Chapter 87

After listening to Han Ji's words, Zhang Yan looked at him and smiled, saying, "Senior Brother Han actually carries the Mystic Blood Pill with you. Could it be that you had plans from the beginning? Or did you know that there were Blood Spirit Sect disciples here?"

Han Ji smiled bitterly and said, "Senior Brother Zhang, you misunderstand. I have been stuck in my cultivation of the Mystic Art for six years, knowing that I have no hope in this life. Therefore, I had the intention to switch to the cultivation of demonic arts. Last year, I spent a great deal of effort to obtain a demonic scripture. I originally planned to use this opportunity to enter the demonic cave and capture a demonic entity for cultivation, and then take this pill to enhance my cultivation. I truly did not expect that there would be Blood Spirit Sect disciples here."

As if to increase his persuasiveness, he took out a book from his sleeve, held it with both hands, and presented it to Zhang Yan, saying, "Senior Brother, please take a look. It is this one."

Zhang Yan took it and glanced at it, seeing the words "Miyuan Scripture" on the cover. He nodded, knowing that this was a cultivation method of equal status to the "Yiqi Qingjing" in the demonic arts.

However, to practice this method, one would have to completely abandon the previous cultivation method. Zhang Yan couldn't help but look at Han Ji with a different perspective. After all, to discard decades of hard work in one night, not many people could have such resolve.

Han Ji's face showed a hint of bitterness as he said, "There are quite a few Blood Spirit Sect disciples here now. If I reveal my background, they probably won't make things too difficult for me."

Zhang Yan thought about it and found it to be true. If Han Ji went to join the Blood Spirit Sect, even if they didn't accept him, they wouldn't do anything to him immediately.

Firstly, the Han family was one of the five major families of the Mingcang Sect, with a special status and many areas where they could be utilized. Secondly, Han Ji was familiar with the internal affairs of the Mingcang Sect, including many secrets of the major families, which were not easily obtained. Thirdly, he had a grudge against the Han family and was willing to abandon his Mystic Art cultivation, even giving away the Mystic Blood Pill, which was a significant cause and effect. Anyone who accepted it would have to repay it.

Moreover, even if Han Ji failed to become a disciple, the other party wouldn't refuse the Mystic Blood Pill, as it could enhance one's cultivation, and demonic sect disciples couldn't resist such temptation. This was extremely beneficial to Zhang Yan himself.

If no cultivators at the Core Formation stage arrived, Zhang Yan was confident that even if he couldn't defeat them, he could escape in time. However, he didn't know how many Blood Spirit Sect disciples there were or their strength. Fortunately, the full moon was approaching, and if Fang Zhen, Xie Zongyuan, and others wanted to escape, they would have to go to the entrance of the demonic cave.

The Blood Spirit Sect disciples would certainly be on guard, and all the disciples they could mobilize would be present. At that time, there would surely be a fierce battle. When that happened, he could go to investigate. If there were no powerful cultivators, he could cultivate here with peace of mind. If there were, he would have to fight to the death, and whether he could escape from the demonic cave would depend on his own fate.

Thinking about this, Zhang Yan looked at Han Ji and said, "Senior Brother Han, have you made up your mind?"

Han Ji's face was resolute as he said, "Senior Brother Zhang, you, a commoner, managed to enter the lower academy and eventually become a true disciple, a rare talent in a hundred years. Although I, Han Ji, cannot match you, I still have the determination to rise. How can I be content without trying?"

At this moment, a cold snort came from outside the cave, "I wondered who it was, it turns out to be you, Zhang Yan, the little thief, causing trouble behind the scenes! And Han Ji, you should just accept your fate and die, to avoid further trouble."

As the voice sounded, a middle-aged cultivator with a long face strode into the cave.

Han Ji suddenly stood up, his eyes full of anger, and said, "Han Quande! It's you!"

Seeing this person, Zhang Yan remained seated, his face showing no surprise. He sighed, "Since you've already left, why come back to seek death?"

Hearing this, Han Quande laughed loudly and said sternly, "Zhang Yan, you dare to meddle in the affairs of the Han family? No wonder Junior Brother Feng said you would be a thorn in our side. It seems he was right. However, he only got it half right. If you die here today, there will be no problem."

Junior Brother Feng?

Zhang Yan's eyes narrowed, a sharp light flashing in them, and the sword pill in his hand trembled.

Han Quande then turned to Han Ji and pointed at him, saying, "Han Ji, it turns out that the Mystic Blood Pill was in your hands. Did your dead mother steal it? Hmph, born into a small family, your hands are indeed unclean."

Han Ji's eyes turned red, and he shouted, "Han Quande, you are nothing but a slave given a surname. What right do you have to speak to me? You insult my mother today, and I swear to kill you!"

Revealing his secret, Han Quande's face was red with embarrassment. Seeing that the two were about to fight, he was startled. The cave was narrow, and he wouldn't be able to move freely. He leaned back and flew out of the cave, shouting, "Junior Brothers, let's attack together! Kill these two and return to claim credit. The family head will reward us heavily."

