Chapter 1059: Conditions

“What about the Reaching Heaven Spirit Treasure from Volume 3, Chapter 6? Do you recognize this Refined Corpse?” Han Li asked without turning his head.

“You could say that!” After a slight pause, Gui Ling replied honestly.

“What do you mean?” Han Li’s eyes flickered, and he turned back.

“Before it became a Refined Corpse, it was a spirit beast. It had some dealings with us back then. Its owner was also a human cultivator who came down from the Spirit Realm to the Human Realm. However, we haven’t seen it since we were sealed in Kunwu Mountain, so I don’t know how it turned into a Refined Corpse,” Gui Ling explained.

“So, its original form was also a demon beast from the Spirit Realm?” Han Li’s expression shifted.

“That’s right. Cultivators who descended from the Spirit Realm to the Human Realm back then couldn't have too high a cultivation level, and the spirit beasts they brought were also greatly restricted. We few who accompanied them down were only allowed after our original memories were erased,” Gui Ling sighed.

“Memories erased? You don’t remember anything?” Han Li’s heart tightened, then he felt a bit disappointed. He had originally hoped to glean some information about the Spirit Realm from Gui Ling.

“Other than knowing we came from the Spirit Realm, I have no memory of it whatsoever.” Gui Ling also showed a trace of melancholy.

Han Li fell silent, but then a thought crossed his mind, and he remembered Silvermoon.

Silvermoon is not simple; she should have some memories of the Spirit Realm! His mind stirred again, but he immediately suppressed the thought. Now was not the time to consider such matters. His gaze subconsciously swept across the surroundings.

After emerging from the barrier, this space had become somewhat eerie.

It was empty all around. There wasn’t a single person. Not only had the Eight Spirit Rulers that originally floated in the palace disappeared, but even the Black Wind Banner that had restricted them was gone. No wonder they had broken through the restriction so easily.

The ground was covered in massive deep pits and claw marks several feet long, resembling trenches. It looked as if some giant beast had clawed it. A small portion of the palace had also been completely shattered into ruins, showing signs of an unusually fierce battle.

Han Li’s spiritual sense had already swept over the palace ruins. Unfortunately, he couldn't detect anything as the spiritual sense-blocking restrictions inside were still active.

But this also eased his mind. After all, the pressure from Sacred Ancestor Yuancha was immense. If he were to confront that devil head-on, he would surely be no match.

However, the only teleportation array now isolated them within the space restricted by the Black Wind Banner. To leave this place, they had to find another way.

With a flicker in his eyes, Han Li began to ponder an escape plan.

“Fellow Daoist Han, if you are willing to help Xu and me, I, as the Saintess, can personally resolve the conflict between you and our Heavenly Azure Sacred Hall, thereby ending your grievances with the Heavenly Azure Grassland.” Just then, Lin Yinping suddenly cried out to Han Li, her voice filled with anxiety.

“I’ve been hunted by you Tu’er people for so long; what grievances are there left to resolve? I have no interest in intervening!” Han Li replied with a blank expression, refusing flatly.

“Brother Han, don’t forget, we came to the Great Jin because of you. If Immortal Master Xu and I perish here, do you think the other three Immortal Masters will give up so easily?”

Han Li chuckled at these words, casting a glance at the sea of blood.

Lin Yinping was activating the brocade handkerchief in her hand, its dazzling silver light temporarily forcing back the Fiend Soul Silk by a few inches. However, her face was exceptionally pale, clearly indicating she had started using a secret art to stimulate her potential and enhance the power of her magic treasures.

Young Master Xu, having been ambushed first and then trapped in the sea of blood, found that even though the two magic treasures he wielded were powerful, they were now tottering and seemed on the verge of collapsing.

The one in the best situation was the Spirit Rhinoceros Peacock, whose body was enveloped in flickering five-colored spiritual light.

Although this ancient spirit bird could not escape from the purple mist, the Lion-Bird Beast also seemed helpless against it for the time being. After all, this fierce beast's most formidable golden wave attacks appeared to be restrained by the five-colored spiritual light; no matter how many golden waves struck the spiritual light, they immediately dispersed and vanished.

“Even if Immortal Lin were to talk until flowers fell from the sky, I still wouldn't intervene. To be honest, if it didn't seem like the two of you were doomed to this calamity, I would even consider seizing the opportunity to plunder. As for those three Immortal Masters, if they truly come knocking, I, Han, wouldn't mind sparring with them a bit,” Han Li replied calmly and unhurriedly.

He wasn't exaggerating with that statement.

After killing the ancient demon with a single strike, Han Li now had a rough understanding of his own strength. With the humanoid puppet, almost a clone, and the completely obedient Gui Ling cooperating, he wouldn't be at too much of a disadvantage even if he had to contend with three or four late-Nascent Soul cultivators simultaneously.

Moreover, it was impossible for all three Great Immortal Masters of Heavenly Azure to leave the grassland and come seeking him. Unless they truly wished to seal the fate of their own tribe. After all, if the Mu Lan people learned that the Heavenly Azure Grassland was left without its Great Immortal Masters, the Tu’er people might face tribal annihilation in the blink of an eye.

Knowing this clearly, Han Li naturally disregarded the Heavenly Azure Saintess’s threat.

