The Flying Purple Patterned Scorpion had two wings on its back, was entirely blackish-purple, and its body was branded with mysterious patterns.
Among them, there were eight mature ones, two zhang in size, and seven smaller ones, several feet in size, all pale purple.
Brother Li had already set up the Great Five Elements Sword Formation, just waiting for them to fall into his trap.
As they followed the Puppet into the formation, Brother Li immediately activated the formation diagram, closing the Great Formation, and five-colored auspicious light enveloped the surroundings.
Subduing these ferocious Spirit Beasts was not an easy task; the most direct approach was to first beat them into submission and wear down their arrogant and violent temperament.
Of course, it could also fail.
After all, many Spirit Beasts had lower intelligence than Ancient Beasts.
Brother Li manipulated the five-colored torrent, dividing it into more than a dozen streams, continuously attacking each Flying Purple Patterned Scorpion.
Clang, clang, clang ~
The five-colored torrent collided with the hard shells of the Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions, erupting in incredibly fierce sparks.
Dazzling and brilliant.
The Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions were knocked back again and again, but they charged towards Brother Li again and again.
They vibrated their wings, trying to avoid the attacks of the five-colored torrent, but each time they approached Brother Li's vicinity, their movements would be affected by the repulsive force of Earth Magnetism Divine Power, causing a momentary pause.
It was precisely during this fleeting moment that the five-colored torrent would instantly blast them away.
Without the Earth Magnetism Divine Power, relying on the terrifying speed of the Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions, even if the five-colored torrent wanted to lock onto and attack them, it would be extremely difficult.
Their carapaces were incredibly hard, comparable to mature Gold Devouring Bugs, but each strike of the five-colored torrent was also comparable to an attack from a Great Cultivator. After a long time, wounds and cracks gradually appeared on their bodies.
As their injuries worsened, their speed began to slow down, and with slower speed, they were hit more often by the five-colored torrent, and their injuries became even more severe.
With this give and take, in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, more than a dozen Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions all collapsed to the ground, looking weak and listless.
However, the ferocious look in their eyes showed no sign of weakening, still staring intently at Brother Li.
Brother Li slowly walked towards them. Before he even got close, the largest Flying Purple Patterned Scorpion suddenly shrieked, and it, along with the other Purple Patterned Scorpions, opened their mouths and sprayed a purple mist.
Brother Li's expression changed, and he instantly teleported into the air with a flash of his figure.
This purple mist contained potent poison, no less formidable than the Ten Absolute Poisons, and even surpassed them. An ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivator, if corroded by it, would instantly die from the poison.
The reason Wei Wuya was feared was because he could unleash the Viper Corpse Poison, one of the Ten Absolute Poisons. If one approached within ten zhang of him, and their defenses were inadequate, they would be corroded by the Viper Corpse Poison and die.
However, all things are interdependent and mutually restrictive. Although potent poisons are terrifying, there are ways to counteract them.
Extremely yang flames, thunder, and so on.
The area below was covered in purple mist, which gradually spread towards Brother Li.
Brother Li raised his hand and condensed a large fireball, which was filled with several fierce and explosive Sun True Fire blossoms.
The fireball descended and vanished into the purple mist.
In an instant, an endless golden true flame erupted from the purple mist, igniting the entire purple mist.
If the flames were weak, the purple mist could have swallowed the flames in reverse, but Brother Li's Sun True Fire was not something that small, mature Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions could counteract.
Unless the poison was so potent that it could instantly kill a Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator.
In the sea of fire, all the Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions let out painful screams.
Their already exhausted bodies were now further marked with scorching traces.
"They won't die anytime soon, I suppose."
Brother Li then condensed Yi Wood Divine Thunder and struck them with a measured amount.
A stick in one hand, a carrot in the other.
After tormenting them for a long time, he fed them longevity liquid. Although the portion was very small, it was enough to shake their Souls.
Their purple eyes, which had originally been filled with hatred, were now full of longing.
