Han Li’s eyes flashed with a cold light as his hands, which were manipulating the golden lightning arcs, suddenly trembled. A burst of golden radiance erupted, and the lightning net exploded. Countless arcs leaped and scattered, forming a new net of lightning that was three times denser than before. In an instant, it rapidly contracted. As a result, the black threads shot out and inevitably collided with the golden arcs.
A loud sizzling sound erupted as the black threads, struck by the golden arcs, transformed into countless wisps of black smoke rising within the net. Heart-wrenching screams and wails intermittently echoed, piercing the air.
The black threads, now terrified, retreated back to the center of the golden net and coalesced into a sinister, pitch-black infant with a glossy sheen, its face filled with horror and fear. It then opened its mouth, spewing streams of dark, yin energy that swiftly enveloped it layer by layer, desperately trying to fend off the approaching Divine Exorcism Lightning.
Han Li’s expression remained cold, a trace of mockery flashing at the corner of his lips. The golden arcs shooting from his hands suddenly thickened by a third, their brilliance so dazzling it was nearly impossible to look at directly. The screams within the lightning intensified before gradually fading amidst the deafening thunderclaps, eventually falling silent.
Seeing this, Han Li inwardly sighed in relief. With a flick and a retraction of the golden arcs, a pitch-black storage pouch was wrapped and delivered into his hand. He then glanced upward expressionlessly before his figure blurred slightly. A green spiritual light flared once more as he transformed into a green streak, swiftly returning.
From the moment Han Li exchanged a few brief words with the black-robed man to the instant he unleashed the Divine Exorcism Lightning to annihilate his opponent, the entire process took no more than the blink of an eye.
Not only were the bald-browed man and the elderly Ma below left dumbfounded, but even the tall, gaunt spellcaster and Ku Yao, the two revered Mulan Great Masters above, were equally stunned, unable to believe what had just transpired before their eyes.
While the Tiannan cultivators were unaware of the black-robed man’s origins, the Mulan Great Masters knew most of the details. These mysterious cultivators hailed from a vast empire beyond the Mulan Grasslands. Though it was unclear why they had suddenly appeared in the Mulan Grasslands or what conditions they had negotiated with the Mulan’s three great tribes to lend their assistance, there was no doubt that their techniques and supernatural abilities far surpassed those of their peers in the Tiannan cultivation world. Even before the true battle had begun, two Tiannan Nascent Soul cultivators had already fallen to them, earning the two Mulan Great Masters’ deep respect for the black-robed men.
The reason the black-robed man had been deployed in this second duel was precisely because the number of Nascent Soul cultivators defending the restricted formation was deemed excessive. The plan was to eliminate or severely injure one unexpectedly. Yet, who could have predicted that a seemingly ordinary young man would emerge from the opposing side and effortlessly annihilate the black-robed spellcaster, not even allowing his Nascent Soul to escape? This left the two Mulan Great Masters utterly shocked.
The tall, gaunt spellcaster and Ku Yao finally snapped out of their daze, exchanging horrified glances before their faces revealed hesitation. They were unsure whether to continue sending challengers or simply order their spellcasters to charge en masse. At that moment, a faint, almost imperceptible voice whispered into their ears.
“Today’s momentum has been blunted. Retreat for now, and we shall return tomorrow. By then, this formation may well be… heh! As for Tianku’s death, it may cause some complications, but I will explain it to the Divine Masters.” The voice, unidentifiable as male or female, carried an undertone of command.
Though momentarily taken aback, the tall, gaunt spellcaster and Ku Yao complied without hesitation. They turned and loudly issued orders to the spellcasters behind them. After a brief commotion, the spellcasters obediently reversed their formation and began a slow retreat.
The two Great Masters naturally took up the rear. Before departing, however, they cast gloomy glances at the cultivators, particularly glaring fiercely at Han Li before turning away.
“Should we pursue them?” Gu Shuangpu asked uncertainly, watching the retreating spellcaster army.
