Published: August 28, 2025
Chapter 454: Temptation
It was as if the dark clouds blocking out the sky sensed Han Li’s hostility and the wariness on his face. The clouds began swirling rapidly, then swiftly contracted toward the center. Black energy churned violently, and demonic qi surged intensely.
Han Li’s heart jolted. Just as he was about to have his puppets strike first, a cold voice from Xuanggu sounded in his ear.
“Kid, don’t act rashly. He’s just giving you a warning, not truly intending to kill you. First, see what purpose this rebellious disciple has in seeking you out!”
Xuanggu’s voice startled Han Li for a moment, then he suddenly understood and sobered up.
He suppressed his impulse and asked calmly but respectfully, “Senior of Extreme Yin, your honorable presence here—what guidance do you have for this junior?”
Han Li’s voice was low and steady.
From the clouds above came the supreme patriarch of Dark Yin’s reply, ignoring the question: “To still remain so calm after one strike from me... you must be very bold.”
Han Li frowned slightly but quickly composed himself and replied, “If a nascent soul stage cultivator like you truly wanted to kill me, bold or not wouldn’t make a difference.”
Knowing that Xuanggu was nearby, lurking quietly, Han Li felt somewhat reassured.
If he and this old demon who knew the weaknesses of the Profound Yin Great Technique joined forces, fighting against the Extreme Yin patriarch might not be impossible. Of course, this depended on whether Xuanggu would actually intervene during a confrontation. Han Li was far from certain. Thus, he had no intention of provoking the man.
At that moment, the black clouds finally contracted fully.
After flickering a few times, with a soft “puff,” the clouds dissipated, revealing a middle-aged man and a short, ugly youth—none other than the Extreme Yin patriarch and Wu Chou.
“You are Han Li, a rogue cultivator from Tianxing City. Am I correct?” the middle-aged man asked, looking at Han Li with interest.
“That’s right. I am Han Li. It seems you know quite a bit,” Han Li replied with a faint, somewhat helpless smile.
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to cause trouble, nor to vent my anger over what happened at the Miaoyin Sect. That attack earlier was simply because the formation was obstructing me, so I destroyed it,” the Extreme Yin patriarch said with a calm smile.
“What obstruction? Wasn’t it just a show of strength to intimidate me!” Han Li thought to himself knowingly but still asked politely, “Then, senior, what is your purpose in coming here...?”
Although he knew the man was waiting for this question, Han Li had no choice but to ask it begrudgingly.
After hearing Han Li’s question, the Extreme Yin patriarch chuckled, scrutinizing Han Li thoroughly from head to toe—so intently that Han Li felt uneasy.
“Do you recognize this?” Suddenly, the patriarch flipped his hand, revealing a small piece of something white in his palm, his face stern as he spoke.
Before Han Li could get a good look, the item was lightly tossed toward him.
Han Li’s expression flickered with doubt. When the object flew before him, he flicked his robe’s sleeve, instantly wrapping it inside, and carefully brought it closer to inspect.
The object was small and incomplete, but Han Li immediately recognized it.
It was a small segment of pure white silk sprayed by a blood jade spider.
Han Li was momentarily stunned, wondering why the man had such a thing. Then his mind raced back to the battle at the Hidden Death Sect, where he had apparently used the blood jade spider to fend off a demon corpse during his breakout. The man must have gotten this from then.
Why was the patriarch asking about this? Han Li’s expression shifted as a whirlpool of suspicion swirled in his mind.
But the man wasn’t going to give him time to ponder further. After a brief pause, Han Li answered honestly.
“Of course I recognize this. This is the silk web spit out by my spiritual beast. Is that why you came?”