The flying swords were knocked over forty meters away by the remaining light orbs. The swords’ azure light dimmed as if their spirituality had suffered damage.
When Han Li saw this, he felt slight regret and hastily pointed at them, causing them to streak back into his body for recuperation. Then with a wave of his other hand, he sent out another four azure flying swords, stabbing towards the huge tiger in a blur.
The black ghost shadow grew impatient upon seeing this. After taking a deep breath, it released a long, deafening shriek.
When the demon tiger heard this, it immediately lowered its head. Its neck became twisted and its two front claws dug into the ground. An astonishing scene followed!
A huge protrusion began to swell from the side of the tiger’s head. With a flash of black light, It grew to become a smaller tiger head. With the appearance of its second head, the demonic Qi surrounding its body soared. The transformation of this two headed tiger caused Han Li to tightly crease his brow.
At that moment, the two heads of the demon tiger artifact spirit widely opened their mouths and shot out a dense, overbearing barrage of black light balls towards Han Li.
Han Li didn’t dare to be careless. He formed an incantation gesture and caused his four flying swords to violently sway in mid-flight, making them appear as eight blades. With a burst of radiance, the eight flying swords then combined together to form a ten-meter-long azure sword.
When Han Li looked at the sword, his eyes flickered with a strange expression. He opened his mouth without hesitation and spat out a cloud of glowing azure light towards the huge sword.
The cloud of pure true essence caused the huge sword to radiate brilliance and release a long, clear ring, before transforming into an azure blur. As it fiercely chopped towards the black light orbs, it faintly released the sounds of thunder.
Black and azure radiance scattered upon collision, followed by a series of explosions. This display released an astonishing pressure.
The huge azure sword chopped through the light orbs with unstoppable momentum in a display of divine might. However, the black light orbs were endless. For every destroyed light orb, it seemed as if the two tiger heads would just release another wild torrent
This scene caused Han Li’s expression to sink. This was unexpected.
As he considered using other magic techniques to strike the enemy or send out more flying swords, a series of slight fluctuations occurred about thirty meters behind him, where the elusive gray ghost shadow had appeared.
Apart from its blood red eyes, its body contained no other detectable auras. It seemed Han Li hadn’t detected any abnormalities from behind him..
The grey shadow glanced at the flying beetles surrounding Han Li. After its gaze flickered around, it silently pounced towards Han Li’s back as a thin streak of grey light, wanting to shatter Han Li’s gold core.
It didn’t care about the beetles in the slightest as it was most adept in stealth techniques. At that moment, his body had already become formless, with nothing to fear from the beetles. Under these circumstances, it was confident its claws would end Han Li before he could even react.
The ghost shadow’s cultivation art was extremely strange. It shot towards Han Li as a grey blur at amazing speed without producing the slightest sound.
As the grey blur quickly approached Han Li’s back, the gold-silver beetles began to hum and swarm towards it.
The grey shadow was startled. Before it could react, the swarm of gold-silver beetles had blocked his path forward and were swarming towards him. In an instant, the grey blur became covered in the swarm of gold-silver beetles, creating a silhouette of twinkling gold and silver glints.
With furious alarm, the grey shadow trembled several times in an attempt to throw off the beetles. This proved completely ineffective, and soon his body began to feel an intense, strange sensation.
After a moment of daze, it turned its head downward, resulting in a gaze of terror from its blood-red eyes.
The beetles that it had disregarded were now eating away at its incorporeal ghost body. Although their bites took much effort, they were truly eating away at his formless ghost body a mouthful at a time.
The grey shadow became panicked and started to undergo continuous transformations. In one moment, it had turned into a pitch-black fog; in another, it turned into a scaled phantom. But regardless of the transformation, the cloud of beetles firmly stuck onto his body, and he was incapable of breaking away from them.
In a short moment, his body was being devoured by at least several thousand exotic insects.
At that moment, Han Li finally turned his head to coldly glance at the grey shadow.
Without wasting the breath to say any nonsense, he released two more spirit beast pouches into the sky, summoning two additional swarms of droning, gold-silver insects into the air. The two huge swarms joined the existing swarm in devouring the grey shadow.
The grey ghost shadow eventually released a deafening, fearful scream towards the black ghost shadow for aid.
When the black shadow heard this, it revealed a trace of apprehension.
It glanced at the huge azure sword that was deadlocked with the huge tiger artifact spirit and appeared hesitant. But soon it narrowed its green glowing eyes before transforming into a ghost cloud and merging with the body of the demon tiger. The black tiger immediately released a pained, violent roar. Its body then stood erect and underwent a transformation, shrinking its forelegs and thickening its hind legs.
One of the faces of the tiger heads became indistinct for a moment before turning into a shaggy man’s face that was covered by dense black Qi. As for the other tiger head, its eyes became even more brutal.
“Spirit Possession Technique!” Han Li felt his breath go cold as he involuntarily whispered the name of this magic technique.
This technique was similar to the “Greater Possession Technique” that allowed one to enter a living body, but it had an entirely different use.
