The nearby high-ranking beings shuddered at the sound, exchanged glances, and most swiftly retreated in haste.
However, a few from both races hesitated briefly, but under the cold, stern gazes of the silver-haired elder and others, they had no choice but to awkwardly withdraw as well.
“Hmph, these fools actually dared to compete with Fellow Daoist Han for the world’s spiritual energy at such a time. Truly blinded by greed,” the silver-haired elder snorted disdainfully.
“It’s understandable. Fellow Daoist Han’s successful breakthrough to the late stage has drawn the purest spiritual energy of this realm. If they could secretly absorb even a fraction, it would be immensely beneficial,” Golden Zen Master chuckled lightly.
“Yet doing so might slightly affect Fellow Daoist Han’s soul reconstruction. Though the impact is negligible, I wouldn’t want him to harbor any dissatisfaction,” the silver-haired elder said slowly, his gaze fixed on the distant colossal phantom, his expression complex.
“That’s true. These fellows fail to consider that if Fellow Daoist Han were to encounter even the slightest mishap during his soul reconstruction, he would never let them off for taking advantage. Regardless, Fellow Daoist Han’s successful breakthrough to the late Body Integration stage is a tremendous boon for our city. Even now, I feel as if I’m dreaming. Though I had some confidence in him, I never imagined he could overcome such a devastating tribulation so smoothly,” Golden Zen Master sighed.
“Fellow Daoist Han advanced from early to late Body Integration in mere centuries. Compared to him, I feel as though I’ve wasted my years. He may very well become our race’s next Great Ascension cultivator!” The silver-haired elder stroked his beard, his expression grave.
“Indeed, with such astonishing talent, it’s not impossible. However, while advancing to late Body Integration is already an immense challenge, it pales in comparison to reaching the Great Ascension stage. Fellow Daoist Han merely has a sliver of hope,” Golden Zen Master mused before speaking solemnly.
“Naturally. But even a sliver of hope means the possibility of true immortality and ascension. Unlike us, who have long lost that path and can only await our inevitable end,” the silver-haired elder said, his expression darkening.
“Fellow Daoist Gu, there’s no need to dwell on it. Since ancient times, few in our human race have ever reached the Great Ascension stage. That we have Senior Mo Jianli in our generation is already a blessing,” Golden Zen Master murmured, reciting a Buddhist chant.
“Heh, I didn’t expect the master to be so enlightened. But you’re not wrong. Even if one reaches Great Ascension, the final hurdle of ascension remains. I’ve heard that occasionally, some foreign races have mighty figures who succeed in ascending, but our two races have no records of any predecessors achieving it. True ascension is no simple feat!” The silver-haired elder glanced sidelong at the monk and chuckled.
“Among our two races, the few recorded predecessors who attempted ascension all vanished without a trace, unwilling to let outsiders witness their tribulations. Perhaps one or two truly succeeded without perishing,” Golden Zen Master said hopefully.
“Perhaps. But whether true or not, it’s irrelevant to our current situation. For now, let us depart as well. If Fellow Daoist Han were to misunderstand our lingering, it could prove troublesome,” the silver-haired elder said dismissively, glancing once more at the distant phantom, now towering at three thousand zhang, his eyes flickering with awe.
Golden Zen Master naturally agreed, and the two soared into the sky, transforming into streaks of light as they retreated.
In the distance, the colossal phantom continued to voraciously absorb the surrounding spiritual energy, its influence expanding until it drained nearly half of Sky Abyss City’s energy like a funnel. The phantom swelled to five thousand zhang, visible to all residents of the city, stirring varying degrees of shock and unrest.
Not only could the city’s human and demon inhabitants clearly see Han Li’s soul phantom, but even nearby demon fortresses and towers could vaguely perceive the spectacle and keenly sense the turbulent spiritual energy.
In the tallest demon tower, a delicate youth clad in blood-red robes stood by the window, gazing toward Sky Abyss City, his crimson eyes flickering.
“This aura… unmistakably, someone has advanced to late Body Integration. Hmph, this complicates matters slightly. The sheer magnitude suggests this is no ordinary late-stage cultivator. It seems we’ll need to assign someone specifically to deal with him during the upcoming assault,” the youth murmured after a moment, narrowing his eyes. He was none other than the final incarnation of the Blood Light Saint Ancestor, commanding the demon forces in the Spirit Realm.
“Blood Light, what’s one late-stage Body Integration cultivator? If you’re worried, leave him to me. Heh, you summoned me from afar precisely to handle such nuisances, didn’t you?” A burly man seated nearby, clad only in a silver beast pelt around his waist, tore into a bloody beast leg with his teeth, speaking indistinctly.
Though his features were ruggedly handsome, his bulging muscles and bronze skin exuded a ferocious aura, like a beast of prey.
“No need for Brother Xiong to intervene yet. I called you here to deal with another, far more troublesome individual. But I can’t confirm if he’s returned to Sky Abyss City. If he’s absent, then this late-stage cultivator can be left to you,” the blood-robed youth replied calmly, turning away from the window.
Despite the man’s late-stage Body Integration cultivation, Blood Light treated him as an equal, even showing clear wariness.
“Oh? You won’t even let me handle this obviously exceptional late-stage cultivator? Is your target even more formidable?” The man’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“Likely more troublesome. I don’t know the details, only that my three incarnations pursued him twice. The first attempt failed, and the second… all three perished inexplicably,” Blood Light said, frowning.
“What?! How is that possible? Now that you mention it, I recall others mentioning you once descended three incarnations simultaneously. How could they all be slain in this realm? Is your target one of the human or demon race’s Great Ascension beings?” The man tossed aside his half-eaten leg, his expression darkening.
“Rest easy, Brother Xiong. Even if I wanted you to face a Great Ascension cultivator, it would only be after you’ve reached that stage yourself. My target is a human mid-stage Body Integration cultivator. His abilities are extraordinary—ordinary late-stage cultivators are no match for him. My three incarnations likely fell to him. You, hailed as the foremost demon sovereign beneath the Saint Ancestors, are the perfect candidate to eliminate him,” Blood Light explained.
“Flattery won’t work. If he truly slew three of your incarnations, his strength can’t be far from mine. My price doubles, or I won’t lift a finger,” the man declared after a moment’s thought, stroking his chin.
“Agreed. But all his belongings must be handed to me,” Blood Light replied without hesitation.
“So, either he possesses a treasure you covet, or something you desperately need. Otherwise, you wouldn’t yield so easily. Fine, the original reward was generous, and doubling it ensures I won’t eye any spoils. It’s settled. I look forward to testing this human’s mettle. A battle like this should be exhilarating. I hope the day comes soon,” the man grinned, cracking his knuckles with a series of pops.
His gleaming teeth and predatory aura made him resemble a beast ready to pounce.
Blood Light seemed pleased with his reaction and nodded. “I trusted your reputation, Brother Xiong, which is why I summoned you at great cost. The assault on Sky Abyss City nears. Rest and recover from your dimensional travel. You’ll need your full strength for this foe.”
“Such minor exertion means nothing. Since you’ve nothing else for me, I’ll roam around for amusement. This is the Spirit Realm—surely you Saint Ancestors won’t restrict me here?” The man’s face twisted with bloodlust.
“Of course not. In foreign lands, you’re free to act as you please,” Blood Light replied with a forced laugh.
The man roared with laughter, striding out without another word.
Blood Light watched him leave, shaking his head with a trace of resignation.
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