Chapter 843

Han Li did not recall the Tian Sha Demon Corpse or the other puppets; instead, during his flight, he released the dozen giant turtle puppets as well.

The Ancestor Linghu Ancestor and the white-robed woman, who had followed behind, were startled but felt somewhat relieved. Though each puppet was weak in single combat, if deployed skillfully and in dozens at once, even an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator would have to avoid their onslaught.

Yet as their hearts eased slightly, not only did the Ancestor Linghu Ancestor's envy flare again, but the white-robed woman also muttered inwardly, feeling even more that Han Li's methods were endless and profoundly inscrutable.

In mere moments, Han Li flew the dozen li to the vicinity of the battle, halting slowly a hundred zhang away, clearly observing everything before him.

Only when so close did he realize the so-called black-purple radiance was in fact countless black magical tentacles writhing wildly within the purple-red demonic light. And the source of these demonic energies was a demon at the center of the purple glow.

This demon bore a single horn on its forehead, its face grotesque and terrifying, strikingly similar to the two-headed, four-armed demon that had fled, yet its body was no different from an ordinary human's—even its skin shimmered with an unearthly luster, like flawless jade.

At this moment, the demon's expression was blank, its eyes half-closed, as if still half-asleep.

Yet strangely, though its lips remained tightly shut, thunderous roars periodically erupted from its abdomen. Merely hearing the sound suggested the demon was furiously enraged—but its face remained utterly expressionless, utterly wooden.

Its two arms also mechanically hurled forth clusters of pitch-black flames, movements stiff and painfully slow.

Though these were merely a few unremarkable black fireballs, each one that exploded into the green clouds below sent up a wave of black flame over ten zhang wide, scattering the surrounding green mist into shreds.

But Wei Wei Wuyan's poison clouds were no trivial matter. After a surge of counterattack, they immediately extinguished the black flames, while transforming vast clouds of mist into countless green serpents that surged upward, biting and clawing, attempting to pierce the air and strike directly at the demon's head within the demonic radiance.

Thus, green mist, strange radiance, and black demonic flames intertwined and flickered, accompanied by continuous thunderous booms in the sky.

"What's going on? That demon seems not yet fully awakened—or perhaps it's bound by some restriction. This is a good opportunity!" Ancestor Linghu Ancestor, who had just arrived, halted near Han Li. Upon seeing the demon in the sky, his expression first changed, then brightened with delight.

"If it were this easy to kill, Wei Dao friend would have acted long ago—why hide in the poison clouds, struggling to hold on? Clearly, there's some hidden mystery. But judging from the strength of the demonic energy, this demon is undoubtedly deeply connected to the one that just escaped—and far more powerful." Han Li shook his head casually as he spoke, his spiritual sense sweeping continuously around the vicinity.

He was puzzled why the demonicized Lord Nanlong Hou, who had arrived first, had vanished entirely. But his gaze paused—he spotted the silver-haired elder and others nearby. They had been stunned by the scene before them; upon seeing Han Li and his group arrive, their faces showed clear surprise. The surnamed Cheng elder, upon seeing Han Li, was both startled and delighted.

Yet for reasons unknown, he merely nodded faintly from afar, showing no intention to approach.

Seeing this, Han Li sighed inwardly and sent a voice message:

"Senior Brother Cheng. How did you get involved here? This demon is extremely dangerous—even Wei Wei Wuyan below may not be its match. Also, another two-headed, four-armed demon lurks nearby, nearly as formidable as the one in the fray."

"What? That's Wei Wei Wuyan below? And another such monster! Han younger brother knows so clearly—did you already engage it?" The silver-haired elder's heart leapt, and he sent a voice message back, lips moving.

"I only tested the other demon briefly. Though I didn't gauge its true strength, it's certainly no weaker than a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. I barely held it off with the help of these two Dao friends. These demons devour cultivators' Nascent Souls, move like the wind, and excel at concealment. Senior Brother, be careful! If you truly intend to act, we should all strike together—it's the safest approach." Han Li quickly explained the ancient demon's dangers and issued a warning.

"Understood. I'll discuss this with these two Dao friends." The silver-haired elder, hearing Han Li's grave tone, felt his heart sink and hurriedly replied.

Then he turned to the Brother Tianjing True Person and the unfamiliar elder beside him, speaking a few words, relaying Han Li's message.

The Brother Tianjing True Person had already recognized Han Li. Seeing the two or three dozen tiger demons and turtle puppets beside him, his face was filled with astonishment.

At this moment, he smiled at Han Li in greeting while conversing with the silver-haired elder.

The elder with a face full of wrinkles, upon hearing Han Li's name, glanced at him twice with visible surprise.

Though this was an ancient Nascent Soul hermit who had long withdrawn from worldly affairs, Han Li's recent fame was too loud. Moreover, he was the younger brother of his closest friend—naturally, he felt curious. But outwardly, he merely gave Han Li a faint nod.

