Upon entering the room, Yun Tianxiao saw a man sitting low in the center, his hands shimmering with light as if he were fiddling with something. Surprised, he glanced around but did not see Yun Qin. He was momentarily stunned, then a wave of caution washed over him.
“Who are you, and where is Yun Qin?” he asked slowly, staring at the man while secretly stirring the magical treasure within him.
“Heh! Brother Yun, has it been so long that you’ve already forgotten me?” The man chuckled lightly and raised his head to look at him.
“It’s you?” As soon as Yun Tianxiao clearly saw the man’s face, his expression changed abruptly. Without a second thought, he abruptly rose, preparing to transform into a streak of light and flee.
“Too late!” The man’s calm voice echoed as a multicolored glow suddenly shot from his hand.
In a flash of light, several five-colored copper rings appeared around Yun Tianxiao’s body. With a low hum, the rings tightened simultaneously. Yun Tianxiao let out a cry and tumbled to the ground.
Panicked, he tried to summon his magical treasure, but it remained motionless within him, as if dead and completely restrained.
“Senior Miao He, save me!” Terrified out of his wits, Yun Tianxiao cried out in desperation, no longer caring about anything else.
He only had time to utter that one cry before the man opposite him opened his mouth, and a green streak shot out. After a swift arc, it cleanly severed Yun Tianxiao’s head. Without hesitation, the man reached out, and the storage pouch on the corpse flew into his hand. The five-colored rings and the green light swiftly returned to his side.
This series of actions was completed in the blink of an eye. But almost as soon as Han Li secured the storage pouch, a loud explosion erupted from one side of the room.
One wall of the stone house suddenly shattered into pieces. Amid the flying debris, Miao He Zhenren appeared, his Taoist robes fluttering gracefully.
The old Taoist cast a gloomy glance at the headless corpse on the ground, then looked up at Han Li, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. He whispered softly, “Seeking death!”
With a flick of his finger, a blinding white streak of light shot toward Han Li in an instant.
Han Li’s eyes narrowed, and his heart tightened. The five-colored rings in his hand rapidly expanded, merging into a giant multicolored ring that shielded him. At the same time, he flipped his palm, and a red-and-yellow jade ruyi appeared in his hand.
This was the first time Han Li, having greatly advanced in cultivation, relied on the power of ancient treasures to directly withstand an attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator. Though he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was racing, and he had no confidence in the outcome.
A dull thud echoed as the white light collided with the multicolored glow.
Han Li was sent flying as if struck by a heavy hammer, crashing hard against the stone wall behind him. His head spun from the impact.
“Huh?” Just as Han Li was dazed from the fall, a surprised sound came from across the room.
Another white light flashed, and Han Li, taking a sharp breath, swung the jade ruyi fiercely. Within the multicolored ring, a red-and-yellow protective shield emerged.
Another heavy blow followed, but this time, Han Li fared much better. He staggered back a few steps but managed to steady himself.
Feeling more assured, Han Li willed a pair of silver-white wings to unfold behind him.
With a rumble of thunder, he vanished from his spot and reappeared in another corner of the room, narrowly avoiding the next wave of white light.
Now, Han Li could clearly see the true form of the white light—it was a small, gleaming white jade hammer. The oval hammerhead, no larger than a palm, was covered in runes and emanated astonishing spiritual energy.
After missing his strike, Miao He’s expression shifted slightly. He beckoned, and the small hammer flew back into his wide sleeve with a swoosh.
“To think a Core Formation cultivator possesses so many ancient treasures. What is your name?” Miao He asked, a trace of surprise in his eyes.
Han Li pressed his lips together, about to speak, when the door was pushed open. Madame Fan walked in, looking slightly excited.
“Senior Miao He! This Senior Li is an ally I invited to deal with the traitor Yun Tianxiao. Please rest assured, I am willing to double whatever conditions this scoundrel promised you.” Madame Fan bowed respectfully to Miao He Zhenren.
