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Black Mountain Market, on the border of Yuanwu Kingdom.

Han Li, wearing a gray cloak, walked through the crowded streets.

This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, including disciples from the seven sects, as well as independent cultivators and even members of the demonic path.

His purpose for this trip was clear—to find a magic array that could strengthen the defenses of his cave.

Li Huayuan doesn't seem to value his disciple too much, or perhaps his master's heart is with his senior sister Hongfu.

Therefore, Han Li had to find a suitable location to open his cave dwelling on his own, which was far from the treatment that Su Ning and Li Feiyu received.

Moreover, ever since Xiang Zhili visited Huangfeng Valley, Han Li has felt an increasing sense of impending crisis.

Therefore, Han Li, who has always lacked a sense of security, thought of self-preservation, as the basic magic array provided by Huangfeng Valley was of little use.

"Fellow Daoist, do you need an array?" A clear voice came from a nearby stall.

Han Li turned his head and saw a young man in his early twenties with several sets of array flags in front of him.

The young man had a handsome face, but his eyes held a world-weariness that belied his age, and there was a noticeable burn scar on his right index finger.

"And who are you?" Han Li asked warily.

"Qi Yunxiao, the successor of the Qi family's array formations from the Tianxing Sect." The young man patted his chest confidently. "Although the family has declined, the ancestral skills are still there."

Han Li's gaze swept across the stall, and he was suddenly drawn to a set of incomplete array flags.

The array flags looked old and worn, but the runes on them contained hidden secrets, somewhat similar to an ancient array he had seen in his previous life.

"This is……"

"Fellow Daoist has excellent eyesight!" Qi Yunxiao's eyes lit up. "This is a replica of the 'Inverted Five Elements Formation' that my friend refined. Although it only has 30% of the original formation's power, it is enough to withstand the attack of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator for half a day."

Han Li's heart stirred.

He had seen the complete version of the Inverted Five Elements Formation at an ancient site; its power was enough to trap a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Although the incomplete version in front of him is far from perfect, it is enough for him now.

"How many spirit stones?"

Qi Yunxiao held up five fingers: "Five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, no bargaining."

This price nearly emptied Han Li's savings, but he didn't hesitate: "Deal. However..."

He lowered his voice, "I'd like to know, Fellow Daoist Qi, are you capable of completing this formation?"

Qi Yunxiao's expression changed slightly, and he looked around warily: "This is not the place to talk."

Half an hour later, in a secluded mountain valley outside the market.

Qi Yunxiao set up a soundproof barrier and said in a deep voice, "Since you recognize its value, I won't hide it from you. I do indeed have the ancestral blueprint for the complete version of the Inverted Five Elements Formation, but it's missing a few key materials..."

"What do you need?" Han Li asked directly.

“A thousand-year-old ironwood, Five Elements Jade, and…” Qi Yunxiao hesitated for a moment, “…a thousand-year-old spiritual herb.”

Han Li's pupils contracted slightly.

Although the first two items are precious, they can still be obtained with some effort.

But a thousand-year-old spiritual herb...

That was something that could almost kill you.

"Are you sure you need the thousand-year-old herb?"

“Fellow Daoist, to be honest, the thousand-year-old spiritual herb is the reward I want. My friend needs the thousand-year-old spiritual herb to prolong his life.”

"What about the remaining array materials?"

"I have them all here! So, fellow Daoist..."

"How long will it take to repair the formation?"

"One month."

"Alright! This is a thousand-year-old spiritual herb. See you here in a month."

"What? You really do have a thousand-year-old spiritual herb?"

"The goods are genuine! Fellow Daoist, you can check for yourself."

After inspecting the area, Qi Yunxiao suppressed his surprise and gave Han Li a deep look: "Alright, I'll be waiting for you here in a month. But I must remind you, fellow Daoist, the border is not peaceful lately, and the demonic path is active frequently. Be careful on your way back."

"Thank you."

After bidding farewell to Qi Yunxiao, Han Li summoned his flying artifact and sped towards Huangfeng Valley.

He had just flown a hundred miles when he suddenly sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy ahead.

To be on the safe side, he lowered his altitude and approached discreetly.

"Senior Brother Wu, you can't escape!" a cold voice rang out. "Hand over that jade slip obediently, and I'll give you a quick death!"

Han Li quickly stopped his flying artifact and landed in the bushes, where he witnessed a shocking scene...

Senior Brother Ye from Huangfeng Valley is directing three puppets to attack Senior Brother Wu, who is covered in blood.

Senior Brother Ye is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and is famous in the sect for his puppetry skills, while Senior Brother Wu is only at the early Foundation Establishment stage and is now at his last gasp.

"Ye Ming! I've already informed the sect leader about your collusion with the Ghost Spirit Sect!" Senior Brother Wu coughed up blood, his longsword already broken. "You can't escape!"

Ye Ming grinned maliciously: "Sending a message? You think I didn't intercept it?"

He raised his hand and released two more wolf-shaped puppets. "Since you're courting death, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Han Li frowned.

Ye Ming had a good reputation within the sect; no one expected him to be a spy for the demonic path!
He didn't want to meddle, but if Ye Ming succeeded, he feared he would be the next to suffer because he knew the inside story of the Blood Forbidden Land.

In the blink of an eye, Han Li had made his decision.

He secretly took out three "Fire Serpent Talismans" and aimed them at Ye Ming's back.

"go with!"

Three fire snakes roared out, catching Ye Ming off guard, and his robe was instantly ignited.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Han Li rushed out and grabbed Senior Brother Wu, saying, "Senior Brother Wu, let's go!"

"Junior Brother Han?!" Senior Brother Wu was both surprised and delighted.

Ye Ming extinguished the flames, his face ashen: "Han Li? Perfect, I'll deal with him today!"

With a wave of his sleeve, seven humanoid puppets appeared simultaneously, surrounding the two of them.

Han Li unleashed the Azure Origin Sword Technique, and the sword light rained down on the puppet.

However, these puppets are made of special materials, so the sword light can only leave shallow marks on their surface.

What's even more troublesome is that Ye Ming himself hasn't actually made a move yet!

"Junior Brother Han...you must go quickly..." Senior Brother Wu was barely breathing. "Give this...to Sect Leader Zhong..."

He took out a blood-stained jade slip from his pocket.

Han Li took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and his expression immediately changed drastically...

The jade slip contains images of Ye Ming's communication with the Ghost Spirit Sect, as well as a list of other spies from the seven sects!

No wonder Ye Ming wanted to kill him to silence him.

"Trying to leave? Too late!" Ye Ming sneered, his hands forming a hand seal.

The seven puppets simultaneously lit up with blood-red patterns, their aura surging.

"Haha, it's your honor to die under my 'Blood Fiend Puppet Array'!"

Han Li gritted his teeth, grabbed a handful of talismans from his storage bag, and scattered them.

Fireballs, ice spikes, and wind blades were unleashed simultaneously, creating a cloud of smoke amidst the horde of puppets.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, he carried Senior Brother Wu on his back, summoned his flying boat, and soared into the sky.

"Chase!" Ye Ming roared, riding on an eagle-shaped puppet in hot pursuit.

On the flying boat, Senior Brother Wu's breath grew weaker and weaker: "Junior Brother Han... put me down... can you still..."

"Don't speak!" Han Li stuffed a pill into his mouth. "Hold on a little longer, it will be safe once we reach my cave!"

Behind them, Ye Ming's pursuit was getting closer and closer.

Han Li kept changing directions, while secretly preparing his final trump card...

The "Thunderstorm Pearl" that was taken from the Crimson Forbidden Zone.

With the gates of Yellow Maple Valley in sight, Ye Ming suddenly accelerated, and a puppet's sharp claws slashed across Han Li's back, spraying a cloud of blood.

Han Li grunted and threw the Thunderstorm Bead with his backhand.

"boom!"

A blinding flash of lightning erupted, forcing Ye Ming to retreat.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Han Li rushed into the area of ​​his cave and activated the Reversed Five Elements Formation he had just bought.

