Chapter 2253: Final Evolution

Han Li could tell that Violet Spirit’s earlier words had come from the heart. Though he felt an indescribable sense of loss, he didn’t press the matter further and only offered her a few more words of caution.

After all, as she herself had said, her constitution was indeed more suited to cultivating demonic techniques. If she returned to the human realm, he had no way to ensure she could truly ascend to the Immortal Realm.

In that case, it might be better for her to stay in the Demon Realm. Who knew? She might even find her own opportunity.

And so, Han Li stayed at the Vast Origin Pavilion for a full month.

During that time, he imparted all his insights on demonic cultivation to Violet Spirit, helping her deepen her understanding of the demonic path.

Meanwhile, Lan Ying shamelessly listened in on Han Li’s teachings. Judging by the thoughtful expressions she wore after each session, she too had gained much from the experience.

For beings of their level, receiving guidance from a Mahayana cultivator was an exceedingly rare opportunity.

True to its reputation as a colossal force spanning multiple realms, the Vast Origin Pavilion managed to locate a place that perfectly matched the Qiling Secret Treasury map just before the month was up, swiftly delivering the information to Lan Ying.

Without hesitation, Lan Ying relayed the news to Han Li.

Naturally, Han Li was overjoyed upon hearing it.

In the following days, Han Li stopped lecturing Violet Spirit and instead took her on a tour of the scenic spots around the Blue Waterfall Lake.

As they wandered through landscapes vastly different from those of the Spirit Realm, they reminisced about their past in the human world, occasionally sharing knowing smiles.

Yet, neither of them brought up their fleeting moment of intimacy from back then. They didn’t even engage in overly affectionate behavior, as if they were simply the closest of friends with no secrets between them.

Time flew by, and one morning, Han Li quietly departed Blue Waterfall City alone.

Meanwhile, in the fourth-floor pavilion of the Vast Origin Pavilion, Violet Spirit stood by the window, gazing into the distant sky with a complex expression—part sweetness, part resolve.

“Sister Violet, are you truly willing to be separated from Brother Han by realms, not staying by his side? I distinctly remember how eagerly you looked forward to this not long ago,” Lan Ying asked, frowning slightly as she stood behind Violet Spirit.

“If I followed him back, I might ease my longing and have the chance to stay by his side for a time. But what about tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years later? With his talent, ascending to the Immortal Realm is only a matter of time. If I truly wish to stay with him forever, the only path is to follow him there. Should I indulge in fleeting happiness, or strive for the slimmest chance of eternal companionship? If it were you, Sister Lan, what would you choose?” Violet Spirit sighed softly without turning around.

The flaxen-robed girl fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

Half a month later, in a valley near Blue Waterfall Lake, Han Li’s white flying boat descended gracefully from the sky.

Beneath a towering tree stood a stunning silver-haired woman, smiling as she waited.

It was Silvermoon!

Noticing Han Li was alone, a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

“Brother Han, have you met Sister Violet Spirit?” she asked gently.

“I have. But she has chosen to remain in the Demon Realm to continue her cultivation. Upon reflection, I believe it’s a wise decision. If she continues cultivating demonic techniques here, she might truly have a chance to reach the final step,” Han Li replied calmly.

“If you approve, then Sister Violet’s choice must be sound. In that case, shall we return to the Spirit Realm? My ancestor, Senior Mo, and the other Spirit Realm Mahayana cultivators have already gone ahead,” Silvermoon said, nodding with a hint of something unspoken in her expression.

“It’s still too early to return. I have another demonic secret treasury map in my possession, likely filled with treasures,” Han Li mused.

“A secret treasury map?” Silvermoon’s eyes flashed with surprise—this was the first she’d heard of it.

“Heh, just follow me. If all goes smoothly, it should only take a few months,” Han Li said with a smile.

“If you say so, Brother Han, I naturally trust you. Let’s set off, then.” Silvermoon smiled brightly, stepping lightly onto the flying boat in a flash of silver light.

