Chapter 1345: Subordinates

Han Li, controlling his second Nascent Soul, slowly infused the related language and cultivation techniques into the Tihun Beast's spiritual consciousness.

This was possible because Han Li possessed a second Nascent Soul and the Tihun Beast itself was under his control. Otherwise, even a Soul Transformation cultivator with similar secret arts would never dare to attempt such an infusion.

After about an hour, the black-robed "Han Li's" initially confused and vacant eyes gradually cleared, and his gaze shifted, as if he had instantly understood many things.

Han Li dispersed his hand seal and then beckoned to the Tihun Beast.

With a whoosh, the second Nascent Soul flew out of the Tihun Beast’s body. Its spiritual light dimmed, indicating a significant loss of vitality.

The Nascent Soul flickered and then disappeared back into Han Li's body.

"Do you understand my questions now?" he asked slowly once more.

The Tihun Beast blinked its eyes and, after a long moment, slowly replied, "I am mimicking my master's human transformation, but I also possess other transformation abilities."

Although it had understood many things, Tihun was still like a newborn, incapable of speaking falsely. Furthermore, due to being personally nurtured by Han Li for a long time, aside from an initial subconscious struggle, once it gained sentience, it became even more devoted to Han Li, appearing exceptionally respectful.

The reason this beast took on Han Li's appearance during its transformation was largely due to this factor. Through the faint connection of the Soul Calling Pearl, Han Li could roughly sense Tihun's inner thoughts. A slight smile appeared on his face, and with an open mouth, he absorbed the Soul Calling Pearl as a wisp of black smoke, putting it away.

"Transformation abilities? Let me see?" Han Li was naturally curious and wanted to understand more. The black-robed Tihun nodded and let out a cry. Suddenly, it tore off its black robe with both hands. Coarse, long fur sprouted all over its body, and its form rapidly expanded, transforming in an instant into a two-zhang-tall, glossy black giant ape.

Han Li's eyebrow twitched. This was the so-called transformation ability? Wasn't it just the Tihun's original form before it achieved full human transformation?

Just as Han Li felt a pang of disappointment, the giant ape suddenly snorted through its nose. A gust of cold wind swept around, and countless black lightning bolts emerged.

The giant ape's body expanded and grew larger once more!

Its fur began to turn red, three curved horns slowly emerged from the top of its head, and its brow protruded slightly before suddenly splitting open, revealing a blood-red demonic eye. Simultaneously, its face elongated, and its fangs became fully exposed.

It had transformed into the demonic ghost depicted in the pattern on the Tihun Beast's back, only appearing much more ferocious. Its stature reached six or seven zhang, nearly filling the entire stone chamber.

What surprised Han Li even more was that three-zhang-long, dark bone spikes appeared out of thin air on Tihun's back, enveloped in black mist and emanating an oppressive阴气.

He remembered clearly that the demonic ghost pattern did not have these features. However, the Soul Transformation level Ghost King it had devoured that day could manifest similar bone spikes from its hands. Could there be a connection?

As Han Li pondered, the Tihun, in its demonic ghost form, suddenly flickered and transformed back into a swirling black cloud, shrinking into a small, glossy black monkey. With a leap, it scurried over to the black empty cocoon nearby and, in quick succession, tore it open and began devouring it.

Han Li was momentarily stunned by this sight, then chuckled softly.

Before long, the entire giant cocoon shell had entered the little monkey's belly. After a joyful cry, it immediately darted onto Han Li's shoulder, appearing exceptionally affectionate.

Han Li stroked Tihun's furry head with his withered hand, then smiled and placed it into his spiritual beast bracelet.

After completing all of this, he went to the nearby insect chamber for a final glance at the swarm of Gold Devouring Beetles. He looked at these giant insects, each half a foot long, and his eyes flickered non-stop. Suddenly, he raised his hand, and with a flash of green light, the small emerald-green bottle appeared. He gazed at the bottle for a moment, silently stroking it with his fingers. Truth be told, after arriving in the Spirit Realm, the mysterious small bottle's effectiveness had significantly increased.

Originally, it took seven days to produce a single drop of spiritual liquid, but in the Spirit Realm, it only took three.

What amazed Han Li most was that the phenomenon of spiritual liquid forming at night, which was once quite noticeable, had dramatically diminished in the Spirit Realm.

The dazzling spectacle of absorbing moonlight had transformed into the bottle emitting only a faint, subtle white glow. Unless one observed it closely from within a few feet, it would be impossible to detect any abnormality. Even if someone happened to glance at it, they would likely mistake the small bottle for a low-grade magic tool. Han Li had discovered this soon after his magical power recovered and he resumed催熟 spiritual herbs.

He barely needed to think to know that this was likely related to the Spirit Realm's seven moons in the sky and its spiritual energy density being far greater than that of the Human Realm.

This was naturally good news for Han Li!

Not only did it reduce the time needed to cultivate spiritual herbs by more than half, but it also made the process safer and more discreet. He could even discreetly use the small bottle while venturing out, without fear of being easily discovered by others.

