Chapter 552: Wind and Thunder Unite

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 4: Winds Rising from Overseas

Han Li had long anticipated that refining the treasure would take a considerable amount of time. However, even after five months, the three demon cultivators remained seated on the ground, not moving an inch, except for occasionally tossing strange materials into the elixir flame.

This left Han Li somewhat stunned.

During this period, aside from pausing three or four times to briefly recover their magic power, the three demons kept their demon cores suspended in the air, continuously emitting elixir flames, all while appearing perfectly at ease.

They truly lived up to their reputation as high-grade demonic beasts; their magic power was indeed unfathomable.

Han Li, who had been continuously cultivating Qi, maintained a full reserve of magic power. The slight absorption of spiritual energy by the light barrier was negligible to him.

He watched as the bone wings within the elixir flame became increasingly crystal-clear and transparent, subtly emitting sounds like thunder and wind.

Joy in Feng Xi's eyes also grew increasingly apparent.

Han Li knew that the Wind-Thunder Wings were likely nearing completion.

Throughout these months, the evil aura within Han Li, which he had been concerned about, had not reappeared. There wasn't even a trace of its existence.

This made Han Li somewhat puzzled.

However, he pondered it to himself. He speculated that it might be related to the evil-dispelling divine thunder hidden within his magical treasure, as this divine thunder naturally possessed the wondrous ability to purge demons and ward off evil.

Could it be that the evil aura had already been automatically cleansed by the divine thunder?

Upon realizing this, Han Li naturally felt delighted.

In fact, even if the evil aura were to reappear, he intended to use this divine thunder to eliminate it.

If that didn't work, he would risk shrinking the Gold-Devouring Beetles and swallowing them, which could also forcibly devour the evil aura.

Therefore, the Restraining Beast's coercive methods were not to be feared in Han Li's eyes. He hadn't taken them seriously from the start.

It was likely that this old demon never imagined that despite his relatively low cultivation, Han Li possessed an astonishing number of supreme treasures and spiritual items.

With no worries about future troubles, Han Li was certainly not one to simply await his demise.

He had already formulated several escape strategies, filtering through them repeatedly in his mind. He was prepared to assess the situation when the time came and adapt accordingly, choosing the most suitable method.

Indeed, another month later, the Restraining Beast, which had been sitting cross-legged with closed eyes, seemed to judge the refinement process nearly complete and took the next step.

He opened his eyes, gazed intently at the bone wings that were about to be perfected in the air, and took a deep breath.

Suddenly, he unleashed over a dozen magic seals towards the air in quick succession. Instantly, the elixir flame extinguished completely, revealing three demon cores and two bone wings.

The demon cores now appeared slightly dim in luster. This was due to the continuous emission of elixir flames by the three demons for several months, which had caused some damage to their vital energy.

In contrast, the two bone wings were not only slender and complete in form but also glowed with both milky-white and silver light, making them exceptionally striking.

Without hesitation, Feng Xi pointed at his own demon core. After spinning rapidly, the demon core shot back from the air and was reabsorbed into his body.

Seeing this, the Poisonous Flood Dragon and the Turtle Demon exchanged glances, then likewise reabsorbed their respective demon cores.

Without a word, the three demons immediately closed their eyes to rest and recuperate.

After several days of rest, Feng Xi and the other demon cultivators finally recovered their magic power and replenished their vital energy.

At this point, the Level Nine Restraining Beast finally turned to look at Han Li, then swiftly struck the light barrier trapping him with a magic seal.

As the red light pierced into the barrier, it flickered wildly a few times before the entire barrier disintegrated on its own.

Han Li, however, maintained a calm expression, showing no surprise.

"Next," Feng Xi said with a slightly softened expression, "my two sworn brothers and I will merge the two bone wings into one, initiating the fusion of wind and thunder. Your wood-attribute spiritual energy is essential as a balancing force for this harmonization, Fellow Daoist Li. Please prepare yourself!"

"Understood!" Han Li replied curtly, without further words, and slowly rose to his feet.

Seeing Han Li's demeanor, Feng Xi, conversely, frowned, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly, without warning, flicked a finger. A streak of white light shot out with a "whoosh" and flew straight towards Han Li.

Han Li's expression changed drastically, but after a moment of hesitation, he didn't dare to move, allowing the white light to enter his body. His face, however, became extremely grim.

"Senior Feng, what is the meaning of this?" he asked, pressing his lips together, his voice somewhat grim.

"Don't worry, this Wind Spirit Qi won't cause any major harm. It will gradually dissipate after some time. However, during this period, if I activate it with my magic power, you will wish you were dead. You had best conduct yourself properly and avoid any other ideas," Feng Xi said sinisterly.

Hearing this, Han Li secretly cursed his luck. Most of his previously prepared escape strategies now seemed useless.

Seeing Han Li finally show signs of agitation and anger, the Restraining Beast was satisfied.

Ignoring Han Li, he instead took out three small bottles from his storage pouch and tossed two of them to the other two demons.

"My two sworn brothers, be careful," the demon instructed with utmost solemnity. "The upcoming fusion of wind and thunder spiritual energy will be a significant drain on our magic power. Each small bottle contains a drop of collected ten-thousand-year spiritual liquid. Take it when your magic power begins to wane. We must ensure the fusion process is seamless, without any mishaps, or these Wind-Thunder Wings will not be able to come into being."

"Rest assured, I, Wu, will do my utmost," the Poisonous Flood Dragon replied, a flicker of surprise in his eyes upon hearing it was ten-thousand-year spiritual liquid, but then readily agreeing.

"Indeed!" the Turtle Demon beside him also guaranteed, patting his chest. "I, Gui, also want to see what divine abilities these Wind-Thunder Wings possess once successfully refined."

Seeing this, Feng Xi's face was filled with satisfaction.

Then, without a word, he rubbed his hands together. A thick white beam of light, about the size of a bowl's mouth, shot out from his hands and struck the five-colored light barrier in the air.

The light barrier trembled for a moment, emitting a faint hum. The five-colored auspicious glow flickered erratically.

Afterwards, the colors of the light continuously shifted until only a milky-white, dazzling light remained.

Seeing this, the Poisonous Flood Dragon and the Turtle Demon below did not hesitate to unleash slightly thinner yellow and blue light beams. However, halfway, these merged into a single lightning-attribute spiritual beam, similar in thickness to the white beam, and struck the other side of the light barrier in the air.

Immediately, a loud rumbling sound erupted. The light barrier transformed again, with interwoven white and silver lights thundering, flickering between strong and weak.

"Fellow Daoist Li, infuse one-tenth of your cultivation into the spiritual energy," Feng Xi commanded Han Li without hesitation upon seeing this scene, his voice low and cold.

Han Li was convinced that if he hesitated even for a moment, the other party would surely activate the Wind Spirit Qi within him and make him suffer greatly!

So, after a slight change in expression, he obediently raised a hand, pointed a single finger towards the air, and a slender stream of green light shot into the two-colored lights above.

A strange scene unfolded!

The light barrier, which had been buzzing and appearing somewhat unstable, immediately quieted down upon the injection of green light. Its brilliance receded, and it gradually stabilized.

"Good! Maintain this level of spiritual energy input!" Feng Xi said with a relaxed, somewhat excited expression. It seemed his method for fusing wind and thunder spiritual energy was indeed viable.

The other two demons also grew much more confident upon seeing this.

With the help of the formation, the three demons began to form a series of complex hand seals and cast countless magic incantations onto the light barrier.

A moment later, silver lightning and milky-white gales erupted within the light barrier. The forces of wind and thunder immediately tightly enveloped the two bone wings in the center, beginning their fusion. As the sounds gradually intensified, Feng Xi urged Han Li to increase his wood-attribute spiritual energy input while he and the other two demons focused on replenishing the wind and thunder power to the light barrier.

Seven days later, massive silver electric arcs and swirling white gales raged violently within the light barrier.

The three demons were visibly tense, continuously casting various calming magic incantations into the barrier. The Restraining Beast, in particular, had a grim expression.

Han Li, meanwhile, stood within the formation, observing everything with a cold eye. He intermittently injected wood-attribute spiritual energy as commanded. A flicker of eagerness occasionally crossed his face, but ultimately, he made no rash moves, perhaps feeling the time was not yet right.

The three demons, despite their evident exhaustion, continued to pour magic seals and spiritual energy from their hands without pause. However, their magic power was indeed nearing depletion.

Although the lightning and gales within the light barrier still appeared fierce and violent, a strange symbiotic phenomenon began to emerge between them.

Lightning flashed within the strong winds, and the sound of wind roared from the electric arcs.

Seeing this scene, the three demons could not conceal the joy in their eyes.

The next day, the Turtle Demon, who had the weakest magic power, was the first to consume the spiritual liquid from his bottle. His magic power returned to normal moments later.

Over the following days, the Poisonous Flood Dragon and Feng Xi did the same.

Han Li observed everything with a cold, expressionless gaze. However, he reached out to touch an item in his storage pouch, and an almost imperceptible glint of strangeness flashed in his eyes.

When the three demons were next heavily depleted of magic power, if the magical treasure still hadn't been fully refined, it might be his chance.

This particular strategy was one Han Li had initially considered the least reliable.

But now, it seemed genuinely possible to achieve.