Upon hearing this, the Long Family Ancestor merely pondered briefly before his escape light surged, shooting toward Han Li. After a few flashes, he appeared nearby with a grim expression.
Meanwhile, the feathered-robed maiden blinked her beautiful eyes rapidly, then suddenly stomped her jade foot. With a flap of her flaming wings behind her, she vanished into the void. Moments later, ripples appeared beside Han Li, and the maiden silently materialized.
As for Bai Qi, after glancing at Han Li’s words, he remained unmoved.
“Brother Han, my life is now in your hands. I hope you still have some trump cards to resist this Demon Saint. Otherwise, we’re truly just throwing eggs at a stone,” the feathered-robed maiden said with a bitter smile as soon as she appeared.
“Trump cards? Surely the two of you haven’t exhausted all yours either. Moreover, have you noticed that although this Demon Saint’s initial attacks were astonishing, his subsequent strikes have relied solely on that black dagger in his hand, without employing any other demonic techniques?” The giant ape transformed from Han Li stared at the black-robed youth across from him, speaking in a deep, resonant voice without turning his head.
“Brother Han, what do you mean by that…?” The maiden’s heart skipped a beat as she grew slightly alarmed.
“Fairy Ye, don’t forget—this is the Spirit-Confinement Land where the Spirit Cleansing Pool resides. I doubt there’s any place in the entire Demon Realm with purer spiritual energy than where we stand now. Even if he’s a Demon Saint, I refuse to believe he isn’t suppressed by the natural spiritual energy here,” the giant ape snorted coldly.
“Brother Han is right. Even when he wielded that black dagger earlier, he had to first break through the spiritual energy cage here to absorb external demonic energy for his attacks. If I’m not mistaken, this old demon can’t replenish his demonic energy directly here. Every bit he uses is lost forever. The same likely applies to his Profound Heavenly Treasure. As long as we prevent it from absorbing external demonic energy, the dagger’s inherent power alone isn’t something we can’t resist together,” the Long Family Ancestor replied calmly, his grim expression easing slightly as Han Li’s words struck a chord.
Hearing their reasoning, the maiden’s thoughts raced, and she found it logical, her fear diminishing significantly.
At this moment, the black-robed youth across from them narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled lightly upon hearing their exchange.
“Impressive, impressive! To deduce so much in such a short time—you three must be among the top-tier Human Race cultivators at the Body Integration stage. Indeed, my cultivation is somewhat suppressed on this Bitter Spirit Island, and some of my techniques and treasures aren’t easily deployable. But do you truly believe you can stop me from using my Profound Heavenly Treasure to absorb external True Demon Qi? Oh, and as for you, the Spirit Race brat—I’ve spared you until now because I sensed the aura of an old acquaintance within you. What’s the Spirit King’s purpose in sending you here? Surely not to gift me a pseudo-immortal puppet?” The black-robed youth spoke nonchalantly before his gaze shifted to Bai Qi, his tone turning icy.
Hearing this, the Long Family Ancestor and the others exchanged glances, their attention snapping to Bai Qi as well. From the start, this Spirit Race Saint had behaved peculiarly. Now that they’d decided to unite against the black-robed youth, they needed to clarify Bai Qi’s true intentions first.
Within the hazy white light, Bai Qi’s face remained indistinct, but after the black-robed youth’s words, his body flickered slightly before he finally spoke in a low voice: “When I came, the great one of our race did impart a few words and planted a Split Soul Talisman within me. Why not let him speak with you directly, Senior?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the white light around Bai Qi dimmed, revealing his true form—a middle-aged man in brocade robes! His features were unremarkable, but his eyes gleamed silver, and a faint purple spirit mark glowed between his brows. His robes were clearly extraordinary, adorned with intricate silver patterns that shimmered with white light at the slightest movement.
“Hmph, that old monster of your Spirit Race has lived even longer than I have. Let’s see what he has to say,” the black-robed youth snorted indifferently, unsurprised.
Bai Qi smiled faintly and immediately slapped the top of his head. With a soft sound, his skull parted, and a silver talisman flew out. The talisman swayed in the wind, radiating brilliant light before transforming into a ten-foot-tall phantom—a white-robed elder with a youthful face and crane-like white hair.
Han Li’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the phantom. The Long Family Ancestor and the feathered-robed maiden exchanged glances, their minds racing, but neither acted rashly. After all, the worst-case scenario was merely fighting the Demon Saint to the death. If the situation was shifting, they welcomed it.
The elder’s phantom hovered silently beside Bai Qi, scanning the surroundings before settling on the black-robed youth, his expression eerily calm.
“Fellow Daoist Yuan Nie, it’s been a long time. I never expected to see one of the Three Ancestors here. Where are Mie Qing and Wu Chang, the two originally guarding this island?” The elder’s phantom, clearly imbued with a wisp of someone’s soul, clasped his hands and spoke as if he were truly present.
This Spirit Race Great Ascension being seemed acquainted with Ancestor Yuan Nie. Upon hearing the title “Ancestor,” even Han Li, usually unflappable, couldn’t help but change expression. The Long Family Ancestor and the maiden’s hearts sank further.
“Mie Qing and Wu Chang are occupied elsewhere. For the past millennium, I’ve been overseeing this island. Spirit King, sending juniors here shows you’re still coveting those two spirit items. But you know well that mere Body Integration cultivators coming here is suicide. Unless, of course, you personally escorted them,” the black-robed youth retorted coldly, his pupils contracting slightly at the sight of the elder’s phantom.
“If your Demon Race hadn’t invaded our Spirit Race territory, perhaps I’d have considered visiting myself. It’s been so long—I’ve been curious whether your Nightmare Demon Art has advanced. But with my true body occupied, I had to send these juniors at some risk. Yet now, aside from Bai Qi, the rest have perished. You acted rather swiftly, Fellow Daoist,” the Spirit King remarked impassively.
“Leaving one of your Spirit Race alive until now is already showing you face. If you keep rambling, don’t blame me for killing him too,” the black-robed youth growled, his expression darkening as if ready to strike at any moment.
“Your temper hasn’t changed in tens of thousands of years, Yuan Nie. Very well, I’ll be brief. I wish to trade something for a Netherworld Lotus and one entry into the Spirit Cleansing Pool for my junior. What do you think? Originally, I intended this trade with Mie Qing and Wu Chang, but who knew I’d encounter you instead?” The Spirit King sighed, sounding resigned.
“Hah! Who knew the Spirit King had a sense of humor? Do you think such words would fool me? Even if Mie Qing and Wu Chang were here, they’d never trade with someone from the Spirit Realm. Enough talk—I’ll send your junior on his way first. And I’ll gladly take this wisp of your soul too,” the black-robed youth laughed derisively, raising his giant sword once more.
The Long Family Ancestor and the maiden tensed, their expressions shifting as they channeled their magic power. The golden ape transformed from Han Li also focused, golden light swirling around him.
But in that instant, the Spirit King’s phantom calmly uttered words that stunned the black-robed youth: “Oh? Fellow Daoist Yuan Nie, don’t tell me you’ve no interest in the World Sundering Stone either?”
“What? The World Sundering Stone? You have it? No—what exactly do you know?” The black-robed youth blurted out before his voice turned icy, his face twisting with menace.
“Heh, I know far more than you imagine. Unlike other Great Ascension beings in the Spirit Realm, I’ve lived many times their lifespan. Naturally, I’ve learned secrets they’d never fathom. With this stone, your Demon Race’s impending calamity could be delayed by another ten thousand years. Its value needs no elaboration. Think carefully before answering me,” the Spirit King said meaningfully, exuding confidence.
The black-robed youth’s expression flickered between dark and light as he hovered motionless above the pond. Han Li and the others were equally bewildered by the exchange, each speculating on its implications.
“Good, very good. Long ago, I suspected your origins weren’t ordinary—that you weren’t native to the Spirit Realm. Now that you know even our Demon Realm’s secrets, my guess was correct. But what a pity…” The black-robed youth suddenly relaxed, shaking his head lightly.
“Pity what? Don’t you realize how crucial the World Sundering Stone is to your Demon Realm?” The elder frowned, puzzled.
“The pity is that you encountered me today—and even more so, that you told me this!” The black-robed youth’s lips curled into an eerie smile. In the next instant, he swung his giant black sword at Bai Qi while his other hand shot toward the white-robed elder’s phantom.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage