Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 441

Han Li raised his eyebrows and made a series of hand gestures towards the ground. Several materials floated up in sequence, drawing strange trajectories as they melted into the flying swords.

He closed his eyes and used his consciousness to control the Nascent Soul’s flames [a cultivator’s core of power]. Success depended on the added materials, his blood, and the essence merging with the flying swords.

Days passed quickly.

Han Li sat in the secret chamber, refining the Azure Bamboo Cloud Swords one by one, without a moment to rest. If he hadn’t had the Myriad Year Spirit Milk, the consumption of his magic power would have been too severe for him to endure.

The date set by the black-clad man was approaching. However, Han Li still hadn’t emerged, causing some to become anxious.

Among them was the silver-haired old man. Yesterday, someone had used a flying sword magic treasure to drop a jade slip inside the Falling Cloud Sect and disappeared. It contained the exact location for Han Li to meet.

It was a very remote and rugged place far from Cloud Dream Mountain, and if Han Li didn’t come out soon, he would be late.

The silver-haired old man, who was sitting in the main hall, immediately turned his head when Han Li appeared silently at the entrance.

“Junior Brother, you’ve come out of seclusion! Was the magic treasure refinement successful?”

“I barely managed to finish it. I heard someone sent a jade slip with a meeting place. Have you checked it?”

Han Li seemed calmer than before he went into seclusion.

“Yes, it says to go to the summit of Heavenly Peak Mountain. Take a look yourself.”

The silver-haired old man tossed him a green jade slip.

“To come out alone with a magic treasure made of Gold Lightning Bamboo… They must have gathered information about me. This request couldn’t have been made if they didn’t know about my relationship with Wan [referring to Nangong Wan].”

“With their abilities, it’s not difficult. What secrets can cultivators of the lower realms hide from Demonic Path cultivators? But Junior Brother, you really shouldn’t go alone.

I’ve already contacted Fire Dragon Child and five or six other cultivators. If you leave first, they will follow. The moment that person appears, we’ll surround and capture him! We need to show them that our Gui Kingdom is not a place where anyone can roam freely!”

The silver-haired old man proposed with a stern face.

“That’s a good idea. Although the opponent is likely prepared, if he is arrogant and overconfident in his abilities, we can kill him on the spot.”

“Then let’s do that. I’ll place a mark on your body for tracking. If the enemy is too strong and you can’t handle it, just stall for time. We’ll arrive soon.”

“I’m grateful for your help in many ways. I will repay this kindness.”

Han Li, who rarely accepted help or made promises, was an exception this time.

“Haha! Junior Brother is already a member of the Falling Cloud Sect, so it’s only natural. There’s no time, so hurry and prepare. You need to leave by evening.”

The silver-haired old man smiled happily, and Han Li bowed and left. Watching his back, the silver-haired old man smiled lightly.

Although he had answered casually, the old man was greatly relieved by Han Li’s words. Even if he were to pass away, his Junior Brother would not forget their bond and would protect the Falling Cloud Sect.

The old man took out talismans from his sleeve and threw them into the air. Red streaks of light quickly shot out of the main hall.

* * *

In the evening, Han Li bid farewell to the silver-haired old man and left Cloud Dream Mountain. He had finally set off for Heavenly Peak Mountain.

And the silver-haired old man and other cultivators quietly followed him an hour after he departed.

To conserve his magic power as much as possible, Han Li used ordinary movement techniques to travel. As he flew, he fiddled with a small golden flying sword.

For some unknown reason, the flying swords that had absorbed the essence had completely turned a reddish-gold color.

According to his memory, refining with the essence should initially cause them to take on a different color, but after the refinement was complete, they should return to their original color. However, the fact that all 36 flying swords had turned gold and did not return to their original color bothered him.

However, it didn’t seem to affect the power of the flying swords. In fact, the power of the flying swords had increased by about 30% due to the essence, and they were much sharper than before.

Perhaps, if it were a magic treasure that wasn’t made of top-grade materials, it would be cut in half instantly if it collided with the current Azure Bamboo Cloud Swords.

Han Li was satisfied with the result, but he couldn’t help but have doubts. After thinking about it, he recalled the Gold Lightning Bamboo, the main material of the flying swords, and the rare material, the Refined Essence, that he had added before.

