After this incident, Han Li naturally realized that the newcomer was no ordinary cultivator. He had no interest in dealing with the sneaky white figure and immediately activated the giant spear formed by his Gold Devouring Beetles, easily killing the white figure. Now, he could focus entirely on confronting the newly arrived late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
Glancing back at the situation in the valley, Han Li saw that the formation was completely surrounded by pitch-black Yin energy, indicating that Yuan Yao’s soul-summoning ritual had reached a critical juncture. If disturbed, not only would Yan Li fail to be revived, but Yuan Yao herself would suffer severe backlash and injuries.
Frowning, Han Li turned back and pondered for a moment. Though he didn’t know the origins of the young man, the sheer strength of his spiritual sense made Han Li wary. However, he felt no fear, confident that no Core Formation cultivator could pose a threat to him given his treasures and abilities.
As he considered whether to proactively deal with the man—given that he seemed troublesome and might team up with others—Han Li suddenly sensed something and abruptly stood up, his expression shifting. The man and the stunningly beautiful girl beside him had left their beast-drawn carriage and were flying toward him.
Han Li’s face darkened. He raised both hands, releasing over a dozen giant ape puppets to guard the area in case of opportunistic intruders. Without hesitation, he stomped his foot and transformed into a green streak of light, intercepting the pair.
Given their level of cultivation, a battle nearby could easily affect Yuan Yao in the valley. Since the opponent didn’t seem weak and couldn’t be instantly killed, Han Li decided to intercept them at a distance.
The man wasn’t flying at full speed, so Han Li soon met them at the outskirts of the island. Having altered his appearance earlier, Han Li wasn’t worried about being recognized as the owner of the Void Sky Cauldron. Standing a hundred zhang apart, he coldly observed the pair, his face expressionless.
Upon closer inspection, Han Li’s eyes flickered with surprise. The man’s golden aura between his brows was striking, likely due to a unique cultivation technique, but the girl’s beauty was so overwhelming it evoked a sense of reverence. Han Li couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times.
Strangely, he suddenly felt a sense of familiarity with her, especially her clear eyes, as if he’d seen them before. Yet he was certain this was their first meeting—such extraordinary beauty would have left a lasting impression.
Meanwhile, the man and the girl also scrutinized Han Li.
“May I ask your name, fellow Daoist? Is the one performing the heaven-defying ritual in the valley your companion?” Wen Tianren asked with a faint smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
Han Li’s heart tightened. The man’s confidence in identifying the celestial phenomenon’s origin suggested he was even more formidable than expected.
“My name is unimportant. I advise you to turn back. Since you know this isn’t a treasure’s manifestation, why come here?” Han Li replied calmly.
The man’s expression darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
“I’m not here for the celestial phenomenon—I’m here for you,” he said coolly.
“For me?” Han Li frowned, caught off guard.
“Indeed. Since you won’t reveal your name, I won’t press. But I’m familiar with all notable Core Formation cultivators from major sects, and your face is unfamiliar. You must be a rogue cultivator. In that case, I offer you and your companion two choices: join our alliance as an enforcer of my Divine Vulture Hall and submit to me, or perish here at my hands.” Wen Tianren’s refined face turned icy, his tone laced with menace.
“Submit to you? Your alliance? Are you from the Inverse Star Alliance?” Han Li was momentarily stunned but quickly reassessed the man.
“Young Master Wen is the esteemed disciple of the Six Paths Sage, a senior of the Inverse Star Alliance. Surrendering to him wouldn’t disgrace you, and with your cultivation, you’d surely be valued,” the girl interjected coolly, revealing the man’s identity.
“Six Paths’ successor?” Han Li’s expression shifted. He’d guessed the man’s background was extraordinary but hadn’t expected it to be this intimidating.
Noticing Han Li’s reaction, Wen Tianren’s eyes gleamed with pride. He relished the awe his identity inspired, seeing it as part of his strength.
But his satisfaction was short-lived as Han Li’s expression turned mocking.
“So the young master of the Inverse Star Alliance graces us with his presence. My apologies for the lack of respect. However, I have no intention of joining your alliance or dying here. Instead, I have a counteroffer—how about you hand over your life to me?” Han Li sneered.
Given the man’s aggressive stance, Han Li knew reconciliation was impossible. Sensing the killing intent from the Six Paths’ successor, he doubted surrender would spare him. Thus, he discarded pretense, unafraid of the alliance’s might—already a fugitive for possessing the Void Sky Cauldron.
“Good, very good!” Wen Tianren laughed coldly, his eyes glinting with fury. As the last word left his lips, he suddenly spat out a blue streak.
The blue light erupted with blinding brilliance before vanishing with a whoosh.
Han Li’s face darkened. Instinctively, he waved the jade scepter in his hand, summoning a red-and-yellow barrier around himself.
The blue streak reappeared before him, striking the barrier with a dull thud. Han Li was sent flying several zhang back.
Now he saw the blue streak was a peculiar spike, shimmering with cold light and crackling with energy.
Without hesitation, Han Li fired ten green sword beams, knocking the spike away. He then slapped his storage pouch, summoning five copper rings that emitted multicolored light. Simultaneously, over twenty flying swords shot toward Wen Tianren.
Unfazed by the failed attack, Wen Tianren calmly clasped his hands, producing a small purple banner. Seeing the incoming swords, he finally showed surprise and hastily waved the banner, summoning a dense purple mist to conceal himself.
Han Li, about to deploy his Five Elements Rings, sighed inwardly but merged the rings into a giant protective barrier. He then formed hand seals, activating the “Sword Shadow Splitting Art” on his Emerald Swarm Swords.
Instantly, the twenty-four swords multiplied into ninety-six streaks of light, raining down on the purple mist.
The girl, now a hundred zhang away, paled at the sight, her expression a mix of shock and something inexplicable.
The green lights swarmed the purple mist like giant bees, piercing it hundreds of times—yet the mist remained unresponsive, as if empty.
Han Li frowned, his expression grimmer. Though he hadn’t expected an easy victory, the Six Paths’ successor proved even more troublesome than anticipated.
With a gesture, the swords merged into two colossal blades and slammed down like falling mountains. At the same time, Han Li tapped his spirit beast pouch.
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