“Barbarian Beard?” Han Li finally noticed the infant’s face and was momentarily stunned.
If he remembered correctly, Barbarian Beard had been nearing the end of his lifespan back then. Now, nearly two hundred years later, he should have long since passed away. How could his Spirit Infant still exist in the world, and even fall into the hands of Patriarch Ji Yin? Puzzled, Han Li was in no hurry to kill Ji Yin. Instead, he carefully examined Barbarian Beard’s Spirit Infant.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion in the air. A large cyan hand materialized above the infant, swiftly snatching it up. His fingers shimmered with cyan spiritual light, rendering the infant completely immobile.
“Brother Han, there’s no need for such caution. In my current state, I can’t even perform a teleportation technique—where could I possibly escape to?” Barbarian Beard’s Spirit Infant showed no signs of resistance.
“Hmph, that’s hard to say. But I never expected you to survive until now. Back in the Void Sky Hall, you harbored ill intentions toward me. Now that you’ve appeared before me, do you want me to send you on your way?” Han Li’s expression darkened.
“Brother Han has already advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage. If you wish to settle old scores from the Void Sky Hall, you certainly have the right to say such things. But back then, Brother Han was merely a Core Formation cultivator. I saw nothing wrong with my actions! Besides, even if you don’t act, I’ve already exhausted my remaining vitality to break free from the restraints. I won’t last much longer in this world!” The Spirit Infant appeared utterly unafraid of death.
“That much is true! You’re so weak that your Spirit Infant will collapse and dissipate soon. I, Han Li, am not one to confuse gratitude with grudges. Though you once threatened me, the Royal Scale Armor you gave me once saved my life. I won’t kick you while you’re down—consider us even!” After a moment of silence, Han Li said something entirely unexpected.
“I didn’t give you that armor out of kindness. Back then, I merely wanted to use your demon beast to retrieve treasures. You needn’t take it to heart!” Barbarian Beard was taken aback before letting out a bitter laugh.
“I don’t care about your original intentions. The fact remains that the Royal Scale Armor saved me once. However, don’t expect me to save you either. You’re on your own!” Han Li said indifferently, waving his hand. The cyan hand dissipated, and Barbarian Beard’s Spirit Infant regained its freedom.
Han Li then turned his gaze back to the massive block of ice.
“Brother Han, Patriarch Ji Yin and I have a blood feud. Could you hand him over to me so I can fulfill my final wish before death?” Barbarian Beard’s Spirit Infant took a deep breath, glaring at the frozen Patriarch Ji Yin, and repeated his earlier request.
“Ji Yin and I also have unfinished business. I’ll deal with him myself—no need for your interference!” Han Li refused outright without even turning his head.
“I’m willing to trade all my rare materials and secret techniques for this opportunity!” Barbarian Beard grew desperate, hastily proposing his terms without any pretense.
Han Li glanced back at the Spirit Infant and suddenly chuckled.
“Brother Barbarian, why don’t you just speak your mind? I find it hard to believe you’d pay such a price merely for revenge. If you tell me the truth and it doesn’t concern me, I might even agree. Also, I’m quite curious about how you survived until now and how you ended up in Ji Yin’s hands. I’d appreciate an explanation!” Han Li said leisurely.
At this question, the anxiety on the Spirit Infant’s face gradually faded, replaced by hesitation.
“Fine, there’s no point in keeping secrets. I’ll tell you everything!” Barbarian Beard sighed deeply and finally made up his mind.
“I’m all ears,” Han Li said impassively. With a flick of his sleeve, all the golden flying swords were swept back by a cyan mist, vanishing into his sleeves in an instant.
“Brother Han should know that over a hundred years ago, my lifespan was already nearing its end. Even with the life-extending spiritual medicines I obtained from the Void Sky Hall, they were but a drop in the bucket. The only reason my Spirit Infant has lasted this long is because Ji Yin used a sinister technique to forcibly stimulate its potential, allowing me to cling to life. The price for this extended lifespan is that once my soul power is exhausted, my Spirit Infant will collapse, and my essence soul will cease to exist—no chance of reincarnation.” Barbarian Beard spoke through gritted teeth.
Han Li listened without comment, knowing the other man wouldn’t stop there.
