Chapter 543

Just as Han Li was filled with inner suspicion, Feng Xi smiled lightly and asked:

"I heard that in recent years, when Brother Wu was guarding Brother Gui, he was ambushed by several human cultivators. Though you ultimately repelled them, you still suffered minor losses. Could this be why your Jiao Dragon clan intervened? Your beast race has always been fiercely protective of your own!"

"In recent years, those human cultivators on the islands have indeed grown too arrogant. They actually believe this sea region belongs to them. They treat us shape-shifting cultivators as if we were low-grade beasts still bound to animal forms—this is merely courting their own destruction. My affair was merely one of several triggers."

Here the Poisonous Jiao paused, then continued with a calm expression:

"Most importantly, humans killed a newly seventh-level Suanni of the Wan Zhang Sea King Clan. This enraged the old Suanni, who Buxi expended his essence to activate the Ten Thousand Beasts Decree, prompting tens of thousands of beasts to obliterate the human islands. Our Jiao Dragon clan intervened not to avenge that Suanni, but because the sacred relic of our sea race—the 'Fan Sheng Zhen Pian'—was stolen from the slain Suanni by humans. Though this relic was already incomplete and held no real practical value, it remains one of our beast race's few great legacies and must not fall into human hands." The Poisonous Jiao shot Han Li a cold glance, a sharp glint flashing across his face.

I've heard of the Suanni's death, but I had no idea the "Fan Sheng Zhen Pian" was lost. Without this ancestral relic, how can the Suanni clan maintain their position as Sea King? Could your Jiao Dragon clan be aiming to take control of this sea region? The Wind Splitter's expression shifted, and he smirked slyly at the Poisonous Jiao.

"I don't know. I rarely involve myself in clan affairs. But I'm deeply intrigued by the 'Three Fan Holy Art' recorded on the 'Fan Sheng Zhen Pian.' I've heard this technique is an ancient, primordial beast art passed down from antiquity, immensely powerful. Unfortunately, the several 'Fan Sheng Zhen Pian' fragments bearing it have long been scattered—there's no way to reconstruct the art." The Poisonous Jiao first showed interest, then sighed in regret.

"Hah! Brother Wu, you're too greedy. What primordial secret art? I suspect it's just rumor. I don't believe your Jiao Dragon clan's 'Hua Long Jue' could possibly be inferior to it." The Turtle Beast suddenly chuckled in.

"That's true. When our 'Hua Long Jue' is cultivated to its deepest level, one can transform from a dragon-serpent into a true dragon. Naturally, it is among the pinnacle techniques of our beast race." Upon hearing this, the Poisonous Jiao's face flickered with pride, and he spoke with quiet satisfaction.

Feng Xi merely smiled and said nothing in response.

"Fan Sheng Zhen Pian?" Han Li, seated nearby, kept his expression calm, but his heart stirred. He thought of the copper fragment he had only recently acquired.

That copper fragment recorded a beast cultivation technique—and one that appeared quite powerful.

Could it really be such a coincidence that these two beasts were discussing the very same object?

Though unaware of the exact function of the 'Fan Sheng Zhen Pian,' the mere mention of it as a beast ancestral relic told him it was a burning coal.

Could the dark-skinned cultivator be the true instigator of the Abyssal Beast Tide? He was at Core Formation mid-stage—killing a seventh-level beast was not impossible.

Han Li muttered to himself inwardly, yet felt no great alarm.

He was now the classic case of too much debt to care. Under constant threat to his life, another burning coal meant little to him.

Perhaps sensing Han Li's presence made further secret discussions difficult,

Feng Xi turned to Han Li and said coolly:

"Master Li, you've only recently entered Core Formation late stage—you still need to consolidate your realm. I don't want any mishaps during the artifact forging when your spiritual power suddenly fails. Follow this light back to your chamber and rest, cultivate for a while."

With that, the Wind Splitter raised a hand, and a white orb shot from his fingertip, flying toward a side door.

Han Li had no choice but to force a smile, rise, and follow the orb out of the hall.

He had truly wished to hear more of the beast clan's secrets!

As he reached the doorway, Feng Xi's warning echoed behind him:

"In ordinary times, you'd best remain in your chamber and avoid venturing out. If I misunderstand your intentions, it won't be pleasant." The beast cultivator spoke calmly.

Han Li, facing away from the three beasts, paused slightly, then walked silently through the side door without a word.

"Is he alright? I don't think this boy will truly cooperate. What if he causes trouble at the critical moment of forging?" The Poisonous Jiao watched Han Li's retreating figure, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

"Don't worry. This forging of the Wind-Thunder Wings centers on the three of us. This human is merely a vessel supplying wood-element spiritual energy. Once the forging begins, he has no say—he can only obediently channel his power. Besides, I've planted chaotic evil qi within him. Even if he harbors other thoughts, he's powerless to act." Feng Xi curled his lips into a cold smirk.

"Speaking of chaotic evil qi, I recall the Azure Flame Wine contained no such thing. Did you, Brother Feng, add something yourself?" The Turtle Beast suddenly grinned, joining in.

"Heh! Of course. The Azure Flame Wine I gave him was specially refined. This chaotic evil qi should properly be called chaotic demonic qi—it was extracted from the body of a formidable demonic cultivator I killed years ago. Even I, with it inside me, find it difficult to purge." Feng Xi adjusted the silver crown on his head, a cunning gleam in his eyes.

The Poisonous Jiao and the Turtle Beast exchanged knowing smiles, their final doubts now fully dispelled.

…

At this moment, Han Li was led by the white orb into a stone chamber.

The room was elegantly arranged: besides a bed carved from white jade, there were tables, chairs, and several potted exotic flowers and herbs.

The orb instantly dissolved with a soft pop the moment Han Li entered.

Han Li immediately turned and locked the door behind him.

Then he swiftly pulled out several colored array flags from his robes and tossed them lightly into each corner of the room—immediately, a small array enveloped the chamber.

Han Li exhaled slightly, finally free from constant surveillance.

Though this array had no defensive power, it could alert him to hostile surveillance.

Such actions would surely anger the Wind Splitter, but he wouldn't make a major issue over such a minor matter.

Thinking this, Han Li shifted his thoughts to his most pressing concern.

He stepped to the bed, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to examine his inner self.

After a few minutes, Han Li opened his eyes, frowning tightly.

His body remained unchanged—no abnormalities detected. It seemed the beast had not lied; the evil qi was indeed undetectable before activation.

Han Li rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful.

After a moment's consideration, he suddenly pulled something from his person, stared intently at it, and then his eyes sharpened with a flash of determination.

…

Two days later, the Wind Splitter Feng Xi knocked again on Han Li's door and entered.

"Come. Today we begin forging the artifact. Brother Wu and Brother Gui are already waiting for us in the forging chamber." Upon seeing Han Li, the humanoid beast's eyes gleamed with excitement.

He immediately led Han Li out of the room, heading straight for his cavern's forging chamber.

After walking a short distance, the beast brought Han Li before a green jade wall.

Without hesitation, he slapped one palm against the wall—the jade split open into an arched doorway. Then he stepped aside, gesturing for Han Li to enter first.

Han Li glanced quickly inside—the interior glowed crimson, with palpable heat radiating from within. Clearly no ordinary place!

Han Li's eyelids twitched slightly, then he took a deep breath and stepped inside.

But once inside and seeing the scene clearly, Han Li's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

The Poisonous Jiao and the Turtle Beast were indeed inside—but what startled Han Li was that the chamber was a geothermal forge.

In the center of the room stood a ten-zhang square platform, filled with roaring, blazing red flames that surged chaotically within the pool. Around the platform, a complex and massive forging array had been arranged. Han Li glanced at it for only a few moments and felt a silent shock.

With his current expertise in artifact forging and arrays, he could not immediately grasp its intricacies—but this array was undoubtedly extraordinary, far beyond his own ability to construct.

Seeing Han Li enter, the two beasts merely cast him a cold glance before turning away as if he were invisible.

"Now that everyone is here, I've already explained the array's principles to Brother Wu and Brother Gui. Master Li, you merely need to stand in that corner of the array and continuously supply wood-element spiritual energy—nothing else. Don't let your mind wander now!" Feng Xi pointed to a corner of the array and spoke to Han Li with deep implication.

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