The golden light transformed from the Emerald Swarm Sword danced slightly, resembling spinning wheels that slashed through the surrounding demonic energy, forcing it to retreat and scatter, unable to approach even an inch.
Seeing that the demonic energy wasn’t as troublesome as he had imagined, Han Li felt a slight relief, though his expression remained grim as his gaze swept the surroundings.
Unfortunately, aside from the pitch-black darkness, there was nothing else that caught his attention.
“These flying swords of yours are quite well-forged. I’ll take them for myself to play with!” A surprised voice of the Flood Dragon echoed from nowhere, revealing a sudden greed for Han Li’s swords.
Hearing this, Han Li was momentarily stunned before a cold smile appeared on his face. With a flick of his sleeve, a three-colored glow slipped out, condensing into the Three Flames Fan in his palm.
Given the opponent’s arrogance, he had no choice but to proceed with caution.
No sooner had he done this than the demonic energy above him churned violently, accompanied by a deafening roar. The energy surged like a stormy sea, and a massive vortex, pitch-black and over ten zhang in diameter, abruptly appeared.
The vortex spun rapidly the moment it manifested, emitting an eerie, high-pitched screech.
A vast expanse of black radiance shot out from its center, sweeping downward with overwhelming force.
Han Li’s heart skipped a beat. Sensing danger, he immediately formed a sword seal with one hand.
A clear, resonant hum arose from the golden light around him. The previously expansive golden sword beams abruptly contracted, transforming into a slowly rotating golden lotus amidst swirling radiance.
At that moment, the black radiance descended, engulfing the entire golden lotus.
The moment they collided, a cacophony resembling countless blades clashing erupted, grating on the ears and unsettling the mind.
Han Li felt his spirit tremble as the swords forming the golden lotus were simultaneously tugged by an immense force, threatening to break free from his control and fly upward.
His expression darkened as he channeled all his spiritual power.
An ordinary mid-Nascent Soul cultivator might have lost control of their lifebound treasure under such suction, but Han Li, having cultivated the Qingyuan Sword Art, possessed far deeper reserves than his peers. Moreover, the Emerald Swarm Swords had been reforged multiple times with rare materials, making them incomparable to ordinary treasures.
Thus, under Han Li’s frantic sword seals and surging spiritual power, the golden lotus trembled violently but managed to resist the suction, continuing to revolve around him and fend off the black radiance spewing from the vortex.
Without hesitation, Han Li raised the Three Flames Fan and swung it toward the vortex with a grave expression.
With a *whoosh*, a three-colored pillar of fire erupted from the fan, crashing directly into the descending black radiance.
A violent series of explosions erupted at the point of contact. The three-colored flames and black radiance reacted like oil meeting water, bursting apart upon contact.
Clearly, the three-colored flames were far more potent. After a brief pause amidst flickering runes, they effortlessly shattered the black radiance and surged into the vortex, vanishing without a trace.
Han Li’s gaze sharpened as he stared unblinkingly at the sky.
Moments later, a buzzing sound emerged from the black vortex. As the surrounding black light swelled and contracted, a deafening explosion erupted from its center.
The demonic energy within dozens of zhang roiled wildly before the vortex vanished in a flash of black light.
Han Li’s expression remained dark as he flicked his wrist, making the Three Flames Fan disappear. Yet, he showed no hint of triumph.
After all, that single strike had consumed nearly twenty percent of his spiritual power, yet it seemed to have done no harm to his opponent.
“A replica spirit treasure? So it’s you. Are you surnamed Han?” The aged voice returned, tinged with surprise.
“How do you know me?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly as he guessed something but maintained his composure.
“*Heh*! That fan of yours, spewing three-colored flames, is unmistakable! I heard you ruined a plan of my deputy valley master in Kunwu Mountain. What brings you to the Small Extreme Palace now?” The voice chuckled ambiguously.
“Deputy valley master? You’re Fellow Daoist Che from the Ten Thousand Demon Valley?” Han Li’s heart chilled, his expression changing. Though he knew little about the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, he had naturally heard of its valley master. While many couldn’t pinpoint his exact cultivation level, Han Li estimated that if even the ten-thousand-year-old Corpse Bear had late-Nascent Soul cultivation, this one was likely among the few old monsters in the human realm comparable to Deity Transformation cultivators.
Otherwise, the Ten Thousand Demon Valley wouldn’t have been able to stand so boldly within the Great Jin’s borders without being repeatedly purged by the ten major righteous and demonic sects.