A five-colored light curtain rose up, enveloping the cave.

Han Li had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Senior Brother Wu say weakly, "This formation... can't stop him..."

Sure enough, Ye Ming quickly caught up, and upon seeing the formation, he smiled disdainfully: "An incomplete Inverted Five Elements Formation? Watch how I break it!"

He took out a blood-red gourd and poured out dozens of beans.

The beans landed and transformed into humanoid puppets, which began to frantically attack the array's light barrier.

Each strike caused the light barrier to shake violently, clearly indicating that it couldn't hold for long.

Han Li settled Senior Brother Wu in the cave and stood at the core of the formation, continuously channeling spiritual energy into the formation flags.

However, due to the inherent flaws in the formation and his insufficient cultivation, the cracks on the light screen continued to multiply.

"Han Li, do you think you're safe hiding here?" Ye Ming's voice came through the formation. "Let me tell you a secret, there are quite a few people like me in the sect. You will die today!"

Just as the light curtain was about to shatter, the sky suddenly became covered with dark clouds.

"Is that so? I'd like to see what gives you the right to be so arrogant."

A bolt of purple lightning struck down, hitting Ye Ming squarely on the head.

He screamed and fell off the puppet.

All the puppets froze at the same time, as if an invisible hand had choked them.

Han Li looked up and saw Lei Wanhe standing on thunderclouds, looking down expressionlessly.

The mere presence of this Core Formation cultivator was enough to make it hard to breathe.

"Uncle-Master Lei... Uncle-Master Lei!" Ye Ming's face turned ashen. "This disciple merely..."

"Hmph! Just colluding with the demonic path and harming fellow disciples?" Lei Wanhe sneered, raising his hand to unleash another bolt of lightning. This bolt of lightning was as thin as a hair, yet it precisely pierced through Ye Ming's dantian, shattering his Foundation Establishment platform!

Ye Ming fell to the ground with a miserable howl; his cultivation had been destroyed.

Lei Wanhe didn't even glance at him, turning to Han Li: "Han Li, are you alright?"

Han Li quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for saving me, Uncle Lei."

Lei Wanhe nodded: "I was passing by and sensed the aura of the Thunder Pearl, so I came to take a look."

He glanced at the dying Senior Brother Wu and said, "Hey! Take him to the sect leader, this is no small matter."

After saying that, Lei Wanhe waved his sleeve and transformed into lightning, disappearing into the distance.

From beginning to end, he didn't glance at Ye Ming's storage bag even once...

For a Core Formation cultivator, the possessions of a Foundation Establishment cultivator are truly insignificant.

Han Li breathed a sigh of relief, only to realize that his back was soaked with cold sweat.

He first checked Wu's injuries, then walked toward Ye Ming, who looked like a cripple.

"Junior Brother Han..." Ye Ming's eyes were filled with fear, "Spare my life... I can tell you the secrets of the Ghost Spirit Sect..."

Han Li picked up Ye Ming's storage bag expressionlessly: "No need."

A single, decisive strike to the throat.

After cleaning up the scene, Han Li looked in the direction Lei Wanhe had left, wondering: Was it really just a "chance encounter"? Or...?

What has this Uncle Lei been secretly watching all along?
With these questions in mind, Han Li helped Senior Brother Wu walk towards the Sect Leader's Hall.

The storm seemed to have subsided, but he knew that a bigger tempest was just beginning...

……

Yellow Maple Valley, side hall of the Spirit Medicine Hall.

Han Li stood before Senior Brother Wu's body, his face expressionless.

This fellow disciple ultimately couldn't pull through and passed away in a coma last night.

Several deacons in the hall were busy sorting through the deceased's belongings, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, their tone revealing little grief.

"Junior Brother Han, this is Senior Brother Wu's list of belongings. Please check if there are any errors or omissions." An older deacon handed over the jade slip.

Han Li took it, glanced at it, and shook his head, saying, "No."

He paused, then asked, "How does the sect plan to handle Ye Ming's matter?"

