Chapter 2111: Escape

Then Han Li clasped his hands behind his back and waited quietly in the air.

Within a few breaths, a glimmer of light flashed in the distant sky, as if a fleeing light had appeared.

Han Li narrowed his eyes, and at a spot dozens of zhang away, two fluctuations arose simultaneously—a pink-red radiance and a mass of black mist silently materialized.

Within the pink-red radiance, the phantom of a colossal flowering tree flickered briefly before vanishing, revealing Baohua and the Black Crocodile.

Meanwhile, the swirling black mist condensed and transformed into a cold-faced black-robed youth—none other than the Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao.

As soon as they appeared before Han Li, they silently scrutinized him from head to toe without a word.

After a long while, a trace of surprise flickered across Baohua’s face, and she chuckled lightly before speaking: “Fellow Daoist, you emerged so late that I was genuinely worried. But now, seeing your excellent condition, it seems you truly gained significant benefits from the Spirit Cleansing Pool. In that case, I can rest easy.”

“Senior Baohua wasn’t worried about this junior, but rather the spiritual medicine in my possession, wasn’t she?” Han Li smiled faintly and replied calmly.

“What difference does it make? If you had truly been trapped in the Spirit Cleansing Pool, the matter of the spiritual medicine would naturally have been moot.” Baohua laughed charmingly, entirely unperturbed.

“Senior speaks bluntly!” Han Li couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

“Enough nonsense! Human brat, now that you’ve emerged, it’s time to hand over the spiritual medicine. If you dare to renege, don’t blame me for resorting to force!” The black-robed youth glared at Han Li, his eyes flashing with malice.

“Rest assured, Seniors. This junior will not break his promise!” Han Li’s lips curled slightly as he suddenly flipped his hand, producing two jade boxes. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist and tossed them toward the two demons.

Both Baohua, who had been smiling, and the Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao, who wore a fierce expression, felt their hearts leap at this sight!

Almost instinctively, one waved a sleeve while the other reached out with a large hand.

The two jade boxes flashed once before landing securely in their respective hands.

The black-robed youth could no longer conceal his excitement. Without even bothering to open the box, he swept it with his divine sense. Moments later, his face twisted into ecstatic delight: “Haha! It truly is the Demon Refining Grass! I’ve spent tens of thousands of years cultivating this herb in seclusion to no avail, yet here I’ve obtained the genuine article… Wait, no—what have you left on it?”

The Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao burst into laughter, but it abruptly ceased as his expression shifted to shock and fury.

At the same time, Baohua finished examining the herb in the other jade box with her divine sense. The smile on her face vanished entirely, replaced by an icy tone: “Fellow Daoist Han, what is the meaning of this? Did you truly believe such a petty trick could escape my notice?”

The gazes of both figures turned hostile as they fixed on Han Li.

“Seniors need not be angry. First, allow me to ask—are the herbs in the boxes genuine?” Han Li showed no fear and instead calmly posed the question.

“Hmph, the herbs are real. But don’t pretend you haven’t tampered with them!” The black-robed youth glared at Han Li and barked harshly.

“The herbs are genuine, but I, too, demand an explanation. Otherwise, Fellow Daoist may find it difficult to leave this island,” Baohua added darkly.

“Since the items are authentic and I’ve personally delivered them into your hands, I’ve fulfilled my original promise,” Han Li continued impassively.

“Even so, what of it? Human brat, do you think playing word games will let you slip away?” The Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao laughed in extreme anger, taking a sudden step forward. Black mist surged around his body as a terrifying killing intent erupted into the sky.

The surrounding space trembled and blurred under the pressure.

This Demon Ancestor, in his fury, seemed ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

“Senior misunderstands! What I left on the herbs isn’t some complex restriction—just two temporary strands of divine sense. They will dissipate on their own shortly, causing no harm to the herbs,” Han Li waved his hand and explained calmly.

“Temporary divine sense? You mean…” Baohua scrutinized the herb in the jade box several more times before confirming Han Li’s words. Her expression shifted slightly as she spoke.

“I have no ulterior motives. This junior wouldn’t dare gamble with his life by assuming you’d let me leave unharmed after obtaining the herbs. Thus, I placed a strand of divine sense on each herb. As long as I depart the Thunder Sea safely, the herbs will remain intact. But if either of you makes any sudden moves, these strands will detonate immediately. Whether the herbs survive… will be up to fate.” Han Li’s eyes gleamed sharply as he enunciated each word.

“You dare threaten me?!” Before Baohua could respond, Yuan Yao erupted in rage.

“I wouldn’t dare. This junior merely seeks temporary self-preservation. Once I leave the Thunder Sea, the divine sense will vanish instantly. Nor need you fear that I’d detonate them afterward—doing so would only earn me your eternal enmity and relentless pursuit. I’m not foolish enough for that,” Han Li replied evenly.

“Hmph! Do you truly believe a mere strand of divine sense could destroy these herbs? These are treasures of heaven and earth—even flying swords and blades could hardly scratch them,” Baohua snorted, a strange glint in her beautiful eyes.

“Whether they can truly be destroyed, I wager neither of you would dare test. Moreover, Senior Baohua, do you truly think the divine sense I left is ordinary?” Han Li chuckled meaningfully.

These words caused both Baohua and the Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao to stiffen once more.

“Fine, very well. In tens of thousands of years, this is the first time I’ve been so thoroughly restrained by another. Get lost. If you dare harm even a single leaf of the Demon Refining Grass afterward, I’ll make sure you learn the meaning of ‘begging for death in vain’!” Contrary to Han Li’s expectations, the seemingly furious black-robed youth regained his composure in an instant. He coldly stowed the jade box away, as if his earlier rage had never existed.

“This old demon is quite the actor…”

Han Li’s heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. He turned to Baohua and asked, “Senior Baohua, you—”

“Enough. I, too, agree. As you said, even the slightest risk to the herbs is unacceptable. You may leave. But if the divine sense remains after you depart the Thunder Sea, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.” After a moment’s contemplation, Baohua nodded expressionlessly.

“Many thanks to both of you. Then Han will take his leave.” Han Li narrowed his eyes, cupped his fists toward them, and stomped his foot, transforming into a green streak that shot into the distance.

After a few flashes, the fleeing light vanished beyond the horizon.

In the blink of an eye, only the three demons remained.

“Lady Baohua, shall I follow him?” The Black Crocodile, who had been standing silently behind Baohua, stepped forward cautiously and inquired.

“No need. His divine sense is nearly on par with mine and Yuan Yao’s. Your concealment arts would never evade him,” Baohua replied dismissively.

“What’s this? Since when have you grown so timid?” The black-robed youth rolled his eyes.

“If Fellow Daoist Yuan Yao is so bold, why not pursue him yourself? I’d be deeply impressed,” Baohua retorted coolly, casting a sidelong glance at the Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao.

“Hmph! If my most capable subordinate were here, I’d never have let that human brat escape so easily,” the black-robed youth growled through gritted teeth.

“You mean Ying Sha? Even if she were present, would you truly dare take the risk?” Baohua’s eyes gleamed with faint mockery.

“You’re right. I likely still wouldn’t. The Demon Refining Grass is too crucial—I won’t gamble with it,” Yuan Yao admitted with a bitter smile, his face twitching slightly.

“Likewise. That man calculated our weaknesses perfectly, leaving us no choice but to yield,” Baohua sighed.

“Letting that Han brat escape is one thing, but are you certain there’s no issue with the divine sense he left on the herbs?” Yuan Yao nodded, then suddenly voiced his suspicion.

“Did you detect anything unusual?” Baohua blinked and countered.

“No. If I had, I wouldn’t have let him leave so easily,” Yuan Yao admitted after a pause.

“Same here. I found nothing peculiar about that strand of divine sense either. If neither of us spotted anything amiss, it’s likely harmless. We’ll simply wait.” Baohua exhaled slowly.

“If you used your powers now to purge the divine sense, what are the odds of success?” Yuan Yao pressed, unwilling to let it go.

“My magic isn’t fully restored. If it’s truly just ordinary divine sense, I’d have a sixty percent chance of removing it before detonation,” Baohua answered matter-of-factly.

“Sixty percent… Too low. I’d have over eighty percent confidence, but even then, I wouldn’t risk it.” Yuan Yao’s expression flickered before he sighed in resignation.

Baohua chuckled softly, but before she could respond, a resonant, aged voice suddenly echoed in both their ears:

“Hmph! Since neither of you dares act, allow me to step in. As for the other spiritual medicines on that boy… I’ll gladly take them all.”

“This voice—”

“Nirvana! It’s that old fiend Nirvana!”

Baohua and the Sacred Ancestor Yuan Yao exclaimed in unison, their faces paling with shock.