Two voices responded from outside. When Zhang Yan and Han Ji stepped out of the cave, they saw three people standing in the air. The one on the left held a Wind and Thunder Fork, with crackling lightning visible. The one on the right held a heavy, gilded wooden bowl, which seemed to be no ordinary item.

Han Quande, on the other hand, pulled out a long belt that resembled smoke and mist, shimmering like stars when moved, dazzling and brilliant.

The three of them had managed to escape the Blood Spirit Sect disciples' pursuit because they each had magical treasures. However, they hadn't used them against Han Ji earlier. Now, facing Zhang Yan, the title of true disciple was quite intimidating, and they immediately revealed their treasures.

Seeing this, Han Ji's face changed, and he said, "Senior Brother Zhang, be careful. Those are the Wind and Thunder Fork, the Cloudy Bowl, and the Purple Star River Moon Robe."

He then stared at Han Quande and said, "Han Quande, it seems there is a powerful figure behind you. Otherwise, where did you get the Purple Star River Moon Robe?"

Han Quande laughed again and said, "Han Ji, have you only realized this today? Let me tell you the truth. The reason your dead mother could steal that cultivation method was because the lady intentionally allowed it. After you cultivated it, the lady had someone secretly inform the family head, who then ordered her to be beaten to death."

Hearing this, Han Ji's eyes turned red with rage, and his blood boiled. He was about to rush forward recklessly, but a hand pressed on his shoulder. Turning back, he saw Zhang Yan shaking his head, saying, "Brother Han, you go first. I will handle this here."

Han Ji immediately calmed down. He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Senior Brother, I understand your meaning. My Mystic Art cultivation is low, and I can't help. I also can't be a burden to you. I, Han Ji, am a man of my word. If I go back on my word, may I be destroyed by heaven and earth, and my soul perish!"

Saying this, he bowed deeply to Zhang Yan, turned around, and flew away without looking back.

"Hmm? Trying to escape?" Han Quande frowned and waved his hand, saying, "Junior Brother Fu, go stop him. Don't let him escape!"

"Yes!"

The cultivator holding the Wind and Thunder Fork responded and was about to move, but a blue light flew into the air, blocking his path. He snorted and raised his fork, instantly summoning a black wind with crackling lightning.

Just as the sword pill was about to be blocked by the black wind, the blue light suddenly elongated, transforming from a small light point to a three-foot-long light spear, doubling its speed. Before the black wind could envelop it, it pierced through the cultivator's neck and then circled around, cleanly severing his head like cutting through tofu.

The headless body fell from the air, caught by the black wind, which crackled and destroyed his magical clothing and protective jade pendant. The black wind then swept up the body, erasing all traces of flesh and blood in an instant.

The Wind and Thunder Fork, now without its master, fell to the ground with a "thud."

Zhang Yan killed one person in a single move, shocking the remaining two.

"Junior Brother, be careful. Zhang Yan has condensed the Mystic Light Seed and can transform his sword pill at will."

Han Quande's face was grave, and he was drenched in cold sweat. If the sword pill had targeted him from the beginning, he would have been killed. Moreover, if Zhang Yan had used the sword pill to escape, he would have been helpless.

Noticing no response from his side, he turned his head and said urgently, "What are you waiting for? Release the Yanjuesha!"

The other cultivator immediately came to his senses, quickly opened the bowl, and held it high on his side, pouring out a torrent of crimson sand like a cloud, surging towards Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan dodged into the air, but the sand seemed to have a mind of its own, following him and making a roaring sound like a tide.

Han Quande's face showed a sinister smile. Instead of attacking Zhang Yan, he dragged the "Purple Star River Moon Robe" and flew in another direction, leaving a trail of colorful mist three feet wide wherever he went.

After circling several times, the mist enveloped the entire area, covering the sky and the ground.

Standing high in the air, Han Quande waved his hand, pulling out another mist, and laughed, "Zhang Yan, with your sword pill, you could have escaped. I couldn't do anything about it. But now, with this mist covering the area, it's like a net. Where will you run?"

Zhang Yan looked up and saw the mist enveloping him from all sides. The cultivator who had released the Yanjuesha was already above him, blocking his only escape route.

Seeing the crimson sand cloud pouring down, Zhang Yan smiled mockingly, took out a grayish token, and threw it into the air, chanting a spell and saying, "Grow!"

The token instantly transformed into a four-foot-long, turtle-shell-shaped object in the air, with cloud patterns, ancient characters, and depictions of mountains, rivers, fish, and insects. It covered Zhang Yan with a beam of light, and the surging sand cloud parted like it had hit a rock, flowing to the sides.

Zhang Yan took a step forward, breaking through the mist, and said with a cold laugh, "Do you think you can stop me with just this?"

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(To be continued)