Chapter 1949: Feng Xie and the Qianji Great Art

The Spirit Infant’s face bore a striking resemblance to Han Li. As soon as it appeared, it waved its tiny hand toward the body below.

With a thunderous crack, a golden sphere wrapped in countless golden threads shot out from Han Li’s body, hovered briefly in mid-air, then came to a stop.

The Spirit Infant extended a delicate white finger and lightly tapped the sphere.

Instantly, arcs of lightning flashed across the sphere’s surface, accompanied by a cacophony of crackling sounds. The golden threads shattered into fragments, revealing a milky-white wooden box sealed within.

A faint smile curled at the corners of the Spirit Infant’s lips as it murmured an incantation. The surrounding space rippled, and a dozen orbs of five-colored light silently materialized. With a flash of spiritual radiance, they transformed into eerie eyeballs, their surfaces blazing with vibrant hues.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a manifestation of Han Li’s divine sense appeared in the low sky above an endless grassland.

He swept his gaze around but saw no sign of Che Qi Gong. His expression flickered slightly before he suddenly raised his head to stare intently at the sky above.

High in the heavens, a scorching sun blazed with white-hot brilliance, radiating unbearable heat.

Han Li’s eyes remained unblinking as he stared expressionlessly at the sun in silence.

After what felt like the time it took to finish a meal, a strange man’s voice suddenly rang out from above, laughing heartily: “Tsk tsk, indeed no ordinary figure. A mere divine sense manifestation can detect my presence. No wonder that old freak Che Qi Gong has pinned his hopes on you and is willing to cooperate.”

As the voice faded, a shadow flickered within the sun, and a streak of black light shot forth. In a flash, it appeared mere dozens of feet away from Han Li.

It was a burly man clad in black armor, his face adorned with a thick beard.

Wearing a grin, he scrutinized Han Li up and down with keen interest the moment he appeared.

“Who are you? Where is Senior Che?” Han Li, though inwardly alarmed, maintained his composure as he asked.

“That old freak Che is currently tied up with urgent matters. It’ll take him some time to get here. Why don’t you and I have a chat first, Fellow Daoist Han?” The man blinked, stroking his beard as he spoke.

“A chat with you? I don’t believe we’ve met, nor has Senior Che ever mentioned another presence within the Demon-Sealing Lock,” Han Li replied slowly after studying the man for a long moment.

“Of course, that old freak wouldn’t mention me. But let me tell you this—whatever deal he offered you, I can match it. And my price is lower,” the man declared with unwavering confidence.

“Oh? Then by all means, enlighten me,” Han Li responded noncommittally, his expression shifting slightly.

“Simple. That old freak offered you a method to extract and refine Chaos Qi, didn’t he? Coincidentally, I know the same technique. I won’t demand half of what you extract—just a third, and the deal is yours,” the man stated without hesitation.

“That does sound appealing. However, I’ve already sworn a Heart Demon Oath to Senior Che. Breaking it wouldn’t be wise,” Han Li replied after a brief internal struggle, shaking his head in the end.

“Tsk tsk, Fellow Daoist Han, you haven’t even received the method from that old freak yet. How can it count as breaking your oath?” The man chuckled knowingly, tilting his head back.

“While that may be true, I’ve never met you before. A few words alone aren’t enough to make me abandon my agreement. Isn’t that a bit reckless?” Han Li replied coolly, though his thoughts remained inscrutable.

“Since I’ve appeared before you, I naturally have ways to earn your trust. For starters, I’ll reveal the method to extract Chaos Qi from the Demon-Sealing Lock right now. And afterward, I’ll offer you even greater benefits!” The man’s eyes gleamed with cunning.

“Greater benefits?” Han Li’s interest was piqued, a trace of hesitation flickering across his face.

But at that moment, the void around them trembled with a series of deafening booms. The lush grassland beneath them blurred, and the scenery abruptly transformed into a desolate wasteland of swirling yellow sand.

Simultaneously, dark clouds gathered overhead, and countless silver lightning bolts danced wildly.

“Impossible! How could that old bastard break free so quickly?” The man’s expression twisted in shock.

