Chapter 2401

Upon hearing Wen Xinfeng ask this, a trace of surprise flashed across Biying's face, but after pondering for a moment, he sighed and replied:

"Fairy Wen is not wrong. The one who fell was not Fellow Daoist Xuesha's true body, but merely an avatar he had refined. I only received the news shortly before entering this world; Fellow Daoist Xuesha encountered some accidents during his previous explorations. Although he himself is safe and sound, his vitality was greatly damaged, which is why he sent over an avatar whose strength is not inferior to his true body. This avatar was something Fellow Daoist Xuesha had refined for ten thousand years. Now that it has fallen in this battle of powerhouses, I do not know how I will explain this to this old friend when I return."

"It is just an avatar being destroyed; it is still a thousand times better than Fellow Daoist Xuesha's true body falling. I believe that when you return, Brother Bi, if you provide Brother Xuesha with some compensation, it should be enough to appease him." The silver-armored man retracted the silver electric arcs on his body and stood up as he said this.

At this moment, his complexion was much better than before.

"I hope so. Brother Lei, are you truly alright? Do you need me to help you with anything?" Biying shook his head and looked at the several black ghost heads that were still biting tightly onto the silver-armored man's shoulder, asking with some concern.

"It is nothing. These demons cannot be removed immediately, but after I return and spend more time, I will be able to refine them directly with my life's true fire. It is just that this battle has truly cost me several supreme treasures that I originally used for self-preservation." The silver-armored man said with a bitter smile.

"Fellow Daoist Lei, what kind of divine abilities did your opponent use to force you to such a state?" Han Li finally asked curiously.

"That woman's other divine abilities are nothing to speak of, but there is one secret technique that can drive ghost shadows that is truly a headache. These ghost shadows are not only formless and shadowless, but they can also directly attach themselves to this woman, allowing her body to instantly become ethereal and suffer no harm at all. I used every secret technique and cultivation method I had, but I could not break this divine ability, which is why I had no choice but to admit defeat and flee." The silver-armored man said with great unwillingness.

"Ghost shadows... it seems the so-called Underworld cultivation methods do indeed have their unique aspects. Brother Lei, since this was your first time facing such strange divine abilities, it is understandable that you were defeated." Wen Xinfeng comforted him in a gentle voice.

The silver-armored man shook his head and did not say anything more.

"The outcome is decided. There is no need for us to stay here any longer. Let us return to the stronghold immediately. From here on, we just need to wait a few days to see if these ghosts truly act according to the agreement. Let us go."

Biying greeted the group, immediately put away the chessboard in front of him, and was the first to soar into the air to return.

The others naturally followed closely and flew away.

One month later, at an extremely hidden lake, the seemingly calm, mirror-like emerald lake surface suddenly parted, and a black giant boat shot out from within. After a few flashes, it appeared at the edge of the horizon, and after another blur, it vanished without a trace.

On the black giant boat, tall, fully armed puppets patrolled back and forth on both sides of the deck.

And in the deep layers of the giant boat, in a secret chamber where layers of restrictions had been set, Han Li sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, holding a pale silver jade slip in his hands, pondering silently.

Shortly after the battle of powerhouses ended, he followed the others back to the Scripture Pavilion where the Commercial Alliance headquarters was located, and Biying finally handed him an immortal secret technique as promised.

This immortal secret technique, called the "Origin Astral Barrier," was what he had finally chosen after hearing the other party's general introduction.

Compared to several other offensive immortal secret techniques, Han Li considered himself to have the Brahma Saint divine abilities and the Profound Heaven Slaying Spirit Sword in hand; he did not lack offensive means. This Origin Astral Barrier, however, sounded simple in name, but in reality, it was a special cultivation method that manipulated the heaven and earth origin Qi to form a defense.

Although he did not know what its true power was, since it was an immortal secret technique, it certainly had its unique aspects.

The only trouble was... Han Li's gaze flickered; he held the jade slip in his hand and pointed a finger at it.

Instantly, the jade slip hummed, and golden characters floated out from within. After spinning rapidly, they formed a dense passage of scripture in the void in front of him.

These golden characters were flickering in and out of existence, expanding and contracting, as if they possessed some spirituality; they were clearly the Golden Seal Scripts unique to the Immortal World.

Han Li narrowed his eyes, watched the scripture for a while, and then frowned and shook his head.

Although he recognized most of these Golden Seal Scripts, when they were composed together, they were exceptionally obscure and difficult to understand. He estimated that truly comprehending them thoroughly was definitely not something that could be done in a short time.

Thinking this to himself, Han Li pointed his finger at the jade slip again.

With a "Puff," the golden scripture in the air blurred and vanished into thin air.

After thinking for a moment, Han Li flipped his hand, and another crimson jade slip appeared in his palm.

He stroked the jade slip with his fingers twice, and a trace of joy appeared on his face.

This jade slip was exactly what he had obtained that day in the Heavenly Tripod Palace from the treasures left behind by the Heavenly Tripod True Person.

He had originally only intended to copy the cultivation methods recorded inside, but as a result, Ice Soul, grateful for his help in retrieving the treasures, had gifted the jade slip directly to him.

