As Han Li took a few steps, he heard someone calling him from afar.
"Over here, Brother Han!"
Han Li looked towards the voice and saw Wan Xiao Shan standing next to an old man in a green robe, waving to him.
With a slight smile, Han Li walked over quickly. When he reached the side of the old man in the green robe, Wan Xiao Shan introduced him to Han Li:
"This is True Man Qingyan from Tai Nan Valley. He is a close friend of my father's. This Tai Nan Meeting is hosted by him and several other seniors."
Upon hearing this, Han Li couldn't help but scrutinize True Man Qingyan.
The old man was tall and thin, with broad shoulders and long arms. He wore a green Confucian robe, giving off an otherworldly aura. However, his face was covered in green spots, which was quite startling.
The youth continued, "Brother Han is someone I just met outside the valley. Although he is a loose cultivator, we get along well. True Man, please take good care of him!"
True Man Qingyan then took a closer look at Han Li and suddenly squinted his eyes, saying:
"Brother Han's wood attribute cultivation is quite impressive! To reach the eighth level at such a young age is rare even among cultivation families!"
Han Li couldn't help but wince at True Man Qingyan's praise. If it weren't for consuming a large amount of spirit pills, how could he have reached the eighth level? He'd probably still be stuck between the third and fourth levels!
Nevertheless, he politely replied, "True Man, you're too kind. I've just been fortunate."
True Man Qingyan nodded lightly and turned to Wan Xiao Shan:
"Young man, your family members have already arrived. They are quite worried about you, so they asked me to bring you to meet them. Let's go!"
Wan Xiao Shan's face fell upon hearing this.
"Is my seventh sister and ninth brother here too? I'm most afraid of their nagging. Can't I just stay here?" Wan Xiao Shan looked at True Man Qingyan hopefully.
True Man Qingyan's expression turned stern. "What do you think?"
"Of course not!" Wan Xiao Shan answered dejectedly.
"Humph! You're quite bold to sneak out without telling your family. If you encountered some unscrupulous cultivators on the way, you might have lost your life!" True Man Qingyan scolded, casting a sideways glance at Han Li as he spoke.
"This old man is not kind at all. He's clearly insinuating that he is one of those unscrupulous cultivators and intentionally approached this young man." Han Li observed coldly, understanding the hidden meaning behind True Man Qingyan's words.
"Rare to encounter such a straightforward young master who speaks his mind. Looks like I have to temporarily part ways! Otherwise, if True Man Qingyan decides to make trouble for me, even I won't be able to handle it!" Han Li thought helplessly.
"Since Brother Wan needs to meet his family, I'll take this opportunity to explore the surroundings. We can have a drink and chat another time." Han Li clasped his hands together and said to Wan Xiao Shan and True Man Qingyan.
"Hey! Don't leave in such a hurry. I still need to introduce you to..."
"Brother Han has other matters to attend to. Don't bother him!" Wan Xiao Shan tried to say something more as Han Li walked away, but True Man Qingyan stopped him.
Seeing this, Han Li smiled brightly at Wan Xiao Shan before turning and walking towards the square.
Meanwhile, Wan Xiao Shan followed behind True Man Qingyan with a gloomy expression, like a prisoner being led to the gallows.
Han Li wasn't particularly annoyed by True Man Qingyan's treatment. After all, any elder would be suspicious when they see an unfamiliar friend of their family member, especially in a prestigious cultivation family like Wan Xiao Shan's.
However, Han Li didn't harbor any ill will towards Wan Xiao Shan. He simply wanted to learn more about the cultivation world from him. But now, with True Man Qingyan intervening, he had to find someone else to glean information from.
With these thoughts in mind, Han Li gradually approached the square where the stalls were set up.
The stalls of the cultivators surrounded the spacious square, forming a "回" shape. People were walking around the stalls, giving the area a bustling market atmosphere.
Although it was getting dark, the square was well-lit with large bronze lanterns placed on each stall. Instead of using oil, these lanterns were powered by fist-sized white stones that emitted a soft glow, illuminating the area brightly.
Han Li was impressed by this ingenious lighting method.
Despite the late hour, the square was even more crowded than before. Many cultivators had arrived, and the place was buzzing with activity.
As Han Li observed the passing cultivators, he suddenly noticed something peculiar.
All the cultivators, whether manning stalls or browsing, were in their teens or twenties. Not a single person over thirty could be seen.
Recalling Wan Xiao Shan's mention of the "Tai Nan Meeting" being an event for the younger generation held every five years, Han Li realized that the older, more senior cultivators wouldn't be present. True Man Qingyan was probably only here because of his status as an organizer.
Feeling relieved, Han Li knew that dealing with those older cultivators would be troublesome. Even if they wanted to harm him, they'd find it more difficult than crushing an ant.
However, even among the younger cultivators present, each one was formidable. Han Li, who considered himself average, felt humbled to see several experts of exceptional skill within moments.
Observing for a while longer, Han Li's expression suddenly changed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He noticed that all the cultivators in the square were young, with no one older than thirty. Realizing this, he felt a sense of relief. After all, dealing with those older cultivators would be troublesome. Even if they wanted to harm him, they'd find it more difficult than crushing an ant.
However, even among the younger cultivators present, each one was formidable. Han Li, who considered himself average, felt humbled to see several experts of exceptional skill within moments.
Observing for a while longer, Han Li's expression suddenly changed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He noticed that all the cultivators in the square were young, with no one older than thirty. Realizing this, he felt a sense of relief. After all, dealing with those older cultivators would be troublesome. Even if they wanted to harm him, they'd find it more difficult than crushing an ant.
However, even among the younger cultivators present, each one was formidable. Han Li, who considered himself average, felt humbled to see several experts of exceptional skill within moments.
Observing for a while longer, Han Li's expression suddenly changed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He noticed that all the cultivators in the square were young, with no one older than thirty. Realizing this, he felt a sense of relief. After all, dealing with those older cultivators would be troublesome. Even if they wanted to harm him, they'd find it more difficult than crushing an ant.
However, even among the younger cultivators present, each one was formidable. Han
Li, who considered himself average, felt humbled to see several experts of exceptional skill within moments.
Observing for a while longer, Han Li's expression suddenly changed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
