Amidst these spirit boats, three towering pillars reaching hundreds of feet high stood prominently. Each pillar was pale yellow in color, emanating waves of cyan-red light that continuously surged into the sky, merging seamlessly with the “gauze” enveloping the entire island.
Han Li, upon seeing this, knew these colossal pillars must be the legendary Windfire Pillars. The cultivators aboard the semi-artifact boats were undoubtedly the guards assigned by the Anti-Star Alliance to oversee them. At a glance, there appeared to be around two to three thousand people.
To avoid alerting them, he refrained from using his spiritual sense to scan thoroughly, but it was certain that at least one Nascent Soul cultivator was stationed there—this was beyond doubt.
As for whether the leader of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect was also present, only heaven and earth knew.
There were a total of one hundred and eight Windfire Pillars. It was unlikely to be such a coincidence that the one he sought was among these three, Han Li mused to himself.
But if it truly was here and someone tried to stop him, he wasn’t sure whether to call it his own bad luck or the misfortune of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect’s leader.
As for the famed Windfire Heaven-Severing Array, its reputation was indeed formidable. However, based on Han Li’s understanding, this formation was specifically designed to assault large strongholds of cultivator sects, primarily targeting ordinary low-to-mid-level cultivators and large-scale restrictions. Against a single individual with extraordinary abilities, it would be far less effective.
With his capabilities, traversing this formation would at most be a minor inconvenience. There was no way it could truly trap him.
After weighing the situation in his mind, Han Li wasted no further time. He slightly adjusted the direction of his escape light, bypassing the spirit boats and the three copper pillars directly in his path, and instead headed toward the cyan-red light from a more remote location.
At the base of the three towering pillars, where they disappeared beneath the sea, floated a three-story jade ship. Though exceptionally large, the vessel was crafted entirely from pale green jade, making it breathtakingly exquisite.
On the top deck of the ship, several cultivators sat around a square jade table, chatting amiably. On the table were plates of rare and exotic spirit fruits, and the group appeared entirely at ease.
“Senior Long, I heard that Alliance Leader Wan has promised that if we succeed in conquering Star Palace this time, he will cede one of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect’s three spirit islands—Tianrui Island—to your Golden Lotus Sect. Is this true?” asked a white-robed scholar with a smile, addressing an elderly man with a faintly greenish complexion seated across from him.
“Young Master Ning is quite well-informed. Fellow Daoist Wan did indeed mention this to me. The spiritual veins of Tianrui Island are somewhat superior to my current residence. For the long-term development of my sect, I suppose I cannot refuse,” the green-faced elder replied, casting a sidelong glance at the scholar. His tone carried a hint of arrogance.
“Brother Long, you jest. The quality of Tianrui Island’s spiritual veins is renowned throughout the Chaotic Star Sea. Moreover, the island produces numerous rare spirit flowers and herbs. If the Golden Lotus Sect acquires it, further advancement is surely within reach,” interjected a middle-aged Daoist in gray robes, chuckling lightly.
“Fellow Daoist Hua, don’t act as if you’re innocent. Didn’t you also receive over a dozen exceptionally rare materials? Otherwise, a recluse like you wouldn’t have rushed here to assist Brother Wan,” the elder retorted with a smirk, clearly unbothered.
Among the three on the ship, two were early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. The white-robed scholar, though only at the late-stage Core Formation realm, remained composed and dignified in their presence, indicating a significant background.
Just as the middle-aged Daoist was about to respond, a deep hum resonated from one of the massive copper pillars in front of their ship. The cyan-red light it emitted trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible force.
“Trouble! Someone is breaching the formation!” the Daoist exclaimed, standing abruptly.
The elder surnamed Long and the scholar also rose, their expressions shifting as they turned toward the pillar.
“Southwest direction! Hmm, it seems they’re breaking in from the outside. The guards stationed there are truly useless—they couldn’t even stop a single person,” the Daoist growled, producing a formation disk and swiftly performing a series of hand seals.
“Let’s go, Fellow Daoist Hua! If they’ve bypassed the outer defenses and dare to enter the Windfire Heaven-Severing Array, they’re no ordinary individual. The breach isn’t far from here. With the Windfire forces hindering them, they won’t reach Starfall City immediately,” the green-faced elder said, a sinister grin flashing across his face as a faint green light flickered over his features.
“Very well. This person might indeed be of our level. Let’s confront them together.”
“Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Long!” The middle-aged Daoist didn’t stand on ceremony, stepping lightly onto the jade carriage that had appeared.
“Young Master Ning, we leave this place in your care for now,” the Daoist added after a moment’s thought.
“Rest assured, Seniors. I will guard this place diligently. May you both display your mighty prowess!” The white-robed scholar readily agreed, tossing in a flattering remark that drew faint smiles from the two elders.
With a flick of his sleeve, the elder summoned a jade carriage several inches in size. It expanded in the wind, growing to several feet in length.
“Fellow Daoist Hua, my Heavenly Wind Carriage can double our speed within this formation. Riding it, we won’t let our target escape,” the elder declared, stepping onto the carriage.
“Then I’ll trouble you once more, Brother Long!” The Daoist boarded without hesitation.
The elder cast a spell, enveloping the carriage in a cyan glow. With a tremble, it vanished into the nearby cyan-red light, blending seamlessly into the formation.
“Marvelous! I’ve long heard of the Heavenly Wind Carriage, but I never imagined it could perform such feats within the Windfire Array. Truly incredible. No wonder Brother Wan stationed you here, near the formation’s core—he must have intended to utilize this carriage,” the Daoist praised, stroking his beard in admiration.
“Perhaps. Since advancing to late-stage Nascent Soul, Fellow Daoist Wan’s thoughts have become inscrutable even to old friends like us,” the elder replied with a laugh, though his tone suggested indifference.
The Daoist chuckled but didn’t press further.
The Heavenly Wind Carriage’s speed indeed surpassed that of an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Guided by the elder’s formation disk, they covered dozens of miles in mere moments.
“Be cautious. The intruder is just ahead. They’ve broken through most of the restrictions and are about to escape the Windfire forces,” the elder warned, his expression turning grave as he studied the jade disk. Without waiting for a response, he began chanting incantations and forming hand seals.
The carriage’s cyan light flared brightly, and both it and its occupants blurred before vanishing entirely within the cyan-red radiance. The elder had activated a concealment technique, ensuring they retained the initiative.
The Daoist nodded approvingly at this move.
Without using their spiritual senses, the two guided the carriage higher, slowing their pace significantly.
After a few more miles, they finally spotted the intruder—and were stunned.
The trespasser appeared impossibly young, a mere youth in his twenties. Moreover, he wasn’t using any magical treasures, relying solely on a protective cyan glow to repel the encroaching cyan-red light as he advanced leisurely, utterly at ease.
“Who is this? A mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?” Both the elder and the Daoist thought simultaneously, their hearts tightening.
Ironically, had this been any other high-ranking Anti-Star Alliance member, they might have recognized Han Li instantly due to the widespread dissemination of his likeness during the events surrounding the Void Sky Cauldron. But these two were newly recruited by Wan Tianming—reclusive Nascent Soul experts who rarely involved themselves in the affairs of the Star Sea.
Had Wan Tianming not lured them with substantial rewards, they might never have emerged.
Thus, Han Li’s identity remained a mystery to them, leaving them wary and uncertain.
Nevertheless, neither the elder nor the Daoist was truly intimidated. Together, their combined strength could rival a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Besides, there was no guarantee the intruder was indeed at that level.
Even if they were somewhat isolated, they were still aware of the major mid-stage and above powerhouses in the Star Sea.
Confident in the Heavenly Wind Carriage’s concealment, the elder hesitated only briefly before guiding it silently toward the youth’s position.
The approach was utterly soundless.
When the carriage reached a point thirty feet above Han Li, the two held their breaths, scrutinizing him closely.
Han Li appeared unremarkable—a plain-faced young man in a blue robe, with only a storage pouch and a spirit beast pouch at his waist. There was nothing distinctive about him to hint at his origins.
Frowning, the elder exchanged a glance with the Daoist.
After a brief pause, the Daoist nodded slowly.
Simultaneously, both placed a hand on their storage pouches, preparing to unleash a devastating joint attack.
But at that moment, Han Li suddenly looked up and smiled at the sky. A pair of wings materialized on his back, and with a single flap, he vanished without a trace.
“Not good!”
As seasoned Nascent Soul cultivators, the two reacted instantly. Abandoning their plan to retrieve treasures, the elder stomped on the carriage, channeling his full power into it.
The concealment dissipated, replaced by a blinding cyan light that enveloped both the carriage and its occupants.
The Daoist, meanwhile, hastily retrieved a black-and-white Eight Trigram Mirror from his pouch and hurled it above his head.
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