Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 593

Han Li sensed something amiss and activated his Brightsight Spirit Eyes. He then saw that the Ye family cultivators surrounding them were merely illusions created with spiritual energy.

Startled, he quickly scanned his surroundings. After confirming that the Ye family’s Great Elder wasn’t hiding nearby, he felt a bit relieved.

At that moment, the woman in black blocked the golden saber’s attack and threw a black flag into the air, chanting a strange incantation.

*KWAANG!*

Suddenly, a black gale erupted from the Black Wind Flag. The gale grew larger, turning into a vortex, and above the vortex, dark yellow storm clouds formed, with silver lightning flashing as if a thunderbolt was about to strike.

Beneath the dark yellow storm clouds, the black vortex emitted increasingly ferocious sounds, condensing into blades of wind. The surrounding sand and rocks were sucked up, colliding and swirling with a tremendous roar.

Han Li immediately released the blue energy from his entire body, creating a thick protective barrier to shield himself and Silvermoon. However, within the bizarre vortex, his protective barrier seemed as frail as a sailboat in a storm.

Han Li’s face turned pale.

Under the control of the Primal Fiend Ancestor’s incarnation, the Black Wind Flag finally began to unleash its immense power as a Heaven Piercing Treasure [a powerful magical artifact].

Even though Han Li was outside the direct range of the Black Wind Flag’s power, the tremendous roar made his ears ring, and his vision blurred, making it difficult to see even a step ahead. If not for the protective barrier, he would have been torn to shreds by the vicious winds in an instant.

Fortunately, by using his Brightsight Spirit Eyes and channeling magic power into them, he could vaguely make out about a dozen or so meters.

The fierce vortex made it impossible to know what was happening at the center of the Nine Truths Subduing Demon Formation. He could only guess that a fierce battle was taking place from the faint vibrations and roars.

The situation was the same when he looked up at the sky. The protective barrier, which was infused with several times his usual magic power, vibrated as if it would break at any moment. The power of the Black Wind Flag was growing stronger with each passing moment.

Taking a deep breath, Han Li glanced at his feet. Then, a black pillar of wind shot up from just outside the protective barrier and began to pull the barrier towards it with tremendous force.

Startled, he quickly condensed all the magic power in his body and barely managed to resist being sucked in. At the same time, a dozen or so sword lights shot out from the protective barrier, slashing wildly around them.

The wind pillar, which had not yet fully formed, scattered into small pieces, turning into black energy before gathering again. It seemed like it was about to form another wind pillar.

Han Li’s face darkened, and he called Silvermoon to retreat further back. Judging by how unusual the wind pillars were, it didn’t seem safe to hide underground using earth escape techniques.

After barely avoiding a few wind pillars, he managed to reach the edge of the space.

In front of him was an unidentified gray barrier, but as he had expected, the further he moved away, the weaker the gale became, and the black wind pillars no longer appeared.

Han Li and Silvermoon were relieved for the moment.

Han Li turned towards the palace and flipped his palm, striking the gray barrier with a golden flying sword.

*CHWARYEUK.*

The gray barrier was easily cut by the golden flying sword, but it instantly recovered, which startled Han Li.

After pondering for a moment, Han Li moved one hand and took out the Three Flame Fan from his storage pouch. He carefully injected spiritual power into it, and the fan glowed with three colors.

He lightly fanned the barrier. Then, three-colored flames shot out, silently melting the barrier, creating a large hole about a meter in size.

However, after the light faded and Han Li checked inside, he became even more perplexed.

The flames had disappeared after penetrating about fifteen meters, but the barrier was still not broken. Although he hadn’t used the Three Flame Fan’s full power, he hesitated at the depth of the barrier.

No matter how powerful the Three Flame Fan was, he couldn’t be sure if it could break through the restrictions set by an ancient cultivator. Wasn’t this place meant to seal Long Meng, a Nascent Soul stage demon beast [a demon beast that has reached the Nascent Soul cultivation stage], and the Primal Fiend Ancestor’s incarnation?

Moreover, if he activated the Three Flame Fan to its maximum power, he might attract the Primal Fiend Ancestor’s attention. If that happened, he would be as good as dead before even escaping this place. Furthermore, if he penetrated the barrier further, other hidden restrictions might be activated. It was highly possible that restrictions were set up to activate if the barrier was broken.

Thinking this, Han Li relaxed his hand holding the Three Flame Fan.

“It seems we won’t be able to escape this place so easily. It’s best not to act rashly, Master!”

Silvermoon, who had been spacing out since Long Meng appeared, suddenly spoke. Han Li smiled and was about to reply when his face hardened as he stared into the gale.

“I don’t know who you are, but if you continue to hide like that, don’t blame me for whatever happens when I come out.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Three Flame Fan began to glow with three colors again.

“Fellow cultivator Han, please calm down and let’s talk. We know the power of that fan well enough.”

The cultivators who appeared from within the yellow gale were unexpectedly the young man from the Seo family and Im Eun-byeong. Han Li raised his eyebrows, unable to hide his surprise.

“Oh, it’s the two of you. Were you perhaps planning to take advantage of the chaos to deal with me?”

“There’s no need to be sarcastic. The reason we came to find Fellow Han is to find a way to survive together.”

Im Eun-byeong knew that Han Li would be hostile, so he waved his hand to create a barrier before speaking.

“A way to survive?”

Han Li immediately became interested but didn’t show it outwardly.

“As you know, the power of the Primal Fiend Ancestor’s Black Wind Flag is beyond our ability to handle. We need to escape this place while the demon is fighting the demoness from the Spirit Realm.”

“So you’re saying you’ll give up the Heaven Piercing Treasure and just leave?”

Han Li narrowed his eyes as he looked at them.

