Chapter 342: Trap

"Even so, to cover for Spirit Beast Mountain, not only were other cultivators sacrificed, but Core Formation cultivators also died in that self-orchestrated attack. That doesn't make sense, no matter how you look at it!" Han Li said slowly, his brows slightly furrowed, clearly unwilling to believe.

"Without the deaths of Core Formation cultivators, how could the other six sects easily believe? Furthermore, do you truly think those who died were actual Core Formation cultivators?" "Qu Hun" said with a cold laugh.

"From what you're implying..." Han Li looked at "Qu Hun" with a hint of surprise.

"To my knowledge, our Six Demonic Sects possess two or three secret techniques that can forcefully elevate Foundation Establishment cultivators to a cultivation level comparable to Core Formation. Of course, each of these methods has significant flaws; a cultivator who uses one is essentially doomed to die from severed meridians, and the elevated cultivation state lasts for a pitifully short time. However, this brief period should be enough to deceive the other six sects, as an assault doesn't require a long performance."

Upon hearing this, Han Li fell silent. He now believed it somewhat.

It was conceivable that when the allied forces of the Seven Sects and cultivators from two other nations were setting up their grand formation to confront the Six Demonic Sects, the Demonic Dao, having already fully grasped all of the alliance's arrangements, would easily tear through the Seven Sects' formation with Spirit Beast Mountain's sudden betrayal. By then, the allied forces of the Seven Sects, without the protection of the grand formation, would be no match for the Six Demonic Sects.

"Even if what you're saying is true, the time for the decisive battle hasn't arrived yet. If I go to report this, we should be able to turn the tide and win. Why should I run away?" Han Li asked with a hint of reluctance after pondering for a moment.

"Do you really think our Demonic Dao will initiate the decisive battle only at the agreed-upon time? You should know that according to the original plan, there was already a strategy for a decisive battle that would mislead the opponent and exploit a time difference. Although I don't know the exact time, I estimate that within a few days, our Demonic Dao will suddenly attack your main camp. After all, at that time, you will be in the most relaxed phase before the major battle, and your forces will be far from fully assembled. Do you think, fellow Daoist, that in the remaining time, you can transmit this information to the battlefield and convince the upper echelons to believe you?" The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk, clearly indicating schadenfreude.

Upon hearing this, Han Li's expression finally changed. A hint of worry crept into his heart.

If the Seven Sects were truly defeated, his days would become incredibly difficult. He would either remain in Yue State, hunted by the Demonic Dao, or be forced to flee and wander through other countries. Otherwise, his only option would be to repair a teleportation array and start a new cultivation journey in another unfamiliar place.

"You seem to have an intimate understanding of the Demonic Dao's plans. It appears your true status is not low. Don't worry, I have no interest in asking about your specific identity. I just want to ask one more thing: after saying all this, do you have any proof? You don't think I'll completely believe everything you say just based on your words, do you?" Han Li asked seriously after a moment's thought.

When Han Li asked this, the Spirit Taming Sect cultivator was startled, then let out a bitter laugh.

"In my time of crisis, I even lost my original body. What evidence do you think I could possibly retain? In fact, if you have some patience, fellow Daoist, just wait a few more days. I'm sure you'll hear rumors of a major battle," he said as if it were a matter of fact.

Upon hearing this, Han Li let out a cold laugh.

"If your body is gone, how did your primordial spirit escape? Since you weren't killed on the spot back then, I don't believe you didn't separately store important items like magic tools." Han Li said indifferently, his words incisive, causing "Qu Hun's" bitter smile to freeze.

"Heh heh! It seems I really can't hide anything from you, fellow Daoist. You're right, I do have a jade slip correspondence between my sect and Spirit Beast Mountain. In fact, several years ago, I came to Yue State specifically to convey this message back, but I never expected..." Revealed by Han Li, he spoke with a slight hint of embarrassment.

Hearing the other party finally admit it, Han Li secretly sighed. He didn't know the person's true age, but they were certainly cunning beyond compare. It seemed he would have to be even more cautious.

"Where is it?"

Next, Han Li asked unceremoniously, his gaze beginning to scan various parts of "Qu Hun's" body.

"The storage pouch containing the jade slip isn't on me. I placed it in a nearby cave. I can take you there, fellow Daoist?" "Qu Hun" now appeared very cooperative.

"Not on you?" Han Li's eyes flickered, revealing an expression of disbelief.

"As you know, my current body is that of a zombie. Although it's much tougher than a normal person's, I've also lost most of my senses. I'm genuinely afraid of carrying the storage pouch on me and accidentally losing it without realizing it. Therefore, under normal circumstances, I usually leave the storage pouch..." He reluctantly offered an excuse that sounded awkward to Han Li.

But Han Li said nothing, instead carefully searching him. Only after finding nothing did he coldly ask again:

"Where is the cave? I'll go retrieve the item!"

Seeing Han Li's extreme caution, "Qu Hun" could only sullenly tell Han Li the location.

Han Li nodded, seemingly about to leave. But suddenly remembering something, he turned and asked another question.

"How did you enter this body? Although this body originally had no soul or primordial spirit, saving you the trouble of seizing a body, it's still not a cultivator's physical shell!"

Han Li was genuinely curious.

"I don't know!"

The other party's answer made Han Li's expression darken. But before he could say anything more, the other party hastily explained:

"I truly don't know what happened. At that time, when I arrived at Jiayuan City, dragging my severely injured body, I was completely incapacitated. I had no choice but to hastily let my primordial spirit leave my body and search everywhere for a cultivator to seize. But I searched everywhere nearby and didn't encounter a single cultivator. Just as I was despairing, I discovered this zombie body without a primordial spirit. I treated it as a last resort, just trying to enter this body as a shot in the dark. But to my surprise, I entered it safely. This truly astonished me as well."

As he spoke, the Spirit Taming Sect cultivator also wore an incredulous expression.

Han Li listened silently. After glancing at the other party, he suddenly walked back to him and affixed two more 'Spirit-Calming Talismans' onto "Qu Hun's" body. Only then did he disappear into the darkness.

"Qu Hun," standing still, wore a bitter expression. However, not long after Han Li left, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.

Following the location described by the other party, Han Li accurately found the cave. The cave entrance did not seem very large.

Han Li raised a hand, and a Moonstone flew out from his storage pouch, floating above his head and illuminating the surroundings.

Then, he glanced at the dark cave entrance. After a brief thought, he released his White Phosphorus Shield and Turtle Shell magic tool to block his front, then carefully walked into the cave.

As Han Li had expected, the cave was not very spacious. After walking only seven or eight zhang, he vaguely saw a cave wall blocking his path, indicating he had reached the bottom of the cave.

Han Li's sharp gaze swept around, finding nothing unusual. Only then did he lower his head to look at the ground.

Because according to the other party, the storage pouch was hidden under a large bluestone, and should have been easy to find.

Indeed, about two zhang away to one side, there was a dark, several-foot-tall object, appearing to be a rock.

Han Li didn't think much of it and walked over in a few steps, then focused his gaze, examining it carefully under the Moonstone's soft white light.

"Hiss!" Han Li gasped.

This was no rock; it was clearly a large pile of white bones stacked high, with some indistinct flesh and blood clinging to them, emitting a faint, lingering scent of gore.

Under his shock, Han Li gave it a closer look and discovered that the bones belonged to fierce beasts like tigers and leopards, and still bore some bite marks, as if something had chewed on them.

Upon seeing this, a thought flashed through Han Li's mind, and he inwardly cried out, "Not good!" He hastily tried to retreat.

But it was already too late. A black shadow flashed, darting out from an unknown location, and violently slammed into Han Li's White Phosphorus Shield.

Instantly, an incredibly powerful force struck him, sending Han Li, shield and all, flying backward, crashing heavily against the cave wall behind him, almost causing Han Li to faint from the pain on the spot.

"What kind of monster is that?" Han Li thought, startled and enraged, amidst the intense pain.

But before Han Li could even fall from the cave wall, the black shadow sprang up again and charged at him.

Han Li was greatly alarmed, and without thinking, hastily placed both defensive magic tools in front of him.

With a clear *clang*, Han Li was surprised.

This time, no immense force was transmitted, but the White Phosphorus Shield, which was at the very front, split cleanly into two pieces with a *thud* and fell to the ground.

Witnessing this, Han Li was so shocked he almost bit his tongue.

This was unbelievable! The White Phosphorus Shield had actually been sliced in half by that monster.