But the very next moment, that aged voice cut off abruptly in their ears, and not a single sound came through afterward.
"I should have realized it sooner — once that old fellow learned something had happened here, there was no way he wouldn't come to have a look." Yuan Yan's expression flickered uncertainly as he murmured to himself.
"Nirvana has already fallen into a deep sleep with his vitality severely drained? If that's the case, what should have come is merely his three great incarnations — the gold, silver, and copper ones. The question is which one, and how long it's been here." Bao, however, quickly recovered her composure and spoke with a thoughtful air.
"It doesn't matter which incarnation it is. He must have only just arrived; otherwise, he couldn't have remained hidden from our notice. But what concerns me is whether that human brat, if he's been intercepted, will think we orchestrated it and detonate the divine sense on the herbs." Yuan Yan asked with some hesitation.
"As long as we don't give chase, he shouldn't do something so foolish. However, if his life is truly in mortal danger, that's another matter entirely. After all, when one's very survival is at stake, no act of madness would be unexpected." Bao's eyes flickered as she replied slowly.
"That brat is no pushover. Against just one of Nirvana's incarnations, he wouldn't be driven to such extremes. Besides, even if he were outmatched, slipping away and escaping should be more than within his capabilities." Yuan Yan let out a long breath, looking somewhat relieved.
"That's hard to say. You've probably forgotten that among our three original Founding Ancestors, Nirvana was the one who harbored the deepest hatred for the Spirit Realm. Before he had completed his Great Dao, his cultivation partner was killed during a Holy Sacrifice by some Mahayana monster from the Spirit Realm." Bao shook her head and said.
"I'm well aware of that. But his main body is currently in slumber. Unless all three incarnations converge, what can he actually do to that human brat?" This time, Yuan Yan showed an undisguised look of skepticism.
"It seems you still don't know about that matter even now — Nirvana has kept it well hidden for quite some time!" Bao glanced at the black-robed youth, a strange expression suddenly crossing her face.
"What are you referring to?" Yuan Yan's expression darkened as he asked.
"Back then, Nirvana and I once joined forces to slay an alien Mahayana cultivator who had crossed into our realm. From him, we obtained quite a number of treasures — among them two drops of diluted Creation Dew. Its potency was far greater than the drop that Spirit King once possessed, roughly one-third that of the true Immortal Dew. He and I split it between us. My drop was used up long ago. But the drop Nirvana held — when I left the Holy Realm, he still had it safely stored away. Chances are he still has it now." Bao's voice was measured and unhurried.
"Pseudo Creation Dew with one-third the potency of the genuine article?!" Yuan Yan was visibly shaken, looking as though he could scarcely believe what he was hearing.
"That's right. With pseudo Creation Dew of such concentration, you should be able to guess what method Nirvana will use to keep that Han brat from escaping." Bao's tone was perfectly calm.
"You think Nirvana will awaken that thing? That is entirely possible. Although he may not have seen the human brat fight, the fact that the boy managed to enter the Spirit Cleansing Pool unscathed right under our noses is more than enough to ensure Nirvana wouldn't underestimate him in the slightest." Yuan Yan's eyes darted back and forth, his expression growing grim.
"You and I both know that the reason our Holy Realm never destroyed Bitter Spirit Island — apart from the reasons we gave that Han brat earlier — is primarily because we fear that thing's existence. And to awaken such a powerful pseudo-immortal puppet, only a handful of legendary treasures can accomplish it. The Creation Dew happens to be one of the most effective among them. A single drop with one-third the potency of the real thing would be more than enough for it to strike twice." Bao said in a soft voice.
"Twice? That thing isn't subject to the suppression of Heaven and Earth's spiritual energy in this region. If that human brat is careless and doesn't activate his Heavenvoid Treasure for protection, a single strike would be more than enough to obliterate him!" The black-robed youth's tone grew urgent.
"What's this? Are you worried?" Bao's beautiful eyes turned several times, and she let out a sweet smile as she asked.
"Hmph! As if you're not worried about the spirit herbs. What if the brat detonates the divided intent on his deathbed?" Yuan Yan snorted, clearly irritated.
"If that thing truly awakens, do you think that Han brat would still have time to detonate the divided intent on the herbs? Even if he had a sliver of time, he'd most likely be spending it figuring out how to stay alive. As long as we don't appear in the vicinity, he'll have absolutely no attention to spare for the herbs in our possession. And if he uses his Heavenvoid Treasure to save his life, he certainly won't provoke us any further. All we need to do is wait here patiently." Bao spoke with great confidence.
"Mm, that does make sense." The black-robed youth considered for a moment, nodded, and his expression eased somewhat.
...
Han Li was hurtling forward through the Thunder Sea at great speed. Not only were seventy-two azure flying swords orbiting around his body, golden arcs of lightning crackled across his skin, and two small mountains hovered high above his head, forcibly absorbing the majority of the lightning bolts that struck down.
Though he was now traversing the Thunder Sea alone, his speed was nearly twice as fast as when he had entered with the Long Family Patriarch and the others. In the span of a few flashes, he had covered an enormous distance.
This was, of course, because Han Li had concealed the greater part of his true power when he and the Long Family Patriarch had entered together, holding back his real abilities.
Moreover, after undergoing the body refinement in the Spirit Cleansing Pool, his physical body alone was now tough enough to withstand the bombardment of ten thousand lightning bolts for a brief period.
After an indeterminate amount of time had passed, Han Li — still speeding through the light — suddenly stirred, a flash of joy crossing his face.
Just ahead, barely visible, was the edge of the Thunder Sea.
Han Li took a deep breath, channeling Magical Power through his body, and was about to burst out of the Thunder Sea in a single rush — When at that very moment, the ceaseless roaring from high above cut off abruptly. The descending lightning bolts froze mid-strike and then, inconceivably, began rolling back upward into the sky.
In an instant, every last bolt of lightning had vanished. The sky above was a blinding expanse of silver-white thunder-light, so dazzling that no one could keep their eyes open. At the same time, a terrifying aura radiated forth from within it.