However, such immortal techniques require a considerable amount of time to cultivate and are not something that can yield immediate results. Therefore, there is no need to begin practicing them right away.
Han Li extended his divine sense into the two jade slips, carefully reviewing their contents once more. After silently contemplating for a while and confirming there were no further issues, he stored the two jade slips away and slowly closed his eyes.
He intended to first adjust his physical and spiritual state, as well as his mana, to its peak condition before beginning the refinement of the “Heavenly Halberd Talisman.”
With this talisman in hand, he believed that even if unexpected events occurred during the upcoming battle, he would have more than enough means to protect himself.
Of course, Han Li’s confidence in agreeing to confront the Blood Light Sacred Ancestor’s avatar did not rely solely on this.
Given the current strength of his divine sense, he could now barely manage to command the swarm of immature Gold Devouring Beetles in battle.
Releasing thousands of these beetles at once would undoubtedly overwhelm even the avatar of a Sacred Ancestor of the demon race, unless they were prepared in advance.
Moreover, he was about to begin practicing the divine abilities recorded in the “True Devilish Saint Art,” each of which was extraordinary and would surely give his opponents a nasty surprise.
Additionally, with the aid of the Leopard Kirin Beast and the still-evolving Gold Devouring Beetle Kings, he was confident that not only could he face the avatar of a Sacred Ancestor, but even the true form of a Sacred Ancestor would find it difficult to overpower him.
With these thoughts in mind, Han Li relaxed his divine sense, gradually clearing his mind of all distractions as he entered deep meditation.
For a time, the secret chamber remained utterly silent. Then, a faint buzzing sound emerged, occasionally punctuated by thunderous booms that shook the entire room.
Half a month later, a piercing shriek erupted from the chamber, followed by a golden beam of light that shot through the ceiling and appeared high above the stone tower where Han Li resided.
The golden pillar of light shimmered with spiritual radiance, towering thousands of feet high and as thick as a water vat. At its apex hovered a massive, shadowy halberd, emitting an astonishing hum.
Even more wondrous was the sight of countless silver lights flickering around the halberd’s silhouette—thousands of silver runes dancing in the air.
From a distance, it appeared profoundly mysterious and arcane.
The next moment, the halberd’s shadow abruptly ceased its shrieking and erupted with blinding golden light. Simultaneously, an indescribably terrifying wave of energy burst forth, sweeping outward in all directions.
Wherever this wave passed, golden specks of light flickered into existence in the void.
These specks, no larger than grains of rice but countless in number, surged toward the pillar like a tidal wave.
Each speck emitted an incredibly pure metallic spiritual energy, drawn from a radius of tens of thousands of miles—enough to deplete all the metallic spiritual energy in such a vast area.
Not only that, but cultivators meditating in their residences and armored guards patrolling the skies nearby found their metal-based armor and weapons trembling unnaturally. The metallic spiritual energy within them began to leak out uncontrollably, transforming into golden specks that rushed toward the same destination.
The cultivators were naturally alarmed and tried every means to suppress the anomalies in their treasures. Yet, whether through secret techniques or talismanic seals, the loss of metallic spiritual energy proved unstoppable.
Within moments, nearly half of the spiritual energy in their treasures had dissipated, leaving them dim and weakened.
If this continued, the treasures would inevitably be destroyed.
The cultivators were terrified but could do nothing but watch helplessly.
Just as the situation seemed beyond control, the halberd’s shadow within the pillar trembled, and the eerie fluctuations abruptly ceased.
The massive pillar of light flashed once before collapsing inward, vanishing without a trace along with the shadow.
At the same time, the metallic spiritual energy in the cultivators’ treasures stabilized, returning to normal.
For them, if not for the obvious weakening of their treasures, the entire incident might have seemed like a dream.
Many exchanged bewildered glances.
Naturally, such a spectacular phenomenon occurring near Han Li’s residence could not escape the notice of nearby cultivators. They assumed that the senior was refining some extraordinary treasure, requiring an immense infusion of metallic spiritual energy, hence the earlier spectacle.
Though shocked and dismayed, none dared to confront a late-stage Body Integration cultivator about it. Those whose treasures had suffered damage could only resign themselves to their misfortune.
Golden Zen Master and the other elders of the Elder Council, though not witnessing the phenomenon firsthand, soon received reports.
While slightly surprised, they dismissed it as trivial and did not bother to inquire further.
