The two plump worms were each two zhang in length, their bodies crystalline white and segmented like giant silkworm pupae. However, one end bore a small head with six tiny red eyes, and as they gnawed on moss, their enormous, fang-filled mouths opened and closed intermittently.
Han Li had already activated his Void Concealment Technique, which even Void Refinement cultivators couldn’t detect, let alone these two mere Divine Transformation-level insect beasts. Thus, he floated boldly above one of the creatures, his gaze sweeping toward a certain direction.
Under the effect of his Brightsight Spirit Eyes, a faint red silhouette stood near the other Xuanwu Beast.
It was the alluring woman, employing a concealment technique.
Several zhang behind her, a blurry green light flickered unpredictably—it was the elderly man surnamed You, masking his presence with wind-based techniques.
At the moment, both of them wore expressions of bewilderment as they scanned their surroundings, utterly unable to sense Han Li’s presence.
Han Li paid them no mind. With a slight movement of his lips, he silently transmitted a few words, revealing his location.
Naturally, the two were astonished, but the old man’s green light flickered as he approached Han Li, though he dared not come within ten zhang of the insect beast.
Clearly, getting too close would risk detection.
In contrast, the alluring woman, true to her Void Refinement cultivation, suppressed her surprise and floated to within five or six zhang of the other insect beast before halting soundlessly.
For a moment, all three stood motionless, the only sound being the rustling of the two Xuanwu Beasts gnawing on moss.
A cold glint flashed in Han Li’s eyes as his palm suddenly turned pitch-black and gleamed. He made a grasping motion toward the insect beast beneath him.
Greyish light erupted from his five fingers, and within the radiance, a black mountain eerily materialized before plummeting downward.
The insect beast below jolted in alarm, its body swelling instantly into a massive sphere, its surface flickering with blue and white spiritual light.
But it was already too late.
At such close range, the grey light swept over the creature in an instant. The spiritual light on the Xuanwu Beast’s body flickered twice before extinguishing as if encountering its bane.
Realizing the danger, the insect beast’s bloated body trembled violently, and an invisible ripple spread outward from its surface in all directions.
Han Li sneered, his blackened fingers closing slightly.
The grey radiance below flared intensely, and with several swishing sounds, seven or eight waves of grey light coiled around the beast. The invisible ripples weakened layer by layer upon contact before vanishing entirely into the Magnetic Divine Light.
As the Xuanwu Beast twisted its body, attempting another technique, a shadow loomed above its head.
With a thunderous boom, the black mountain expanded to seventy or eighty zhang in size and crashed mercilessly onto the creature’s plump body, pinning it completely.
However, the beast lived up to its reputation for resilience. Despite the immense force, it wasn’t crushed into paste and continued writhing in an attempt to break free.
At that moment, Han Li flicked his sleeve, sending a silver flame shooting toward the base of the black mountain.
A muffled sound followed, and the insect beast was instantly reduced to ashes without so much as a whimper.
The power of the Devouring Spirit Heavenly Flame was not something a mere insect beast could withstand.
From Han Li’s strike to the creature’s demise, only a single breath had passed.
After finishing the task, he glanced behind him. The elderly man surnamed You stood several zhang away, his face etched with shock.
Clearly, Han Li’s effortless dispatch of the Xuanwu Beast had stunned this late-stage Divine Transformation cultivator.
Han Li smiled faintly before shifting his gaze to the other side.
The second insect beast had already been split cleanly in two.
The alluring woman hovered above its corpse, a foot-long fiery red sword floating before her. She, too, looked at Han Li with surprise.
“Brother You, these two insect beasts are dealt with. Inform Senior Zhu and the others,” Han Li said with a slight bow toward the woman before addressing the old man calmly.
“Of course! Brother Han, Senior Qing, please wait a moment,” the old man replied without any trace of resentment, his face wreathed in smiles. He flicked his sleeve, sending a transmission talisman shooting into the void, where it vanished in a flash.
Shortly after, the rest of the group arrived.
The silver-haired youth surveyed the scene and listened to the old man’s brief account before nodding in satisfaction. After praising Han Li and the others, he wasted no time leading the group onward.
Han Li resumed his position at the rear.
This time, however, the other cultivators regarded him with renewed awe. To slay a Xuanwu Beast in a single strike was something even late-stage Divine Transformation cultivators present couldn’t confidently achieve.
The veiled Ying Xianzi and the petite female cultivator surnamed Xiao couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him.
Han Li ignored them, silently following the group.
Not long after passing through this section of the tunnel, they turned a corner and were met with the sound of rushing water. A denser, more frigid moisture filled the air.
Ahead lay an underground river dozens of zhang wide, its waters gurgling swiftly.
“Listen carefully. Crossing this river will take us straight to the True Toad’s lair. I’ve already described the layout—it’s spacious enough for us to maneuver. But those Shadow Insect Beasts are troublesome. We’ll rely on you all to handle them,” Zhu the youth said solemnly, turning to Han Li and the others after surveying the river.
“Rest assured, Senior Zhu! With the Heavenly Capital Profound Thunder Formation and the assistance of Brother Han and Fairy Xiao, even the notoriously elusive Shadow Insect Beasts won’t escape,” a yellow-robed middle-aged cultivator declared confidently, thumping his chest.
The other cultivators assigned the Profound Azure Thunder Flags voiced their agreement.
Han Li and the woman surnamed Xiao exchanged a glance but remained silent.
Zhu the youth, however, seemed satisfied. With a nod, he waved his hand and led the alluring woman into the river, the others following closely behind.
Meanwhile, outside the colossal mountain, hidden within a white cloud high in the sky, the elderly man and middle-aged cultivator tasked with vigilance chatted idly.
“Elder Zhao, do you think Senior Zhu and the others have reached the True Toad’s lair by now? Tsk tsk, two adult Emerald-Eyed True Toads—even with so many people, each should receive a fair share of spirit blood. The young ones’ blood isn’t as potent, but it’s still useful. Truly worth the arduous journey here. Pity we were assigned to guard duty outside. Our share will likely be the smallest,” the blue-robed middle-aged cultivator grumbled to the white-robed elder beside him.
“Heh, Fellow Daoist Xun sounds discontent. But don’t focus solely on the rewards of entering the lair—some might not make it out alive,” the elder chuckled dismissively.
“Perish? Impossible! Senior Zhu and the others have prepared meticulously. Success should be guaranteed. What danger could there be?” The middle-aged cultivator frowned skeptically.
“It seems Fellow Daoist Xun is new to venturing deep into the Untamed Wilds. Remember this: in the Untamed Wilds, nothing is ever foolproof. Take our current watch—even if a horde of Divine Transformation or Void Refinement-level ancient beasts or foreign races suddenly emerged from the mist, it wouldn’t be surprising,” the elder sighed before speaking leisurely.
“Hah! Elder Zhao exaggerates! This place is too remote for such things—” The middle-aged cultivator burst into laughter.
The elder shook his head, about to offer further advice when an abrupt change occurred.
A blindingly bright sliver of light materialized without warning at the middle-aged cultivator’s neck, flashing past. His head toppled, and a geyser of blood spurted several feet high.
“Damn it!”
The elder reacted swiftly, darting backward the instant the anomaly appeared. His sleeve flicked, and a small green shield shot out, forming a protective barrier around him. Simultaneously, he spat out a silver streak that circled his body.
But it was all futile.
Space above the elder rippled, and a massive green-black claw, ten zhang in size, emerged from the void, seizing him—shield, flying sword, and all—in a lightning-fast grip. A squeeze followed.
A bloodcurdling scream echoed as the elder was crushed into a pulp, his Nascent Soul unable to escape.
Meanwhile, the headless corpse of the middle-aged cultivator shuddered, and a green light shot out, carrying a two-inch-tall Nascent Soul clutching a command-arrow-like treasure. Panicked, it attempted to flee.
But after teleporting thirty zhang away, a black streak shot from the void, ensnaring the Nascent Soul before vanishing mysteriously.
Two Divine Transformation-level experts had been annihilated in a single strike.
The next moment, black and green light flickered nearby as two figures—one towering, the other slender—emerged from the void.
The first stood ten zhang tall, with a ghastly green face, fangs, and twin horns, resembling a demonic fiend. The second was only a zhang tall but curvaceous—a stunning young woman wielding a massive blue axe as tall as herself, an eerie sight.
Both bore crimson fleshy wings adorned with glowing, intricate runes, dazzlingly vibrant.
“Not bad. The Nascent Souls of human Divine Transformation cultivators are indeed nourishing. But you wasted yours by crushing it—such a pity,” the axe-wielding beauty remarked, licking her crimson lips as she eyed the headless corpse floating nearby.
“I’ve recently broken through, so my strength isn’t fully controlled yet. Besides, a mere human Divine Transformation Nascent Soul is nothing. We should hunt Void Refinement Nascent Souls—those are truly nourishing. If we’re lucky enough to devour a Body Integration cultivator’s Nascent Soul, advancing to Nightfiend King wouldn’t be impossible,” the fiendish monster rumbled like thunder.
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