The Black Fiend Tribe fled in panic, and silence returned to the canyon entrance. Only the attacked formation's light barrier still rippled faintly, while the bloody stench of yin fiend energy lingered in the air.
Han Li stood at the cave entrance and cast an indifferent glance in the direction the Black Fiend Tribe had fled before turning back inside. His attacks had seemed effortless, but in truth, he had pushed his mastery of the Sword Dao and his control over magical power to their limits. Every strand of Light-Splitting, Essence-Transforming sword qi required precise control over its force and point of impact. What looked like casual strikes had consumed considerable mental energy and magical power. Still, the results had been striking enough to keep the Black Fiend Tribe cowed for some time.
"Th-thank you for saving us, Senior!" Still shaken, Li Yan and several remnant-clan cultivators hurried forward and bowed in gratitude. Their gazes had become almost reverent.
"It was nothing. Guard this place well, and do not let down your vigilance." Han Li nodded slightly and returned to the ruined formation's base. The brief clash had not disrupted his refining of the Fiend Spirit, merely delayed it. Now, he turned his attention back to the Primordial Magnetic Demon-Refining Formation.
Eighty percent of the black substance on the base had already dissipated. What remained was dull in color and barely stirred. The Fiend Spirit's shrieks were almost inaudible, its presence hovering on the verge of extinction. Without further hesitation, Han Li activated the formation to hasten the final refinement. At the same time, he took out the Demon-Quelling Token he had obtained from the Azure Kun Jade Bone. This token shared an origin with the Primordial Magnetic Demon-Sealing Seal and might prove useful now.
"Suppress!"
With a low shout,