Chapter 1716: Balance and Breaking Through the Door

“However, Brother Han’s abilities are the greatest among the three of us. When we break the restrictions of the main hall later, we hope you can contribute more effort.” Upon hearing the woman’s words, Shi Kun’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly smiled as he spoke.

“Greatest abilities? I dare not claim that. But rest assured, I will do my utmost when the time comes.” Han Li nodded slightly, his expression unchanged as he responded.

Seeing Han Li agree so readily, Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun exchanged glances, visibly relaxing.

Though both were proud and arrogant individuals, after the ordeal on the mountain path and forcibly dispelling the illusion, their mana had already been depleted by nearly half.

Without the assistance of Han Li, whose abilities were unfathomable, breaking the restrictions of the main hall would not be something they could accomplish in a short time.

They also weren’t worried that Han Li would suddenly turn hostile after breaking the restrictions. After all, when they left this realm, they would reappear in Yun City. With Cai Liuying and Duan Tianren waiting there, they had no reason to fear any repercussions.

If this were just an ordinary treasure hunt, given the various abilities Han Li had displayed along the way, the two would have long been wary and guarded against him, not merely harboring a bit of envy.

That said, if Han Li hadn’t demonstrated such overwhelming strength, whether the two would have honored their promise to split the remaining treasures after obtaining what Cai Liuying and Duan Tianren sought was another matter entirely.

Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun feared Han Li’s abilities, knowing that even combined, they might not be his match. Naturally, they wouldn’t dare to provoke him.

Though Han Li was confident he could kill both of them alone, he had no intention of breaking his word, as it might affect his future state of mind and invite inner demons. Moreover, he was wary of Cai Liuying and Duan Tianren’s presence and thus refrained from any ulterior motives.

Under these circumstances, the three maintained a fragile balance.

However, considering the Jiaochi Clan was also lurking nearby, the sooner they obtained the treasures, the better.

This was why Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun, despite knowing the main hall’s restrictions were formidable, had attempted to break them immediately after dispelling the illusion. Yet the restrictions proved even stronger than they anticipated, destroying Shi Kun’s fire hammer and Liu Shui’er’s precious mirror in an instant.

Though these weren’t their most powerful treasures, they were among the most frequently used and reliable.

Their destruction naturally frustrated them, which was why they immediately sought Han Li’s help upon his arrival.

“Fairy Liu, Fellow Daoist Shi! I don’t mind contributing, but surely the two seniors prepared special means for you to break the restrictions. To avoid wasting mana, we should aim to succeed in one attempt. Please bring out any special treasures you have.” Han Li’s expression suddenly turned solemn.

Upon hearing this, Shi Kun looked momentarily stunned, while Liu Shui’er’s eyes flickered slightly.

“No problem. Since Brother Han has spoken, I won’t hold back. I have a set of magic tools particularly effective against restrictions and will assist with all my strength.” After a pause, Liu Shui’er smiled sweetly.

“I have no objections either. The sooner we retrieve the treasures, the sooner we can each go our separate ways. I still need to find a place to seclude myself and break through my bottleneck. I’ll also use a restriction-breaking talisman bestowed by my master.” After a brief hesitation, Shi Kun spoke up.

Satisfied, Han Li strode forward without another word, heading toward the main hall’s entrance. Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun flanked him, following closely.

The three stopped about ten zhang away from the hall’s doors.

Han Li swept his gaze over the doors and took a deep breath. Having broken restrictions in the herb garden before, he felt somewhat confident against the purple lightning here.

Facing these nearly indestructible purple arcs, the first attacker would inevitably bear the brunt of the counterstrike. If he could withstand it, breaking the restrictions afterward would be straightforward.

With this in mind, black mist roiled around Han Li as the Heavenly Devil Armor reappeared, covered in layers of black runes that obscured most of his figure. With a long cry, golden light erupted around him, and a three-headed, six-armed golden phantom emerged behind him. Han Li formed a hand seal, and the phantom’s body gleamed as if coated in gold.

“Golden Body Dharma Form!” Liu Shui’er, well-versed in such matters, gasped in shock upon recognizing the astonishing form of the Brahma Saint Dharma Form.

Shi Kun’s expression also shifted repeatedly, filled with astonishment.

While many high-level techniques could manifest Dharma Forms at certain stages, condensing one into a golden body was exceedingly rare.

Not only were the required techniques scarce, but the materials needed were also incredibly rare and difficult to gather.

Had Han Li not stumbled upon several key materials by chance, he would never have succeeded.

Though stunned, Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun held their breaths, watching Han Li’s next move intently.

Without hesitation, Han Li flipped his hand, summoning a small black mountain, which he hurled forward.

The mountain swelled to over ten zhang in size, crashing toward the main hall’s doors.

A thunderous boom echoed as countless purple arcs erupted from the doors, weaving into a net of lightning.

Despite the mountain’s immense weight, the lightning net held it firmly in place.

Simultaneously, several electric serpents shot from the doors, darting toward Han Li with menacing speed.

Han Li remained expressionless, merely narrowing his eyes.

In an instant, the golden body flashed before him, its six arms moving in a blur to intercept the purple serpents.

Golden light clashed with purple lightning, but the golden hands emerged unscathed. The arms twisted, seizing the serpents.

With a low shout, Han Li clenched the golden body’s fingers, crushing the serpents into dissipating sparks. Yet more arcs shot forth, only to meet the same fate.

Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun, both awed and delighted, seized the opportunity to act.

Shi Kun spat out a silver talisman, which shot toward the doors as a streak of light.

Liu Shui’er flicked her sleeve, releasing three golden short halberds that whistled through the air.

The silver light and golden halberds struck the purple lightning almost simultaneously.

The talisman vanished into the lightning, while the halberds embedded themselves in the net, forming a triangle and absorbing much of its power.

The once-formidable net dimmed, its might greatly reduced.

Shi Kun chanted, pointing at the doors.

A muffled pop echoed as a white lotus bloomed on the doors, pristine as snow. It swelled from fist-sized to the size of a head in moments.

Despite the purple arcs’ frenzy, they couldn’t harm the illusory flower, which continued expanding until it covered a third of the doors.

“Explode!” Shi Kun snarled, activating the technique.

The lotus trembled before detonating with a deafening roar.

A blinding white sphere engulfed the doors, its brilliance overwhelming.

When the light faded, the doors reappeared, pockmarked and battered but not destroyed. Purple light flickered as the damage rapidly healed, though the arcs had been temporarily wiped away.

Freed from restraint, the black mountain circled back, swelling further before crashing into the doors unimpeded.

A resounding boom echoed as the weakened doors shattered under the mountain’s might.

The mountain vanished into the hall, and Han Li, elated, waved his sleeve, dismissing the golden body.

Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun darted past him, stopping at the entrance, their expressions oddly conflicted.

“Brother Shi, my master was clear. The ‘Void Spirit Pills’ in the main hall must be secured. You may take the rest for Senior Duan.” After a long silence, Liu Shui’er spoke softly.