Han Li nodded slightly at Venerable Linghu, then suddenly turned his head and spoke calmly to Ziling, “Your cultivation is too low to be of help here, and you might even lose your life. Leave now! Don’t worry, with us keeping this fiend occupied, he won’t attack you.” Given their past acquaintance, Han Li urged her to leave first; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to protect her once the battle began.
Ziling was momentarily stunned by his words. After a brief hesitation, she obediently nodded.
“Since Fellow Daoist Han insists, I shall take my leave first. Brother Han, take care!” Ziling said softly. She glanced at the “Marquis Nanlong” below and gave Venerable Linghu a deep look before transforming into a streak of light and flying away.
The “Marquis Nanlong” below either deemed Ziling’s cultivation too insignificant to bother with or was genuinely strained facing Han Li and the other two. He coldly watched her departure before shifting his gaze back to Han Li.
Seeing the hostility in the other’s eyes, Han Li’s expression darkened. He raised a hand, and thick golden arcs crackled along his arm, accompanied by thunderous rumbles. His entire arm shimmered with dazzling lightning. Facing such a terrifying ancient demon, Han Li had no intention of testing the waters—he immediately unleashed the Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning, a technique specifically designed to counter demonic arts. This divine lightning had never failed him against demonic or sinister techniques, and despite the ancient demon’s ferocity, Han Li still held some confidence in it.
At the sight of the golden arcs dancing on Han Li’s arm, the “Marquis Nanlong” twitched his eyelids, his pupils contracting sharply.
“I recognize you. The residual memories of this body’s original owner hold a deep impression of you, though the specifics are unclear. The original owner feared you greatly. It seems that instinct wasn’t wrong—not only did you see through my ambush, but you also wield the same divine lightning that once caused us great suffering. It seems dealing with you will require some effort,” the “Marquis Nanlong” said coldly after staring at Han Li for a moment.
Han Li responded with a faint sneer, his expression unwavering. The golden arcs on his arm grew even thicker. Simultaneously, he flicked his sleeve, and a small blue shield shot out, transforming into a hazy blue barrier that enveloped him.
Seeing Han Li take the forefront, seemingly ready to confront the “Marquis Nanlong” head-on, Venerable Linghu and the woman in white exchanged delighted glances. Han Li’s reputation was formidable, nearly on par with late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, which bolstered their confidence. After a brief telepathic exchange, they slowly advanced from either side, preparing to assist Han Li.
The “Marquis Nanlong,” seeing Han Li unaffected by his words and resolute in spirit, frowned imperceptibly before baring his teeth in a vicious grin. Without a word, he stomped his foot, his body blurring as he vanished from sight.
Though Han Li remained outwardly calm, his heart tightened with heightened vigilance. Yet, even his spiritual sense failed to detect the other’s whereabouts. Truly befitting an ancient demon—this concealment technique alone could overwhelm ordinary cultivators.
Despite this, Han Li remained composed. Narrowing his eyes, a blue glow flickered within them as he activated his Brightsight Spirit Eye technique.
Suddenly, he raised his hand, and the golden arcs on his arm shot forth, forming a golden net that descended upon an empty space. Lightning and thunder intertwined.
A bizarre scene unfolded—where there had been nothing, a flash of black light revealed the “Marquis Nanlong” materializing. Just as he appeared, countless golden arcs rained down upon him. Startled, he quickly swayed his shoulders, leaving behind a flurry of afterimages. The arcs obliterated the illusions, but his true form had vanished once more.
Han Li’s lips pressed together, his blue-glowing eyes darting to one side while his other arm suddenly aimed elsewhere. With a crack of thunder, a thick golden arc erupted from his palm, striking a seemingly ordinary spot six or seven zhang away.
As the arc reached its target, the “Marquis Nanlong” coincidentally reappeared there, as if walking into the attack. He could only watch helplessly as the lightning struck.
