This woman wasn’t overwhelmingly beautiful, yet her smile moments ago had been utterly captivating, radiating a thousand charms and infinite allure.
This took Han Li by surprise! If not for the fact that his Great Development Art showed no reaction, he would have suspected her of employing some advanced seduction technique. That made his earlier loss of composure rather puzzling.
Muttering to himself internally, Han Li couldn’t help but glance back at Fairy Violet Spirit. She had already reverted to her modest, delicate appearance—the soul-stirring, stunning charm from before had vanished without a trace.
Just as Han Li was quietly pondering this, the grey-robed elder approached him.
“I am Ge Li from Celestial Terrace Island. May I ask how I should address you two fellow Daoists?” The elder clasped his hands politely in greeting.
Han Li temporarily set aside his doubts and responded with a smile, “I am Han Li, and this is Fairy Violet Spirit of the Mystic Sound Sect.”
Upon hearing Han Li’s name, the elder’s expression remained neutral, but when he heard “Mystic Sound Sect” and “Violet Spirit,” he couldn’t hide his surprise.
“I have long heard of Fairy Violet Spirit of the Mystic Sound Sect. I never expected to see you in person today—what an honor!” Though the elder spoke these words, his eyes held deep suspicion. Clearly, Fairy Violet Spirit’s appearance didn’t live up to her widely rumored beauty, which left him somewhat taken aback.
Fairy Violet Spirit naturally recognized the hollow courtesy but merely pursed her lips into a faint smile without saying a word.
However, the elder was no ordinary person either. He quickly regained his composure and said to Han Li with a smile, “Since the few of us have been teleported together, it must be fate. Why don’t we join forces to pass this trial? After all, the Ghost Veil ahead is no easy challenge. I’ve heard that many Core Formation cultivators were devoured by ghosts here, leaving not even a trace of their bodies.”
As Ge Li spoke of the latter part, his expression grew solemn, suggesting he knew quite a bit about the matters of the Void Palace.
When the elder mentioned the Ghost Veil, Han Li’s gaze swept into the distance.
Beyond a dozen yards from their small earthen slope, everything was shrouded in a grey haze, with endless stretches of pale mist drifting about. Icy winds blew through the fog, carrying faint, piercing wails that sent chills down one’s spine.
This ghostly mist was held at bay near the slope by a faint, barely visible white light, preventing it from advancing even an inch further. Otherwise, Han Li and the others would have had no time to discuss strategies calmly—they would have long been harassed by wild ghosts and lonely spirits.
Seeing this, Han Li couldn’t help but look upward. The same dense fog obscured everything, making it hard to believe they were inside a grand hall. It felt more like they were in a desolate wilderness.
Hearing the elder’s words, Fairy Violet Spirit, standing to the side, interjected with concern, “I’ve also heard that this first trial, the Ghost Veil, wasn’t originally difficult. But as more and more cultivators became trapped in the ghost mist, it grew increasingly dangerous. The resentment of those fallen cultivators is extremely potent. After death, they transform into fierce ghosts with considerable power, harboring intense hatred for us palace intruders. Once they encounter us, it’s a fight to the death. In recent openings of the Void Palace, more cultivators have perished in this trial. I even heard that during the last opening, a team of cultivators encountered a highly intelligent Ghost King in the Ghost Veil. The entire team was annihilated—only one managed to escape alive.”
“Ghost King?” Han Li stroked his chin, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Although he wasn’t entirely clear about the hierarchy of ghostly beings, he knew that a Ghost King was nearly equivalent to a late Core Formation cultivator. Coupled with their human-like intelligence, dealing with them would be extremely troublesome.
Noticing Han Li’s thoughtful expression, Ge Li quickly added, “I know the chances of encountering a Ghost King are slim, but it’s safer if we stick together. Although I’m old, I have no desire to fall in the ghost mist and end up like these fierce ghosts.” The elder was quite frank!