Once they had recovered slightly, Brother Li began to torment them again, followed by longevity liquid.
This cycle repeated, constantly deepening their impression. After many times, even those with Innate mental deficiencies remembered it by instinct.
Brother Li used longevity liquid as a lure and began to place Divine Restrictions in their spirit essences.
In less than half a day, Brother Li successfully brought this nest of Flying Purple Patterned Scorpions under his command and placed them into a Spirit Beast Bag for good recuperation.
Afterward, he and Yaoer traveled together to the Gangyin sand passage.
"You're still after the Gangyin sand? Didn't you fail already?"
"Who said I failed? I just changed my method."
Brother Li smiled, performing a hand seal. A moment later, a slight tremor came from the stone wall.
Golden or gold-and-silver ferocious bugs emerged from the stone wall, gathering in the air to form a huge swarm.
Yaoer lightly covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.
Such a vast swarm of Spirit Beasts, even a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator would have to retreat three paces upon seeing it!
Subsequently, the Spirit Beasts flew down to the ground, spitting out silver crystalline particles the size of rice grains from their mouths.
"This is Gangyin sand? You're using Spirit Beasts to devour it and then have them regurgitate it. What a brilliant idea!"
The Gangyin sand crystalline particles on the ground accumulated more and more, forming a small mound. At this time, Han Li also flew out of the cave and was equally shocked to see this scene.
He had gone to look for Brother Li, seen the residual traces of battle, and then pursued him.
"This is a secret art taught by Monarch Soul Divergence Old Monster. I'll pass it on to you too; you might find it useful in the future."
Brother Li whispered softly, and Yaoer didn't hear a single word, but Han Li clearly heard his voice in his ear.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Learning another secret art would not harm him, so Han Li readily accepted.
"I don't know how much Gangyin sand the Old Monster will use, but he won't use it all. When that time comes, I'll give you some."
Han Li felt undeserving, so he also copied a method for refining the Seven Flames Fan for Brother Li as compensation.
Then, they flew together to other parts of the Outer Valley.
Two days later, they arrived at a certain location in the Outer Valley of Devilfall Valley.
This was the place Brother Li and Fairy Ziling had agreed upon.
It was empty, but they soon found traces left by Fairy Ziling.
"Fairy Ziling and her companions must have gone ahead. Fortunately, this Aura orb guides us, otherwise, it would be difficult to catch up."
Han Li said, "With Fellow Daoist Jin Yuan accompanying Fairy Ziling and her companions, they should be safe."
"The only ones in the valley who could pose a threat to them are Wei Wuya and Mulan Divine Master."
Brother Li nodded, not saying much more.
"However, traveling with Senior Brother Li this whole way has truly saved a lot of trouble. Many people secretly spied on us, but after realizing it was you, Senior Brother, they immediately kept their distance."
"If I were alone, I'm afraid they would have surrounded me."
"Isn't that just perfect? Spirit Stones, Magic Treasures, and Materials delivered right to your doorstep."
Han Li chuckled, as steady as an old dog, "One less trouble is one less trouble. What if they're hiding some special trump card? It's always best to be careful."
Brother Li, after all, knew many plot details, and sometimes his actions were indeed less cautious than Han Li's.
"No more talk, let's continue on our way. It's best to rendezvous with them as soon as possible."
At the same time, many things were happening throughout Devilfall Valley. Marquis Nanlong and Elder Lu had opened the Blood Curse Gate.
They brought their own demise; no one could save them.
The main force of the Ghost Spirit Sect and Wei Wuya, on the other hand, had discovered the traces leading to Lingmiao Garden.
Elsewhere, scenes of struggle and death were also playing out.
Some died at the hands of other Cultivators, others succumbed to the terrifying environment of Devilfall Valley.
By now, the remaining Cultivators in the valley were less than one-third of the original number.
