When Hua Siwang heard these words, his heart skipped a beat, but the next moment he became suspicious. Why had he never heard this Fellow Daoist Li mention knowing such a powerful cultivator before?
But then he thought about it and understood the other party's meaning. He was trying to plead for this kid and wanted him to think clearly before making a move on his sect.
However, how could he, Hua Siwang, give up such an opportunity to extort a large sum just because of a single sentence from the other party? Besides, he was mostly skeptical that Li Siwang had such a powerful friend. Thus, Hua Siwang replied with a hint of disdain in his voice transmission.
"Oh, then thank you very much for the reminder, Senior Brother Li. However, any cultivator, as long as they are cultivating on the Desolate Moon Continent, cannot be an exception under the 'Conscription Order.' I am also just following orders, am I not?"
Hearing this, the grey-robed elder knew that the other party did not believe what he said. So he simply waved his sleeve, as if to say Hua Siwang could do as he pleased.
Anyway, he had already put his old face on the line for this kid today and had done all he could. This was already an extremely exceptional thing for a cultivator, and he had not received any benefit from the other party.
Moving his lips just now was one thing, but to throw away more of his face was not worth it. As for Hua Siwang possibly offending a powerful cultivator because of this, he didn't care. Since Hua Siwang was not giving him any face, he would be happy to see Hua Siwang suffer a great loss at the hands of that mysterious cultivator because of this matter.
He could only shake his head gently at Li Yan and say no more.
When Li Yan finally saw the elder shake his head, he was finally relieved. Otherwise, if he had to teleport back again, he didn't know how many more days it would take to return to this area.
As for being "conscripted" and taken away by this burly man, he was not too worried. He was just pretending to be nervous on the surface.
Li Yan had long since secretly and clearly assessed Hua Siwang's cultivation: mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Li Yan knew that his current self was far from being this person's opponent, but if he was determined to escape, he still had some confidence. (TN: There is a typo in the source text. Hua Siwang is a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, not Foundation Establishment.)
He had already gathered from the conversation between Hua Siwang and the grey-robed elder that the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators behind Hua Siwang were also conscripted. With so many cultivators, would Hua Siwang really keep his attention on him at all times? If he found an opportunity to escape on the way, Li Yan felt he had at least a sixty percent chance of success.
After speaking, the grey-robed elder really did step to the side, no longer bothering with the situation here. However, he just so happened to stand in front of the teleportation formation's illusion, intentionally or unintentionally blocking the entrance. It was clear that he was also very wary of Hua Siwang.
Hua Siwang hadn't expected this grey-robed elder to be so decisive. He had originally wanted to use words to draw out more information from the other party, but the other party actually just ignored him directly.
And looking at the expression on the grey-robed elder's face, he really didn't seem worried at all that he would coerce this young cultivator to go to his sect. There was even a faint hint of anticipation in his eyes.
For a moment, Hua Siwang hesitated. Cultivators who could reach his realm had all developed suspicious personalities along the way, and Hua Siwang was no exception.
The dangers he had experienced were countless. Some he had overcome through strength, but many times it was through luck and split-second judgment.
He looked at Li Yan again with suspicion. Although he could see that Li Yan was a little nervous, he also saw a hint of expectation in Li Yan's eyes. Although Li Yan hurriedly lowered his head when he looked over, it still did not escape Hua Siwang's keen observation.
'Expectation? What is this kid expecting? And it seems like he and that old guy have communicated about something.' Hua Siwang's suspicion grew. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning seemed to flash through his mind.
'This kid is expecting someone to save him. Could it be that what that old guy said about 'Wuyouzi' is really so powerful that even knowing my cultivation, the two of them are still fearless?
'They just want me to take this opportunity to quickly bring this kid back to the sect, where he has his backer, his support. Hmph, whether it's true or not, at least it won't be easy to extort a sum from this kid's sect...'
Hua Siwang quickly thought through a link. It was possible that this kid's master was really a Pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivator. If he really went to the root of it...
Thinking of this, Hua Siwang couldn't help but feel a chill run down his back. Although he considered his cultivation to be extraordinary, if he encountered a master at the late-stage Golden Core or above, there was no other possibility besides being taught a lesson or directly killed.
Perhaps the other party would take into account his identity as a "Jingtu Sect Conscription Emissary," and being taught a lesson would be a light punishment. But the personalities of some cultivators could not be judged by common sense.
Having thought this through, how could Hua Siwang dare to really go to the sect to conscript them as he had said before? However, he wouldn't let it go so easily either.
His eyes rolled, and he thought to himself, 'No matter how powerful your master is, can he be more powerful than the Four Great Sects? I just need to grab this kid and take him to the assembly point. When I report this matter, stronger cultivators will naturally come forward.
'And with the friendship between that old guy and that person, the news should be passed on quickly. At that time, if that Pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivator really dares to show his face, the result will be even more wonderful.'
Thinking of this, Hua Siwang suddenly chuckled and cupped his fists at the grey-robed elder.
"Senior Brother Li, I still have duties to attend to. These cultivators need to be sent to the assembly point as soon as possible. Without a special order from above, your martial nephew will have to make the trip as well.
"I hope Senior Brother Li will explain this to your friend. In such a severe situation, I can only follow orders. Otherwise, if word gets out, I won't be able to answer to my superiors."
