Chapter 2430: The Heaven-Control Vase

The next moment, the crystal thread flashed and instantly exploded into a blinding white pillar of light.

Amidst the deafening roar, a torrent of white light surged violently in all directions, instantly engulfing everything within a radius of ten thousand miles.

The golden armored warriors scattered and disintegrated under the white radiance, while the tiny golden figure trapped within rolled on the spot, transforming back into the massive beetle’s true form. Its body curled up, forming a dazzling golden sphere, with purple-gold spiritual patterns emerging across its surface.

Meanwhile, the giant form of Ma Liang had barely managed to flee a short distance before being swallowed by the white light, his face frozen in terror.

…

With a *bang*, the ancient green mirror before Han Li shattered into pieces. Yet, the blinding white light it had displayed earlier seemed to linger before his eyes, flickering persistently.

Han Li’s expression turned grave as he raised his head to gaze toward the center of the Ming Sha Land. In the distant sky, thunderous rumbles echoed, accompanied by faint flashes of white light.

The faint ripples of energy emanating from the same direction made Han Li’s face shift between uncertainty and wariness after a brief moment of sensing.

“What a formidable Twofold Dust Formation! Had I been caught within it unprepared, I doubt I could have escaped with my life,” Han Li suddenly sighed deeply.

“If it were the true Twofold Dust Formation, Fellow Daoist would indeed be powerless against its self-detonation. However, due to alterations, this formation only possesses a tenth of its original power. With Han’s abilities, there is still a considerable chance of survival,” came the indifferent voice of Crab Daoist beside Han Li.

As soon as the words fell, silver lightning flashed behind Han Li, and Crab Daoist materialized in an instant.

“Oh? If even I could survive, then the chances of that true immortal escaping must be even higher,” Han Li remarked without turning his head.

“Indeed,” Crab Daoist replied expressionlessly.

“According to your estimation, if this immortal truly escaped, how much of his strength would remain?” Han Li stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Other aspects are hard to judge, but his current true immortal form is likely unsustainable. He will most likely revert to his original form and suffer backlash. Though I don’t know what secret technique he used to defy the suppression of this realm’s laws, severe injuries are unavoidable now,” Crab Daoist said calmly.

“So, Brother Crab, you’re suggesting I go and take a look?” Han Li said slowly.

“Whether to go or not is naturally your decision. However, he is no ordinary immortal—there’s a high chance he possesses a True Soul Pill. If you could obtain one, transcending the tribulation of ascension would become much easier,” Crab Daoist replied after a brief silence.

“With such an incentive, it seems I must take this risk. Fortunately, given his current state, even if I can’t defeat him, escaping unscathed should be effortless.”

Han Li chuckled, flicking his sleeve as arcs of silver lightning crackled across his body. Beneath him, a thunderous roar erupted as a pale silver lightning array materialized.

With a brilliant flash of electricity, Han Li and Crab Daoist vanished amidst the swirling arcs.

**Center of the Ming Sha Land**

As the white light dissipated, the entire ten-thousand-mile radius had sunk over a dozen zhang lower, forming a colossal basin-like depression.

The ground within the basin was smooth as a mirror, devoid of even the slightest irregularity.

Yet, high above the basin’s center, two objects remained suspended—unmoving.

One was a massive sphere, its once-golden shell now charred black, emitting a faint burnt odor as if most of it had been roasted.

The other was a towering purple-gold crystal, its interior glowing faintly, vaguely encasing a blurred human figure.

With a *crack*, the giant crystal shattered into fragments, revealing Ma Liang, now naked and restored to his normal size. His face was deathly pale, devoid of color, and his expression darkened further as he surveyed his surroundings.

“The Twofold Dust Formation—a secret formation from the Immortal Realm, no wonder it possessed such power. Heh, what a pity it was merely a flawed replica. Otherwise…”

Ma Liang muttered to himself before abruptly cutting off, his gaze shifting to the golden sphere.

The sphere trembled slightly, cracks of pink spreading across its surface before chunks of charred flesh sloughed off, revealing a golden beetle about a zhang in size.

