Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 849

850. Exploration

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Seeing Han Li’s stance, she formed hand seals with both hands, and a red aura burst from her body. Then, red fire orbs floated everywhere, covering half of the light barrier.

The temperature around the sparring arena rose sharply, forcing those with lower cultivation to retreat a dozen steps. Han Li raised an eyebrow but remained still.

Noeran shook her wings and activated a magic seal within her.

Krrrrr!

Thunder rumbled, and the surrounding lightning bolts thickened twofold, resembling a giant silver serpent writhing in the distance.

The thick lightning bolts transformed into countless thin silver threads and shot out, piercing each fire orb as they flashed.

Kwa-kwang! Ku-kwa-kwang!

With endless thunder, hundreds of fire orbs exploded, scattering flames. Han Li was surprised by the divine ability to wield lightning like threads, and the onlookers below became noisy.

Hongsa, on the opposite side, seemed momentarily surprised but quickly shook her sleeves, spreading a red aura. Within the dancing red aura, flames spread like mist and gathered around her.

In an instant, a huge red cloud concealed Hongsa. Flames surged from the cloud’s center, transforming into a giant fire orb about a dozen yards in size.

The fire orb spun and flew towards Noeran with a tremendous roar.

Noeran’s expression changed slightly. She raised one hand, and a silver light exploded, merging countless silver lightning bolts into one on her forearm.

After a moment, a giant lightning bolt shot from her forearm towards the incoming fire orb.

Unexpectedly, the lightning seemed to be absorbed into the fire orb when they collided.

By the time Noeran was surprised, the fire orb was already in front of her. She paused, then retreated, wrapping her body with her wings.

At the same time, lightning flashed, creating the illusion of a silver-white Peng bird [a mythical bird]. Silver lightning covered its body, and it wore a bizarre necklace with a golden gourd attached. She had finally decided to use a transformation technique.

The giant fire orb stopped upon seeing the Peng bird.

Krrung.

With a heavy sound, the fire orb transformed into a bright red firebird. The firebird was several times larger than the Peng bird, but the Peng bird showed no fear, increasing its size to match the firebird and rushing forward, wielding lightning.

In response, the firebird transformed by Hongsa fiercely increased its flames and tore through the air with sharp claws, emitting red streaks of light. As the two giant birds spread their wings, the light barrier filled, and the battle intensified.

Contrary to expectations, Noeran, at the early-stage Spirit General level, held her own in close combat after transforming into a Peng bird. Her claws and the lightning covering her body gradually changed from silver-white to purple, increasing their power.

Han Li observed the Peng bird with his Brightsight Spirit Eyes [a technique to see through illusions], a strange expression on his face. While others were unaware, he could clearly see.

The purple lightning wasn’t emanating from the Peng bird’s body but from the small golden gourd around its neck. These lightning bolts merged with the silver lightning on the Peng bird’s surface.

Hongsa grew increasingly frustrated as she was pushed back. She didn’t know what her opponent was doing but realized they were using a special method.

At that moment, a man’s voice reached her ear. Without hesitation, she spread her wings and unleashed a killing move she had been practicing.

Poo-pook.

A strange feather flew above the firebird’s head and transformed into another firebird. It opened its mouth and spat out fire orbs, joining the battle. The Peng bird, which had been gaining the upper hand, roared in anger at the combined attack.

Flames and lightning clashed fiercely, and each roar within the light barrier distorted the surrounding air. The figures of the silver Peng bird and the two firebirds were not clearly visible.

The spectators expected the silver Peng bird to be in danger and soon fall. At that moment, Han Li, who had been silently watching, suddenly spread his wings and disappeared into a blue-white lightning storm with a thunderous sound.

As he disappeared, a black shadow in the crowd also vanished.

Shortly after, a golden sword about a dozen yards long appeared, rushing towards the entangled flames and lightning. Even before it arrived, it left a white trail, and the onlookers felt a chilling sensation as they heard the air being torn.

The flames and lightning scattered like mud upon contact with the white trail. The silver Peng bird and the firebirds were too fast to block the sharp object striking their heads when the golden light flashed.

The three birds were terrified and immediately withdrew their divine abilities, abandoning the fight. The giant sword cut through both sides, and some of the white trail remained, explosively releasing a large amount of power.

A gale blew, and the heaven and earth spiritual energy gathered into the white trail, like the aftershock of space being cut. The onlookers became noisy, and the girl who had transformed into a Peng bird turned back into a human, looking surprised.

“That woman is no match, so the battle should stop.”

A calm voice echoed from behind. Noeran turned her head and saw a young man in a blue robe standing behind her.

“It seems Senior Brother Han has stepped in!”

She thought a Spirit Lord-level being had intervened because of the golden sword energy. The white trail disappeared, the gathered spiritual energy scattered, and the sparring arena became quiet.

Han Li didn’t answer and stared at the opponent. Noeran flinched and turned her head.

Hongsa also returned to her human form, looking this way with an ambiguous smile. Behind her stood a fierce-looking young man in a red robe, expressionless.

The young man was none other than Chuk-eumja, whom she was most wary of. Noeran’s heart grew cold.

“I heard Senior Brother Han has been cultivating overseas and recently returned to the Heavenly Peng Clan. I’m curious about your divine abilities; may I ask for your guidance?”

Chuk-eumja asked, twitching his lips. He had become heavy-hearted after seeing Han Li’s move.

As expected, the opponent’s divine abilities were formidable. But he had to provoke him to gauge his strength.

Many onlookers recognized him. Everyone was surprised by his challenge but also delighted.

Watching a battle between peers with powerful divine abilities was rare. One was well-known, and the other was a high-level Spirit General, so it was an opportunity to improve their insight.

Noeran, who had frowned at Chuk-eumja’s words, realized what was happening. This incident wasn’t aimed at her but at ‘Senior Brother Han.’ She was just bait.

“I have no intention of sparring with you.”

Han Li replied leisurely with a smile.

“Haha, since we’re within the restriction, it’s not up to you. Take this move!”

The young man raised his hand, a red light flashed, and a bright red giant claw appeared, sparkling like crystal. Before Han Li could answer, the giant claw slashed through the air.

Swoosh!

An explosive sound of air being torn was heard, and five red streaks of light flashed and disappeared. Han Li extended one hand, blocking the air with his fingers. A ripple appeared a dozen yards in front of him, and five streaks of light emerged.

Han Li’s expression changed. The red streaks of light, originally about a foot long, had grown to a yard and were still increasing in size, absorbing the surrounding energy.

Even before they came close, immense pressure was felt. A cultivator with lower cultivation would have been overwhelmed and unable to move before the streaks of light landed.

Han Li emitted spiritual energy from his five black fingers, and a black mountain peak appeared, instantly growing to a dozen yards. The black mountain peak blocked the front, protecting him.

Per-per-pung!

The five red streaks of light collided with the small mountain peak. Extreme heat rose, as if he was being boiled. But the black mountain peak remained still.

“Huh!”

Chuk-eumja was surprised. However, Han Li, who had scanned the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain [a magical artifact] with his consciousness, hardened his expression.

Pat.

His hand flew towards the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain, and the small mountain peak spun around, turning the attacked side towards Han Li.

A one-inch deep cut mark remained on the dark mountain peak’s surface, and it seemed slightly melted. A snort was heard, and his black palm touched the mountain peak like lightning.

A black light flowed on the small mountain’s surface, restoring the clawed part to its original state.

“Since Fellow Daoist Chuk is eager for guidance, I have no choice.”

Han Li disappeared and appeared next to the small mountain peak. The illusion of a blue Peng bird appeared behind him, and with a rumbling roar, a blue wind pillar surged with tremendous force.

The blue Peng bird flapped its wings, looking at Chuk-eumja. The surrounding wind pillars transformed into countless wind blades and shot out. The light barrier filled with the sound of air being torn and blue lights.

Chuk-eumja’s expression hardened as Han Li came out strong. However, he was also well-known among the Saintly Sons of the Bi Ling Clan. He took a deep breath and flapped his wings, increasing their size.

A red light flared, and flames floated around him. As Chuk-eumja formed hand seals and activated a magic seal, countless fire arrows shot out simultaneously.

It was an attack equal to the wind blades. The sky was divided into two sides, one filled with blue blades, the other with red arrows.

Ku-kwa-kwa-kwang!

Where they collided, blue and red lights burst out, and neither side gained the upper hand.

Han Li changed his magic seal, and thunder rumbled from his sleeve as two streaks of golden lightning shot out, transforming into larger golden lightning dragons.

The lightning dragons, following Han Li’s consciousness, trembled and disappeared, appearing in front of Chuk-eumja’s nose, dozens of yards away.

Kkwang!

The dragons’ speed was extremely fast, appearing as if they had teleported. Chuk-eumja was startled and immediately spat out a bright red orb.

Kung!

The orb collided with the lightning dragons, unleashing a tremendous light, and the surrounding spiritual energy surged, creating a pillar of fire that seemed to pierce the sky. The pillar of fire, at least two or three yards in diameter, contained golden threads and spread in all directions.

Chuk-eumja retreated a few steps. He looked at Han Li and flinched, his expression changing drastically.

‘This!’

The air was empty, and Han Li was about to leave the light barrier leisurely, taking Noeran with him. Chuk-eumja was furious and pointed at him.

Pee-yook!

A red thread cut through the air. However, Han Li, who had been watching and preparing, didn’t panic and extended his finger. The red thread’s fire spirit was deflected.

The two red threads collided without an inch of error. The front half of Han Li’s red thread was cut off, and Chuk-eumja’s red thread disappeared.

At that moment, Han Li and Noeran escaped from the light barrier and entered the crowd. The onlookers were surprised and moved aside, staring at them with dumbfounded faces.

“Senior Brother Han, aren’t you afraid of losing your reputation by running away?” Chuk-eumja shouted, enraged at having missed him.

“Fellow Daoist also knows that cultivators cannot determine a winner quickly. I have important duties and cannot spar any longer, so let’s end it here.”

Han Li turned to look at Chuk-eumja and replied nonchalantly. Then, he spread his wings and flew up, followed quietly by Noeran.

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