Chapter 461: 托天 Demon Skill

Volume 4: The Wind Rises Overseas.

Han Li had just settled down when the sound of rushing air reached them from the distant sky. Wan Tianming and two other Nascent Soul stage cultivators descended from above. After glancing at Mystic Skeleton and Scholar Qingyi, they sneered, found another spot to gather, and began whispering. It was unclear what confidential matter they were discussing.

Upon seeing this, Patriarch Extreme Yin let out a soft snort through his nose and closed his eyes to meditate.

Han Li, however, could not achieve Extreme Yin's composure. He gazed intently in a certain direction, seemingly observing something. Yet, a perceptive observer would notice his gaze was slightly unfocused, revealing an absentminded and preoccupied expression.

After the time it takes to eat a meal, five or six more cultivators arrived, one after another. Among them, two white-robed elders from Star Palace also arrived as if nothing was amiss. The only Nascent Soul stage cultivator yet to arrive was Barbarian Beard.

After another half an hour, Barbarian Beard was still nowhere to be seen. At this point, Wan Tianming and the others cast strange glances towards Extreme Yin, while Extreme Yin and the Confucian-robed elder maintained their composure. Han Li, being closer to them, secretly noticed a subtle hint of anxiety beneath their composed expressions, visible in their eyes. Clearly, without Barbarian Beard, these two demonic elders knew they were no match for the righteous cultivators and began to worry.

Time passed slowly. Patriarch Extreme Yin and the other elder finally abandoned their facade of composure. Their expressions turned grim, and they began to frequently gaze upwards. Although this space seemed to have no distinction between day and night, always appearing sunny, Han Li mentally calculated that a full day had almost passed. Could something have truly happened to Barbarian Beard, the demonic path's top expert in the Hall of False Heaven? Han Li also grew suspicious. If something like this were to happen, would it be a blessing or a curse for him?

Just as Han Li, Extreme Yin, and the others grew anxious, and the righteous cultivators' gazes became increasingly unfriendly, a piercing roar, capable of penetrating metal and stone, came from beyond the sky. The roar was like towering waves, each higher and fiercer than the last, shaking all the seated cultivators and filling their faces with alarm.

Upon hearing this sound, Patriarch Extreme Yin and the Confucian-robed elder simultaneously showed expressions of relief, exchanging a knowing glance and a smile. The green-robed elder even chuckled lightly and whispered:

"It seems Barbarian Beard is in good spirits; he must have had some unexpected gains."

"Hmph! What unexpected surprises could there be here? At most, the Lifespan Fruit harvesting went smoothly!" Patriarch Extreme Yin shook his head, saying dismissively.

The Confucian-robed elder listened and smiled faintly, just as he was about to speak. In the distance, a golden-yellow orb of light flashed across the horizon. It roared like a meteor from beyond the sky, reaching the cultivators' location in the blink of an eye. The elder immediately fell silent.

A strange light flashed in Han Li's eyes as he watched the person within the orb, secretly alarmed. In fact, it wasn't just him; other cultivators witnessing the might of the "Heaven-Propping Demonic Art" for the first time also showed shocked expressions. Because Barbarian Beard, surrounded by the golden light, had an incredibly bizarre appearance. He was like a demonic god, inspiring awe and fear. At this moment, he not only exuded a golden aura of radiating spikes, but his bare hands, feet, and face were covered in dense, coin-sized golden scales. These scales shone brightly as if forged from pure gold, circulating a chilling, severe light, instantly revealing their incredible solidity, as if indestructible.

"This is the Heaven-Propping Demonic Art? It seems really powerful!" Ugly Wu, on Patriarch Extreme Yin's other side, gasped, speaking in a dazed manner. He appeared to be greatly shaken by Barbarian Beard's appearance.

"Hmph, it's nothing but a turtle shell! My Profound Yin Grand Law, when cultivated to its highest realm, is not weaker than the Heaven-Propping Demonic Art." Patriarch Extreme Yin listened to Ugly Wu, gave him a cold glance, and said with some displeasure. This made Ugly Wu suddenly recall that his grandfather was at odds with Barbarian Beard. Praising the opponent like this was surely intentionally annoying Patriarch Extreme Yin. He immediately agreed awkwardly, no longer daring to speak.

At this moment, Barbarian Beard in the sky surveyed the area with a condescending gaze, immediately spotting Extreme Yin and the others, and promptly plummeted down without ceremony. With a loud "boom," the nearby ground slightly shook. Barbarian Beard landed beside Extreme Yin and the others. His scales quickly receded, and the golden light dimmed, gradually disappearing.

"It seems Brother Barbarian has certainly gained a lot this time! Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such high spirits." Before Barbarian Beard could speak, the Confucian-robed elder said with a smiling fist salute.

"Haha! Yes, I did gain something. I killed an Ice-Snow Toad near the Lifespan Fruit tree, and its inner core is greatly beneficial for my Heaven-Propping Demonic Art." Barbarian Beard seemed not yet to have recovered from his excitement. Upon hearing the elder's question, he blurted it out without hesitation. This greatly surprised Patriarch Extreme Yin and the others, who exchanged bewildered glances, momentarily unsure if what he said was true or false.

"Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Barbarian. If the Heaven-Propping Demonic Art can still advance, then Brother Barbarian should have the strength to contend with the Twin Sages and the Six Paths, right?" Scholar Qingyi, after a moment of surprise, was the first to regain his smile and speak. Afterwards, Patriarch Extreme Yin also offered a couple of congratulatory words with his usual expression.

Barbarian Beard chuckled at this. Just as he was about to say more, his eyes widened and fixed on Han Li. He then showed a strange expression, and after a strange light flashed in his eyes, an astonishing aura suddenly erupted. Han Li, being the first to bear the brunt, instantly felt his body tighten, and then his limbs became as heavy as if weighed down by a thousand catties, unable to move an inch. What was most alarming was that under the opponent's gaze, he felt a chilling sensation of being seen through, both body and mind.

Han Li's face turned pale. Without thinking, the Great Evolution Art automatically circulated, firmly protecting his mind. A hint of color returned to his face, and he felt his body return to normal.

"Eh!" Barbarian Beard couldn't help but be surprised. But then a hint of surprise appeared on his face. Just as he was about to make another move, Patriarch Extreme Yin's figure flashed, placing himself in front of Han Li.

"Brother Barbarian, what is the meaning of this? Why are you bullying my young disciple?" Extreme Yin asked calmly after neutralizing Barbarian Beard's aura.

"Young disciple?" Barbarian Beard was initially stunned, but his face immediately darkened. "Extreme Yin, are you intentionally toying with me? Besides that Ugly Wu brat, when did you get another disciple in the Hall of False Heaven?" He said impolitely after a contemptuous glance at Ugly Wu, looking ready to strike if a word was amiss.

"Haha, Brother Barbarian, you've misunderstood. This young friend Han Li only just formally acknowledged Fellow Daoist Wu as his master today. It's perfectly normal that you wouldn't know about this," Scholar Qingyi hastily interjected with a laugh. Han Li was incredibly important to them now, so naturally, nothing could go wrong.

"Extreme Yin, you're taking on a disciple here? Did I hear that correctly?" Despite the elder's explanation, Barbarian Beard said in surprise, then looked Han Li over twice.

"Although he's just a nominal disciple and hasn't officially undergone the apprenticeship ceremony yet, this young friend Han is indeed now a member of Extreme Yin Island. I hope Brother Barbarian will show mercy!" Patriarch Extreme Yin said with a slight smile, looking at Barbarian Beard.

Barbarian Beard blinked, gazed at Patriarch Extreme Yin and the Confucian-robed elder for a while, then looked at Han Li, and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Good, very good. This disciple you've taken is indeed quite good. Putting everything else aside, at the very least, his spiritual sense is several times stronger than your grandson's. If he's carefully nurtured, he has great potential. Haha, indeed great potential!" Barbarian Beard actually said this with a broad smile, and the last sentence seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Patriarch Extreme Yin and the Confucian-robed elder exchanged confused glances upon hearing this, both somewhat bewildered. "Brother Barbarian, what do you mean by that?" Patriarch Extreme Yin frowned and slowly asked.

"Nothing. This nominal disciple of yours is good. Are you interested in letting him come to me? I think this kid might be more suitable for cultivating my Heaven-Propping Demonic Art," Barbarian Beard said indifferently.

"Brother Barbarian, you jest. Young friend Han has only just entered Extreme Yin's lineage; how could he be casually transferred? Fellow Daoist must be joking!" As soon as Barbarian Beard spoke, both Patriarch Extreme Yin and the elder were startled. Scholar Qingyi hastily spoke up, taking over the conversation.

"Hehe! If you don't want to, then forget it. If you really asked me to take a disciple, I'd find it too troublesome! But, Fellow Daoist Qing! I'm interested in Extreme Yin's disciple; why are you getting so agitated? Could it be that this kid truly has some unspeakable secret?" Barbarian Beard sneered, stroked his beard, and suddenly said with a chilling tone.

As soon as these words were spoken, the elder's expression changed slightly, but he immediately looked at Patriarch Extreme Yin with his usual composure.