Chapter 406: The Celestial Capital’s Corpse Flame

The middle-aged man’s eyes narrowed at the elder’s words, a look of disbelief washing over his face.

“Could it be that you’ve mastered that demonic art?” His voice trembled with fear.

“Since you’ve guessed it, it’s better if you surrender quietly. I might just spare your life. Otherwise, you know the consequences.” As the elder spoke, he raised a hand, and with a sizzling sound, a pitch-black fireball materialized above his palm.

“Heavenfiend Corpse Fire! You’ve finally mastered it.” The middle-aged man’s face turned ashen, his voice dry and hoarse with terror.

Witnessing this, Patriarch Ji Yin let out a cold laugh before turning to Fairy Violet Spirit and the others with an air of arrogance. “Listen well. I’m in a good mood today and can spare your lives! Swear allegiance to Extreme Yin Island, and you may continue to live freely. But you must obey my every command without question, or face utter annihilation. Now, surrender one-third of your souls to these Soul Restriction Plates, and you may leave unharmed.” With that, he produced several dark wooden plates from his robe, his gaze icy as he scanned the crowd.

Han Li and the other cultivators exchanged uneasy glances. None were foolish enough to step forward willingly, yet none dared refuse outright. Fear of the patriarch’s reputation left the scene dead silent.

Among Fairy Violet Spirit’s group, aside from Han Li and his Corpse Puppet, only the Meng Clan cultivator and the hook-nosed cultivator invited by Zhuo Ruting were at the Core Formation stage. The rest, including Fairy Violet Spirit and Madame Fan, were only at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Meanwhile, the Redflame Demon lurking within the dark clouds had quietly released the three Hidden Fiend Sect cultivators he had trapped earlier, remaining silent within the swirling darkness.

“It seems you’ve chosen annihilation. Very well, I shall grant your wish!” Patriarch Ji Yin’s expression turned frigid, his voice dripping with menace.

No sooner had he spoken than the hook-nosed cultivator behind Zhuo Ruting transformed into a streak of yellow light, shooting backward into the sky. Under Zhuo Ruting’s furious gaze, he flew dozens of yards away before his cold snort echoed faintly.

“Hmph! I have no desire to oppose the patriarch, nor any interest in being enslaved. I’ll take my leave now.”

In mere moments, the yellow streak had already covered another dozen yards—astonishingly fast!

Patriarch Ji Yin’s eyes flashed with malice. With a flick of his wrist, the black fireball shot toward the yellow streak, vanishing instantly as a slender, dark arc.

To everyone else, it seemed inexplicable, but Han Li’s expression tightened abruptly.

Simultaneously, a blood-curdling scream erupted from the distant yellow streak, followed by a burst of eerie black flames. The flames shrank rapidly and vanished, leaving behind only a dim, lifeless flying dagger.

Han Li gasped sharply.

The speed of those black flames was terrifying!

He knew that if he were farther away and fully focused, he might have a slim chance of evading them. But within twenty or thirty yards, escape would be impossible.

Moreover, the flames’ power to incinerate a person to ashes far surpassed that of the “Azure Sun Devilfire” used by the six demonic sects. No ordinary magic treasure could withstand it.

Realizing that his life hung by a thread, Han Li’s lips went dry, and his heart pounded wildly.

With great effort, he suppressed the urge to flee immediately. He knew that any rash move would only hasten his death.

But surrendering one-third of his soul was out of the question—it would be tantamount to handing his life over to the patriarch.

If the patriarch destroyed the soul fragments on the restriction plates, the affected cultivators would either be reduced to mindless idiots or die instantly from spiritual backlash.

This sinister soul-restriction technique could only be performed by a Nascent Soul cultivator; Core Formation cultivators lacked such power.

Steadying himself, Han Li glanced at the others, hoping to see a viable strategy.

The Meng Clan cultivator, who had earlier worn a carefree smile, now looked grim. Sensing Han Li’s gaze, he offered a bitter smile before turning his attention back to Patriarch Ji Yin.

