qiu and are very generous," Chen Yang explained eagerly, seeing that Han Li hadn't refused outright.

"How fierce are the past meets? Is there danger to life?" Han Li's eyes flickered as he asked again.

"There is some danger, but deaths are rare. If you feel outmatched, you can concede directly. There's little enmity between cities, and few deliberately kill, as our true enemies are the Puppet City and the Scale Beasts," Chen Yang continued.

"Puppet City..." Han Li murmured.

In the past few years, confined to the Fighting Arena, he had barely interacted with the outside world and had almost forgotten about that place.

"This once-a-millennium event shouldn't be just for strengthening ties between cities, should it?" Han Li asked after a long silence.

"Of course not. While strengthening ties is one purpose, the main goal is to showcase each city's strength and allocate cultivation resources based on the results," Chen Yang said, his smile stiffening slightly.

Han Li smiled faintly, simply looking at Chen Yang without speaking.

"Fellow Daoist Li, let's be frank. I've just become city lord, and I must achieve something in this Five-City Martial Meet. You are highly skilled. Could you help me out? If you agree to compete, I won't take any of the rewards you win, and I'll offer you a generous reward besides," Chen Yang said, growing a bit anxious at Han Li's expression.

"Oh? What reward does Fellow Daoist Chen have in mind?" Han Li asked with a light laugh.

His directness caught Chen Yang off guard for a moment, but then Chen Yang produced a white jade box and handed it over.

Han Li took the box, opened it a crack to look inside, and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

"Since Fellow Daoist Chen is so sincere, it would be ungracious of me to refuse," Han Li said with a laugh, snapping the lid shut.

"The martial meet is not far off, and Qingyang City is quite distant from Xuan City. We plan to set out in half a year. If you need any preparations, please make them early. If you need my help, just say the word," Chen Yang said, inwardly grumbling but outwardly beaming.

Han Li merely nodded noncommittally.

Chen Yang didn't linger long and soon took his leave.

Han Li saw him out, then returned, sat cross-legged again, and toyed with the jade box before snapping it open.

Inside was a white beast core, emitting bright starlight—clearly a Heaven-grade beast core.

Though inferior to the one he had chosen earlier from the secret vault, it was undoubtedly a Heaven-grade core.

A smile tugged at his lips as he closed the box and put it away, then shut his eyes.

With only half a year left, there was little point in cultivating; it would be better to make other preparations.

After all, breaking through so many acupoints in such a short time was too astonishing. Unless necessary, it was best not to let outsiders know too early, so he should conceal it somewhat.

...

Six months passed quickly, and soon it was the day of departure.

Han Li changed into his usual attire and left the Fighting Arena.

Presumably, Chen Yang had already informed the guards, as he was not questioned along the way. He soon arrived at the City Lord's Mansion and was led into a main hall—the same one as before.

Many people were already in the hall, and he recognized almost all of them.

Gu Qianxun, Du Long, Tu Gang, Sun Binghe, and other chief fighters from the Fighting Arena were all present. Besides them, there were Xiong Pi, Xuan Yuan Xing, and others whom Chen Yang had subdued that day—about seventeen or eighteen people in total.

Most of them looked excited, especially the chief fighters, who were discussing the Five-City Martial Meet in small groups.

When Han Li entered, most people glanced at him casually before turning back to their conversations.

Though Han Li had some reputation in the Fighting Arena, the other chief fighters considered his strength merely decent and didn't think much of him.

The matter of him and Gu Qianxun killing Du Qingyang alongside Chen Yang had not been made public; among those present, only Gu Qianxun knew.

Han Li didn't mind and found a quiet corner to sit down.

Gu Qianxun was currently sitting with Du Long, Tu Gang, and a golden-haired youth, seemingly chatting. The purple-robed woman named Yao Li was also nearby.

When she saw Han Li enter, Gu Qianxun's eyes brightened slightly. She excused herself from the group and stood up to walk toward him.

Yao Li frowned but still rose to follow.

"Who is that guy?" the golden-haired youth asked, glancing at Han Li with a cold glint in his eyes.

This youth had a handsome appearance and an imposing demeanor. Du Long and Tu Gang sat with him, seemingly deferring to him.