Han Li nodded, tapping the spirit boat lightly with his foot. With a hum, it shot into the sky as a streak of white light.

Several months later, their flying boat entered a desolate region even high-ranking demons avoided.

At the bow of the boat, two giant ape puppets stood motionless, faint spiritual light flickering at their feet as they steered the vessel.

Inside a secluded cabin, Silvermoon sat cross-legged on an emerald-green cushion, her fingers forming a seal as she cultivated some technique. Multicolored spiritual light swirled around her, and the phantom of a massive silver wolf flickered behind her, lifelike and imposing.

In another heavily warded cabin nearby, Han Li sat with a troubled expression, turning an object over in his hands.

Upon closer inspection, it was a pitch-black crystalline stone—the sole remnant of the Mother Devourer after its destruction by the Heavenly Punishment Lightning.

Han Li had possessed this object for some time. After countless examinations and consulting numerous texts, he had discerned its origin.

It was the crystallized core of a powerful insect like the Mother Devourer, formed when it concentrated its essence into its core in the face of annihilation.

Under certain circumstances, such insects might even hide a wisp of their soul within, hoping to evade destruction.

However, the Mother Devourer’s spirit had been utterly obliterated.

Though the core might have some defensive properties, it stood no chance against the Heavenly Punishment Lightning—a divine retribution from the Immortal Realm.

The lightning’s overwhelming power had scoured everything from the core, leaving only a fraction of its original form.

Han Li hesitated, as if grappling with a difficult decision.

A faint buzzing sound arose.

Though nearly inaudible, it struck Han Li’s ears like thunder.

“These little troublemakers are acting up again. They must truly crave this thing. But it’s a pity—it’s also of great use to me. If I could absorb its essence, my Vajra Devilish Arts might advance another level,” Han Li muttered with a wry smile, staring at the core in contemplation.

The buzzing grew louder.

Han Li’s brow twitched, and with a flick of his sleeve, three golden lights shot out.

After a brief swirl, the radiance faded, revealing three fist-sized golden beetles with faint purple markings—the three quasi-Gold Devouring Kings.

The moment they appeared, their compound eyes locked onto the black core in Han Li’s hand.

With three sharp “whooshes,” they lunged at it simultaneously.

Han Li’s expression darkened. He raised a hand and made a grasping motion in the air.

An invisible force surged forth.

The three beetles were flung back as if hitting an invisible barrier, tumbling head over heels before barely steadying themselves.

Despite their formidable power, these quasi-kings were like helpless grubs before Han Li, now a Mahayana cultivator.

Yet, undeterred, they continued to frantically charge at him, only to be repelled each time.

Watching their agitation, Han Li’s frown deepened. After a long moment, he exhaled slowly.

“Fine. The essence of the Mother Devourer is likely more suited for insects. If I refine it myself, who knows what side effects it might have? These three quasi-kings are already near the peak of their evolution. If they consume this essence…”

His expression flickered before he finally withdrew his blocking hand and tossed the black core into the air.

Freed from restraint, the three beetles shot upward like golden streaks of light.

In the next instant, they collided around the core, tearing at it while fiercely biting into its edges.

With a final tug, they split the core into three uneven pieces and swallowed them whole.

The moment the core entered their bodies, the purple markings on their carapaces flared wildly. Their bodies swelled and shrank erratically, their auras growing chaotic.

Hissing viciously, they lunged at each other once more, locked in brutal combat.

Han Li watched silently, making no move to intervene.

The battle was fierce.

Soon, their bodies were covered in wounds, two of them even missing a forelimb.

After another round of vicious biting, they suddenly broke apart, hissing threats before diving back into the fray.

Despite their injuries, they fought with relentless ferocity.

After observing for a while longer, Han Li’s eyes flashed with realization. With a sweep of his sleeve, a golden mist enveloped the three beetles, and they vanished without a trace.