“Even so, to cover for the Spirit Beast Mountain, other sacrificed cultivators aside, the fact that two Core Formation cultivators also died in that self-orchestrated attack is simply inexcusable no matter how you look at it!” Han Li frowned slightly and spoke slowly, clearly unwilling to believe it easily.
“Without the deaths of Core Formation cultivators, how could the other six sects have believed it so easily? Moreover, do you really think those who died were Core Formation cultivators?” “Qu Hun” sneered coldly.
“From what you’re saying…” Han Li looked at “Qu Hun” with some surprise.
“From what I know, our Demon Dao Six Sects have two or three secret techniques that can forcibly elevate a Foundation Establishment cultivator to nearly Core Formation-level cultivation. Of course, each of these methods has significant flaws. Essentially, any cultivator who uses one is doomed to have their meridians shattered and die, and the duration of the elevated cultivation is pitifully short. However, that short time should be enough to deceive the eyes and ears of your other six sects. After all, an attack doesn’t need to be acted out for very long.”
Hearing this, Han Li fell silent. By now, he was about thirty percent convinced.
One could easily imagine that when the alliance of the Seven Sects and cultivators from the other two nations had set up their grand formation to confront the Demon Dao Six Sects, the Demon Dao, already fully aware of the alliance’s arrangements, would easily tear through the Seven Sects’ formation with Spirit Beast Mountain’s betrayal. At that point, the Seven Sects’ alliance, without the protection of the grand formation, would be no match for the Demon Dao Six Sects.
“Even if what you say is true, the time for the decisive battle hasn’t arrived yet. If I go to report this, we should be able to turn defeat into victory. Why should I run away?” After pondering for a moment, Han Li asked somewhat unwillingly.
“Do you truly believe our Demon Path would wait until the agreed-upon time to initiate the final battle? You should be aware that, according to the original plan, there was always a strategy to deceive the enemy and strike when they least expect it. Although I don’t know the exact timing, I estimate that within a few days, our Demon Path will launch a surprise attack on your camp. After all, at this moment, you are at your most relaxed state before the great battle, and your forces are far from fully assembled. Fellow Daoist, do you think there is enough time left for you to deliver this message to the battlefield and convince your superiors?” The corner of his mouth twitched, clearly taking pleasure in the situation.
Hearing this, Han Li’s expression finally changed slightly. A trace of worry crept into his heart.
If the Seven Sects were truly defeated, his days would indeed become difficult. He would either have to stay in Yue Country and be hunted by the Demon Dao, flee to another country and wander aimlessly, or repair the teleportation formation and start a new cultivation journey in an unfamiliar place.
“You seem to know the Demon Dao’s plans inside and out. It seems your status is indeed not low. Don’t worry, I have no interest in asking about your specific identity. I just want to ask one more thing: after saying all this, do you have any evidence? You don’t think I’ll fully believe everything you say based solely on your words, do you?” After thinking it over, Han Li asked solemnly.
Hearing this question, the Spirit Nurturing Sect cultivator was taken aback, then smiled bitterly.
“In my critical moment, I didn’t even have my original body. Fellow Daoist, do you think I could have retained any evidence? Actually, if you have some patience, just wait a few days, and you’ll likely hear news of the great battle.” He spoke as if it were a matter of fact.
Hearing this, Han Li sneered.
“If the physical body is destroyed, how could the primordial spirit possibly escape? Since you weren’t killed outright back then, I refuse to believe you didn’t secretly stash away crucial items like magical treasures elsewhere.” Han Li spoke coldly, yet his words struck true, causing “Qu Hun’s” bitter smile to instantly freeze on his face.
“Heh heh! It seems I can’t hide anything from you, Fellow Daoist. Indeed, I have hidden a jade slip containing correspondence between our sect and Spirit Beast Mountain. In fact, a few years ago, when I came to Yue Country, I was responsible for delivering this message back. But I never expected…” Having been exposed by Han Li, he spoke with some embarrassment.
Hearing the other party finally admit it, Han Li sighed inwardly. He didn’t know how old this person really was, but he was truly cunning. It seemed he would have to be even more cautious.
“Where is the item?” Han Li asked bluntly next, his eyes scanning the other’s body.
