The one who had just acted was none other than Wang Tiangu, his robes fluttering in the wind.
"Why be so hasty, Brother Yun? I merely wish to confirm — does Fellow Daoist Yun intend to take only the item in the box and forgo his right to select anything else?" Wang Tiangu said impassively.
"Naturally, I must examine what's inside the box first before deciding. If it proves completely useless, would I still insist on choosing it?" The old man surnamed Yun had regained his composure, but he stared at Wang Tiangu and spoke without any courtesy.
"If I recall correctly, what we promised the two Fellow Daoists was that you would select two treasures first, after which the remainder would be split equally. But do you really think that after you've chosen these three jade boxes, what's left here will be enough for the rest of us to divide?" Wang Tiangu showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he glanced at the three solitary jade boxes on the jade bed and spoke calmly.
"If you have some plan in mind, Fellow Daoist, why not speak plainly? Don't tell me you're going back on your word?" Marquis Nanlong stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with the old man, his gaze sweeping across the three Ghost Spirit Gate cultivators, his expression turning somewhat sinister.
"I have no intention of breaking my promise. However, the treasures available for division on this second floor are truly sparse. And the fact that these jade boxes cannot be penetrated by spiritual sense tells us that their contents are almost certainly the most precious treasures in this entire tower. It's entirely possible that Cang Kun Shangren's unfathomable techniques and secrets related to the Fallen Demon Valley are contained within. Under such circumstances, for the two Fellow Daoists to insist on examining the full value of the boxes' contents before deciding — don't you think that's a bit much?" Wang Tiangu smiled faintly, his expression perfectly composed.
"A bit much? All I know is that you all personally promised us priority in selecting treasures. As for whether there's enough to go around — how is that our concern?" The old man surnamed Yun's face turned rigid, and he spoke icily.
"I wouldn't put it that way. The items on this second floor are still available for your priority selection. However, the boxes need not be opened and carefully appraised. If you have any doubts, you're more than welcome to choose something else. For instance, this Cold Jade Bed before us is also a rarely seen treasure. For cultivators who practice yin-cold attribute techniques, it would be extraordinarily precious." The old woman unexpectedly spoke up in support.
At these words, Marquis Nanlong's expression grew even more ominous. He suddenly stepped forward, releasing a towering wave of imposing aura that forced Wang Tiangu and the old woman to take half a step back, their expressions shifting slightly.
Once one reached the Nascent Soul stage, the gap between mid-stage and early-stage cultivation was not the slightest bit trivial.
"Anyone else who thinks Fellow Daoist Wang is making sense, feel free to step forward. I imagine Brother Wang wouldn't dare to take such a bold stand if Lady Tai were the only one supporting him!" Marquis Nanlong narrowed his eyes, shooting a gaze as cold as a blade across the others as he spoke.
"There's no need for anger, Fellow Daoist Nanlong! Brother Wang's words aren't without merit. Surely you can't expect to leave us with not even a single scrap." After a moment of silence, the dark-faced cultivator suddenly spoke with a calm expression.
The cultivator surnamed You furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly. After a brief hesitation, he quietly stepped behind Wang Tiangu, as though he had forgotten all about his earlier unpleasantness with the man.
In an instant, apart from Han Li, the cultivators in the pavilion had split into two camps, facing off against each other.
Seeing this, the expressions of Marquis Nanlong and the old man surnamed Yun truly changed.
"It seems you've all been in cahoots for some time. I'm just wondering when you managed to arrange this. There shouldn't have been any opportunity along the way." After regaining his composure in an instant, Marquis Nanlong asked.
"Cahoots is rather a strong word! I merely had a small gathering with a few Fellow Daoists before we set out. We discussed several contingency plans for self-preservation and how to respond if unexpected situations arose. As it happens, the current situation is precisely one of the scenarios we anticipated. That is why we have no choice but to contest this with you, Fellow Daoist Nanlong." Wang Tiangu spoke with a leisurely, nonchalant air.
Marquis Nanlong fell silent, his face coated in frost, then turned his gaze upon Han Li.
"Fellow Daoist Han, do you think so as well?" he asked, his tone grave.
Right now, their two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators were facing four early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and two late-stage Core Formation cultivators — no matter how you looked at it, the forces were roughly evenly matched. Han Li, who had yet to voice his position, naturally became the critical factor.
Hearing this, Han Li did not respond immediately. He merely tilted his head slightly and cast an indifferent glance at Wang Tiangu and the others, taking in all their expressions.
He saw that Wang Tiangu not only maintained his usual composure but even offered Han Li a mild, peaceful smile, without revealing the slightest hint of worry.
Behind him, Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan wore expressions of bewilderment. The two of them seemed completely unaware of Wang Tiangu's alliance with the others. But then, Wang Chan's eyes lit up with excitement, while Yan Ruyan appeared somewhat flustered and at a loss.
Lady Tai and the cultivator surnamed You, along with the others, showed no trace of panic whatsoever, but the gazes they directed at Han Li were ice-cold and devoid of any emotion.
Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He vaguely sensed something was wrong, and his wariness surged.
He took a few seemingly casual steps, moving slightly farther from both groups, before letting out a soft chuckle: "I have no opinion on the matter. Whatever outcome Fellow Daoist Wang and Brother Nanlong arrive at, I will not object."
Hearing Han Li say this, Marquis Nanlong was not particularly surprised. That Han Li would adopt a neutral stance had been obvious from the very beginning.
His question just now had merely been to confirm what he already knew.