The grey-robed elder had long since seen through Hua Siwang's hesitation. He also saw that Hua Siwang was used to taking benefits and would not stop just because of some scruples. But his words just now had still had a considerable effect. Hua Siwang clearly did not dare to go to Jianghai's sect himself. He would conscript Jianghai first and talk later. In the future, Jianghai's sect would have to acknowledge this great favor.
He also nodded indifferently, "Junior Brother Hua, please go ahead! Worthy Nephew Jiang, you'd better find a way to inform your master, lest he lose track of you."
The first half of his sentence was directed at Hua Siwang, while the latter half was directed at Li Yan. He had already done all he could. He couldn't very well ask Li Yan for his sect's address and then make a trip there himself.
First, it was not certain whether the other party would believe him and give him the location of their sect. Even if they did, did he really have to become an errand boy, groveling just to befriend another cultivator? That was absolutely impossible. Only if the other party was a Nascent Soul cultivator would it be worth his while.
The nervous look in Li Yan's eyes slowly turned into one of panic. He stammered, "This... I... still have to go to Daning..."
Hua Siwang's face darkened, and his voice became cold, "Little friend Jiang, now that the Demon Clan has invaded, it is our duty as cultivators to rise up and slay the enemy. Otherwise, if everyone wants to hide in a remote place and cultivate in peace, then under a fallen nest, how can there be any intact eggs?
"At that time, I'm afraid there will not be an inch of peaceful land in the entire Desolate Moon Continent. Do you understand?"
Hua Siwang's words were righteous and reasonable, but his true thoughts were not known to outsiders.
Under Hua Siwang's scorching gaze, Li Yan, filled with apprehension, could only wear a bitter face. After bowing to the grey-robed elder, he flew listlessly onto the giant saber in mid-air.
The moment he flew onto the giant saber, Li Yan clearly saw that among the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, some had icy eyes, some wore a look of schadenfreude, and only a very few, one or two, had a look of helpless sympathy for a fellow sufferer in their eyes.
Most cultivators couldn't bear to see others better off than themselves. They naturally hoped that others would experience the same predicament they did. Otherwise, the heavens would be too unfair to them.
Only then did Hua Siwang turn around, cup his fists at the grey-robed elder from afar, and then take a step into the void onto the giant saber. Immediately, the body of the saber shone with a great white light and flew rapidly into the distance.
"Martial Uncle Li, if that Fellow Daoist Jiang's master finds out about this, I wonder if he will..."
Just as Li Yan's group of ten flew away, one of the cultivators below asked the grey-robed elder. They were on duty here and had heard the previous conversation between the grey-robed elder and Li Yan, so they naturally knew Li Yan's background.
Thinking of that powerful cultivator, if he knew that his disciple had been forcibly conscripted, the consequences would not be good. And since their group was still guarding this place, they would inevitably get into trouble.
"Shut up! If I hear anyone discussing this again, I will cripple you first," the grey-robed elder was already full of anger because Hua Siwang hadn't given him face just now.
Now, hearing the few people below discussing it again, he immediately shouted coldly. A cold and gloomy aura once again emanated from his body, instantly silencing the six cultivators, who dared not say another half-word.
Li Yan sat cross-legged alone in a remote corner of the giant saber's surface. Hua Siwang stood at the very front of the giant saber, facing the wind, not even glancing at anyone behind him, let alone paying attention to these minor cultivators.
The giant saber sped like the wind and lightning. Li Yan felt that its speed was probably only slightly slower than his current full-power activation of the "Cloud-Piercing Willow," but the difference wouldn't be too much.
It couldn't be compared to when he used "Phoenix Soars to the Heavens." Li Yan was confident that in a dozen or so breaths, if he used "Phoenix Soars to the Heavens," he could leave the burly man at least seventy li behind.
But as long as he wasn't in battle, Li Yan would never use "Phoenix Soars to the Heavens." A distance of seventy-odd li was not very significant for a Golden Core cultivator; it was almost equivalent to nothing.
The other eight were all from the same sect, "Dazzling Yellow Valley," so they also completely ignored Li Yan. A few of them would occasionally lower their heads and whisper a few words among themselves.
In Li Yan's view, these eight were clearly all preoccupied with their own worries and were not in the mood to talk, let alone come over to chat or cause trouble for Li Yan.
Thus, Li Yan was happy to be left alone. He appeared nervous and was hiding alone in a corner, but in reality, he was constantly observing the surrounding situation, looking for a suitable opportunity to use the "Stealthy Night Art" and escape.
At the same time, with Li Yan's Divine Sense, which was several times stronger than that of cultivators of the same rank, he could naturally eavesdrop on the conversations of the eight cultivators without them noticing a thing.
"Third Senior Brother, do you think we are going to 'Lingyun Gate' to assemble?"
A rather handsome youth was whispering to two cultivators beside him, a look of unease constantly on his face.
"Ninth Junior Brother, you have rarely gone out to train since you started cultivating. How is this direction leading to 'Lingyun Gate'? 'Lingyun Gate' is to the southwest, while our current direction is due south, and even slightly to the east.
"Although I don't know where we are going, it is definitely not 'Lingyun Gate.' Perhaps the assembly point is elsewhere."