Han Li, clutching the Ruyi in his hand, felt both joyous and incredibly relieved!
Right above, where Ji Yin and Wan Tianming were locked in a standoff, the Fire Wolf—trapped by Wu Chou and Xuan Gu—suddenly did something that greatly surprised both of them.
It let out a low growl, and its two heads twisted and squeezed together toward the center. With a roll, it transformed into a massive, silver-furred wolf with a single horn.
Without a word, the wolf lowered its head, and a blinding beam of silver light shot out from its silver horn.
The light ball wasn't large, only about half a foot in diameter. But the moment it left the horn's tip, it emitted a sharp shriek. It pierced through the black serpent in a flash, carving a large hole, before finally striking the green net and exploding.
No one knew what properties the silver light possessed. The instant the green net touched it, its color changed drastically. In the blink of an eye, it dissipated into a puff of grayish-white mist, vanishing without a trace.
Seeing this, both Wu Chou and Xuan Gu were startled.
Wu Chou hurriedly formed hand seals and pointed a finger. A black beam shot from his hand and struck the black serpent, which was about to collapse. The large hole shimmered with a dark light and slowly began to seal itself, while the giant serpent's form solidified once more.
As for Xuan Gu, after his initial shock, he fixed his gaze intently on the silver giant wolf, as if something had just occurred to him. After a brief hesitation, his expression turned solemn. He opened his mouth and spat out a small, emerald-green knife.
The knife was only a few inches long, short and without a handle. Its blade glowed erratically, clearly no ordinary artifact.
Han Li felt a stir in his heart and couldn't help but take another good look at this treasure.
If his senses weren't mistaken, this small knife was unmistakably the Golden Lightning Bamboo small arrow, transformed. It was merely obscured by a magical technique to hide its true form.
Had Xuan Gu gone mad? Ji Yin was right there in the sky, yet he dared to use this very treasure openly! Wasn't it this very treasure that Ji Yin had used to ambush him all those years ago?
The illusion technique he employed was indeed masterful. If Han Li hadn't been cultivating a natal treasure also made from Golden Lightning Bamboo, he might never have noticed its peculiarity. But it was still far too risky.
Was this silver wolf truly so special that this old demon was willing to take such a grave risk to get his hands on it? Han Li's thoughts turned, and doubt crept back in.
In that brief moment, the silver giant wolf inside the light barrier suddenly shrank rapidly. In an instant, it transformed into a miniature wolf, no more than a foot tall.
Then, with a flash of silver light, it shot out through the half-sealed hole in the black serpent, breaking free from its entanglement.
Seeing this, Xuan Gu immediately flung his small knife. A streak of green light met the wolf head-on.
With a loud "bang," the silver wolf and the small knife were both sent flying sideways.
The silver wolf's body was astonishingly tough; it appeared completely uninjured.
Coincidentally, the wolf's flying body was heading straight for Han Li, who was off to the side.
With such a lucky break landing in his lap, Han Li threw all other considerations aside. Without a second thought, he activated the basket and sent it flying toward the silver wolf.
At the same time, fearing this treasure might not be enough to restrain the wolf, he pressed his right hand against his storage pouch. Five copper rings, linked in a chain, shot out from within.
He spat a puff of azure mist onto them. With a shimmer of five-colored light, the copper rings vanished.
Almost in the next instant, a clear ringing sound suddenly filled the air.
The silver wolf, which had just stabilized its flight, hadn't yet managed to escape. The copper rings that had just disappeared reappeared around its limbs and head. They glowed for a moment, then simultaneously tightened.
The silver wolf dropped from the sky like a bird struck by an arrow.
The basket, which had already transformed into a ball of white mist, arrived in a flash. It enveloped the wolf completely, then let out a whistling cry as it flew back into Han Li's hand, reverting to its original form.
Seeing this scene, Xuan Gu, who had just recalled his green knife, and Wu Chou, who had just taken out a black silk scarf, were both stunned! Their faces were filled with expressions of disbelief.
When Wu Chou recovered, his face quickly twisted into one of exasperation and fury.
This was too bizarre! He had assumed that taking an unclaimed treasure would be child's play with his Profound Yin Great Technique.
Yet first, Xuan Gu had tried to snatch it. Then, just as he realized this treasure wasn't easily claimed and was about to produce another artifact, Han Li had subdued the silver wolf so effortlessly! This made Wu Chou feel both utterly humiliated and seething with anger.
After his initial freeze, Xuan Gu showed a peculiar expression.
Although he immediately tried to look nonchalant, Han Li caught a flicker of vexation in his eyes. The old demon also stole a few more glances at the copper rings on the silver wolf, seemingly still a bit puzzled.
Han Li had no time to ponder Xuan Gu's odd behavior. As soon as the basket flew back, he looked eagerly inside it.