Following the guidance, Brother Li and his companions once again entered the Inner Valley. The environment here was completely different from before; beneath their feet was a glacial land covered in a thick layer of ice.
The blood-colored auspicious light in the sky, however, remained.
Gusts of cold wind swept across the area.
They advanced unhurriedly. Brother Li believed that Fairy Ziling would make the right choice and not let the people of the Ghost Spirit Sect obtain the Spirit candle fruit.
As for harvesting, they had agreed to do so after reuniting.
Indeed, not long after, they discovered several charred bodies of Cultivators wearing Ghost Spirit Sect robes. One of them was even a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.
It was Elder Zhong of the Ghost Spirit Sect.
Soon after, Brother Li and his companions arrived in the desert. In an oasis hidden by a Restriction in the desert, they entered and found Fairy Ziling and her companions sitting cross-legged on the grass.
Jin Yuan sensed the aura of Brother Li and his companions, and the corners of his mouth turned up. Before they even arrived, he spoke, "Finally, you're here."
Fairy Ziling and Yuan Yao simultaneously opened their eyes and looked up at the sky.
Several streaks of light flashed, and Brother Li and his companions appeared before everyone.
Fairy Ziling and Yuan Yao's expressions brightened, and they immediately stood up and stepped forward, "Brother Li, and also Han Brother, you're finally here."
Brother Li smiled and said, "You've worked hard. Where is the Spirit candle fruit?"
Fairy Ziling raised her slender hand and pointed. Brother Li and his companions followed her finger and saw a verdant Spiritual Plant growing on a patch of exposed mud in the lake ahead.
This Spiritual Plant was several feet tall, covered with oval leaves the size of a thumb. At the very top of the Spiritual Plant, four fruits grew solitarily.
These fruits were entirely fiery red, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, with a faint red glow flickering at the tip, resembling red candles.
Even before getting close, they all smelled a very strong medicinal fragrance.
Fairy Ziling swayed gracefully and chuckled, "Before you arrived, I didn't dare to move a muscle. It was truly hard to endure."
"However, this kind of Spiritual Plant is guarded by an Ancient Beast. If it weren't for Senior Jin Yuan, my sister Yuan Yao and I might have been in danger."
Brother Li merely glanced at the Ancient Beast in the distance before returning his gaze.
"Then let's divide them. There are four in total. Anyone confident in successfully refining one into a Medicinal Pill can take one. I will try to transplant the remaining Spiritual Plant, and later, when I refine Creation Pills, I will compensate the rest."
Not many people present were skilled in Alchemy. Brother Li and Han Li had started their careers with Alchemy, and now they had naturally reached a state of Perfection.
Fairy Ziling spoke, "I have been preparing for a long time and have a good deal of confidence. May I have one?"
"Of course you can." Brother Li smiled and nodded.
After picking three, one still hung on the Spiritual Plant. Brother Li took the entire Spiritual Plant from the mud, and with a flick of his sleeve, the Spiritual Plant disappeared.
Xue Yi and Blood Nine were both inside the Void Garden Pearl. After Brother Li sent it in, he instructed them to cultivate it carefully.
Han Li had no objections to this. Although he also had the intention to cultivate it, now was not the time. It would not be too late to discuss this matter after leaving Devilfall Valley.
The Spirit candle fruit must be consumed or refined into medicine immediately after harvesting, otherwise, its medicinal properties would be greatly lost.
Han Li, Fairy Ziling, and Brother Li each set up a formation and then began Alchemy.
Brother Li and Han Li were both Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators, so refining Medicinal Pills with their Nascent Soul Fire was extremely easy. In addition, they were both Grandmaster Alchemists, and in less than half a day, they successfully produced the Medicinal Pills.
After Brother Li consumed the Creation Pill, even with his immensely powerful Divine Sense, he was still shaken and fell into an illusion.
Inside, Brother Li raised his hand, unleashing Divine Thunder and Five Elements Divine Power, controlling the forces of heaven and earth, with the ability to summon wind and rain, and move mountains and seas.
