A strange expression flashed across Lu Xuan's face. Judging from the bearded man's appearance, he had most likely stolen the Longevity Fruits guarded by the mountain demon. And given the commotion he'd caused, he probably picked quite a few.
This matter originally had nothing to do with Lu Xuan. However, the barbarian happened to land in this valley. Combined with the previous divination, this gave Lu Xuan a strange connection. So, the opportunity in the divination was with the barbarian?
............
On the other side, Han Laomo and a young cultivator arrived at another, more remote valley.
"Kid, this is it."
The man was named Xuan Gu Shangren, the former sect leader of the Ji Yin Sect. However, he was later betrayed by his own disciple, the current Ji Yin Ancestor. Only his primordial spirit escaped. Now, he possesses other people's bodies, preparing to take revenge on the Ji Yin Ancestor. Han Li, due to the Ji Yin Ancestor's strange attitude towards him, also decided to temporarily join forces with this old ghost. Both harbored their own ulterior motives, but on the surface, they maintained harmony.
"Senior, you haven't come to the wrong place, have you? Is this the place where that spirit dwells?" Han Li glanced around at the scene below and couldn't help but show a strange expression.
Below them was an inconspicuous little rocky hill, barren of vegetation and pitifully devoid of spiritual energy. Compared to the nearby mountains, it was worlds apart!
Han Li found it hard to believe that this small, desolate mountain was the habitat of the "Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng".
"Hehe, kid! Quite surprised, aren't you! Before seeing that Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng, I was also quite astonished. But it is indeed lurking somewhere on this mountain." The gloomy clouds of the Mysterious Bone Master gradually dissipated, revealing his figure, and he looked at Han Li with a half-smile.
Without much preamble, the two quickly set up the trap, waiting for the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng to take the bait. Capturing the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng requires a pure gold magic artifact. Old Demon Han didn't have one on hand. He could only borrow a golden silk ball from Master Xuan Gu. After repeatedly checking it, he felt it was fine and had no choice but to use it. The Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng was still incredibly tempting to Old Demon Han.
It took a full half-day. They finally succeeded in capturing the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng. The astonishing spiritual power emanating from the ginseng shocked Han Li. However, the question of who would own it created a rift between the two collaborators, who already harbored ulterior motives.
Just as the two were about to clash, a streak of light streaked across the distance. This caused Xuan Gu Shangren's expression to change drastically. Before Han Laomo could react, it vanished from the spot.
At the same time, Han Li also received a telepathic message from Xuan Gu Shangren.
"Kid, the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng is yours. But my good disciple is no good. Whatever he asks you for, you must comply. When the time is right, the two of us will join forces again." After saying that, he disappeared completely without waiting for Han Li's response.
Han Li was stunned for a moment, realizing something was wrong. But it was too late. When he turned around, he saw that the Extreme Yin Ancestor was already standing behind him, looking at him with a half-smile.
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Chapter 507 Iron Fire Ants
Han Li suppressed his impulse and asked in a calm and composed manner:
"Senior Jiyin, what brings you here? What guidance do you have for this junior?"
"Tsk tsk, kid, your cultivation is not bad. Your spiritual power is much deeper than that of other cultivators of the same level. You don't seem to be an ordinary rogue cultivator."
"Senior is too kind. I am indeed just a rogue cultivator from Tianxing City. Moreover, how could my cultivation level compare to yours?"
"Heh. You're not being honest, kid. But whatever, this thing is yours."
As he spoke, the Yin Ancestor tossed over a white, thread-like object. Han Li caught it and saw that it was the silk of his spirit pet, the Blood Jade Spider.
"That's right, this is silk spun by my spirit pet."
"Then that's settled. I ask you, are you willing to serve under me?"
If Lu Xuan were here, he would remind Ancestor Jiyin, "Don't you know how dangerous it is to be Han the Demon's master?" Of course, Ancestor Jiyin genuinely didn't know that Han the Demon was a jinx to his master. He forcibly accepted Lu Xuan as a nominal disciple, saying that once they left the Void Heaven Palace, a formal initiation ceremony would be held, making him a true disciple.
