Not only was the Min cultivator on edge, but the hook-nosed old man and the vicious Xuan cultivator were also extremely nervous, afraid that their words had offended the young man before them. What if he was the Insect Devil himself?
“How interesting. It seems this Insect Devil has quite the fearsome reputation. Might I ask if you know what he looks like, and whether the insects he controls are the same as mine?” Han Li showed no sign of anger and instead chuckled lightly.
“What he looks like? I haven’t heard any detailed descriptions, but he seems rather ordinary. As for the insects he controls, I believe they are gold and silver in color. Ah! Fellow Daoist, your insects are tri-colored! It seems you truly aren’t that devil!” The Min cultivator, who had been hesitant at first, suddenly noticed the difference and exclaimed in pleasant surprise.
The hook-nosed old man and the vicious cultivator also came to the same realization, their spirits lifting immediately.
If this man wasn’t the Insect Devil, their lives were much safer.
“Thank you for your honesty, Fellow Daoists. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you any longer. However, I hope you will keep our meeting today a secret. I wouldn’t want to be mistaken for the Insect Devil and hunted down. I trust you understand.” Han Li gazed at the sky as if pondering something before lowering his head and speaking words that filled the three with immense relief.
“Of course! We will keep our lips sealed and certainly not cause you any trouble. Then, we brothers will take our leave.” The hook-nosed old man suppressed his excitement and tentatively asked for permission to leave.
Han Li nodded faintly. The three bowed hastily to him, then quickly rose and flew away.
A short while later, from the other end of the island, the hook-nosed old man and his two companions, along with their disciples, hurriedly flew out and sped toward the distant sky.
Han Li stood up at some point, watching motionlessly from where he was. Only when their fleeing lights had completely vanished did his expression darken.
Although it would have been effortless to kill these cultivators, Han Li had no intention of doing so. He was not a bloodthirsty person, and it mattered little to him whether his presence here was revealed.
This area was far from his cave abode. Had he encountered these three in the misty sea near his island, he would not have let any of them survive. He had already decided to return to his cave and go into seclusion, not planning to emerge for at least twenty or thirty years. Let those who sought trouble with him waste their time searching the outer seas!
But “Insect Devil”—what a sinister title they had given him.
Aside from that one time when he had been forced to use his Gold Devouring Beetles to eliminate those Bi Yun Sect cultivators, when had he ever killed for treasure? Clearly, someone was framing him!
Though it didn’t enrage him to the point of fury, it still left him deeply frustrated.
Considering his enemies in the outer seas, it seemed only the Bi Yun Sect fit the bill.
Back then, due to the danger of high-level demon beasts, Han Li had not ventured too deep into the outer seas. He had only stayed in the peripheral areas, using Rainbow Skirt Grass to lure and kill demon beasts for their cores. Once, while trapping a grade-seven demon beast, he encountered a group of seven or eight Core Formation cultivators. Arrogantly claiming to be from the Bi Yun Sect, they grew greedy and attempted to kill him for his treasures. Han Li had no choice but to release a swarm of one hundred thousand Gold Devouring Beetles to eliminate them.
His intention had been to leave no witnesses, but unexpectedly, one of the late Core Formation cultivators possessed a powerful ancient treasure that allowed him to break through the beetle swarm and escape while Han Li was off guard.
Han Li knew that the Bi Yun Sect was one of the major powers on Devilfall Island. Left with no alternative, he risked venturing into the deep sea to avoid this new formidable enemy.
Fortunately, during his years in the deep sea, he never encountered a demon beast above grade eight. The most dangerous situation was attracting several grade-seven demon beasts at once. Though it put him in a tight spot, with his Gold Devouring Beetles and treasures, he managed to handle them unscathed.
After years of hunting in the deep sea, he had accumulated several hundred grade-six and grade-seven demon cores, more than enough for pill refining. He had also gathered a large stockpile of various demon beast materials.
Thus, he returned safely along his original route.
But just as he emerged from the deep sea and passed through this area, he accidentally discovered a Glazed Beast. Naturally, he set up a trap to kill it. Unexpectedly, this attracted the hook-nosed old man and his companions, who fearfully addressed him as the Insect Devil.
This left Han Li extremely vexed. The most likely explanation was that the Bi Yun Sect, unable to find him and unaware of his insect-controlling techniques and Emerald Bamboo Cloud-Swallowing Swords, had fabricated the identity of the Insect Devil to smear his reputation.
Undoubtedly, they aimed to ruin his name, making it impossible for him to stay in the outer seas, while also luring him out. They might even have sent people to impersonate him, committing murders and thefts to achieve both goals simultaneously!
However, there was one thing Han Li couldn’t figure out.
Finding a high-level cultivator skilled in insect control wasn’t difficult. Even finding insects similar to Gold Devouring Beetles would be easy. But if the Bi Yun Sect was behind this, why would the impersonator use gold and silver insects instead of mimicking the tri-colored beetles Han Li had used to kill their disciples? The Core Formation cultivator who escaped wouldn’t have mistaken that. Those who knew the color of his beetles before their evolution were from before his time in the outer seas.
Could it be… those old monsters from the Virtual Sky Palace had tracked him here?
At this thought, Han Li shuddered, his expression changing drastically. If that were the case, the situation was truly dire.
After pondering silently for a while, Han Li suddenly stomped his foot and shot into the air without warning. Transforming into a blue streak of light, he flew toward the misty sea island.
As he flew, his expression was calm, a faint trace of mockery at the corner of his lips.
He had just realized it didn’t matter whether the Bi Yun Sect or those old monsters were behind the “Insect Devil” incident. The outer seas had become perilous due to the deep-sea demon beasts, and he had originally planned to return to his cave for long-term seclusion. This situation allowed him to avoid the danger while focusing on his cultivation.
Once his cultivation advanced, even if he were indeed the infamous Insect Devil, who would dare challenge him? In the world of cultivators, only the strong had the right to speak!
With this thought, Han Li flew onward without any further hesitation.
Meanwhile, in a secret room in Blackstone City on Devilfall Island, two figures were conversing mysteriously in the shadows.
“Brother Qi, it’s been two or three years already. Is your method actually effective? I can’t afford to waste seven or eight years here waiting for that kid to take the bait!” a cold voice said impatiently.
“Fellow Daoist Wu, these things can’t be rushed. Aren’t you scanning every corner of Blackstone City with your spiritual sense daily? If that kid disguises himself and enters the city, he won’t escape your notice,” a hoarse voice replied calmly.
The owner of the first voice was none other than the long-unseen Patriarch Ji Yin! He still appeared as a pale-faced middle-aged man, but his expression was dark, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.
“Hmph! I’ve been sending disciples to impersonate that kid, killing and stealing treasures everywhere, yet there’s been no result. Are you hiding something for your own purposes, Brother Qi? I refuse to believe a sect as large as the Bi Yun Sect would have such trouble finding an early Core Formation cultivator!” Patriarch Ji Yin said displeased.
“Cough! Fellow Daoist Wu, you wrong me. Brother Qi and I have known each other for years—how could I be that kind of person? Besides, our sect also has a deep grudge against that kid and has never slackened in searching for him.” The owner of the hoarse voice was a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a robe with a white crane pattern. His face was covered in white pockmarks, but a faint jade-like glow gave him an imposing aura.
“However, Fellow Daoist Wu, I am curious. What did that kid do to provoke you into risking a trip to Heavenly Star City and then teleporting here? You’ve always used the excuse that your grandson died by his hand, but it sounds vague. I find it hard to believe.” The Taoist smiled as if suddenly recalling something.
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