Chapter 1254: Cooperation

Volume 7: Traversing the Human Realm

Han Li's expression also changed. How did Xiang Zhili know that he possessed another Sky Cauldron in addition to his Eight Spirit Rulers?

However, after a moment of careful thought, a realization dawned on him.

This information might have originated from the Minor Polar Palace. Back then, Han Qi had guessed early on that Han Li possessed the Sky Cauldron, and most likely mentioned it to other cultivators in the palace beforehand. Alternatively, Xiang Zhili could have obtained this news from the Scattered Star Seas. Given his elusive nature, it wouldn't be surprising if he had visited the Scattered Star Seas.

Han Li quickly considered several possibilities, but his expression instead showed a hint of vigilance and animosity.

"Brother Han, there's no need to overthink this. While a Heavenly Spirit Treasure might be an exceedingly rare artifact for ordinary cultivators, we Deity Transformation cultivators already traverse the Human Realm freely. Even with greater power, a Spirit Treasure merely adds to our capabilities; it's not absolutely essential. Moreover, we old fellows have lived in the Human Realm for so long that we naturally possess one or two Spirit Treasures ourselves. However, wielding such treasures consumes an immense amount of magical power, so we would never use them lightly unless our lives were at stake. Otherwise, drawing upon the world's elemental energy would greatly deplete our own vital energy." Xiang Zhili seemed to sense Han Li's apprehension and said this dismissively.

"I see. It seems I was overthinking things!" Hearing this, Han Li's expression relaxed slightly.

Although there was some truth to Xiang Zhili's words, Han Li naturally didn't believe him entirely. If a Spirit Treasure could be easily obtained, no one would likely give up such a good opportunity. Just moments ago, when Old Monster Feng looked at his Eight Spirit Rulers, a hint of greed was clearly visible in his eyes. However, Xiang Zhili's tone towards him was quite amiable. Han Li wondered if the other party knew his powers were considerable and wanted to win him over, or if he had some other agenda. Han Li's mind was filled with calculations.

"Hmph, Brother Xiang, what do you mean by this? Why are you favoring this young man named Han? Even if he possesses two Spirit Treasures, I'm not afraid of failing to subdue him, even if it costs me a dozen years of my lifespan." Old Monster Feng snorted, clearly displeased.

"Lose a dozen years of lifespan? Brother Feng, you're underestimating Brother Han too much. If you were truly determined to fight, you might indeed be able to kill Brother Han. However, it would certainly involve a bitter struggle, costing you at least several decades, or even over a century, of your lifespan. Brother Feng, do you really intend to suffer a mutually destructive outcome for such a trivial matter?" Xiang Zhili shook his head, his expression turning serious.

"A century of lifespan? Old Ghost Xiang, you think so highly of this young man?" The horse-faced elder was startled. His gaze shifted back to Han Li, reassessing him with a look of disbelief.

"That young Qian, Han Li, and the recently vanished Sect Master of the Yin Luo Sect—they all died by your hand, didn't they?" Xiang Zhili chuckled lightly and suddenly asked Han Li.

"That's right, I killed them." A cold glint flashed in Han Li's eyes, but he replied with unusual composure.

Hearing Han Li's words, Old Monster Feng frowned.

"Brother Han, when you were in Kunwu Mountain, you must have witnessed the divine abilities of Deity Transformation cultivators. Now, how do you think a fight with Brother Feng would turn out?" Xiang Zhili continued to ask with a smile.

"If it were a true fight to the death, there's probably a 10% chance of victory, a 30% chance of mutual destruction, and over a 50% chance of being severely wounded and escaping," Han Li mused for a moment, then spoke these words.

Hearing Han Li's reply, Xiang Zhili couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Brother Han, I know your abilities are considerable, but those words seem a bit exaggerated, don't they? Leaving aside everything else, to claim a 30% chance of mutual destruction with Fellow Daoist Feng—from where does Brother Han derive such great confidence?"

Upon hearing Han Li's bold claim, Old Monster Feng merely snorted in cold silence.

Han Li calmly gazed at Xiang Zhili, then flipped his palm, revealing a crimson spherical orb that slowly rotated in his hand.

"Immortal-Slaying Pearl!" As expected of Deity Transformation cultivators, both men recognized the treasure simultaneously, and Old Monster Feng's expression instantly turned grim.

Han Li said nothing, but raised his other hand, revealing another similar black spherical orb.

At this sight, even Xiang Zhili's hand, which had been stroking his beard, paused, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.

"I, Han, accidentally acquired several Immortal-Slaying Pearls. If Fellow Daoist Feng truly insists on forcing a fight, I believe there's still a decent chance of achieving mutual destruction." Han Li stated calmly. Then, a clear light flashed in his hand, and the two orbs vanished.

Old Monster Feng and Xiang Zhili exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of shock and doubt in the other's eyes. If there was anything in this world that could genuinely make Deity Transformation cultivators wary, the Immortal-Slaying Pearl was certainly one of them. If they were to take a hit without proper defense, they might truly be unable to withstand it. If the Han Li before them truly possessed four or five of these pearls, his claim of mutual destruction would indeed not be an exaggeration.

"I never expected Brother Han to obtain such a profound treasure. However, since I am here, Fellow Daoist Feng, I presume you will not dwell on previous matters. These Immortal-Slaying Pearls will likely not be needed. Brother Han's abilities far surpass those of ordinary cultivators, and for him to associate with us as equals would not be an insult to us. Brother Feng, what do you think?" Xiang Zhili smiled broadly, then turned his head and spoke to Old Monster Feng.