“Indeed, it is I! According to Bear Master, you have some connection with my old acquaintance, Fairy Linglong, and even accompanied her back to the ninth floor of the Suppressing Demon Tower. With the true demonic energy there resealed and you appearing here unscathed, it seems Fairy Linglong has safely returned to the Spirit Realm.”
When mentioning the “Spirit Realm,” the aged voice involuntarily wavered, as if torn between excitement and fear.
“Linglong did return to the Spirit Realm via the Reverse Star Plate. You know her?” Han Li’s expression flickered uncertainly as he asked slowly. Meanwhile, one hand hidden in his sleeve shimmered with spiritual light, silently gripping a green wooden ruler, while the other hand suddenly held the shrunken fire cauldron.
“In the Spirit Realm, I was but a nobody—how could I possibly know the consort of a Demon King? However, since Fairy Linglong sent you out, she must have left you something. Also, is the Eight Spirit Ruler, originally used to suppress the ancient demon, also in your possession? Don’t claim it was taken to the Spirit Realm—without being refined through its treasure-controlling incantation, it’s impossible to carry such an item across realms.” The voice turned icy.
Han Li’s eyelids twitched, but he remained silent, his fingers tightening around the wooden ruler.
“What’s wrong? Is my question too difficult, or does Fellow Daoist Han simply refuse to answer?” The voice grew increasingly sinister as an overwhelming spiritual pressure erupted from the surrounding demonic energy, bearing down on Han Li.
Though this pressure was undeniably at the level of a tenth-grade demonic beast, Han Li’s spiritual sense was no weaker than a late-Nascent Soul cultivator’s. He merely swayed slightly before standing firm.
“Oh? You—” The voice betrayed surprise.
Sensing the immense pressure, Han Li narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
“Rumors say Fellow Daoist Che has been in secluded cultivation deep within the Ten Thousand Demon Valley for countless years, rarely emerging. What we see here must be just an avatar. Otherwise, given your reputation, your spiritual power wouldn’t be so lacking!” Han Li exhaled slowly, his expression turning peculiar.
“And if it is?” The voice remained emotionless.
“I have no interest in your affairs with the Small Extreme Palace and no intention of interfering. I merely wish to use their teleportation formation to leave. If you don’t want me joining forces with them, it’s best to let me go.” Han Li’s tone turned cold, his words blunt.
As long as his opponent wasn’t at the Deity Transformation stage, he had nothing to fear.
“*Hahaha*! It’s been years since anyone dared threaten me! Bear Master mentioned you wield the Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning and possess considerable power. But that lightning only works on demonic energy. Trapped within my Ten Thousand Demon Banner, do you truly believe you can oppose me? Hand over what Fairy Linglong left you and the Eight Spirit Ruler, and I might spare your life!” The old demon Che laughed maniacally, his threat dripping with malice.
Han Li sighed inwardly. It seemed this old demon truly underestimated him and had no intention of letting him leave easily.
However, the Ten Thousand Demon Banner’s reputation was legendary. Many cultivators claimed it was the closest replica to a true Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure. No wonder the old demon was so arrogant.
Seeing words were useless, Han Li wasted no more breath. With a wave of his hand, a red light shot out, hovering motionless several zhang above his head—the nameless fire cauldron.
He then formed hand seals and chanted incantations.
The cauldron blazed with light, rapidly expanding to several zhang in size. At his command, its lid flew off, and a buzzing sound emerged as fist-sized fire crows poured out, soon numbering in the thousands, filling the space around Han Li with a sea of red light.
Clearly, Han Li wasn’t taking the Ten Thousand Demon Banner lightly, unleashing the cauldron’s full power at once.
Unnoticed by anyone, the Lunar Crow that had been perched on his shoulder had vanished, blending seamlessly into the swarm of fire crows, its crimson glow indistinguishable from the rest.
As Han Li’s chant ended, he let out a low shout. All the fire crows spat forth crimson flames, shooting in all directions.
In an instant, waves of fire several zhang high surged around Han Li, relentlessly crashing against the surrounding demonic energy.
The space became a scorching sea of flames, forcing the demonic energy to gradually retreat amid thunderous explosions.
“Petty tricks won’t break my Ten Thousand Demon Banner. Don’t delude yourself!” Old Demon Che sneered before letting out a piercing shriek that seemed to pierce the heavens.
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