As for Ancestor Linghu Ancestor and the white-robed woman, though their reputations were not insignificant, they had no ties with the opposite group, so they let Han Li communicate freely with the three on the other side.

To deal with such a terrifying demon, it was better for everyone to act together.

At that moment, Wei Wei Wuyan's voice emerged from the green clouds, low and slightly hoarse.

"Is that Dao friend Han? It's fortunate you arrived in time. This demon is an ancient demon that once invaded our human realm—it is the sworn enemy of cultivators. I never expected one was sealed in the Falling Demon Valley, and that Lord Wang and others accidentally released it. Lord Wang and Wang Wang Tiangu have already perished in the spatial tear explosion during its escape. I barely survived by exhausting all my powers—but my primordial energy is severely damaged; I cannot hold it much longer. Fortunately, a small portion of the ancient cultivators' seal still remains within its body, and it is currently using its internal demonic fire to burn away the restrictions. You must stop it. Once its demonic power is fully restored, no one in the Falling Demon Valley will be its match—and all of you will meet the same fate."

Wei Wei Wuyan's voice was urgent and anxious, as if he was badly wounded. As soon as he finished, the green mist churned violently, and a figure emerged within a swirl of green light—his face ashen, eyes dim, unmistakably Wei Wei Wuyan.

Upon hearing this, Han Li was enlightened yet inwardly groaned.

He had thought he was merely coming to assist Wei Wei Wuyan—how had it instantly become their turn to bear the main burden? This trouble was enormous!

Ancestor Linghu Ancestor and the others, upon hearing this, exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do.

If even a great cultivator like Wei Wei Wuyan couldn't match this demon, how could they? But if they fled now, Wei Wei Wuyan would invoke righteousness to shame them—if word got out they'd fled without fighting, they'd never be able to stand in the Tiannan cultivation world again.

After all, this wasn't a mere cultivator duel, where retreating at the first sign of trouble went unremarked.

"Don't worry, friends. I've probed with my spiritual sense from afar. If you can just hold this demon for a moment, other Dao friends will arrive shortly. Moreover, not long ago, I sent a voice talisman to the Mulan Fa Shi—they won't fail to come to aid if they wish to establish themselves in Tiannan." As if sensing Han Li's embarrassment, Wei Wei Wuyan's tone softened, finally delivering good news.

Hearing this, all the cultivators—including Han Li—breathed a sigh of relief. Though they might not be its match, holding it off for a while seemed feasible.

But the demon with a demon-head and human body, floating in the black demonic energy, seemed to understand their words. Its half-closed eyes trembled slightly, a glint of cold light flashing. Simultaneously, its demonic flames paused, and it slowly raised its head to survey the surroundings.

Wherever the demon's gaze swept, black and purple demonic auras flickered wildly. Everyone instantly felt a chill rise from their backs, as if targeted by a natural predator, their hearts simultaneously jolting.

Only Han Li, who had cultivated the Great Expansion Scripture, possessed an exceptionally powerful spiritual sense. Though he felt discomfort after being glanced at, his pupils contracted, a blue light flashed, and he met its gaze directly. If he deliberately avoided it, he might leave a psychological shadow—making him hesitant before this demon in the future.

The demon-head, human-body ancient demon, clearly surprised by Han Li's response, turned its icy gaze around once more, then fixed it squarely on Han Li.

Han Li, meanwhile, half-closed his eyes and stared silently at the demon.

Ancestor Linghu Ancestor and the white-robed woman, who had been standing beside Han Li, involuntarily stepped several paces apart after the ancient demon's gaze swept over them, clearly unable to bear the weight of its spiritual pressure.

Seeing this, the others changed expression and immediately went on guard.

At that moment, the demon raised its hand. Black flames flickered, and a black fireball rapidly swelled, growing to the size of a human head. Then, with a flick of its arm, the fireball vanished instantly.

Han Li's heart tightened—then he was stunned.

For the black fireball's target was not Han Li or his group, but a vacant spot high above the demon, where it suddenly reappeared and exploded.

A radius of over ten zhang was engulfed in black demonic flames.

As Han Li stared in astonishment, a shadow flickered beneath the black flames, and a two-headed, four-armed monster emerged. Its four arms glowed with purple light as they swung together, and the black demonic flames instantly condensed, reforming into a single black fireball in the palm of one arm.

Then that arm moved—the monster's front head swallowed the black fireball whole, raised its head, and fixed its cold gaze downward upon the demon-head, human-body demon.

"So it's you. You've finally come." The demon-head ancient demon sighed, suddenly speaking in human language.

"You've got guts, daring to attack me. So you've taken matters into your own hands. I wonder now if letting you go to devour that cultivator's primordial spirit was right or wrong." The two-headed, four-armed Lord Nanlong Hou's front head sneered, its tone hostile.

Net