“That’s not necessarily true. I heard that the disciples of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect were searching for Golden Silk Silkworms everywhere a few years ago, but then suddenly the news died down. It’s unclear whether they found them or not. If they have such a miraculous insect to assist them, it’s possible that the sect leader of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect might truly set his sights on the Void Heaven Cauldron.” Patriarch Ji Yin frowned deeply as he spoke, unconsciously glancing at Wan Tianming and the others with a look of deep concern.
At that moment, the three righteous path Nascent Soul cultivators were sitting cross-legged on the pillars, seemingly paying no attention to their conversation.
“Hmph! It’s not just Wan Tianming who might have Golden Silk Silkworms. I heard that you, Ji Yin, also obtained two mutated fire pythons on Lihuo Island. I suspect your ambitions in coming here are quite grand as well!” Barbarian Beard shot a glance at Patriarch Ji Yin and spoke without any courtesy. He seemed to hold a certain disdain for Ji Yin’s secretive actions.
Upon hearing this, Patriarch Ji Yin’s expression shifted several times, but he quickly regained his composure. However, inwardly, he was cursing relentlessly. Without a doubt, one of his trusted subordinates had leaked the information, allowing it to reach the other party’s ears.
Barbarian Beard’s arrival at the Void Heaven Hall this time was likely just a pretext for obtaining the Longevity Fruit—his real intention was probably to monitor Ji Yin’s movements.
Despite his inner frustration, Patriarch Ji Yin maintained a calm facade and replied without missing a beat, “Brother Barbarian, you flatter me. I did indeed bring two mutated fire pythons this time. However, their cultivation is still shallow, and the chances of success are quite slim. I will need the assistance of both Brother Barbarian and Brother Qing.”
“Help you? What’s in it for us?” The scholarly old man’s heart stirred, but he feigned hesitation in his reply.
A faint smile appeared on Patriarch Ji Yin’s face. Instead of speaking openly, he transmitted his words directly: “According to the information left behind by the master of the Void Heaven Hall, aside from the most important Heaven Mending Pill, the Void Heaven Cauldron also contains several top-tier ancient treasures left behind by ancient cultivators. Their power is undoubtedly immense. Apart from the Void Heaven Cauldron and one Heaven Mending Pill, I am willing to divide the remaining treasures equally among you. How does that sound?”
A flash of greed appeared in the scholarly old man’s eyes, but after a moment of consideration and a glance at Barbarian Beard, he transmitted back: “I have no objections, but we must see what Brother Barbarian thinks. After all, without him to keep Wan Tianming in check, I would not dare take such a risk.”
Patriarch Ji Yin was not surprised by this response. He knew all too well that this scholarly old man, known as the “Green Loose Cultivator,” was a cunning old fox. Without Barbarian Beard’s involvement, he would never agree to such an uncertain venture.
Thus, Patriarch Ji Yin turned to Barbarian Beard with a smile and transmitted his proposal. Then he asked, “Brother Barbarian, what are your thoughts on my suggestion? Are you interested in cooperating? The value of the Heaven Mending Pill needs no explanation—I’m sure you are well aware of it. Something capable of compensating for the lack of the five elemental spiritual roots—I doubt there is anything else like it in the entire cultivation world. Perhaps after consuming it, your cultivation will advance effortlessly, allowing you to break through the limitations of your lifespan once again!”
Patriarch Ji Yin seemed completely unbothered by the earlier slight, enthusiastically persuading Barbarian Beard.
“Hmph! With just two fire pythons, you dare to set your sights on the Void Heaven Cauldron? I think you’ve lost your minds! Countless Nascent Soul cultivators entered the inner hall in the past, yet all returned empty-handed. Do you really think taking such a great risk will lead to success? The dangers of the inner hall are on a completely different level from the outer hall. Even we Nascent Soul cultivators cannot guarantee a safe return. Throughout the openings of the Void Heaven Hall, it hasn’t been just one or two Nascent Soul cultivators who perished in the inner hall.” Barbarian Beard snorted coldly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“There’s no need for Brother Barbarian to worry about that. I merely wish to ask: if Wan Tianming and his group truly intend to target the Void Heaven Cauldron, would Brother Barbarian really not want to go in and see for yourself?” Patriarch Ji Yin replied calmly.
The cold smirk on Barbarian Beard’s face gradually faded after hearing Ji Yin’s question.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing within them, before slowly saying, “If Wan Tianming is truly willing to take such a great risk and enter the inner hall, I will naturally follow without you having to ask. After all, even if we of the demonic path cannot obtain the Void Heaven Cauldron, we cannot allow the righteous path to possess it either.” His tone was resolute.