Fairy Violet Spirit appeared calm, but her delicate fingers were tightly clenched behind her back, subtly trembling—a detail Han Li noted with unease.

As for Madame Fan, Zhuo Ruting, and the other Mystical Yin Sect cultivators, their faces were pale with terror after witnessing the black flames’ power. Though they maintained composure, their fear was unmistakable.

Han Li moistened his lips and turned his gaze to the Hidden Fiend Sect members.

The middle-aged man, having observed the black flames’ might, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

As Han Li looked over, the man spoke gravely, “Don’t be intimidated by the old demon. Since he’s possessing someone else, he can’t use this newly mastered technique repeatedly without the host body exploding. Our only chance is to join forces against him.”

The middle-aged man’s eyes drifted meaningfully toward the Redflame Demon in the dark clouds. In his mind, only by allying with another late Core Formation expert like the Redflame Demon could they stand a chance.

But after he spoke, the dark clouds remained silent, devoid of any response. The eerie stillness unnerved everyone, including Han Li.

Fairy Violet Spirit coldly stared at the clouds, saying nothing.

Patriarch Ji Yin chuckled darkly, clapping his hands together before separating them to reveal two more black fireballs. Everyone’s expressions shifted dramatically, their eyes fixed on the flames.

Just then, the dark clouds began to churn, and the Redflame Demon’s grating voice echoed faintly, “Patriarch Ji Yin, do you expect me to submit as well?”

“Of course. Since I’ve personally descended here, everyone will either die or swear allegiance to me. No exceptions,” Patriarch Ji Yin replied coolly, glancing at the clouds.

“Fine! Fine! How dare a mere possessed body challenge me! It seems I must test the might of your devilfire myself.” The Redflame Demon’s voice seethed with rage as the clouds roiled violently, accompanied by the crackle of thunder and flames.

Relief washed over the Mystical Yin Sect and Hidden Fiend Sect members upon hearing the Redflame Demon’s defiance. With his help, they might just have a fighting chance.

After all, the Redflame Demon’s “Nephrite Devil Art” was renowned throughout the Scattered Star Seas—perhaps it could counter the patriarch’s devilfire.

“Senior Ji Yin, aren’t you afraid the Star Palace will come for you if you recklessly use the Soul Restriction Technique? As far as I know, the Twin Saints of Heavenstar strictly forbid Nascent Soul experts like you from employing it,” Fairy Violet Spirit interjected suddenly.

Even a veteran demon like Patriarch Ji Yin paled slightly at the mention of the Star Palace and the Twin Saints.

But he quickly regained his composure and sneered, “You’re quite knowledgeable, girl! The Star Palace did impose such a restriction, but that was in the past. Do you think the Twin Saints still dare to leave Heavenstar City easily? As long as they remain, what can the others in the Star Palace do to us?”

His words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving Han Li and the others stunned. Only the Hidden Fiend Sect members showed no surprise, as if they had already known.

Fairy Violet Spirit’s heart sank, but she quickly composed herself and addressed the middle-aged man coldly, “You and Senior Redflame handle the old demon. The rest of us will deal with the traitors first, then join forces against him.”

The middle-aged man paused briefly before nodding and gesturing to his subordinates.

“Do as she says for now. If we don’t repel the old demon, none of us will survive.”

He then turned his frosty gaze forward as the Redflame Demon’s dark clouds drifted overhead, forming an alliance.

The Hidden Fiend Sect’s Core Formation cultivators exchanged glances before flying to Han Li’s side, their eyes coldly fixed on the traitorous Elder Zhao and his followers.

Relieved that they wouldn’t have to face the patriarch’s terrifying devilfire directly, the Meng Clan cultivator and the Mystical Yin Sect members regained some composure, readying their magic tools and treasures for battle.

But Han Li, standing at the rear, furrowed his brows.

For some reason, the current situation filled him with a deep sense of foreboding, as if something terrible was about to happen.

Something felt off. Would Patriarch Ji Yin truly confront them all alone, relying solely on his possession technique?

He moistened his dry lips, silently instructing his Corpse Puppet before summoning his Green Brilliance Sword.