Han Li’s expression also changed upon hearing this. How did Xiang Zhili know that besides the Eight Spirit Ruler, he also possessed the Void Heaven Cauldron?
But after a moment of contemplation, he began to understand.
This information might have come from the Small Extreme Palace. Back then, Frost Li the Transcendent had already guessed that he possessed the Void Heaven Cauldron and had likely mentioned it to other palace disciples. Alternatively, Xiang Zhili might have obtained this information from the Chaotic Star Sea.
Given Xiang Zhili’s elusive nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had indeed visited the Chaotic Star Sea.
Han Li quickly considered several possibilities, but his face only grew more guarded.
“Junior Brother Han, there’s no need for concern. While a Heaven-reaching Spiritual Treasure might be an invaluable treasure to ordinary cultivators, for us Divine Transformation cultivators who already dominate the human realm, such treasures are merely embellishments—not necessities. Moreover, after living in the human realm for so long, we old fellows naturally have one or two Spiritual Treasures of our own. However, wielding them consumes an immense amount of spiritual power, so we only use them in life-or-death situations to avoid depleting our vitality by disturbing the world’s spiritual energy.” Xiang Zhili seemed to notice Han Li’s wariness and spoke dismissively.
“I see. It seems I overthought things.” Han Li’s expression relaxed slightly.
Though Xiang Zhili’s words made sense, Han Li wasn’t about to take them at face value. If obtaining a Spiritual Treasure were truly so easy, no one would pass up such an opportunity.
Earlier, when the eccentric Feng had eyed his Eight Spirit Ruler, there had been unmistakable greed in his gaze.
However, Xiang Zhili’s tone suggested goodwill. Whether it was because he recognized Han Li’s strength and sought to ally with him or had other motives remained unclear.
Han Li pondered silently.
“Hmph! Brother Xiang, what do you mean by this? Why are you siding with this Han brat? Even if he has two Spiritual Treasures, as long as I’m willing to sacrifice a decade of my lifespan, I can still take him down!” The eccentric Feng snorted, displeased.
“A decade? Brother Feng, you underestimate Junior Brother Han. If you insist on fighting him, you might indeed kill him, but it would be a bitter struggle—costing you decades, if not a century, of your lifespan. Are you truly willing to suffer such losses over a trivial matter?” Xiang Zhili shook his head, his expression serious.
“A century? Old Ghost Xiang, you hold this kid in such high regard?” The horse-faced elder was startled, his gaze reassessing Han Li with disbelief.
“Qian and Frost Li, as well as the recently missing Yin Luo Sect’s leader—they all fell by your hand, didn’t they?” Xiang Zhili chuckled lightly, suddenly asking Han Li.
“Indeed, I killed them.” Han Li’s eyes flashed coldly, but his voice remained calm.
Hearing this, the eccentric Feng frowned.
“Junior Brother Han, you’ve witnessed the power of Divine Transformation cultivators in Kunwu Mountain. What do you think the outcome would be if you fought Brother Feng now?” Xiang Zhili continued with a smile.
“If we fought to the death, I’d have a ten percent chance of victory, thirty percent of mutual destruction, and over fifty percent of escaping severely wounded.” Han Li thought carefully before answering.
Xiang Zhili was momentarily stunned by this response, then burst into laughter.
“Junior Brother Han, I know your abilities are formidable, but this seems exaggerated. To claim a thirty percent chance of mutual destruction—where does such confidence come from?”
The eccentric Feng sneered silently at Han Li’s bold words.
Han Li gazed calmly at Xiang Zhili, then flipped his palm, revealing a crimson sphere slowly rotating in his hand.
“Annihilation Pearl!”
As Divine Transformation cultivators, both men recognized the treasure instantly. The eccentric Feng’s expression darkened.
Without a word, Han Li raised his other hand, producing a similar black sphere.
This time, even Xiang Zhili’s hand paused mid-stroke on his beard, his eyes flickering with surprise.