“Hehe, with those words from Brother Barbarian, I am satisfied. As long as you are willing to act when the time comes, my earlier proposal will naturally include you. Of course, if Madame Wen is also willing to lend a hand, I would be even more welcoming.” Patriarch Ji Yin chuckled lightly and glanced at the beautiful woman.
“I am here only to gather some spiritual herbs. The inner hall is too dangerous—I will not be going,” the beautiful woman surnamed Wen coldly refused without even hearing Patriarch Ji Yin’s conditions.
A flicker of disappointment passed over Patriarch Ji Yin’s face.
Although the beautiful woman was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, her husband, the Six Paths Extreme Saint, was one of the foremost demonic overlords. Even Barbarian Beard felt inferior in his presence. Failing to recruit her was naturally regrettable.
However, he certainly did not dare to force her into entering the inner hall. He could only smile slightly and let the matter drop. After all, with the three of them on their side, they were already on par with the righteous path. There was no need to provoke the woman’s displeasure.
As the demonic path finished their discussions, Wan Tianming and the others on the other side remained silent, meditating with their eyes closed. It was unclear whether they were confident in their plans or had already prepared countermeasures.
Han Li, observing from a corner, took all of this in.
Although he was too far away to hear most of the conversation, which was largely transmitted secretly, the hostile glances the demonic cultivators occasionally cast toward the righteous path allowed him to guess that they were discussing how to deal with the sect leader of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect and the others. This secretly pleased Han Li.
Only if these Nascent Soul old monsters were preoccupied with each other could he safely fish in troubled waters. It would be even better if Patriarch Ji Yin became too busy to pay attention to him.
Just as Han Li was pondering how to further muddy the waters, two figures flashed at the entrance of the hall, and two white-robed old men walked in. Both had silver hair and beards, their robes fluttering gracefully, giving them the aura of celestial beings.
The moment these two entered, all the cultivators in the hall turned their eyes toward them, their expressions shifting to ones of understanding and respect.
Some of the cultivators, who had been on edge, finally breathed a sigh of relief! However, the old monsters from both the righteous and demonic paths wore complex expressions—a mix of envy, disgust, and helplessness.
One of the white-robed old men, who had kindly features, smiled gently as he noticed everyone looking their way and said in an extremely amiable tone, “For this journey to the Void Heaven Hall, our two Holy Masters are in seclusion and unable to preside over this treasure hunt. Thus, we two enforcement elders will represent Star Palace to oversee this event.”
“The rules for this treasure hunt remain the same as in previous sessions. Anyone who bullies the weak or attempts to kill for treasure will be stopped by us and pursued by Star Palace for elimination. However, Star Palace’s supervision is limited to the outer hall of the Void Heaven Hall. We will not enter the inner hall, nor will we interfere in any matters within it. Therefore, if any of you feel uncertain, it is best to stop at the entrance to the inner hall. Additionally, we will not offer assistance to any fellow cultivators due to the inherent dangers of the Void Heaven Hall. Even if a fellow cultivator is on the verge of death right before our eyes, we will not bat an eyelid. I’ve made myself clear—I trust everyone understands our stance.”
After speaking, the white-robed old man swept his electric gaze across the hall. Most cultivators lowered their heads or avoided his eyes when his gaze fell upon them. Only Wan Tianming and Barbarian Beard met his gaze directly without flinching.
This gave the white-robed old man pause, and he frowned slightly, muttering under his breath, “Why are these two freaks here as well? This complicates things.”
The other cold-faced old man beside him also showed a flicker of emotion but merely snorted coldly before resuming his icy expression.
Then, the two enforcement elders from Star Palace sat cross-legged on either side of the hall entrance, paying no further attention to the commotion caused by their words.
The other Core Formation cultivators wore varied expressions—some joyful, others worried.
Han Li found this situation quite peculiar. He wondered what purpose Star Palace had in taking such an unappreciated role. Was it merely to establish their authority in the Chaotic Star Sea?
Just then, the voice of Profound Bone Superior reached his ears: “Kid, be careful. The people from Star Palace are not to be trifled with! From what I know, whenever the demonic path grows too powerful, Star Palace suppresses them, and when the righteous path becomes too strong, they suppress them in turn—never allowing either side to gain too much influence. Moreover, during every trip to the Void Heaven Hall, some cultivators from both the righteous and demonic paths die under mysterious circumstances. It’s likely the work of Star Palace. Although you don’t belong to either side, you’d better watch your step. I don’t want the helper I好不容易 found to die for no reason.”
Profound Bone Superior’s voice was cold, but his words sent a shock through Han Li’s heart.
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