Perhaps those materials reacted in a special way when they met the essence, he speculated. After the refinement was complete, Han Li tested the power of a small-scale Great Stellar Sword Formation [a powerful sword technique] in the secret chamber and was astonished.

The power of the Great Stellar Sword Formation written on the golden scroll was definitely not an exaggeration. Although he could only create a simple Great Stellar Sword Formation due to the lack of flying swords, its mystical abilities were incredible.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have headed to Heavenly Peak Mountain like this, as the opponent had intended. He was confident that he could kill a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator using the Great Stellar Sword Formation, although he didn’t know about a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator.

However, he didn’t know if he could find out how to undo the Soul Sealing Curse. For now, he planned to meet the black-clad man and act according to the situation.

Han Li sighed quietly, and a golden light flashed in his hand as the flying sword disappeared into his sleeve. He scanned his surroundings with his consciousness, but he couldn’t sense the presence of the silver-haired old man or the other cultivators.

They were probably tracking him carefully from a distance to prepare for the black-clad man’s ambush or surveillance. If the opponent was really a Demonic cultivator in the Nascent Soul late-stage, no amount of caution would be enough.

Heavenly Peak Mountain was a steep peak located far to the west of Cloud Dream Mountain. Looking at it from afar, the mountaintop was hidden in the mist.

When he was about a hundred miles away, he faintly felt a consciousness circling around him before disappearing.

The consciousness was identified as belonging to a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator, but he couldn’t let his guard down because the opponent might have deliberately concealed their cultivation.

However, Han Li didn’t slow down as if he didn’t know anything and continued to fly. At the same time, on a rock somewhere on Heavenly Peak Mountain, the black-clad man’s eyes widened.

“So, you’ve finally come! It’s true that you have an unusual relationship with that female cultivator.”

“Tsk, tsk, to risk danger for a mere woman.”

The black-clad man clicked his tongue and looked into the distance. There, a shabby teleportation array was set up. He sensed that Han Li had arrived within tens of miles and concealed his presence.

Han Li felt the black-clad man’s presence and approached, but after sensing him disappear with his consciousness, he became even more tense.

‘Is he trying to ambush me with stealth techniques?’

Paying even more attention, Han Li arrived at the summit of Heavenly Peak Mountain, and a small teleportation array came into his view.

“What!”

Han Li’s expression changed as he examined the rock next to it, where words were carved with a sharp blade.

“I won’t wait long.”

Han Li’s face hardened at the opponent’s cunning.

Judging by the state of the teleportation array, the teleportation range wasn’t very far, but he was uneasy about moving to a place that the opponent had prepared in advance.

And since he had killed the Yin Fiend Sect Master’s partner, there was a high possibility that the opponent would also kill his people for revenge.

Moreover, if this happened, he didn’t know if the silver-haired old man and the other Nascent Soul cultivators would be able to track him.

Han Li hesitated for a moment before finally making up his mind.

He scanned his surroundings with his consciousness to make sure no one was there, then took out a sound transmission talisman from his pocket and muttered something. The sound transmission talisman soon turned into a red streak of light and disappeared.

After sending the sound transmission talisman, Han Li immediately threw a spirit beast pouch into the air, creating armor with the Three-Colored Gold Devouring Beetles, and shook his sleeve to activate the azure shield.

Then, he flipped his other hand, and a white light faded, revealing a silk handkerchief. It was a treasure that Nangong Wan had given him when they parted, telling him to be careful. Han Li touched the silk, and his face darkened as he thought of Nangong Wan.

After a while, he raised his hand, created a protective barrier around himself, and immediately entered the teleportation array. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and threw in a magic seal, and a light spread out and disappeared.

Thousands of miles away from Heavenly Peak Mountain, a small island rose in the middle of a lake. A white light shone brightly on the island, and Han Li appeared.

The moment he was teleported, he immediately poured spiritual power into the azure shield, blocking it in front of his body. However, contrary to his expectations, no attack came.

“Don’t worry. There’s no need for me to ambush a mere Nascent Soul early-stage cultivator.”

A strange voice was heard not far away. It wasn’t the voice of the Yin Fiend Sect Master.

‘Is it the work of another Demonic cultivator?’

Han Li wondered and looked towards the source of the voice. There, a black-clad youth who looked to be about twenty years old stood with his hands behind his back.

Although he hadn’t seen the Yin Fiend Sect Master’s face, his physique and voice were completely different.

“If you didn’t plan to ambush me, why did you place the Soul Sealing Curse on my partner?”

Han Li examined him, but surprisingly, he couldn’t discern his cultivation, so he narrowed his eyes. As expected, there were strange spiritual energy fluctuations around him, as if some kind of restriction had been set up.

It wasn’t a powerful formation, but since he had been teleported to an unfamiliar place, he had lost his geographical advantage compared to the opponent.

“If I hadn’t done that, would Cultivator Han have come here obediently? Even I can’t fight the entire Falling Cloud Sect there.”

“Are you not the Yin Fiend Sect Master?”

Han Li stared at the opponent and changed the subject.

“Do I look like the Sect Master?”

The black-clad man chuckled.

“You don’t. But I didn’t know that your sect had another expert who could infiltrate the Falling Cloud Sect and get away unscathed.”

“I’d like to explain in detail, but that’s not why we’re here, is it? Show me the Gold Lightning Bamboo magic treasure.”

Han Li closed his mouth at the young man’s words.

“If you’re thinking of stalling for time, give up. That teleportation array was specially made to be used only twice, so it should have already disappeared. No one will be able to help you within half a day. That should be enough time for us to settle our affairs.”

“If you want to know if I have the Gold Lightning Bamboo magic treasure, tell me how to solve the Soul Sealing Curse first.”

Han Li’s eyes flashed coldly at the opponent’s confident attitude.

“The solution is written on this jade slip. So, show me the Gold Lightning Bamboo magic treasure. Unlike my sect’s master, I have no grudge against you, so don’t worry.”

The black-clad youth removed his smile and flipped his palm, taking out a black jade slip.

“I’ll show you. No matter how important the Gold Lightning Bamboo magic treasure is, it’s not comparable to my partner’s life.”

Han Li raised his eyebrows and spoke without hesitation. Then, he clasped his hands in front of his chest and stretched out his hand.

Kuurung!

A thunderous sound rang out, and a golden light flashed as a blue arrow appeared. Han Li held the arrow and met the young man’s eyes with a blank expression.

The young man’s eyes gleamed with a greedy light, and he threw the black jade slip. The jade slip flew very slowly towards Han Li, as if connected by an invisible thread.

Han Li understood his intention. Without a word, he also threw the arrow, and the arrow slowly flew towards the black-clad man.

The two objects intersected, and they each grabbed their respective items to check. However, a wry smile appeared on both of their faces at the same time.

“Is this the Gold Lightning Bamboo magic treasure?”

The black-clad man sneered and clenched his palm, causing a silver-white flame to rise, turning the blue arrow into ashes in an instant.

“I’ve never heard of being able to undo the Soul Sealing Curse with the most basic Five Elements Technique.”

Han Li also expressionlessly emitted azure flames from his palm, freezing the black jade slip solid.

“I’ll ask one last time. Will you hand over the Gold Lightning Bamboo magic treasure? If you hand over the magic treasure, I’ll immediately tell you how to save your partner and let you go. Otherwise, I’ll have to kill you and find it. It’s not a high-grade treasure, but a lifebound magic treasure, so it must be inside your body, right?”

The young man revealed a murderous aura with a vicious face.

“Well, what a coincidence. The cultivator’s thoughts are similar to mine. If you placed the Soul Sealing Curse, you must know how to undo it. If I kill the cultivator and torture his Nascent Soul, I’ll be able to find the solution.”

“Torture my Nascent Soul? You’re the first person in hundreds of years to dare say such a thing in front of me.”

The young man burst into laughter, and then, as if he was angry, he stretched out his hand and sent magic seals flying around him.

Kuururung!

The ground rumbled around them, and seven blinding white pillars of light shot up into the sky. At the same time, the sound of a dragon’s roar was heard, and a flood dragon appeared in each of the silver-white pillars.

“Seven Dragon Pillars! Master, you must escape!”

Before Han Li could even figure out what it was, Eunwol’s panicked voice rang in his ears.

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