“The storage bag containing the jade slip isn’t on me. I left it in a cave nearby. I can take you to get it?” Now “Qu Hun” appeared very cooperative.
“Not on you?” Han Li’s eyes flickered with disbelief.
“As you know, my current body is actually a zombie. Although it’s far sturdier than an ordinary person’s, it has also lost most of its sensation. I was afraid that if I carried the storage bag on me, I might lose it without even realizing it. So, under normal circumstances, I leave the storage bag at my dwelling.” He offered a reason that sounded somewhat awkward to Han Li.
But Han Li didn’t say anything. Instead, he carefully searched “Qu Hun’s” body and, finding nothing, coldly asked again, “Where is the cave? I’ll go get the item myself!”
Seeing Han Li so cautious, “Qu Hun” could only gloomily tell him the location.
Han Li nodded upon hearing it and seemed about to leave, but suddenly remembered something. He turned back and asked another question.
“How did you enter this body? Although this body originally had no soul or primordial spirit, saving you the trouble of seizing it, it still isn’t a cultivator’s body!” Han Li was genuinely curious.
“I don’t know!” The other’s reply made Han Li’s face darken, but before he could say anything more, the other hurriedly explained, “I truly don’t know what happened! At the time, I dragged my severely injured body to Jiayuan City and was on the verge of death. I had no choice but to hastily perform soul projection and search everywhere for a cultivator to seize. But after searching all nearby areas, I didn’t encounter a single cultivator. Just as I was in despair, I found this zombie body without a soul. I was desperate, so I tried entering this body as a last resort. To my surprise, it worked without any issues, which astonished me as well.” As he spoke, the Spirit Beast Sect cultivator also wore an expression of disbelief.
Han Li fell silent upon hearing this. After glancing at the other, he suddenly walked back to “Qu Hun’s” side and placed two more “Soul-Calming Talismans” on him before disappearing into the darkness.
Standing in place, “Qu Hun’s” face was full of bitterness. But shortly after Han Li left, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.
…
Following the location provided by the other, Han Li accurately found the cave. The entrance didn’t seem very large.
Han Li raised his hand, and a Moonlight Stone flew out of his storage bag, floating above his head to illuminate the surroundings. Then, he looked at the dark cave entrance, pondered for a moment, and summoned the White Phosphorus Shield and turtle shell magical tool to block in front of him before cautiously entering the cave.
The cave was indeed not very spacious, as Han Li had anticipated. After walking just seven or eight zhang, he vaguely saw a rock wall blocking the way ahead—it seemed he had reached the end of the cave.
Han Li’s sharp eyes scanned around but found nothing unusual. Then, he lowered his head to look at the ground. According to the other party, the storage bag was hidden under a large bluish stone, so it should be easy to find.
Sure enough, about two zhang away to one side, there was a dark, several-chi-tall object that resembled a stone.
Without overthinking it, Han Li walked over and, under the soft white light of the Moonlight Stone, focused his gaze to look closely.
“Gasp!” Han Li drew a sharp breath. This was no stone—it was a large pile of white bones stacked high, with some indistinct flesh still clinging to them, emitting a faint bloody scent.
In his shock, Han Li focused slightly and realized the bones were all from fierce beasts like tigers and leopards, with bite marks on them as if they had been chewed by something.
At this point, a thought flashed through Han Li’s mind, and he inwardly cried, “Not good!” He urgently tried to retreat.
But it was already too late. A black shadow flashed, darting out from somewhere, and slammed hard into Han Li’s White Phosphorus Shield.
Instantly, an extremely powerful force transmitted through, sending Han Li flying backward along with his shield. He crashed heavily into the cave wall behind him, nearly knocking him unconscious from the pain.
“What kind of monster is this?” Han Li thought in shock and anger amid the intense pain.
But before Han Li could fall from the cave wall, the black shadow leaped up and charged at him again. Han Li, terrified, instinctively pushed both defensive magical tools in front of him.
With a clear “clang,” Han Li was surprised.
This time, no immense force came through, but the White Phosphorus Shield, positioned at the very front, broke neatly into two pieces with a “clatter” and fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Han Li was so startled he nearly bit his tongue.
This was unbelievable! The “White Phosphorus Shield” had been sliced in half by that monster.
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