Chapter 339: Shock

“I am…”

“Don’t even think of claiming to be a rogue cultivator. I wouldn’t believe that even if I didn’t think about it!” Han Li interrupted expressionlessly.

Hearing this, “Qu Hun” smiled bitterly. It seemed he had indeed been hoping to use that excuse just moments ago.

After a brief hesitation, Qu Hun spoke weakly, “As you suspect, my identity is indeed somewhat unusual. I am not a cultivator from Yue Country.”

“Not from Yue Country?” Just from that first sentence, Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, his heart stirring with surprise.

“I am actually a cultivator from the Tian Du Country’s Beast Control Sect, traveling through Yue Country,” Qu Hun said slowly.

“The Demonic Path’s Beast Control Sect!” Han Li’s eyes narrowed, sharp as blades.

“Yes. I arrived in your lands a few years ago, but unexpectedly, a powerful cultivator from your country destroyed my physical body, reducing me to this state.” Qu Hun’s face showed helpless frustration as he spoke of his body’s destruction.

After a moment’s thought, Han Li raised an eyebrow and asked, “Your body was destroyed five or six years ago, wasn’t it?”

His tone was utterly calm. Qu Hun, unable to discern Han Li’s intent, answered honestly, “Yes.”

“In the years since you took over this body, did you never consider returning?” Han Li asked impassively.

“Of course I did, but you know far too little about our Demonic Path,” Qu Hun replied, his face full of resignation.

“What do you mean? I’ve only heard scattered rumors about the Demonic Path,” Han Li admitted without evasion.

“Our Demonic Path follows the law of the jungle—strength is truth. Only with power can one claim authority. Back in the Beast Control Sect, my status was quite high. I had a beautiful Daoist companion and disciples who obeyed my every command. But now, with my cultivation greatly diminished, do you think any of that would still be mine if I returned? Most likely, my fellow disciples, who’ve long coveted my position, would secretly eliminate me.” Qu Hun explained with a cold laugh.

Han Li frowned slightly but said nothing.

Qu Hun continued, “My cultivation dropped so drastically because of the body takeover. But I’m confident that if I hide and cultivate for thirty or forty years, I can fully restore my power. Only then can I return openly. Otherwise, do you think I’d willingly hide in this godforsaken place?” His words were filled with resentment.

“So, you’ve been hiding near Jiayuan City all this time and haven’t encountered any other cultivators?” Han Li’s expression remained indifferent, unmoved.

“No. You are the first Yue Country cultivator I’ve met since the body takeover,” he said, his expression uneasy.

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier? Why pretend to be from the Spirit Beast Mountain?” Han Li pressed relentlessly.

“I thought you might be from one of the Seven Sects and would harm me,” he replied sheepishly.

At this, Han Li suddenly laughed.

“Is that the truth?” Han Li asked amiably, though his smile sent a chill down Qu Hun’s spine.

“Yes! Does the Daoist have some dissatisfaction?” he asked cautiously, a hint of unease in his expression.

“I’ve heard that the most deceptive lies are those that are seventy percent truth and thirty percent false. I wonder how much of what you just said was true?” Han Li stared into his eyes, enunciating each word clearly.

“Heh! The Daoist is too suspicious. Every word I spoke was true,” Qu Hun insisted, though he knew it was unwise. The consequences of telling the truth were too dire, so he braced himself and held his ground.

“In that case, let me share some news. Your Demonic Path’s Six Sects have invaded Yue Country. That makes us enemies. I have no interest in extracting secrets from you. I’ll just extract your soul and destroy it now to save time,” Han Li said grimly, his face darkening.

The moment these words were spoken, Qu Hun’s face turned ashen, recalling the torment he had just endured.

“Invaded Yue Country? How is that possible? It’s not time yet!” Blurted out in panic, his face instantly paled, and regret flashed across his features.

Han Li’s heart jolted.

“You knew about this? It seems I’ve underestimated you. But no matter how high your status was in the Beast Control Sect, you’re now merely a Qi Refinement cultivator. Don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Han Li’s eyebrows slowly rose, a murderous aura emanating from him.