“I happened to acquire a few Annihilation Pearls. If Brother Feng insists on forcing a fight, mutual destruction is indeed a possibility.” Han Li stated coolly before storing the spheres with a flash of green light.
The eccentric Feng and Xiang Zhili exchanged glances, both seeing wariness in the other’s eyes. In this world, few things could threaten Divine Transformation cultivators—Annihilation Pearls were one of them. If caught off guard, even they wouldn’t escape unscathed.
If Han Li truly had four or five of these, his claim of mutual destruction was no exaggeration.
“To think Junior Brother Han possesses such treasures. However, since I’m here, Brother Feng will surely let bygones be bygones. These Annihilation Pearls won’t be necessary. Junior Brother Han’s abilities far surpass ordinary cultivators; treating him as our equal is no disgrace. Brother Feng, what do you think?” Xiang Zhili smiled, turning to the eccentric Feng.
“Hmph, as you wish. But while I can overlook the matter with my junior, I must clarify the issue of the spatial nodes.” The horse-faced elder’s expression shifted before he reluctantly conceded.
“Haha, even if Brother Feng hadn’t mentioned it, I intended to ask. Junior Brother Han, don’t deny it—you plan to ascend to the Spirit Realm via a spatial node after reaching Divine Transformation, don’t you? If so, why not collaborate with us old fellows?” Xiang Zhili chuckled.
“Collaborate?” Han Li was taken aback but began to ponder.
“Indeed. I suspect you possess information we lack, but you’ll spend most of your time breaking through to Divine Transformation, leaving little to search for nodes. Since any node we find can be used by all, cooperation benefits us both. What do you say?”
The eccentric Feng also fixed his gaze on Han Li, awaiting his response.
Han Li frowned, remaining silent for a moment in thought.
Xiang Zhili hovered patiently, exuding confidence.
“Are you and Brother Feng the only collaborators?” Han Li finally asked.
“Besides us, there’s Fellow Daoist Hu from the Heavenly Demon Sect. Fellow Daoist Bai of the Taiyi Sect would’ve joined, but he’s occupied. So, it’s just the three of us. Don’t underestimate us—aside from the old monster Che of Ten Thousand Demons Valley, we’re the only Divine Transformation cultivators left in Great Jin.”
“So few? I thought Great Jin, as the human realm’s cultivation holy land, would have at least seven or eight.” Han Li seemed surprised.
“Three or four centuries ago, there were two more. But nearing their lifespan’s end, they attempted a perilous secret technique and perished in the process.” Xiang Zhili sighed.
Han Li mirrored his sigh before asking, “I recall Fairy Linglong provided you with dozens of spatial node records. Have none proven viable?”
“Not exactly. While most no longer exist or are unfindable, we located three. Two were inaccessible due to violent spatial storms. The third was unstable—prone to collapse at any moment. We dared not risk it. Rumor has it the old monster Che found one near Small Extreme Palace, but the palace master destroyed it by detonating the Void Spirit Hall. He nearly went mad with rage but ultimately retreated to Ten Thousand Demons Valley.” The eccentric Feng interjected, mixing regret with schadenfreude.
“I see. That explains the high-tier demon beasts during the siege. But why wasn’t Small Extreme Palace annihilated in retaliation?” Han Li wondered.
“Che wouldn’t dare. Though an ancient demonic cultivator, the human realm is ours. Past Divine Transformation cultivators could’ve crushed him but deemed the cost too high. He’s wise enough to avoid meddling in human affairs, hence Ten Thousand Demons Valley’s existence. Still, he’s bound by an agreement: his true form must remain in the valley, and he cannot massacre sects or mortals. Otherwise, we’d unite against him.” Xiang Zhili smirked.
“That explains it.” Han Li nodded.
“Recently, Che supposedly found another node, but its usability is uncertain.” The eccentric Feng added.
“Don’t bother. Fellow Daoist Hu and I inspected it. Only Che can enter—the spatial storms at the entrance, though weaker than the last, are still lethal to us. He plans to brave it, relying on his monstrous physique.” Xiang Zhili revealed unexpectedly.
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