To the astonishment of the green little figure, it remained unharmed amidst the divine thunder of the exorcising deity. "Don't be too confident yet," said Han Li with a cold smile. "If you truly believe you can absorb my true essence and consume my true form, why have you only been boasting? If I haven't miscalculated, you may indeed be capable of absorbing the souls of lower-tier cultivators, but to claim you can devour a cultivator's true essence—well, that's pure fantasy. Perhaps in the past you were able to achieve this, but now, clearly, you're out of strength and resources. You're merely relying on your unusual form. Let's cut to the chase—first, let's test your true mettle with my flying sword!" With these few words, Han Li had completely shaken the little figure, whose face now bore a look of intense hostility. At that moment, Han Li pointed his finger at the flying sword circling before him. The twelve swords emitted a resonant hum and then burst forth as brilliant streaks of jade-green light. The green figure, its face darkened with growing anxiety, remained motionless, its body encircled by the dozen jade-green sword beams. Moments A faint glow. Han Li was momentarily stunned by this. But then, a strange, gurgling laugh echoed from the other side. As the fragments of the small figure shimmered, they unexpectedly reassembled into a complete, identical green figure. "Hm, quite impressive! You've crafted your flying swords from Golden Thunder Bamboo, haven't you? I may not know exactly why you possess so many such stalks, but to wound me with just these swords—well, that's truly comical. As for whether Grandmother merely talks the talk, you'll find out soon enough," the small figure said, clearly incensed by Han Li's earlier remarks. With that, it pressed both palms together, its vivid green light flashing as if preparing to unleash some powerful spell. Yet before the spell could fully take effect, a brilliant flash appeared atop its head, and twelve of the flying swords simultaneously sparked with electric arcs, weaving together into a dense, expansive golden net that descended directly upon it. "Hmph! You youngsters still won't give up." I said it had no effect at all on me—divine antithetical lightning! Huh, what are you doing?" The girl's voice started puzzled, then sharpened into a state of sheer alarm. For once, after the grid had formed, it hadn't burst—instead, it instantly contracted, swiftly enclosing the small figure within, and continuously tightening and shrinking. The figure, realizing the situation, flashed green light across its body, struggling desperately, yet in vain. Soon, it was compressed into a large golden sphere. Han Li couldn't help but let a quiet smile of contempt form. To have condensed divine antithetical lightning into a grid—a feat that, since the emergence of the Golden Lightning Bamboo, had been first achieved by Han Li himself. Previously, even if someone had lucked out with a few segments of Golden Lightning Bamboo and crafted it into a treasure, they always reserved the divine lightning as their primary weapon against demonic techniques and magical assaults, never daring to expend it freely. Moreover, to form such a vast golden arc grid, one would need at least a dozen segments of Golden Lightning Bamboo's antithetical lightning to successfully condense it into form. Even with the intention, he lacked the conditions to carry it out. After years of harnessing the Divine-Exorcising Thunder, Han Li had come to realize that this thunder not only naturally suppressed demonic techniques and arts but also exerted a remarkable effect of restraining and sealing the Five Elements' spiritual energies. Whether it was the original Dharmic Flame of the Asura or the later Wind-Spirit Qi, the Divine-Exorcising Thunder could effectively confine them, preventing their eruption or escape. This unexpected discovery naturally brought Han Li great joy. Previously, during his Condensation Stage, constrained by his cultivation level, he had not yet mastered the use of the Golden-Arc Electric Grid with ease, and thus had rarely employed it in combat. Now, having achieved great cultivation and perfected the Fourth Layer of the Da-Yan Technique, with his awareness greatly enhanced, he no longer faced such limitations. Though this individual's origin remained unknown, Han Li was certain he was not merely a flesh-and-blood or ghostly being, but rather an unusual manifestation of a cultivator's Yuan-Ying stage. With this, Han Li decided to give it a try. Though the little man had heard rumors of the Jinlei Bamboo Incantation法宝 before, he was completely unaware of the hidden properties of the