Chapter 1187: Demonization

A chill ran through Han Li’s heart!

The pair of crimson eyes brimmed with sheer savagery—nothing resembling a human’s gaze, but rather that of a beast consumed by bloodlust and madness.

Han Li’s thoughts raced. Even as he questioned whether this shadowy figure was the target he had come seeking, the black silhouette abruptly ceased its roar and vanished into the demonic mist below with a flicker of movement.

Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, but he remained composed. With a flick of his sleeve, a silver shield materialized before him, transforming into a shimmering silver barrier that enveloped his body.

Just as the protective barrier formed, the demonic mist behind him churned violently. A pitch-black, fur-covered demonic arm shot out like lightning, slamming into the silver barrier with a thunderous crash.

**”Boom!”**

The claw sank half a foot into the barrier.

Han Li felt the shield tremble violently as an immense force surged through it. His expression darkened slightly, and he took two small steps forward to dissipate the impact.

At the same time, his free hand blurred, and a golden sword several feet long materialized in his grip. Without turning his head, he swung it backward in a swift slash.

A golden flash—and half of the furry arm was severed.

The shadowy figure roared in pain, staggering back several steps before steadying itself. Its blood-red eyes locked onto Han Li with pure malice.

“So it is you. But it seems the infusion failed—you’ve only half-demonized, losing your sanity in the process,” Han Li sighed softly, finally turning to scrutinize the figure.

Now only a dozen or so yards away, he could see it clearly.

The figure still vaguely resembled the Heavenly Fiend Corpse, but its black robes were mostly torn away, revealing long, corpse-like hair. Fist-sized black scales covered its vital points, gleaming with a sinister chill. Its skeletal face was shrouded in a faint black mist, its twisted features barely visible—utterly grotesque.

Though its hand had been severed, not a single drop of blood dripped from the wound, as if its body held none.

It growled lowly, eyeing Han Li’s golden sword but refusing to charge again.

Clearly, the earlier strike had instilled fear. Though it longed to tear Han Li apart, instinct held it back. Strangely, despite a storage pouch hanging at its waist, it made no move to retrieve any treasures—utterly devoid of intelligence.

The demonic energy in this abyss might not match that of Kunwu Mountain, but its corrupting power far exceeded the Second Nascent Soul’s expectations. Moreover, in its haste to complete the infusion—fearing Han Li’s arrival—it had accelerated the process.

Though the Second Nascent Soul possessed the Great Development Art, it had only reached the second layer due to its focus on the Profound Yin Technique. Its spiritual sense, while stronger than peers, was barely enough to resist the demonic energy for long.

Thus, while the corpse endured the transformation, the Nascent Soul succumbed to the demonic invasion at the final stage, losing all reason.

Now, the demonic corpse was little more than a mindless killing machine, no different from a beast without awakened intelligence.

After careful observation, Han Li confirmed its lost sanity. Relief washed over him, yet he found the situation almost laughable.

He had considered this foe a dire threat, rushing here with utmost urgency—only to face such an unexpected outcome.

But against such an opponent, the battle would be far easier. Capturing it should require little effort.

With that thought, Han Li raised a hand, summoning the Tri-Colored Feather Fan.

Since the creature lacked intelligence, there was no need for restraint. He would simply annihilate its demonic body with the fan. Without a vessel, the Second Nascent Soul would have no choice but surrender.

Yet as the fan’s tri-colored glow shimmered, the demonic corpse roared again. A gale of demonic wind swirled around it, and the surrounding pure demonic energy surged toward its severed arm, rapidly coalescing.

In an instant, a new arm formed—identical to the original, as if never severed.

“Indestructible Body!”

Han Li paused, then smirked, channeling even more spiritual power into the fan.

Though rare, he had slain several beasts with such regenerative abilities.

Total obliteration was the solution.

With a phoenix’s cry, a fiery bird several feet wide erupted from the fan, wreathed in tri-colored runes. Wherever the flames touched, demonic energy vanished instantly—a terrifying display.

Sensing danger, the demonic corpse roared again, drawing in nearby demonic energy. Its body swelled by a foot before it spat a jet-black beam toward the firebird.

**”BOOM!”**

A deafening explosion rocked the abyss as tri-colored and black energies clashed, locked in a stalemate.

Han Li’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

The Tri-Colored Feather Fan’s power was such that even late Nascent Soul cultivators dared not face it head-on. Though he had only used a fraction of its strength, for a mid-Nascent Soul entity to withstand it was astonishing.

His eyes narrowed as he watched.

After a flicker of runes, the tri-colored radiance slowly overwhelmed the black energy, devouring it before rolling toward the demonic corpse.

The corpse, undeterred, inhaled more demonic energy, preparing another blast.

Han Li’s expression darkened. With a thunderous crack, azure-and-white wings unfurled from his back—his refined Wind Lightning Wings.

Without moving a limb, the wings flapped, and he vanished in a gust of wind.

A moment later, a flash of green lightning appeared behind the corpse. Han Li materialized silently, thrusting a fist forward.

A massive fist of azure light materialized, slamming into the corpse’s back.

**”Bang!”**

The corpse was sent flying—straight into the tri-colored flames.

Panicked roars erupted as black demonic energy surged from its body, attempting to resist the inferno.

But under Han Li’s cold gaze, the flames rapidly consumed the energy before dissolving the corpse itself.

In moments, the tri-colored runes engulfed it entirely.

Han Li’s eyes glinted coldly. With a twist of the fan, he prepared to disperse the flames and seize the Second Nascent Soul.

But then—

The tri-colored radiance shuddered violently. A burst of crimson light erupted from within, tearing a hole through the flames.

A streak of black shot out, flashing several times before halting thirty yards above.

Han Li’s gaze sharpened.

Within the black light hovered a dark-green Nascent Soul clutching a black banner—none other than the Second Nascent Soul itself.

It turned, casting a cold, lucid glance at Han Li—its sanity fully restored.

Han Li had no time to ponder. With a hum, his wings flapped, and he vanished once more.

The Second Nascent Soul’s face paled. It hurled the banner beneath itself, forming hand seals before jabbing a finger downward.

The Yin Luo Banner—once repaired by Han Li himself—spun wildly before exploding with a deafening roar.

Countless black threads erupted, weaving into a vast net that enveloped the area for miles.

With a long cry, the Second Nascent Soul shot skyward without a backward glance.

Below the net, a green arc flickered as Han Li reappeared.

He glanced at the black web overhead, then at the vanishing Nascent Soul, his eyes icy.

With a flick of his sleeve, a blinding golden streak slashed at the threads—but the net merely trembled, unbroken.

Frowning, Han Li pointed at the golden light.

A layer of golden lightning crackled around it before it struck again.

**”Boom!”**

This time, the net tore open.

Without hesitation, Han Li leaped through the gap, transforming into a green streak in pursuit.

Meanwhile, at the abyss’s surface exit, dozens of cultivators stood in formation around the seal, gripping array flags and disks.

Their faces were grave, their tools glowing with activated power.

Suddenly—

A thunderous crash echoed from the white seal. A massive black sword, dozens of feet long, pierced through, slicing open a gap.

A streak of black light shot out.