Han Li’s face remained expressionless as he allowed the box to shoot toward the light barrier, bounce off, and fall outside the formation, showing no intention of deactivating the restriction.
He merely fixed a cautious gaze on the golden box, not uttering a single word.
“What’s the matter? Afraid this box might still be an illusion woven from Soul-Devouring Threads? Don’t worry. Now that the old ghost is dead, I need to join forces with you to deal with Ji Yin. I won’t make a move against you again. Besides, I never expected you to possess so many Golden Lightning Bamboo treasures. They’ll surely work wonders against Ji Yin’s Profound Yin Art. I have no reason to sabotage my own ally.” Xuangu, with his hands clasped behind his back, spoke calmly as he looked at Han Li within the light barrier.
Han Li paid no attention to Xuangu in the sky. As far as he was concerned, if the other had betrayed him once, he could do so again for some unknown reason. No matter how convincing or reasonable Xuangu’s words sounded, Han Li knew it was best to remain vigilant.
With that thought, Han Li raised a hand and released an incredibly slender, pale golden arc of electricity that struck the lid of the golden box. Amid a crackling spark, the box wobbled slightly but showed no unusual changes.
Seeing this, Han Li breathed a sigh of relief. If the box had been some evil artifact in disguise, it would hardly have withstood a strike from his Evil-Suppressing Divine Lightning.
Reassured, he made a beckoning gesture toward the box. The golden box leaped from the ground and flew straight into his hand. At the same time, the surrounding light barrier flickered momentarily before returning to normal, allowing the box to pass through and land in Han Li’s palm.
Under Han Li’s spiritual sense surveillance, Xuangu remained completely still, which eased Han Li’s mind slightly. He lowered his head to examine the golden box in his hand.
His gaze cold and sharp, Han Li did not open the lid immediately, lost in thought.
Seeing Han Li’s cautious demeanor, Xuangu in the sky merely snorted coldly and began leisurely scanning his surroundings, showing no urge to hurry Han Li.
Han Li glanced at the spirit ginseng’s incarnation—the white rabbit—lying motionless on the ground, seemingly still unconscious.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Han Li decisively extended two fingers and lightly flicked the lid of the golden box. A burst of blue light flashed between his fingers and the lid, and the box sprang open, revealing its contents.
Han Li focused his attention intently. Inside was a small object, about half a foot long, entirely earthy yellow in color, with a dry, wrinkled exterior resembling an ordinary piece of old tree root.
Han Li was speechless. The only unusual feature was a stunning silver flower blooming at its tip, emitting a soft glow and a faint, refreshing fragrance that invigorated him.
Just as Han Li began to doubt whether this was truly the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng or if Xuangu had tricked him with some unknown object, the rabbit lying on the grass suddenly leaped up, transforming into a ball of white light that shot toward the “root” in the golden box.
Han Li was startled at first, but then his face lit up with joy.
Since the white rabbit incarnation of the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng was so fiercely protective of this object, it confirmed that this was indeed the true spirit ginseng, putting his mind at ease.
However, Han Li had no intention of allowing the incarnation to merge with its main body. Without hesitation, he flicked a finger, and a streak of green sword light shot out, striking the rabbit squarely on the head and sending it tumbling backward.
But the little creature, desperate to reunite with its main body, lunged forward again, determined to succeed.
Growing impatient, Han Li released an arc of electricity that struck the rabbit, knocking it to the ground with singed fur, truly unconscious this time.
Han Li then grabbed the rabbit mid-air, glanced at it, and tossed it into the golden box.
As soon as the rabbit incarnation touched the main body of the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng, a white light flashed, and it seamlessly merged into the root. Han Li immediately closed the lid and placed a small restriction on it to prevent escape.
With this done, Han Li finally allowed himself to relax slightly.
Xuangu still showed no signs of making a move, which eased Han Li’s worries but also heightened his vigilance.
Tucking the golden box into his storage pouch, Han Li calmly asked, “Senior, aren’t you afraid that I might take the spirit ginseng and flee now that you’ve handed it over?”
“Flee? Do you think this spirit herb alone, without the refining formula, can be of any use to you?” Xuangu retorted, turning his gaze back to Han Li with an unhurried tone.
Frowning, Han Li was about to respond when Xuangu cut him off with a cold laugh. “Ji Yin has already placed a tracking mark on you. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, he’ll find you. You’d be wiser to cooperate with me. Otherwise, even if you escape the Virtual Sky Palace with the spirit ginseng, you’ll never… Heh!”
“A tracking mark?” Han Li’s expression shifted briefly before returning to normal. With his powerful spiritual sense, he refused to believe he could be marked without his knowledge.
Seeing Han Li’s skepticism, Xuangu curled his lip and was about to produce evidence when his expression suddenly changed. He whirled around to gaze into the distance.
Han Li was puzzled but immediately felt a surge of alarm, suspecting some new trick from the old demon.
To his surprise, Xuangu turned back and uttered words that sent a chill down Han Li’s spine. “Ji Yin is approaching, likely coming for you. You’re on your own now! I’ll hide for the time being.” With that, Xuangu transformed into a shadowy cloud and vanished into the sky in an instant.
Han Li was stunned!
As he debated the truth of Xuangu’s words, a distant, thunderous howl echoed from the horizon. A massive, oppressive black cloud rolled toward him, unmistakably heading in his direction.
Han Li’s heart sank.
The black cloud was the unmistakable aura of the Profound Yin Art. It was almost certainly Patriarch Ji Yin. Had he really fallen victim to Ji Yin’s scheme without realizing it? Otherwise, why would Patriarch Ji Yin come to such a remote place, heading straight for him?
Simultaneously, Han Li inwardly cursed Xuangu. Weren’t they supposed to join forces against Ji Yin? Now that Ji Yin was here alone, Xuangu had fled without a second thought, leaving Han Li to face him alone. The frustration was overwhelming.
There was no time to escape now. He had no choice but to brace himself and confront the situation.
Before Han Li could even retract his formation, the vast black cloud halted directly above the forest.
With no other options, Han Li steeled himself and watched the dark cloud silently, believing Ji Yin wouldn’t attack him outright upon meeting. This was also a chance to uncover why Patriarch Ji Yin was so fixated on pursuing him—a mystery that had plagued Han Li for far too long.
With this thought, Han Li’s mind settled, and he fixed his gaze on the black cloud, waiting for the other to speak.
But to Han Li’s utter astonishment, a cold snort echoed from within the cloud, followed by a pitch-black beam of light shooting out with lightning speed, striking the formation’s light barrier.
A yellow flash erupted, and with a shattering sound, the barrier dissolved without offering the slightest resistance.
The unimpeded black beam swept directly toward Han Li. His face turned deathly pale, and without a second thought, he shifted positions, reappearing over thirty feet away, his expression a mix of shock and fury.
Without hesitation, Han Li waved both hands, summoning dozens of towering puppet apes to surround and shield him. Several spirit beast pouches whirled into the air, hovering and swaying gently before him.
His gaze turned icy. Though he knew his chances of victory were slim, if Ji Yin truly intended to kill him here, he would fight with everything he had. He would never resign himself to death!
Simultaneously, the true energy within him locked onto the nine Emerald Swarm Swords, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
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