Facing something that could easily annihilate a cultivator's Nascent Soul, Han Li dared not be careless. Several methods for refining demonic flames floated through his mind, but in the end, he settled on a secret technique from the Profound Yin Scripture, deeming it the most secure option.
Having made his decision, Han Li fixed his gaze on the golden sphere for a moment before calmly extending a finger and pointing.
A crisp crackle rang out as a slender bolt of lightning shot from his fingertip, striking the golden ball in the box dead center.
The sphere immediately trembled several times, its light surging, and then, drawn by the lightning arc, it floated up from the box, rising to the upper reaches of the meditation chamber.
Han Li sat cross-legged below, looking up at the orb enveloped in golden light. His eyes narrowed slightly as his ten fingers danced and flickered, forming a series of complex hand seals.
Dense, pale golden arcs of lightning crackled and leapt forth amidst a rumbling peal of thunder, weaving into a watertight net of electricity roughly ten feet wide. It enveloped the sphere perfectly, trapping it within, poised and ready.
Only then did Han Li relax slightly. With a thought, his spiritual sense connected with the Evil Warding Divine Lightning layered on the outside of the ice flame.
A sharp shriek erupted. The golden sphere's surface blazed with blinding light as tiny golden arcs danced and leapt free, finally releasing their hold on the orb. Instantly, within the electric net in the air, a deep blue bead appeared—crystal clear and translucent, spinning rapidly in place.
Looking at the Qianlan Ice Bead, Han Li held his breath. He had witnessed firsthand the terrifying power of the ice flame this bead could unleash back then, and even now, the memory sent a shudder of fear through him.
Now that the bead had revealed its true form, Han Li didn't hesitate. He opened his mouth, and a streak of azure sword light shot out. At the same time, he pressed his palms together, then drew them apart.
A thick, golden bolt of lightning shot forth from between his hands. The azure glow and the golden arc, both radiating immense power, struck the ice bead simultaneously.
With a crisp, shattering crack, the ice bead flickered between light and dark before transforming into a ball of blue light-flame. The flame stretched and contracted, condensing into a beautiful blue flower the size of a fist, its crystalline petals shimmering as they slowly bloomed.
At the same time, a hissing sound filled the air. A layer of eerie, azure frost crept along the ground and walls, thickening and spreading with alarming speed.
In an instant, the room became unbearably cold, as if plunging into a world of ice.
However, Han Li had long been prepared for this. Though a solemn expression flashed across his face, he remained completely calm. A layer of solid azure light flared from his body, forming a protective barrier that shielded him completely. With his current Nascent Soul stage cultivation, although the chill was formidable, as long as he wasn't directly struck by the ice flame, this protective spiritual light was more than sufficient to keep him unharmed.
Seeing the pale blue cold energy blocked outside by the azure light, Han Li felt reassured. Without delay, he pointed a finger at the air. The electric net woven from the Evil Warding Divine Lightning immediately shimmered and contracted, slowly wrapping around the light-flame.
Golden light and blue radiance flashed in succession. The colossal blue form shifted, reverting to its light-flame state, desperately resisting the net's tightening pressure.
Watching the Qianlan Ice Flame now restrained once more, Han Li took a deep breath. With a thought, a peal of thunder rang out, and the golden net split open a small gap, which sealed shut almost instantly. But in that brief instant, a wisp of flame as thin as a thread slipped through, shooting straight toward Han Li with uncanny intelligence.
Upon seeing this, Han Li's expression remained blank. He formed a seal with both hands and closed his eyes.
A surge of azure energy burst from the crown of his head, and within the azure glow, a tiny infant no more than an inch tall suddenly appeared. Han Li had unexpectedly performed the Nascent Soul Projection at this moment.
The Nascent Soul's small face was taut. The moment it emerged, its eyes locked onto the incoming blue flame. Its chubby little hands rubbed together, then raised.
Two blinding streaks of azure light shot from its palms. Simultaneously, the Nascent Soul opened its mouth, and another fist-sized ball of light was also spat out. In an instant, three streams of azure light surged toward the wisp of blue flame together.
The clash of azure and blue light flashed and vanished. The blue flame was instantly enveloped by the azure light. It struggled desperately within the azure radiance, trying to break free, but it was simply too tiny. Even though the azure light gradually dissolved wherever it touched, the flame remained tightly bound within, unable to escape in the short term.
Seeing this, a hint of a smile appeared on the Nascent Soul's small face. It waved its little hand toward the azure light containing its own vital essence, and the ball of light, wrapping the blue flame, flew back before it.
Gazing intently at the object now just inches away, the Nascent Soul's cheeks showed hesitation and apprehension. But after a moment's pause, a resolute glint flashed in its eyes. It grabbed the azure light ball with both hands and, without hesitation, stuffed it into its mouth.
It swallowed the azure light along with the blue flame in one gulp!
Following this, the azure light surrounding its body flickered, and the Nascent Soul vanished from atop the crown of its head amid a haze of light.
Han Li's true body, eyes tightly shut, trembled slightly, but his face showed no hint of abnormality, as if he were merely in a deep sleep. However, within his body, the Nascent Soul sat cross-legged in the Dantian, hands forming a seal, its small face solemn.
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