Upon seeing these spherical beads, Han Li’s heart stirred—could these also be something akin to Thunder Pearls? The thought flashed through his mind, but he showed no hesitation in continuing to activate the Great Geng Sword Formation.
These golden threads were one of the formation’s unique abilities, somewhat similar to the sword cultivators’ technique of transforming swords into threads. They were formed by condensing the astonishing sword energy from hundreds of sword beams into fine strands. Due to the formation’s power and the incorporation of Geng Essence, the flying swords themselves were already incomparably sharp, making the resulting sword threads far more formidable than those of ordinary sword cultivators. Common magic treasures and ancient artifacts stood no chance against their cutting edge.
As for Thunder Pearls or similar items, Han Li was unafraid. As long as the hidden thirty-six flying swords remained unharmed, even if these golden threads were shattered, they could reform endlessly. This was precisely the terrifying aspect of the Great Geng Sword Formation—it was impervious to attacks.
Just as Han Li was pondering this, a flash of golden light swept past, and the spherical beads also triggered the formation’s restrictions. Countless golden threads sliced them into pieces, causing them to explode.
To his surprise, the beads did not contain any hidden thunder or fire. Instead, upon bursting, they released thick clouds of black-red blood mist. The mist spread rapidly, accompanied by a nauseating, pungent stench.
These beads were known as “Blood Thunder Pearls,” said to be refined from the most vile substances in the world. Unless a treasure was tempered with demonic methods, once contaminated by this blood mist, its power and spiritual essence would drastically diminish. No matter how potent or spiritually attuned the treasure was, it would require several days of tempering with infant flame to restore its original strength.
Naturally, Blood Thunder Pearls were exceedingly rare in the demonic sects. Not only were the materials scarce, but the success rate of their refinement was pitifully low, making them far more difficult to produce than ordinary Thunder Pearls. The dozen or so beads the black-robed youth possessed represented nearly a century’s worth of accumulation.
As a high-ranking elder of one of the Ten Great Demon Sects of Jin Country, the youth was well-versed in such matters. Recognizing Han Li’s sword formation, he immediately thought of using the Blood Thunder Pearls to taint Han Li’s flying swords. A sword formation relied on seamless coordination to unleash its full power—if even one sword faltered, the formation would collapse. This was one of the most common tactics Jin Country’s demonic cultivators employed against sword formation-wielding sects.
Of course, Blood Thunder Pearls were far too precious to be used in ordinary one-on-one battles. They were typically reserved for large-scale conflicts, as sword formations were rarely wielded by a single individual.
Though Han Li didn’t understand the nature of the blood mist, he sensed something sinister about it. Just as he was growing wary, a low rumble of thunder echoed. Streaks of golden light flickered within the mist, followed by faint golden arcs of lightning. Upon contact with the blood mist, the arcs exploded, annihilating the mist in an instant. In the blink of an eye, the dozen or so clouds of blood mist were eradicated alongside Han Li’s Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning.
Han Li was stunned. The Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning had discharged itself from the flying swords without his command—something he had never encountered before. Moreover, the clearly demonic blood mist had actually neutralized the divine lightning, which was utterly baffling.
Unbeknownst to Han Li, the Blood Thunder Pearls’ ability to corrupt righteous treasures was nearly as potent as the Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning’s ability to counter demonic techniques. The two forces were mutually destructive, with neither able to overpower the other under normal circumstances. However, the sheer volume of divine lightning stored within the thirty-six flying swords far surpassed the blood mist’s capacity, allowing it to be swiftly purged.
“Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning! These swords are all refined from Golden Lightning Bamboo! Impossible—how could there be so much of it?” The black-robed youth paled, his voice trembling with disbelief.
“You can ponder that question in the afterlife!” Han Li retorted coldly. Taking a deep breath, he reactivated the sword formation. The golden threads, momentarily halted by the blood mist, silently resumed their inward press.
While the Great Geng Sword Formation was immensely powerful, it was still a strain on Han Li’s current cultivation level. Though he could activate it, the expenditure of spiritual power was staggering. Once the formation was engaged, he lacked the energy to accelerate its movements. Otherwise, he could have instantly compressed the threads to obliterate his foe, leaving no chance for the youth to retaliate.
Han Li estimated that this formation was ideally suited for mid-Nascent Soul cultivators. Only by deploying half the formation and possessing spiritual power far beyond that of an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could he manage it at all.
“Hmph! Do you truly believe a mere sword formation can trap this Venerable? No matter how sharp your formation is, can it sever my sect’s sacred treasure?” The black-robed youth’s face darkened as he spoke with icy disdain.
Seeing the golden threads now within ten feet of him, he wasted no time. With a fierce punch to his own chest, he spat out a mouthful of black blood, within which floated a tiny green banner no more than an inch long.
The banner absorbed the black blood in a flash of green light, turning a deep emerald. The youth beckoned, and the banner shot into his hand as a streak of black light. With a twist of his hands, it expanded to several feet in length. Its surface shimmered with green light, obscured by swirling dark clouds, though a missing corner suggested it had yet to fully recover from damage.
Han Li’s pupils contracted. “The Ghost Luo Banner,” he murmured.
The Yin Luo Sect’s leader had once threatened to use this sacred treasure against the Joyful Old Demon. Though it had never been deployed, Han Li had remembered the name. Now, seeing the youth produce it, he was certain of its identity.
“You’re quick to recognize it. This is one of the twelve main Ghost Luo Banners. Experience its power for yourself,” the youth sneered, his confidence in the banner evident.
With a fierce grip, he waved the banner toward the golden threads. A burst of emerald mist erupted, rapidly expanding to envelop him. A bone-chilling wind howled, and dark clouds blotted out the sun, plunging the surroundings into gloom. Ghostly wails echoed as eerie green mist seeped from nowhere.
A mere flick of the banner had altered the very heavens—no wonder the youth was so assured. Even Han Li, confident in his sword formation, felt a chill of dread.
Then, from the mist, countless black threads shot toward Han Li. Golden light flashed as the formation’s restrictions activated, slicing the threads into fragments. Yet, the severed threads dissolved into green mist, only to rejoin the main cloud.
The youth let out a surprised grunt. His Ghost Threads, renowned for their resilience, had been effortlessly destroyed. After a brief hesitation, he unleashed the banner’s full might.
He hurled the banner into the ground before him, where it stood motionless. As he chanted an incantation, the surrounding mist surged toward it. The banner swelled to twenty feet, its obscuring fog dissipating to reveal its true form. Han Li’s expression twisted in horror.
“You refined this with so many living souls? How many have you slaughtered?” he demanded, his voice sharp with fury.
The banner’s surface writhed with countless miniature human faces—men, women, young and old—all contorted in agony.
“How many? Who knows—perhaps a hundred thousand, or several hundred thousand. And among them, hundreds of cultivators’ souls were necessary to forge this banner,” the youth replied mockingly from the mist.
Han Li fell silent, his gaze icy. After a moment, he uttered softly, “You deserve death.”
“Death? Many have said so, yet here I stand. Their souls now reside within this banner—yours will join them,” the youth jeered. With a flick of his fingers, a red spell struck the giant banner.
Green light flared as a gaping hole opened in the banner, spewing black mist and a chilling wind. One after another, massive skulls with ghostly flames for eyes and green smoke pouring from their mouths emerged, lining up in a row. The largest bore two bull-like horns, yet its features were eerily human.
Could this skull have belonged to a shape-shifting demon beast? Han Li’s heart clenched. But before he could dwell on it, more skulls poured forth—hundreds of them, crowding around the black-robed figure.
“Go!” the youth commanded, pointing at Han Li.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage