Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 681

Chuma Bone Valley was where the ancient demon had appeared, so it was no surprise that some demonic energy remained. After meditating cross-legged on the mountain peak for a full day, he considered where his second Nascent Soul might have gone.

‘The Abyss of Demonic Energy!’

Han Li’s eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp. He immediately soared into the sky as a beam of blue light.

Two days later, Han Li left Chuma Bone Valley, heading towards Seven Spirit Island at an incredible speed.

According to the Profound Yin Scripture [a cultivation manual], the Demonic Energy Infusion technique could be completed at a basic level in about a year. He couldn’t allow his second Nascent Soul to escape before he even reached the Abyss of Demonic Energy.

* * *

At the same time, inside the Abyss of Demonic Energy, the black-robed man knew that Han Li had discovered his trail, but he couldn’t leave. The Demonic Energy Infusion technique was at its most crucial stage, and he couldn’t stop.

Moreover, after leaving Chuma Bone Valley, the second Nascent Soul had used stealth techniques to fly here, so he hadn’t encountered any other cultivators. Therefore, he hadn’t heard the important news that Han Li had already reached the late stage of Nascent Soul cultivation.

He predicted Han Li’s path, considering the speed of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator’s escape. According to his calculations, it would take Han Li at least two months to reach the Abyss of Demonic Energy, even if he flew directly there.

The Demonic Energy Infusion was nearing its end, with only about a month left, so there was nothing to worry about. That was why he remained there, calming his anxious heart.

‘If I miss this opportunity, there will be no way to hide in the Abyss of Demonic Energy while avoiding his eyes.’

The Nascent Soul thought this and focused on absorbing the pure demonic energy. However, Han Li’s speed was more than twice that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and he reached the Boundless Sea in just one month.

In two more days, he would be able to reach Seven Spirit Island. However, Han Li didn’t head straight for the Abyss of Demonic Energy. Instead, he changed direction towards Spirit Turtle Island within Seven Spirit Island.

He remembered Spirit Turtle Island, which Wei Wuya and others had given him as a reward for resealing the demonic energy in the past. Since then, it had been under the jurisdiction of the Fallen Cloud Sect, so there should be Fallen Cloud Sect disciples stationed there.

Landing on a small mountain, he spread his spiritual sense, instantly scanning the island, which spanned hundreds of miles, and located where the cultivators were stationed. Han Li moved his lips, silently muttering, then sat down cross-legged.

Suddenly, Spirit Turtle Island became chaotic.

Soon, two groups of cultivators flew in from different directions, rushing towards the mountain peak where Han Li was sitting. Han Li sat still, watching them with a glint in his eyes. The two groups of cultivators confirmed it was him and descended.

“Greetings, Great Elder!”

“Greetings, Senior Uncle Han!”

Several cultivators bowed respectfully. Only a man in a yellow robe with small eyes and thick eyebrows and a woman in her thirties were Core Formation cultivators; the rest were all Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“You’ve already reached Core Formation.”

Han Li’s gaze settled on the cultivator in the yellow robe, and unexpectedly, a smile appeared on his usually indifferent face.

“This disciple didn’t know of Senior Uncle’s identity before and acted disrespectfully. Please forgive me!”

The man in the yellow robe turned pale when Han Li recognized him at a glance, stammering an apology. The woman beside him was simply bewildered.

She couldn’t understand why her ‘Senior Brother Gui,’ who was known for his eloquence, was suddenly acting like this. Surprisingly, it seemed like he knew the Great Elder.

“It was unintentional, so why would I blame you? At that time, I had my reasons for concealing my cultivation, so there’s no reason to blame you or your fellow disciples. However, it’s surprising that Junior Sister Gui has already reached Core Formation! What happened to the other two?”

The man in the yellow robe was Gui Huan, a Fallen Cloud Sect disciple who had asked him to capture Xue Yunhu. He wasn’t particularly talented, so it was surprising that he had already reached Core Formation from the Qi Refining stage. Han Li couldn’t help but be curious.

“Senior Brother Wang and the others were not so fortunate. They failed to establish their foundations and passed away long ago.”

Gui Huan smiled bitterly as he answered, realizing that Han Li remembered everything from the past.

“Indeed, they weren’t particularly talented, so they might not have reached Foundation Establishment. It seems Junior Sister Gui had some fortuitous encounter?”

“About a hundred years ago, I accidentally consumed a spirit herb, and my cultivation suddenly began to increase rapidly.”

“That’s due to your good fortune. Let’s leave the past behind. I have something to ask you!”

“Please, ask anything!”

The woman answered respectfully, representing the cultivators. Even if Han Li wasn’t the Great Elder of the Fallen Cloud Sect, he was the number one cultivator in Tiannan, so they naturally had to treat him well.

“It’s nothing much, but have there been any unusual occurrences at the seal of the Abyss of Demonic Energy in the past year?”

“The seal is fine. We take turns patrolling the seven islands, and we haven’t heard of any changes. Why do you ask?”

“If you take turns patrolling, you might not know if the cultivators on the other islands have seen anything strange.”

“If they don’t tell us, that’s probably the case.”

Gui Huan exchanged a glance with the woman and answered cautiously. Contrary to expectations, Han Li didn’t show any discomfort. He took out various formation flags and discs from his storage pouch.

“You will lead 36 disciples and immediately fly to the entrance of the Abyss of Demonic Energy! I will go down into the Abyss of Demonic Energy, so you must deploy the Profound Astral Heavenly Fiend Formation [a powerful formation] and stop anything that tries to escape. I don’t mean kill them, just buy me some time.”

The cultivators were surprised by the unexpected order, but they nodded and bowed, agreeing to do so.

“There isn’t much time. I’ll go first, so immediately select your personnel and deploy the restrictions above the seal!”

Han Li threw down the formation tools and immediately rose into the air.

Before Gui Huan and the others could react, a beam of blue light flashed and flew towards the Abyss of Demonic Energy where the seal was located. Gui Huan and the woman hurriedly sent out voice transmission talismans to gather suitable disciples.

Soon, a group of cultivators assembled, and the two of them took the formation tools and flew off the island. They were afraid of delaying Han Li’s work, so they hurried even more.

At that time, Han Li was already above the Abyss of Demonic Energy.

The massive vortex from before was now only about 50 or 60 feet wide, and a dozen large pillars were rising all around it.

The pillars, refined using materials that were neither metal nor wood, were clearly floating on the sea, but strangely, they didn’t move with the currents. The pillars emitted a milky white glow, forming a white barrier that thoroughly blocked the vortex.

“As you can see, Senior Han, the seal is perfectly fine. Could you be mistaken? The cultivators from our seven islands have been guarding this place without fail.”

Seven or eight cultivators stood behind Han Li, and among them, a Core Formation cultivator in a red robe spoke cautiously. The rest of the Foundation Establishment cultivators stood with their hands clasped, holding their breath.

“Do you think there’s only one or two ways to enter this place without breaking the seal? Besides, it would be even easier to avoid your eyes.”

Han Li said coldly without turning his head. The cultivator in the red robe could only give an awkward smile.

“Soon, our Fallen Cloud Sect disciples will deploy a temporary formation to control the entrance. Your Crimson Lotus Sect only needs to cooperate. There won’t be any problems, right?”

“Yes, there won’t be any problems! Senior, are you planning to enter the seal yourself?”

“Why else would I come all this way? Now is the best time to enter, as the power suppressing the demonic energy is at its strongest.”

Han Li looked up at the sky. It was midday, and the blazing sun was at its peak. The cultivator in the red robe followed his gaze and finally understood.

“Then you should go and do your work.”

Han Li didn’t delay any longer. He flicked his sleeve and took out the Three-Flame Fan. The fan shimmered, and three-colored flames erupted. As he flew towards the barrier, the feather fan slashed through the air.

Boom!

A loud explosion erupted, and the Three-Flame Fan cut through the milky white barrier like a sharp blade of fire, creating a gap. The pitch-black demonic energy inside surged, threatening to break free.

The cultivator in the red robe’s expression changed, and Han Li waved his hand as he had prepared. At the same time, a blue aura overwhelmed and suppressed the black demonic energy. In that gap, Han Li disappeared into the Abyss of Demonic Energy.

Immediately, the broken seal returned to its original state, and surprisingly, not a single strand of demonic energy escaped. Only then did the cultivator in the red robe feel relieved.

At that moment, the Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him shouted,

“Senior Brother, look over there!”

The cultivator in the red robe flinched and turned his head. Dozens of lights were flying towards them in the distance.

“It’s the Fallen Cloud Sect cultivators. Did a powerful demon really sneak into this place, just as Senior Han said?”

The cultivator in the red robe muttered, staring into the distance. Deep within the pitch-black demonic energy, Han Li was flashing golden lightning all over his body, using the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning to prevent the demonic energy from invading.

The golden lightning and demonic energy constantly intertwined, scattering amidst the low rumbling of thunder. Han Li ignored the demonic energy and formed hand seals, reciting the secret incantations of the Profound Yin Transformation Technique [a technique to transform demonic energy] again.

1,000 feet, 2,000 feet, 3,000 feet….

As he sensed nothing in his consciousness, his face gradually hardened. When he had descended almost 7,000 or 8,000 feet, his expression subtly changed.

‘Was my guess wrong? If the second Nascent Soul isn’t training here, but somewhere else…’

His heart sank. He changed the shape of his hand seals and began to chant a spell, scanning downwards with his blue-tinged eyes. But suddenly, his expression became strange.

Han Li seemed to have a definite target this time, and he began to fly towards it. After flying another 300 or 400 feet, he heard a roar like a beast’s cry in the distance.

His lips twitched, and he slowed down, his hand gripping the Three-Flame Fan tightly. His eyes, which were becoming more intensely blue, stared at the lower depths of the demonic energy.

He had activated his Spirit Clarity Eyes to their maximum, allowing him to see up to a hundred feet away even within the Abyss of Demonic Energy.

A large black shadow was raising its head a hundred feet away, roaring madly. A moment later, Han Li’s blue eyes met the black shadow’s blood-red eyes!

Han Li felt a chill run down his spine.

The ferocious aura in the blood-red eyes didn’t seem normal; it was like a beast driven mad by bloodlust. It suddenly stopped roaring and blurred into a black shadow, disappearing downwards.

Han Li’s expression changed at the sight. He didn’t rush, but flicked his sleeve and took out a silver shield, deploying a silver barrier. At that moment, the demonic energy behind him writhed, and a pitch-black arm flew out, slamming into the barrier.

Bang!

The demon’s claws pierced half a foot into the barrier. Han Li took two steps back to escape the immense force. At the same time, his hands blurred, and without turning around, he swung his golden sword.

A golden light flashed, slicing off the hairy arm. The black shadow roared and jumped back, but when it regained its footing, it was glaring fiercely at Han Li with its bloodshot eyes.

“So it is you! But it seems the Demonic Energy Infusion failed. To lose your reason in this state.”

Han Li slowly turned around, examining the black shadow, and sighed.

Looking closely from a distance of about a dozen feet, he could still see traces of the Heavenly Fiend Body. However, through the torn black robe, a hairy arm was visible, and black, fist-sized scales had formed all over its body, reflecting a sinister light.

The skull-like head was shrouded in black energy, and the distorted face was extremely hideous. Although its arm had been cut off, no blood flowed from the wound.

The monster muttered strange sounds, seemingly frightened by the golden sword in Han Li’s hand. Its eyes were filled with the desire to tear Han Li apart, but instinctively, it didn’t attack again.

Its storage pouch was full, but it didn’t take anything out, indicating that it had completely lost its reason.

# 683