"Mastering the technique? Heh, that's nothing but wishful thinking from two old monsters. They don't even stop to think about how many years the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light technique has been circulating in the Sea of Turbulent Stars. Has anyone ever truly mastered it? Of course, those two were lucky enough to stumble upon a Primordial Magnetic Mountain on the ocean floor and transport it back to Tianxing City. But still, the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light isn't something you can cultivate just by relying on an external object. I suspect that this technique was probably nothing more than a joke deliberately created by its founder. What technique in this world could possibly counter all Five Elements? Besides, even without cultivating this method, the two of them are already among the most formidable existences in this realm. What a pointless endeavor!" Patriarch Ji Yin spoke these words with undisputed contempt.
"I hope it's as you say, Senior!" Chi Huo still harbored some concerns, but could only say so.
"However, besides Purple Spirit Fairy and the other female cultivators, there were actually two more who escaped from the eighteen Heavenly Capital Corpses — that was quite unexpected!" Patriarch Ji Yin suddenly stroked the few sparse short whiskers on his chin, a strange glint flashing through his eyes.
"Indeed. Purple Spirit Fairy had the Wonderful Sound Gate's guardian treasure, the 'Wood Dragon Stele,' on her person, which was why the three of them were able to use it to shield themselves and escape the Heavenly Capital Corpses' attacks. But the other two were rather peculiar. I caught a distant glimpse at the time — those two actually released a great number of puppets that resembled mechanical constructs. Their offensive power was meager and their defense was abysmal, yet they were able to control over a hundred of them at once. That was truly something eerie." Old Monster Chi Huo nodded with equal puzzlement.
"Forget it — those two are just small fry. No need to bother with them! If it weren't for the fact that after possessing this body I can barely control any significant magical power, and there are other restrictions as well, I would never have let those juniors slip from my grasp. But the most important target — that treacherous disciple — hasn't gotten away, and that's what matters. I still intend to recover that stolen fragment of the Void Sky Map from him." Patriarch Ji Yin spoke with indifference, seemingly having no regard whatsoever for
Old Monster Chi Huo saw this and knew better than to press the matter further. Before long, he bid farewell to Patriarch Ji Yin and transformed into a dark cloud that soared into the sky.
Patriarch Ji Yin watched the black dot that was Old Monster Chi Huo disappear over the horizon, a cold, mocking smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Then he slowly extended one hand and relaxed his five fingers.
In the center of his palm, several inches of white spider silk were visible.
Patriarch Ji Yin gazed at the spider silk, an intriguing and strange expression appearing in his eyes.
"Blood Jade Spider! I never imagined I'd see this day again. It seems heaven never seals off every path — I still have a chance!" Patriarch Ji Yin muttered to himself, then suddenly threw his head back and burst into wild, thunderous laughter. The sheer force of it made Elder Zhao and the others nearby go pale-faced, staggering about in midair.
"Let's go! Back to the island!" Patriarch Ji Yin's laughter abruptly stopped, and he bellowed the command.
He then seized the air with one hand, and the floating middle-aged cultivator flew automatically into his grasp. With one hand holding the man, he led the others away from the scene.
…
Han Li naturally knew nothing of everything that had transpired a hundred li away. Buried deep underground, he had waited a full month in a state of constant anxiety before cautiously emerging from the earth.
After carefully using his spiritual sense to confirm that no ambushes lurked nearby, he said not a single word and flew toward Tianxing City with Qu Hun.
This expedition had truly left him battered and humiliated — he had nearly lost his life.
What depressed him most was that despite braving such enormous danger, he hadn't even caught a glimpse of the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo.
It had probably fallen into Patriarch Ji Yin's hands, meaning he had absolutely no chance now. He could only return to Tianxing City in the lowest of spirits.
Tianxing City was just as bustling as ever, and the
But Han Li, having just barely escaped death, simply couldn't muster any good mood. He entered the city with a face full of ill fortune.
When he arrived outside his cave dwelling on the thirty-ninth level, he was somewhat taken aback.
Because inside the dwelling's protective restrictions, yet another voice transmission talisman was quietly floating about — and the sight immediately darkened Han Li's expression.
He furrowed his brow, flipped his hand to produce the restriction command token, and then with some reluctance, gently shook it twice.
A beam of green light shot from the token into the restrictions, and the voice transmission talisman instantly transformed into a streak of fire that flew out along with the green light, arriving before Han Li.
Han Li flicked his finger, and a dot of white light struck the talisman. The flame blazed brightly, and then a sweet, seductive woman's voice issued from within.
Hearing the voice, Han Li was first stunned — but then his face twisted with fury.
It was Madam Fan!
She had just caused him to suffer such an ordeal, and she had the audacity to come looking for him again.
The rage that Han Li had been suppressing for days erupted in an instant.
A red glow flashed across his hand, and a fist-sized fireball materialized in his palm, ready to be hurled to destroy the talisman.