Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 489

If the demonic energy were to explode, the Falling Cloud Sect would be finished, but the Demonic Sect and the Righteous Alliance wouldn’t fare much better. The Nine Nations Alliance might be far away and not suffer much direct damage, but how could they remain unaffected when most of Tiannan’s spiritual energy would be lost or contaminated?

However, even at a time like this, Han Li remained calm.

“The three of us discovered this fact and sought a way to avoid this immense disaster. We found a scripture that mentioned the sealing barrier. This matter is related to the Great Jin cultivation world.”

Wei Wuya glanced at Merchant Zhiyang.

“Great Jin?”

“Do you know where we found the scripture about the sealing barrier?”

Unexpectedly, Merchant Zhiyang asked with a wry smile.

“What do you mean, Merchant Zhiyang…”

Han Li’s expression turned strange as he had a vague idea of what was going on.

“The information about the ancient sealing formation was unexpectedly found in a secret scripture hidden in the old archives of our sect.

So, we investigated the origins of our Tai Jin Sect and discovered that it was a branch of the Zhenji Sect, one of the three major Daoist sects of the Great Jin cultivation world. Moreover, the reason they moved to Tiannan was surprisingly to protect this ancient sealing barrier.”

The Daoist spoke with an expression that seemed like he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Your sect was a branch of a sect from Great Jin?”

“Yes, but that’s an old story. Over time, our Tai Jin Sect has not continued their cultivation methods and traditions, except for a few special techniques. If we hadn’t found the ancient scripture hidden in our sect, we would have never known.”

Merchant Zhiyang sighed.

“Fellow Daoist Zhiyang, what did the scripture say about the sealing barrier? Did you find a way to solve this disaster?”

“Regarding the sealing barrier… it only stated that it was something the Tai Jin Sect had to bear forever, and the rest of the information was vague. However, the scripture provided a rough explanation, and after our three cultivators gathered formation experts to study it, we were able to find a way to repair the barrier.”

“The method requires many high-level cultivators, but someone has to go deep into the demonic energy and place the formation disc in a designated location. That’s why we sought out Fellow Daoist Han. Only Fellow Daoist Han, with his Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, can avoid being absorbed by the demonic energy and becoming demonized.”

Wei Wuya calmly supplemented Merchant Zhiyang’s explanation. Hearing this, Han Li slightly narrowed his brows.

“It seems you’ve been researching solutions for a long time. Before I joined the Falling Cloud Sect, what were your plans to bring the formation disc deep into the demonic energy?”

At Han Li’s question, Wei Wuya and Merchant Zhiyang exchanged glances.

“Actually, we had another plan before. We were going to gather treasures with exorcising abilities from each faction and send a cultivator who had mastered the relevant techniques.

However, the demonic energy was so powerful that the chances of success were less than half. But the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning is different. It specializes in suppressing demonic energy and can easily resolve the issue.”

Merchant Zhiyang smiled.

“I see. It’s not a bad method.”

“Since this concerns the safety of all of Tiannan, I should naturally step forward, but before accepting the proposal, may I confirm how powerful the boundless demonic energy is? I prefer not to attempt the impossible.”

“Of course. The Joyful Old Devil is already monitoring the changes in the demonic energy within the vortex, so would you like to go and check it out now? It’s best to reseal the demonic energy as soon as possible.”

Merchant Zhiyang immediately agreed to Han Li’s words, and Wei Wuya also nodded. Han Li felt slightly relieved at their reactions. It didn’t seem like they were hiding anything.

Thus, the three cultivators left Merchant Zhiyang’s residence and headed towards the massive source of spiritual energy where the vortex was located.

As soon as they left Spirit Turtle Island, three streaks of light flew westward. After traveling about a hundred miles, they finally began to see a hazy glow. Multicolored lights swirled in the air, resembling a giant funnel.

Han Li’s eyes lit up at the sight. Whether it was the white light or the multicolored light, they contained an immense amount of pure spiritual energy, far surpassing even the highest-grade spiritual veins [veins of concentrated spiritual energy].

“So, this is the vortex.”

“That’s right. The Joyful Old Devil is on that reef, so let’s join him first.”

Merchant Zhiyang pointed in a certain direction.

Han Li scanned with his spiritual sense and indeed saw a large man in a black robe sitting cross-legged on a rock about ten miles away. It was the Joyful Old Devil.

He felt Han Li’s spiritual sense scanning him, and his eyes suddenly snapped open, casting a cold gaze in their direction.

Suddenly, his figure flickered and rose into the air. At the same time, Han Li and the others also increased their speed and flew over.

“Fellow Daoist Joyful! Fellow Daoist Han has arrived. The restoration of the sealing barrier is not far off.”

“If Fellow Daoist Han is willing to help… with a divine power like the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning, he will surely succeed.”

The Joyful Old Devil looked at Han Li calmly, without any smile. It was an unexpectedly cold reaction. Han Li, who had initially paused, thought about it and chuckled.

The Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning was the nemesis of demonic arts, making it a huge threat to demonic cultivators who practiced ancient demonic arts. As the number one cultivator of the demonic path, how could he be happy? The fact that Merchant Zhiyang was being particularly polite to him was undoubtedly a hidden intention to bring him in to check the demonic path.

Han Li secretly shook his head, thinking about their intentions, but he didn’t care. Even if the Joyful Old Devil were to show killing intent now, he had plenty of ways to protect his life.

When Wei Wuya told him that Han Li wanted to examine the demonic energy first, the Joyful Old Devil raised an eyebrow but didn’t object.

Thus, guided by the three cultivators, Han Li began to fly forward. As they approached the light mass, the so-called vortex came into view.

