Chapter 2045: Eight-Limbed Demon Lizard and Immortal Soul Pill

**Volume 10: Battle in the Demon Realm**

“To my knowledge, the Phantom Roar Desert has a unique and rare demonic beast called the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizard. Although it cannot fly, it moves like the wind in the desert. If we could find a few to ride, we could save nearly half the travel time,” Saintess Qianqiu said slowly.

“If such a demonic beast exists, then taking the last route is also an option. After all, this route is much safer than traveling by sea; it only takes relatively more time,” the Feathered Maiden listened and said thoughtfully.

“Fairy Ye, you're thinking too simply about this. The demonic cores, hide, flesh, and bones of the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards are inherently valuable. After years of continuous hunting, this demonic beast is almost extinct. Even if a few remnants remain, they are either hidden deep within the desert or secretly bred by the major local demonic factions. If we only needed one or two, we might still manage. But to find one for everyone at once is almost impossible,” Saintess Qianqiu sighed, a helpless expression on her face.

“Since these demonic lizards are so rare, can't we use other spirit beasts or demonic beasts instead? I have a few spirit beasts that are also good at ground travel,” the Feathered Maiden's eyes darted slightly as she suggested.

“The Phantom Roar Desert exerts an even stronger suppressive effect on beasts. Even the most agile ordinary beasts become incredibly clumsy and useless the moment they enter this desert. Only demonic beasts that originally live in the Phantom Roar Desert are unaffected. Among these demonic beasts, the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizard is the fastest. Other, slightly inferior demonic beasts cannot even match half its speed,” Saintess Qianqiu frowned as she explained.

Upon hearing this, the Feathered Maiden naturally revealed a look of disappointment.

Meanwhile, Han Li, hearing this, a strange expression flickered across his face.

This woman surprisingly knew so much detail about the Demon Realm. It seemed the Spirit Race's preparations were no less thorough than those of the Long Family. Perhaps their understanding of the Demon Realm's locations and forces was even more detailed than the Long Family's. Otherwise, Patriarch Long wouldn't have been unaware of the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards.

“If we truly want to gather enough Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards, it's not like there's no way. At worst, we can uproot those major demonic factions and simply seize the lizards by force. With our combined strength, such a task wouldn't be difficult,” Elder Hui, standing beside Patriarch Long, said with a cold laugh.

“With our strength, naturally, we have nothing to fear unless we encounter a Demonic Saint Ancestor. However, doing so would cause too much commotion and easily attract the attention of powerful demonic experts. If they target us, or use teleportation arrays to directly intercept us on the other side of the Phantom Roar Desert, it would be a huge problem!” Patriarch Long thought for a moment, then shook his head and said.

“That's true. However, if we do have a conflict with these major demonic factions, we could try to steal these demonic lizards or trade other valuable items for them. Even if these demonic beasts are rare, with our resources, are we afraid we can't offer something of equivalent value in exchange?” The Old Scholar, Hidden Form, however, offered a different opinion.

“I think taking the Phantom Roar Desert route is more secure!” Elder Jingu of the Spirit Race simply stated, in a brief sentence.

“I agree with Brother Lin; the sea route is definitely more feasible. After all, traveling through the Phantom Roar Desert takes too long, and we don't even know if we can truly gather enough Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards,” the Feathered Maiden pondered for a moment, then agreed with the long-haired man's opinion.

The others, meanwhile, were deep in thought, carefully weighing the pros and cons, and did not easily voice their opinions.

“Fellow Daoist Han, which route do you currently favor?” After Patriarch Long's gaze flickered with uncertainty for a moment, he turned to Han Li and asked.

“Before I answer, I'd like to ask Brother Long, how long will it take us to reach the Great Vertebra of the Phantom Roar Desert? Months or years?” Han Li remained silent for a moment before asking unhurriedly.

“Years? It won't take that long. It will only take a little over a year to reach the Phantom Roar Desert. Of course, this assumes no delays along the way. Brother Han, why do you ask?” Patriarch Long asked, slightly surprised.

“Judging by the level of risk, I naturally still lean towards taking the Phantom Roar Desert route. However, if we can't gather enough Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards, the time spent would be too long, making it a loss compared to the sea route. After all, the sea route only takes a little over ten years. Saving such a long period of time would be enough to offset the relative risks. Therefore, my suggestion is that we consider both options,” Han Li said, word by word.

“How would we balance both?” Saintess Qianqiu asked, a thoughtful expression on her face.

“We can first take the Phantom Roar Desert route. Once we reach the vicinity of the desert, we can then approach the local demonic factions to see if we can gather enough Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards. If we truly find enough demonic beasts, we can naturally proceed directly through the Phantom Roar Desert. If we cannot, it won't be too late to return and take the sea route. After all, going there and back would only add two years to our journey. We should be able to afford that much time,” Han Li replied with a serious expression.

