Facing one of the few Great Cultivators in Tiannan, even the arrogant old monster Jin Laoguai showed no dissatisfaction, let alone Liehuo, who naturally wouldn’t dare offend Venerable Zhiyang. He immediately signaled the other cultivators to descend.
Senior Brother Cheng and Lü Luo exchanged glances, their faces showing slight confusion. However, Senior Brother Cheng had witnessed Han Li’s abilities before, so while puzzled, he wasn’t overly concerned and followed the others downward.
Han Li glanced at the cultivators who had landed below before raising his head and saying, “Venerable, you may speak now. Brother Zhiyang’s solemn demeanor has piqued my interest.”
“Heh! Before discussing this matter, I must first thank you for restraining one of the Ancient Demon’s main souls in the Fallen Devil Valley. Had those two souls merged, the consequences for Tiannan would have been dire.” Venerable Zhiyang casually cast a soundproof barrier and examined Han Li with a smile.
“You wish to inquire about the fate of that main soul, don’t you?” Han Li smirked lightly.
“You are indeed sharp. That is indeed one of my questions.” Venerable Zhiyang paused briefly but quickly dismissed it.
“Rest assured, Brother Zhiyang. My escape from the spatial rift was pure luck. The main soul was utterly annihilated within the rift, so there’s no need for concern.” Han Li replied succinctly.
“That eases my mind. Otherwise, the escaped demon would surely return to Tiannan to merge with its main soul. But with the main soul destroyed, the fragment would sense it immediately. After suffering such a loss, it likely won’t return.” Venerable Zhiyang exhaled in relief, his expression relaxing.
“Brother Zhiyang, is that demon fragment possessing the demonic body truly so formidable that even three late-Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t destroy it?” Han Li asked with interest, a trace of doubt on his face.
“Are you judging its strength based on its abilities in the Fallen Devil Valley?” Venerable Zhiyang countered instead of answering directly.
“I’ve heard it devoured many cultivators’ Nascent Souls after leaving the valley. Could it truly be that powerful after regaining its strength?” Han Li remained surprised.
“You may not know this, but during our final battle, the demon manifested the Three Heads and Six Arms technique, nearly doubling its power—comparable to an early Deity Transformation cultivator. Had we not set up a grand restriction array beforehand and had over a dozen mid-Nascent Soul cultivators assisting, we might not have survived. Even so, the three of us expended immense energy and secret techniques to sever two of its heads and several arms before it fled.” Venerable Zhiyang spoke gravely.
“Such ferocity! No wonder you feared its reunion with the main soul. Had it grown stronger, Tiannan would have been defenseless!” Han Li gasped, his expression darkening.
“Precisely! Fortunately, it likely fled to the Great Jin Empire. Let their cultivators deal with it now!” Venerable Zhiyang suddenly chuckled, his tone almost gleeful.
Han Li studied the Taoist, sensing a hint of schadenfreude in his words. It seemed the old man held no fondness for the Great Jin Empire.
“Venerable, since the demon soul was only one of your concerns, I assume there’s something more pressing?” Han Li abruptly shifted the topic.
“Indeed. The demon soul was merely incidental. I sought you for another matter. But first, congratulations on your advancement to mid-Nascent Soul.” Venerable Zhiyang smiled.
“Thank you for your kind words. It was merely fortuitous.” Han Li replied modestly.
“Brother Wei mentioned you possess Golden Lightning Bamboo treasures capable of wielding the legendary Evil-Warding Divine Lightning. Is this true?” Venerable Zhiyang’s expression turned solemn.
Han Li’s pupils contracted, and he fell silent momentarily. Though uncertain of the other’s intentions, he saw no reason to conceal the truth. “Yes, I do possess a few such treasures. Speak plainly—what do you need?”
“Excellent! With your confirmation, you are precisely the person I seek. However, due to the gravity of the matter, I cannot disclose details here. Suffice it to say, it concerns the entire Tiannan cultivation world and relates to the mysterious whirlpool recently appearing in the Boundless Sea.” Venerable Zhiyang’s face lit up with joy.
“Your words are cryptic. But I gather you wish to utilize my Evil-Warding Divine Lightning for something?” Han Li’s brow twitched. Though unclear about the specifics, he sensed trouble and grew wary.
“I’m merely passing through Yunmeng Mountain on other business and cannot linger. Could you visit the Seven Spirit Islands soon? Wei Wuyi, the Joyous Old Devil, and I will be there. We’ll explain everything in detail.” Venerable Zhiyang cast a glance downward at Jin Laoguai and the others before making his suggestion.
“The Seven Spirit Islands? Those newly emerged near the whirlpool?” Han Li frowned.
“Yes. The seven islands encircle the whirlpool and possess rare spiritual veins. The three of us have resided on three of them these years.” Venerable Zhiyang sighed, his face tinged with resignation.
Han Li was taken aback. Their residence there seemed less than voluntary. Dozens of thoughts raced through his mind.
Outright refusal was out of the question—he wasn’t so arrogant as to defy the three Great Cultivators, let alone the immense factions they represented. Yet, heading to the islands blind was equally unappealing. Hesitation flickered across his face.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han. This invitation harbors no ill intent, nor will we ask anything beyond your capabilities. We merely seek to borrow your Evil-Warding Divine Lightning. Moreover, within half a year, all mid-Nascent Soul cultivators in Tiannan will receive our joint summons to the islands. By assisting us now, you’ll be exempted later.” Venerable Zhiyang explained, sensing Han Li’s reluctance.
“If you put it that way, this matter must be urgent. Very well, in three months, I’ll visit the Seven Spirit Islands.” Han Li acquiesced after a pause.
“Three months is rather tight. Could you come sooner?” Venerable Zhiyang frowned.
“Impossible. I’ve just returned to my sect and have pressing matters to attend to. I cannot leave Luoyun Sect immediately.” Han Li shook his head firmly.
“Very well. Three months it is. We’ll await you at the Seven Spirit Islands.” Venerable Zhiyang relented after a moment’s hesitation.
“Incidentally, this trip may yield unexpected rewards—perhaps even benefits for your sect.” Venerable Zhiyang added cryptically.
Before Han Li could ponder this, the Venerable bid farewell, dispelling the soundproof barrier and announcing his departure to Jin Laoguai and the others below. With that, he transformed into a white streak and vanished into the restriction array, leaving Baiqiao Academy.
Han Li, puzzled by the mention of “benefits,” dismissed it for the time being and descended slowly.
“Must we really spar? You know your chances of victory are slim.” Han Li hovered above a mountain peak near Baiqiao Academy, addressing his opponent dispassionately. Below, the other cultivators watched intently.
“As the Grand Elder of Ancient Sword Sect, I cannot surrender our sect’s interests without a fight. Rankings determine resource allocation in Yunmeng Mountain. Moreover, I’m curious—what prowess could a cultivator who formed his Nascent Soul merely thirty years ago possess to earn such renown? If I lose, Ancient Sword Sect will willingly rank below Luoyun Sect henceforth.” The bearded elder opposite him replied solemnly.
“Since you insist, I’ll oblige.” Han Li smiled faintly. Raising a hand, a fist-sized blue fireball materialized in his palm with a *poof*.
Jin Laoguai responded by spewing three golden beams from his mouth—three identical miniature swords. Initially inch-long, they swiftly expanded to foot-long golden arcs, circling him before soaring into the air.
Seeing the swords, Han Li flicked his wrist. The blue fireball exploded, and from the flames emerged a half-foot-tall blue firebird, its clear cry piercing the sky.
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