After sustaining the injury, the massive skeleton only slightly trembled, and a shimmer of pale light flowed across its surface. What should have been a fatal blow to ordinary cultivators proved entirely ineffective against this formidable demon. Han Li furrowed his brow, realizing that unless the old demon, Qian, was first eliminated, the five-unity demon would prove impossible to defeat. Though the giant skeleton moved slowly, it covered a considerable distance in just a few strides and reached the presence of Gui Ling. In its two hollow eye sockets, a flash of blood-like luminescence passed through, and the two bone hands, reaching out into the air, grasped at its own body—two rib segments instantly flew out and transformed into two white blades, each measuring several zhang in length, which were then seized firmly. After a brief moment of maneuvering, patches of emerald-phosphorescent magical flames began to emerge. Seeing this, the giant form of Gui Ling emitted a cold exhalation, stepped forward two paces, and raised his massive axe to deliver a powerful strike. A flash of silver light erupted, followed by a resonant roar. With a sweeping motion of both hands, the giant skeleton caused its bone blades to expand dramatically, meeting the axe This formidable figure seemed to possess boundless strength as well. Gui Ling, unsurprised that the great axe was held in place, suddenly flashed a glance of astonishment and murmured, "Huang Shi!" A shimmer of silver light rippled across the axe's surface, and suddenly a massive beast's head emerged—resembling a white tiger with a single horn. With its massive maw open, the creature swiftly extended half its body and, in a single bite, severed the great skull from the giant skeleton, swallowing it whole in just a few swift motions before retracting. The silver great axe not only served as a fearsome blade but also possessed its own spirit. This development left Han Li momentarily stunned, and even the elderly immortal who had transformed into a blood-scarred shadow gasped in surprise. Yet the giant formed from Gui Ling's once-plain woman showed no hesitation at all, wielding the axe with a speed that seemed as continuous as a wheel's rotation. The entire hollowed-out skeleton was swiftly enveloped beneath a dense sphere of cold light. A sharp crack echoed through the air! With the axe's keen edge and the sheer power radiating from its entire form, the massive skeleton was instantly cleaved into countless fragments, scattering across the As the great axe came to rest in her hands, Gui Ling opened her mouth and spewed out a surge of yellow infernal flame, enveloping the scattered bones on the ground—intending to completely eradicate the Five-Hearted Demon in a single breath. "Qian, the old demon, spoke calmly. With a subtle shift of his divine awareness, he intensified the flow of his magical techniques. In a flash, five human skeletons collapsed and reformed into a single, massive skull. Then, with a simple movement of his hands, he instantly manifested two bone-blades, driving them fiercely toward the woman of ill fortune. This time, Gui Ling did not summon her giant axe to attack the beast. Instead, she raised her massive blade and engaged the woman in direct combat. A great mass of cold light and two smaller swirls of white vapor collided violently between the two towering figures, producing thunderous clashing sounds that shook the entire hall, making it tremble as if it might collapse at any moment. Han Li watched the scene with narrowed eyes. Although Gui Ling had restored her magical energy and returned to her giant form, the residual northern polar light around her seemed to have no detrimental effect. Clearly, neither the grand technique nor her blood-red battle armor could withstand the prolonged exposure to the northern polar light as long as the massive skull had. The battle must be concluded swiftly. With this in mind, Han Li glanced at the blood-like figure in the distance, his eyes flashing with intensity, and subtly manipulated the yang ring above his head, causing it to tremble slightly. From behind the blood-like figure, several silver chains shot out, moving silently and like venomous snakes. Qian, the old demon, was equally pondering his strategy to counter Han Li and his companion, perhaps due to his own confidence in his immortality, or perhaps because his consciousness was heavily suppressed within the northern polar light. It wasn't until the silver chains had drawn near that he suddenly became aware and swiftly shifted his body to evade them. However, as the silver light flashed suddenly, seven or eight of the chains pierced through the blood-like figure's form unexpectedly. The old demon was first startled, but upon looking down at the silver chains that had pierced his body, a subtle smirk appeared on his face. To him, this minor wound was entirely insignificant—his recovery would be merely a thought away. Yet soon, Qian realized something was amiss: the chains, after piercing through, did not vanish but instead solidified as if tangible, glowing with a faint shimmer of silver. The old demon's expression changed instantly. "Too late!" Han Li said calmly. The several silver chains immediately coiled like venomous serpents, tightly ensnaring the blood shadow and, with a single tug, tearing it apart into seven or eight fragments. The old demon was both shocked and furious. His shattered body turned into a mist and shot off to one side, then gathered again, attempting to reform his demonic form. In the blink of an eye, the chains swiftly followed, repeating the same scene upon the still-formless blood shadow. Like tearing paper, they once again ripped the old demon's body into numerous pieces, leaving him no time to solidify. This sequence repeated five or six