Above the sea surface, there was a huge hole with a diameter of three to four hundred zhang [approximately 1000-1300 meters], and due to the vortex, not a single drop of water could enter its center. From within, pure white spiritual energy surged, reflecting the sunlight and covering the nearby sky like a massive fog.

Taking a breath, Han Li could inhale the pure spiritual energy of the slightly humid sea. To examine the vortex more closely, Han Li moved towards the center of the vortex with a flash of blue light.

However, even that alone caused an immense suction force to weigh down on him, making him feel like he was being torn apart.

Surprised, Han Li immediately deployed a blue protective barrier, and thanks to his high cultivation, he was able to stop after falling about one zhang [approximately 3 meters]. Only then, relieved, did he look down with his dark blue eyes.

The Nascent Soul late-stage cultivators who were watching this changed their expressions.

“Brother Zhiyang, last time, your sect’s Nascent Soul mid-stage Elder Ma managed to withstand it without a magic treasure, but he still fell more than ten zhang before regaining his balance, didn’t he?”

Wei Wuya turned his head and said to Merchant Zhiyang.

“That’s right. The center of the vortex has a strong suction force, so we can’t maintain our balance without preparing beforehand.”

The Daoist also looked slightly surprised.

“I previously thought Fellow Daoist Han’s cultivation method was unique, but after reaching the Nascent Soul mid-stage, it’s clear that his magic power is deeper and purer than other cultivators of the same level. I wonder what kind of cultivation method he practices.”

Wei Wuya clicked his tongue, sounding a bit envious.

“I don’t know. Although some top-grade cultivation methods can increase magic power, I don’t know what kind of cultivation method Fellow Daoist Han practices.”

Merchant Zhiyang also found it difficult to draw a conclusion. The Joyful Old Devil next to him didn’t say a word, but his face grew even darker.

At this moment, Han Li returned with a flash of blue light.

“The spiritual energy emanating from the vortex is indeed as powerful as I’ve heard. But if the suction force is this strong even above the sea surface, are there any other dangers if we go inside?”

“It’s impossible to explore with spiritual sense due to the spiritual energy. To observe the demonic energy, we have to go down ourselves. The pressure isn’t unbearable, but it’s best to prepare some treasures. Also, there are small vortices within the vortex, and it can be dangerous if you get caught in one. How about this? Let’s go together, Fellow Daoist Han.”

Merchant Zhiyang made an unexpected proposal after thinking for a moment.

“I’d be happy to go with Merchant Zhiyang. Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

Han Li was pleased and dispelled the remaining worries. Thus, Han Li and Merchant Zhiyang turned into streaks of light and entered the vortex.

At the same time, only Wei Wuya and the Joyful Old Devil remained above the sea surface, silently watching the center.

“Brother Wei, what do you think of that cultivator from the Falling Cloud Sect?”

“What do you mean?”

Not long after, the Joyful Old Devil spoke first, and Wei Wuya chuckled lightly and asked back.

“You know what I mean. Are you not worried, Fellow Daoist? At such a young age, he has already reached the Nascent Soul mid-stage, and he has many divine powers. If he becomes a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator, will there be any place for us in Tiannan?”

“My thoughts are a bit different from Brother Joyful’s.”

Wei Wuya glanced at him, his expression ambiguous as he smiled.

“Let’s hear how different they are. Do you have the confidence to suppress him even if he reaches the Nascent Soul late-stage?”

“Suppress him? Why would I need to suppress him? I am the oldest of the three cultivators, and I will be gone in a hundred years at most. Even if Fellow Daoist Han is talented, can he reach another realm within a hundred years? And even if he does, what does it matter to me if he becomes a powerful figure who dominates Tiannan?”

Wei Wuya answered calmly to the Joyful Old Devil’s gloomy question.

“He could seize the power we have painstakingly built. If I propose a joint attack, are you not at all interested?”

The Joyful Old Devil narrowed his eyes and observed his opponent.

“I’m not interested in such things. Besides, it’s too late to act now. If you had made such a proposal when he was in the Nascent Soul early-stage, I might have been tempted. But he now possesses divine powers comparable to a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator.

So, I have no intention of making an enemy of a cultivator of the same level and bringing disaster to my sect. Fellow Daoist Joyful, don’t forget how difficult it is to completely eliminate a cultivator of our level. Didn’t you fail to catch the Old Devil even after making thorough preparations?

It’s better not to do anything foolish and provoke his hostility. Also, even if he really gets the chance to unify Tiannan, how long do you think it will last? Have you already forgotten the fate of the Transformation Stage cultivator who once suppressed all of Tiannan with his power?”

Wei Wuya finished speaking with a sneer, and the Joyful Old Devil looked slightly hesitant.

* * *

At the same time, Han Li and Merchant Zhiyang were already thousands of zhang below the vortex. Due to the immense pressure of the spiritual energy, they couldn’t descend quickly, but they were able to descend slowly.

Han Li activated his shield and deployed a blue protective barrier. At the same time, more than thirty flying swords created shadows and circled around him.

Merchant Zhiyang also activated a flying sword with a white aura, layering his entire body with spiritual energy.

Han Li tried to scan the area below with his spiritual sense, but he could only reach about ten zhang down.

Even with the Brightsight Spirit Eyes, he could only see up to 30 or 40 zhang, and it was all filled with hazy spiritual energy. However, he could avoid the small vortices that appeared from time to time, thus avoiding dangerous situations.

As he repeatedly identified and avoided the small spiritual energy vortices, Merchant Zhiyang was amazed and thought that bringing him along was indeed a good decision.

# 491