“Is that so? You shouldn’t underestimate them too much. Although the human and demon races may seem insignificant in the Spirit Realm, none of their past Mahayana cultivators were simple characters. The fact that they could resist our Sacred Clan’s invasion years ago without being at a significant disadvantage speaks volumes. And that old monster from the Spirit Race is no ordinary Mahayana cultivator. I’ve long suspected that the successive Spirit Kings were actually the same person in disguise. It might even have some unclear connection to the True Immortal Realm. Otherwise, something like a pseudo-immortal puppet would never have fallen into the hands of a mere Mahayana cultivator from a minor race.” The woman in white regained her composure and spoke calmly.
“We naturally considered all these matters when deciding on this plan. No matter what backup plans these races have, resisting our Sacred Clan is nothing but wishful thinking. If not for fear of attracting the attention of the superpowers in the Spirit Realm, I would have mobilized our entire clan to crush them long ago. Hmph, even if they do have some connection to the Immortal Realm, it means nothing. Our Sacred Clan also has backing from the upper realm. Moreover, according to the ironclad rules of the Immortal Realm, unless certain taboo events occur, those from the upper realm won’t interfere even if an entire plane is destroyed. Why should we worry needlessly?” The Yuan Yao Sacred Ancestor replied dismissively.
“If you’re so confident, then consider my earlier words unsaid. However, before coming here, I visited the Origin Seal Land. Though I only observed from afar, the gaps in the seal have expanded several times compared to when I was still a Sacred Ancestor. The creatures breaking out from within have also grown significantly stronger. In just two battles I witnessed, one Demon Venerable and over a dozen high-level Void Refinement cultivators perished, along with thousands of ordinary seal guards. And this was with the assistance of hundreds of puppets and demonic beasts. What’s more concerning is that I didn’t see Fellow Daoist Nirvana in either battle, but rather an avatar of Six Extremes appeared there.” Bao Hua’s tone shifted abruptly, revealing information that visibly stirred Yuan Yao.
“You didn’t attack Six Extremes’ avatar, did you?”
“Of course not. Though I no longer hold the title of Sacred Ancestor, I am still a member of the Sacred Clan. The Origin Seal Land is the epicenter of the great calamity—how could I act recklessly? But if Six Extremes’ true body had been there, things might have been different. From this perspective, your earlier claims of a dire situation weren’t exaggerations.” The woman in white gave Yuan Yao a deep look before speaking leisurely.
“Hmph, given the current circumstances, would I deceive you about such matters?” The black-robed youth rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed.
“Still, I find it odd. Aren’t you afraid that thing might awaken and use its true body to assault the seal? Even with the seal in place, a mere avatar of Six Extremes wouldn’t be enough to stop it—it’d be swallowed in one bite.” Bao Hua sneered as she posed another question.
The black-robed youth’s expression turned peculiar upon hearing this. After a long pause, he replied with a bitter smile, “Your question comes a bit late. That thing’s true body awoke for the second time six thousand years ago, displaying power far more terrifying than its first awakening.”
“Six thousand years ago! It awoke again! That’s much earlier than originally predicted.” Bao Hua’s face paled, a flicker of fear flashing in her beautiful eyes.
“At the time, Six Extremes and I rushed there immediately upon hearing of its awakening. But by the time we arrived, Fellow Daoist Nirvana had already activated his Three Nirvana Transformation and fought it to a standstill, barely forcing it back. However, the battle left Nirvana severely weakened—he had to recall all his avatars and enter a semi-dormant state. Unconvinced, I sacrificed a clone to enter the sealed land and found that the creature’s accumulated power had also been nearly exhausted, forcing it back into slumber. In other words, Fellow Daoist Nirvana, much like you did the first time, bought our Sacred Realm some buffer time. During this period, Six Extremes’ avatar guarding the Origin Seal Land is sufficient. After all, as long as its true body remains dormant, the creatures assaulting the seal are merely its offspring—the strongest among them barely rival ordinary Demon Venerables. But the seal has loosened further, meaning its next awakening will likely come even sooner.” Yuan Yao sighed, his face etched with helplessness.