Sure enough, Barbarian Beard continued without prompting:
“After obtaining that Heavenmend Pill and leaving the Void Sky Hall, I enjoyed a period of freedom. No one came after me for the pill. But it didn’t last. As my lifespan dwindled, Six Paths ambushed me at my residence, demanding my corpse after death to cultivate his demonic arts. Naturally, I refused. He severely injured me with his Six Extremes True Devil Art. Fortunately, my cultivation was strong enough for me to escape using a secret technique. But on the way, I ran into that old fiend Ji Yin. The cunning bastard saw I was gravely injured and attacked immediately. We fought for three days and nights until my injuries flared up, destroying my physical body. My Spirit Infant fell into his hands. The old devil coveted my lifetime of treasures and the Heavenmend Pill, so he imprisoned and tortured me for information—until now.”
“Torture? He didn’t use a soul-searching technique on you?” Han Li was surprised.
“Heh, if it were any other cultivator—even a late Nascent Soul grand cultivator—they’d have been subjected to forced soul-searching. But my Tuo Tian Devil Art happens to counter such techniques, allowing me to tightly guard my soul. Even if he intensified the soul-searching, it would only destroy my soul—he’d never get my secrets!” Barbarian Beard sneered proudly.
“Such a technique exists?” Han Li’s eyebrows twitched, seemingly intrigued.
“Of course! Did you think the Tuo Tian Devil Art was just for show? I’ve simply never disclosed this before. Ji Yin had no choice but to torment my Spirit Infant with corpse flames periodically. But did he really think I’d yield so easily? Even if I had, I’d still face soul annihilation. After his technique forcibly extended my lifespan by over a century, my Spirit Infant is truly at its end. Unless I use a secret art to devour another Nascent Soul’s essence, I’ll have no chance of reincarnation. But even then, whether rebirth is possible remains uncertain.” As he spoke, Barbarian Beard’s Spirit Infant glared at Patriarch Ji Yin within the blue ice, his expression venomous.
“I see. You plan to devour Ji Yin’s Nascent Soul for a shot at reincarnation? I’ve heard of such techniques, but their efficacy is unverifiable,” Han Li murmured, stroking his chin.
“True or not, it’s my only chance. I have to try. My treasures would likely fall into someone else’s hands anyway—why not trade them for this sliver of hope?” Barbarian Beard said resignedly.
“Fair enough. Do you still have the Heavenmend Pill?” Han Li asked after a pause.
“No. I swallowed it right after leaving the Void Sky Hall. But it had little effect on me. Ji Yin, seeing my cultivation unchanged, assumed I still had it and kept torturing me for its whereabouts. Otherwise, I doubt he’d have had the patience to keep me alive this long,” Barbarian Beard replied frankly.
“Oh? Is that so?” A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li’s face.
When he had taken the Heavenmend Pill, its effects had been pronounced. But given Barbarian Beard’s current state, lying seemed unlikely. Perhaps the pill’s benefits were negligible for Nascent Soul cultivators—or maybe his spiritual roots were already too good for further improvement. Han Li pondered silently.
“I’ll grant your request. But first, copy the incantation of the Tuo Tian Devil Art for me. After I hand Ji Yin over, you can devour his Nascent Soul. I’m particularly interested in the soul-locking technique. Once you’re done, tell me where your other treasures are hidden,” Han Li said slowly, fixing his gaze on the Spirit Infant.
“Deal! No problem!” The infant replied joyfully, without hesitation.
Han Li nodded. Noticing the infant’s weakened state, he suddenly formed hand seals and sent several spells into its body.
Multicolored light flashed over the infant’s surface, and its spirits lifted visibly.
“Thank you for your help!” Barbarian Beard exclaimed gratefully.
Han Li waved dismissively and tossed a pale white blank jade slip toward the infant.
The infant opened its tiny mouth, releasing a faint golden mist that enveloped the slip, shrinking it instantly. The infant caught it and began copying the technique with closed eyes and bowed head.
For Barbarian Beard, replicating a technique he’d memorized countless times was effortless. In the time it took to drink tea, the infant opened its eyes and flicked a white streak toward Han Li.
Han Li caught it—the jade slip, now restored to its original size.
“You didn’t tamper with the technique, did you?” Han Li asked with a half-smile.
“Brother Han jests! At your late Nascent Soul stage, you’d spot any falsification instantly. Besides, in my current state, why would I sabotage you to no benefit?” The Spirit Infant looked exasperated.
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