Six or seven zhang of searing flames soared into the sky. Qingwen's entire body, struck by the giant bird's peck, was transformed into a blazing figure of fire that plummeted straight from the air. Upon reaching the ground, he managed only two wretched screams before being reduced to a pile of white ash—not even the slightest hint of resistance.
Han Li was still reeling in shock when the fire bird let out a piercing cry, twisted its head, and lunged viciously at the two cocoons of light. A towering column of fire erupted between them, and in the blink of an eye, the two Blood Servants—who had been on the verge of completing their transformation—were engulfed in a sea of flame.
Han Li watched clearly as the blood-red glow of the two cocoons struggled against the crimson inferno for only a brief moment before dissolving entirely. Two hazy humanoid figures were exposed, swaying silently a few times, and then refined into nothingness.
This light, which appeared no different from ordinary flame, was actually this powerful. Han Li was shaken to the core. He gained yet another vivid understanding of the might wielded by cultivators at the Core Formation stage.
Song Meng and the others, aside from sharing Han Li's shock, wore expressions that were far more delighted.
"This True Treasure is incredible!"
"Eliminating the evil cult this time was all thanks to Senior Brother Liu!"
…
The others buzzed with excitement, each voicing their admiration.
In their eyes, once the Blood Servants were dealt with, wouldn't the Black Fiend Cult Leader—who was still in seclusion—be easy enough to handle? After all, with so many Foundation Establishment cultivators present, there was no way they couldn't take down the cult's leader on their own.
Liu Jing watched the inferno below, born from the fire bird, gradually die away, and his heart ached with pity. But hearing these words of praise, his spirits lifted once more.
"Let's go! We've wasted too much time here. Let's go in and finish off the Black Fiend Cult Leader too!" Liu Jing declared with a sweep of his hand, his tone suddenly bold and impassioned.
The others nodded in agreement, and several of them flew down toward the ground.
Han Li smiled faintly and was about to follow, but when his gaze swept to the side, he noticed Senior Brother Wang standing frozen, staring downward at something, his expression somewhat peculiar.
Han Li blinked in confusion and couldn't help but follow his line of sight, but apart from the white ash left from Qingwen's demonic transformation and a fellow disciple who was mourningly collecting his partner's remains, there was nothing of note on the ground.
"Senior Brother Wang, did you find something?" Han Li couldn't help but ask, a hint of suspicion on his face.
"Nothing. Nothing at all. Junior Brother Han, you're overthinking it!" Upon hearing Han Li's question, Senior Brother Wang immediately withdrew his gaze, his eyes darting evasively.
Seeing this, Han Li knew exactly what was going on. This man had certainly discovered something important, but he didn't want anyone else to know—hence the look on his face.
At this thought, Han Li felt a twinge of annoyance. But on the surface he simply smiled faintly and said, his expression unchanged: "If there's nothing, we should hurry down. Senior Brother Liu is already about to go in." He pointed toward the entrance of the Cold Palace, and without another word rode his flying tool down. Senior Brother Wang was left hovering in the air, his expression shifting between dark and light. But after a moment he stamped his foot and reluctantly followed.
Just as Han Li's feet touched the ground, a sweet voice called down from above.
"Senior Brother Liu! Junior Brother Han! Wait for us!"
Han Li turned his head slowly. Liu Jing and the others, hearing the call, also stopped in their tracks and looked up with pleased expressions.
Beneath the gentle moonlight, Zhong Weiniang, Chen Qiaoqian, and a deathly pale middle-aged man descended slowly from the sky.
The middle-aged man wore golden-yellow robes and was visibly terrified, nearly dangling from the edge of the flying artifact as Zhong Weiniang gripped him by the collar. Upon seeing Han Li, Liu Jing, and the large group assembled there, the panic on his face deepened by threefold.
Liu Jing stepped forward with a slight smile.
"It looks like the two junior sisters had a smooth trip. This must be the Emperor of Yue!" Once the two female cultivators had landed, Liu Jing's gaze circled the middle-aged man's face once before casually drifting away as he spoke.
"That's right! The fellow was holding court in some hall, receiving a few of his ministers. Senior Sister and I knocked out the rest and grabbed him. Two Black Fiend Cult disciples at the Qi Condensation stage rushed out from nearby to stop us, but Senior Sister and I dealt with them easily. Senior Brother Liu, you're unharmed too—thank goodness!"
Seeing Liu Jing safe and sound, Zhong Weiniang seemed delighted and chattered away without pause, her concern for Liu Jing laid bare for all to see. This drew a faint, embarrassed look from Liu Jing under everyone's gaze, which Han Li found secretly amusing.
"Junior Sister Chen, you're alright too, I trust?" Chen Qiaoqian's two senior brothers also approached, asking solicitously.
Chen Qiaoqian responded with a few detached words, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. When it found Han Li, it lingered on his face for only a brief moment before she hastily looked away, her expression complicated.