“The Three Nirvana Transformation of the Nirvana Sacred Body briefly rivals the power of a true mighty spirit beast, yet it still ended in mutual devastation with that thing. During its first awakening, it was nowhere near this strong.” Bao Hua was visibly shaken.
“There’s nothing strange about that! Did you truly believe that thing’s full power was limited to what we’ve seen? As the seal weakens, its true strength is gradually returning. By its next awakening, it may rival an upper-realm true immortal. We’ll be powerless to stop it from breaking the seal. Once it leads its offspring out of the Origin Seal Land, given their terrifying reproductive rate, there’ll be no place left for us in the Sacred Realm. Worst of all, they can directly devour both spiritual and demonic energy, and their unchecked numbers are catastrophic. Countless realms have been utterly destroyed by them. That’s why the Immortal Realm personally intervened in ancient times, sealing it within the Origin Seal Land. But after so long, the seal is finally failing. That’s why we must secure a foothold in the Spirit Realm before the seal breaks, ensuring our clan’s survival.”
“To prevent chaos, only we Sacred Ancestors know of this. But the truth won’t remain hidden much longer.” The black-robed youth spoke with bitterness.
“I’m surprised it’s been kept secret this long. And given the vastness of the Sacred Realm, some factions likely don’t share your stance.” The woman in white seemed unsurprised.
“Hmph, indeed. The most troublesome are those backed by the Beast Venerable Hall.” Yuan Yao snorted coldly, as if he had complete grasp of the situation.
“Oh? That’s odd. Though Nirvana is recuperating, you and Six Extremes are no pushovers. To let them act so recklessly—have you grown indecisive over the years?” Bao Hua’s tone carried a hint of skepticism.
“If they were ordinary Sacred Ancestors, Six Extremes and I could suppress them. But among the Beast Venerable Hall’s supporters are Tian Qi and He Yan—those old monsters who once contested your position as Sacred Ancestor. You know full well how formidable they are. Neither Six Extremes nor I wish to confront them head-on.” A strange glint flashed in the black-robed youth’s eyes before he spoke slowly.
“Tian Qi and He Yan!” At the mention of these names, Bao Hua’s expression darkened instantly.
Noticing her reaction, Yuan Yao chuckled but said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Han Li found himself in a space spanning roughly a hundred miles, hovering motionlessly above a pond with a diameter of a hundred zhang.
The entire area was filled with towering ancient trees, each hundreds of zhang tall, their lush greenery radiating nearly visible strands of multicolored light. The ground was carpeted with unknown shrubs and vibrant flowers, all exuding a faint five-colored glow.
In the air, thumb-sized five-colored orbs drifted intermittently, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
The pond beneath Han Li held eerily still, silver-hued water that appeared thick as mercury, giving off an impression of immense weight.
Han Li gazed at the silver surface below, his expression unchanging, but inwardly he was astonished.
He could clearly sense that the pond’s liquid was nothing less than pure spiritual energy condensed into liquid form, infused with several undefinable mystical energies—likely the true secret behind the Spirit Cleansing Pond’s transformative power.
But while the pond was easily found, where was the Pure Spirit Lotus?
Han Li’s eyes swept across the pond’s surface, but aside from the shimmering silver water, there was nothing floating above it.
“Could it be at the bottom?” Han Li murmured, peering deeper into the pond.
His spiritual sense had already scanned the entire pond earlier, but it was abruptly cut off a mere zhang below the surface by an unknown force.
After a brief pause, a piercing blue light flashed in Han Li’s pupils as he channeled his magic power into his eyes.
But even his Brightsight Spirit Eyes could penetrate only a dozen zhang before being blocked by a blinding white light.
Frowning but unfazed, Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing a sphere of green light that swiftly materialized into a lifelike azure wolf puppet, roughly a zhang tall, though not particularly high-grade.
Without hesitation, Han Li tapped his forehead with a finger.
A wisp of white mist emerged, coalescing into a faint, blurry face resembling his own.
The face vanished instantly, merging into the puppet wolf’s body.
“Go.”
Han Li commanded with a sweep of his sleeve toward the pond below.
The wolf let out a low growl before transforming into a streak of green light and plunging into the water.
A ripple, almost imperceptible, disturbed the silver surface before stillness returned.
Exhaling softly, Han Li clasped his hands behind his back and waited silently in midair.
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