Chapter 2285: Transmitting a Message

No sooner had the words been spoken than one of Heilin’s arms blurred as he suddenly struck out toward a certain spot behind him.

A piercing screech erupted, and an invisible force transformed into a massive net, descending like lightning upon the area.

*Pfft!*

A somewhat indistinct yellow figure was caught off guard and revealed within the net. However, it twisted its body in shock and, using some unknown technique, managed to break free. A flash of light later, it transformed into a streak of rainbow light and shot into the sky.

“Hmph! Thinking of escaping now? Who do you take us for?” Heilin’s face twisted into a savage grin as his outstretched hand suddenly curled its fingers and pulled back.

*Boom!*

A muffled sound echoed as a pitch-black giant palm materialized in the air above the distant yellow figure, swiftly grabbing downward.

This time, no matter how desperately the yellow figure tried to evade, it was utterly futile.

A swirl of black energy later, the yellow figure was firmly grasped within the giant palm.

Heilin let out a wild laugh and beckoned with one hand. The giant palm, clutching the yellow figure, shot back toward him.

By now, Han Li and the others had clearly seen the true appearance of the yellow figure.

It was a gaunt young man clad in a yellow robe.

However, his face was filled with terror, clearly aware of whose hands he had fallen into. After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and forced out a low chant, his body suddenly shimmering with yellow crystalline light as it began to swell violently.

“Not good!”

Heilin, being a Mahayana cultivator, reacted instantly with a furious roar. He flicked a finger toward the distant figure.

*Whoosh!*

A black streak shot across a hundred zhang of empty space, piercing toward the young man.

But it was already too late.

The moment the black streak penetrated the young man’s body, an ear-splitting explosion erupted.

The yellow-robed youth had detonated himself a step ahead.

The blinding radiance and violent shockwaves sent the black giant palm trembling violently.

“Bold! To dare self-destruct before me!” Heilin’s expression darkened with fury.

The black giant palm flickered once before dissipating into nothingness.

“This man’s concealment technique was quite impressive. But to self-destruct so decisively—there must be more to it,” Han Li remarked, glancing at the spot where the youth had exploded.

“Oh? Brother Han means that the one who self-destructed wasn’t his true body?” Xueran’s eyes flashed with quick understanding.

Mo Jianli also showed a trace of surprise.

“Most likely. But it wasn’t an ordinary puppet or avatar either. It clearly had the aura of a Body Integration cultivator. A true self-destruction wouldn’t have been so weak,” Han Li said calmly.

“Hmm, now that you mention it, it is rather odd. But when he self-destructed, I saw clearly—there was no Nascent Soul inside,” Xueran nodded thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, Heilin, unwilling to give up, stomped his foot and transformed into rolling black clouds that spread out in all directions, searching the area.

In moments, the black clouds had scoured everything within tens of thousands of li, but found nothing. With a thunderous rumble, they condensed back into human form and returned to the mountaintop.

“That brat was too cowardly to hide nearby. Lucky for him—he escaped disaster. Otherwise, if he’d truly fallen into my hands…” Heilin’s face flickered with malice before he snorted in frustration.

“Haha, forget it. Even if that man was spying on us, this place was soundproofed. He couldn’t have heard anything,” Xueran waved dismissively.

“But could he have been sent by the Spider Queen of the Asura Spiders?” Mo Jianli stroked his beard cautiously.

“Relax. Even if he was a scout for the Asura Spiders, what could he have seen from afar? The outcome of this battle will be decided by sheer strength,” Heilin said nonchalantly.

“Brother Heilin speaks wisely. But to be cautious, we shouldn’t rest here. Let’s head straight for their lair tonight. That way, even if they get wind of us, they won’t have time to prepare,” Han Li suggested, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“Head there tonight?” Xueran frowned, seemingly reluctant.

“With our cultivation, meditating on a flying vessel should suffice to restore our energy. Catching the Asura Spiders off guard will give us an advantage. That slight edge might tip the scales in our favor later,” Han Li reasoned calmly.

“Fine. I had planned to spend half a day refining a powerful secret technique, but if Brother Han says so, gaining the upper hand is more important,” Xueran conceded after a moment.

“Wise decision. Let’s depart now.” Han Li smiled faintly and flicked his sleeve. A white flash later, a misty-white flying boat appeared midair.

Xueran, Heilin, and the others boarded without hesitation.

With a low hum, the white flying boat shot into the sky as a streak of light.

—

Half an hour later, deep in a forest a hundred thousand li away from the mountain, a faint yellow glow emerged as another yellow-robed youth stepped out from a giant tree.

Gazing at the direction where the flying boat had vanished, he muttered with lingering fear, “Lucky I was cautious enough to hide this far. Otherwise, I’d have been doomed. Who’d have thought outsiders entering this realm would be so powerful—four Mahayana cultivators! Pity my avatar was too far to hear their conversation. I wonder if they’re truly targeting the Asura Spiders…”

His expression shifted uncertainly before he suddenly sneered.

“Whatever. Whether they’re after the Asura Spiders or not, I’ll send the news back and stay hidden for a few days. That should keep me safe.”

Decision made, he opened his mouth and spat out a milky-white wooden plaque. Grabbing it with one hand, he tapped it several times with the other.

Silver dots appeared on the plaque’s surface, forming tiny silver runes that swiftly sank into its depths.

—

Meanwhile, in a stone city where the Asura Spiders’ lair was located, the Spider Queen and Elder Yi were discussing matters in a secret chamber.

Suddenly, a low hum came from a black stone platform before them, followed by faint silver light.

The Spider Queen flicked a spell seal onto the platform, causing lines of silver text to swirl into view.

After reading the message, both their expressions darkened.

“Four Mahayana cultivators? That many?” the old man murmured.

“I never expected that man to have such powerful allies. This complicates things,” the woman said grimly.

“They may not be targeting us, but we must prepare. Have all your subordinates returned?” the elder asked gravely.

“Aside from a few on critical missions, everyone is back in the city. I’ve even sent for the nine Yin Corpses soaking in the Dark Marsh. They’ll be back within two days,” the Spider Queen replied swiftly.

“Good. I’ve also summoned the spirit beasts I left in remote areas, though it’ll take time. Still, we may not have the upper hand. How about inviting Che Qizi into the city? I’ve dealt with him before—some benefits might persuade him to stay temporarily,” Elder Yi suggested slowly.

“What? Che Qizi? No! That fiend has long coveted our clan. Letting him in would be like driving off a wolf only to invite a tiger!” The Spider Queen’s face darkened as she shook her head vehemently.

“Don’t worry. I know his miasma counters your clan, but he’s just a beast. Together, we can handle him. The greater matter takes precedence,” Elder Yi pressed.

“Tch, the cost of inviting him won’t be light,” the woman muttered, somewhat swayed.

“Then how about this…” The elder leaned in, whispering a proposal.

“What? You want me to offer *that*? The price is too steep!” the Spider Queen exclaimed.

“They’re just a few dead eggs your clan couldn’t hatch anyway. Useless to you, but irresistible to Che Qizi,” the elder chuckled.

“…I need to think this over,” the woman said coldly.

“Very well. But don’t forget to inform the one in the Blood Pool. If things go awry, we may need their power,” Elder Yi added, shifting the topic to another mysterious figure.