“No need. Though the Mulan have retreated, they are not defeated. Charging recklessly might trap us instead. It’s better to rely on our formation and conserve our strength. The Thousand Sound Illusion Formation of Huanglong Mountain isn’t so easily broken. Even if the Mulan manage to breach it, they’ll have to sacrifice more than half their spellcasters to do so,” the bald-browed man replied after a brief contemplation, shaking his head. As he spoke, he couldn’t help but glance at Han Li beside him.
Han Li’s swift annihilation of the black-robed man had left the other cultivators speechless. When Han Li returned, an awkward silence fell over the group, none knowing what to say.
Now, as the bald-browed man looked his way, Han Li remained composed, merely stowing the black storage pouch he had been toying with and offering a faint smile to the others.
Previously, Han Li’s smile might have gone unnoticed, but after witnessing him effortlessly slay a Nascent Soul cultivator, the same smile now carried an air of inscrutable profundity. Any lingering traces of disdain in their hearts vanished without a trace.
“Brother Han, your swift elimination of a high-ranking spellcaster is truly commendable. I will report this to the alliance upon my return, and you will surely be richly rewarded,” the bald-browed man said with a congratulatory smile.
Elder Ma and Gu Shuangpu quickly chimed in with praises of their own, though their demeanor toward Han Li had subtly shifted, now tinged with a hint of reverence.
Han Li, seemingly oblivious, responded with polite modesty. Yet, as he spoke, his gaze lingered imperceptibly longer on one individual. When no one was paying attention, a faint, mocking smile played at the corners of his lips.
Once the spellcaster army had vanished from sight, the bald-browed man opened a passage through the sea of mist. The group swiftly disappeared into it, and the mist sealed itself behind them. Huanglong Mountain returned to tranquility, enveloped in an endless expanse of green mist, silent and unmoving.
Back in the great hall, there was little to discuss. After briefly reflecting on the day’s battle, the group dispersed to their quarters to rest. Elder Ma, in particular, needed to recuperate after losing his treasures and suffering significant spiritual depletion. Soon, only the bald-browed man remained in the hall.
Seated on the main throne, he lowered his head in deep contemplation. After a while, his brows suddenly twitched, and a strange expression flickered across his face. “Who’s there? Show yourself,” he muttered.
A chuckle echoed through the hall as a figure materialized at the entrance, previously unseen. “Brother Lu’s perception is truly remarkable. I barely stepped in, and you detected me. No wonder the Nine Nations Alliance entrusted you with guarding this place alone.”
“It’s you? Why have you returned in stealth instead of resting?” the bald-browed man asked, his expression puzzled.
“No particular reason. I merely stumbled upon a secret and felt it necessary to discuss it with you.”
“A secret? What kind?” The bald-browed man eyed the newcomer suspiciously.
“Han Li of the Falling Cloud Sect is likely a spy for the Mulan!” the man declared without hesitation, stepping forward.
“A spy? Have you lost your mind? Brother Han just slew a Nascent Soul spellcaster today. That’s absurd,” the bald-browed man retorted, his face twitching in disbelief.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me, but I have proof. See for yourself.” With a sigh, the man produced a green jade slip and approached.
The bald-browed man hesitated but ultimately rose to meet him, extending a hand to receive the slip. As their fingers neared the jade slip, the man’s expression suddenly turned vicious. The slip flashed green, transforming into a small emerald snake that struck with lightning speed, sinking its fangs into the bald-browed man’s wrist.
Shock flashed across the bald-browed man’s face as he tried to cry out, but his skin rapidly darkened to a purplish-black. His body collapsed soundlessly to the ground, lifeless.
“The Twin-Tailed Emerald Snake lives up to its reputation. In terms of toxicity, it’s nearly on par with the legendary Ten Absolute Poisons. Once bitten, even a Nascent Soul can’t escape. If only it could fly, it’d be the ultimate assassin’s tool,” the assassin murmured, stepping forward to examine the rapidly dissolving corpse.
The emerald snake released its grip, revealing two slender tails. With a flick, it launched itself back into its master’s palm, coiling up and hissing with a purple-black tongue, its eyes gleaming with a sinister green light.
The assassin pocketed the storage pouch from the corpse with a wave of his hand, then eagerly delved into it with his spiritual sense, searching for something.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage