“Senior, these Uto people have been shaken off by me several times, yet they always manage to track me down. Could there really be a divine sense enhancement technique in this world more powerful than the Great Development Art, capable of detecting targets thousands of miles away?” Han Li asked with a pale face.
At this moment, he was in the midst of unsealing his power, transforming into a streak of azure light that streaked across the sky like lightning. Three consecutive unsealings, coupled with multiple uses of the Blood Shadow Escape, had left his body on the brink of collapse.
Had it not been for forcibly suppressing the backlash with several high-level secret techniques and consuming over a dozen drops of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk to compensate for the loss of vital essence, he would have long been unable to continue. Even so, once he withdrew his power and lifted the seal, it would take him two to three years to fully recover his magic power. Of course, this was only possible due to his abundant supply of elixirs. For other cultivators, falling an entire realm in cultivation would be a very real possibility.
In such dire straits, being pursued by a late-Nascent Soul cultivator only heightened the peril. Without understanding the exact reason for their tracking, he couldn’t recklessly use the Blood Shadow Escape again—otherwise, he might not shake them off and would only end up crippling himself first.
“Hmph! Although I have full confidence in the Great Development Art’s divine sense enhancement, I would never dare claim it to be the absolute best in the cultivation world. Throughout history, there have been cultivators with talents surpassing mine—not many, but certainly not too few either. It’s hardly surprising that there are techniques more formidable than this one. However, the reason you’re being relentlessly pursued isn’t because someone is locking onto you with divine sense from thousands of miles away. Rather, you’ve been marked by something non-human,” the Great Development Sage coldly snorted, speaking with a measured tone.
“Non-human? You mean that demon beast?” Han Li, once prompted, seemed to realize something.
“Exactly. Doesn’t the appearance of that demon beast behind you seem familiar? It’s practically identical to the Heavenly Frost Sacred Beast described by the Uto commoners. Most likely, the old fellows from the Sacred Temple couldn’t bear the humiliation of you killing so many of their high-ranking priests and specially summoned this thing from the upper realm. For an entity not of this world to possess the ability to track you isn’t particularly strange,” the Great Development Sage pointed out.
“The Heavenly Frost Sacred Beast? Of course I noticed it, but its mana fluctuations aren’t particularly strong—only around the seventh rank, far weaker than the Sacred Bird of the Molan people. Could it really have such abilities?” Han Li frowned, skepticism evident in his expression.
“Heh, I’ve heard about your battle with the Molan people. The Sacred Bird they summoned was clearly a projection-like invocation, borrowing a fraction of the upper realm spirit bird’s power through an artifact to manifest in this world. It was nothing more than an illusion. But the demon beast following us now—I’ve sensed it—is undoubtedly a physical entity. If that’s the case, it’s likely the Heavenly Frost Beast used a method similar to the ancient demon’s possession, borrowing another beast or medium to descend a fragment of its consciousness into this world. Don’t underestimate this technique. Such a summoning is a true descent of an avatar, with abilities and realms far beyond the ordinary. Given enough time, it could soon become the most terrifying existence in this world. From what I know, there have already been several similar descents in this realm. However, these beings seem to fear something, remaining extremely low-key, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to find them,” the Great Development Sage’s voice grew solemn.
“Such things exist in our human world? But I don’t have time to delve into this now. Whether it’s a demon beast or a sacred beast, do you have a way to help me shake it off? Otherwise, once the unsealing period ends, I’ll be in real trouble.” Han Li swept his divine sense behind him once more, detecting the trio and the beast closing in again, his anxiety mounting.
“The upper realm is teeming with countless exotic beasts and spirit birds. Who knows what method this thing is using to track you? Your concealment techniques are already quite refined in my opinion. It seems the only solution is to kill it. However, I can teach you a temporary death-feigning technique to completely suppress your life aura. But I can’t guarantee its effectiveness—after all, that beast might not be tracking you through your aura,” the Great Development Sage offered a chilling reply.
Han Li fell silent, his eyes flickering with cold light. After a long pause, he suddenly spoke with ruthless determination: “Fine. Then I’ll kill it.”
“If you plan to kill the Heavenly Frost Sacred Beast first, you likely won’t get the chance. It’s accompanied by two Uto Great Immortal Masters. The masked woman at the back has mid-Nascent Soul cultivation—she must be the Heavenly Frost Saintess, and her abilities are nothing to scoff at,” the Great Development Sage remarked with surprise.
“Without paying a price, of course there’s no chance. But if I’m willing to sacrifice my second Nascent Soul, an opportunity might present itself,” Han Li’s voice was icy, carrying a sinister edge.
“Master, how do you plan to proceed? This servant can assist as well,” Silvermoon suddenly interjected.
“How are your injuries? If you lure the enemy as a weapon spirit, can you endure it?” Han Li paused, then asked slowly.
“As the spirit of your lifebound treasure, no matter how severe my injuries, as long as your flying sword remains intact, I cannot perish. Master need not worry about me. At worst, I’ll simply slumber within your treasure for a few more years afterward,” Silvermoon replied with a light laugh.
“Very well. Given the current situation, I’ll have to trouble you once more.” After a brief consideration, Han Li could only sigh in resignation.
Next, Han Li first obtained the death-feigning technique from the Great Development Sage. After briefly comprehending it and confirming its validity, he placed a hand atop his head.
A flash of black light, and his second Nascent Soul emerged above him. It opened its mouth and spat out the Ghost Luo Banner. Holding the banner aloft, it shook it vigorously before leaping into the air. In the blink of an eye, dark clouds gathered, winds howled, and a vast expanse of black mist spanning over a hundred zhang blotted out the sky, brimming with demonic energy.
“Take this as well. If that Heavenly Frost Saintess and the sacred beast pursue you, use this sword to kill it,” Han Li said coldly, flicking his wrist to send a small crimson sword streaking into the demonic clouds—none other than the Blood Demon Sword.
With a piercing shriek, the demonic clouds surged away in a spectacular display, their momentum truly awe-inspiring.
Watching the retreating demonic clouds, Han Li’s expression darkened further. He flipped his palm, producing a small vial, and poured a drop of radiant spirit milk into his mouth.
Immediately, his body erupted with radiant light, and the azure streak shot forward at even greater speed, vanishing into the distance.
…
“What’s happening? Am I seeing this correctly? That person’s Nascent Soul has actually left its body and fled alone!” The pursuers, sensing this through their divine sense, were stunned. The violet-haired beauty arched her brows in astonishment.
“No, if it were an ordinary Nascent Soul leaving the body, the physical form should be immobile. Yet, that person is still fleeing in the same direction. Could he have cultivated a technique like the Three Corpses Divine Soul Art?” The refined young man shook his head, his expression grave.
“If it were a doppelgänger technique, it wouldn’t escape our detection. As long as we focus on the Nascent Soul, we won’t be misled. But this is a complete Nascent Soul fleeing—not a split Nascent Soul like Fellow Daoist Gui’s Six Souls Division Art. This is rather peculiar. Could it truly be the legendary second Nascent Soul?” The violet-haired beauty mused thoughtfully.
The silver-robed woman also frowned, her heart unsettled.
“Can the Sacred Beast sense anything unusual?” The young man turned to the Heavenly Frost Saintess.
“No. The Sacred Beast is merely a fragment of consciousness descended into this world. It would take another century of cultivation to fully awaken its intelligence. Right now, its cultivation is only at the seventh rank, incapable of employing many of its abilities,” the silver-robed woman sighed.
“This complicates matters. Since we can’t discern the Nascent Soul’s authenticity, nor can we let it escape, I’ll pursue it alone. Immortal Master Sun, please continue accompanying the Sacred Beast and Fellow Daoist Sun in chasing the original target. With my abilities, dealing with a mere Nascent Soul won’t take long,” the refined young man proposed after some thought.
“This seems the most prudent course. With me accompanying the Saintess, there will be no issues. Brother Xu, go swiftly and return quickly. But if that Nascent Soul turns out to be his primary one, refrain from killing it outright—first extract the method for breeding the Gold Devouring Beetles,” the violet-haired beauty said with a smile.
“Naturally, I understand.”
The silver-robed woman, after some consideration, also nodded in agreement.
With that, the Xu youth parted ways with the two, transforming into a streak of emerald light over ten zhang long as he pursued Han Li’s second Nascent Soul, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Frost Saintess and the beauty continued their pursuit of Han Li without pause.
After another hundred miles, the distance between the two groups gradually narrowed.
“Only fifty or sixty miles left. That should be enough. Silvermoon, it’s time for you to move,” Han Li estimated inwardly before flicking his sleeve, sending a small silver wolf shooting out. With a twist, it transformed into another Han Li.
Han Li wore a bitter smile but, pressed for time, said nothing further. He tossed a spirit beast pouch and a thumb-sized green pearl to the doppelgänger.
“As a weapon spirit without a physical body, you can’t wield other treasures effectively. Take these Gold Devouring Beetles and this thunder pearl. If the beast pursues you, ignore the others—just focus on killing or severely wounding it,” Han Li instructed carefully.
“Master, rest assured. If the Heavenly Frost Sacred Beast chases me, I won’t let it escape easily,” the other “Han Li” replied in Silvermoon’s voice before stowing the items and transforming into a streak of silver light, darting away at an angle.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage