At this moment, Han Li finally understood what it meant to face a wind as sharp as knives and a world collapsing around him.
Though he was only at the edge of the Black Wind Banner’s power, he felt as if he had lost all five senses. The howling wind filled his ears, his vision was obscured by a murky yellow haze, and even his spiritual sense couldn’t extend beyond his protective barrier—any attempt was instantly shredded by the vicious gale outside.
Now he truly understood why the Seven Flames Fan, an imitation of the Three Flames Fan, ranked at the bottom among the Heaven-reaching Spiritual Treasures. Even with the Three Flames Fan operating at 30-40% of its full power, its might was incomparable to the Black Wind Banner.
Fortunately, his Brightsight Eyes technique still worked. By channeling spiritual power into his eyes, a faint blue glow flickered in his pupils, allowing him to barely discern objects within a ten-zhang radius.
As for the distant Nine Truths Demon-Suppressing Formation, he couldn’t tell how it was faring under such ferocious winds. The sporadic tremors beneath his feet, however, suggested an intense battle was raging within.
He glanced upward, but the sky was no different—a chaotic blur of raging winds, impossible to see through.
Han Li’s expression darkened as the buzzing from his protective barrier grew louder. Maintaining it was draining his spiritual energy far faster than before.
The Black Wind Banner’s power was still increasing.
Taking a deep breath, he instinctively looked down at his feet, wondering if burrowing underground might be a viable escape.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, a black wind column as thick as a bowl erupted from the ground just a few feet away from his barrier, rapidly expanding and spinning.
A tremendous force yanked at his green barrier, pulling it uncontrollably toward the vortex.
Startled, Han Li concentrated his spiritual power, and the barrier flared brightly, barely resisting the pull.
A dozen golden sword beams shot out from the barrier, crisscrossing around it, slicing the nascent wind column into dissipating black mist. But the mist quickly reformed, threatening to become another cyclone.
Han Li’s face darkened as he signaled Silvermoon, and the two swiftly retreated.
These wind columns were too unpredictable—even the ground wasn’t safe.
After carefully avoiding several more wind columns, they reached a corner at the very edge of the space.
Ahead lay a dim, gray barrier.
As he had suspected, the winds here were weaker, and no black wind columns appeared.
The two finally had a moment to catch their breath.
Yet Han Li’s expression remained grave. After a long glance toward the palace, his eyes flashed with determination. He flicked his wrist, and a golden flying sword slashed at the barrier behind him.
With a tearing sound, the gray barrier split open a few feet deep, but white light flashed, and it instantly repaired itself.
Han Li frowned.
The barrier wasn’t particularly tough—his sword could easily cut it—but its thickness was unknown, and its recovery speed under the formation’s power was astonishing. Unless he could pierce through it in one strike, escape was impossible.
After a brief contemplation, he reached for his storage pouch.
A flash of light later, the Three Flames Fan appeared in his hand.
He carefully channeled spiritual energy into the fan, and a three-colored halo shimmered across its surface.
Taking a deep breath, he waved the fan lightly toward the barrier.
A three-colored flame surged forth, silently dissolving the barrier and revealing a hole about a zhang wide.
But Han Li’s face darkened as he peered inside.
The attack had penetrated over ten zhang deep, yet the barrier showed no sign of being breached.
Though he hadn’t used the fan’s full power, the barrier’s thickness made him hesitate.
Even if he increased the fan’s output, he doubted it could break this ancient formation. After all, this place was designed to seal the demon concubine Long Meng and the Ancient Demon Ancestor’s avatar.
Moreover, unleashing the fan’s full power would create a commotion, possibly alerting the Ancient Demon Ancestor. If the barrier remained unbroken, he’d only invite disaster.
He also suspected the barrier might conceal other linked formations. Damaging it could trigger backlash—no laughing matter.
Lost in thought, Han Li loosened his grip on the fan, his expression shifting uncertainly.
“This space won’t be so simple, Master. It’s best not to act rashly,” Silvermoon suddenly spoke, her voice distant since encountering Long Meng.
Han Li smiled faintly, about to reply, when his expression abruptly hardened. He turned sharply toward the raging winds and said coldly, “Who’s there? Skulking around won’t end well for you.”
As he spoke, he tightened his grip on the Three Flames Fan, its three-colored glow swirling ominously.
“Hold your attack, Fellow Daoist Han. I know the power of that fan and have no desire to test it firsthand,” a man’s voice replied leisurely.
Two white figures emerged from the yellow winds—a man and a woman. It was Xu Qing and the Heavenly South Saintess, Lin Yinping.
Han Li’s brows rose slightly, but his tone remained icy. “Oh? Have you come to take advantage of the chaos and strike at me?”
He cast a seemingly casual glance toward the palace.
Though the winds were fiercest there, with most black wind columns converging, faint thunderclaps still pierced through, and occasional golden beams of light tore through the sky, illuminating the entire space momentarily.
The Nine Truths Demon-Suppressing Formation was indeed formidable, holding its own against the Black Wind Banner’s might. Whether the Eight Spirit Ruler had joined the battle was unclear, but seeing that the black-robed woman was still occupied, Han Li felt a momentary relief before refocusing on the newcomers, his expression unreadable.
“No need for hostility, Fellow Daoist. We’re here not for conflict, but to discuss a way to survive,” Lin Yinping said calmly, raising a hand to cast a soundproof barrier.
“And what survival plan is that?” Han Li asked, feigning indifference.
“Must you pretend ignorance? The Ancient Demon Ancestor’s Black Wind Banner is beyond our combined strength. If we don’t escape while he’s occupied with the Spirit Realm concubine, do we wait for him to turn on us?” she replied bluntly, aware time was short.
“And you’ve given up on the Heaven-reaching Spiritual Treasure?” Han Li narrowed his eyes.
“You jest. As precious as they are, they’re not worth our lives. The Ancient Demon Ancestor has been trapped here for years, his true essence depleted. Our Nascent Souls are the perfect remedy for his recovery. Once free, he won’t spare us,” Xu Qing interjected, his tone grim.
“So, what’s your plan?” Han Li asked, though he already guessed.
“Join forces, ambush the demon guarding the teleportation array, and escape,” Xu Qing stated without hesitation.
“With just us? Do you truly grasp the strength of that twin-headed, four-armed demon?” Han Li scoffed.
“You doubt our combined strength?” Lin Yinping raised an eyebrow.
“Did you know this demon once escaped an encirclement by three Great Cultivators and over a dozen other Nascent Soul cultivators?” Han Li countered, stroking the fan.
“This is the demon that fled your Heavenly South?” Xu Qing paled.
“Indeed.”
Seeing Han Li’s certainty, Xu Qing and Lin Yinping exchanged uneasy glances.
“Then let us join as well. Surely that will suffice,” a cold voice cut in from above.
Before anyone could react, silver and purple light flashed in the yellow winds, revealing the Silver-winged Nightfiend and the Lion Hawk.
The two demons hovered effortlessly, their auras shielding them from the gale. The Silver-winged Nightfiend’s wind-based abilities seemed to thrive in this chaos.
“It’s you two. You wish to ally with us?” Han Li asked, regaining his composure.
“Naturally. To the Ancient Demon Ancestor, we’re no different from you. Staying means death,” the Nightfiend replied bluntly.
“Good. With your aid and Lady Gui Ling’s, success is assured. We must act now—who knows how long the formation and Eight Spirit Ruler can hold him?” Xu Qing agreed, his gaze shifting to Han Li for confirmation.
The Silver-winged Nightfiend and Lion Hawk also watched him.
Han Li licked his lips, weighing his options before nodding slowly.
“Merely repelling the demon, not slaying it—this should suffice. I’ll summon Gui Ling.”
Decision made, he formed a hand seal, activating the life token of Gui Ling within him. A faint glow pulsed from it.
Meanwhile, the two demons descended, landing nearby.
Moments later, yellow light flashed beside Han Li, and the ugly woman materialized silently behind him.
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