Chapter 853: Flying Moths into the Fire

A flash of light appeared on the distant horizon. High in the sky, a vast expanse of black and purple light emerged, swirling and flickering incessantly, obscuring half the sky. Below it, a vibrant green cloud, several mu in size, slowly ascended. It spun gently beneath the strange light, and as the green cloud and strange light intertwined, a thunderous roar erupted.

The colossal roar faintly emanated from that very spot.

From the black and purple light surged an overwhelming demonic aura, like a raging tide. All three of them were intimately familiar with this demonic aura; it was identical to the one emitted by "Lord Nanlong" after he had just transformed into his two-headed, four-armed form. However, it was far less astonishing than the demonic energy now hovering in the sky. Even sensing it from afar felt as if it could suffocate them.

To Old Ancestor Linghu's dismay, the black and purple light and the green cloud were moving towards their location, appearing to be approaching them soon.

"Corpse-Belly Poison Cloud! That's the toxic mist created by Fellow Daoist Wei's poison. Ordinary cultivators who touch it die instantly. I've seen Fellow Daoist Wei use it once before," the woman in white exclaimed with a look of joy as soon as she saw the green mist.

Hearing this, Han Li and Old Ancestor Linghu exchanged a strange glance, both discerning a deep sense of dread in the other's eyes.

Although the green cloud appeared formidable, it was clearly being suppressed by the black and purple light. What kind of demonic entity was fighting Wei Wuya, seemingly overwhelming even a late Nascent Soul cultivator? Yet, the astonishing aura emanating from the scene certainly didn't belong to "Lord Nanlong," who had just fled.

The woman in white was not foolish; seeing Han Li and Old Ancestor Linghu's expressions, she immediately understood the implications. Her face darkened.

"Perhaps we should..." The woman hesitated, about to suggest something, when a chilling divine sense suddenly swept over all three of them. The woman in white's voice abruptly trailed off.

Han Li's heart tensed, and Old Ancestor Linghu's expression became even more grim.

"Now the three of us have been locked onto by whatever is over there. If we don't leave now, we probably won't be able to," Han Li stated. "The demonic creature that attacked us earlier has also gone over there. If it joins forces to attack Fellow Daoist Wei, no matter how profound his cultivation, he might not last much longer. Are you two planning to go assist Fellow Daoist Wei, or are you going to part ways now, wait for him to fall, and then be hunted down individually by these demonic creatures, leaving your fates to chance?" After a moment of silence, Han Li spoke these cold words with an impassive face.

He had just probed the black and purple light with his divine sense, but the spiritual energy fluctuations within were so astounding that his divine sense couldn't get close at all. This caused his heart to sink slightly. It indicated that the cultivators on both sides of the conflict possessed cultivation far beyond his own.

Old Ancestor Linghu and the woman in white exchanged bewildered glances after hearing Han Li's words.

If possible, these two, having just escaped with their lives, naturally didn't want to risk their lives against the demonic creatures again. However, as Han Li had said, if Wei Wuya, who was holding back the demonic creatures, failed, neither of them had any confidence in escaping from the valley. After all, they were now deep within the inner valley's core.

Furthermore, if Wei Wuya didn't die and later learned that they had abandoned him, then as cultivators of the Nine Nations Alliance, their troubles would be immense. They were still the Grand Elders of their respective sects, and their actions could bring great disaster to the Masked Moon Sect and Yellow Maple Valley.

Yet, asking them to risk their lives for their sects in a fight with no certainty of success was something neither of them was willing to do. At this moment, both were filled with hesitation.

Han Li sneered inwardly, watching the approaching black and purple light on the horizon with his hands clasped behind his back, saying nothing more.

"Among the three of us, Fellow Daoist Han possesses the greatest divine abilities. How does Fellow Daoist plan to proceed?" Old Ancestor Linghu frowned, let out a sigh of frustration, and then suddenly asked Han Li.

"Me? Heh heh," Han Li didn't answer immediately, only smiling without speaking.

Seeing this, Old Ancestor Linghu gave a wry smile, secretly cursing Han Li for being a sly one.

Otherwise, if Han Li had openly suggested that all three flee immediately, then if Wei Wuya were to pursue the matter later, he and the woman would have an excuse to shift the blame onto Han Li.

Just as Old Ancestor Linghu felt somewhat awkward, Han Li suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

"Oh! Other cultivators have arrived nearby. Though it's not surprising. Such a huge commotion would likely draw cultivators from thousands of miles around."

Old Ancestor Linghu and the woman in white were startled by his words. They hastily followed Han Li's gaze.

On one side of the distant battleground, faint spiritual light flickered, and a group of cultivators was indeed flying towards the strange light and green cloud.

"Why are they here? What are they doing in such a dangerous place?" As Han Li carefully scanned these cultivators with his divine sense, his heart suddenly trembled.

The group of cultivators heading towards the conflict consisted of three individuals, and he unexpectedly recognized two of them.

One was True Master Tianjing, with whom he had traded, still accompanied by two spectral ghost puppets. However, at this moment, they were covered in wounds, and one puppet even had only one arm left, indicating they had apparently been through some ordeal.

The other was Elder Yin of the Falling Cloud Sect, Han Li's Senior Martial Brother Cheng.

As for the last person, it was an unfamiliar elder who had entered the valley alongside Senior Cheng. The other elderly cultivator who was supposed to be with them was nowhere to be seen, likely having met with some accident.

Han Li's expression turned gloomy.

They must have been drawn by the astonishing battle here. They might even mistakenly believe cultivators are fighting over some rare treasure! If they knew that there were no treasures here, but instead demonic creatures that devour Nascent Souls, they would surely have fled far away long ago.

The distance was too great; it was already too late for Han Li to use a sound transmission spell to stop them. These few individuals approached the battle in the blink of an eye. Presumably, Wei Wuya would now be quite pleased to have some scapegoats to help relieve some of the pressure. But Elder Yin and his companions would be in grave danger.

Han Li wouldn't concern himself with others. However, Senior Martial Brother Cheng had treated him well in the Falling Cloud Sect. He always clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment, and he couldn't just watch him die in front of his eyes. It seemed he would have to go over there as well.

Han Li thought with a sense of helplessness.

His original plan, though not to flee immediately, was also not to rashly involve himself directly in the conflict between the ancient devil and Wei Wuya. Instead, he intended to sneak over discreetly, observe the specifics of Wei Wuya's struggle with the ancient devil, and then decide.

If Wei Wuya was only slightly at a disadvantage, he would naturally intervene to help restrain the demonic soul that had just gone there. After all, as a human cultivator, he didn't want to see an unrestrained ancient devil wreak havoc in the valley, devouring Nascent Souls everywhere.

But if Wei Wuya was completely overwhelmed and barely holding on, he wouldn't sacrifice himself in vain; it would be better to escape quickly to ensure his own safety. This could only be considered a calamity for the cultivators in the valley. Against an opponent who could defeat even a late Nascent Soul cultivator, he had no ability to turn the tide; merely surviving would be a feat.

But now that Elder Yin and his group were rashly rushing towards the battle, Han Li's expression flickered between conflicted emotions several times, and he could only grit his teeth and get involved.

If it became truly too dangerous, he could always resort to using the Blood Shadow Escape to save his life. However, when executing this secret art, he would have to pinpoint the direction precisely, lest he escape only to immediately crash into a spatial rift. The risk was still considerable.

Unless absolutely necessary, Han Li preferred not to use that escape technique.

After considering everything thoroughly, Han Li suddenly turned and coldly addressed Old Ancestor Linghu and the woman in white beside him:

"Since other fellow daoists have come to assist, we certainly cannot stand by idly in the face of this demonic creature that devours cultivators' Nascent Souls. Regardless of whether the two of you go, I will proceed first. However, you two are now so close to the battle. I'm afraid Fellow Daoist Wei has already detected your presence. It would be awkward to explain yourselves to Brother Wei afterward."

Uttering these words with seven parts warning and three parts threat, Han Li stomped his foot and transformed into a streak of green light, shooting straight towards the battle, piercing through the air.

Old Ancestor Linghu and the woman in white stood frozen, speechless for a moment after hearing Han Li's remarks.

In just that brief delay, the black and purple light and the green cloud clashed even more fiercely. They were now only about ten li away. If Wei Wuya had intended to, a mere sweep of his divine sense would indeed have left them with nowhere to hide.

Han Li's words were not entirely empty threats.

"Let's go. Fellow Daoist Han is right," Old Ancestor Linghu's mouth twitched into a wry smile as he told the woman in white. "As human cultivators, defending the Dao and eliminating demons is indeed our inescapable duty."

The woman's face was grim; she also understood the implications and could only nod reluctantly.

Fortunately, with so many cultivators acting together, they should at least be able to ensure their own safety, no matter how powerful the demonic creature.

With a glimmer of hope, the two transformed into two dazzling rainbows and flew towards the battle, gritting their teeth.

Unknown to them, a hundred li behind them, Grand Elder Dongmen Tu of the Spirit-Controlling Sect was leading three green-robed figures, flying towards the same location.

Originally, the Nascent Soul cultivators formed from Five-Element Spirit Infants now numbered only three. The other two had likely perished in spatial rifts or restrictive formations.

Yet, there was no hint of loss on his face; instead, he periodically looked towards the distant horizon with some excitement. The spiritual energy fluctuations there were unusually intense, clearly perceptible even from a hundred li away. Most likely, cultivators were fiercely fighting over some treasure, and he naturally intended to go investigate and see if he could profit from the chaos.

Meanwhile, three hundred li away in another direction, Elder Zhong of the Ghost Spirit Sect was also leading a group of Ghost Spirit Sect disciples towards the battle, his face exceedingly grim.

Although they had a map to navigate the Fallen Devil Valley this time, two disciples had still met with accidents along the way, their bodies and souls obliterated in mobile spatial rifts.

Furthermore, his main objective for this trip was the Spiritwood, which he had painstakingly found, only for the Spirit Candle Fruit on it to have been picked already. This nearly made him explode with rage, despite his profound self-control.

These spiritual fruits were crucial for him to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage. Since the marks of the picked fruits were remarkably fresh, and Spirit Candle Fruits had to be used for alchemy immediately, the culprit couldn't have gone far.

He immediately led his disciples to search the vicinity, but unfortunately, after many days, they still found nothing.

Just as he was dispiritedly preparing to lead his disciples back the way they came, a wave of spiritual energy suddenly surged towards them, nearly annihilating all of his disciples. Fortunately, he possessed a top-tier defensive ancient treasure, allowing them to narrowly escape disaster.

Then, such astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from afar, which stirred his heart, immediately reminding him of the cultivator who had taken the Spirit Pillar Fruit. He couldn't restrain himself and immediately led his people to fly towards the source.