Chapter 86

As the cave once again fell into a serene silence, Zhang Yan smiled faintly. With the help of the external phenomena in the illusory realm, he severed his past attachments and cleared his mind, making his thoughts clear and unobstructed at this moment. The demons then retreated, no longer disturbing him.

However, he also understood that the many demons were merely unable to find a way in for the time being. They were still waiting for an opportunity, ready to attack as soon as he showed the slightest crack in his mind.

One must know that the human heart is fickle, easily deceived by external things. As long as there are still attachments in the heart, and one has not cultivated to the realm of a Daoist sage, with the passage of time, other cracks will gradually appear.

However, for the moment, there were fewer annoying things, which could be considered an unexpected gain.

Now that his mystic seed was formed, he only needed to cultivate according to the methods of Taiyi Gold, gradually refining the golden and fiery mystic lights. Then he would not fear ordinary mystic light cultivators.

Moreover, what was more important was that currently he could only use one magical treasure and a sword pill in combination. But once he became a mystic light cultivator, he could use two magical treasures simultaneously, greatly enhancing his combat power.

In the following days, he sat in the cave every day, practicing and refining his inner golden and fiery mystic lights, which grew stronger day by day.

On this day, he emerged from his meditation and calculated the time.

He had been here for ten days, and at this rate, he would only need to cultivate for another half a month to reach the mystic light realm.

The only concern was that the master mentioned by the two Blood Core Sect disciples was likely to arrive soon. At that time, not only would he not be able to cultivate peacefully, but even his life would be in danger. If necessary, he would have to fight his way out of the demon hole entrance on the 15th.

Just as he was thinking, he heard a commotion outside the cave, as if someone was approaching.

Zhang Yan frowned slightly. Could it be the Blood Core Sect disciples?

He cast a spell, and the star sword pill leaped to his head, transforming into a blue light with specks of crystal, enveloping his entire body. With a flash of light, a blue beam flew out from the exit at the back of the cave.

However, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he circled back and found a higher ground to see who had arrived.

Looking down, he raised an eyebrow and thought to himself, "It's this person?"

Below, four people were standing, all covered in blood, looking disheveled, as if they had just been through a fierce battle. The Han family disciple he had seen at the Shouming Palace stood in the middle, surrounded by the other three.

One of the middle-aged cultivators, who seemed to be the leader, said, "Han Ji, we are acting on orders to take your life. Do not blame us. If you are willing to submit, we can let your soul go free."

Han Ji's face showed a bitter smile. "Father really did send you to do this? I thought he would let me die here on my own."

He sighed again and said, "This place is a demon hole. Once my soul leaves, it will likely be devoured by the demons. What difference does it make whether I stay or not? But there is one thing I don't understand. Han Quande, can you tell me?"

The middle-aged cultivator nodded expressionlessly and said, "Speak."

Han Ji's expression was somewhat agitated. "My father never liked me and even tried to kill me several times. Thanks to my mother's protection, I managed to survive. I just don't understand why he wants to get rid of me so badly."

The middle-aged cultivator hesitated for a moment and said, "Since it has come to this, I won't hide it from you. When you were not yet born, a diviner in the sect calculated your destiny. The result was that you would be detrimental to your father. Do you understand now?"

Han Ji was stunned, and then a look of anger flashed in his eyes. His body trembled as he said, "Is that the reason?"

The middle-aged cultivator nodded affirmatively. "Yes."

Han Ji looked up to the sky and laughed bitterly, tearing at his chest. "I, Han Ji, swear to the heavens that if I survive today, I will one day destroy the entire Han family!"

His bitter laughter echoed around, and the middle-aged cultivator's face darkened. He waved his hand and said, "Act."

Zhang Yan, standing in the wind, saw everything clearly. Although Han Ji was a disciple of a large family, it seemed he had not received the true teachings and lacked the means to fight. Soon, he was knocked to the ground, but he managed to hold on by the green smoke from the incense burner in his hand.

After watching for a while, he did not want to get involved in this personal grudge and was about to leave. However, the image of Han Ji's defiant eyes flashed in his mind. He thought, "Fine, I'll save you today."

He took a robe from the sleeve pouch of a dead Blood Core Sect disciple, made a little noise, and cast a spell to use the sword pill to lift the robe into the air, making it flutter faintly.

Sure enough, this movement immediately caught the attention of the people below. One of them exclaimed, "Bad, the Blood Core Sect disciples are chasing us."

The middle-aged cultivator turned around and his face changed dramatically. Having been pursued by the Blood Core Sect disciples, he was already on edge. He hastily said, "Run!" and stomped his foot, leading the other two to flee in a panic.

Seeing them flee in a hurry, Zhang Yan smiled and revealed himself, walking slowly to Han Ji and asking, "Are you alright?"