“Are you joking? No matter how precious the Heaven Piercing Treasure is, it’s not worth more than our lives. The Primal Fiend Ancestor has been trapped in the True Devil Pagoda for so long that his vitality must be greatly depleted. There’s no better elixir to restore his vitality than our Nascent Souls! Once that guy has some breathing room, none of us will be able to escape this place.”

The young man from the Seo family, who seemed to know something about the Primal Fiend Ancestor, calmly explained.

“Then what do you suggest we do?”

“Of course, we should join forces to kill the demon guarding the teleportation array and find a way out.”

“With just us? Do you know the power of that two-headed demon?”

“Does that mean you think it can’t be done with just our strength?”

Im Eun-byeong scoffed as if he found Han Li’s words absurd.

“That guy broke through the combined attack of three Great Cultivators and a dozen Nascent Soul stage cultivators and escaped. I don’t know if you’re aware of that when you say that.”

Han Li expressionlessly stroked the feather fan in his hand.

“So, the demon that escaped from Cheonnam is that monster?”

“That’s right.”

Only then did the Cheonran Saintess and Im Eun-byeong exchange glances and hesitate.

“Then how about the two of us join you?”

A cold voice suddenly came from above their heads, and Han Li and the others’ expressions changed. Blue and purple lights flashed within the yellow gale, and the Silver Yaksha and the Golden Toad appeared.

The two demons emitted spiritual energy from their entire bodies and were completely unaffected by the vicious gale. It seemed that the Silver Yaksha’s wind manipulation techniques worked even here.

“So it was you two. Are you planning to join us as well?”

Han Li carefully asked after confirming the demons’ identities.

“Of course! We may not be the same as you human cultivators, but from the Primal Fiend Ancestor’s perspective, there’s no difference. If we stay here, we’ll all be finished.”

The Silver Yaksha spoke without hesitation.

“It’s great that the two of you are willing to help! If we have Fellow Gyu here as well, there shouldn’t be any problems. Let’s move before it’s too late! Who knows how much longer the formation and the Eight Spirit Ruler can hold out?”

The young man from the Seo family agreed without hesitation and looked at Han Li.

Now, their temporary alliance would be decided if Han Li agreed. Han Li pursed his lips and remained silent before finally nodding.

“Since we don’t have to kill the demon, just temporarily incapacitate it and escape, this should be enough. Alright! I’ll call Fellow Gyu right away.”

Since he had already made a decision, there was no reason to delay. He immediately formed a hand seal, and the natal talisman [a personal magical charm] within his body vibrated, emitting a light of spiritual energy.

The Silver Yaksha and the Golden Toad also descended from the sky and stood alongside the human cultivators. A moment later, a yellow light flashed behind Han Li, and an ugly woman appeared.

Gyu-ryeong wasn’t surprised to see the young man from the Seo family and the Silver Yaksha gathered around her. She simply looked at Han Li and moved her lips.

An expression of surprise quickly flashed across Han Li’s usually expressionless face.

“What is it? Did Fellow Gyu find something underground?”

Im Eun-byeong, who was watching him closely, noticed his expression and his eyes lit up.

“No, it’s just that two cultivators from the Hwaseon Sect are also looking for an exit underground.”

“Ah, I see.”

The woman nodded as if she was smiling at Han Li’s natural response. However, she didn’t believe his words at all. The others were also suspicious, but they didn’t want to create trouble by questioning him.

Now, they began to discuss how they would move.

They were experienced in battle, so they quickly came up with a detailed plan, and each of them flashed with spiritual energy before disappearing into the gale.

Han Li nodded towards Gyu-ryeong, and she disappeared back into the ground. Silvermoon transformed back into a small fox demon and entered his sleeve.

Han Li looked towards the black teleportation array and took out a silver-clad humanoid puppet. He waved his hand, and the puppet turned into an inconspicuous yellow light, its purple eyes flashing before disappearing again.

He was preparing for the worst since he didn’t know how the situation would unfold. If the puppet was by his side, he would be able to fight more comfortably.

Han Li formed a hand seal and summoned the Wind Lightning Wings. A silver light flashed, and he disappeared from his spot.

The two-headed demon was standing in the air with his arms crossed, guarding the black teleportation array. He was looking towards the palace with a cautious expression, not even blinking.

In each of his four hands, he held a pair of purple rings, a blue spear, and a bright red brick-shaped treasure. The powerful gale blowing from the Black Wind Flag didn’t seem to have any effect on the demon.

Suddenly, the demon’s eyes flashed.

A roar erupted from afar, and the saber energy emitted from the golden saber soared up, cutting through the layers of dark yellow storm clouds. The tremendous force momentarily silenced the gale.

The demon frowned and hesitated. He was unsure whether to go provide support or continue guarding the teleportation array.

However, his hesitation quickly disappeared. A tremendous golden light erupted, creating a thick pillar of wind. The wind pillar, which was about fifteen meters in diameter, looked like a black dragon, sucking in the surrounding air and threatening to tear everything apart.

After confirming that, the demon was relieved, but one of his heads noticed something and widened its eyes.

“Hmph!”

The demon swung his massive arm forward, and a streak of red light cut through the air, turning into countless bricks, attempting to crush something.

Before the bricks fell to the ground, they turned into a swarm of bright red flames, and their numbers were immense.

“You have excellent vigilance!”

Two cultivators appeared from within the gale and spoke coldly. A streak of navy blue light shot out from one of their hands, turning into a jade umbrella, blocking the swarm of flames.

*KUWAKWAKWAKWANG!*

Explosions occurred in succession, but the jade umbrella, a treasure with freezing properties, withstood the flames. The flames fiercely attacked, but they struggled against the treasure with opposing attributes.

# 595