Han Li pondered in silence for a while, then put away the small bottle, along with the Gold Devouring Beetles and the Leopard-Scaled Beast, into his storage bracelet. He then turned and walked out of the cave dwelling.

Knowing that his spiritual land was coveted and possibly held some strange secrets, he would not leave important items in the dwelling.

Moments later, a streak of azure light shot out from the colorful miasma, flashing towards Tianyuan City.

Several days later, the streak of light swept over the tens of zhang-high city walls and entered Tianyuan City.

Having arrived here before, Han Li was already familiar with the way. He quickly reached the giant green tower where he had first been teleported.

Currently, not many cultivators were entering or exiting the giant tower, so Han Li leisurely walked inside.

As Zhao Wugui had instructed, he did not rush to the so-called reporting area. Instead, he went to a place called "Tianjia Hall" within the tower and collected a set of "Qingming Armor."

Han Li had personally experienced the power of this armor on the man named Weng. After receiving it, he unceremoniously put it on and headed straight for the so-called "Squad C."

He stopped a black-armored guard in the tower and inquired about the location of Squad C, Team 56. Han Li immediately entered the upward passage, heading to the upper levels. After passing through seven or eight floors, he finally stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary hall door. Above the door, the characters "丙五十六" (C 56) were written in ancient script. Han Li looked at the hazy white restrictive spiritual light on the hall door. With an unperturbed flick of his wrist, a green jade pendant appeared in his hand.

Holding the jade pendant with one hand and pointing it at the hall door, a plume of green mist sprayed forth, and the white light on the door instantly dissipated.

With his other hand, he casually pushed, and the hall door opened easily.

He leisurely walked in.

Inside was a sizable hall with some chairs and tables. On either side of the hall were passages, seemingly leading somewhere.

In the hall, two cultivators in black armor sat on adjacent chairs, whispering to each other.

Seeing Han Li walk in, both were surprised and looked over.

Han Li's gaze swept over the two, and his eyebrow twitched slightly.

What a coincidence!

One of them was precisely the big, green-eyed man surnamed Zhuo who had taken him to the Flying Spirit Hall that day. When this man clearly saw Han Li's face, a look of surprise first appeared, but he quickly came to his senses and hastily stood up, bowing to Han Li:

"So it's Senior Han. Could it be that Senior is our team's new captain?" The big man said. "Indeed, I, Han, have been appointed as the captain of Team 56. I hope you fellow Daoists will offer your assistance in the future." Han Li smiled faintly and casually tossed the jade pendant in his hand over.

The green-eyed man's heart tensed. He took the jade pendant and carefully examined it, then respectfully returned it with both hands. "Zhuo Chong of Team 56, greetings, Captain!"

"Dongguo Feng pays respects to the Captain." The other lean man, about thirty years old, seeing Han Li's identity confirmed, also quickly changed his expression and stepped forward to salute.

Han Li waved his hand, allowing them to rise. After a quick glance around, he asked faintly, "Are there just two of you here?"

"Reporting to Senior, besides Daoist Ma and Immortal Xu who haven't arrived yet, the other fellow Daoists are all meditating in their quiet rooms. We two are here waiting for the next patrol area to be issued from above. Do you need me to call them out?" the green-eyed man said.

"No need, I'll wait with you. I just arrived in Tianyuan City and don't know much about anything yet. It's a good opportunity for you to introduce me to our team's situation," Han Li said with a faint smile.

"As Senior commands, I will naturally tell you truthfully." Hearing Han Li say this, the green-eyed man proceeded to briefly introduce the members of the small team, and also explained the patrol missions that Team 56 usually carried out.

As Han Li listened impassively, a golden light suddenly flashed from outside the hall door, shooting straight towards the three of them.

Seeing this golden light, Zhuo Chong and Dongguo Feng exchanged glances but made no move. Han Li, however, casually grabbed at the air with one hand.

The golden light immediately transformed into a small golden sword and fell straight down into his hand. A light red jade slip was attached to it.

Before Han Li could even remove the jade slip, the hall door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and a gentle male voice simultaneously drifted in.

"Hehe, was that a golden sword message from above just now? So, I haven't arrived too late... Eh, who are you?" A scholarly-looking Daoist priest had just stepped in when he spotted Han Li, clad in Qingming Armor, and his expression momentarily froze.

"Brother Ma, this is Senior Han, our new captain."

Zhuo Chong quickly greeted the Daoist priest and introduced Han Li's identity.

"Senior Han... I pay my respects, Senior!" Although a flash of surprise crossed the Daoist priest's face, he quickly reacted, taking a few steps forward and bowing respectfully to Han Li.

"Daoist Ma, no need for such formality. Daoist has already cultivated to the late-stage Nascent Soul consummation, just one step away from reaching the Soul Transformation realm. That is truly cause for congratulations!" Han Li carefully scrutinized the Daoist priest, then suddenly smiled brightly.