Han Ji was still lying on the ground, panting. He looked up and saw Zhang Yan approaching, and was taken aback. He said in surprise, "Senior Brother Zhang? Was it you just now...?"

Then he seemed to realize something, struggled to stand up, raised his hands, and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving my life."

Zhang Yan accepted his bow calmly and said, "Hmm? You recognize me?"

Han Ji looked at him, his eyes filled with admiration. "Senior Brother Zhang once humiliated Zhuang Bufan, and all of us from the noble families have heard about it. You were also with us at the Shouming Palace. How could I not recognize you? I was just held back by some servants and couldn't come to meet you."

Zhang Yan glanced at him and saw the admiration in his eyes. He shook his head and pointed to the nearby cave, saying, "This place is too open and conspicuous. Brother Han, why don't you come inside with me? I have a few things I want to ask you."

Han Ji stepped back and bowed, saying, "I dare not. If Senior Brother has any questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability."

Zhang Yan nodded and walked forward. Han Ji waited for him to pass before following.

Once they were seated in the cave, Zhang Yan casually threw him a qi-replenishing pill and asked, "Brother Han, when you entered this demon hole, did you see Senior Brother Xie Zongyuan and others?"

Hearing Zhang Yan's question, Han Ji put down the pill, sat up straight, and answered, "Yes, I did. There were several Blood Core Sect disciples here, and after a battle, they were driven back, and we separated."

"During the battle, I heard that one of their blood cores was very powerful. As a noble family disciple, do you know what realm this person is at?"

Han Ji thought carefully and said, "This blood core is not only elusive but also has a face like a real person. It must be a Core Formation cultivator."

At this, he showed a look of relief. "Fortunately, Senior Brother Fang Zhen had the Five Fire Divine Weapon Circle, which severely injured this blood core. However, if they had sent more blood cores, we would have been at their mercy."

Zhang Yan was surprised and said, "A Core Formation cultivator's blood core, is it so easy to injure?"

Han Ji explained, "Senior Brother Zhang, don't be surprised. A Core Formation cultivator can have up to a hundred blood cores, some of which are inferior and some superior. The powerful ones are not easily released. This one must have been sent to scout or monitor the disciples."

Zhang Yan pondered for a moment and sighed. "If that's the case, I can't stay here to cultivate for much longer. On the 15th, when the sea eye gate opens, I will have to fight my way out. But if I do that, it will take me at least a year or half a year to reach the mystic light realm, and I won't be able to participate in the Three Ponds Campaign."

Han Ji heard this and remained silent, lowering his head as if considering something.

After a long while, he looked up and said slowly, "Just now, Senior Zhang saved my life, and I have no way to repay you. If you trust me, I can try to buy you two months of time to cultivate."

"Really?"

Zhang Yan looked at him curiously and asked, "How do you plan to do that?"

Han Ji lifted his sleeve and took out a porcelain bottle, handing it over. "I heard that Senior Brother Zhang is a high disciple of Zhou Zhangyuan. I believe you recognize this."

Zhang Yan took it, opened the bottle, and sniffed it. His eyes narrowed, and he said uncertainly, "This is... the Mystic Blood Pill?"

Han Ji nodded. "Yes, Senior Brother has a keen eye. This is the Mystic Blood Pill that the Blood Core Sect's Ru Huang True Person refined a hundred years ago."

A hundred years ago, Ru Huang True Person was a notorious demon in Donghua Continent, known for his reckless actions and the arbitrary slaughter of mystic cultivators, causing widespread resentment. Even the Blood Core Sect had to expel him.

However, this person was also a genius, having cultivated to the realm where his blood cores were in harmony with his soul, able to disperse and gather at will. As long as all his blood cores were not destroyed, he could not be killed.

Later, for some unknown reason, he was attacked by six True Person experts from Donghua Continent, who set up a great formation to finally eliminate him.

Han Ji pointed to the Mystic Blood Pill and said, "My ancestor once participated in this battle, and this Mystic Blood Pill was obtained from this demon. This pill is of no use to us mystic cultivators but is a miraculous elixir for the disciples of the six major demon sects. If they see this pill, they will immediately swallow and refine it, and it will take them several months to complete the process. This will buy you at least two months of time."

Zhang Yan returned the Mystic Blood Pill to him and smiled. "Brother Han's method is good, but how do you plan to deliver this pill to the person? Even if you offer it, won't you be afraid that other Blood Core Sect disciples will take it for themselves?"

Han Ji's expression turned somber. "I was injured in the womb and have a weak constitution. I have no hope of advancing in mystic cultivation, but if I join the demon sect, there might still be a chance for me to achieve the Dao."

He paused and looked at Zhang Yan. "And this Mystic Blood Pill... will be my entry gift!"

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