The steward looked around and lowered his voice: "The sect leader has ordered that this matter should not be publicized. The Demonic Sect is powerful, and it would not benefit anyone to rashly break ties. Moreover, our Yellow Maple Valley must not take the lead and act rashly."

After saying that, he patted Han Li on the shoulder and said, "Don't take it too hard. Life and death are unpredictable on the path of cultivation."

As Han Li stepped out of the Spirit Medicine Hall, he looked up at the sky.

The warm spring sun shone on my face, but it couldn't dispel the chill in my heart.

Senior Brother Wu died for the sect, yet he didn't even get a proper funeral.

All those in high positions care about is maintaining a facade of peace.

They didn't even have the courage to resist the Demonic Sect. At this moment, Han Li seemed to see the destroyed Seven Mysteries Sect.

Back in his cave, Han Li took out the storage bag he had obtained from Ye Ming.

Over the past month, he has completed the inventory of all the items.

Aside from a few hundred spirit stones and a few ordinary magical artifacts, the most precious item was the jade slip containing the "Great Evolution Technique".

Han Li pressed the jade slip to his forehead to confirm its contents once again.

This technique has seven levels, but he only has the first three.

Even so, its value is immeasurable.

The divine sense of ordinary cultivators naturally increases with their cultivation level, but cultivation techniques for the divine sense are extremely rare.

The Great Evolution Technique not only allows one to actively temper one's divine sense, but also includes puppet control techniques, which is the key to Ye Ming's ability to control multiple puppets simultaneously.

"It's actually a bargain for me," Han Li muttered to himself.

Although his cultivation level had advanced rapidly thanks to elixirs, his knowledge of methods for cultivating spiritual consciousness was limited.

Moreover, once his spiritual cultivation improves, he will no longer experience qi deviation.

Now, this book, "The Great Evolution Technique," has just filled the gap in his knowledge.

While he was pondering this, the cave's restrictions were triggered.

Han Li cautiously put away the jade slip and released his divine sense to investigate—it was Su Ning.

"Junior Brother Han, are you there?" Su Ning's voice came from outside the cave.

Han Li activated the restriction.

Su Ning, dressed in a yellow silk robe, exuded a more profound aura than when they last met, clearly indicating that his cultivation had improved.

"What brings you here, Senior Brother Su?" Han Li ushered the man into the cave and then set up a soundproof barrier.

Without any formalities, Su Ning took out a bottle of pills and placed it on the table: "These are newly refined 'Qingling Pills,' which have some effect on stabilizing one's divine sense."

Han Li took it, uncorked the bottle, and sniffed it lightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This elixir is of excellent quality, with a faint fragrance emanating from it; it is at least of medium grade.

"Senior brother, you're too kind." Han Li put away the pill, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly took out the jade slip of the "Great Evolution Technique" from his bosom. "I recently obtained a cultivation technique, which may be of use to you, senior brother."

Su Ning took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and his expression immediately changed: "The Great Evolution Technique? This..."

He suddenly looked up, "Junior Brother Han, do you know the value of this cultivation technique?"

Han Li replied calmly, "I know."

"Then you still..."

"Before he died, Senior Brother Wu said that Ye Ming had accomplices in the sect." Han Li poured Su Ning a cup of spiritual tea. "The Demonic Sect has been causing trouble on the border recently, and a great war is probably not far off. At that time, the more strength we have, the more chances we have to survive."

"Moreover, if it weren't for Uncle Lei's timely rescue, I wouldn't have been able to escape danger. Although Uncle Lei doesn't care about Ye Ming's storage bag, he must share it with you, Senior Brother."

Su Ning gave Han Li a deep look and then stopped refusing.

He placed the jade slip on his forehead, made a complete copy, and then returned the original to Han Li.

“I will remember this favor.” Su Ning said solemnly, “I noticed that the third level of this technique mentions the ‘divine consciousness transforming into silk’ technique, which happens to have some similarities with the thunder magic I have been studying recently.”

Han Li's eyes lit up: "Senior brother also discovered it? I was just worried about having no one to discuss it with."

