"Is that so?" Mo Han asked, his voice cutting through the air. "Then take a good look at how I dismantle your Possession Technique."

The moment the words left his lips, Mo Han's form dissolved into a mere phantom.

In the blink of an eye, he materialized before Hai Si, who was currently being puppeteered by the Nether Race entity. The entity was jolted by Mo Han’s speed, realizing with a shock that this human hadn't even exerted his full power during their previous exchange. This despicable human had tricked him once again.

Mo Han extended both hands, seizing firm control over Hai Si's body. The possessed Hai Si remained unnervingly calm, staring coldly at Mo Han, fundamentally disbelieving that Mo Han would dare to genuinely harm her.

Seeing this lack of fear, Mo Han merely let out a cold sneer and pulled something from his robes—it was the Luminous Jade Pendant. At the sight of it, panic flared in Hai Si’s eyes, and she cried out, "The Luminous Jade Pendant! No wonder you saw through my disguise, you despicable human."

Mo Han had no patience for her rambling. He began chanting an incantation—a spell taught to him by Shui Ling'er when he was with the Beast Tribe, the very magic required to activate the Jade Pendant. Instantly, the pendant emitted a soft, gentle radiance that enveloped Mo Han’s entire hand.

The entity controlling Hai Si struggled violently now, desperately trying to break free from Mo Han’s grip. But Mo Han would not allow it. With a sudden surge, Mo Han thrust his hand, the Jade Pendant blazing, directly toward Hai Si's chest, pressing it firmly against her full, soft bust.

This was precisely why Mo Han had hesitated to use this move earlier. With so many people present, any witness to this action would surely breed malicious gossip. Hai Si was, after all, an untainted young maiden, and any rumor would tarnish her reputation. But now, with only Murong Tian remaining in the great hall, Mo Han had no need for restraint, so he employed the tactic without reserve.

As the Jade Pendant neared Hai Si’s chest, its light intensified dramatically, pouring into her body in a blinding flood. From Hai Si’s mouth erupted a piercing, agonizing shriek. A black silhouette shot out from behind her back at incredible speed, trailing wisps of dark smoke.

Mo Han had been waiting for this moment. He sneered, "You are gravely wounded now. Do you truly believe you can escape?" Before his sentence concluded, Mo Han lunged, intercepting the fleeing Nether Race entity. He struck out with a palm attack. The entity hastily threw up a palm to defend. Their hands met with a resounding crash that kicked up a cloud of dust. The entity let out a pained howl and was sent flying backward, while Mo Han was forced to take a single step back. Seeing this, Mo Han felt a jolt of surprise. Even after suffering such severe injuries from Mo Han’s calculated assaults, this entity could still force him back. If it had been at full strength, its power must have been formidable—at least at the Great Swordsman level, certainly no weaker than himself.

With that realization, Mo Han inwardly acknowledged his sheer luck. If his initial ambush hadn't succeeded, the ensuing battle would have been a desperate struggle.

Yet, Mo Han allowed no pause in his pursuit, immediately chasing after the direction the Nether Race entity had been flung.

Mo Han knew this entity must possess some kind of Netherworld Barrier, and he had to prevent its activation at all costs. If the barrier were fully deployed, all his efforts would have been in vain. Thus, he granted the entity absolutely no chance to catch its breath, pressing the attack.

Seeing Mo Han bearing down on him, the Nether Race entity seemed to prepare for a final, desperate stand. It let out a shrill, piercing cry and spat a mouthful of black, noxious blood directly at Mo Han. Mo Han dared not be careless; he instantly channeled his Battle Qi toward the black fluid. However, upon contact with the Qi, the black blood reacted as if it were mere air, completely unaffected by the energy, and continued its trajectory toward Mo Han. Alarmed, Mo Han swiftly leaped aside to evade it.

A shock of terror ran through him. What in the blazes was this substance that his Battle Qi couldn't even touch?

After missing its target, the black blood struck a pillar behind Mo Han. It exploded with a tremendous noise, utterly obliterating the column and reducing it to rubble.

Witnessing the sheer destructive power of that black blood, Mo Han clicked his tongue in awe. Such an absurd level of power—if he had been struck, he would have been severely injured, if not killed outright.

Seeing his ultimate offensive fail, the Nether Race entity realized escape was hopeless. It seized the momentary distraction while Mo Han dodged and crushed the Life-Preserving Nether Pearl it carried.

Immediately, a plume of black smoke erupted from its body. The entity let out a manic, triumphant laugh. "You insignificant humans! Even after ambushing me, you cannot defeat me. When the Nether King’s legions arrive, it will be your final hour. I look forward to seeing how you beg for mercy then. Hahahaha..."

The Nether Race entity’s voice faded with the dissipating black mist until it was barely a whisper.

Murong Tian, who had witnessed everything, rushed to Mo Han’s side. "Brother Mo Han, are you alright? What was that last part the Nether Race entity said? I couldn't make sense of it." Mo Han recounted his encounter with the Prophet in the Beast Tribe and the details of the Netherworld Barrier.

Hearing Mo Han’s explanation, Murong Tian gasped in astonishment. "There is actually a barrier in this world so powerful that even a Sword Saint cannot breach it? Does that mean we have absolutely no way to counter it?" Just then, the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed from the doorway—Mo Han knew the Imperial Guards had arrived.

Considering this, Mo Han frowned and spoke, "General Murong, please escort Miss Hai Si outside quickly and stop any guards from entering. I want to try one more time here to see if there is any hope."

Murong Tian, though inwardly skeptical—how could Mo Han possibly have a way to break the Netherworld Barrier that even a Sword Saint couldn't—recalled that every encounter with Mo Han had brought one surprise after another. Perhaps Mo Han truly possessed a method. With that thought, Murong Tian nodded without hesitation and agreed to Mo Han’s request, turning to lift Hai Si and depart.

Once Murong Tian was gone, Mo Han reached into his Spatial Ring and retrieved a stack of top-grade weaponry, beginning to sift through them. If anyone had seen Mo Han’s arsenal now, their eyes would surely have popped out. Every single weapon in his collection was considered supreme grade in the current era, and the sheer quantity Mo Han possessed was unbelievable; few would believe him even if he claimed it.

After a moment of searching, Mo Han let out a cry of delight. "It's here! I finally found it."

He leaped towards...