times, and the mist gradually became less dense. "Die!" roared a voice of shock and outrage from within the mist. Clearly, the old demon realized the situation had turned dire. Amidst this northern luminescence, no matter how swiftly the blood mist surged forward, Han Li could always rapidly weave silver chains around him at any moment—there was simply no way to evade it. At once, the blood mist ceased its shifting and coalescing, instead suddenly gathering toward the center. A crimson orb, about the size of a clenched fist, emerged from the light flash on its surface, appearing within a blink. This orb was vividly red, pulsing with an eerie glow, and exuded a pungent, nauseating scent of blood—immediately signaling that it was no ordinary treasure. "Blood Demon Pearl!" Han Li exclaimed, a slight twitch in his mouth, as he recognized it. "You truly thought I was afraid of you? Then take your life!" The old demon's voice resonated from the blood orb itself, which then transformed into a streak of crimson light and shot straight toward Han Li with the intensity of a determined assault. He appeared furious and determined to fight. Han Li took a deep breath, and, without hesitation, raised his hand, sequentially casting several spells upon the luminous ring above his head. Suddenly, as the Blood Demon Pearl sped through the air, a dozen silver chains materialized and flashed with light, each striking the pearl. Though the pearl moved with extraordinary speed, it was still struck by each chain in turn. A low hum resonated from the pearl, and as the green light flickered, the silver chains were easily rebounded. Han Li showed no change in expression. With a simple hand motion, a cluster of golden electric light formed in his palm, while the other hand, concealed within his broad sleeve, firmly grasped the handle of the Three-Flame Fan. The old demon had sealed his spirit and immortal essence within the Blood Demon Pearl; to destroy him, the pearl itself would have to be shattered. The Blood Demon Pearl was no ordinary treasure in the magical realm—by housing a spirit or immortal essence within it, it functioned almost like a second body, a rare achievement among magicians. It was said that to perfect this treasure, one had to gather the blood of over a hundred different spiritual beasts and master certain specific magical techniques, only then could the pearl be fully refined and wielded with ease. Moreover, the specific method of crafting this pearl was said to have vanished long ago. Yet unexpectedly, it ended up in the hands of Yin Luo Sect, where the old demon had already successfully refined it. This, however, proved to be a favorable opportunity for him—whenever the pearl approached, he would encircle it with an immense number of辟邪神雷, then launch a sudden, unexpected assault using his Three-Flame Fan. Regardless of the pearl's inherent powers, it would inevitably sustain no damage under the force of the fan's might. Just as Han Li was formulating his strategy and preparing to strike the old demon head-on, the streak of blood that had been rushing toward him suddenly halted mid-flight. A surge of blood flames, reaching a height of a cun, erupted from the pearl, then vanished instantly, as if materializing out of thin air. Han Li's heart quickened, and he immediately expanded his awareness outward, fearing that the old demon might use his teleportation technique to close in unnoticed. Yet, at the very next moment, Han Li found himself momentarily stunned. For upon the blood-pearl reappearing with the flames, it no longer appeared near him, but rather before the distant Northern Yuan Guang Seal. "Young man, do you really think I'm foolish? Having fought you two senior cultivators here—how could I possibly make such a blunder? Once we reach outside and gather our forces, I'll treat you both properly!" Before the words had fully settled, the Blood Demon Pearl plunged headlong into the dense, shimmering silver filaments, flowing like waves. Under the blood-red flames radiating from the pearl, the seemingly impenetrable Jiyuan light began to dissolve and vanish, no longer able to contain it. At this moment, Han Li finally regained his composure, though he found himself too late to react. Though deeply surprised, his face betrayed no signs of panic. Instead, he remained composed, turning his head slightly to gaze at the Five-Hearted Demon, still locked in fierce combat with Guiling. The giant skeleton continued to wield his bone blade with a sharp, resonant cry, showing no intention of retreating. Han Li's expression shifted, and only then did he feel the thunderous rumble behind him, as a pair of feathered wings emerged from his back. At once, a flash of silver light flashed, and his figure vanished from where he stood, suddenly appearing beside the Northern Yuan Guang. His eyes remained coldly fixed on the old demon's retreating path, as he raised his hand, and the three-flame fan materialized in his grasp. After a brief hesitation, Han Li opened his mouth again, and a sphere of green light, encasing something, burst forth. Within the sphere, a cauldron roughly the size of a clenched fist was faintly visible—none other than the Xutian Sacred Cauldron. While Han Li completed these actions, a tremendous roar suddenly erupted within the Northern Yuan Guang, followed by a few muttered curses from the old demon. The light shimmered and trembled, and then two streaks of blood and one bright silver orb shot out in succession—one ahead, one behind. The blood streak clearly corresponded to the blood-flame-encased Blood Demon Pearl, though now the flame appeared somewhat diminished. Behind it, the silver orb shone intensely, its brilliance making it difficult to see clearly, yet within it, a slender, shadowy figure seemed to sway and move.