Published: September 2, 2025
Chapter 540: Ninth-Level Demonic Cultivator
A few companion demonic herbs, which Han Li had already marked, soared straight into the jade box along with their roots and soil.
With a "click," Han Li neatly shut the jade box, a trace of delight appearing on his face.
Obtaining the companion demonic herbs so easily was truly unexpected.
However, this place was not suitable for lingering! Han Li was about to turn back and use flying escape when a faint voice sounded from behind him.
"You've stayed nearby for such a long time just for these few plants. Human cultivators are indeed a bit strange!" said a stranger.
Han Li's expression changed drastically, his face turning extremely unpleasant!
But soon, he forced himself to calm down. With a swift movement, his expression darkened as he turned around.
In his sight stood a demonic cultivator dressed in a green robe, looking at him with curiosity.
Once Han Li clearly saw the other’s appearance, a bitter taste rose in his mouth.
This demonic cultivator wore a silver crown on his head and hemp shoes on his feet. Except for two small green eyes and a pointed horn-like nose, the rest of his features were almost indistinguishable from a human man.
Han Li's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
A demon beast so perfectly transformed into human form could not possibly be just an eighth-level demonic beast. Could it be one of the legendary ninth or tenth-level ones?
Han Li's body stiffened instantly. Although his hands already gripped the Five Elements Ring and a spiritual beast pouch, he dared not act recklessly.
"You have caught me early," Han Li said, his voice dry and unpleasant.
However, the demonic cultivator opposite him reacted with a slight movement of expression before chuckling lightly.
"Indeed, I noticed you the day you first arrived. At first, I thought you were just a passing human cultivator, so I paid no mind. But who would have thought you stayed lingering on the nearby reef stones over the days? That piqued my interest," the green-robed demonic cultivator said with narrowed eyes, revealing a set of snow-white teeth.
Han Li thought he might be imagining it, but those teeth seemed excessively sharp, faintly gleaming with a chilling light.
"Feng? So he really is that adult riftwind beast," Han Li thought gloomily.
"If that's the case, why haven't you made your move earlier?" Han Li forced a smile and asked.
"I wanted to meet you sooner. But I had just completed the second stage of shape transformation and was stabilizing my body; it was unwise to venture out forcefully. Now that I'm done stabilizing, I planned to go out. Unexpectedly, you came right into my lair yourself. That truly surprised me," the riftwind beast said with a strange smile.
"Shape transformation second stage? Could it be just entering the ninth level?" Han Li's face turned pale, and cold sweat seeped from the hand holding the Five Elements Ring.
"Ninth level? That's how you humans classify us demon beasts, right? Correct, our second stage of shape transformation corresponds to what you call a ninth-level demonic beast," the demonic cultivator, originally an adult riftwind beast, blinked casually as he replied.
Hearing this candid admission, Han Li fell silent. After a moment, he bitterly smiled.
If it were just an eighth-level demonic beast, he might still have a slight chance to survive. But facing a ninth-level demonic cultivator, he almost completely lost hope.
It seemed inevitable that he would meet his demise.
Thinking this, Han Li stopped speaking. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and spat out more than ten azure lights that circled around him.
Then, with a single hand raised, he intended to summon out the spiritual beast pouch.
But at that very moment, the demonic cultivator moved.
Han Li's vision blurred; his hand lightened, and the spiritual beast pouch was snatched away by the other’s sweeping hand.
Although the dozen flying swords protecting him moved instinctively to block, the opponent’s speed was too fast. Before they could strike, the demonic cultivator had already retreated to his original position.