“Oh, this method is good; it's certainly more secure. I agree with Brother Han!” The Feathered Maiden's beautiful eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she showed a look of joy.

“This method indeed offers the best of both worlds.” The man surnamed Lin pondered for a moment, then also revealed his approval.

“Fellow Daoist Qianqiu, what do you think?” Patriarch Long's expression subtly shifted as he asked Saintess Qianqiu in return.

“I need to discuss this with a few of my clansmen, and then I will give you my reply, Fellow Daoist.” Saintess Qianqiu's expression changed several times before she slowly said.

“Of course, that is only natural.” Patriarch Long readily agreed.

So Saintess Qianqiu and the other members of the Spirit Race, in front of Han Li and the others, gathered closely to discuss.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Long's lips moved slightly as he secretly conversed with Elder Hui, who was beside him.

“Brother Han, the method you proposed is indeed very secure. I think both the Spirit Race and Old Monster Long will likely agree to this method. However, judging by the previous situation, Old Devil Long most likely originally intended to take the Phantom Roar Desert route, while the Spirit Race seemed more inclined towards the sea route. They might have other calculations in mind, regardless of the final outcome. You and I must both be extra careful,” the Feathered Maiden's soft laughter suddenly sounded in Han Li's ear.

Han Li glanced at the woman, only to see her standing motionless, with no unusual expression on her face.

“Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Ye. I'll be sure to pay attention,” Han Li replied, equally unperturbed.

Although the Feathered Maiden did not transmit any more messages, the corners of her lips curved up slightly.

Everything that followed unfolded much as the Feathered Maiden had predicted.

After Saintess Qianqiu and the other members of the Spirit Race finished their discussion, they indeed expressed their agreement with the method Han Li proposed. Patriarch Long naturally had no other objections.

So, the group of them immediately changed direction, flying westward across the grasslands.

Patriarch Long and the others naturally did not know that, tens of thousands of miles behind them in the high sky, a wisp of pink light faintly followed from afar.

At the same time, in an extremely hidden forbidden area of the Spirit Race in the Human Realm.

A massive magic formation, over ten miles in diameter, was rapidly operating, sparkling on a scorched patch of ground.

The entire formation buzzed incessantly, as countless colossal, multicolored runes surged out from all directions, and condensed into thick, bowl-sized runic chains, firmly locking down a giant figure at its center.

This figure was about a hundred zhang tall, clad in ancient-style golden armor, while behind it, over a dozen crimson demonic shadows flashed wildly, emitting various strange screeches and howls.

However, its hands were raised high as if supporting the sky. Several zhang above its palms, a dense silvery net trembled unsteadily, holding a silver orb about an acre in size.

The surface of this orb was inscribed with countless intricate patterns. As it swayed, the nearby void faintly blurred and twisted.

The giant-like figure's face was exceptionally handsome, but at this moment, it was covered in sweat. Gazing at the enormous silver orb in the sky, its face showed an expression of incredible shock and rage.

In the air around the magic formation, there were eight Saint Spirits at the Integration Stage, dressed in various attires. Each held a formation plate in their hands, and were also frantically urging the grand formation forward, drenched in sweat.

Thousands of zhang above the very center of the formation, a dazzling golden palace floated motionless in mid-air, remaining perfectly still, exceptionally silent and incredibly eerie.

“Who exactly are you, to possess an Immortal Sealing Pearl? Are you truly a spirit slave from one of the palaces in the Immortal Realm who escaped?!” The giant figure opened its mouth and roared furiously into the air with a savage growl.

“Who I am, you do not need to know. Since you possess the Spirit-Devouring Heavenly Net, you are an irreconcilable enemy of our Spirit Race, and cannot coexist with us. Now that you have fallen into this Demon Trapping Formation and are simultaneously suppressed by this Immortal Sealing Pearl, this place will be your burial ground.” A cold male voice, yet sounding remarkably ancient, emanated from the golden palace.

“Do you truly believe these mere methods can destroy me? This Emissary has long since cultivated a Golden Immortal True Soul. For mere mortals of the lower realm to think of destroying me is simply a pipe dream! Once I break free, I will surely shatter all you spirit slaves' souls and send you all into the refining furnace to be re-refined…” The tall figure let out a wild laugh and roared, filled with malevolence.

“Of course, I know that even with the combined power of this Demon Trapping Formation and Immortal Suppressing Pearl, it's not enough to erase a True Immortal's soul. Even if this True Immortal's magic power is not as strong as mine currently. But if I seal you away, then transport you to the Land of Nine Nether Earthly Flames, and slowly melt you down using your inner True Fire combined with the Nine Nether Earthly Flames, as long as I am willing to spend a hundred thousand years, I can refine your True Soul into an Immortal Soul Pill.” The ancient voice from the golden palace let out a cold snort and spoke with biting chill.