Bixie Divine Thunder. Otherwise, he would never have relied so heavily on his immortal infant body and acted so carelessly. In an instant, the once arrogant little man was effortlessly restrained and captured by Han Li. Upon seeing his success, Han Li's face broke into a few smiles. He raised his hand, and a streak of azure light shot out, drawing the golden sphere back into his hands. "You dare to imprison me! Release me at once, or I shall surely draw out your soul and refine your essence, leaving you to suffer beyond endurance!" The golden sphere trembled, and within it, a child's voice cried out in sheer shock and fury, sharp and piercing. "Draw out my soul and refine my essence? It seems you haven't yet grasped your current situation. Take a moment to regain your composure and reflect!" Han Li frowned, then his expression darkened. With a thunderous crack, the golden arc in his hand launched once more. One after another, fine threads wrapped the golden sphere layer upon layer, consuming nearly half of the divinely protective lightning stored in the flying swords. Only then, upon seeing the golden sphere now several times larger, did Han Li smile with satisfaction. Ignoring the furious shouts of the child inside the sphere, he raised his hand and tapped the storage pouch. A white jade box appeared in his hand. He inserted the golden sphere into the box, sealed it shut, and then drew out several sealing scroll charms from the pouch, swiftly affixing them to the box. Instantly, the sounds within the box ceased abruptly. Han Li held the jade box in his hands, his expression returning to calm. He then surveyed the short, stout cultivator, now lifeless and devoid of spirit, and with a steady gaze, launched a single flame ball that turned him to ash. Afterward, he calmly proceeded toward the small town. A short while later, Han Li appeared slowly at the inn, where he remained ever since, quietly awaiting the day of his birthday. Not long after, the cultivators of Yuanwu Kingdom were astonished to discover that "Peng Yi, the Double Fiends" — renowned among the independent practitioners for their habit of killing and seizing treasures — had vanished completely without a trace. No further word of either of them was ever heard. "Who is it—who has imprisoned the Supreme Wood Spirit Infant! Send someone to contact a disciple from the Yuling Sect of Yuanwu Kingdom. If, within three months, we still cannot locate the Supreme Wood Spirit Infant escaping, impose two charges and have them commit suicide as an apology. Also, proceed with caution—make absolutely sure the Magi Flame Sect does not detect this matter." Though the elder in the room was furious, his instructions remained clear and well-organized. "Understood, Senior Master. I will immediately dispatch the message." A steady male voice echoed from outside the stone pavilion. "Don't rush! Also, personally send Yun Zhi and Liu Yu to Yuanwu Kingdom. Both of them are spirit-rooted in the Wood element and are the ideal candidates for harmonizing with the Supreme Wood Spirit Infant. If they can get closer to the Infant, they might sense something. Still, have them proceed with care. The one who has imprisoned the Infant must possess considerable power—far beyond what either of them can handle. Once we identify who has imprisoned the Infant, I will personally meet with that person." The elder added suddenly. "Yes, I will personally invite the two junior sisters. My nephew shall now retire." The man outside respectfully replied. Then, the sound of footsteps gradually faded away. In the stone pavilion, a deep sigh echoed, and silence settled in the darkness. We cannot allow the ancestors to lose face on this birthday celebration. After taking a brief stroll through the estate, the elder seemed thoroughly satisfied and, accompanied by several younger relatives, entered a side hall. "Qing! Hasn't the guest from the Muyan Sect arrived yet? Will there be any issue with their coming to pay their respects?" The elder of the Fu family, dressed in purple with keen eyes, leaned against a grand sofa in the side hall, asking slowly and deliberately. Though his voice was soft, it carried an unmistakable sense of dignity. Indeed, no one could have managed the Fu family's prosperity over the past century with such grace. "Your grace, the senior from the Muyan Sect has already sent a message through one of our disciples," replied a middle-aged white-faced cultivator, standing respectfully, his expression free of any hint of hesitation. "He and Mo the Abbot have both confirmed they will personally come to celebrate the elder's birthday. They should arrive within the next one or two days."