With an equivalently unsightly expression, Tian Wuzi recalled the huge tortoise and followed Wan Tianming. As for the old farmer, despite his cold gaze, he followed after them with a far calmer expression.
Just as the Righteous and Devil Dao brushed past each other, they glanced at each other with extreme vigilance.
Despite being extremely domineering, Man Huzi fortunately didn’t provoke them. He merely sneered at Wan Tianming and the others as they disappeared from the light barrier.
Qing Yi looked behind them and said, “I’ll have my Azure Thorn Bird hide at the entrance. If the Righteous Dao fellows come back, we will know.”
Zenith Yin shifted his gaze and sinisterly smiled, “Then I will also dispatch two Heavenwide Corpses to lie in ambush at the entrance. If they attempt to mount a sneak attack, they will be deterred.”
After Qing Yi heard this, his gaze grew blank, and he soon became silent. A moment later, his sleeve trembled and a fist-sized streak of light shot towards the sky.
As for Zenith Yin, he tossed something on the floor. Two puffs of black smoke spread out along with a fishy scent where two tall demon corpses emerged.
“Go!” Zenith Yin solemnly pointed towards the entrance. In an instant, the demon corpses blurred and disappeared from sight.
The scene caused Han Li’s heart to tremble as he recalled the demon corpse’s strange appearance when it had first appeared before him. He couldn’t help but feel fearful towards the demon corpses.
Afterwards, Han Li’s attention shifted towards the Gold Threaded Silkworms that were lying down the altar. He couldn’t help but curiously walk over to them. But after taking only a few steps, he stopped. Someone had already quickly arrived in front of them. Han Li was astonished to discover this person to be the Bone Sage!
Man Huzi walked over and asked, “What’s this about? The Gold Threaded Silkworm could be considered a rare exotic insect. From their previous golden light, their abilities should be quite formidable. It is quite strange of Wan Tianming to abandon them without care!”
After examining the Gold Threaded Silkworm for a moment, the Bone Sage calmly answered, “They had consumed the Sky Blue Flower to forcefully raise their capabilities so that they might have a better chance at acquiring the Heavenvoid Cauldron. But after consuming it, the Gold Threaded Silkworm could be considered to be completely crippled.”
“I had originally thought the Gold Threaded Silkworms couldn’t acquire the Heavenvoid Cauldron! But to use the Sky Blue flower, hehe! He ended up losing everything from trying to gain an advantage.” Man Huzi couldn’t help but laugh in response to the Bone Sage’s words.
Zenith Yin walked over with his hands behind his back. “Sky Blue Flower? I didn’t think that Wan Tianming could actually find it. I had thought of using such a method before, but I was unable to find the flower after so many years of searching. For Brother Man’s Junior to know of such a flower, he must be a renowned character! Perhaps I’ve heard this Junior’s name before?” After he changed the subject, he stared at the Bone Sage’s face.
The Bone Sage softly spoke with a smile, “My name is not renowned. I am merely someone who spent too much time reading books. Senior Wu jests.”
“Is that so?” Zenith Yin said with an indifferent expression. It was unknown whether his suspicions had been exhausted or if he was fearful of repercussion from Man Huzi, but Zenith Yin gave up his questioning and turned towards the large hole and peered within. The blue light from the hole reflected off his face, making for a weird sight.
Han Li indifferently watched from the side, but in his mind, he felt slight admiration at the Bone Sage’s patience. Old Devil Bone Sage’s temperament must be quite fearsome indeed for him to so calmly address his enemy as ‘Senior’.
Nevertheless, there was no one here that was fooled, except for perhaps Wu Chou. Each of them were sly foxes that had lived for over several hundred years. They were devious to an extreme.
Just as Han Li gloomily thought this, he heard Qing Yi say, “Since these Gold Threaded Silkworms are useless, let’s exterminate them and remove their irksome presence from our eyes. Qing Yi then flipped his wrinkled palm and a ball of blinding azure light appeared in his hands.
After Han Li’s gaze swept past the three huge silkworms, his heart stirred. He spoke to the old man, “Wait! This Junior is interested in these Gold Threaded Silkworms. Please give them to him!”
The old man’s face revealed both surprise and doubt. Han Li then smiled and cupped his hands, saying, “This one has always been interested in exotic insects. Since they’re still alive, this one wishes to research them for some time. This one hopes Senior will allow this.”
Having heard Han Li, Qing Yi didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he examined Han Li with a pensive expression. Han Li felt his heart on edge. He didn’t know what intentions Qing Yi held.
Qing Yi shook his head and spoke lamentably, “Sigh! This old man was also rogue cultivator. I naturally know that Core Formation rogue cultivators aren’t comparable to their peers from great sects. How they are truly pressed for resources. Fine, since Young Friend Han wants this rubbish, take it!” It was clear that he had misunderstood.
Han Li inwardly rolled his eyes, but he took advantage of the situation and wore an embarrassed expression as he repeatedly expressed his thanks. Afterwards, he reached for an empty spirit beast pouch and stored the three Gold Threaded Silkworms within it.
It appeared as though that at the same time Wan Tianming had discarded them, he had also erased his marks of ownership from them. As such, they entered Han Li’s pouch without a trace of resistance.
After staring into the hole for a moment more with fervent eyes, Zenith Yin shouted at Han Li without turning his head, “Han Li, stop wasting your time on these useless matters. Quickly take out your Bloodjade Spiders. I want to see what grade the spirit beasts are. When the time comes, I will provide some assistance with my flame python. We must succeed in one attempt!”
Han Li inwardly frowned and walked forward.
Layman Qing Yi and Man Huzi happened to glance at Han Li after hearing Zenith Yin.
“Be at ease, so long as you acquire the Heavenvoid Cauldron, your master won’t treat you unfairly.” Zenith Yin turned around and spoke to Han Li with a kindly face, fearing that Han Li wouldn’t attempt his best.
But when Han Li heard those words, he felt a fierce chill run down his spine.
Chapter 480: Seizing the Treasure
No trace of Han Li’s feelings were betrayed on his face. Instead, he approached the hole and took a deep glance. Han Li was astonished by the sight.
The hole wasn’t as amazingly deep as he had imagined. It only dropped to about a hundred meters. With his abilities as a Core Formation cultivator, he could clearly see a flourishing ball of blinding blue flame. A black object could faintly be seen through the flickers of the blue flame. It seemed that this was the famous Heavenvoid Cauldron.
But when he leaned over the hole, he felt a bone-piercing cold spread throughout him. Even the White Rhino Emblem was unable to block most of the cold. He feared if he looked any longer, he would freeze over.
The brilliant blue flame at the bottom of the hole was actually releasing such a fantastical cold!
But after glancing at the blue flames for only a few moments more, his head started to spin. Aghast, he quickly turned his gaze away and collected himself.
As Zenith Yin stood by Han Li’s side, he stared at the hole and slowly said, “How was it? That was the Celestial Ice Flame, a flame that roars with a cold beyond freezing. Let alone Core Formation cultivators, even us Nascent Soul cultivators don’t dare to touch it. Even the slightest burn by the fire would cause a Nascent Soul cultivator to easily perish by refinement. It is said that this flame isn’t something that came from this world, and it is unknown how the ancient cultivators found such a thing.”
‘Even Nascent Soul cultivators would be refined?’ Han Li’s breath grew cold when he heard this.
But soon after, his expression returned to normal.
If it weren’t for this flame, then the Heavenvoid Cauldron would’ve been seized long ago!
“Although the Celestial Ice Flame is extremely deadly to us cultivators, there are a few things that are resistant to it. For example, the gold thread from the Gold Threaded Silkworm, and the spider thread of the Bloodjade Spider along with unusual exceptions such as my two fire pythons.
“It’s about time for you to take out your Bloodjade Spider. Let us take a look at it.” Zenith Yin gave an order with an assertive tone.
With Man Huzi and Qing Yi staring at Han Li from behind Zenith Yin, Han Li didn’t delay any further. He clasped his hand on a spirit beast pouch on his waist, causing a streak of white light to fly out and circle around him before landing in front of him.
The light disappeared to reveal the Bloodjade Spider. When it saw so many strangers in front of it, it bared its fangs, and its eyes were brimming with hostility.
Man Huzi and the others didn’t mind this in the slightest. They merely glanced at the spirit beast as if they were looking at treasure.
