Chapter 2267: The Final Evolution

Han Li saw that Zi Ling's previous words were indeed sincere. Although he felt a hint of indescribable loss in his heart, he did not try to persuade her further, only giving her a few more words of advice.

After all, as she herself said, her constitution was indeed better suited for cultivating Demon Clan techniques, and if she returned to the human race, he had no way to ensure she could truly ascend to the Immortal Realm.

If that were the case, it would be better to let her stay in the Demon Realm; perhaps she would truly have a chance to find her own destiny.

Just like that, Han Li stayed at the Guangyuan Pavilion for a month.

During this time, he imparted all his insights on cultivating demon techniques to Zi Ling, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of the Demon Dao.

During this period, Lan Ying did not stand on ceremony and listened to Han Li's teachings as well. Seeing the thoughtful expression on her face after each session, she clearly benefited greatly as well.

The painstaking guidance of a Grand Cultivation existence could be considered a rare and great opportunity for those of their tier.

Guangyuan Pavilion lived up to its reputation as a massive force spanning several realms. Before the month was up, they had actually found a location identical to the one on the Qi Ling Secret Treasure map and quickly passed it to Lan Ying.

Lan Ying did not hesitate to tell Han Li the news truthfully.

Upon learning this, Han Li was naturally exceptionally delighted.

In the following few days, Han Li stopped teaching Zi Ling his insights and instead toured some of the scenic areas in the Lanpu Lake region with her.

While touring the scenery, which was vastly different from the Spirit Realm, they recalled old matters from their time in the human world, occasionally revealing knowing smiles.

However, naturally, neither of them brought up the intimate encounter they had shared back then, and there were not even any overly affectionate actions, as if they were truly just close friends who could talk about anything.

Time passed quickly. One morning, Han Li finally left Lanpu City alone, drifting away.

In the fourth-floor pavilion of the Guangyuan Pavilion, Zi Ling stood at the window, staring blankly at the distant sky. Her beautiful face was complex, filled with both a hint of sweetness and a touch of determination.

"Sister Zi, are you truly willing to be separated from Brother Han by two realms and not accompany him by his side? I clearly remember that not long ago, you were very much looking forward to this," Lan Ying asked, standing not far behind Zi Ling with a slight frown.

"If I were to return with him, I could indeed soothe my longing and have a chance to accompany him for a period of time. But what about ten thousand or over a hundred thousand years later! With his aptitude, entering the Immortal Realm is only a matter of time. If I truly wish to be by his side forever, following him into the Immortal Realm is the only possible path. Should I covet momentary joy, or seek a chance for permanent companionship in the future? If it were you, Sister Lan, how would you choose?" Zi Ling did not turn her head, but let out a faint, lingering sigh.

The linen-clad young woman heard these words, her expression shifted, and she could not help but fall into deep thought.

Half a month later, in a mountain valley near Lanpu, the white flying boat piloted by Han Li drifted down from high in the sky.

Under a giant tree below, a silver-haired woman of peerless beauty was waiting quietly with a smile on her face.

It was Silver Moon!

Seeing Han Li alone, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Brother Han, have you met with Sister Zi?" she asked softly.

"I have. But she intends to stay in the Demon Realm to continue her cultivation. I thought about it and felt that doing so is also a good choice. If she continues to cultivate demon techniques in the Demon Realm, she might truly have a chance to reach the final step," Han Li replied calmly.

"If Brother Han agrees, then Sister Zi's choice is likely not wrong. Since that is the case, are we returning to the Spirit Realm now? My ancestor, Senior Mo, and several other Spirit Realm Grand Cultivation cultivators have already returned," Silver Moon said, her expression showing a hint of strangeness, but she nodded.

"It is still a bit too early to return. I have a secret treasure map of the Demon Clan in my hands, and there should be quite a few treasures inside," Han Li thought for a moment and said.

"A secret treasure map?" A hint of surprise flashed across Silver Moon's face; clearly, this was the first time she had heard Han Li mention this.

"Hehe. You just need to follow me. Calculating the distance, if things go smoothly, it will only take a few months," Han Li said with a smile.

"Since Brother Han says so, I naturally have no reason to doubt it. Let's set off then," Silver Moon smiled beautifully, and with a movement of her jade feet, she drifted onto the flying boat in a flash of silver light.

Han Li nodded and tapped the spirit boat beneath his feet lightly. Immediately, a humming sound rang out, and it turned into a streak of white light, breaking through the air and leaving.

Several months later, the flying boat carrying Han Li and Silver Moon entered a wasteland that even high-tier Demon Clan members were unwilling to step into easily.

In front of the ten-plus-zhang-long flying boat, two giant ape puppets, each a zhang tall, stood motionless, faint spirit light flickering beneath their feet, clearly manipulating the flying boat forward.

In a secret room within the flying boat's cabin, Silver Moon sat cross-legged on a verdant prayer mat, her hands forming seals, her eyes closed as she cultivated some kind of technique. Five-colored spirit light swirled around her body, while a giant silver wolf phantom flickered behind her, looking incredibly lifelike!