Hearing this, Miao He’s brow furrowed slightly. His gaze swept over the corpse on the ground, and his expression turned uncertain.
Han Li remained silent, standing still. But Madame Fan grew nervous upon seeing Miao He’s reaction.
“Very well, since this is an internal matter of the Miaoyin Sect, this old Taoist will not interfere. Sect Leader Fan, do not forget your words,” Miao He finally said, his expression softening.
“Please rest assured, Senior. How would I dare to go back on my word?” Madame Fan’s heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled, and she smiled charmingly as she assured him.
The old Taoist nodded but then glanced at Han Li, a hint of suspicion rising in his eyes.
“Fellow Daoist Li, where have you cultivated before? Your face seems unfamiliar,” he asked after a moment of silence.
“This junior…” Han Li’s heart tightened. He pondered briefly, preparing to dispel the other’s doubts, but as soon as he uttered two words, a green light flickered across his face, and his expression changed dramatically.
The Wind Spirit Energy sealed by golden threads within him had suddenly erupted violently.
Judging by its ferocity, the humanoid beast Feng Xi was clearly nearby.
Shocked and furious, Han Li mustered all his spiritual power to suppress the outburst. Even so, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Just as Han Li breathed a sigh of relief after overcoming the crisis, he met Miao He’s astonished gaze, which also held a trace of peculiar delight.
Han Li was momentarily stunned, then a thought flashed through his mind. He paled and touched his face—the Disguise Art had worn off, and he had reverted to his original appearance.
“Han Li?” A vicious glint flashed in Miao He Zhenren’s eyes as he uttered Han Li’s name.
Han Li’s face turned ashen, and he inwardly groaned. Without a second thought, the silver wings on his back flashed, and with a rumble of thunder, he vanished from the spot. At the same time, the old Taoist flicked his sleeve, transforming into a white streak of light and disappearing. Only Madame Fan remained in the room, her expression dazed and complex.
Above Twin Peaks Island, a silver light flashed, and Han Li suddenly appeared. But the next moment, a white light shot up from the island, speeding toward him with astonishing speed.
Han Li’s expression darkened. He channeled the Divine Devilbane Lightning into his Wind and Thunder Wings and, amid rumbling thunder, vanished instantly, reappearing a hundred zhang away. He repeated this process, disappearing and reappearing.
In the blink of an eye, Han Li’s figure had become a small black dot in the distance.
Seeing this, Miao He Zhenren within the white light was both astonished and covetous. Without hesitation, he concluded that the wings on Han Li’s back must be a treasure from the Void Heaven Cauldron, fueling his desire.
With a low shout, he transformed into a dazzling streak of light. The air whistled with the sound of extreme speed as the light streak also turned into a dot, chasing fiercely after Han Li in the distance.
In an instant, both the light dot and the black dot vanished from sight.
Han Li, using the Divine Devilbane Lightning to activate his Wind and Thunder Wings, moved at a terrifying speed, leaving Miao He far behind.
At this rate, Han Li would soon shake off the old Taoist completely. However, the Wind Spirit Energy within him began to act up frequently, flaring up almost every mealtime.
This forced Han Li to stop repeatedly to suppress the backlash with his spiritual power. These delays gave Miao He opportunities to lock onto Han Li with his spiritual sense and pursue him relentlessly.
However, what worried Han Li even more was that as the Wind Spirit Energy’s outbursts grew increasingly violent, it was clear that the Wind Splitting Beast Feng Xi was drawing nearer. This filled Han Li with dread.
Left with no choice, Han Li steeled himself and flew toward the small island with the teleportation formation. He hoped that, under Madame Fan’s orders, the formation had been completed in a short time. If he could reach the island before Miao He and Feng Xi caught up, he might have a chance to escape their pursuit.
Although the Wind and Thunder Wings were incredibly fast, they consumed a significant amount of Divine Devilbane Lightning. After shaking off Miao He once more, Han Li put away the wings and switched to his blood-red cloak.
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