Han Li, too, was taken aback.

Then, a furious voice thundered from the stormy clouds:

“Feng Xie! You dare scheme against me? Did you truly think I’d let this slide?”

It was Che Qi Gong’s voice, shaking the heavens with its wrath.

The dark clouds churned violently, coalescing into a colossal black hand hundreds of feet wide, which descended menacingly toward the bearded man.

Before it even made contact, an overwhelming force pressed down from above.

Han Li felt the air around him solidify, his divine sense manifestation instantly immobilized.

The ground within a radius of several acres caved in with a deafening crash, forming a terrifyingly deep crater.

At the center of the pit, the armored man’s expression darkened as he shrugged his shoulders. A surge of black light erupted from his armor, deflecting the crushing force with an inexplicable energy. Though his body swayed slightly, he remained otherwise unfazed.

“The Diverting Force Technique! You’ve actually mastered it! No wonder you had the audacity to pull this stunt. Fine, very well! Let me test the limits of this so-called divine ability!” Che Qi Gong’s voice, initially stunned, quickly turned even more enraged.

The dark clouds above churned once more, vaguely forming the shape of a colossal three-headed, six-armed demonic figure, poised to strike.

“Hold it! Don’t you want the Chaos Qi anymore?” The man barked, raising a hand to halt the impending attack.

“Once I deal with you, the Chaos Qi will naturally be mine,” the demonic figure snarled, its six arms moving as swirling black energy coalesced into six massive dark orbs, ready to be hurled.

“What nonsense are you spouting? The method to extract Chaos Qi from the Demon-Sealing Lock was devised years ago by our joint efforts. Are you trying to scare me with empty threats to buy time?” The demonic figure paused momentarily, but its voice remained a furious roar.

“Why would I need to buy time? Do you really think I fear you now that I’ve mastered the Diverting Force Technique? I merely wish to avoid mutual destruction here. As for the truth of my words—if you weren’t the slightest bit concerned, you wouldn’t have stopped.” The man laughed dismissively.

The demonic figure hovered motionless for a moment. Then, with a sharp *pfft*, it disintegrated into countless wisps of black energy. From within, an elderly man with a fierce expression descended—Che Qi Gong himself.

Han Li, observing the scene, crossed his arms and silently watched.

“Hmph. You’ve hidden your skills well, only revealing your mastery of the Diverting Force Technique today. Regardless of whether it’s as formidable as the legends claim, your earlier words suggested you’ve devised a new method to extract Chaos Qi. How do I know you’re not lying? The original method required the combined efforts of several of us. Do you truly expect me to believe you alone could improve upon it?” Che Qi Gong’s voice was icy.

“I discovered the fatal flaw in the original method by sheer chance. As for its validity, listen to what I have to say, and you’ll know the truth. If you doubt me, we can always settle this with a fight—though that would only benefit that scoundrel Xue Guang.” The man smirked.

“Fine. Speak. But if your words prove false…” Che Qi Gong’s face twisted into a snarl at the mention of Xue Guang, his resolve hardening.

“Now that’s sensible. If my method works, I demand a third of the extracted Chaos Qi. That’s not unreasonable, is it?” The man clapped his hands, his tone brooking no argument.

“We’ll discuss terms after you’ve proven your claims,” Che Qi Gong replied coldly.

Unfazed, Feng Xie (the bearded man) began transmitting his words directly into the elder’s mind.

Han Li’s brow twitched slightly, but he remained silent.

—

A day later, above a range of gray mountains, a streak of black light darted through the sky at a terrifying speed.

Within the light was an ugly old man—none other than Black Rain, the Transcendent, who had parted ways with Han Li earlier.

His focused expression suggested he was in a hurry to return to the Sacred Island.

Ahead, two towering peaks, each tens of thousands of feet high, stood side by side, blocking his path.

Without hesitation, Black Rain accelerated toward the gap between them.

After a few flashes, the black light vanished into the pass, only for disaster to strike.

Without warning, the two mountains trembled violently before collapsing inward, crushing toward the black streak.

Before the peaks even made contact, a rain of boulders cascaded down like a deadly hail.