Chapter 714: Detained Spiritual Earth Dragon

Volume 5: Famous Throughout the Land

The wind was so fierce it seemed to turn the world upside down, instantly blowing the five cultivators' magic treasures every which way. As for the cultivators themselves, they were trapped by the gale, unable to break free despite their struggles.

"Haha! You refused a toast and chose a penalty instead, forcing this Master to go to such great lengths. You truly don't know what's good for you!" The bald spellcaster let out a metallic, mocking laugh, his face full of triumph.

Then, he made a grasping motion in the air towards the wind, and instantly, a giant yellow hand materialized within the hurricane, reaching aggressively towards the stunning woman among them.

His plan was well-conceived: first, capture the desirable female cultivator alive. Then, with swift and decisive action, eliminate the remaining four, no longer needing to hold back.

The woman, with skin like congealed cream and a radiant, beautiful face, wielded a fiery red flying sword as her magic treasure. Seeing the large hand pressing down directly, and her treasure spinning wildly out of control in the gale, unable to help herself, her face instantly turned pale.

Although the other four cultivators wanted to save her, they were equally disoriented and out of control due to the fierce wind. Only the stout elderly man, with the deepest cultivation, was in a slightly better state. In his anxiety, he managed to raise one hand, releasing a several-foot-long electric arc that struck the side of the giant hand.

However, this attack was like a clay ox entering the sea—it had no effect whatsoever.

Just as the enormous yellow hand was about to rudely snatch up the woman, it suddenly disintegrated and vanished about a zhang (approximately 10 feet) above her head. At the same time, an angry shout came from the yellow-robed spellcaster on the side. Immediately after, the hurricane trapping the cultivators rapidly diminished, disappearing in a flash as if it had never been there.

It was as if the fierce wind and giant hand from moments ago had been mere illusions.

The group exchanged glances, naturally looking towards the bald spellcaster. They saw him turn to one side, glaring furiously at an empty spot in the distance.

They couldn't help but be astonished.

"Since you dared to break this Master's spell, why hide and not show yourself?" The yellow-robed spellcaster's expression turned ferocious for a moment, then he forcefully suppressed his anger and shouted, completely ignoring the female cultivator and her companions.

"It wasn't me hiding. It's simply that your cultivation is insufficient, unable to perceive Han's presence. It seems you only recently advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, correct? Compared to the spellcasters I've encountered before, you're far behind." A leisurely male voice emanated from the empty space.

Then, a flash of green light appeared, revealing an ordinary-looking young cultivator—it was Han Li himself.

Earlier, seeing the five trapped and in a critical situation, he hadn't hesitated to send out a distant Azure Essence Sword Qi, instantly striking and sending the feathered fan magic treasure flying.

The hurricane was naturally dispelled with ease.

Upon seeing Han Li appear, the stout elderly man and the others were first startled. Then, sensing Han Li's Nascent Soul stage cultivation, they became overjoyed, knowing their lives were saved.

The female cultivator quickly curtsied from a distance, respectfully saying, "Junior Nie Ying thanks Senior for saving our lives."

"Nie Ying!"

Upon hearing this, Han Li couldn't help but glance sideways at the woman, vaguely recalling her.

But he couldn't speak at the moment; instead, he waved his hand, signaling for the woman to rise.

It seemed that the woman and the elderly man hadn't recognized him immediately.

This was understandable; he had only met them once before, and nearly two centuries had passed since then. It wasn't strange that they didn't recognize him.

Having considered this, he turned his head and spoke indifferently to the yellow-robed spellcaster:

"Are you not leaving yet? Do you truly wish for me to forcibly expel you?"

The bald spellcaster laughed in extreme anger, "Haha! You are merely a Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator, yet your words are so arrogant. This覃 (Tan) wishes to experience your divine abilities."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bald spellcaster made a hand seal, then fiercely flicked his finger downwards. Instantly, two glistening yellow pellets shot towards the ground below, vanishing in a flash.

This action caused Han Li to pause slightly. He did not attempt to stop them, but instead narrowed his eyes, a hint of interest flashing in them.

Seeing Han Li's overconfident demeanor, the stout man was secretly delighted.

Without hesitation, incantations flowed from his mouth, and the yellow clouds around him began to churn, instantly enveloping the spellcaster surnamed Tan.

"Rise!" A low growl emanated from within the thick yellow mist.

Han Li's heart stirred upon hearing this. He looked around but nothing unusual occurred, making him feel a bit strange.

Then, a rumbling sound suddenly came from the ground directly below, followed by a sound like the earth tearing apart.

Han Li swept his spiritual sense downwards, then revealed a somewhat astonished expression.

Without thinking further, he flung his large sleeve, and two enormous green rainbows, several zhang long, shot out. Two more loud thuds echoed from below.

But Han Li frowned, as if his sword qi had not been effective.

Then, with whooshing sounds, two yellow hornless dragons, over ten zhang long and as thick as a person's waist, burst from the ground, soaring directly into the air. They circled the bald cultivator within the yellow mist, brandishing their claws and teeth, acting as guardians.

"What is this?" Han Li was surprised to find that the two intimidating yellow dragons were entirely formed from earth and stone, lifelike, giving him a faint sense of genuine living creatures. Yet, the life-like aura originated entirely from the yellow pellets on the earth dragon's heads. These pellets were perfectly embedded between the earth dragons' brows, glistening and emitting an eerie yellow glow.

"Hehe! Let's see you try this Master's Spirit-Binding Beasts first! Go!" The bald spellcaster in the yellow mist laughed wildly. Then, two yellow spell formulas struck the earth dragons, and instantly, the two earth dragons charged menacingly towards Han Li.

Han Li frowned, but then sighed lightly as his expression relaxed.

He opened his mouth, and a wisp of Azure Essence Ice Flame shot directly out, splitting into two even finer flames mid-air, striking the earth dragons' heads with perfect accuracy.

With a sizzling sound, the earth dragons were instantly covered in a layer of shimmering blue ice armor, transforming into two ice sculptures that stopped a few zhang in front of Han Li, floating motionless.

A flash of lightning-quick green light, and then two crisp cracking sounds. The two earth dragon ice sculptures were easily shattered by the two sword qi blasts Han Li threw out. Then, with a single-hand gesture, he smoothly drew the two yellow pellets into his hand. After a quick glance, he tossed them into his storage pouch.

"What other divine abilities do you possess? Feel free to unleash them; Han is eager to witness the true power of your spellcaster's spirit arts!" Han Li's expression remained unchanged as he spoke leisurely.

The yellow mist opposite fell silent. Han Li's effortless destruction of the two earth dragons seemed to have greatly shocked the bald spellcaster.

"Which sect's elder are you, and what is your esteemed name? Among the more famous Nascent Soul cultivators, none seem to match your appearance. Could it be that you are also a Nascent Soul cultivator who has only advanced in recent centuries?" After a long pause, the bald spellcaster's low voice came from the yellow mist, completely devoid of any previous arrogance.

"I am merely an unknown individual; even if I told you, you would not know. Since fellow Daoist does not intend to attack, I shall not be courteous." Han Li's expression darkened, and his tone became stern.

He patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist with one hand, and countless golden, glittering flying insects swarmed out from the pouch's opening—these were the Golden Devouring Beetles Han Li had meticulously cultivated. This was the first time Han Li was truly deploying them against an opponent.

He wanted to see if these spirit insects were truly effective against Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Golden Devouring Beetles! You actually possess Golden Devouring Beetles? And so many?" To Han Li's surprise, before he could even command the flying insects to attack, the yellow-robed cultivator opposite immediately cried out the true name of the Golden Devouring Beetles, his voice filled with dread.

Then, without another word, the yellow mist turned and, in a flash, transformed into a streak of yellow light, breaking through the air and fleeing. Its speed was so astonishing that Han Li hesitated for a moment before abandoning the idea of using his Wind-Thunder Wings to pursue it.

If a Nascent Soul cultivator were to fully commit to escaping in such an open area, he didn't have much confidence in completely obliterating them. After all, once the Nascent Soul leaves the body, even the Thunder Escape technique would be slightly inferior.

However, this bald spellcaster's cultivation wasn't particularly high, yet he could recognize the Golden Devouring Beetles—this truly exceeded Han Li's expectations!

Though slightly perplexed, Han Li still collected the Golden Devouring Beetles he had just released, which hadn't yet accomplished anything, back into his spirit beast pouch. Then, with a calm expression, he slowly flew towards the stout elderly man and the other cultivators.

"Many thanks for Senior's assistance! May I ask Senior's esteemed name? Junior Lei Wanhe of Yellow Maple Valley is deeply grateful!" Before Han Li could even approach, the stout elderly man eagerly flew forward a few steps and bowed deeply.

Apart from the female cultivator named Nie Ying, who had already introduced herself, the others also stepped forward and bowed in solemn reverence.

"Shi Qiyun of Giant Sword Gate, Tang Minghua of Hiding Moon Sect, and Qian Huan of Heavenly Citadel Fortress, respectfully greet Senior." These three almost simultaneously thanked him, all appearing respectful and grateful.