Fairy Violet Spirit listened but said nothing more. Extremely clever, she understood that the proposal to team up wasn’t for her, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but for Han Li. After her earlier interjection, she obediently stood by Han Li’s side, refraining from speaking further.
Hearing the elder’s words, Han Li smiled.
Instead of responding directly, he glanced at the black-robed figure nearby and said unhurriedly, “Fellow Daoist Ge, have you asked that gentleman over there? Is he willing to cooperate with us?”
At the mention of the black-robed man, Ge Li’s expression darkened. After a moment of hesitation, he said resentfully, “Ugh! Don’t mention that demonic path cultivator. Right after we teleported here, I kindly suggested teaming up, but he coldly told me to get lost! If I weren’t so even-tempered, I wouldn’t have let it slide.” The elder seemed quite incensed.
Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but he felt a flicker of interest toward the black-robed man.
He turned and called out to the demonic path cultivator, “Fellow Daoist, would you be interested in working together? If we few Core Formation cultivators join forces, even if we encounter a Ghost King, we might stand a chance!” Han Li’s voice wasn’t loud but was exceptionally clear, undoubtedly reaching the other’s ears.
However, upon hearing this, the man merely cast a cold glance in their direction before turning away indifferently, completely ignoring Han Li’s suggestion.
“Fellow Daoist Han! See, I told you—this guy doesn’t know what’s good for him. Let’s just the three of us go together.” The elder snorted coldly, still holding a grudge over the earlier insult.
Han Li chuckled lightly, but before he could respond, Fairy Violet Spirit at his side let out a soft, surprised “Oh!”
Following her gaze, Han Li saw the black-robed man striding toward the ghost mist, apparently intending to challenge the trial alone.
The three of them were stunned, but soon, Ge Li sneered disdainfully, “He’s seeking his own death! daring to enter the ghost mist alone—chances are, he won’t make it through.”
Ignoring the elder’s sarcasm, Han Li narrowed his eyes, intently observing the black-robed man’s every move. He didn’t believe the man was recklessly courting death; rather, he likely had some special method, confident in his ability to pass alone.
The black-robed man reached the boundary between the ghost mist and the white light. Lifting his loose sleeve, a green light shot out and landed before him, revealing a small, monkey-like spirit beast.
The little monkey stood only about a foot tall, its emerald-green fur faintly glowing. Most peculiarly, its nose was highly prominent and unusually large, occupying almost half of its face, giving it a rather eerie appearance.
Han Li was merely puzzled, but the elder beside him paled and exclaimed, “It’s a Soul Devourer! He actually has this spirit beast! No wonder he’s so arrogant.” The elder actually showed a trace of terror.
Fairy Violet Spirit was equally astonished at the sight of the small monkey.
Frowning, Han Li asked, “Soul Devourer? What kind of rare beast is this? I’ve never heard of it.”
Snapping out of her shock, Fairy Violet Spirit hurriedly explained, “The Soul Devourer isn’t a natural spirit beast but a unique creature refined by a secret demonic sect, existing somewhere between a spirit beast and a demonic soul. Although usually not very useful, it has a natural ability to devour souls and consume ghosts. No matter how powerful a ghost or fierce spirit, if this beast lightly inhales through its nose, it will be drawn into its belly and refined into nothing within moments. It’s incredibly formidable.” As she spoke, her face was full of envy.
“But…” Fairy Violet Spirit paused, then sighed softly.
“But what?” Han Li was somewhat annoyed by her suspenseful tone.
“But the method to refine this beast is possessed only by that secret sect, and the process is extremely bloody and difficult to succeed—it’s a wicked art that violates natural harmony. It’s said that whenever this beast appears, great turmoil follows in the cultivation world.” Ge Li gazed at the disappearing figure of the black-robed man, his expression complex.
“This beast appears, and the cultivation world falls into chaos?” Han Li couldn’t help but sneer at these words.
“Even if this beast didn’t appear, when it’s time for the Starfall Seas to fall into chaos, it will. Do you really think this beast brings disaster?” Han Li spoke with clear derision.
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