Chapter 1432: Heaven Roc Holy Heir

After an indeterminate amount of time, the effeminate youth awoke with a splitting headache, his mind sharp and alert.

The moment he opened his eyes, he sprang up in alarm, only to find the black-armored man and Han Li seemingly just rousing beside him.

“What happened? I remember now—that old bastard Yu didn’t give us the treasures as promised but instead ambushed us with a Lightning Attracting Pearl!” The youth recalled the events before his unconsciousness, his face twisting with fury.

Meanwhile, the black-armored man shook his still-dazed head before sitting cross-legged, carefully inspecting his condition with his spiritual sense.

After a moment, he exhaled in relief.

“Fortunately, it’s just some minor damage to my vitality. Nothing serious.”

Han Li, however, remained silent, his gaze flickering as if deep in thought.

“Do either of you know what happened afterward?” the effeminate youth asked, glancing between Han Li and the black-armored man.

“No idea. The moment that five-colored lightning struck me, my soul was shaken unconscious,” the black-armored man replied with a bitter smile.

“Brother Han, I recall you seemed to notice Old Yu’s trap and didn’t fall for the Lightning Attracting Pearl,” the youth suddenly addressed Han Li.

“How could a mere Flying Spirit General like me truly escape unscathed? Though I avoided the five-colored lightning, I was later ambushed by that Thunder Beast’s electric attack and passed out just like the two of you,” Han Li sighed.

“Ambushed by the Thunder Beast? That makes sense. The beast was controlled by Old Yu through its core, so he could temporarily manipulate its body,” the youth mused, seeming to accept this explanation.

“Something’s odd. If Old Yu betrayed us, why leave us unharmed here?” The black-armored man frowned, sensing something amiss.

“What’s so strange about it? The old bastard probably regretted promising us those treasures after succeeding. I always found it suspicious—why would he offer such rare items just to subdue a spirit beast? Clearly, he planned to renege from the start. And this from someone whose Wan Lei Workshop is so renowned in the Holy City!” the youth spat angrily.

“If he merely wanted to keep the treasures, there’d be no need to kill us. But by now, he’s surely long gone,” Han Li nodded.

Hearing this, the black-armored man seemed to accept the reasoning.

“We can’t let that old bastard escape! Even if he’s fled, we might find clues at his residence,” the youth said coldly, unwilling to let it go.

After a brief hesitation, the black-armored man agreed. Han Li, however, shook his head.

“My cultivation is too weak. Surviving this ordeal was luck enough—I won’t pursue the matter further. I’ll take my leave here.”

Both the black-armored man and the youth were taken aback, exchanging glances.

“Brother Han, can you really swallow this humiliation? With your lightning techniques, you must have a notable background. Even if Old Yu’s cultivation surpasses ours, he was clearly weakened after extracting the Thunder Beast’s essence. Together, we stand a chance. If all else fails, we can appeal to the elders. No matter his strength, would he dare defy them?” the youth urged through gritted teeth.

“No need to involve the elders. We can handle this ourselves,” the black-armored man interjected, his expression shifting.

“It’s fine. I have other pressing matters in the Holy City and only came here incidentally. Since things have taken this turn, I won’t linger. Farewell, seniors.” Han Li calmly clasped his hands, then with a flap of his wings, soared into the sky as a streak of azure light.

“Ignorant fool. The two of us are enough to deal with Old Yu,” the youth muttered darkly, watching Han Li depart.

“Tsk, a mere Flying Spirit General—his presence or absence makes little difference. But Old Yu daring to break his word suggests he has contingencies. Our odds aren’t great,” the black-armored man fretted.

“We won’t know unless we try. Let’s go.”

With that, the two ignored Han Li’s vanished figure and flew toward the shopkeeper’s residence.

Meanwhile, Han Li returned nonchalantly to the VIP pavilion, seemingly putting the matter behind him.

In the following days, Han Li secluded himself in meditation, consuming pills to stabilize his late-stage Spirit Transformation realm while painstakingly mastering the “Heavenly Roc Transformation” from the Awakening Sky Art, striving to perfect it for combat.

Time flowed swiftly, and two months passed in a blink.

One day, as Han Li sat cross-legged on his bed, azure light swirling around him, his eyes suddenly snapped open.

Almost simultaneously, a clear voice drifted in from outside.

“Bai Bi, under the Great Elder’s orders, has come to escort Senior Han to the appointed meeting.”

Han Li’s eyes narrowed briefly before returning to normal.

In a ghostly motion, he shifted from the bed to the floor. Since cultivating the “Heavenly Roc Transformation,” his agility had reached new heights.

Pushing open the door, he strode into the hall, where a yellow-robed youth stood with hands clasped behind his back.

Though not strikingly handsome, the youth had bright, clear eyes and an air of effortless grace.

“Senior Han? Under the Great Elder’s command, I’ve come to escort you,” the youth said warmly, his demeanor exuding a refreshing charm despite his early-stage Spirit Transformation cultivation.

“Bai Bi? With such bearing, you must be one of the two Holy Sons,” Han Li chuckled, eyeing the youth.

“Shamefully, yes—though unworthy of the elders’ favor. I’ve heard of Senior Han’s deeds from my family elders. I owe you thanks for saving my kin’s lives,” Bai Bi replied with a smile and a bow.

“Your kin?” Han Li feigned surprise.

“My uncle, Bai Lei, and aunt, Bai Ning.”

“You’re Bai Lei’s nephew?” Han Li’s gaze lingered on the golden wings behind Bai Bi, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face.

“Senior need not wonder. My Kunpeng bloodline awakened in adulthood, altering my wings thus,” Bai Bi explained, noting Han Li’s puzzlement.

“I see. Fortune favors you,” Han Li remarked lightly.

Soon, he followed the Heavenly Roc Clan’s Holy Son to a grand hall of ancient white stone, solemn and austere. At its center stood an altar-like stone table flanked by five stone chairs on each side.

Aside from Jin Yue, the red-bearded elder, and the beautiful woman, a gaunt, black-robed man now sat among them, shrouded in dark mist, his features obscured but his glossy black wings unmistakable.

On the stone table lay a fiery-red box crisscrossed with emerald leaves, their glow stark against the wood.

Han Li stood before the four, Bai Bi at his side, as an oppressive silence filled the hall.

The black-robed man studied Han Li intently, his interest palpable.

Moments later, footsteps echoed as a silver-robed woman with white wings entered, her presence ethereal.

Her jade-like face and limpid eyes exuded purity.

“Lei Lan, you’re late,” Jin Yue frowned.

“Forgive me, Great Elder. I was immersed in comprehending a technique and lost track of time,” the woman replied hoarsely, bowing.

“Since it was for cultivation, it’s forgiven.”

With thanks, Lei Lan took her place beside Bai Bi.

“The purpose of this gathering is clear. The Abyss Trial concerns our clan’s survival. At least one of you must succeed and inherit the Holy Lord’s mantle. However, we’ve learned that hostile factions like the Redmelt Clan will likely sabotage you. Given your short tenure as Holy Sons, interference from others would be fatal. Thus, we’ve invited Fellow Daoist Han to join as a temporary third Holy Son, aiding you in the trial,” Jin Yue declared, her voice resonating through the hall.

At this, Bai Bi and Lei Lan glanced at Han Li—the former warmly, the latter with crystalline clarity.

Han Li simply smiled.