Chapter 2287: The Last Evolution

Han Li recognized the sincerity in Zi Ling's earlier words. Though a subtle, inexpressible sense of loss stirred within him, he did not try to persuade her further. Instead, he offered a few more earnest reminders.

After all, as she herself pointed out, her physique was indeed more suited for cultivating demonic arts. Were she to return to the human realm, he had no means to guarantee her ascent to the immortal world. If that were the case, it would be better for her to remain in the Demon Realm, where she might truly discover her own destiny.

And so, Han Li stayed at Guangyuan Hall for an entire month. During this period, he wholeheartedly imparted all his insights on cultivating demonic arts to Zi Ling, deepening her understanding of the demonic path. Meanwhile, Lan Ying also listened in without ceremony, and the pensive expression on her face after each session clearly showed she had benefited greatly. For beings of their cultivation level, the earnest guidance of a Mahayana stage cultivator was indeed a rare and significant opportunity.

Guangyuan Hall lived up to its reputation as a colossal power spanning multiple realms; just as a month was nearing its end, they indeed located a place identical to the one depicted on the Crying Spirit Hidden Treasure Map, and the information quickly reached Lan Ying. Lan Ying, without hesitation, truthfully relayed this news to Han Li. Upon learning this, Han Li was naturally overjoyed.

In the following days, Han Li stopped lecturing Zi Ling on his cultivation insights. Instead, they spent time touring various scenic spots in the Bluefall Lake region. As they admired the landscapes, so distinctly different from those of the Spirit Realm, they reminisced about past events from their time in the Human Realm, occasionally sharing knowing smiles. However, neither of them naturally brought up their past intimate encounter, nor did they engage in overly affectionate gestures. It was as if they were truly just two close friends who could speak without words. Time flew by swiftly, and one morning, Han Li finally departed Bluefall City alone, drifting away gracefully.

Meanwhile, in a four-story pavilion at Guangyuan Hall, Zi Ling stood by the window, gazing blankly at the distant sky, her beautiful face a complex mix of sweetness and determination.

"Sister Zi, are you truly willing to be separated from Brother Han by two realms and not accompany him? I distinctly remember you were very much looking forward to this not long ago," Lan Ying asked, standing a short distance behind Zi Ling, her brows slightly furrowed.

"If I were to return with him, I could certainly alleviate the pain of separation and have the chance to be by his side for a period. But what about tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years from now? Given his talent, entering the Immortal Realm is only a matter of time. If I truly wish to be with him forever, then following him into the Immortal Realm is the only possible path. Is it worth indulging in temporary happiness, or striving for a chance at eternal companionship? If it were you, Sister Lan, how would you choose?" Zi Ling replied without turning her head, letting out a faint, melancholic sigh.

The young woman in plain clothes' expression shifted upon hearing these words, and she too fell into deep thought.

Half a month later, in a valley near Bluefall, Han Li's white flying boat drifted down from high in the sky. Beneath a giant tree stood an exquisitely beautiful silver-haired woman, waiting quietly with a smile on her face. It was Yin Yue!

When she saw Han Li alone, a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes. "Brother Han, have you seen Sister Zi Ling?" she asked softly.

"Yes, I have. But she intends to remain in the Demon Realm to continue her cultivation. After some thought, I believe it's a good choice for her. If she continues cultivating demonic arts in the Demon Realm, she might truly have a chance to reach the final step," Han Li replied calmly.

"If Brother Han agrees, then Sister Zi Ling's choice is likely the right one. In that case, should we return to the Spirit Realm now? My ancestor, Senior Mo, and some other Mahayana cultivators from the Spirit Realm have already returned," Yin Yue said, a slightly unusual expression on her face, but nodding her agreement.

"It's a bit too early to return. I still have a secret Demon Realm treasure map that should contain many valuable items," Han Li said after a moment's thought.

"A secret treasure map?" A hint of surprise flashed across Yin Yue's face; clearly, this was the first time she had heard Han Li mention it.

"Hehe. You just need to follow me. If we calculate the journey, it should only take a few months if all goes smoothly," Han Li said with a smile.

"Since Brother Han says so, naturally, I have no reason to doubt it. Let's set off then," Yin Yue said with a charming smile, moving her delicate feet. She transformed into a silver streak and gracefully boarded the flying boat. Han Li nodded. With a gentle tap of his foot on the spiritual boat, it vibrated with a hum, transforming once more into a streak of white light and soaring away into the sky.

Several months later, the flying boat carrying Han Li and Yin Yue entered a desolate region that even high-level demons were reluctant to venture into. At the front of the several-zhang-long flying boat, two giant ape puppets, each about a zhang tall, stood motionless, faint spiritual light flickering around their feet, clearly controlling the boat's movement.

Inside a hidden chamber within the flying boat's cabin, Yin Yue sat cross-legged on an emerald green futon, performing hand seals with one hand, her eyes closed in cultivation. Five-colored spiritual light flowed around her body, and simultaneously, a lifelike silvery giant wolf phantom shimmered faintly behind her.

