In a bustling corner of the Yellow Maple Valley Market, a sizable restaurant stood quietly.
In one of its private rooms, elegantly furnished and filled with curling sandalwood incense, Jing Wen sat at ease in a carved chair, his eyes closed in thought.
The door opened, and Han Li appeared in the doorway.
He wore gray robes, his expression cold and stern. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, yet as unfathomable as a bottomless pool.
He remained in the doorway, his eyes resting on Jing Wen for a moment before he quietly extended his divine sense, attempting to probe the other man's cultivation.
What startled him, however, was that Jing Wen's aura kept shifting between that of a mortal, the early Qi Refining stage, and the middle Qi Refining stage, as elusive as a reflection in water.
Han Li's heart tightened. This bizarre sight only deepened his wariness of Jing Wen's unfathomable nature.
He immediately withdrew his divine sense, inwardly on guard. I can't see through him... his cultivation is far above mine!
It seems I can only set aside my thoughts of revenge for now!
Jing Wen sensed Han Li's probing and raised the corners of his lips, but did not expose him. He merely lifted his hand and poured a cup of spirit tea. Its fragrance rose in a fragrant haze, the amber liquid rippling gently in a celadon cup.
"You arrived quickly, Junior Brother." Jing Wen's voice was warm and smooth as jade, though it carried a barely perceptible hint of amusement. "Sit."
Han Li fell silent for a moment, then finally stepped into the private room and sat opposite Jing Wen.
He did not touch the tea, merely watching Jing Wen coldly and waiting for him to speak.
Seeing this, Jing Wen chuckled. With