Published: August 27, 2025
Chapter 429: The Fragmented Map Reappears
“Since you’re unwilling to talk about these matters, then…”
The revered master of the mysterious bones shifted his tone, as if planning to ask a different question. But at that moment, a clear and melodious ringing suddenly came from the old demon’s body, a crisp and pleasant sound that made Han Li blink in surprise.
The revered master of the mysterious bones heard the sound and was momentarily stunned, then showed an expression of disbelief mixed with joy.
Ignoring Han Li, he suddenly struck his own chest with a fist.
With a soft “puchi,” a small piece of pristine white rib bone shot out from his body, circling around the revered master once before falling into his palm.
That clear ringing was actually emanating from this very rib bone.
Han Li blinked, a hint of confusion on his face, feeling somewhat puzzled.
But the old demon, holding this item, smiled even more broadly.
With a “bang,” the old demon clenched his five fingers slightly, turning the white bone into powder. From it drifted a white orb of light and a black insect resembling a cricket.
The insect circled the light orb, chirping continuously. But the moment it saw the revered master of the mysterious bones, it stopped its chirping and flew straight into his body.
Seeing this, the revered master laughed heartily and snatched the light orb into his hand. Then the white light vanished, revealing an old brocade handkerchief, slightly yellowed with age.
Han Li’s heart skipped a beat when he saw this item.
This brocade handkerchief looked so familiar, very similar to the fragmented map he had received from the black death cult leader. Could there be a connection between the two?
Thoughts raced in Han Li’s mind as he realized this might be the key to unlocking the secret of that fragmented map. He widened his eyes and carefully observed every move of the other party.
Unfortunately, the revered master only glanced at it quickly before swiftly stuffing the brocade handkerchief into his bosom. Then, with a calm expression, he said to Han Li:
“Since you have no relation with those two rebellious disciples, I won’t waste any more time with you. I have other urgent matters to attend to, so we’ll go our separate ways. One piece of advice: if you linger here any longer, my evil disciple may come rushing here upon hearing the news.”
Having said this, the revered master of the mysterious bones paid no attention to Han Li’s reaction. Amid cold laughter, he transformed into a streak of blood aura, flashing past Han Li’s side and shooting out through the entrance in a great hurry.
Han Li was first taken aback, then frowned.
But he quickly moved, transforming into an azure light to circle the hall. He collected the magical treasures and storage bags of Jin Qing and the others, then used several fireballs to reduce the corpses to ashes before flying out himself.
He couldn’t afford to ponder over the brocade handkerchief now. He feared if he delayed leaving, the other party might have set some trap at the cave entrance, which would be a serious problem.
Interestingly, the old demon didn’t even glance at these cultivators’ storage bags. Whether he looked down on these foundation formation cultivators’ belongings or was just careless due to urgency, this was a fortunate benefit for Han Li.
Yet, Han Li was still deeply troubled and frustrated about the loss of his quhun incarnation!
Attacking the other party outright was unlikely to succeed, which left Han Li feeling helpless once again.
Just as he was lost in thought, he flew out from underground onto the surface.
The old demon had already vanished without a trace, leaving Han Li utterly shocked at the brilliance of his escape technique.
Looking around at the silent surroundings and recalling that so many had entered underground but only he had emerged, an inexplicable sense of loneliness and desolation stirred in Han Li’s heart.
But the negative emotion quickly passed and was cast aside. After all, the path of cultivation was still long and arduous; this was no time for melancholy.