Chapter 432: Xiao Cha

Volume Three, Chapter Four: Winds Rise Overseas

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume Three, Chapter Four: Winds Rise Overseas

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Suddenly, the young man's ghostly claw flipped, a green light flashed, and another identical green light shot out, striking the oncoming green rainbow.

Immediately, a loud thunderous roar erupted!

Arcs of black and gold electricity burst forth, intertwining and colliding, coalescing into a massive ball of lightning. It crackled fiercely, unwilling to yield, shaking the hall with a deafening hum, creating an astonishing display of power.

Han Li's eyes suddenly narrowed!

Heavenly Thunder Bamboo. The opponent also possessed a magic treasure refined from Heavenly Thunder Bamboo, which greatly surprised him.

Could it be...

Han Li seemed to have realized something and focused intently on the green light shot by the young man.

Amidst the dazzling electrical arcs, a foot-long emerald green arrow fiercely battled the massive sword formed by the seven Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords, showing no signs of weakness.

The electrical arcs it discharged were vastly different from those on the giant sword. Not only was the golden color seemingly absent, but it was instead mixed with a dense black, as if it had been refined by some sinister magic.

Despite this, the black lightning arc possessed immense power. When intertwined with the golden lightning, it actually gained the upper hand.

Seeing this, Han Li unconsciously let out a stifled breath.

He hadn't expected his initial suspicions to be true.

As soon as he saw the arrow embedded in the white skull, he felt that its aura was somewhat familiar, much like his fully cultivated Golden Lightning Bamboo. However, its slightly darkened color and the occasional hint of malevolent energy that leaked from it made him hesitate.

After all, to his knowledge, Golden Lightning Bamboo had only appeared once in the Scattered Star Seas before disappearing for an unknown number of years. It was hard for him to believe he would coincidentally encounter it.

Now, however, it appeared that the arrow used to ambush the opponent was not only made of Golden Lightning Bamboo but had also been refined into a magic treasure by the old ghost, which was truly ironic!

Han Li's lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of mockery.

But then he suddenly thought, if the old ghost had suddenly manipulated the arrow to attack while he was observing the white skull, he would have undoubtedly died at such a close distance.

As this thought occurred, he became increasingly fearful, feeling cold sweat trickle down his back. He was truly filled with lingering dread.

As for the Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords being unable to defeat this arrow, it was not surprising.

These flying swords had been cultivated for too short a time, relying entirely on the power of the Golden Lightning Bamboo for combat. Naturally, they were far inferior to the opponent's magic treasure.

If the seven flying swords had been tempered for a slightly longer period, they definitely wouldn't have been outmatched by this mere Golden Lightning Bamboo magic treasure.

However, after this test, since the opponent genuinely had a way to counter the Golden Lightning Bamboo's Evil-repelling Divine Thunder, Han Li no longer wished to fight to the death.

After all, from the initial green shadow to the current youthful incarnation, he had never fully understood the opponent's true cultivation level.

Moreover, this person was cunning and resourceful, and their sinister demonic arts were exceptionally strange and ruthless, making them difficult to guard against.

If he were to go all out, even with the killer move of over a hundred thousand Gold-Devouring Beetles, he wasn't entirely confident of victory.

Presumably, the opponent's sudden suggestion to stop earlier was also because they found his magic treasures potent and his cultivation methods strange, making them somewhat wary as well.

Having thought this, Han Li waved a hand at the giant sword without a word.

With a sudden boom, the giant sword disintegrated, transforming into seven smaller swords that flew back to Han Li.

Seeing this, the young man's eyes briefly flashed with cold light. But after a moment of hesitation, he didn't allow the arrow to continue its pursuit and likewise recalled his magic treasure.

If you are truly Patriarch Jiyin's master, wouldn't you be nearly a thousand years old? Han Li asked coolly after recalling his flying swords, as if disbelieving.

Before I cultivated the Profound Soul Demon Refining Grand Art, I had already lived for over six hundred years. Although I don't know how many years have passed since I transformed into a Profound Soul body, it must be four or five hundred years! It's fortunate that I dispersed my Nascent Soul and cultivated this Profound Soul body. Otherwise, even if my physical body had remained, I would have probably already passed away. The young man looked down at his hands, which had returned to their normal state, and said noncommittally.

Han Li was speechless after hearing this.

If what the opponent said was true, then this person was indeed a thousand-year-old ghost!

At the same time, Han Li couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest in this Profound Soul Demon Refining Grand Art. The ability to break through the lifespan limits of ordinary cultivators naturally piqued his interest.

So, Han Li's tone softened as he spoke. In that case, I truly should address you as Senior!

Upon hearing this, the young man glanced at Han Li. Perhaps sensing Han Li's insincerity, he sneered and said:

Senior? I dominated the cultivation world for so many years back then. I never expected to end up neither human nor ghost, even abandoning the chance to re-enter the six paths of reincarnation. All for the sake of avenging myself against those two rebellious disciples! If you don't clearly state your origins, I will risk further damaging my vital energy and ensure you don't leave this place alive.

Although his voice was incredibly ordinary, the ruthless and chilling intent in his words was unmistakable.

Han Li gave a bitter smile, but after a moment's thought, he said:

Senior, you're only asking me questions! Wouldn't it be too disadvantageous for me? I also have some questions; I wonder if Senior can answer some.

Upon hearing Han Li's words, the young man paused slightly. But then he tilted his head back and burst into laughter.

Good, very good! I can agree to that condition. However, I fear that if you know too much, it will be hard for you to keep your life.

The young man's arrogance was fully displayed!

Heh heh, Senior doesn't need to worry about that. If I'm not mistaken, Senior's cultivation is currently at most equivalent to that of a late Core Formation cultivator, and I believe I can handle that. Han Li asked somewhat provocatively, carefully observing the other's expression.

However, the young man merely sneered a few times, showing no unusual expression, which made Han Li secretly inwardly remark, Old fox.

Enough of the nonsense. You claim your cultivation was learned from a jade slip and that you are not one of my two rebellious disciples. Bring the jade slip; let me see it. The young man said chillingly, in a demanding manner.

Han Li frowned slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, reached into his storage pouch and then flicked his hand.

A jade slip radiating a grayish-white aura flew directly towards the young man.

The young man didn't directly catch it with his hand. Instead, he raised a hand, and a mass of black energy transformed into a black snake, which snatched the jade slip in its mouth and flew back to stand before him.

The young man remained still, his limbs unmoving, only his eyes flashing with a blood-red light as he gazed intently at the jade slip.

A moment later, the strange light in his eyes receded. Then, with a gentle flick of his finger, the jade slip shot back like an arrow into Han Li's hand. Only then did he slowly say to Han Li:

Tell me how you originally obtained this item! A mere jade slip is not enough to prove you have no connection to my two rebellious disciples.

Upon hearing this, Han Li smiled slightly. Instead of answering the question, he posed one of his own:

Since Senior possesses such divine abilities, your reputation must have been considerable back then. Could you please tell this junior your esteemed name?

Seeing Han Li avoid answering and instead question him, the young man felt a surge of displeasure, and a hint of sinister sharpness appeared between his eyebrows.

But then he seemed to recall something and replied coldly:

This old man is Reverend Xuangu, Xiao Cha. Have you ever heard of me?

Reverend Xuangu...

After hearing this, Han Li thought carefully but indeed had never heard of him.

However, he didn't mind and calmly said:

Since Senior believes the jade slip is insufficient to prove my identity, then my cultivation method is not from your lineage. With Senior's experience, you should be able to discern this. Senior, please observe more closely. After saying this, Han Li raised his Azure Essence Sword Art cultivation to its peak, and the green light emanating from his body became even more dazzling and radiant, almost blinding to behold.

Following that, Han Li flicked his ten fingers, and seven or eight streaks of Azure Essence Sword Aura shot out, striking the adjacent wall and piercing several bowl-sized holes through it.

As for the origin of this jade slip, it's quite simple! This junior eliminated a rogue cultivator some time ago and accidentally found it on their person. If Senior still doesn't believe me, then I have nothing more to say except to fight. Han Li lightly clapped his hands and said nonchalantly.

Xiao Cha stared at the green light on Han Li's body, his expression exceedingly gloomy. After a long while, his face relaxed slightly as he said:

The cultivation method you practice is indeed not from the Profound Yin Scripture, nor is it even a demonic cultivation method; I, this Ancestral Sage, can naturally discern that. However, you possess a malevolent core clone and coincidentally arrived here, so it is only right for this old man to be cautious. But let me ask you one more thing: besides this jade slip, did you obtain anything else from that person back then?

Hearing the old demon's words, Han Li's expression shifted. He vaguely felt that the opponent's coercion all this time seemed to have this as its ultimate goal. Having thought this, Han Li did not respond to the question but instead calmly posed a counter-question.

Since Senior has cultivated a Profound Soul body and has been trapped here for so many years, are there many restrictions and flaws in this Profound Soul Condensing Demon Grand Art? For instance, perhaps you cannot move about in daylight, or are susceptible to certain specialized magical artifacts...

Hmph, do you think I would tell you such things? The young man immediately flew into a rage upon hearing Han Li's words, his expression suddenly changing as he fiercely interrupted.

Exactly! Did Senior think I would tell you things you shouldn't know? Han Li said indifferently, his expression unchanged.

Xiao Cha paused slightly upon hearing these sarcastic words, and the anger on his face gradually dissipated.