By now, the demon army outside the city was mobilizing with increasing frequency. The prelude to war was palpable to every cultivator in Sky Abyss City.
Under such circumstances, the high-ranking figures had no time to spare for such minor matters.
Two months later, within the secret chamber, Han Li sat cross-legged, his body shimmering with golden light. His eyes were closed, but his hands were pressed together before his chest, clasping a gold-and-silver talisman.
Above his head, the shadow of a three-headed, six-armed dharma form hovered in the air.
The three faces, eerily resembling Han Li’s, were exceptionally clear, each displaying a distinct expression—joy, anger, and sorrow. The six arms were raised, each palm cradling the faint silhouette of a golden artifact.
These artifacts—hammers, staffs, and maces—were all bathed in golden radiance, appearing as solid as real objects, their surfaces adorned with intricate silver runes.
Some emitted the sound of wind and thunder, others hummed faintly, while others pulsed with fluctuating light. Each clearly possessed terrifying power and unique abilities.
Suddenly, Han Li’s expression shifted. A golden flash later, the gold-and-silver talisman silently vanished from his hands, and his eyes snapped open.
At the same time, the three-headed, six-armed dharma form merged back into his body.
A streak of red light shot into the chamber from outside, circling once before landing in Han Li’s palm.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, studying the red light for a moment before extending his divine sense beyond the chamber.
His vast divine sense swept through every level of the stone tower before settling on the topmost hall.
“If she’s come in person, it seems the demons have begun their assault. Otherwise, they wouldn’t disturb my seclusion so casually,” Han Li murmured thoughtfully, his expression turning grave.
With a clap of his hands, the red light dissipated.
After a brief pause, he rose from the meditation mat and, in a flash of azure light, flew out of the chamber.
In the grand hall atop the stone tower, a silver-robed woman waited anxiously.
Qi Lingzi, Hai Dasha, and Bing Feng stood by respectfully.
The woman was none other than Silverlight Fairy, a close acquaintance of Han Li’s. Her brows were furrowed, and she frequently glanced toward the hall’s entrance.
“Senior, rest assured. I’ve already sent a message to Master. He will arrive shortly,” Qi Lingzi said deferentially.
“Good. The demon army has already begun advancing from their fortress toward Sky Abyss City. The battle could erupt at any moment. It’s best if Brother Han arrives early. You all should accompany him. By the time you’re called to fight, the battle will likely be in its later stages, giving you a better chance of survival,” Silverlight Fairy said with a nod.
“Thank you, Senior!” Hai Dasha and Qi Lingzi exclaimed joyfully.
Bing Feng’s expression also softened with gratitude.
Just then, a flash of azure light appeared in the hall, and a figure materialized without warning.
“Fairy Silverlight, has the demon army begun their attack? Or is this another feint?” Han Li asked calmly as soon as he appeared.
“Brother Han, you’ve emerged! The demons are indeed about to launch their assault. This is no mere skirmish—their entire force, including the Blood Light Sacred Ancestor’s avatar, seems to have appeared among their ranks. Ah! Brother Han, your cultivation has advanced so much since reaching the late stage that even I can no longer discern your level,” Silverlight Fairy said, her face lighting up with joy before turning to shock as she scanned him with her divine sense.
“This minor improvement is nothing. Since the demons are moving so swiftly, let’s join Brother Gu and the others immediately. You three, come with us,” Han Li said with a faint smile, turning to his disciples.
Qi Lingzi and the others bowed in acknowledgment.
Silverlight Fairy, snapping out of her astonishment, nodded repeatedly.
The group promptly left the stone tower, flying toward the main front of the demon army.
Before long, they caught sight of Sky Abyss City’s towering walls and a massive palace-like structure floating high above the city’s interior.
Adjusting their course, they descended onto a vast platform before the palace, where thousands of high-ranking cultivators had gathered.
At the platform’s center stood a stone tower over a hundred feet tall, its summit occupied by several figures—the silver-haired elder, Golden Zen Master, and other members of the Elder Council.
Han Li had no intention of mingling with the ordinary cultivators. After instructing Qi Lingzi, Bing Feng, and the others to remain below, he and Silverlight Fairy flew toward the tower.
“Fellow Daoist Han, you’ve arrived at last! Look there—that must be the Blood Light Sacred Ancestor’s avatar leading the demon assault!” the silver-haired elder exclaimed, pointing toward the demon army outside the city.
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