The jade slip also recorded a profound cultivation method, which was the secret technique for refining thunder power that the Heavenly Tripod True Person had obtained back then.

Han Li himself possessed the top-tier thunder power divine ability, the Evil-Warding Divine Thunder; this cultivation method was perfectly suited for him.

And compared to the immortal technique of the Origin Astral Barrier, comprehending this cultivation method was much simpler.

Han Li placed the jade slip against his forehead and began to quietly comprehend it as he had done before.

Over the past year or so, he had already comprehended more than half of this cultivation method. He estimated that spending another half a year would allow him to fully grasp this technique, at which point he could begin refining the Evil-Warding Divine Thunder.

Thinking this, Han Li focused his spiritual sense into the jade slip, and at the same time, he slowly closed his eyes and began to continue his comprehension.

The black giant boat sped along toward a predetermined direction.

At the same time, in a great hall at the bottom of the giant lake, Biying sat on a chair, pondering something with a thoughtful expression on his face.

In front of him were four Commercial Alliance Elders dressed in different attire.

Wen Xinfeng was also among them, and she was saying slowly:

"So, the Blood Bone Sect and the others are quite fast this time; they have actually locked onto that fierce demon so quickly."

"Yes. I heard that several major sects led by the Blood Bone Sect have gathered a total of twelve Mahayana existences. They are preparing to set up a Great Demon-Trapping Array on the path the fierce demon is traveling, and then find a way to lure him into the array before joining forces to eliminate him. However, I do not know for what purpose, but they actually sent me an invitation, specifically inviting me to observe this battle of demon-slaying. By the way, I heard they also invited the Great Mr. He of the Falling Heaven Valley and Lady Lingyun of the Ten Thousand Insect Mountain." Biying said with an unchanging expression.

"Hmph, what other purpose could they have? These major blood-path sects have always held a fair amount of wariness toward us; they are mostly wanting to show off their strength to the Alliance in this battle. Otherwise, since Elder Jun has already gone over, why would they need to personally invite Brother Bi to make this trip?" A green-robed old man beside him snorted and said.

"But regardless, the major blood-path sects like the Blood Bone Sect are still the greatest powers on the continent in name, so it is not easy for us to refuse this matter. Brother Mu, how did Falling Heaven Valley and Ten Thousand Insect Mountain handle this?" Wen Xinfeng asked with a frown.

"According to the news gathered so far, both Great Mr. He and Lady Lingyun have already agreed to go and observe the battle." The green-robed old man replied without hesitation.

"Since those two have already agreed, it is not easy for me to refuse. Otherwise, in the eyes of others, it would greatly damage the Alliance's face. Alright, arrange the teleportation array; I will set off in a few days to take a look. I am also quite curious as to what heaven-reaching means this fierce demon, who has blood-sacrificed countless living beings, actually has to dare to commit such acts that are intolerable to both gods and men." After pondering for a while, Biying finally patted the armrest of his chair and said.

"Since Brother Bi has already made a decision, it is not easy for us to obstruct you. But to be safe, Brother Bi should still be extra careful." After Wen Xinfeng nodded, she added a reminder with a solemn expression.

"Rest assured. For the sake of the battle of powerhouses, I originally prepared several life-saving means that were not used in the previous battle. Even if I encounter greater danger over there, escaping will be more than enough." Biying replied with a slight smile.

Hearing Biying say this, Wen Xinfeng and the others finally felt completely at ease.

Next, Biying discussed the utilization of the small world's resources with these Elders of the Alliance, and then the others took their leave and exited the hall one after another.

Only Biying remained, sitting quietly on his chair.

However, at this moment, the smile on the old man's face vanished completely, and his complexion became uncertain.

"Since the Heavenly Secret Fragment has appeared, the Great Tribulation should not be far off. I originally thought it was definitely related to the Ten Kings of the Underworld, but I have already retreated from the battle of powerhouses unscathed. Has the Great Tribulation not arrived yet, or has it already been invisibly resolved due to my previous caution?"

Biying raised his head to look at the void above, muttered a few words to himself, and fell into deep thought once again.

Half a month later, Han Li appeared in a pile of rubble, watching a group of puppets carefully clearing an old, dilapidated altar buried deep underground.

At the same time, Biying, accompanied by several Commercial Alliance guards, had also appeared in a massive city at the other end of the Xuetian Continent.

And in a mountain range not far from this city, Six-Wings and Ice Soul were hiding in the belly of a small mountain, sitting cross-legged on two prayer mats facing each other, meditating to recover their vitality.

Among them, Six-Wings would take out a small bottle from his bosom every so often, drip a drop of unknown spirit liquid into his mouth, and then close his eyes to quietly refine the medicinal power.

Although the two appeared to be completely unscathed, anyone could see the exhaustion on their faces at a glance.

It was no wonder they had such expressions; anyone who had been pursued for such a long time by a powerful enemy they could not resist would likely find their true essence and spirit becoming unbearable.

"Fellow Daoist Six-Wings, how much longer do you think we can persist like this?" Ice Soul suddenly opened her beautiful eyes and asked. (To be continued.)