“Hmph! So what if we’re discovered? With the two of us joining forces, at worst we can just return to the Ghostly Mist. In a direct confrontation, we’re no match for a Nascent Soul cultivator, but when it comes to escape techniques, who can match the mystical power of our Ghost Path techniques?” the deep male voice retorted defiantly.
“What do you know? There are at least three or four Nascent Soul cultivators here, all equipped with magic treasures and special abilities that counter our Ghost Path techniques. If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for breaking our agreement and eliminating you right now.” The young cultivator was none other than Profound Bone, his voice turning cold as he scolded.
“Brother Profound Bone, there’s no need to be angry. This old man will simply refrain from speaking further. However, you promised to help me find a suitable physical body—you cannot go back on your word! Otherwise, why would I have entrusted a trace of my essence to you and willingly followed you out of the Ghostly Mist?” The voice seemed somewhat wary of Profound Bone’s anger but couldn’t resist reminding him of the matter closest to his heart.
“Rest assured! Since I need your help to deal with that traitor Jiyin, having a physical body will make our actions more convenient. Besides, we share the same plight—both of us have cultivated the Ghost Path—so I will naturally keep my promise,” Profound Bone replied coldly.
“Hehe! With those words from you, fellow Daoist, I am at ease.” After saying this, the deep voice vanished from Profound Bone’s mind.
This allowed Profound Bone to relax slightly. He leaned against a small tree, sat down, and entered a state of feigned sleep.
Time passed slowly. More and more cultivators emerged from the Ghostly Mist, each looking increasingly disheveled. Some appeared severely weakened, likely requiring years of secluded cultivation to recover their original strength. Despite this, their faces showed unmistakable joy—after all, having passed through the Ghostly Mist, they could now acquire some rare spiritual medicines seldom seen in the outside world.
As the number of cultivators gradually increased to sixty or seventy, the stream of new arrivals suddenly dwindled. For the better part of the day, only a few scattered individuals emerged.
Among them was the young cultivator who had initially accompanied Fairy Violet Spirit. His clothes were disheveled, his face ashen, clearly having suffered greatly.
Upon entering the area, the young male cultivator anxiously scanned his surroundings. Not finding Fairy Violet Spirit, his face grew anxious and restless.
Meanwhile, Patriarch Jiyin and Profound Bone also grew uneasy at Han Li’s absence.
Profound Bone, though inwardly impatient, maintained a calm exterior. Patriarch Jiyin, however, could barely contain himself, frequently opening his eyes to sweep a sinister gaze over the surrounding Ghostly Mist before reluctantly closing them again.
Given his typically gloomy disposition, he would never have shown such agitation, but the item in Han Li’s possession was vital to his treasure hunt, which left him deeply unsettled.
Most people paid no attention to his behavior, but the scholarly-robed elder seated nearby noticed and lightly coughed before slowly asking, “Fellow Daoist Wu, you seem restless. Is there someone among those yet to arrive whom you’re concerned about?”
The elder fixed his gaze on Patriarch Jiyin, a suspicious expression on his face.
“It’s not exactly concern, just a young fellow I once met—a rather interesting junior!” Patriarch Jiyin immediately regained his composure and replied indifferently.
“An interesting young junior? In that case, Fellow Daoist Wu must introduce him to me. I’ve always enjoyed mentoring promising youths.” The scholarly elder’s eyes flickered with a strange light, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
“This old fox! His suspicion runs deep,” Patriarch Jiyin inwardly cursed.
Han Li’s continued absence vexed him greatly, leaving him no energy for mind games. He simply closed his eyes again, forcing himself into meditation.
At the same time, in a certain corner, the deep voice once again echoed in Profound Bone’s mind.
“Profound Bone, hasn’t your helper arrived yet? Could he have been devoured by some fierce ghost? What use is such a weak helper anyway?” The voice carried a tone of schadenfreude.
Profound Bone sighed, knowing that given the other’s nature, silencing him was likely impossible. He couldn’t actually eliminate him either, as he still held great use.
