Back then, he had unintentionally nurtured the Golden Lightning Bamboo and forged seventy-two Emerald Swarm Swords, enabling him to wield the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning within the swords against enemies. Yet he had never imagined that this lightning held such a grand origin and that there were special techniques for wielding it.
If what these abyssal demons said was true—that the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning was one of the Five Elemental True Lightnings of the Spirit Realm, hailed as the “Supreme Wood Divine Lightning,” with power that could increase tenfold—then its might would be truly unimaginable, instantly becoming one of his deadliest trump cards.
However, while the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning was indeed a boon, the prospect of venturing into the Netherworld River and witnessing these demon kings mass-producing ghost soldiers and puppets suggested immense risks. A single misstep could cost him his life.
Fortunately, judging by their tone, they still needed six or seven years to prepare, giving him ample time to carefully consider how to avoid such peril.
Reuniting with Yuan Yao here was no small stroke of fate.
Back then, Yuan Yao had willingly shattered her Golden Core to resurrect Yan Li, an act worthy of admiration. But after so many years, whether she remained as devoted to loyalty and righteousness was uncertain.
After all, human hearts are ever-changing. Yet Yuan Yao seemed reluctant to reveal their past acquaintance, which secretly relieved him.
Though impersonating a Feiling tribesman wasn’t something he needed to hide, Han Li still preferred to keep his true origins concealed from these abyssal demon kings.
Han Li silently pondered. As he thought of Yuan Yao, his mind meticulously recalled their past encounters.
When he remembered stumbling upon her bathing in a spiritual spring within the Void Heaven Hall’s hidden chamber, the flawless image of her body flashed through his mind, stirring a ripple in his heart.
But immediately, the figure of Nangong Wan emerged in his heart, vivid and clear, filling his entire being.
So many years had passed—if all had gone well, she should have reached the Deity Transformation stage in the human realm by now.
He wondered when he would reunite with his beloved wife in the Spirit Realm.
Nangong Wan’s voice and face swirled in Han Li’s mind, and scenes of their time together in the Southern Sky surfaced one after another.
A faint smile appeared on Han Li’s face as he immersed himself in warm memories.
After a long while, when Nangong Wan’s image gradually faded, another stunningly beautiful face emerged in his thoughts, pulling him back into the past…
After an unknown length of time, he let out a long sigh and finally snapped out of his reverie, his expression turning wry.
Who would have thought that reminiscing about Yuan Yao would unsettle his mind for so long? Fortunately, no hostile observers were nearby, or it could have been dangerous.
But since he couldn’t leave the abyss immediately, there would be plenty of opportunities to reconnect with Yuan Yao. There was no need to rush.
Han Li slowly contemplated, his expression thoughtful once more…
Three days later, standing before a small hill, he gazed at the eerie, translucent green stone wall, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.
“This is my Wood Essence Cave, where I cultivate in seclusion. The density of wood spiritual energy here is rare even in the entire Spirit Realm. Those cultivating wood-attribute techniques can achieve several times the usual efficiency,” Mu Qing declared proudly.
When Han Li arrived as instructed three days later, she led him over several mountains and through a mist filled with restrictions before finally stopping in this strange place.
It was far from their previous dwelling—an unexpected location for her cultivation site.
Yet the smooth, mirror-like green stone wall showed no sign of a cave.
Han Li scanned it repeatedly with his spiritual sense but found nothing unusual, his expression turning odd.
Mu Qing stepped forward and lightly brushed the wall with her hand.
A flash of green light later, the wall silently split open, revealing an emerald-green passage leading inward.
The entrance was sealed by a green barrier, with mysterious runes faintly glowing on the surrounding stone.
Han Li was stunned.
How had his powerful spiritual sense failed to detect this passage?
It seemed these abyssal demon kings possessed unfathomable abilities—he would need to be extra cautious.
A chill ran down Han Li’s spine.
Mu Qing stepped into the passage effortlessly, the barrier posing no obstacle.
After a brief hesitation, Han Li followed.
The barrier didn’t hinder him either, likely due to Mu Qing’s earlier actions.
Shortly after they entered, the wall shimmered, and the passage vanished.
Soon after, the entire green wall dimmed, appearing utterly ordinary.
Meanwhile, Han Li followed Mu Qing through the passage for a long while before emerging into a small hall.
The hall was empty save for seven or eight corridors leading elsewhere. Yet Han Li could sense the dense spiritual energy emanating from the ground and walls, filling him with mixed emotions.
On one hand, the rich wood spiritual energy meant mastering the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning within two years might be possible. On the other, Mu Qing’s willingness to share such a sacred site showed her determination to keep him under her control. Escaping her grasp later would be no easy feat.
“Follow me. I’ll arrange your quarters. For the next two years, you’ll stay here without leaving the Wood Essence Cave. I’ve set up formidable restrictions—without my permission, you won’t be able to leave,” Mu Qing said coolly, exuding confidence.
Han Li’s lips twitched, but he remained silent, following her into another passage.
Passing through a garden of exotic flowers, they reached a pale-yellow metal door. Mu Qing stopped.
“This is one of my meditation chambers. You may use it temporarily. Starting tomorrow, I’ll instruct you on the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning every seven days. Meet me in the hall at noon each time. You may enter now. I’ll be in another chamber. Aside from restricted areas, you’re free to explore,” she said generously.
“Many thanks for your generosity, Venerable!” Han Li quickly expressed his gratitude.
With a final glance, Mu Qing turned and left.
Only after she disappeared around a corner did Han Li sigh and push open the metal door, stepping inside.
…
Time flew. A year passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, an unusual phenomenon appeared above the seemingly ordinary hill shrouded in mist.
Dark clouds gathered at low altitude, crackling with green lightning as thunder rumbled ominously, as if a fearsome beast were awakening within.
Suddenly, a black magic circle over thirty feet wide materialized atop the hill. With a flash of dark light, two figures emerged—one cloaked in black radiance, slender and graceful, the other in a green robe, youthful in appearance.
Mu Qing and Han Li!
The moment they appeared, the thunder intensified, the clouds churning violently as countless green lightning arcs crackled with terrifying force.
Mu Qing glanced upward and remarked calmly,
“How fortuitous—your heavenly tribulation arrives now. But with the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning and your preliminary grasp of its techniques, this level of tribulation should be manageable. Use it to refine your control. It will greatly benefit your mastery of the lightning. Do your best.”
With that, the magic circle beneath her flashed, and she vanished.
In an instant, Han Li stood alone atop the hill. He could only smile wryly.
His second minor heavenly tribulation in the Spirit Realm had arrived unexpectedly.
Fortunately, he had been taking Dust-Dispelling Pills, nearly exhausting his supply. This tribulation was no longer the terrifying two-colored lightning but ordinary green heavenly thunder.
Still, Han Li dared not relax. This was his second tribulation, after all.
He opened his mouth, spitting out a small cyan cauldron, while gray radiance unfurled from the back of his head, forming a protective barrier around him.
With a low shout, he clenched his fists, and golden lightning erupted from his body, surging skyward to form a crackling net of electricity.
Meanwhile, the green lightning above grew denser and brighter until, with an earth-shaking roar, countless arcs descended upon him.
Thumb-thick green serpents of lightning rained down, crashing into the golden net.
Han Li’s eyes gleamed as he formed a hand seal. The net shimmered with golden runes, swirling into vortex-like halos.
A bizarre sight unfolded—the green lightning vanished upon contact, as if swallowed by the golden light.
Within moments, most of the arcs were absorbed, while the rest deflected with thunderous explosions.
The first wave of heavenly thunder was effortlessly deflected without Han Li so much as blinking.
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