Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 157

The Transformation into a Monster

A dark energy surged around Young Master So, and he shot through the air like a gust of wind.

Han Li wasn’t about to let the key figure escape. He moved in a flash, appearing in front of Young Master So and summoning a massive, blue-glowing sword.

Young Master So chuckled, confident that his killing intent could corrupt and neutralize any magical artifact. He believed no magical tool could harm him.

He planned to use this moment to escape. Without hesitation, he tried to leap over Han Li’s head.

“Don’t try to stop him, just run!” Chief Wang, still in Han Li’s grasp, shouted through his pain. He was trying to help Young Master So, but his warning came too late.

Young Master So instinctively changed direction to avoid the blue sword, but the blade suddenly altered its course, grazing his leg. The killing intent he had relied on vanished the instant it touched the sword.

Young Master So crashed to the ground, unconscious from the unbearable pain.

Han Li was startled, thinking he had accidentally killed him. But after confirming he was alive, he grabbed Young Master So and Chief Wang and flew towards the Montain Four.

He felt a mix of delight and bewilderment at his easy victory.

He had felt an ominous premonition when he saw Young Master So and Chief Wang, but if they were this easy to defeat, his senses must have been wrong!

Han Li shook his head. Even the black-clad figures who had been observing from afar were now fleeing. They were just outer disciples, like the Montain Four, and not worth chasing.

He landed in front of the Montain Four and tossed the two captured men at their feet.

“I need to find some things out. Stop their bleeding.”

The young man and the old man immediately stepped forward to obey Han Li’s orders.

They weren’t just outwardly polite; they deeply revered Han Li. His display of power was something they wouldn’t easily forget.

“Senior’s profound techniques have opened our eyes to a new world,” the old man said sincerely.

“A new world? Nonsense, it was just a simple trick,” Han Li said, pleased by their respect but pretending not to care.

‘Ding! Dong!’

Just as the atmosphere was becoming pleasant, a bell rang out, drawing Han Li’s attention. The Montain Four also looked towards the sound. The middle-aged woman turned back to Han Li, shouting, “Look quickly! The magical artifact!”

Han Li, already observing that direction, noticed the Sky-Shielding Bell [a magical artifact used for confinement] that had been containing the giant of light was behaving strangely.

Each time the bell rang, its surface bulged, and it was losing its bell shape. The yellow light of the bell was weakening. The bald giant seemed ready to break free at any moment.

Han Li was surprised. He didn’t know what was happening, but it was clear the Sky-Shielding Bell could no longer contain the opponent.

He retrieved the eleven magical artifacts that had been circling above his head and released twelve puppet beasts. They stood side by side, blocking the path between Han Li, the Montain Four, and the bell.

‘Crack!’

As soon as they were ready, the Sky-Shielding Bell shattered, and a monster burst out.

“What is that?” the middle-aged woman gasped. The others beside her turned pale.

Even Han Li looked shocked. The bald giant had completely transformed into a monster, both in physique and face.

He was nearly two zhang [about 6.6 meters] tall, with sharp fangs and black horns. A long, armored tail trailed behind him, and his body was covered in dark red patterns, exuding a ferocious aura.

Though his face still had some of the giant’s original features, a sinister green light emanated from his eyes, making him seem to have lost his reason. The monster stared at Han Li with a malevolent gaze and then shot forward like an arrow.

The Montain Four panicked, unsure what to do, when Han Li’s voice rang out, “Activate your magical artifacts!”

Immediately, the puppets opened their mouths and fired beams of light. The monster, caught off guard, was knocked backward by the impact.

Seeing this, the Montain Four took out their magical artifacts and began attacking the giant, hoping to get rid of the terrifying monster as quickly as possible.

But their hopes were quickly dashed. The monster rose again, emitting a terrifying aura that seemed to pierce the sky. The Montain Four’s magical artifacts were unable to harm him and were knocked away.

The monster roared, then swung his arms like windmills. His sharp fingernails tore the magical artifacts to shreds, turning them into scrap metal!

The green light in the monster’s eyes intensified, and his body seemed to flicker before he slashed at the barrier where Han Li and the others were gathered with his sharp claws.

‘Thwack!’

The old man quickly activated the shield Han Li had given him, blocking the monster’s attack. But five distinct scratches appeared on the shield, and the old man’s face turned pale. His magical power was insufficient.

The giant laughed cunningly and attacked the shield again with his other hand. But he quickly crossed his hands, forming a cross, and retreated fiercely.

The puppets had fired a second beam of light.

Unlike the first time, the monster, who was now prepared, was only pushed back a dozen zhang [about 33 meters] despite the powerful attack. For the old man, who had been in danger, it was a narrow escape.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the old man said to the others, “The opponent is too strong, and my magical power alone isn’t enough. Let’s all activate the shield together.”

Without hesitation, the Montain Four placed their hands on the old man’s back, their spiritual power flowing into him.

The black-faced old man barely regained his color.

The transformed monster was enraged by the two failed attacks. As soon as the puppets’ light beams stopped, he lunged forward with his claws. But he was blocked by the shield again, and in the gap, the light beams started again, forcing him back to his original position.

Han Li, who had been watching, twitched his eyebrows.

Seeing that the monster had broken the Sky-Shielding Bell and was even blocking the puppet beasts’ light beams, it seemed that ordinary top-grade magical artifacts wouldn’t be enough. He would have to use a talisman treasure [a powerful magical item].

After organizing his thoughts, Han Li instructed the Montain Four, “While I prepare my spell, you must temporarily block the monster with the puppets.”

Without waiting for their reply, Han Li emitted a dazzling blue light and took out a talisman. Then, he sat down and closed his eyes.

Realizing Han Li’s intentions, the Montain Four accepted his orders. The monster attacked half a dozen times, but they were able to block each one with their combined spiritual power, led by the old man.

The puppets’ continuous firing of light beams prevented the monster from attacking continuously, giving the four some breathing room.

Han Li’s talisman activation was faster than that of a Qi Refining cultivator. The blue talisman in his hand transformed into a jade-colored ruler, several inches long and very intricate.

Now that the Montain Four’s magical power was reaching its limit, the shield fell weakly as the giant’s claws swung. Their faces turned ashen.

“Senior!” the old man urged Han Li.

Without responding, Han Li took advantage of the monster’s retreat from the puppets’ attack and poured all his spiritual power into the jade-colored ruler.

Instantly, the ruler emitted a dazzling blue light, and one became two, two became four, and four became eight, creating hundreds of identical rulers. Each one hummed and circled endlessly around Han Li.

The Montain Four were speechless at this incredible sight. They felt like they were under an illusion, seeing a phantom.

As soon as the talisman treasure took its form, it was unleashed towards the transformed monster.

The monster, who seemed to have lost his consciousness after transforming, showed a fearful expression at Han Li’s talisman attack and suddenly retreated, running backward like a madman. His speed was no less than that of the Wind God Boots [a magical artifact that enhances speed].

Surprised by this reaction, Han Li paused for a moment, and in that time, the monster had escaped over a hundred zhang [about 330 meters] away. Han Li watched the figure disappear in the distance.

He sighed and, instead of chasing after him, waved his hand to summon the jade-colored talisman treasure. The hundreds of rulers merged back into one, returning to his hand as a blue-glowing talisman.

He desperately wanted to chase after him and eliminate the threat, but the talisman treasure’s remaining power was low. Since he was unsure how long he could continue the chase, it was better to be satisfied with the hostages he had already secured.

The Montain Four, seeing the monster flee in fear of Han Li’s magic, helped each other up. Their faces looked terrible, so Han Li took out a small medicine bottle from his storage pouch.

“Take one pill each, and you’ll be fine.” He smiled slightly. They had been helpful in this battle, and he wanted to show he was generous.

As expected, the Montain Four’s eyes lit up with emotion. The old man respectfully accepted the medicine bottle, taking out four red pills the size of eyeballs. The scent of the pills was strong.

The old man, being older, immediately recognized that they were precious and repeatedly thanked Han Li.

They quickly swallowed the pills, and a warm energy spread throughout their bodies. Their exhausted bodies felt lighter, and their faces quickly filled with vitality and joy.

“This isn’t a place to stay for long, so let’s move. If reinforcements from the Black Fiend Sect arrive, things will get complicated,” Han Li said, glancing at Young Master So and Chief Wang.

No one objected. They boarded the Wind God Boots and left the place like the wind.

Having safely arrived at the Jin family’s residence, the group landed in the courtyard.

Since they didn’t know what might happen during the night, Han Li, after a brief rest, began interrogating the members of the Black Fiend Sect.

He focused on getting Young Master So to talk first, handing Chief Wang over to the Montain Four. He hoped the old man could extract some useful information, however small.

Getting a cultivator to tell the truth wasn’t easy, but for Han Li, who was well-versed in mind-controlling techniques and mind-altering drugs, it was as easy as pie. Especially since the target’s magical power was significantly lower than his.

Young Master So naturally tried to keep his mouth shut, but after Han Li forced him to drink water laced with drugs, he fell into a hallucination.

Then, after casting the Illusionary Color Eye [a mind-controlling technique], Young Master So was completely under Han Li’s control. He obediently revealed everything he knew in response to Han Li’s questions.

The more Han Li heard, the more his face changed. His cold and serious expression turned to surprise, then to bewilderment and gloom.

After hearing all the information and secrets that Young Master So knew, he fed him a black pill he had prepared beforehand and left the room without looking back.

Having been given the Soul Severing Pill [a deadly poison], he would quietly die while still hallucinating.

It wasn’t pleasant to poison someone who couldn’t resist, but considering he had sacrificed over a dozen people while practicing demonic arts, he didn’t feel wronged.

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