Even Red Yi's hands trembled slightly—she hadn't expected the Nebula Baby to be this easy to fool. Without hesitation, the little girl had handed over a Pure Yang Supreme Treasure. Its value alone rivaled that of several peak Divine Transformation cultivators.
The Seven Fiends Gourd might be a fine artifact, but compared to this bracelet, it wasn't even close.
This Sun and Moon Five-Star Bracelet was no ordinary treasure—it had the potential to evolve into a Dao Artifact, combining both defense and offense, with enough power to move mountains and fill seas. For anyone who possessed it, even Divine Transformation experts would be no match.
As Red Yi grasped the bracelet, she felt it pulse softly, its texture smooth and pliant like silk. Starlight seeped into her body, washing over her bones and muscles until they shone with purity. Impurities in her body melted away one by one, leaving her refreshed and buoyant, as if she might soar into the sky at any moment.
So it wasn't just powerful—the bracelet could purify the flesh, kill internal parasites, and refine bodily impurities.
"Big sister," Nebula Baby said cheerfully, "since you like it, I'll let you wear it for a while—but you have to give it back later, okay? I stole this from my mom, and if I give it away, she'll be really mad at me."
The little girl waved dismissively. "It feels super comfy, right? My mom said if you wear it for sixty years, your whole skeleton turns into Stellar Immortal Bone. I've worn it for a few years now—my body's really strong! But yours, sister, is still too weak."
Red Yi flushed slightly at that. Her fingers brushed across the bracelet, letting the gentle star energy soak into her body. Stellar Immortal Bone—even the name carried weight. It was the kind of transformation that only those at the peak of Divine Power could achieve, a reversal of fate itself.
"Here, Fang Han—try it." After wearing it for a short while, Red Yi felt that her body had absorbed as much starlight as it could hold. Though reluctant, she removed the bracelet and handed it over. The brief experience had already refined her body and cleansed her marrow; she could tell this would boost her cultivation tremendously. In a few months, she might even surpass the famed Jian Kong from the Mountain and River Rankings.
Fang Han examined the bracelet curiously. But he had no intention of tricking Nebula Baby—it would be beneath him. He was, after all, a man of the Immortal Path, not some demonic plunderer. A true devil would have killed the child and taken the bracelet without hesitation. This treasure was valuable enough to drive even a Divine Transformation master to madness.
When he accepted it, the bracelet felt weightless, soft as a drifting cloud. A moment later, as he infused a wisp of spiritual power into it, the bracelet erupted in blinding starlight—meteors blazing through the heavens—each ray cascading down into his body.
Immediately, he felt his flesh and bones undergo a subtle metamorphosis. His muscles surged with strength, flexibility, and vitality; the starlight energy even began merging faintly with his Yama Vajra Body.
Within his inner vision, he saw his bones—dense and snow-white—becoming even more brilliant, coated in a translucent layer of starlight. Every motion felt elastic and powerful.
The star energy had boosted his physical strength, agility, and explosive power by at least ten percent.
Now he understood why Yan, the spirit within the Yellow Springs Diagram, had coveted this treasure so deeply.
After a few minutes, as the starlight within him began to overflow, Fang Han carefully returned the bracelet to Nebula Baby.
"This treasure is beyond extraordinary," he said solemnly. "Among cultivators, it's the kind of artifact that could start a massacre. Keep it on you, and protect yourself. Better yet, return to the Star Gate. Remember—hearts are treacherous, and the world is deep with hidden danger. You're too young to understand that now."
Yan remained silent inside the Yellow Springs Diagram, clearly struggling with his conscience. To deceive a child like this would disgrace the dignity of a dragon of the underworld.
"Treacherous hearts and deep rivers?" Nebula Baby tilted her head. "My mom said that too." She slipped the bracelet back on and pouted. "But I just want to play. The Star Gate is boring—everyone there just cultivates all day. No fun at all! It's way better with you guys. Oh! Let's go find some shiny rocks! I only took a few last time, and those mean old demons tried to eat me for it!"
"Wait—'shiny rocks'?" Fang Han's eyes flickered.
Red Yi and Crane Fairy both looked at him—the same thought struck them all at once.
Spirit Crystal Jade!
The white-haired Asura they had slain earlier—and the four hundred and eighty royal corpses of the White-Haired Demon Clan—had been guarding a mining army. If that was the case, then the best move now was obvious: head straight for the mines and claim the Spirit Crystal Jade for themselves.
"Let's go!"
Leaping onto Crane Fairy's back, they took to the air, wings slicing through the darkness of the underground mountain range. Shadows stretched endlessly below. Fang Han's eyesight, honed beyond mortal limits, pierced the gloom—far ahead stood a vast fortress surrounded by jagged peaks, its walls shimmering faintly in the dim light. Around it sprawled countless mine tunnels like the burrows of giant insects.
Hordes of demons scurried in and out of the tunnels, pushing iron carts filled with ore. Most of the stones were unrefined; only after processing could the precious Spirit Crystal Jade be extracted—a grueling task fit for slaves.
There were tens of thousands of demon laborers toiling in those mountains.
Fang Han paid them no mind. Killing such creatures wouldn't be an act of righteousness—they were merely slaves themselves. His goal lay within the fortress. That was where the refined Spirit Crystal Jade would be stored. Seize that, and this entire venture would pay off handsomely.
Spirit Crystal Jade contained pure magical essence—somewhat useful to body cultivators, but priceless to those in the Divine Power Realm. During battle, when one's mana ran low, these crystals could serve as external power sources, instantly replenishing lost strength.
Mana was like stamina—it drained quickly in fierce combat. Once depleted, recovery could take days or even weeks.
As Fang Han approached the fortress, his consciousness entered the Yellow Springs Diagram, where the imprisoned White Demon Duchess Asura still writhed in fury.
"Your soldiers called you Duchess Molin," Fang Han said coldly. "So that's your name? A noble among demons—how fitting. I'm heading to your fortress now to claim your Spirit Crystal Jade. Be smart and tell me where you've hidden it, and I might spare your life. Otherwise… you won't enjoy what comes next."
"Where… is this place?" the demoness demanded, her voice sharp with fear.
"This…" Fang Han's voice echoed across the spectral realm. "…is the River of the Dead."
At that, the Yellow Springs Diagram lit up, and from the churning black waters rose the colossal form of the dragon Yan, its golden eyes blazing like twin suns.