“Since Senior has already advanced to the Mahayana stage and noticed me at a glance, even if I deceive myself, I know it’s impossible to get away with mere words,” the bearded man said with a bitter smile.
“Heh, before meeting you, I never imagined that the true form of the renowned Tianlan Sacred Beast in the human realm would actually be one of the Seven Great Demon Kings. Fellow Daoist Tianlan, your Tianlan avatar was quite tight-lipped—it never revealed a hint of this in the human realm,” Han Li chuckled, his gaze carrying a peculiar expression.
This Cave-Heaven Mouse King was the true form of the Tianlan Sacred Beast from the human realm.
This was something no one could have anticipated.
“I also never expected that a human cultivator I once dismissed over a thousand years ago would now become a Mahayana existence I must look up to. However, Senior and I have no grudges between us—in fact, my avatar even formed some friendship with you. Given your current status, surely you wouldn’t trouble a mere ‘junior’ like me?” As he spoke, the bearded man’s voice lowered slightly.
“True, your avatar in the human realm did share some camaraderie with me. But before that, when it first descended, it nearly took my life alongside others. Now, settling this ‘debt’ with you, its true form, doesn’t seem unreasonable, does it?” Han Li’s lips curled slightly as he casually spoke words that left the Mouse King speechless.
“What happened in the human realm was entirely a misunderstanding. My avatar was borrowed and initially had no intelligence—it was merely manipulated by others. Besides, didn’t Senior eventually become friends with the Tianlan Saintess?” The Cave-Heaven Mouse King hastily defended himself in desperation.
“Your reasoning seems plausible, but it depends on whether I’m willing to accept it,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, his tone laden with implication.
“Senior Han, what must I do for you to let go of this past grievance? Whatever the condition, as long as I can fulfill it, I won’t refuse,” the Cave-Heaven Mouse King said through gritted teeth after a moment of contemplation under Han Li’s gaze.
Despite Han Li’s domineering tone, faced with the overwhelming gap in strength, the Mouse King could only resign himself to misfortune.
“Good. Since Fellow Daoist Cave-Heaven is willing to make amends, I won’t press further. Just tell me the whereabouts of my Six-Winged Frost Centipede, and we’ll consider the matter settled,” Han Li said lazily, yawning. Yet the last two sentences struck the Mouse King like thunder, his face paling dramatically.
“Six-Winged Frost Centipede? S-Senior Han must be joking. That spirit insect ran away on its own—how would I know its whereabouts?” the Mouse King blurted out in panic, but immediately regretted his words as his expression shifted again.
“Oh? When did I ever tell anyone it ran away?” Han Li’s smile was enigmatic as he countered sharply.
“Fine. I admit I know something about that centipede. But before revealing its location, I’d like to know how Senior knew I’d encountered it. I’ve never spoken of this to anyone,” the bearded man said grimly after a moment of deliberation, forced to concede but still pressing for an answer.
“It’s simple. You should be able to guess,” Han Li replied with a light chuckle, a strange glint in his eyes.
“I should guess… That spirit insect was once bound to you by a blood oath. Could that be why…?” The bearded man’s eyes flickered as realization dawned.
“Correct. Though the Six-Winged Frost Centipede severed its master-servant blood oath with me, a faint spiritual connection remained. Since you spent time with it, you naturally carried traces of its aura. Though faint after all this time, my spiritual sense still detected it,” Han Li explained frankly.
“I see! Though part of it must be due to Senior’s sudden surge in power. Ordinary cultivators couldn’t detect such old traces through spiritual sense alone. And I just happened to cross paths with you now!” The bearded man’s expression shifted between frustration and resignation before he sighed.
“Now that I’ve answered your question, it’s time to discuss the centipede. You’re a sensible man—I trust you won’t feed me lies. Once I find it, verifying the truth will be trivial,” Han Li said coolly.
The Cave-Heaven Mouse King shuddered inwardly, abandoning any thoughts of deceit. “Senior Han, rest assured. I encountered the centipede by chance and, recognizing its potential, struck a mutually beneficial deal with it.”
“A deal?” Han Li’s brow arched slightly.
“Yes. It began when I obtained the ‘Reverse Spirit True Yin Art,’ a heaven-defying technique derived from the Golden Jade Tome’s secret arts. Back then, I…” The Mouse King, no longer daring to hide anything, recounted the tale in detail.
Han Li listened quietly, his expression calm but his mind roiling with thoughts.
“Thus, after parting ways with the centipede, I’ve heard nothing since. Were it not for its life soul tablet in my possession, I wouldn’t even know if it still lived in the wilds,” the Mouse King concluded with a sigh, producing a pale blue crystal tablet and offering it respectfully.
Han Li glanced at the tablet but didn’t take it immediately. “According to you, after learning your Reverse Spirit True Yin Art, the centipede not only reached the Body Integration stage but even has a chance at Mahayana. Isn’t that an exaggeration?”
“Senior, it’s no exaggeration. The art truly has the power to defy heaven and earth. Had I been able to cultivate it myself, I’d never have taught it to the centipede,” the Mouse King insisted, shaking his head.
“Very well. Your words seem credible, so our past grievances are settled.” Han Li nodded, finally taking the tablet with a wave of his hand.
Relieved, the Mouse King bowed deeply.
Han Li scanned the tablet with his spiritual sense, then stood as if to leave. The Mouse King hurried to see him off.
“One more thing—I’d prefer no one else learns of the centipede,” Han Li added casually.
“Senior, I swear on my heart demon never to speak of this to another soul,” the Mouse King vowed without hesitation.
“Good. Rest here awhile—you’ll be released in due time.” With a satisfied nod, golden light enveloped Han Li, and he vanished.
In another chamber, a black-robed woman started as Han Li materialized before her but quickly bowed.
“No need for formalities,” Han Li waved. “I’ve come to ask one thing. I hope Lady Xiao will answer truthfully.”
“Senior need only ask. If I know, I’ll speak freely,” the woman replied cautiously.
“Don’t worry—it’s nothing convoluted. I just wish to know how Dai’er is. Since the demonic calamity began, I’ve lost contact. Is she safe?” Han Li said mildly.
“Ah, Dai’er? Rest assured, Senior. Her talent is among the finest of our Black Phoenix Clan’s next generation. When the calamity struck, I sent her and other disciples into seclusion in our ancestral sanctuary. She remains there, unharmed,” the woman replied, visibly relieved.
“Good. That eases my mind. Continue your rest, Lady Xiao.” Han Li nodded and vanished as abruptly as he’d arrived, his movement technique leaving no trace.
The Black Phoenix Queen stared at the empty space, sighing before resuming her meditation. Meanwhile, Han Li reappeared in his own chamber, sitting cross-legged calmly.
Having fortuitously ascended to Mahayana, he needed time to consolidate the immense changes to his body, mana, and spiritual sense before fully wielding his new power.
But first, one final task remained.
Expression unchanging, Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing three golden blossoms that soared overhead, swelling into massive forms several zhang in size.
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