“Golden Cicada Molting! To think a mere lower-realm Devouring Gold Immortal could master such a technique. Hah! Marvelous—this insect’s potential far exceeds my expectations!”

Ma Liang initially froze in surprise before bursting into laughter. With a flip of his hand, a pale silver talisman appeared, which he flicked toward the golden beetle.

Though the Devouring Gold King’s aura had weakened significantly, its eyes still gleamed with ferocity as it prepared to charge forward.

But at that moment, a thunderclap echoed from the sky as countless silver lightning arcs erupted from the void, weaving into a massive silver lightning array.

Ma Liang’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, he redirected the silver talisman toward the array.

With a *whoosh*, the talisman transformed into a colossal silver axe over a dozen zhang long, slashing down toward the array with a bone-chilling edge.

Before the axe could land, a blurry figure within the array raised a hand, unleashing a green sword beam to intercept it.

*Boom!*

The green light and silver axe collided, both recoiling violently. The axe shattered into motes of light, while the green sword beam circled back, shrinking into a tiny sword that returned to its wielder’s hand.

Emerging from the lightning array were none other than Han Li and Crab Daoist, with Han Li being the one who had struck.

“Hmph, more fools seeking death! Oh? A fully intact immortal puppet—now that’s rare!” Ma Liang’s eyes narrowed as he instantly discerned Crab Daoist’s nature, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

“As expected of an immortal—to see through Brother Crab’s identity so easily. But judging by your state, the backlash from this realm must be severe. How much of your strength remains?” Han Li smiled faintly as he scrutinized Ma Liang.

Meanwhile, the golden beetle’s wings buzzed as it shot toward Han Li like a streak of golden light, vanishing into his sleeve.

“So, it was this puppet who told you about the backlash. Even with but a fraction of my power, crushing you two is child’s play. However, if you surrender that Devouring Gold Immortal willingly, I might spare your life,” Ma Liang chuckled darkly.

“The Devouring Gold Immortal—you mean my Devouring Gold King? Heh, I’m afraid I must decline,” Han Li replied with a yawn.

“Then I’ll simply expend a bit more effort to kill you before claiming it,” Ma Liang sneered, raising a hand as bloody light coalesced into a crimson seal.

Han Li’s expression darkened. Without visible movement, golden light flared behind him as a three-headed, six-armed Dharmic Form emerged. Simultaneously, *hissing* sounds erupted as thousands of green sword shadows materialized, forming a protective sea of blades around him.

Beside him, Crab Daoist crackled with silver lightning, arcs surging across his body like a thunder deity incarnate.

Suddenly, Han Li felt a warmth in his chest as a bottle-shaped green glow pierced through his robes, accompanied by a clear chime that soared into the heavens.

At the same time, a dark green vial flew out from Ma Liang’s sleeve, trembling as it emitted a resonant hum, as if yearning to rush toward Han Li.

With a *snap*, Ma Liang reflexively snatched the vial, but upon glimpsing the green glow on Han Li’s chest, his face twisted into ecstatic disbelief.

“The Heaven Controlling Vial! It’s actually in your hands! Hah! To think I’d find it so effortlessly after searching endlessly. If I present this to the Ancestor, the rewards will be unimaginable!” Ma Liang roared with laughter, clutching the dark green vial while staring greedily at Han Li’s chest.

“The Heaven Controlling Vial? What nonsense are you spouting?” Han Li’s expression darkened, his gaze icy as it locked onto the vial in Ma Liang’s hand.

“Don’t play dumb! My Sky Pilfering Vial may be a replica, but its resonance with the true artifact is unmistakable,” Ma Liang sneered.

“You mean this?” Han Li’s face flickered through several emotions before he reached into his chest, withdrawing an identical emerald-green vial—only slightly paler and more unassuming.

“Yes, that’s— Wait, no! Yours is just a shell! Where’s the vial spirit? What have you done with it?” Ma Liang’s expression twisted in shock as he realized the two vials failed to react further.

“Vial spirit? What are you talking about?” Han Li narrowed his eyes at the immortal.