Not only did the “Greater Possession Technique” not increase one’s strength, it only allowed one to make use of the original body’s strength. It was only a convenient magic technique to control a body from a long distance away. There also weren’t many consequences from using it.
As for the Spirit Possession Technique, it couldn’t be used on other cultivators. It could only be used on demon beasts that didn’t hold much intelligence.
After possession, not only would the cultivation of the caster and the target’s cultivation fuse, but their lives would be fused after a single use. If either party were to perish, it would bring the other party down with them. But what was most inconceivable was after fully making use of the Spirit Possession Technique, an entirely new individual will be created with a consciousness that possessed the memories and experiences of both parties, but neither of their wills.
Although the duration of the spirit possession was short initially, the more frequent the technique was used, the longer it would last. Eventually, the consciousness of the newly created individual would become dominant, and the technique would become incapable of reversing.
Ironically, the lifespan of this half human, half demon monster was pathetically short despite its great cultivation. Its astonishing power came at the cost of consuming an astonishing portion of its own life essence. It wouldn’t last long before it eventually expired.
Additionally, rumor had it that cultivators that used the Spirit Possession Technique would have their souls forever wandering the abyss, incapable of reentering the cycle of reincarnation. This topic had caused many cultivators to pale while chatting about it.
But fortunately, very few cultivators knew about the Spirit Possession Technique, and even fewer actually practiced it. After all, it could end with oneself turning into a half human, half demon abomination.
The appearance of the ghost shadow and demon tiger’s fusion was exactly as was rumored of the Spirit Possession Technique. However, this secret technique shoul
d only be capable of being used by cultivators. He hadn’t heard that demon ghosts were capable of using it. But what was most astonishing was that he had done it with his own artifact spirit.
Doubt was unconsciously written all over Han Li’s gloomy face while vigilance surged in his heart.
Chapter 443: Ghost King (5)
Despite being startled by the strange transformation, Han Li took a quick glance behind him and sneered at what he saw.
A majority of the grey ghost shadow had already been devoured, and the last third of its ruined body was on the verge of being consumed. Han Li reckoned that even if it were to now escape, its origin Qi would be immensely damaged, rendering it incapable of further attacking.
The Gold Devouring Beetles truly deserved their high ranking among exotic insects. Regardless of whether they were devouring spiritual Qi or Yin ghosts, they were immensely vicious. But, they were slightly slower when they were devouring the latter.
As Han Li thought this, the man-faced tiger abomination was at a loss for a short moment before revealing pleasant surprise at being awakened. It looked at Han Li, the ghost shadow being devoured behind him, and then looked at his own body.
It started laughing with an extremely hoarse voice and a freakish smile. The laughter gradually grew louder and continued as if there were no end. The nearby ghost mist eventually started to roil from the laugh’s vibrations.
Han Li didn’t seem to mind this and only focused his cold eyes on the tiger abomination’s movements. But after a short moment, Han Li’s face grew pale, and his expression became grave.
The tiger abomination’s weird laughter not only grew increasingly louder, but it also became more resounding and filled with Qi. Even after using the Great Development Technique to guard his mind, Han Li began to feel dizzy as if countless claps of thunder roared past his ears.
‘Not good!’ As Han Li was carefully observing the abomination, he seemed to have recalled something and his expression greatly changed.
Han Li hastily turned his head to find an alarming scene. The grey ghost shadow had unexpectedly disappeared without a trace, and his thousands of Gold Devouring Beetles were powerlessly lying on the ground, occasionally flapping their wings. They no longer had the vigor to continue devouring ghosts.
In his annoyance, Han Li hastily took out several spirit beast pouches and quickly stored the incapacitated Gold Devouring Beetles into them. While still enduring the deafening laughter, he turned his head to look at the others’ fight.
He was initially astonished by what he saw, but soon grew relieved.
Fairy Violet Spirit and that black-robed man were in a fierce battle against the phantoms. Although the black-robed man’s cultivation was far superior to the ghosts, he didn’t have an overwhelming advantage due to the nature of his techniques and his greatly weakened magic treasure.
As for Fairy Violet Spirit, she had concealed herself away in a glow of radiance by using a stone tablet and was only attempting to defend herself.
Han Li was slightly baffled when the two were unaffected by the strange laughter. But after some consideration, Han Li realized why.
It seemed that the power of the two-headed abomination’s strange laughter was limited to a small area. As a result, it was able to exert such an astonishing amount of power that his incredibly durable Gold Devouring Beetles were incapacitated, causing them to fall off the grey ghost shadow.
Although these exotic insects had yet to reached their full potential, the might of the strange light could clearly be seen.
Were it not for the soul concentrating effect of the Great Development Technique, Han Li feared he would’ve also become incapacitated by the strange laughter, only able to await his inevitable death.
The more he thought of it, the more he became aghast. Han Li had already determined that despite not being at the Nascent Soul stage, it was definitely no weaker than a late Core Formation cultivator. Han Li suspected that this being was a so-called ghost king.
At that moment, the abomination seemed to notice that the strange laughter had no effect on Han Li, who was still steadily standing. It eventually stopped and eerily stared at Han Li with its two heads.
Han Li felt uneasy upon looking at it, but he narrowed his eyes and boldly met its gaze.
At that moment, the badly damaged grey shadow appeared behind the abomination and shot straight towards the two headed abomination without any signs of stopping.
Han Li was at a loss from the sight, and his gaze continuously shifted.
‘The ghost shadow has already transformed. Why wasn’t it hiding from a distance? Why did it come back?’
While Han Li was bewildered, he saw something he was incapable of imagining. The eyes of the abomination strangely glinted and it grabbed ahold of the grey ghost shadow. The black tiger head then widely opened its mouth and quickly swallowed down the grey shadow.
Han Li watched with complete astonishment. But what occurred next immediately dispelled Han Li’s doubts.
As the abomination roared to the sky, another protrusion appeared at its neck. It emerged to reveal a tiger head with a grey human face. The face of the third tiger head resembled that of an average woman.
After a moment of shock, Han Li quickly restored his calm expression.
After the grey tiger head appeared, it narrowed its eyes, and its face became deathly pale as if it were heavily injured. But not long after, it opened its blood-red eyes and stared at Han Li with an expression of deep resentment. When Han Li saw this, his heart trembled, and he felt goosebumps arise all over his body.
At this moment, the head with the man’s face at the center let out a fierce hiss. Afterwards, the abomination started to fearlessly approach Han Li with large strides.
A black light flashed from its body with every step, causing its body to swell. After about a dozen steps, the abomination was as tall as a three story building. The sight caused Han Li to blanch.
Without taking the time to think, Han Li waved his arms, summoning over a hundred huge ape puppets around him. The puppets simultaneously opened their mouths and flooded the sky with beams of various colored light.
Han Li then pointed at the huge azure sword, having it join the assault as a long blur of frightening speed and astonishing pressure.
When the three headed abomination saw this, the middle head revealed a trace of astonishment, but it soon sneered.
The left and right head widely opened their mouths. While the pure tiger head began spouting out orbs of black light, the grey woman’s head filled the entire area with wisps of grey ghost flames.
The combined attack of the flame wisps and light orbs managed to forcibly block the many light beams. Although a few of the beams managed to pierce through, the few staggered light beams were completely ineffective.
Han Li unconsciously frowned. With a cold glint in his eyes, he suddenly cast a sword incantation seal. Shining with even brighter radiance, the azure streak traveled with increased speed.
Under the cover of the huge ape puppet’s attacks, the huge sword instantly pierced through the flame wisps and light orbs with unchallenged momentum. It flew around the waist of the beast and attempted to slash through it with a flash of brilliance.
But what Han Li saw next left him at a loss for words.
The three heads of the abomination simultaneously released a bizarre roar and swiped its two claws at a speed Han Li couldn’t perceive, resulting in the huge sword being trapped in its grasp.
The two hairy tiger claws seemed unaffected by the sharpness of the swordlight. Although the sword continuously swayed in its grasp, it was unable to break free. Han Li wasn’t sure what to do.
Although the Bamboo Cloudsword wasn’t refined for long and didn’t contain much power, it was inconceivable for it to be caught with mere claws. Could it be that their claws had been refined into a magic treasure?
Han Li’s thoughts went off on a tangent.
When the abomination had restrained Han Li
’s flying swords, the three heads revealed a malicious expression. The middle head smiled sinisterly before opening its mouth and releasing a dense, black Yin Qi towards the struggling flying sword, gradually whittling away the intensity of its light.
Han Li’s heart dropped upon seeing this.
The abomination’s methods were ruthless, and its cultivation was immense. If he allowed this drag on, it wouldn’t end well. He had to take a risk and end this as soon as possible!
With that thought in mind, Han Li couldn’t help but turn his head towards the other group. The black-robed man and Fairy Violet Spirit were completely focused on fighting the demon beasts and had no time to look in Han Li’s direction.
With that, a strange expression flickered through Han Li’s eyes, and he slowly turned his head back.
The abomination’s left and right heads were still busy dealing with the intense barrage of his huge ape puppets, and the middle head was fully focused on spouting out black Qi to corrupt his Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords.
‘You’re courting death!’ Han Li’s heart soared with killing intent. Without any further hesitation, he formed an odd sword incantation gesture and fiercely pointed at his flying sword.
Chapter 444: Black Robes
Han Li pointed at the huge sword struggling within the abomination’s grasp. It suddenly grew still and started to sparkle with green light.
When the middle-head that was spouting out black Qi saw this, it was stunned. Before it could even react, the flat of huge sword released several tens of arcs of faint gold lightning.
The arcs of lightning were incredibly fast. In an instant, the lightning traveled up from its furry claws onto its huge body, creating a net of golden light around the abomination’s body.
The abomination’s three heads simultaneously expressed shock. But before it could even move, Han Li uttered the word, “Suffer.” The net of lightning covering it immediately ruptured.
A scorching, blinding white light thoroughly submerged the abomination, leaving it incapable of being seen.
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248 Page 241