"Hmph, as Brother Xiang wishes. But even if I let bygones be bygones regarding previous matters, there's still something about the spatial nodes that I absolutely must clarify." The horse-faced elder's expression shifted several times before he reluctantly replied.

"Haha, actually, even if Brother Feng hadn't brought it up, I, Xiang, was going to ask about it. Brother Han, don't rush to deny anything. I presume you also plan to ascend to the Spirit Realm through a spatial node after achieving Deity Transformation, correct? If so, why not cooperate with us old fellows?" Xiang Zhili chuckled heartily, speaking with a cheerful expression.

"Cooperation?" Han Li was startled but became contemplative.

"Exactly. I, Xiang, believe that Brother Han likely possesses information unknown to us. However, Brother Han will probably spend most of his time from now on breaking through to Deity Transformation, leaving him little time to search for spatial nodes one by one, correct? And once a spatial node is found, all of us can use it. Therefore, joining forces with us would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. What do you think, Brother Han?"

At this moment, Old Monster Feng also fixed his gaze on Han Li, eager to see his response.

Han Li frowned, not replying immediately, but instead fell into contemplation.

Xiang Zhili smiled, hovering motionless in the air, not rushing to urge Han Li, seemingly confident.

"Brother Xiang, are the only partners you're referring to just you and Fellow Daoist Feng?" Han Li finally spoke after pondering for a long while.

"Besides the two of us, there's also Fellow Daoist Hu from the Heavenly Devil Sect. Originally, Fellow Daoist Bai from the Grand Unity Sect could also have joined, but he currently has other important matters to attend to and probably cannot assist us. Therefore, the alliance I speak of involves you, Fellow Daoist, and the three of us. Hehe, Brother Han, don't underestimate us old fellows. In the Great Jin, apart from Old Monster Che from the Myriad Demon Valley, we few are the only remaining Deity Transformation cultivators." Xiang Zhili explained with a smile.

"So few Deity Transformation cultivators? I had thought the Great Jin, hailed as a cultivation holy land in the Human Realm, would have at least seven or eight." Han Li seemed somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

"Three or four hundred years ago, there were two others, but as their lifespan approached its end, they attempted to cultivate an extremely dangerous secret technique for one last gamble. The result was failure, and both were forced to self-destruct and perish." Xiang Zhili chuckled bitterly.

Hearing this, Han Li also sighed softly, but then asked in a low voice: "I recall Immortal Fairy Linglong previously provided you with information on dozens of spatial nodes. Has Brother Xiang still not found a single usable one after all this time?"

"Of course not. Although most spatial nodes indeed no longer exist, or are simply untraceable, we did manage to find three. However, two of them are utterly inaccessible; their entrances are guarded by extremely violent spatial storms, and entering them would be suicide. The remaining one could perhaps be entered with great difficulty, but that node is already extremely unstable, with the risk of collapse at any moment after entering. We wouldn't dare to risk it lightly. We did hear that Old Monster Che found a spatial node entrance near the Minor Polar Palace, but it's said that the Palace Master of Minor Polar Palace discovered his intentions and actually detonated the Minor Polar Palace's Illusionary Spirit Hall, destroying that spatial node entrance. For this, Old Monster Che was so enraged he nearly vomited blood, but he ultimately suppressed his anger and retreated to the Myriad Demon Valley." This time, it was Old Monster Feng who suddenly spoke, and in his last few sentences, there was both deep regret and a hint of schadenfreude.

"So that's why! No wonder there were so many high-level demonic beasts attacking the Minor Polar Palace that day. But for the Minor Polar Palace Master to do that, wasn't she afraid of provoking Old Monster Che to retaliate by massacring the Minor Polar Palace?" Han Li grew slightly confused again.

"Old Monster Che wouldn't dare. You must understand, even though this demon is an ancient demon cultivator who has lingered in the Human Realm since ancient times, the Human Realm is ultimately our human race's domain. The number of Deity Transformation cultivators in almost every era has been sufficient to suppress him completely. If it weren't for the fact that previous Deity Transformation cultivators felt that even if they could eradicate this demon, it wouldn't be worth the cost, and this old demon was also wise enough never to interfere in the affairs of the Human Realm—that's why he was allowed to brazenly establish the Myriad Demon Valley for so long. But even so, past Deity Transformation cultivators made an agreement with him: Old Monster Che's true body is not to leave the valley easily, nor is he to commit acts such as massacring sects or wantonly killing ordinary mortals. Otherwise, we Deity Transformation cultivators would collectively eliminate him." Xiang Zhili said with a cold smile.

"I see. No wonder such a gathering place for demon cultivators like the Myriad Demon Valley exists in the Great Jin," Han Li replied, finally understanding.

"However, I've recently heard something. That Old Monster Che seems to have found another spatial node. It's unclear whether this information is true or false, or if that spatial node is genuinely usable." Old Monster Feng suddenly interjected.

"There's no need to mention that. Fellow Daoist Hu and I have already seen that spatial node. It's only usable by Old Monster Che alone; we cannot enter it at all. Its entrance is also blocked by a spatial storm. Although it's slightly less intense than the one we previously discovered, it's still fatal to us. Hehe, Old Monster Che, on the other hand, intends to rely on the formidable strength of his main body and is preparing to enter this node." Xiang Zhili uttered words that greatly exceeded expectations.