In another secret room not far away, filled with protective restrictions, Han Li sat cross-legged on the ground, but with a hesitant expression on his face, playing with an object in his hands.

A closer look!

The object in his hand was crystal clear and pitch black; it was none other than the unknown black crystal stone that remained after the Mother of Myriad Insects was struck down by the Punishment Thunder.

Han Li had possessed this item for quite some time, and after countless divine sense probes and flipping through numerous ancient texts, he had come to understand its origin.

It was precisely what remained after powerful demon insects like the Mother of Myriad Insects injected all their essence into their demon cores before facing destruction.

Of course, if possible, these demon insects would also take the opportunity to hide a wisp of their remnant soul inside to avoid the current calamity.

However, the primordial spirit and essence of that Mother of Myriad Insects had truly dissolved into nothingness.

Even if this crystal core truly had the miraculous effect of resisting attacks, it was unavoidable when facing an Immortal Realm heavenly thunder like the Punishment Thunder.

The powerful might of the Punishment Thunder had long since swept away everything inside the crystal core, and even the core itself had largely dissolved.

Han Li was taking it out now with a hesitant expression, seemingly troubled by some difficult decision.

A low humming sound emerged!

Although it was nearly inaudible, it was as clear as a thunderclap to Han Li's ears.

"These fellows are acting up again. It seems they are truly desperate for this thing. But unfortunately, this item is also of great use to me. If I could absorb the essence inside, perhaps I could advance the Brahma Saint True Demon Art another layer," Han Li murmured with a bitter smile, looking down at the crystal core in his hand, lost in deep thought.

The humming sound gradually grew louder.

Han Li raised an eyebrow and suddenly flicked his sleeve, sending three balls of golden light flying out.

After circling once, the light faded!

Three golden beetles, each the size of a peck, appeared before Han Li, with faint purple markings flickering on their bodies.

They were none other than the three quasi-Gold-Devouring Insect Kings!

As soon as these three insect kings appeared, their buzzing gazes fixed, all staring intently at the black crystal core in Han Li's hand.

"Swish," "swish," "swish"—three sounds rang out as the three golden insects flapped their wings, simultaneously turning into three streaks of golden light and charging toward the crystal core.

Han Li's expression sank. He simply swept his palm horizontally before him and spread his five fingers, grabbing at the void.

An invisible, massive force rolled out.

With a few "bangs," the three golden insects were bounced away a chi away from Han Li, tumbling several times before barely managing to stabilize their flight by flapping their wings again.

These quasi-insect kings were incredibly powerful, but before Han Li, who had advanced to the Grand Cultivation stage, they had no power to resist, just like larvae.

Even so, the three quasi-insect kings still lunged frantically toward Han Li, but they were always blocked by an invisible force, unable to get what they desired.

Seeing the three Gold-Devouring Insects so agitated, Han Li's brow furrowed even more deeply. After a long while, he let out a long sigh and murmured:

"Forget it. The essence contained in the Mother of Myriad Insects should be better suited for insect-type consumption. If I were to refine it myself, I don't know if there would be any future repercussions. These three quasi-insect kings have already nearly reached the limit of their evolution; if they consume the essence of the Mother of Myriad Insects..."

Han Li's expression was uncertain. He withdrew the palm he had been blocking with, and the black crystal core in his other hand flew high into the air.

The three golden beetles were no longer blocked. Seeing the crystal core leave Han Li's hand, their direction changed instantly, and they lunged upward as three streaks of golden light.

The next moment, the three Gold-Devouring Insects collided at the center of the black crystal core.

They fought each other while each biting into a side of the crystal core, flying backward and devouring it frantically.

Finally, the three of them exerted force, splitting the small crystal core into three uneven parts and swallowing them into their bellies without hesitation.

As soon as the crystal core entered their bellies, the purple markings on the three insects' bodies flared wildly, their bodies expanding and contracting, and their auras became incredibly chaotic.

The three Gold-Devouring Insects let out hissing sounds, their ferocity exposed, and they lunged into a ball again, tearing at each other.

Seeing this scene, Han Li's expression shifted slightly, but he sat quietly to the side, not intending to intervene in the slightest.

The battle between the three Gold-Devouring Insects was incredibly brutal.

Before long, their bodies were covered in wounds, and two of the Gold-Devouring Insects were each missing a forelimb.

After tearing at each other for a while longer, they suddenly scattered in a flash of golden light.

They hissed at each other in threat, then flapped their wings and lunged forward again.

Although the three were already heavily wounded, their movements remained incredibly fierce, with no intention of backing down.

After watching for a while longer, Han Li seemed to remember something. His gaze flashed, and he suddenly flicked his sleeve at the void.

Immediately, a sheet of golden mist rolled out, and the three Gold-Devouring Insects, which had been rolling together, blurred and vanished into thin air.