Chapter 2364: Emergence of the True Immortal Jade Shadow

Wuxia Novel

Volume Ten: War of the Demon Realm

Every book has its destined beginning and end, shaped by the author's boundless ingenuity. Yet, sensing the publisher's dissatisfaction, I offer these thoughts to continue our shared journey.

“Back then, I stayed on the Blood Heaven Continent for quite some time, so I do have some understanding of the cultivation methods here,” Xue Po said after a slight pause. “Not to mention the Blood Dao demonic arts; they are the most common cultivation methods on Blood Heaven Continent. Almost four or five out of ten Blood Heaven cultivators definitely practice these methods. Several major Blood Dao sects are even more populous and powerful, truly first-rate forces on Blood Heaven Continent. As for the mysterious legacy Senior Han mentioned, it also exists in Blood Heaven, and many people secretly cultivate it. However, these cultivators and the Blood Dao sects are like fire and water; their whereabouts are mostly extremely secretive, making them very difficult for outsiders to encounter. I was fortunate enough to once encounter a mysterious cultivator who claimed to practice the Way of Witchcraft fighting someone. As a result, this person easily made numerous powerful enemies vanish with just a few puppet-like artifacts. It was truly a very strange divine ability.”

“The Way of Witchcraft—this legacy appeared a few times on our Fengyuan Continent in ancient times, but it seemed to have been immediately eradicated by the joint efforts of the great powers on the continent back then. I didn’t expect Blood Heaven Continent to still possess this legacy. It seems I’ll truly need to be more careful if I go to Blood Heaven. By the way, Fellow Daoist Xue Po, which force did you offend in Blood Heaven?” Han Li asked after nodding.

“The one I offended was the Blood Bone Sect, one of the major Blood Dao sects. But Senior, please rest assured. I’m only at the Void Refinement stage, and the one I offended back then was just an elder of the Blood Bone Sect with some influence. So many years have passed; they might not still be relentlessly pursuing me. If not, I can slightly alter my appearance, which should minimize the trouble,” Xue Po said with a slight hesitation.

“Changing your appearance won’t be necessary. Although Blood Heaven Continent isn’t as vast as Fengyuan and Thunder Roar Continents, its immense size still makes it unlikely for you to encounter your enemies. If by any chance you do encounter them, since you’ll be traveling with me, I’ll naturally help you deal with them,” Han Li said indifferently.

“Then I thank you in advance,” Xue Po said, her face brightening with joy, and she completely relaxed.

Just as Xue Po and Han Li were conversing, in a certain mysterious hall, a purple-clad woman was respectfully reporting something to the red-haired old man named Ming Zun.

“So, he accepted the attendant but returned the other gifts?” the red-haired old man said, his expression unchanged.

“Yes,” the purple-clad woman replied truthfully.

“Interesting. It seems this person isn’t easily swayed, but he also didn’t reject our alliance outright. Feiyun, if Fellow Daoist Han has any other requests from now on, fulfill them to the best of your ability. There’s no need to report to me specifically anymore,” the old man said with a light chuckle.

“Grand Steward, may I ask why we are trying so hard to win over this senior? Even if he is a Mahayana cultivator and possesses some divine abilities, when other Mahayana seniors entered this place before, you never gave such special instructions,” Fairy Feiyun said, somewhat puzzled.

“If he were an ordinary Mahayana stage cultivator, he naturally wouldn't warrant such grand treatment from our alliance. But this person… hehe, have you already seen Fellow Daoist Han’s related information?” the old man, Ming Zun, chuckled and retorted.

“I have seen it, but the records concerning Senior Han are extremely vague. Besides the fact that his advancement to the Mahayana stage was surprisingly quick and that he once entered the Demon Realm, there’s nothing else,” Fairy Feiyun pondered for a moment, then respectfully replied.

“That’s because Fellow Daoist Han’s rise was simply too rapid—so fast that our alliance has only just begun to collect information about him, and some important details haven’t even been recorded yet. Alright, you don’t need to overthink it. Just know that if the Spirit Realm were to rank its ten strongest individuals, this Fellow Daoist Han would likely be very qualified to claim a spot,” Ming Zun said seriously.

“What?! Senior Han possesses such immense divine power?!” Fairy Feiyun’s face genuinely paled in an instant.

“Hmph, if it weren't for that, do you really think I'm so idle that I’d go out of my way to form a connection with him for no reason?” The red-haired old man rolled his eyes.

Hearing this, the purple-clad woman’s heart tightened. She quickly lowered her head, repeatedly murmuring, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Seeing this, the red-haired old man didn’t say anything further. He simply waved his hand, dismissing the woman.

Then, after Ming Zun pondered for a moment, he flicked his large sleeve towards a nearby stone wall. Instantly, a vibrant burst of colorful light surged forth and flashed into the wall.

In an instant, a loud hum arose from the stone wall. A layer of white mist rolled and churned on its surface, then a vague figure suddenly materialized.

“Ming Zun, so it’s you. Aren’t you preparing for the auction on the Fengyuan side? Why would you suddenly contact this old man?” The figure turned its head, glanced at the stone wall, seemed slightly surprised, and asked in a sharp voice.