However, in less than a day, Brother Li withdrew from this state.
Although the Creation Pill was miraculous, no matter what Medicinal Pill, the higher the Realm, the lower its effect.
Brother Li had a deep understanding of the many insights gained in the illusion, and he believed it would help him advance to the Late Stage.
When new Spirit candle fruits are cultivated in the future, consuming them directly can also greatly increase his cultivation.
In less than twenty years, Brother Li was confident of advancing to the Nascent Soul Late Stage. If he found Medicinal Pills that could quickly increase his cultivation in the Nascent Soul Middle Stage during that time, the time could be shortened considerably.
In the next day or two, Han Li and Fairy Ziling also woke up one after another, both looking as if they had gained a lot.
Everyone gathered together, and Brother Li scanned them, saying, "Since our goal has been achieved, Fairy Ziling, you should leave."
Han Li asked doubtfully, "Senior Brother Li, aren't you leaving?"
"I still have an appointment with Wei Wuya."
Brother Li's eyes darted around. "Junior Brother Han, why don't you come with me?"
"This..."
This trip into the valley could be said to have been a complete success, and Han Li did not intend to cause any more trouble.
"Wei Wuya told me that the Ghost Spirit Sect's true objective for this trip is Lingmiao Garden, which is why he invited me along."
"You should have heard the legend of Lingmiao Garden, a place where Ancient Cultivators cultivated various Spirit Medicines. If we can truly discover some long-lost Ancient Spirit Medicines, it will be of great benefit to our future cultivation."
Han Li's heart was immediately stirred, and Fairy Ziling and her companions' eyes also lit up.
Fairy Ziling said, "Since there is such a good place, how can Brother Li forget about us?"
"That's right, Brother Li, we want to go too," Yuan Yao said, a little excitedly.
"Although the place is good, there are also dangers. Otherwise, Wei Wuya wouldn't have invited me along."
"None of you have reached the Nascent Soul Stage yet. You should go back and cultivate honestly."
Brother Li looked at Jin Yuan. Jin Yuan waved his hand, saying, "You want me to be a guard again? No, absolutely not!"
Brother Li had a wry smile on his face. After thinking for a moment, he sent him a Divine Sense message.
Jin Yuan's expression immediately changed. "Fine, for the sake of our friendship, I'll act as a guard this one time and take these girls to the Outer Valley to see if there are any other Opportunities."
Brother Li had made up his mind, and Fairy Ziling and her companions also knew that without his protection, relying on their Core Formation stage cultivation, if something went wrong, they might not even be able to leave Devilfall Valley.
Helpless, they could only follow Jin Yuan back the way they came.
After they left, Han Li asked doubtfully, "Senior Brother Li, what did you say to Fellow Daoist Jin Yuan? He immediately changed his mind."
Brother Li chuckled, "Nothing, just some benefits."
Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Han Li didn't press further, but looking at Jin Yuan's expression earlier, if it was just benefits, why would he have such an expression?
Brother Li informed Jin Yuan about the possibility of encountering Ancient Devils on this trip.
Back in the Five Elements Immortal Cave in Chaotic Star Sea, Jin Yuan had suffered a great loss from Ancient Devils, and he truly did not want to encounter them again.
Brother Li didn't elaborate, and he wasn't lying. It was indeed possible for Ancient Devils to cross Realms into Devilfall Valley; this was a fact.
"Junior Brother Han, let's go."
Han Li nodded.
For the sake of his future cultivation path, Han Li compromised. Of course, the most important thing was his trust in Brother Li.
With him around, even if they encountered any great danger, he would be the one to face it.
Thinking of this, Han Li felt much more at ease.
At this time, Marquis Nanlong, possessed by a demonic Soul, had already gone out to hunt Cultivators after killing Elder Lu.
Wei Wuya and his companions had also found the altar, ascended it, and entered the so-called "Lingmiao Garden."
Unfortunately, it was all a scam.