This time, the “Marquis Nanlong” was genuinely shocked. Once might have been luck, but twice was no coincidence—Han Li could truly see through his movements.
Han Li’s timing was impeccable. With the golden arc unavoidable, the “Marquis Nanlong” could only grit his teeth and exhale a burst of black-red demonic flames, which collided with the lightning.
A soft “puff” later, both flames and arcs vanished into smoke.
“Huh?” This time, it was Han Li’s turn to be astonished. The ancient demon had a way to counter the Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning! What kind of demonic flames were these, to be so formidable?
Yet Han Li’s keen eyes noticed that the moment the flames dissipated, the “Marquis Nanlong’s” face paled briefly before returning to normal. Clearly, these flames were no ordinary technique—they likely involved his essence and soul.
Before Han Li could strategize further, the “Marquis Nanlong,” having neutralized the lightning, lunged forward. His body stretched unnaturally, closing the distance in an instant. With a sinister grin, his demonic energy-wreathed fists slammed toward Han Li.
Unfazed, Han Li retreated half a step as thunder roared behind him. A pair of silver-white wings materialized in a flash of light, and with another crack of thunder, he vanished in a burst of silver arcs.
The “Marquis Nanlong” paused, then sneered. “Thunderblink! You know quite a few tricks. But alas…” With a mocking laugh, he dissolved into black mist and disappeared as well.
From the “Marquis Nanlong’s” attack to Han Li’s counter and their simultaneous disappearance, it all happened in an instant.
Venerable Linghu and the woman in white, witnessing the clash, had intended to assist Han Li with their treasures. But the battle was too swift—now both combatants had vanished. Stunned, they exchanged glances before hastily summoning defensive artifacts, wary of an ambush. Unlike Han Li, they lacked the means to see through the demon’s concealment.
Thunder rumbled again as Han Li reappeared twenty zhang away. Yet almost simultaneously, black mist coalesced behind him—the “Marquis Nanlong” emerged, fists descending with brutal force.
Han Li didn’t turn, sensing the attack with his spiritual sense. Unable to dodge, he channeled his spiritual power into the blue shield, bracing for impact. Moments ago, he had set a trap for the demon; now, he was the one caught off guard.
Two deafening booms echoed as Han Li experienced the same force that had sent Venerable Linghu flying. The blue barrier trembled, and he was hurled backward, his gathered energy scattered. Thunderblink was now impossible.
The “Marquis Nanlong” laughed maniacally, transforming into a gust of wind as he pursued Han Li, intent on finishing him with another strike.
Mid-air, Han Li remained expressionless. Having witnessed the demon’s tactics against Venerable Linghu, he wasn’t unprepared. Though his energy was disrupted, he had other means to counterattack.
Though his body was momentarily paralyzed, his hands recovered quickly. Grabbing a spirit beast pouch from his waist, he hurled it at the “Marquis Nanlong.”
Before the demon could react, a buzzing swarm of several thousand golden Gold Devouring Beetles erupted from the pouch, forming a dense cloud that engulfed him.
Though unfamiliar with the beetles, their primordial aura unsettled the “Marquis Nanlong.” He raised a hand, summoning a ghostly claw wreathed in pale flames above the swarm, seizing most of them. The flames surged, enveloping the rest.
Smirking, he prepared to resume his pursuit—but the woman in white seized the moment to unleash her mirror’s five-colored beam, while Venerable Linghu sent his white ring streaking toward the demon.
The “Marquis Nanlong” dodged the beam with a slight shift—it was troublesome only if it hit. The ring, likely a restraint tool, was too slow to catch him.
Ignoring them, he focused on Han Li, the true threat with his divine lightning.
Meanwhile, Han Li wasn’t idle. Tapping another spirit beast pouch, a dozen white orbs shot out, transforming into towering, tiger-headed puppets that blocked the demon’s path. Each stood two zhang tall, with retractable claws gleaming from their hands.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage