Over the past few decades, Han Li would consume a Dragon Scale Fruit stored in his pouch at regular intervals. His strength had long surpassed the limits achievable by human realm cultivators.
Back when he transplanted the Dragon Scale Fruit to the Fallen Demon Valley, the humanoid puppet initially delivered spiritual medicines to the mustard seed space, including this fruit.
However, Han Li did not consume it daily but rather ingested one every half month. Although the fruit’s medicinal properties were mild, if not fully absorbed and refined in time, the accumulated effects over time would be unbearable even for him, despite having cultivated the King Ming Art to the third layer.
As for the Golden Flood Dragon King’s claim that daily consumption was possible, it was due to the flood dragon race’s far superior physique compared to ordinary demonic beasts.
During his seclusion, Han Li focused on breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, leaving little time to refine the fruit. Thus, after consuming it for just over a decade, he stopped and devoted himself entirely to mastering the Green Origin Sword Art.
Before heading to the Five Dragon Seas this time, he deliberately filled a storage pouch with the ripened Dragon Scale Fruits.
Over the years, he traveled across the human realm while consuming the fruit and practicing the unintentionally acquired “Bone Tempering Art” to refine its medicinal power.
To his astonishment, the combination of the Bone Tempering Art and the Dragon Scale Fruit yielded unexpectedly remarkable results. The seemingly difficult technique advanced rapidly, allowing him to master several layers within just a few decades.
Now, upon internal inspection, his bones had thickened by more than a full circle and taken on a faint golden hue, strikingly similar to the color of his skin when circulating the King Ming Art.
In terms of strength, without using any spiritual power, he could effortlessly lift a ten-thousand-pound boulder with one hand, showing no strain.
Even more surprising was the discovery that the Dragon Scale Fruit also greatly enhanced his King Ming Art cultivation. While practicing the Bone Tempering Art, he unknowingly advanced the King Ming Art to the fourth layer.
This left him marveling, and he privately speculated that the Bone Tempering Art might have some connection to the Brahma Sage True Slabs—perhaps even being a derivative technique based on the King Ming Art.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t exhibit such complementary synergy with the King Ming Art.
With the fourth layer of the King Ming Art mastered, he could now practice several esoteric Buddhist techniques recorded in the art. These techniques, combined with the King Ming Art, were extraordinarily powerful, significantly boosting his abilities.
When consuming the Dragon Scale Fruit, Han Li naturally concealed the Void Heaven Cauldron to prevent the child spirit from discovering his secret.
If he frequently took out the fruit, the child would undoubtedly grow suspicious.
“Speaking of which, it’s odd that the Great Yuan Magnetic Light turned gray upon mastery. I initially expected it to manifest in five colors. Once mastered, this technique allows control over the five elemental magnetic forces, suppressing treasures of the five elements. Its power will grow with your cultivation, eliminating the need for further dedicated training. It’s an exceptionally rare ability—even cultivators a tier above you would struggle against it,” the child abruptly shifted the topic to the Great Yuan Magnetic Light.
“I also didn’t expect it to become so inconspicuous. During cultivation, it indeed emitted five-colored light before this strange transformation upon mastery,” Han Li stroked his chin, equally puzzled.
This had bothered him for years, but he kept it to himself. Now that the child brought it up, he couldn’t help but ponder.
“Ha, this technique was created by cultivators of this realm. Any anomalies are hardly surprising,” the child chuckled.
“That’s a fair point. As long as its power remains undiminished, a color change is irrelevant,” Han Li smiled wryly.
“Good that you see it that way. It seems you’re truly preparing to ascend to the Spirit Realm soon. In that case, I won’t accompany you back to the Five Dragon Seas. Let’s part ways here.”
As the child spoke, a streak of azure light shot from Han Li’s sleeve, hovering mid-air—the Void Heaven Cauldron.
With a clear chime, the cauldron’s lid cracked open, releasing a wisp of gray mist that coalesced into the child, standing a few feet tall.
“You can leave the cauldron already? I thought you hadn’t fully recovered yet,” Han Li feigned surprise.
“I haven’t been idle these years. The remaining restraints can no longer bind me,” the child replied smugly.
“I see. You plan to stay here? Why not return to the Heavenly Grasslands or elsewhere? This so-called ‘continent’ is just a large island, hardly comparable to proper cultivation lands,” Han Li inquired calmly.
“I’m merely a contingency plan of my Spirit Realm self. Resources mean nothing to me now. I chose to stay because I recently detected a kin’s presence—albeit impure in bloodline—and wish to meet them,” the child explained leisurely.
“A kin? Congratulations, Heavenly Grassland Fellow,” Han Li said after a brief pause.
“Ha, I never expected to encounter kin in the human realm. With that, I’ll take my leave.” The child clasped his fists, transforming into a gray-white demonic mist that vanished into the horizon.
The departure was swift, without hesitation.
Han Li watched the disappearing mist, unmoving for a long while.
“With this demon’s presence, this realm may not remain peaceful. But what does that matter to me?” he murmured eventually before soaring away as a green streak.
Two years later, above the misty seas of the Five Dragon Seas, a green streak pierced the horizon and vanished into the fog.
When Han Li’s long cry echoed over the island, over a dozen figures emerged.
Han Li’s eyes glinted coldly until he spotted a familiar, graceful figure among them. His expression softened, and genuine joy flickered across his face.
“Husband, you’ve finally returned,” the figure—Nangong Wan—flew to him, her radiant smile outshining flowers.
“I have. But Wan’er, why are you here? I planned to return to the Chaotic Star Seas soon.”
“Unsettled by the spatial node, I had to see for myself. I arrived decades ago,” she replied with a coy smile.
“Decades ago? Right after I left?” Han Li chuckled wryly.
“Exactly. I met Fellow Daoist Feng shortly after you departed. We’ve since become close friends,” Nangong Wan said mischievously.
Han Li was speechless.
“Let’s continue on the island,” she suggested, glancing around.
Han Li nodded, and they descended together, surrounded by the other cultivators, into a pavilion.
Once seated, Nangong Wan dismissed the others, leaving only Tian Qin’er standing respectfully.
“Qin’er, how is your Dragon Chant Body?” Han Li asked.
“Thanks to Master’s guidance and Senior Feng’s gift of Cold Essence, it’s fully resolved. I’m preparing to attempt Core Formation,” Tian Qin’er replied gratefully.
“Good. This is your fortune, and my efforts weren’t in vain,” Han Li smiled.
“Qin’er, summon Fellow Daoist Feng. Tell her your master has returned with urgent matters,” Nangong Wan instructed gently.
Tian Qin’er bowed and left.
Once alone, Han Li turned a questioning gaze to Nangong Wan.
“I heard you sought methods to survive the spatial node. Did you find anything?” she asked, her eyes shimmering.
“Not entirely fruitless, but the results are disappointing,” Han Li admitted grimly.
“Then partnering with Fellow Daoist Feng is your best hope. With two Heaven-reaching Spiritual Treasures and mastery of the Great Yuan Magnetic Light, you’re unmatched. Also, I have a defensive treasure for you to refine,” she said solemnly.
“Treasure? What is it?” Han Li asked curiously.
Before she could answer, footsteps sounded.
A silver-robed woman—the Ice Phoenix—entered silently.
“Fellow Daoist Feng, please join us. My husband and I were just discussing collaborating to enter the node,” Nangong Wan greeted warmly.
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