He flipped his hand, and the “Soul Gathering Bowl” reappeared, releasing an eerie, chilling cold.

To Han Li’s surprise, Qu Hun showed no fear. Instead, he stared at the bowl with a strange expression.

This sight unsettled Han Li.

He didn’t actually know any “Soul Refining Art”; it was all a bluff. If Qu Hun remained stubborn, Han Li would have no choice but to destroy both Qu Hun’s body and his soul. Although he had recently acquired some soul-extracting techniques from blood sacrifice rituals, he hadn’t had time to practice them.

As Han Li pondered this, Qu Hun let out a long sigh and suddenly said, “I do hold some secrets, ones that concern the survival of your Seven Sects. But how can I be sure you’ll spare me after I speak? Most likely, I’ll still end up soul-refined to death.” As he uttered the words “soul-refined,” his face twitched involuntarily.

Hearing the gravity in his tone, Han Li rubbed his nose and put away the bowl once more.

“What assurance do you want? If it’s reasonable, I’ll consider it,” Han Li said calmly, as though unimpressed by the other’s grand claims.

“Hmph! I don’t believe in ordinary vows. But as far as I know, those who practice the ‘Soul Refining Art’ must never swear on a soul tool. Breaking such an oath would result in a backlash from the art, leading to a torturous death. I want you to swear on your soul tool that if I tell the truth, you will not harm me. If you break this oath, may your soul tool shatter and you suffer the torment of soul refinement.” Qu Hun spoke without hesitation.

“Fine, I agree!” Han Li agreed without the slightest hesitation, though inwardly he sneered.

He then took out the “Soul Gathering Bowl” and made a solemn vow as instructed.

Seeing Han Li swear so decisively, Qu Hun grew suspicious, sensing something amiss.

“I’ve made my vow. You’re not thinking of adding more conditions, are you?” Han Li said impassively, not giving him time to ponder the oddity and deliberately showing impatience.

“Of course not. I know better than to be greedy. But before I reveal the secret, you must first update me on the current situation between our Demonic Path and your Seven Sects. I have no idea if my information is outdated,” Qu Hun replied, successfully diverted, forcing a smile as he explained.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Han Li’s face, but he slowly began outlining the current state of affairs between the Seven Sects and the Demonic Path.

Qu Hun listened intently, but when he heard that the two sides were about to engage in a major battle in over a month, a trace of mockery appeared on his face. Han Li, closely watching his expression, noticed it clearly.

After hearing the update, Qu Hun pondered for a moment before speaking.

His first sentence left Han Li utterly stunned.

“If you’ll take my advice, there’s no need to rush to the Seven Sects’ camp now. By this time, the allied forces of the Seven Sects and the two other countries have most likely already suffered a crushing defeat. Going there would only mean certain death,” he said with a strange expression.

Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, his cold gaze fixed on Qu Hun, waiting for further explanation.

Seeing Han Li’s composure, the Beast Control Sect cultivator felt a twinge of admiration but also grew more wary. He continued, “You probably don’t know this, but Spirit Beast Mountain has maintained secret ties with our Beast Control Sect since its founding. If I’m not mistaken, their previous false rebellion was a smokescreen deliberately released by our Six Sects to lure the cultivators from the other two countries into a trap, allowing us to wipe out all three countries’ cultivators in one fell swoop. Once this battle is over, our Demonic Path’s Six Sects will dominate several countries.” He revealed a secret that sent a chill down Han Li’s spine.

“A smokescreen? Wouldn’t that be unnecessary? Spirit Beast Mountain voluntarily revealed their connection to your Beast Control Sect. Wouldn’t it have been better if they hadn’t?” Han Li asked, his face grim with shock.

“Do you really think the other six sects were unaware of Spirit Beast Mountain’s origins? Aside from Spirit Beast Mountain being a branch of our Beast Control Sect, the strongest among your Seven Sects, Masked Moon Sect, also has deep ties with our Six Sects’ Joyful Union Sect. The only difference is that Masked Moon Sect genuinely severed its connection with the Joyful Union Sect centuries ago and now seeks to establish its own power ambitiously.” The Beast Control Sect cultivator revealed yet another shocking truth.