The Interrogation

Chapter 534: Stirring the Seas Beyond. The Interrogation.

Upon hearing Han Li’s words, the vulture-faced elder and the other two exchanged glances, their faces filled with astonishment.

What did this “Insect Devil” mean by such a question? Was he toying with them before he killed them?

“If you want our lives, Fellow Daoist, then just do it. Why speak such nonsense?” the fierce-looking man said, steeling himself and speaking bluntly, as if he no longer cared.

“How strange. Was there something wrong with my question just now?” Han Li’s expression darkened, his face turning cold.

“We brothers truly did not know that Senior was hunting demon beasts here. Otherwise, we would never have dared to disturb the Insect Devil, Senior. We simply stumbled upon this place by accident and have no ill intentions whatsoever. We beg Senior to show mercy,” the Min surname cultivator interjected, seeming to see a sliver of hope from Han Li’s actions. Color returned to his face as he pleaded earnestly.

“Insect Devil? You’re referring to me?” Han Li’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of doubt passing across his face.

“Is… is Senior not the Insect Devil?” the vulture-faced elder, who had resigned himself to his fate, froze at this, a look of shock and suspicion appearing on his face.

“It seems you three have misunderstood something,” Han Li said with a light laugh. After a moment’s hesitation, he raised his hand and shot three streams of azure magic power at the neck rings around the three men’s necks.

The three colored rings hummed faintly before dissolving and dispersing, reforming into countless beetles that swarmed back into the spirit beast pouch at Han Li’s waist.

Seeing this, the three men, who had just escaped death, were both shocked and overjoyed.

Though their hearts were still filled with doubt, they were now mostly convinced that they had indeed mistaken this person’s identity.

Otherwise, given the Insect Devil’s notorious reputation, he would not have gone to such lengths to play games with them.

Nevertheless, having witnessed Han Li’s astonishing methods, they remained exceedingly respectful, not daring to make any rash moves.

“Ha! It truly seems we have misunderstood you, Fellow Daoist. Given the Insect Devil’s temperament, he would never have been so lenient as you. May I ask your esteemed name?” the vulture-faced elder said, forcing a smile onto his face as he hurriedly tried to ingratiate himself.

He understood very well that even if this young man before him was not that Insect Devil, his abilities were by no means inferior to the real one’s. He could just as easily take their lives. Naturally, he dared not show any disrespect.

Hearing this, Han Li smiled faintly. He opened his mouth to say something, but then let out a soft “Ah” and looked up into the sky.

“It seems you three have other companions. They have already arrived,” Han Li said slowly, still gazing at the sky.

The vulture-faced elder was startled, then seemed to recall something as he looked up in the same direction. But his eyes found nothing but empty sky, and a look of confusion crossed his face again.

“We brothers did indeed bring along some disciples and juniors. They should be arriving about now,” the vulture-faced elder replied honestly, though still somewhat uncertain.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a small string of specks of light appeared on the horizon. It was the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators who had fallen behind.

Compared to the three old men, their speed was not just a little slower. They were only now arriving on their flying tools.

Seeing this, the vulture-faced elder’s expression shifted slightly.

This meant that the other party’s spiritual sense far surpassed his own, and his wariness of Han Li grew by three more parts.

“I, Han, am not fond of crowds. Why don’t you three arrange for your disciples and juniors, and I will wait for you on the other side of this island. There are a few things I wish to inquire about from you three, and I hope you won’t take your leave without telling me.” Han Li narrowed his eyes and looked at the three men, speaking with a meaningful tone. Then, with a faint smile, he transformed into a streak of azure light and flew towards the opposite end of the small island.

Only then did the three men heave a great sigh of relief.

Although they still didn’t know if this young man was truly the Insect Devil, judging by his recent attitude, he did not seem intent on killing them. For now, their lives were safe.

After a few solemn, hushed words from the vulture-faced elder, the Min surname cultivator nodded slightly and flew into the sky to meet the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Once he reached the group of disciples, he said something coldly. These cultivators immediately followed him down to the edge of the island, not joining the vulture-faced elder’s group.

It was only then that the Min surname cultivator flew back to the other two, his face full of worry.

“Brother Qiu, do we really have to go over there?” the fierce-looking man asked hesitantly via voice transmission as soon as the Min surname cultivator approached.

