Han Li’s threatening words caused Yuan Yao’s expression to flicker slightly.
However, as the highest-ranking existence among the demon race, he would never easily yield to threats. His face darkened as he coldly replied, “On this island, you might be able to hold your own against me with your Nirvana Sacred Body, but can you stay here forever? Once you leave, I’ll be waiting outside the Thunder Sea, and you’ll inevitably fall into my hands.”
“Once I leave Bitter Spirit Island, I naturally won’t be a match for either of you, esteemed seniors. But this place is rich in spiritual energy—staying here to cultivate for ten thousand years wouldn’t be unbearable. For cultivators like us, such a span of time isn’t particularly long,” Han Li responded calmly, as if he had anticipated this.
“You think too highly of yourself! What if I leave in anger and immediately summon my subordinates to set up a grand formation outside, erasing this island from the Sacred Realm entirely?” the black-robed youth snarled.
“If you truly intend to do that, then I would indeed be in grave danger. But are you certain you no longer want the Demon Refining Grass? I guarantee that before you act, I will destroy every last spiritual herb in my possession,” Han Li replied, his expression unchanged.
Fury twisted Yuan Yao’s face, his complexion turning ashen. With a cold snort, he was about to issue another threat when Saintess Baohua suddenly chuckled and raised a hand to interrupt him.
“Yuan Yao, enough talk. I must have that spiritual herb in his hands, and you can’t truly bear to lose the Demon Refining Grass either. Since he’s willing to gamble, why not indulge him? A one-in-ten chance isn’t particularly high. Besides, are we really afraid of the Spirit Realm gaining another Mahayana cultivator? At this point, one more or less makes no difference.”
“That’s true. Although our grand plan in the Spirit Realm is at a critical juncture, one newly ascended Mahayana cultivator won’t change much. Besides, his cultivation is still far from the Great Perfection of the Body Integration stage. Even if he enters the Spirit Cleansing Pool, he won’t advance immediately—it’ll merely give him a future opportunity. Fine, I agree as well.” After a moment of hesitation, Yuan Yao gritted his teeth and nodded.
“Excellent. Your agreement to this trade is undoubtedly wise. Those two herbs are of little use to me, and I will hand them over once I leave the pool. However, before that, I hope both of you will swear a Heart Demon Oath, promising to let me leave the Demon Realm unharmed after the transaction, without resorting to any further schemes against me.” Han Li relaxed slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
“Don’t push your luck! A mere Body Integration cultivator dares to demand a Heart Demon Oath from me?” Yuan Yao’s fury flared anew.
“Swearing an oath isn’t an issue, but I won’t agree so easily. If you want us to do this, hand over half of the herbs first. The rest can be paid after you emerge,” Baohua replied impassively.
“Half? I can’t accept that. How do I know how much you truly need? If only a small amount is required, I’d be sealing my own fate,” Han Li narrowed his eyes and refused without hesitation.
“If you’re unwilling to take risks, neither Yuan Yao nor I will swear any oaths. Otherwise, if you try something afterward, we’d be tying our own hands. However, we can verbally promise not to act against you later,” the white-robed woman said with a charming smile.
Yuan Yao, mollified by Baohua’s words, nodded in agreement. “I can also assure you that once the Demon Refining Grass is in my hands, I won’t attack you.”
“If you refuse to swear the oaths, I won’t force the matter. Then it’s settled—I’ll enter the Spirit Cleansing Pool first and deliver the herbs upon my return. But if you later refuse to let me leave, we’ll have to rely on our own abilities.” Han Li spoke indifferently, then with a flash of golden light, his second golden head illusion and the two demonic golden arms vanished.
He had deactivated his second Nirvana transformation, though his vigilance remained undiminished. Without moving his limbs, he slid back dozens of feet, putting distance between himself and the two before glancing at the massive formation below the pond.
Baohua showed no surprise, also looking downward before calmly explaining, “The Spirit Cleansing Pool lies in a hidden space beneath the island. This formation is the only entrance.
“Stand at its center, and you’ll be transported there. However, I must warn you—the space housing the pool contains the purest spiritual energy in the entire Demon Realm. For Spirit Realm beings like you, a single day of cultivation there is equivalent to a year of arduous training outside. But the space exerts immense repulsion on all living beings, and the stronger one’s cultivation, the greater the resistance. With your level, three days inside is your absolute limit. Exceed that, and you may never return.”
“That space rejects our kind even more fiercely—we can’t even enter. Otherwise, I’d gladly accompany you myself,” Yuan Yao added with a sinister chuckle, his tone far from friendly.
“So neither of you has ever entered?” Han Li asked casually.
“Though we’ve guarded this place for countless millennia, no member of the Sacred Race has ever been able to set foot inside,” Baohua admitted with a slight frown.
“I see.”
Han Li nodded, offering a slight bow to the white-robed woman before darting toward the pond’s base.
Of course, given his caution, he didn’t take Baohua’s words at face value. Hovering a dozen feet above the formation, he paused to study its intricate runes.
Baohua and Yuan Yao exchanged a glance but remained silent, allowing him his inspection.
After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Han Li exhaled deeply and descended without hesitation.
The moment his feet touched the formation’s center, the entire array hummed to life.
Multicolored pillars of light erupted from its edges, spinning wildly as spatial fluctuations rippled across the formation. Han Li, enveloped in a radiant haze, vanished without a trace.
The dazzling light faded as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the formation eerily still.
Neither Baohua nor Yuan Yao reacted—this was clearly not their first time witnessing the phenomenon.
After a moment of silence, Yuan Yao turned to the white-robed woman. “Baohua, do you truly intend to let him go? He wields a Profound Heavenly Treasure and, despite being at the Body Integration stage, can already contend with us to some degree. If he returns and ascends to Mahayana, he’ll become a formidable enemy—far beyond ordinary Great Ascension cultivators.”
“That’s a concern for you, the current Progenitors. I’ve long since relinquished that title, so the decision is yours. Once I obtain my herb, I’ll leave the Sacred Realm immediately.
“Let me advise you—this human possesses both the Nirvana Sacred Body and a Profound Heavenly Treasure. While defeating us is impossible, escaping might not be, even outside the Thunder Sea. Moreover, given his composure, he likely has other unexpected means of survival. Don’t end up losing more than you gain.” Baohua’s tone was cool.
“Hmph. Is that truly how you feel? The Baohua of old wouldn’t have spoken this way. Of the three of us, you once devoted yourself most fervently to the Sacred Race’s cause. Have you abandoned even the impending calamity?” Yuan Yao’s gaze bore into her as he spoke pointedly.
“Indeed, I once exhausted myself preparing for the catastrophe—which is precisely why Liu Ji managed to overthrow me. Now, I’ve no interest in such matters. Though I see you’ve adopted the plan I originally discarded: forcibly seizing territory in the Spirit Realm, then slowly demonizing it to relocate our people.” Her jade-like features hardened.
“Correct. We prepared multiple strategies to counter the calamity, initially favoring the most cautious approach. But after Liu Ji replaced you, circumstances forced us to abandon the others and adopt the quickest method—invading the Spirit Realm.” Yuan Yao sighed.
“Yet your progress seems sluggish. Despite capturing some territory from humans and spirits, you’ve failed to eradicate them entirely. Now, you’re locked in a stalemate.” Baohua’s eyes glinted with cold amusement.
“No need for concern. The stalemate exists only because those races’ Mahayana cultivators united and summoned foreign allies. Once we fully prepare to descend into the Spirit Realm in our true forms, even if their strength multiplied tenfold, they’d be crushed effortlessly.” Yuan Yao’s voice brimmed with arrogance.
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