“Double the price, Fellow Daoist Wan is truly generous!” Han Li let out a dry laugh, his expression shifting to one of amusement.
“What, does Fellow Daoist find it insufficient?” Wan Tianming asked impassively.
“Sufficient, of course it is. Unfortunately, this matter was something I agreed to many years ago, and I have no habit of going back on my word. However, if Fellow Daoist Wan manages to retreat unscathed, next time, I might just consider your offer.” Han Li replied lazily, his tone clearly mocking.
At this, the cultivators from both the Anti-Star Alliance and Star Palace were left dumbfounded.
The smile on Wan Tianming’s face finally faded, replaced by a dark expression.
“Since Brother Han has made his decision, I have no choice but to exchange a few moves with you. However, if we fight here, it may harm the juniors nearby. Why not move to a more distant location?” Wan Tianming’s voice turned icy.
“Good, that suits me just fine.” Han Li agreed without hesitation, showing no sign of deliberation.
This response caught Wan Tianming off guard. After a moment of silent contemplation, he formed hand seals and transformed into a streak of purple light, flying away from Starfall City.
Han Li glanced back at Ling Yuling and the others, nodding with a smile before transforming into a streak of green light, chasing after Wan Tianming.
In the blink of an eye, the two late-stage Great Cultivators vanished into the horizon.
Watching this, Ling Yuling and the elderly Zhao exchanged worried glances.
It seemed Wan Tianming had anticipated Han Li’s presence and deliberately lured him away. Could there be a trap? Yet Han Li had followed without hesitation, leaving them uneasy but unable to voice their concerns lest it dampen morale.
“Since Fellow Daoist Wan has left, we shouldn’t idle either. Let me see what you juniors are capable of. Heh, it’s been centuries since I last slew a Nascent Soul cultivator,” the disheveled man from the Twin Demons of Lan licked his blood-red lips and let out a sinister laugh.
He formed hand seals and spat out a bone-white ring, while a vast crimson mist erupted from his body, spreading dozens of yards and forming a sea of blood filled with ghostly wails, surging toward the Star Palace forces.
Beside him, the petite woman giggled seductively, her sleeves releasing waves of pink mist with an intoxicating fragrance that clouded the mind.
The elderly Long and his sister exchanged glances before unleashing their own attacks—one spat out a golden orb, while the other released thirteen emerald-green flying daggers, transforming into a dazzling array of light.
The Star Palace’s Nascent Soul cultivators, led by Ling Yuling, responded in kind, each displaying their unique techniques.
Star Palace had more early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, but the Anti-Star Alliance countered with the Twin Demons of Lan, both mid-stage Nascent Soul experts. Their clashes created a chaotic mix of spiritual light and demonic energy, locking the battle in a stalemate.
Meanwhile, the Core Formation and Foundation Establishment cultivators from both sides roared and charged, unleashing their magical tools and artifacts, igniting a full-scale melee.
They wisely avoided the Nascent Soul battlefield, scattering across the area.
For miles around, explosions, battle cries, and the clashing of magical tools filled the sky, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.
It was clear this battle would not be decided quickly.
Meanwhile, Han Li and Wan Tianming, now miles away, halted above the ocean.
Han Li emerged from his green light, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
With his powerful spiritual sense, he could detect any hidden ambushes. The area was clear—no other cultivators or formations were present. Wan Tianming, however, appeared unnervingly calm.
Amused, Han Li mused that Wan Tianming seemed as confident as he was.
“This place is quiet enough. A fitting burial ground for a Great Cultivator like you,” Wan Tianming remarked coldly.
“My burial ground?” Han Li chuckled, unfazed.
“Do you think I boast too much?” Wan Tianming sneered.
“Not at all. I merely wonder if your recent cultivation has addled your mind,” Han Li replied casually.
“You’ll see soon enough. But first, let me introduce two others,” Wan Tianming said darkly.
“Introduce others? If there’s a third person here, I’ll rip off my own head and hand it to you,” Han Li retorted scornfully.
Wan Tianming’s eyes narrowed. “A slip of the tongue. These two are no longer ‘people.'”
Before Han Li could react, Wan Tianming tossed a black leather pouch into the air, chanting incantations. Black mist poured out, revealing two shadowy figures—one tall, one slender—floating like ghosts.
“Corpse refinements?” Han Li frowned, recognizing the potent corpse energy.
Wan Tianming smirked, chanting faster. The figures absorbed the mist, revealing their true forms—a tall man with elongated arms and jade-like hands, and a gaunt woman with three swords embedded in her shoulder.
Han Li remained indifferent, unfamiliar with these corpses.
Annoyed, Wan Tianming inhaled deeply, his body cracking as it grew slightly. He exhaled purple mist, engulfing himself in a swirling cloud.
Han Li smirked, readying his treasures—a tri-colored glow in one sleeve and the Eight Spirit Ruler in the other. He planned to strike decisively, using the ruler to immobilize Wan Tianming before delivering a fatal blow with the fan.
As he activated his Thunderstorm Wings, a sudden surge of demonic energy erupted from the cloud, freezing him in shock.
The mist turned gray-white, radiating chilling malice.
Han Li’s heart skipped a beat. Wan Tianming, leader of the righteous Ten Thousand Laws Sect, was using demonic techniques? The energy resembled ancient demonic power but wasn’t identical. It reminded him of someone, but the memory eluded him.
A haughty laugh echoed as a figure emerged from the mist, flanked by six monstrous apparitions—horned, fanged, and armored like demons.
“Six Extreme True Devil Art!” Han Li blurted in disbelief.
“So you recognize my art. Not entirely clueless, then,” the figure sneered, now bearing no resemblance to Wan Tianming.
Han Li stared, utterly stunned.
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