“Brother Xuan, don’t get any foolish ideas. Have you not seen that person’s methods just now? Do you truly believe we can still escape now? When he asks questions, just answer honestly. You must not anger him! Treat him as if he were a Nascent Soul old monster. With his level of divine ability, he should not stoop to killing us,” the vulture-faced elder said, his expression turning severe as he issued a most solemn warning.

“Brother Qiu is right. I don’t think this man is the cruel and murderous type either. It’s best not to act rashly,” the Min surname cultivator agreed, nodding repeatedly.

Although the fierce-looking man was not entirely convinced, seeing that the other two were both saying so, he had to suppress his rebellious thoughts.

Afterwards, the three obediently flew towards the other side of the coral island.

Han Li was already sitting cross-legged on a flat piece of coral reef, waiting for them calmly.

“Fellow Daoists, please, sit and talk. Tell me, what exactly has happened in the sea region around Qiyuan Island lately? On my way back from the deep sea, I ran into several waves of cultivators. I recall that this sea area used to be rarely visited by cultivators. Weren’t they all hunting demon beasts in the Deep Abyss? Of course, I would also like to learn more about this ‘Insect Devil’ character,” Han Li said with a casual gesture to the three, his expression as calm as ever.

Faced with Han Li’s unmoved demeanor, the three men only grew more uneasy. They respectfully acknowledged his words before cautiously sitting down nearby.

“Fellow Daoist hasn’t been to Qiyuan Island for two or three years, has he? The Deep Abyss sea region is no longer a place for us cultivators. These days, don’t even talk about hunting demon beasts there. Just mentioning the Deep Abyss is enough to make almost everyone’s face turn pale,” the vulture-faced elder said with a bitter smile, speaking slowly.

“Oh? Please elaborate, Fellow Daoist,” Han Li said calmly, his face revealing no unusual reaction.

“This is a long story. It all started with the demon beast rampage two years ago…” Seeing that Han Li seemed to be listening intently, the elder felt a little more at ease. After thinking for a moment, he truthfully recounted the terrifying changes in the Deep Abyss back then, and how even Nascent Soul cultivators had returned with nothing to show for their efforts.

Han Li sat quietly, listening. When he had heard the full account of the matter, he frowned imperceptibly and murmured to himself:

“So, the rampaging demon beasts in the Deep Abyss back then killed many high-level cultivators. Even Nascent Soul cultivators could no longer hold their ground there. No wonder the number of cultivators from other sea regions has suddenly increased.”

On the surface, Han Li appeared unmoved by the vulture-faced elder’s account, but inside, he was quite shocked.

The beasts of the Deep Abyss had actually gone on a rampage! And several Nascent Soul cultivators had entered and fled in panic.

No matter how he heard it, he could sense a bad omen.

Was the Outer Star Seas about to fall into chaos as well?

“Now, tell me about this ‘Insect Devil.’ As soon as you three saw me, you took me for him. Do I really resemble him that much?” Han Li paused briefly before asking with some interest.

This question caused the three men across from him to exchange a glance.

“How should I put it… At first glance, you do bear a striking resemblance to the rumored Insect Devil. You both use multiple azure flying swords, appear young, seem to be only at the Core Formation stage, and can control tens of thousands of flying insects…” It was the Min surname cultivator who cleared his throat and replied.

But with every word he spoke, his voice grew a little weaker.

Because, from any angle, the young man before him matched the rumored Insect Devil quite closely.

The Min surname cultivator couldn’t help but feel his heart fill with guilt.

“Oh? It does sound quite a bit like me. Please, be more specific. What has this Insect Devil done that seems to have earned him quite a reputation?” Han Li’s face showed a flash of surprise, but he asked very calmly.

“There are many stories about the Insect Devil. But his most famous one was his battle four years ago, where he single-handedly used a swarm of insects to kill seven or eight Core Formation cultivators. It was this battle that made his name,” the Min surname cultivator said cautiously.

Hearing this, Han Li’s face showed no unusual reaction, but his heart gave a jolt.

“After that battle, the Insect Devil seemed to vanish without a trace. But about a year later, in the sea area near Qiyuan Island, incidents of cultivators being killed for their treasures began to occur frequently. According to survivors, the culprit was that same Insect Devil. Again, he used a sky-full of flying insects to devour his opponents cleanly. Such incidents happened almost once every month or two. Rumor has it that over a hundred cultivators have died at this Insect Devil’s hands. His name has become synonymous with utter bloodthirst,” the Min surname cultivator finished in one breath, a hint of nervousness and unease on his face.

(End of Chapter)