Han Li naturally didn't believe such a thing. But being under someone else's roof, he had no choice but to reluctantly agree. And this time, by a twist of fate, Han Li failed to capture the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng. It was taken away by the Extreme Yin Ancestor.
Meanwhile, Lu Xuan returned laden with a strange look on his face. The day was almost over. They prepared to head to the next level.
Several Nascent Soul stage cultivators from the Chaotic Star Sea were already waiting in front of the teleportation array. However, they still hadn't seen Barbarian Beard.
"What's going on? Why hasn't Barbarian Beard arrived yet?"
"I don't know, maybe something happened. But with his Heaven-Supporting Demonic Art, he shouldn't encounter any danger on the second level."
"That's true, but if he doesn't come soon, we'll miss our chance. The two elders of the Star Palace won't wait for anyone."
As everyone was talking, the bearded man staggered over. He looked around but didn't see Lu Xuan. He finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then he sat down on the ground and began to recover his strength.
Those around stared in shock at the unsteady-looking barbarian. Especially the highly skilled Elder Yin and Qingyi Jushi, who clearly saw that the barbarian's unstable aura was due to the loss of vital energy. They wondered what had happened to him. With his cultivation level, how could he have suffered internal injuries?
However, the crowd quickly lost interest. The two elders of the Star Palace had already activated the teleportation array for the next level. Barbarian Beard rose with a helpless expression. He clearly hadn't had enough time to recover. But no matter what, he couldn't give up the chance to enter the inner hall. He could only grit his teeth and follow.
There are two paths to the next level. Outside the entrances to both paths, there are stone tablets about three or four feet high. One is inscribed with "Mystic Crystal Path," and the other with ancient characters such as "Lava Path."
Even before you enter the passageway of Lava Road, a scorching wind that makes you dizzy and your mouth immediately feels dry.
Outside the Xuanjing Path, white, icy air continuously emanated from within, accompanied by the faint sound of howling winds, sending chills down one's spine upon seeing it.
Upon entering any of the passages, one is immediately teleported to various pre-set locations within the Grand Canyon. The chance of being teleported with others is very low. Therefore, this stage requires sheer strength to overcome. Consequently, by this point, cultivators below the late-stage Core Formation realm have essentially given up.
Those who actually used these two paths were only a few giants from the righteous and demonic paths, plus a few of their disciples. In total, there were no more than a dozen people.
At this moment, Han Laomo was already under the control of the Extreme Yin Ancestor. However, he believed he had many trump cards and a hidden Xuan Gu Shangren. Therefore, he was not too afraid and walked directly into the Lava Road.
After taking twenty or thirty steps, Han Li could go no further. The high temperature around him, coupled with the occasional gusts of hot wind, made his facial skin feel slightly painful.
Han Li quickly summoned some protective magic treasures given to him by the Yin Ancestor. A light blue protective shield appeared on Han Li's body. He continued forward while shielded by the shield.
After a moment of dizziness amidst the dazzling red light, the previously vanished high temperature surged back like a monstrous beast, causing the water-attribute shield to flicker a few times and immediately begin to tremble.
Han Li, who had not yet recovered from the dizziness, was startled. He hurriedly channeled his spiritual energy to stabilize the protective barrier and looked around.
The crimson rocks, the yellowish-red earth, the reddish vegetation, and the deep red, hazy sky—everything was the color of fire.
The dangers on the Ice and Fire Road don't simply stem from the extreme temperatures. After all, most of the cultivators here are at least at the Golden Core stage. The extreme temperatures can be overcome with appropriate cultivation techniques and magical treasures. More importantly, these two places are home to many naturally occurring ice and fire spirits. These are the truly dangerous entities.
Han Li didn't rush off, but cautiously observed his surroundings. Only after confirming that the path ahead was temporarily safe did he begin to move forward.