Since no one had cast him any strange looks so far, he estimated that a brief conversation wouldn’t cause any issues.
With that in mind, Profound Bone reluctantly said, “This person is quite mysterious! Though young and only at the early Core Formation stage, he would never be killed by some mere fierce ghost. Even if you encountered him, you’d likely either be destroyed or forced to flee. Don’t underestimate him.”
“Early Core Formation? Profound Bone, you underestimate me too much. A cultivator like that—I could drain his essence with a single bite,” the deep voice retorted incredulously.
“Didn’t you suffer from my Golden Lightning Bamboo Devil-Slaying Arrow? Do you have a way to counter a flying sword made of the same material?” Profound Bone sneered.
“A Golden Lightning Bamboo flying sword! Are you joking? The only segment of Golden Lightning Bamboo was refined into that Devil-Slaying Arrow. How could there be another Golden Lightning Bamboo treasure?” The deep voice fell silent for a moment before responding with clear doubt.
“Hehe! Whether it’s true or not, you’ll find out in due time. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—aside from his Golden Lightning Bamboo treasures, this person has other troublesome methods. Otherwise, why would I, Profound Bone, bother allying with an ordinary Core Formation cultivator?” Having said this, Profound Bone ignored him further, closing his eyes to rest.
The deep voice tactfully asked no more, perhaps pondering the truth of Profound Bone’s words.
After several more hours, even Profound Bone grew impatient, suspecting that Han Li might truly have encountered trouble. Suddenly, the Ghostly Mist in one area churned, then parted to either side as three figures emerged shoulder-to-shoulder.
It was Han Li and the two women, Fairy Violet Spirit and the enchanting Yuan Yao, who still wore a black hood covering her stunning features.
Seeing so many people, Han Li was momentarily taken aback but, after a quick scan, he promptly headed toward an unoccupied spot. Fairy Violet Spirit and Yuan Yao exchanged a knowing glance and moved to follow him.
But just then, a figure flashed—a handsome young man in blue robes rushed forward and eagerly asked Fairy Violet Spirit, “Wonderful! You’re safe, Violet Spirit! I’ve been worried about you!” He stepped closer, examining her for any injuries, his concern evident.
“Brother Li, I’m fine,” Fairy Violet Spirit replied, halting her steps. She forced a smile, her expression uncertain.
Yuan Yao gave the two a meaningful look before gliding away alone to follow Han Li.
Having just found a spot to stand alone, Han Li turned and was surprised to see Yuan Yao approaching. Frowning slightly, he said, “Miss Yuan, we’ve already left the Ghostly Mist. Is there something you need?”
Though Han Li was greatly struck by her beauty and felt a slight stir in his heart, he had no intention of teaming up with outsiders here and thus spoke words meant to keep her at a distance.
Han Li’s bluntness didn’t anger Yuan Yao. Instead, she sighed lightly and said, “Brother Han, please don’t blame me. Following you is a act of desperation on my part! You must know that my magic treasure was severely damaged in the battle with the Ghost King and can no longer be used. With the dangers within the Heavenly Void Hall, you’re the only person I know here. I have no other choice. Surely you wouldn’t stand by and watch me die here?”
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, on the verge of tears, which only deepened Han Li’s frown.
“Miss Yuan! Since you’ve said that, I must ask you to clarify a few things. I am no gentleman with a heart of benevolence, and I have no wish to be used without realizing it.” Han Li asked calmly, unaffected by her sorrowful expression.
“Brother Han, feel free to ask whatever you wish. As long as it doesn’t involve personal privacy, I will answer to your satisfaction!” Seeing that Han Li showed no intention of showing mercy, she felt somewhat annoyed inwardly. However, as she truly needed to acquire certain items on this journey, she hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement.
“My questions are simple: What are your specific goals for this trip? How far do you plan to go? And explain why you looked so panicked when you first saw me—is there some hidden trouble or major problem you’re involved in? I have no desire to be dragged into unnecessary complications.” Han Li placed his hands behind his back, fixed his gaze on her, and asked leisurely without blinking.
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