“Biying, if I’m not mistaken, is the matter you’re planning still lacking a powerful helper?” the red-haired old man counter-questioned calmly.

“So what? Have you changed your mind and are willing to come personally to help me?” The vague figure snorted, speaking in an ill-tempered manner.

“Don't you know that I once swore a venomous oath never to set foot on Blood Heaven Continent again in this life? How could I possibly change my mind!” the red-haired old man said indifferently.

“Since you’re unwilling to act, why would you suddenly ask me about this matter?” The vague figure seemed vaguely impatient.

“While I cannot personally intervene, I have found a suitable candidate for you, someone who should be able to lend you a hand,” the old man said, appearing unhurried.

“A suitable candidate… Have you revealed our affairs to others?” The vague figure trembled, its tone suddenly turning cold.

“How could that be? The matter you are planning is of such great importance; how could I reveal even a shred of it to an outsider without your consent? Or do you think I'm someone who can’t keep a secret?” the red-haired old man denied it flatly.

“It’s best if you haven’t. As for the person you’ve found, what’s their background? You should know, ordinary Mahayana cultivators aren’t of much use for matters like ours. In fact, if too many people know, it’s easy for the secret to leak.” The vague figure exhaled softly, its tone softening.

“Heh heh, do I really need you, old monster Biying, to tell me that? The helper I found for you is this very person!” The red-haired old man chuckled, formed a hand seal with one hand, and pointed into the void before him.

With a soft ‘puff,’ a halo of light bloomed at his fingertip. Inside, after swirling light converged, a strikingly clear, illusory figure immediately materialized.

Dressed in a green robe, with an exceptionally youthful appearance, it was none other than Han Li.

“Oh? Who is this person? Such an unfamiliar face. Could he be a newly appeared Mahayana cultivator on your continent?” The vague figure’s voice immediately showed surprise.

“Fellow Daoist Biying, your guess is quite accurate. Fellow Daoist Han indeed only recently became a Mahayana cultivator. However, his strength is unfathomable; he is absolutely a rare and powerful helper,” the red-haired old man said without hesitation.

“Oh, for Ming Zun to hold him in such regard, it seems this person truly possesses some capabilities. However, for you to be so clear about his strength, he must not be an unknown figure. Has he perhaps accomplished something extraordinary?” The vague figure was silent for a moment, then asked calmly.

“This Fellow Daoist hasn't done many great deeds, but one single act is enough to make his name shake the entire Spirit Realm. Fellow Daoist Biying, are you aware of the recent event where the Mother of Insects was slain in the Demon Realm?” the red-haired old man said, his eyes flashing.

“The matter of the Mother of Insects caused such a huge stir; some Fellow Daoists from Blood Heaven even entered the Demon Realm for it. I naturally know about it. The Mother of Insects seemed to have been ultimately eliminated by Baohua, one of the Demon Realm’s Ancestors, and others working together. Could this person also be one of those who acted?” The vague figure, being who it was, immediately understood somewhat upon hearing the red-haired old man's words.

“Since Fellow Daoist Biying has already guessed, there’s no need for me to say more. To my knowledge, Fellow Daoist Han was actually the true cause behind the Mother of Insects’ demise. Baohua and the others likely only played a supplementary role,” the red-haired old man said solemnly.

“Such a thing happened! If that’s truly the case, then this Fellow Daoist’s divine abilities are so powerful that he could rank among the top in the entire Spirit Realm!” The vague figure’s heart was startled upon hearing this.

“Heh heh, whether he truly possesses such power, I can’t say for sure. But that his divine abilities are unfathomable is certainly true. I’ve learned that he’s participating in this auction primarily for a cross-continental teleportation slot; most likely, he’ll be heading to your Blood Heaven soon. Whether you can persuade him then will depend on your own capabilities, Biying. I’m merely providing information,” the red-haired old man chuckled lightly.

“Good. If this matter is true, then I’ll owe you a favor. If there’s nothing else, let’s end our communication here for today. Although this Seven-Orifice Heart Sound Wall is incredibly profound, communicating across continents still consumes too much spiritual power. If we do this a few more times, even I won’t be able to bear it.” After the vague figure finished speaking indifferently, it seemed to make a hand seal.

Instantly, with a “bang,” the image on the stone wall blurred, then dispersed into specks of spiritual light and vanished.

Seeing this, the red-haired old man was not surprised. Instead, he smiled faintly and closed his eyes to rest.

Days passed one after another, and the day of the auction naturally drew closer and closer.

During this time, Han Li remained at his residence, cultivating and never going out. However, Xue Po, Zhu Guo’er, and others took the opportunity to visit various shops in the town multiple times. They indeed purchased many rare materials and treasures usually hard to find elsewhere, thus making considerable gains.

As for Han Li, he naturally wouldn’t be interested in such items, nor did he have any intention of purchasing anything from these merchant alliance shops. He simply waited patiently for the official opening of the auction.

One month later, Han Li, who was in meditation, finally received a sound transmission talisman personally sent by the purple-clad woman. He immediately stood up with a faint smile and gracefully left the secret chamber.