“Oh… the Bai family also has a senior specializing in body-refining techniques! But I wonder which ancestor of the Bai family it is. If true, Han would truly like to pay a visit.” Upon hearing this, Han Li’s heart stirred, and he asked with evident interest.
“Our Bai family ancestor is somewhat renowned in the Sacred Realm. He has cultivated the Forging Heaven Devil Art to its peak, just one step away from the Sacred Ancestor realm, and is known as the Covering Heaven Venerable. Brother Han, have you heard of him?” Bai Yunxin replied with a faint smile.
“I must admit this is the first time I’ve heard of Venerable Covering Heaven. But to refine the body to such a level—if I could receive even a bit of guidance, it would be a great opportunity. Well, since I originally set out to travel, I might as well accompany you all to Phantom Night City in hopes of meeting Senior Bai. But when do you plan to return to your clan? If it takes too long, it might cause some trouble.” Han Li pondered briefly before replying calmly.
“Brother Han, rest assured. We ventured so deep into the wasteland solely for the Purple Spirit Fruit. Now that we’ve obtained it, there’s no reason to linger. After a few days of rest to recover our magic power, we can set off immediately.” Bai Yunxin said joyfully.
Hearing this, Han Li nodded in relief and said no more.
Under the urging of the three Bai family Void Refinement cultivators, the group found a stable hill nearby and carved out a temporary cave, where they all sat in meditation to rest.
Five days later, once the Bai family members had mostly recovered their magic power, they summoned a massive flying vessel several dozen zhang long. It carried the group of demons and Han Li, soaring through the sky toward Phantom Night City.
Several months later, above a patch of yellowish sandy soil at the edge of the wasteland, seven Nascent Soul-stage demons were locked in a fierce battle, divided into two groups.
Three of them wore yellow brocade robes, wielding three identical black flying daggers wreathed in faint black devil flames.
The other four were clad in white robes, controlling four crystalline white flying swords that swirled and unleashed blizzards of snowflakes.
The roiling devil flames and icy cold intertwined in the air, occasionally exploding into bursts of devilish energy. For a time, the seven demons fought fiercely, locked in a stalemate.
On the sandy ground below lay the corpse of a giant rat-like demon beast, over ten zhang long, its fur gleaming gold—clearly no ordinary creature.
These seven demons were clearly fighting over the beast’s corpse.
Seeing no immediate victory, a white-robed young man snorted coldly and slapped a leather pouch at his waist.
A mass of black smoke billowed out, coalescing into a majestic two-headed devil lion.
The creature stood five or six zhang tall, its body pitch-black. With both mouths gaping, countless black wind blades shot forth.
The three flying daggers, battered by the storm of wind blades, flickered wildly, allowing the four flying swords to gain the upper hand.
“A Nightmare Lion! Ning brat, how dare you bring out your clan’s guardian beast? Aren’t you afraid of suffering the torment of devil flames if it’s harmed?” The three yellow-robed demons were shocked at the sight of the two-headed lion, and a long-bearded elder among them roared angrily.
“Heh, as if you Bai family trash could harm our Ning family’s guardian beast. If you know what’s good for you, scram now. This Golden Dawn Rat is mine.” The white-robed youth who summoned the lion laughed arrogantly, seeing his side’s advantage.
The long-bearded elder’s face turned livid.
“Elder Brother, the situation is bad. Let’s retreat for now,” a yellow-robed man with a ribboned headband whispered urgently to the elder.
“I’ve been stuck at late Nascent Soul for centuries. This Golden Dawn Rat is incredibly rare—its core is crucial for my breakthrough. I beg you both to help me! If we succeed, I will never forget this kindness.” The elder’s expression flickered before finally hardening with resolve.
“What? Elder Brother, are you planning to use that forbidden clan technique? The backlash would be severe, and the consequences dire!” Another thin-faced yellow-robed man interjected in alarm.
“If I don’t break through to Spirit Transformation, my lifespan will end. I have no choice but to gamble.” The elder gritted his teeth.
