He raised the cyan orb above his head and casually cast a spell onto it. Instantly, the treasure radiated brilliantly, shooting out countless cyan threads of light that pierced through the thick fog within a hundred-zhang radius in the blink of an eye, transforming into gusts of fierce cyan wind. After a violent swirl, the dense fog was blown apart, revealing everything nearby with crystal clarity.
The green-robed woman arched her delicate brows and spotted a blue-robed young man standing silently dozens of zhang away, scrutinizing her intently with an expressionless face. It was none other than Han Li, who had been waiting for quite some time!
A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she swiftly scanned her surroundings with her divine sense, then frowned and glanced upward. High in the sky, dozens of zhang above, a dazzling golden cloud floated silently.
Upon clearly discerning the true nature of the golden cloud, her expression drastically changed. “Gold Devouring Beetles! So, the cultivator who controls these spirit insects is also you,” she murmured softly, her cherry lips parting slightly, though the icy chill in her beautiful eyes deepened.
“You Molan people seem to have quite a few who recognize these insects. That’s rather surprising to me. Did the cultivator who escaped from me last time inform you?” Han Li was inwardly startled but maintained a calm demeanor.
“Was it you who destroyed the physical body of Venerable Mu of the Heavenly Wind Division?” the woman countered without directly answering his question.
“Venerable Mu? The cultivator who chased me last time with the Wind Riding Chariot? If it’s him, then yes, I destroyed his body. Had his Nascent Soul not fled fast enough, I would have annihilated him completely. Are you here to avenge him?” Han Li replied evenly, though his vigilance heightened immediately.
Since this woman knew about his Dry Blue Ice Flames and Wind Thunder Wings, an ambush tactic wouldn’t work—this was troublesome. Otherwise, based on his experience dealing with several Nascent Soul cultivators, he would have used the Wind Thunder Wings to close the distance and then sealed her with the Dry Blue Ice Flames.
“Venerable Mu’s defeat was due to his lack of skill—there’s nothing to complain about. But since you can control Gold Devouring Beetles and possess such formidable abilities, I cannot let you leave today,” the green-robed woman said coldly, her delicate face darkening as she swiftly formed hand seals. A white ribbon-like treasure emerged from her body, fluttering in the wind.
She then flipped her palm, revealing a small pale-yellow cauldron. The cauldron, seemingly crafted from an unknown spiritual wood, was three to four inches in size, exuding an ancient aura with intricate carvings of cryptic runes on its surface.
Han Li’s expression shifted slightly upon sensing it with his divine sense.
“Gold Devouring Beetles, though nearly invincible once matured and capable of devouring all things, are uniquely vulnerable to wood and jade treasures. Coincidentally, I once encountered an Utra cultivator who also controlled these insects and prepared this Yellow Spirit Cauldron specifically to counter them. Who would have thought I’d run into you, a Tiannan cultivator, instead? Otherwise, with so many immature beetles, you’d be quite the handful,” the woman said icily, lightly touching the cauldron’s handles. The wooden cauldron immediately glowed brilliantly, and a faint yellow barrier emerged, enveloping her.
“Someone else has Gold Devouring Beetles?” Han Li was stunned, his lips twitching as his expression turned grave.
“You don’t know? These beetles are the mortal enemies of us Molan people—the sacred insects of the Utra. Their ancestors spent countless years breeding a few dozen mature ones, passed down only to their most elite cultivators. Since their maturation, countless of our people have been devoured by them, earning our deep hatred. Since you possess so many, albeit immature, I cannot allow you to keep them,” the woman declared coldly, raising the cauldron above her head.
The cauldron spun rapidly before releasing a vast yellow radiance that surged toward the golden cloud above Han Li.
Hearing that mature Gold Devouring Beetles already existed left Han Li momentarily dumbfounded, but he quickly refocused as her tone turned hostile.
Seeing the yellow radiance attack his beetles, his heart sank, but a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he pointed at the golden cloud. With a loud hum, the cloud dispersed into countless golden specks, scattering in all directions and vanishing into the surrounding mist.
The yellow radiance swept through empty air. The woman frowned, then scanned the mist with her divine sense.
Moments later, her brows furrowed in anger. “You dare command your beetles to attack my fellow cultivators! Do you think I’d let you distract me?” she snapped, hurling her white ribbon toward Han Li.
The ribbon gleamed blindingly before transforming into a massive snow-white eagle with fiery red eyes and jet-black talons. With a flap of its wings, it vanished, only to reappear above Han Li, diving with its claws aimed at his skull.
Startled by its speed, Han Li raised a hand, releasing dozens of golden lightning arcs that formed a net to intercept the eagle. The eagle retaliated with a barrage of white wind blades, shredding the net and sending the remaining blades toward Han Li, followed closely by the eagle itself.
“Hmph!” Han Li flicked his fingers, sending out green sword Qi to block the blades. He then summoned a blue shield that expanded into a massive barrier, its surface shimmering like liquid.
The eagle’s talons struck the shield but were repelled by rippling waves of energy. Seizing the moment, Han Li unleashed a black-red giant hand that seized the eagle, engulfing it in inky flames. The eagle screeched and struggled violently.
Glancing at the woman, Han Li saw her chanting an ancient spell, her hands cradling a glowing white lotus. Sensing danger, he knew he couldn’t let her complete the incantation.
With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of green flying swords shot out, merging into a storm of sword Qi aimed at her. Simultaneously, he directed the giant hand to drag the frozen eagle toward him, then spat out a wisp of Dry Blue Ice Flames, encasing it in ice.
Just then, a melodious chant echoed as a blinding white light erupted, forming a solid barrier that enveloped the area. Han Li turned to see the woman’s white lotus fully bloomed above her, radiating intense light. His sword Qi storm was halted mid-air, unable to breach the invisible barrier.
Han Li’s pupils contracted sharply.
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