Chapter 682: Spirit Manifestation

Volume 4: Winds of Change OverseasVolume 5: Renowned Far and Wide

“You are right, fellow Daoist,” Han Li calmly replied. “However, I have no intention of letting my concubine go. I simply wish to exchange a few pointers.” With that, he released his spiritual sense outwards, emitting a shocking aura, while something shot towards his opponent.

“Excellent!”

Instead of showing fear, Marquis Nanlong roared. He likewise released his spiritual sense, and two almost visible, intangible forces collided and exploded in the empty space between them. A violent gust of astral wind immediately surged, scattering in all directions.

Witnessing this, Marquis Nanlong was startled. His probing spiritual sense instantly expanded several times.

Immediately, a series of continuous explosions erupted. Layers of astral wind formed white currents, enveloping the two individuals in mid-air. Their figures became indistinct, transforming into two still, shadowy silhouettes in the high sky.

“Spiritual sense manifestation! How is that possible? Junior Martial Brother Han’s spiritual sense is so powerful!” Lu Luo, observing the scene in the sky, exclaimed in disbelief, his face filled with astonishment.

“Spiritual sense manifestation? Can Young Master defeat the opponent?” Mu Peiling asked, though she didn’t understand the term, she couldn’t help but inquire.

“I don’t know. Logically, spiritual sense manifestation is a divine ability that cultivators in the Nascent Soul Mid-stage can only master through powerful spiritual sense. Junior Martial Brother Han can perform it now. Could it be that his main cultivation technique focuses on spiritual sense? It must be. Only then does it make sense,” Lu Luo initially answered Mu Peiling’s question, but then began to murmur to himself.

“In that case, Young Master has a chance, right?” Mu Peiling, disregarding Lu Luo’s somewhat incoherent words, still asked with hopeful anticipation.

“It’s hard to say. You must understand that even among Nascent Soul cultivators of the same stage, there are differences in strength. Marquis Nanlong entered the Nascent Soul Mid-stage three hundred years ago. Although he remains at this stage, he has undoubtedly cultivated to its peak, just one step away from the Late-stage. It will be difficult for Junior Martial Brother to defeat this old monster,” Lu Luo said with an uncertain expression.

Hearing this, the glimmer of hope that had just risen in Mu Peiling’s heart immediately turned cold.

Just then, the explosions in the sky grew even more frequent. The resulting astral wind rotated continuously, forming a massive white vortex that completely engulfed the two.

This prompted a soft exclamation from Lu Luo.

“Oh! I can’t believe it, Junior Martial Brother Han isn’t at a disadvantage,” he said with a very strange expression on his face.

Mu Peiling was overjoyed at his words and opened her mouth to ask something more.

Suddenly, a blinding white light flashed in the sky, followed by a clear thunderous crack. The hazy sphere of energy exploded, and a violent astral wind swept out in all directions.

Mu Peiling and the others, who were dozens of feet below, all paled when they saw the raging white wind approaching.

“Not good!”

Lu Luo let out a low roar. His figure flashed, and he appeared in front of Mu Peiling. At the same time, he conjured a blue protective shield, enveloping both of them.

In that brief moment, the ferocious astral wind crashed against the shield.

A continuous grinding sound emanated as the thick shield wall, upon contact, seemed to be struck by a heavy hammer. It instantly caved in several inches as the astral wind swept past.

Fortunately, these astral winds were dispersed, with most of them sliding past the sides of the shield. The indented shield wall quickly returned to its normal state.

At this point, a blue light flashed across Lu Luo’s face as he retracted the shield.

Marquis Nanlong’s group of golden-armored warriors, not far away, expertly raised their golden halberds in unison as the astral wind blew past. Instantly, a large golden light appeared above their heads, like a massive golden shield, protecting them and the beast carriage in their midst.

Despite this, as the white whirlwind passed, the golden light only held for a moment before shattering. The remaining astral wind swept over them. These warriors and female cultivators clutched their heads, screaming in agony. Gradually, blood trickled from their orifices, and their faces were filled with terror.

Only the two palace-dressed female cultivators sitting in the beast carriage were safe, protected by its restrictions.

However, their faces were pale with fear and panic. Witnessing this scene, Mu Peiling gasped, looking dazedly at Han Li, who had reappeared in the sky.

At this moment, Marquis Nanlong’s cold snort echoed from above.

A ball of golden light descended from the sky but exploded mid-flight, transforming into countless golden rays that enveloped his subordinates.

Wherever the golden rays passed, those who were clutching their heads immediately stopped screaming and stood firm once more.

Though they still wore expressions of fright, they appeared to be mostly unharmed.

Marquis Nanlong, having just rendered aid, gazed at Han Li, who remained as composed as ever. His face was filled with surprise and doubt, as if he still couldn’t believe that Han Li was truly his equal in spiritual sense.

He knew that although he had released all his spiritual sense just now, he had only used seventy to eighty percent of it. Seeing how easily his opponent had handled it, Han Li must have had reserves too. It was even possible that Han Li’s spiritual sense surpassed his own.

Just as Marquis Nanlong’s disdain vanished, and he hesitated, Han Li suddenly smiled at him.

“Shall we end the contest here? If we continue, I’m afraid I truly won’t be able to hold on,” Han Li said casually.

“Haha! Fellow Daoist Han is too modest. Leaving aside cultivation techniques, your spiritual sense is definitely not inferior to mine. It’s good to end this contest here. Otherwise, we might truly damage our camaraderie,” Marquis Nanlong replied after a brief thought, using this as an opportunity to likewise soften his expression.

Han Li smiled without a word, but sighed inwardly. It seemed that in the cultivation world, even Nascent Soul stage cultivators relied on strength to speak.

At the very least, though Marquis Nanlong might not believe that Han Li could truly match him in cultivation and divine abilities if they fought seriously, the recent confrontation was enough to instill a degree of apprehension in him, making him unwilling to treat Han Li lightly or disrespectfully.

Moreover, the opponent’s powerful spiritual sense met his criteria, and he still had something to ask of him.

“Since Fellow Daoist Han’s spiritual sense is not much weaker than mine, I will naturally explain the true reason for this contest to you. As you guessed, if I didn’t have another objective, I wouldn’t have insisted on testing your spiritual sense. However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be openly discussed here. This jade slip contains a map. On the fourth day of the trade fair, Fellow Daoist can meet at the marked location on the map. I will introduce a few other fellow Daoists to you, and there will be a great opportunity to share with you,” Marquis Nanlong said to Han Li with a peculiar smile, his lips moving slightly as a short, clear message reached Han Li’s ear.

Then, he reached into his storage pouch with one hand, revealing a small jade slip. With a flick of his wrist, the jade slip transformed into a white streak of light and shot towards Han Li, showing no regard for Lu Luo and the others below.

Han Li was momentarily stunned. He immediately raised his hand and drew the jade slip to him. After blinking and observing Marquis Nanlong for a few moments, he placed the jade slip into his storage pouch, showing no intention of examining it immediately.

Marquis Nanlong, upon seeing this, did not get angry; instead, he laughed heartily. Then, light enveloped his body, instantly transforming him into a massive ball of light that descended rapidly.

Golden light reignited within the beast carriage, and all the halberd-wielding warriors surrounded it, swiftly fleeing towards Tiancheng. The sound of drums and music also resumed from within the carriage.

Marquis Nanlong left without even bidding farewell to Lu Luo, who was not far away.

Perhaps other Nascent Soul cultivators would have felt indignant and greatly displeased. However, Elder Lu of Falling Cloud Sect, who was well aware of the other party’s eccentric temperament, merely smiled wryly.

At this moment, Han Li also lightly descended.

“Young Master, are you alright?” Mu Peiling, now composed, asked with a blush on her beautiful face as soon as Han Li returned. Her bright, limpid eyes gazed steadily at Han Li.

Although her “Young Master” had only contended with Marquis Nanlong for a brief moment, his display of divine power had stirred something within her heart.

She felt that staying by Han Li’s side might not be a bad thing, and she even harbored a vague feeling of warmth and reliability.

“I’m fine, just a little spiritual sense expended,” Han Li said outwardly, his expression calm, but inwardly, his heart stirred at her sudden concern.

“Junior Martial Brother, you hid it so well! You made this Senior Martial Brother worry for nothing,” Lu Luo remarked, staring at Han Li for a while with a look of delighted surprise. That last hint of subtle estrangement had now completely vanished.

“This Junior Martial Brother has never hidden anything from my two Senior Martial Brothers; it’s just that you never asked. Let’s go now. The commotion from the spiritual sense astral wind just now will likely attract many cultivators,” Han Li said gently.

“Indeed, it would be troublesome if other cultivators noticed us. Let’s hurry to Tiancheng!” This time, Lu Luo agreed without hesitation.