“If that’s your decision, little brother will do his best to protect you.”
“Elder Brother, be careful. We’ll buy you as much time as we can.”
The other two yellow-robed demons exchanged glances before agreeing in unison.
The elder nodded gratefully.
The two yellow-robed demons stepped forward, their bodies wreathed in black smoke as their flying daggers’ flames surged, transforming into two ferocious devil pythons. Together, they barely held off the flying swords and the lion’s attacks—but their strained expressions showed they couldn’t last long.
Seizing the moment, the elder recalled his own flying dagger with a flick of his finger.
The dagger shot back like a black streak, vanishing into his body.
He then raised both hands, gripping several slender willow-leaf blades. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to plunge them into his dantian.
But just then, a flash of light appeared at the distant horizon. A massive glowing sphere materialized and streaked toward them like a rainbow, its speed far beyond the elder’s expectations.
Startled, he paused and focused his gaze.
Within the yellow light was a colossal flying vessel over ten zhang long, radiating a soft spiritual glow—clearly no ordinary demonic artifact.
At the bow stood several figures, pointing in their direction.
“The clan’s Eight Desolations Yellowwood Ship! Could it be a senior returning from the wasteland?” The elder’s face lit up with joy.
The other demons, witnessing this, also ceased fighting in surprise.
The two yellow-robed men were overjoyed, while the four white-robed demons grew uneasy, even panicked.
The ship flickered through the air, appearing above the demons in moments before halting mid-air.
A woman’s cold voice rang out from the vessel:
“Aren’t you Bai Ming and his brothers from Ninth Uncle’s line? Why are you fighting the Ning family here?”
The speaker was a beautiful young woman at the bow, flanked by a blue-robed youth and two other Void Refinement-stage demons.
It was Bai Yunxin, the three Bai family Void Refinement experts, and Han Li.
After months of travel, they had finally reached the wasteland’s edge and stumbled upon this skirmish.
Bai Yunxin immediately recognized the three Bai family members by their attire, slightly surprised.
“So it’s Grandaunt Thirteen and Uncles Fifteen and Seventeen! Your nephew Bai Ming pays his respects. These Ning family juniors tried to steal our Golden Dawn Rat. Please, Grandaunt, stand with us!” The long-bearded elder, recognizing Bai Yunxin and the others, bowed deeply in relief.
“Oh, a Golden Dawn Rat! Truly a rare beast. For you to slay it at the border is quite the fortune. As for you Ning brats—since this beast belongs to our clan, why linger? Scram!” Bai Yunxin’s gaze swept over the golden rat corpse and the four white-robed demons, her expression turning icy.
The Ning family members’ faces twisted in dismay.
The youth who summoned the lion opened his mouth to protest, but his companions clamped a hand over it and dragged him away without a word, not daring to stay a moment longer.
Bai Yunxin paid them no mind, turning to Han Li with a charming smile. “Apologies for the petty squabble, Brother Han. Now that we’re at the wasteland’s edge, Phantom Night City isn’t far. The city lies between the Phantom Howl Desert and the wasteland. In about a month, we’ll be home.”
“A month is indeed swift. But aside from Phantom Night City, I’m quite intrigued by the Phantom Howl Desert. I hear it’s one of the Sacred Realm’s most infamous forbidden zones, full of peculiarities.” Han Li replied with a faint smile.
“Ah, I didn’t expect Brother Han to take interest in the desert. For outsiders, venturing there is perilous. But if you’re truly curious, I can share more details on the way.” Bai Yunxin’s eyes sparkled as she smiled coquettishly.
“I’d be honored to hear your insights, Fairy Bai.” Han Li accepted graciously.
As the ship resumed its flight, Han Li followed Bai Yunxin to the guest cabin.
The two Bai family men, Bai Yin and Bai Ying, exchanged knowing smiles.
Meanwhile, the long-bearded elder bowed gratefully toward the departing ship before descending with his companions to butcher the Golden Dawn Rat.
As for whether the beast had truly been slain by them or the Ning family—no one cared to investigate.
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