Han Li's threatening words caused Yuan Yan's expression to shift slightly.
But as one of the highest existences among the demon race, how could he so easily be coerced? His face immediately darkened as he said coldly: "On this island, you may be able to use the Nirvana Sacred Body to hold your own against me to some degree. But can you remain here forever and never leave? All I need to do is lay a net outside the sea of lightning and wait. When you come out, you'll fall into my hands regardless."
"If I leave Bitter Spirit Island, I naturally wouldn't be a match for you two seniors. But this place is abundant with spiritual energy. Even staying here to cultivate for ten thousand years or so wouldn't be an unacceptable proposition. That span of time isn't all that long for cultivators like us." Han Li replied unhurriedly, as though he had long anticipated this.
"Keep dreaming! Aren't you afraid that in a fit of rage, I'll leave and immediately summon my subordinates to set up a grand spell formation outside, wiping this island clean from the Holy World?" the black-robed young man barked sternly.
"If you truly intend to do so, then yes, it would be extremely dangerous. But are you certain you don't want that Demon Refining Grass anymore? I guarantee that before you carry out such a thing, I will absolutely destroy every last spirit herb on my person first." Han Li replied, his expression unchanged.
Holy Ancestor Yuan Yan, his face brimming with fury, was so provoked by Han Li's words that his complexion turned ashen. With a cold snort, he was about to deliver yet another threat— But at that moment, Holy Ancestor Bao suddenly smiled and raised a hand to cut off the black-robed young man's words: "Yuan Yan, enough nonsense! I am absolutely set on obtaining the spirit herb in his possession, and you certainly aren't willing to part with the Demon Refining Grass either. Since he has the nerve to gamble on this, why not grant him his wish? A one-in-ten chance really isn't all that high. Besides, are we truly afraid of the Spirit World gaining one more Mahayana cultivator? The Spirit World as it stands now — one more makes no difference, one less makes no difference either."
"That's true. Although the Holy Race's grand campaign in the Spirit World is at a critical juncture, one newly advanced Mahayana existence really wouldn't have much impact. Besides, his cultivation is still far from the peak of the late Integration stage. Even with the Spirit Cleansing Pool, he can't advance immediately — it merely gives him a chance for the future. Very well, I agree as well." Yuan Yan's expression flickered uncertainly for a moment after being reminded by Bao's words, before he finally gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Excellent. Both seniors agreeing to this trade is absolutely the wisest course. Those two spirit herbs are of little real use to me. After I emerge from the Spirit Cleansing Pool, I will hand them over with both hands. However, before that, I would ask that the two of you swear a Heart Demon Oath, pledging to let me leave the Demon World in peace after the transaction is complete, without employing any means to target me afterward." Han Li said with visible relief, a hint of a smile appearing on his face.
"Don't be so greedy! A mere Integration cultivator dares to demand a Heart Demon Oath from me!" Yuan Yan's freshly suppressed fury reignited upon hearing this, and he roared in anger.
"Swearing an oath isn't the issue, but I certainly can't agree so readily. If you want us to do that, first hand over half the spirit herbs in your possession. The remaining half can be delivered after you emerge." Bao replied calmly, betraying no emotion.
"Hand over half? I can't accept that condition." Han Li's eyes narrowed as he refused without hesitation. "How do I know how many spirit herbs the two of you secretly need? If you only require a small amount, doing so would be courting my own death."
"If you're unwilling to take the risk, then Yuan Yan and I naturally won't swear any Heart Demon Oath either. Otherwise, if you were to pull some trick afterward, we'd have shackled ourselves for nothing. However, we can give you our verbal word that we won't make a move against you after the fact," the white-robed woman replied with a charming smile.
Hearing Bao's words, most of the anger drained from Yuan Yan's face, and he nodded in agreement: "I can also give my word — once the Demon Refining Grass is in my hands, I won't take the initiative to act against you."
"If the two of you are unwilling to swear a Heart Demon Oath, then I'm in no position to force the issue. Then it's settled. I'll go to the Spirit Cleansing Pool first, and once I emerge, I'll deliver the spirit herbs as payment. But if at that time the two of you truly aren't willing to let me leave quietly, then I'm afraid we'll have to settle things according to our respective abilities." Han Li said flatly, without further deliberation. Then golden light flickered across his body as the phantom of the second golden head and the two demonic golden arms beneath his ribs simultaneously vanished.
He had dismissed the Second Nirvana Transformation. However, the wariness in his heart hadn't diminished in the slightest. Without moving his limbs, his body slid backward over ten zhang, silently putting some distance between them. Only then did he sweep his gaze across the enormous spell formation beneath the pond.
Bao showed no unusual reaction at the sight. She likewise glanced downward and then said mildly: "The Spirit Cleansing Pool is located in a mysterious space beneath the island. This spell formation is the only gateway there. Fellow Daoist Han need only stand at its center to be transported there. However, I should note beforehand that the space housing the Spirit Cleansing Pool is the most spiritually pure location in the entire Demon World. For you cultivators of the Spirit World, one day of training within it is roughly equivalent to a full year of bitter cultivation outside. But this space harbors extreme repulsion toward all living beings that enter, and the higher one's cultivation, the stronger the repulsion. With Fellow Daoist Han's level of cultivation, three days is the absolute limit. If you exceed that deadline, you may never be able to leave."
"That space repels us demon race even more fiercely — we aren't even qualified to enter. It blocks us out entirely. Otherwise, if not for this restriction, I would be far more inclined to personally accompany you on the trip." Yuan Yan also let out a sinister laugh as he spoke, his tone carrying unmistakable ill will.
"In that case, neither of you two seniors has ever entered it before?" Han Li said, a thoughtful look flickering across his face as he asked casually.