Chapter 345: Laying Low

At present, the items Han Li had taken into his body for refinement included, besides the Yuanhe Five Extremes Mountain and the Seven Luminaries Star Ring, the silver bell.

This bell was evidently a celestial artifact containing some power of the law of sound waves, capable of dispersing the Green Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords with a single strike, demonstrating its formidable power, so he kept it as well.

As for the strange black fang sword, it was somewhat similar to the Asura Heavenly Ghost Banner, both belonging to the yin attribute, so he paid it little attention.

Although his current divine sense power far exceeded that of other cultivators at the late True Immortal stage, and was even comparable to early Golden Immortal cultivators, refining three celestial artifacts simultaneously was already his limit.

As for the black inkstone that could unleash the Soul-Destroying True Light, the law power it contained far surpassed that of the Yuanhe Five Extremes Mountain and the silver bell.

Naturally, Han Li wanted to keep such a heavy treasure under his control, but this treasure seemed to contain some kind of restriction. No matter how he refined it, he could not break it, let alone activate it.

This left Han Li somewhat frustrated, but he was not lacking in celestial artifacts at the moment, and with limited time, he naturally set this matter aside.

Apart from these celestial artifacts, the storage devices of the three, especially the young man in fine clothes, contained many other treasures, including various rare materials and elixirs too numerous to list. In particular, the young man had over a dozen materials containing law power.

Moreover, the three of them together had over ten thousand immortal essence stones. With these, he would not have to worry about immortal essence stones for a considerable period.

But what delighted Han Li most was that he found a large quantity of materials needed for the Dao Pill in the young man's storage device.

Of the nine missing materials on his Dao Pill formula, seven were present here, and in considerable amounts.

Han Li was somewhat surprised by this, but when he found another Dao Pill formula identical to his own, he understood.

It seemed the young man in fine clothes had also intended to refine the Dao Pill. Given his status and the vast power of the North Cold Immortal Palace, it was not difficult for him, but now it benefited Han Li.

Now, only two materials were missing for the Dao Pill formula: Heavenly Creation Ginseng and Dew Condensing Grass. He believed that as long as he paid attention to information within the Everlasting Covenant Guild and spent some time, he would find a way to gather them.

As Han Li thought this, his expression shifted. He turned his hand over and took out a palm-sized golden token.

The token was made of some special metal; though small, it weighed over a thousand jin. One side bore a golden dragon pattern, roaring skyward, giving a sense of lofty majesty.

The other side bore a name: Tao Yu.

Above the name, there was also a crest-shaped pattern.

Looking at the golden token, a hint of gloom appeared in Han Li's eyes.

At that moment, his brows suddenly lifted, and he opened the cabin window, revealing a sea surface howling with thunderbolts.

However, the Thunderboat that crossed the sea was surrounded by restrictions, so not much thunderclap penetrated inside.

A barely perceptible golden light emerged on the distant horizon, then flickered and vanished. The next moment, the void in Han Li's cabin rippled, and streaks of golden lightning materialized, coalescing into a lightning formation, from which the figure of Crab Immortal appeared out of thin air.

Golden arcs of electricity swirled around Crab Immortal's body before quickly converging into his form, and the surrounding golden lightning formation dissipated as well.

It seems Fellow Daoist Crab has fully recovered,” Han Li said slowly, sizing up Crab Immortal.

I didn't expect the lightning energy here to be so abundant, greatly beneficial to me,” Crab Immortal nodded.

Han Li said nothing more, stepped aside to let Crab Immortal enter the room, and then returned to sit cross-legged again.

Crab Immortal had suffered considerable damage in the previous battle and when forcibly breaking through the restrictions. Upon arriving at the Thunderstorm Ocean, he immediately dove into it to absorb the rich lightning energy and recover from his injuries. Unexpectedly, in just a few months, he had fully recovered, which slightly eased Han Li's mind.

After all, having a Golden Immortal-level helper by one's side made many things much more convenient.

It seems Fellow Daoist Han is still worried about that Tao Yu,” Crab Immortal said, seeing the golden token in Han Li's hand.

Worried is not quite the word. Since I've killed him, there's no use dwelling on it. I'm just wondering whether the Immortal Palace has already found out that I was the one who killed him,” Han Li sighed lightly and shook his head.

During this time, he had spent quite a few immortal essence stones in the Wuchang Alliance to thoroughly investigate this golden token, and had managed to gather quite a bit of information.

This token was an elder's token of the Immortal Palace, and Tao Yu was the name of that young man in luxurious attire, also a newly appointed elder of the Northern Frost Immortal Palace.

Not only that, but this Tao Yu was originally not from the Northern Frost Immortal Domain; he had been sent from another immortal domain a thousand years ago, seemingly to gain experience here. This showed that his background was by no means simple. Unexpectedly, instead of gaining experience, he ended up dead at Han Li's hands.

Thus, the Northern Frost Immortal Palace would surely never let him off.

He was now taking the Thunderboat across the sea to leave Guyun Continent and return to the Black Wind Sea Area, partly to check on the Earthly Immortal incarnation, and more importantly, to lie low for a while.

The Black Wind Sea was remote, with scarce information and almost completely isolated from the world. It was a rather suitable place to hide from the Immortal Palace's pursuit.

"Given the North Cold Immortal Palace's strength, it shouldn't be difficult for them to conduct a thorough investigation. But you left in time this time, and with that long-distance teleportation lightning array, even if the Immortal Palace wants to catch you now, it's already a bit late." The Crab Immortal thought for a moment and said.

"I hope so. Speaking of which, I didn't expect you to master the Lightning Array so quickly; it rather surprised me." Han Li gave a wry smile and then changed the subject.

"This array is extremely profound, combining lightning escape techniques with spatial power. Fortunately, I am originally adept at controlling lightning power, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to master it." The Crab Immortal said.

"Fellow Daoist Crab, during your cultivation in the Thunderstorm Sea these days, have you noticed anything unusual?" Han Li suddenly thought of something and asked.

"Unusual? I haven't encountered anything. What are you referring to?" The Crab Immortal thought for a moment and replied.

Han Li hesitated briefly and then recounted the matter of the giant eye he had seen in the thundercloud vortex back then.

"Such a thing happened!" The Crab Immortal exclaimed in surprise, a hint of gravity flashing in his eyes.

"Can you find any clues in your memories?" Han Li asked again.

"No. This Thunderstorm Sea is also my first time here. However, that giant eye could severely injure you with just a glance; even a Taiyi Jade Immortal might not be able to do that." The Crab Immortal first shook his head, then said.

"That Xiao Jinhan and Baili Daozhu are both at the peak of Golden Immortal, only one step away from the Taiyi realm. But I also think that even if they advanced to the Taiyi realm, they would probably be far inferior to the might of that giant eye." Han Li nodded in agreement.

"This place is already close to the central area of the Thunderstorm Sea. Back then, I encountered that giant eye here. With such a terrifying existence, since you have recovered, it's best not to enter the Thunder Sea casually from now on. Better safe than sorry." Han Li said in a deep voice.

During this time, he had not left the Cross-Sea Thunder Boat even once.

"Alright." The Crab Immortal said after a brief hesitation.

……

Meanwhile.

Inside the main hall of the Candle Dragon Sect, all ten Golden Immortal Dao Masters, including Ouyang Kuishan, stood below, each with uneven auras, as if their severe injuries had not yet healed.

Opposite Ouyang Kuishan and the others stood seven or eight Golden Immortal beings, all from the North Cold Immortal Palace.

On the main seat of the hall sat one person, none other than Xiao Jinhan.

Seeing Xiao Jinhan sitting in the main seat, Ouyang Kuishan and the others looked somewhat uncomfortable, and a few even showed anger on their faces.

Xiao Jinhan ignored these reactions and slowly spoke: "How are things going?"

"Reporting to the Palace Master, we have found traces of Huyan Daoist and Yun Ni. They fled to the Shang'a Continent while severely injured, but Elder Lu Yue has led people to capture them, and we believe results will come soon. However, as for Baili Yan, we still haven't found any trace of him, and we don't know what secret technique he used..." said an Immortal Palace elder.

"Very good. Although Baili Yan has not been completely eliminated this time, his cultivation has greatly diminished due to severe injuries, and after the karmic fire returned to him, millions of years of cultivation were destroyed. It will be difficult for him to cause any more trouble. Perhaps he won't even survive the impending fifth calamity." Xiao Jinhan nodded and said.

These words seemed to be spoken to the Immortal Palace crowd, but when Ouyang Kuishan and the others heard them, a complex look flashed in their eyes.

"Dao Master Ouyang, Huyan Daoist and Yun Ni aided the renegades of the Reincarnation Hall, committing the crime of rebellion. According to the Heavenly Court's regulations, their relatives and disciples must all be captured and handed over to the Heavenly Court for disposal. Could you trouble yourself to handle this matter?" Xiao Jinhan turned to look at Ouyang Kuishan. Although his words sounded like a consultation, his tone was completely commanding.

"Yes." Ouyang Kuishan's cheek muscles twitched as he said in a low voice.

"Very good. All of you may withdraw." Xiao Jinhan nodded with satisfaction and then waved his hand.

The Immortal Palace members acknowledged and withdrew.

The Golden Immortal Dao Masters of the Candle Dragon Sect exchanged glances. Ouyang Kuishan gave a signal, and only then did everyone leave the hall.

A moment later, the group landed in front of a hall.

"Dao Master Ouyang, what does the North Cold Immortal Palace mean by this? Since the capture of Baili Yan has come to an end, why are they still lingering in our Candle Dragon Sect? Do they really intend to take this opportunity to seize control of our Candle Dragon Sect?" said one of the two alien Dao Masters, a burly man with golden fur, indignantly.

"If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn't have helped these people deal with Dao Master Baili. With Dao Master Baili around, Xiao Jinhan would have been cautious and would never have dared to be so arrogant." said the other alien Dao Master, a silver-skinned woman, coldly.

Hearing this, the others showed complex expressions, shaking their heads and sighing in regret.

Ouyang Kuishan wore a bitter smile and said nothing.

The Immortal Palace's intentions were as clear as day; anyone with discerning eyes could see through them at a glance.

But after this great battle, the Candle Dragon Sect had suffered severe losses in strength, and many had directly defected, greatly reducing its power. It was no longer a match for the North Cold Immortal Palace.

Not to mention anything else, just Xiao Jinhan alone—the Candle Dragon Sect had no one who could oppose him.