In another heavily protected secret chamber not far from hers, Han Li also sat cross-legged on the ground, his face displaying an indecisive expression, while he toyed with an object in his hand. Upon closer inspection, the object was crystalline and jet-black throughout. It was precisely the mysterious black crystal that remained after the Mother of Netherworld Insects was struck down by the Thunder of Punishment.

Han Li had possessed this item for quite some time. After countless spiritual sense investigations and numerous consultations of ancient texts, he had finally understood its origin. It was what remained when powerful demonic insects like the Mother of Netherworld Insects, facing imminent destruction, injected all their essence into their demonic core. Naturally, if possible, these demonic insects would also seize the opportunity to hide a wisp of their remnant soul within it, hoping to evade the impending catastrophe. However, the true primordial spirit and essence of that Mother of Netherworld Insects had truly been utterly annihilated. Even if this crystal core did possess a certain miraculous resistance to attacks, it was utterly defenseless against celestial lightning like the Thunder of Punishment. The immense power of the Thunder of Punishment had long since swept away everything inside the crystal core, even dissolving more than half of the crystal core itself. Han Li now held the item, appearing hesitant, as if facing a difficult decision regarding a thorny issue.

A low humming sound emanated. Though almost inaudible, it was as clear as thunder in Han Li's ears.

"These fellows are at it again. They truly crave this item, it seems. What a pity, it's very useful to me too. If I could absorb its essence, perhaps my Nirvana Demonic Arts could advance another level," Han Li muttered with a wry smile, lowering his head to gaze at the crystal core in his hand, lost in deep thought.

The humming sound gradually grew louder. Han Li raised an eyebrow, then suddenly flicked his sleeve, and three golden lights flew out. After a brief hover, the lights retracted! Three fist-sized golden beetles appeared before Han Li, faint purple patterns vaguely visible on their bodies. They were precisely the three quasi-Gold Devouring Beetle Kings!

The moment these three beetle kings appeared, their buzzing gazes sharpened, all fixated intently on the black crystal core in Han Li's hand. With three "whoosh" sounds, the three golden beetles flapped their wings, simultaneously transforming into three streaks of golden light and lunging towards the crystal core.

Han Li's expression darkened. He simply extended a palm in front of him, then slightly splayed his five fingers and made a grasping motion in the air. An invisible immense force surged forth. After a few "bang bang" sounds, the three golden beetles were suddenly repelled from about a foot away from Han Li, tumbling several times before barely flapping their wings to regain their balance. Even though these quasi-beetle kings were incredibly powerful, they had no power to resist before Han Li, who had advanced to the Mahayana stage, like mere larvae.

Despite this, the three quasi-beetle kings continued to fiercely lunge towards Han Li, but they were consistently blocked by an invisible force, utterly unable to achieve their desire. Seeing the three Gold Devouring Beetles in such an agitated state, Han Li's brows furrowed even more deeply. After a long while, he finally exhaled deeply and murmured:

"Never mind. The essence contained in this Mother of Netherworld Insects should be more suitable for insects to devour. If I were to truly refine it myself, I don't know what hidden troubles might arise later. These three quasi-beetle kings were already almost at the peak of their evolution; if they devour the essence of this Mother of Netherworld Insects..."

Han Li's expression was uncertain. He retracted the hand that had been blocking them, and the black crystal core in his other hand suddenly shot high into the air. The three golden beetles, no longer obstructed, immediately changed direction upon seeing the crystal core leave Han Li's hand, simultaneously transforming into three golden lights and lunging upwards.

The next moment, with the black crystal core at the center, the three Gold Devouring Beetles collided. They tore at each other while each bit a large mouthful of the crystal core and flew backward, frantically devouring it. Finally, with a forceful bite, the three of them actually split the not-so-large crystal core into three uneven parts, each unhesitatingly swallowing their portion.

As soon as the crystal core entered the Gold Devouring Beetles' bellies, the purple patterns on their bodies instantly flickered wildly, their bodies began to expand and contract erratically, and their auras became incredibly chaotic. With a collective hissing sound, the three Gold Devouring Beetles, fully revealing their ferocity, again pounced into a brawl, tearing and biting at each other. Han Li seeing this scene, his expression was slightly moved, but he sat quietly to the side, showing no intention of intervening.

The struggle among the three Gold Devouring Beetles was exceptionally fierce. Before long, their bodies became heavily scarred, and two of them even lost a front limb each. After tearing at each other for a while longer, a flash of golden light suddenly dispersed them. They then hissed at each other as a threat a few times, flapped their wings, and lunged forward again. Although the three were already considerably wounded, their movements remained extremely ferocious, showing no sign of yielding to each other. After watching for a moment longer, Han Li seemed to recall something. His eyes suddenly glinted, and he abruptly flicked his sleeve into the air.