Han Li had pieced together most of what happened when he noticed a few oddities about the person opposite him.
First, he couldn't gauge the person's approximate age from their stunningly beautiful appearance. Judging by the smooth, delicate skin, they could be in their early twenties. Yet their gaze and mannerisms resembled those of someone in their thirties or forties. And while they had the look of a middle-aged person, there was a hint of frivolity in their features that was reminiscent of an ostentatious young noble.
However, it was clear at a glance that they were only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. That was the reason Han Li dared to stay; if it were late Foundation Establishment, he would have had to reconsider whether to get involved in such a melodramatic affair.
Second, Han Li was already there, yet Dong Xuan'er had only given him a cold glance before turning back to gaze adoringly at the handsome man, as if Han Li were a complete stranger. That was certainly not right!
"Who are you? Could you be another admirer of this young lady? Let me make it clear upfront: unless this lady leaves voluntarily, no one can snatch this beauty from my arms!" The handsome man saw that Han Li looked unremarkable and was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Disdain filled his eyes. He lightly patted Dong Xuan'er's shoulder and spoke carelessly.
Seeing himself so lightly dismissed, Han Li showed no annoyance on his face. Instead, he looked back and forth between Dong Xuan'er and the handsome man several times before suddenly barking in a low voice: "Who are you? To use an enchantment technique on a cultivator of our Seven Mysteries Sect—you've got some nerve!"
Hearing Han Li's words, the handsome man's expression flickered momentarily before returning to normal. He spoke calmly, "What nonsense are you spouting? This lady and I are together of our own accord. If you don't step aside, don't blame me, Tian, for showing no mercy!"
Yan Yu and Senior Brother Feng, who had also heard Han Li's words, suddenly understood. They immediately surrounded the handsome man from both sides with fierce intent and angrily shouted: "Junior Sister Dong, how could you suddenly ignore us as if possessed? It turns out you used some wicked technique to bewitch her! Hurry up and undo the spell, or don't blame me, Feng, if my Purple Light Cymbal shows no mercy!"
"Exactly! I knew something was off. Why would Miss Dong leave with a stranger for no reason? So you're a demon! I, Yan, will teach you a lesson on Miss Dong's behalf!"
As Senior Brother Feng and Yan Yu spoke, they each pulled out a magical artifact—a purple cymbal-shaped item and a short spear-like weapon—looking ready to attack at any moment.
Facing the threat of an early Foundation Establishment cultivator and a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator, a layer of coldness descended upon the handsome man's face. He said icily, "Overestimating yourselves!"
At this moment, Han Li felt a growing sense of unease, instinctively sensing that this handsome man was very dangerous. His mind racing, he suddenly transmitted his voice directly into Dong Xuan'er's ear: "Dong Xuan'er! Look at what you've done! Aren't you afraid Aunt Hongfo will confine you?"
Yan Yu and Senior Brother Feng didn't detect Han Li's voice transmission at all, but the handsome man seemed to sense something. He glared at Han Li, then quickly looked down at Dong Xuan'er.
But now, Dong Xuan'er's face was filled with horror. With a violent struggle, she broke free from the handsome man's embrace and retreated several steps. Then, a look of confusion appeared on her face, as if she were waking from a deep dream.
Yan Yu and Senior Brother Feng were overjoyed at the sight. However, when they saw the handsome man's grim expression as he moved toward Dong Xuan'er again, they unhesitatingly stepped forward to separate her from him. They certainly weren't about to let Dong Xuan'er, who had just recovered, fall victim to his spell again.
Dong Xuan'er's mind had completely cleared, but it seemed she had recalled something extremely terrifying. She didn't dare look at the handsome man again and hurriedly ran toward Han Li. Within a few steps, she was hiding behind him, effectively blocking the handsome man's angry gaze.
She was trembling all over, her face a mask of fear. All trace of her usual willfulness was gone.
The handsome man's face had turned a sickly shade of green. He swept a venomous gaze over Yan Yu and Senior Brother Feng, who were blocking his path, before finally fixing his stare once more on Han Li.