He then took out a piece of scrap paper, on which were drawn complex routes for the flow of spiritual energy. "These are some methods of using divine sense that I have comprehended..."

The two talked for half a day.

Han Li excels at manipulation, while Su Ning is adept at explosive power. With each other's insights corroborating each other, they both felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Before parting, Su Ning invited Han Li to come to Thunder Peak in three days to observe his newly mastered thunder magic.

After seeing Su Ning off, Han Li stood at the entrance of his cave, gazing absently at the sea of ​​clouds in the distance.

He did not share the "Great Evolution Scripture" on a whim.

Over the past year, Suning has repeatedly reciprocated with gifts of medicine and assistance, never mentioning any reward; Lei Wanhe's timely rescue was probably also related to Suning, as he may have done so out of respect for Suning.

In this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, it is truly difficult to find a few trustworthy people.

"Besides..." Han Li touched the storage bag at his waist, "I did not hand over that token representing the Ghost Spirit Sect's undercover agent to the sect leader."

He took out a dark red jade pendant from his pocket. It was found in the most hidden place in Ye Ming's storage bag and was engraved with the words "Ghost Spirit".

The token also had a location and date written on the back...

"A storm is coming..."

……

Three days later, Han Li arrived at Thunder Peak as promised.

From afar, the sound of thunder could be heard, and dark clouds covered the mountaintop as streaks of purple lightning struck down.

Su Ning stood amidst the lightning, his hands forming hand seals, actually condensing the falling lightning into a thunder dragon that coiled and danced in the air.

"Junior Brother Han, you've come at the perfect time!" Su Ning saw Han Li and manipulated the Thunder Dragon to land in front of him with a flick of its tail. "I've just mastered this 'Thunder Dragon Technique,' so I'm still a bit rusty."

However, Han Li was full of praise: "Senior Brother's mastery of lightning magic has far surpassed that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators."

He carefully observed the form of the thunder dragon, and suddenly thought of something, "If I were to transform my divine sense into threads and integrate them into thunder magic, perhaps..."

“It can increase control precision!” Su Ning chimed in, and the two exchanged a smile.

In the days that followed, the two frequently exchanged their cultivation experiences.

Han Li combined the "Great Evolution Technique" with his previous life's alchemy experience to create several unique techniques for using divine sense; Su Ning, on the other hand, tried to integrate the power of thunder into his divine sense, greatly increasing his detection range.

On this day, Han Li was practicing controlling three puppets simultaneously in his cave when he suddenly received an order from the sect leader...

All Foundation Establishment disciples, immediately proceed to the main peak to assemble!

Nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment disciples stood solemnly in front of the main hall.

The sect leader solemnly announced: The six sects of the demonic path are about to declare war on the seven factions, and several conflicts have already broken out on the border.

All Foundation Establishment stage disciples are now on standby for battle, ready to meet the enemy at any time.

After the meeting, the disciples chatted amongst themselves in small groups.

Some were indignant, some were worried, and many more were figuring out how to protect themselves.

"They've come, just as I expected." Han Li walked side by side with Su Ning and said in a low voice, "I'm going to go and take a look at that place."

Su Ning knew he was referring to the location recorded on Ye Mingyu's plaque: "It's too dangerous."

"It is precisely because of the danger that we must go." Han Li's gaze was firm. "If we can know the movements of the Demonic Sect in advance, we may be able to save more lives."

Su Ning was silent for a moment, then took out a purple talisman from his pocket: "This is a 'Thunder Escape Talisman,' which can transform into lightning and allow you to escape a hundred miles away in an emergency. I only have two, you can take one."

Han Li did not refuse and solemnly accepted it.

The two discussed the matter privately for a while and agreed to meet at Han Li's cave ten days later, regardless of the outcome of their investigation.

That night, Han Li quietly left the mountain gate and sneaked towards the border.

Unbeknownst to him, Su Ning stood atop Thunder Peak, watching him depart, before turning and walking in another direction…

That was where Chen Qiaoqian's cave was located.

A storm is brewing; the world of cultivation in Yue Kingdom is about to change.

...(End of chapter)