Just as Man Huzi glanced at Bloodjade Spider, his expression wavered and he said in a tone of amazement, “Tch tch! The Bloodjade Spider is quite large. It seemed to be a peak grade four demon beast on the verge of breaking through to grade five. It has a good chance of seizing the treasure!”
Zenith Yin also stared at the Bloodjade Spider with excitement and said, “Hehe! My junior disciple’s Bloodjade Spider is inferior in strength to some other antiquity variants. But it is an optimal choice for the purpose of seizing the Heavenvoid Cauldron.”
As acquiring the treasure was no longer a hopeless dream, Qing Yi appeared delighted. He said, “It is as Brother Wu says! This spider’s grade is far higher than the grade two Gold Threaded Silkworms. Even with just one spider, the odds of success are far greater than theirs.”
Seeing that there were no problems with the Heavenvoid Cauldron, Zenith Yin gave out his orders, “Let us start now! Any delay could bring unexpected events! Han Li have your spider spit out a net around the Heavenvoid Cauldron and have it pull it up. At the same time, I will have my two fire pythons assist your Bloodjade Spider.”
“Yes!” Although he felt unwilling, Han Li could only agree.
Zenith Yin coldly glanced at Wu Chou and the Bone Sage and ordered, “You two, go down below the altar. As the Heavenvoid Cauldron grows closer to the surface, the Celestial Ice Fire will as well. You will be unable to withstand it given your cultivation. As for Junior Disciple Han Li, I will have to trouble Brother Qing to protect him.” He then turned to Qing Yi and smiled.
The old man agreed with a chuckle, “Well said. In order to to acquire the Heavenvoid Cauldron’s Heavenmend Pill, I cannot allow Young Friend Han to fall to any surprises.”
Wu Chou and the Bone Sage obediently descended from the altar and took several steps back.
Han Li inwardly sighed after seeing the covetous gazes of the three old devils and issued the command to his Bloodjade Spider. It immediately shot out a web of thread into the hole.
Having arrived this far, Han Li could only take it a step at a time. He hoped that when he acquired the treasure, Zenith Yin would find it too embarrassing to immediately cut ties with Han Li, giving him a moment of respite. This would hopefully allow enough time for the Bone Sage to deal with Zenith Yin and give Han Li an opportunity to the turn his situation around. As for the Heavenvoid Cauldron, he didn’t particularly care whether or not he could take it out.
This was because he knew his situation wouldn’t change regardless of success or failure in acquiring the treasure.
As Han Li was inwardly planning out his countermeasures, Zenith Yin arrived at the opposite side of the hole from Han Li. He took out a pitch-black spirit beast pouch from his robes and turned the pouch upside down. With a flash of red light, two fifteen-meter-long, fire-red pythons appeared on the ground.
These two fantastical pythons had bright red scales the size of fingernails. Their heads were both imprinted with a wondrous design consisting of talisman characters. Their eyes were sparkling with red light as if they contained blazing flames.
After Zenith Yin’s fire pythons unfolded themselves from their spiral resting position, he immediately flicked his sleeves at them, shooting two black medicinal pills at them. The two pythons swiftly caught them in their mouths and swallowed them.
“Go.” Zenith Yin pointed towards the hole.
The two fire pythons slowly slivered towards the hole in a lazy manner.
When Zenith Yin saw this, he solemnly clutched his hands into an eccentric incantation gesture and mumbled a series of cryptic incantations, resulting in an astonishing scene. The fire python’s bright red scales were stained black during the incantation, and they enthusiastically began to follow Zenith Yin’s orders.
Peng! Peng! The two fire python’s tails fiercely stabbed into the ground nearby the hole, cutting about a meter deep. They then dropped their upper halves into the hole and began to stretch out as if they were boneless. Their tails held firm onto the ground. It seemed as if they had turned into two black-red ropes.
During Han Li’s amazement, the ropes twisted for a moment. Zenith Yin appeared delighted by this and clutched his hands. He quickly shouted towards Han Li, “It’s ready! They are biting on the Heavenvoid Cauldron. Quickly, have your spider draw it up. Although the fire pythons have consumed my medicine pills, they cannot withstand the Glacial Ice flames for long. We must succeed in one go!” A trace of malevolence was betrayed on Zenith Yin’s face when he said this. Han Li inwardly snorted at the sight.
Han Li begrudgingly scorned in his mind, ‘It seems quite possible I will lose my life if the treasure is successfully seized. Now I am even more willing to allow this to fail.’
But still, he forced himself to have the Bloodjade Spider start pulling up the cauldron. This was because Man Huzi and Qing Yi were eyeing his every move like tigers watching their prey. Were he to purposefully hold back, he wouldn’t be able escape discovery from these two old cunning foxes.
Under Han Li’s begrudging command, the white translucent thread immediate became taut. The bloodjade spider began to slowly move back. At that same moment, the black-red ropes began to twist and pull back.
With a series of dull rumblings, the platform started to sway. Blue light wildly dazzled from the hole, blinding Han Li. He was forced to turn his gaze away. As for the Bloodjade Spider, it ignored it and continued to pull with all its strength.
Upon seeing this, Qing Yi nervously muttered to himself, “Good, the Heavenvoid Cauldron is already swaying.”
It was clear that the Heavenvoid Cauldron was extremely heavy. Even with the Bloodjade Spider and two fire pythons exerting their full strength, they were only able to cause the Heavenvoid Cauldron to repeatedly sway . It seemed it wasn’t about to be lifted anytime soon.
Zenith Yin didn’t reveal the slightest impatience. Instead, he muttered to himself for a moment and puffed out two wisps of black smoke that entered the bodies of the fire pythons. He then turned to Man Huzi and quickly said, “Brother Man, I must trouble you to use the Berserking Technique on the Bloodjade Spider. My junior disciple lacks the magic power to fully use this technique.”
“Leave it to me.” Man Huzi replied without surprise. It seemed he had already anticipated this. He stared at the Bloodjade Spider and muttered quickly. He then opened his mouth, faintly revealing the red light within it.
Chapter 481: Return
“Pah!” Man Huzi loudly shouted, spitting out a beam of blood-red light towards the Bloodjade Spider. With a puff, the beam of light burst on contact, enveloping the spider in a large blood-red mist in an instant. The Bloodjade Spider hissed and became frantic as if it had been provoked.
When Han Li saw this, his heart flared with anger.
Upon hearing its name, Han Li was certain that the “Berserking Technique” was a secret Devil Dao cultivator techniq
ue that carried repercussions. These old devils had used the technique without even telling him or showing any consideration towards the aftereffects the Bloodjade Spider would suffer. It seemed they simply didn’t view a Core Formation cultivator to be worth considering! Although Han Li had already anticipated this, he couldn’t help but grimace when he was actually treated this way.
At the moment, the Bloodjade Spider had nearly absorbed the entirety of the blood-red mist. The spider’s original sparkling, translucent body had turned completely blood-red as if it were cut from a single piece of scarlet gemstone.
“This is...” Upon seeing this transformation, he immediately recalled the violet appearance of the Bloodjade Spider in the underground cave in the Heavenly South Region. It had the same color and intensity as the furious Bloodjade Spider he had seen back then.
When he worriedly scanned its mind, he sensed a crazed violence from it as if it had lost its intelligence.
Just as Han Li attempted to forcefully placate it in his fright, Man Huzi suddenly roared from his side, “What are you spacing out for? Quickly have your Bloodjade Spider start pulling. The duration of the Berserking Technique is limited.” He was fiercely glaring at Han Li.
Stifling his anger, Han Li had no choice but to command the Bloodjade Spider to resume pulling.
Fortunately, the Bloodjade Spider still obediently listened to his orders despite entering a berserk state. A blood-red light flickered from its green eyes as its pointed legs frantically scratched the ground before managing to gradually pull up its taut spider thread.
A series of even more intense trembles rocked the ground, soon followed by thunderous clangs ringing out from the hole.
Man Huzi and the others were delighted by these developments.
Blinding blue light suddenly bursted from the hole and reached over thirty meters above the altar.
Han Li felt his body grow cold for an instant before he grew warm once more. A barrier of brilliant azure light had protected him. Han Li was stunned for a moment before he realized that Qing Yi had enlarged his light barrier by several times and was covering him under its protection.
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