Upon hearing this, the white-haired Refined Corpse, who had been somewhat worried, immediately relaxed its expression and let out a series of strange laughs:

“Fellow Daoist Han truly understands reason. I haven’t attacked Brother Han; how could he fall for your petty tricks? You two should just obediently surrender—”

Han Li remained expressionless, but inwardly, he let out a cold snort upon hearing that.

Back in the barrier, this person, disguised as Daoist Sisan, had unknowingly used some secret art to subtly reveal a trace of his Refined Corpse identity, which was immediately detected by the Soul Devouring Beast in Han Li’s bag. Startled, Han Li naturally became aware of the telepathic communication between this demon and the Silver-winged Yaksha.

Relying on his spiritual sense, which was slightly stronger than that of late-Nascent Soul cultivators, he immediately listened in on a part of their conversation without a change in expression.

To avoid alerting the two demons to his eavesdropping, he naturally didn't dare to forcefully intrude into their spiritual thoughts, only managing to catch a general idea.

However, even this vague part told him that the white-haired Refined Corpse intended to ally with the Silver-winged Yaksha. Once the barrier was broken, they planned to attack the human cultivators who exited the valley first with them, taking advantage of their heightened emotions and lowered guard.

As for whether these people were Tu’er or part of Han Li’s group, it didn't matter to them.

Han Li deliberately delayed his exit by a step, which was why Young Master Xu and Lin Yinping’s group met with such misfortune.

Thus, Han Li naturally had no good feelings toward them.

Although he had never seen this white-haired Refined Corpse before, a Refined Corpse demon with a late-Nascent Soul cultivation and such a face could only be the Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear from Myriad Demons Valley.

It was widely known that this demon had cultivated into a spirit tens of thousands of years ago, making it a famous figure among the demon race in Great Jin. And for Myriad Demons Valley, a major power in Great Jin that could rival the Grand Unity Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect, to have its Vice Valley Master appear here disguised as a human rogue cultivator was quite intriguing.

As for Daoist Sisan, the incarnation of this demon, it was unclear whether such a rogue cultivator truly existed and was killed and then impersonated, or if this was simply an avatar the demon used to travel among human cultivators.

The stealth cultivation technique practiced by this demon was truly profound; even Han Li couldn't discern its Refined Corpse identity. However, this also seemed to greatly restrict its cultivation, otherwise, when it used the Blood Blade to ambush the black-robed elder of the Yinluo Sect, it wouldn't have allowed his Nascent Soul to escape so easily.

Han Li gazed at the Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear, which stood suspended in the distant sea of blood, its body radiating overwhelming corpse qi. As he pondered expressionlessly, a cold glint suddenly flashed in his eyes.

Although he had no intention of saving his former adversaries, he also wouldn't simply let the Blood Blade easily devour the flesh, blood, and essence of a late-Nascent Soul cultivator, then wait for its power to greatly increase before it turned to deal with them. The moment Young Master Xu perished would be his chance to seize the Blood Blade.

He figured that even if the Blood Blade's power transformation was swift, there would surely be a delay. This period would be his best opportunity to seize the treasure!

Such an evil treasure would naturally be safer in his own hands. Han Li had coldly made his decision long ago.

Immediately, without changing his expression, Han Li's lips moved slightly.

Gui Ling, standing nearby, shifted its gaze, but its expression remained normal.

“Brother Han, if you are willing to lend a hand, I will give you the secret of how the Gold Devouring Beetles transform into their mature form. This condition should surely sway you!” The previously silent Young Master Xu suddenly took a deep breath and shouted fiercely at Han Li.

“Gold Devouring Beetles?” Han Li was taken aback, a strange expression on his face.

“No! The method for the Gold Devouring Beetles to finally mature is a secret of our Sacred Hall that is never to be passed down. How can it be easily leaked to outsiders!” Lin Yinping exclaimed in shock, immediately objecting.

“When lives are at stake, who cares about unpassable secrets? Do you really want to be devoured by this Blood Blade, losing even the chance of reincarnation? Besides, if we perish, the Mu Lan people will seize this opportunity to counterattack the grassland. A mere secret technique is nothing compared to the rise or fall of our entire tribe,” Young Master Xu interrupted, his face ashen, before Lin Yinping could finish speaking.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yinping’s face turned ashen, but she finally said no more.

The Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear saw Han Li’s contemplative expression and immediately had a bad feeling.

Immediately, the demon disregarded preserving its magic power. It formed a hand seal with both hands, pouring its magic power frantically into the bloody light that formed the Blood Blade. The bloody light instantly surged more than twofold, transforming into a giant ghostly face. With its mouth wide open, it eagerly lunged to swallow Young Master Xu in the sea of blood below.

Almost simultaneously, the surrounding blood mist surged and churned. Wave after wave of massive blood surged to form a bloody vortex, instantly trapping Young Master Xu tightly, leaving him with no escape.

Young Master Xu was startled and cried out inwardly, "Not good!" He could only forcefully activate the green orb and silver hook, two treasures, sending them fiercely towards the ghostly face.

However, a bloody light flashed from the ghostly mouth, and a spray of blood threads shot out. In an instant, they tightly entangled the two treasures, and with a single sweep, swallowed them. Young Master Xu's face registered immense shock!

The ghostly face then opened its mouth wide again, revealing its fangs. A sinister, ferocious laugh emerged as it suddenly lunged at the unobstructed sea of blood below.

Young Master Xu immediately gritted his teeth. His Nascent Soul inside him opened its eyes and was about to escape from his body.