Thus, Han Li’s figure was exposed before over a hundred mid-to-high-level demonic beasts, and his expression instantly changed drastically.
What kind of secret technique was this Glazed Light, to possess such immense power that it could effortlessly dispel even his concealment? Moreover, how had this demonic beast known he was nearby?
But something even more unexpected happened!
The moment his figure was revealed, a flash of cyan light appeared dozens of zhang away, and another slender, familiar figure emerged.
Focusing his gaze, he saw it was none other than Qianqian.
This Crystal Race woman had used some unknown concealment technique that even his Clear Spirit Eyes had failed to detect earlier.
Now that she was exposed, her expression also changed abruptly.
Han Li was utterly shocked. With a swift thought, he formed a hand seal, and a pair of crystalline wings materialized behind him amid a thunderous roar.
Qianqian, meanwhile, suppressed her panic and opened her mouth, revealing a shimmering silver talisman in her hand.
From both sides, roars erupted as dark demonic energy surged skyward, pressing toward them like a tidal wave.
With over a hundred mid-to-high-level demonic beasts attacking simultaneously, the sheer force was unimaginable. Even a Body Integration-stage existence would never dare to face such an assault head-on.
Han Li took a deep breath, flapped his wings, and suddenly transformed into a green-white crystalline thread that shot into the void and vanished.
The Crystal Race woman slapped the silver talisman onto her body, dissolving into a burst of silver light that dissipated instantly.
The dark energy from both sides swept through empty air.
The next moment, the green-white crystalline thread reappeared, and Han Li emerged at the edge of the void over a hundred zhang away. He glanced back at the small beast emitting the Glazed Light before vanishing into the void once more.
A silver arc flashed in the air, and Qianqian appeared shortly after. With a charming smile at the demonic beasts, she twisted her delicate form and disappeared.
The dark energy dispersed, revealing the bewildered faces of the hundred or so demonic beasts.
“Even like this, they managed to escape,” muttered the small Glazed Beast as it materialized before the group, gazing thoughtfully at the empty void.
“It’s our fault for being useless and wasting such a perfect opportunity,” grunted a boar-like demonic beast in human speech.
Most of the other high-level demonic beasts nearby also wore expressions of shame and frustration.
“You can’t be blamed. Their concealment and escape techniques were truly extraordinary. Even I only detected one of them—I had no idea the other was nearby.”
“Should we continue lying in ambush here?” asked one of the high-level demonic beasts.
“Of course. Even if we can’t catch those two, we should at least capture a few other outsiders. Otherwise, we’ll have nothing to show for our efforts,” the Glazed Beast replied with a bitter smile.
Seeing the logic in its words, the other demonic beasts scattered and concealed themselves once more.
…
Han Li flew forward, enveloped in a sphere of silver light as countless cyan lightning bolts rained down, striking the barrier and causing it to tremble.
Not far behind him, another silver sphere followed, advancing steadily through the storm of thunder.
…
Several hours later, two silver spheres shot out from a patch of thin mist. The light dissipated, revealing two massive silver umbrellas beneath which stood a man and a woman—Han Li and Qianqian.
“Finally out of there. This time, we truly went for wool and came home shorn. Not only did we fail to obtain the True Kirin Essence, but we also expended much of our magic power and treasures. And now I owe you a great debt,” Qianqian sighed, glancing at Han Li with a complex expression.
“There’s no need for such despondency, Fairy Qian. Given all the unexpected twists and the hordes of high-level demonic beasts, escaping with our lives is already a victory,” Han Li replied with a relaxed smile.
“You’re right. With so many high-level demonic beasts guarding the exit, few likely made it out alive. But that’s not our concern. Let’s leave this place quickly,” Qianqian said, exhaling deeply as she glanced back at the barrier they had just escaped.
Han Li nodded in agreement, and the two shot off into the depths of the mist.
An hour after their departure, a dazzling white streak shot out from another direction, revealing a plump old man in a black robe, his expression anxious.
The old man scanned his surroundings and muttered, “I was only gone for half a day. Surely I couldn’t have missed them. If I did, I won’t let that lunatic Liu off easily. Forcing me into a sparring match when I had urgent business—what rotten luck!”
Grumbling, the old man—a Body Integration-stage expert—activated a technique, his figure fading into the mist until he vanished completely.
Unbeknownst to him, his target had indeed slipped away right under his nose, all thanks to the “Liu lunatic.”
Whether this was Han Li’s good fortune or the old man’s misfortune remained to be seen.
…
Han Li, oblivious to the close call, continued onward with Qianqian. Instead of returning to Thundercloud Town, they bypassed it and headed straight for the outskirts of the misty sea.
By the next day, they had emerged from the mist and soared into the open sky.
A month later, Han Li and the Crystal Race woman glimpsed the distant, majestic silhouette of Cloud City. They halted mid-air.
“Fairy Qian, to avoid drawing attention, it’s best we enter the city separately,” Han Li suggested calmly.
“Brother Han is right. Entering together would indeed be conspicuous. How about this—you go first, and I’ll follow in fifteen minutes?” Qianqian proposed with a smile.
“Agreed,” Han Li said readily.
“By the way, Brother Han, you can give me that Saint-rank demon core now. To repair your Sky Devil Armor, I’ll need to process and refine it first with a secret technique. That way, you can wear the restored armor sooner,” Qianqian added charmingly.
Han Li chuckled and flicked his wrist, sending a jade box flying toward her.
Qianqian caught it with a hint of surprise but didn’t open it immediately. Instead, she studied Han Li for a moment before laughing softly. “Brother Han, you truly trust me. To hand over such a hard-won treasure so easily…”
“It’s not blind trust. I simply believe you wouldn’t jeopardize our relationship over a mere Saint-rank core,” Han Li replied coolly.
“Regardless, since you’ve entrusted this to me, I won’t let you down. Come find me at the shop in half a month. I’ll have everything ready to repair your armor,” Qianqian said with a faint smile.
“I appreciate your efforts, Fairy Qian,” Han Li said, smiling in return.
After exchanging a few more words, Han Li clasped his hands in farewell and shot off as a streak of cyan light toward the distant city walls, vanishing into the clouds.
Qianqian remained in place, staring thoughtfully in the direction he had gone.
“So, you still wish to win him over?” A strange voice suddenly spoke from her.
“Qi Ying, you’re awake!” Qianqian exclaimed joyfully, flicking her sleeve.
A burst of light later, a shadowy figure the size of a fist took shape—a translucent qilin.
The creature shook its head wryly. “I woke days ago, but after aiding you with those grand techniques, my energy was severely depleted. I needed rest.”
“This venture was a complete failure. Not only did the Spirit Cave’s guardian spirit act strangely, but another entity like you also appeared. If not for sheer luck, we might have perished there,” Qianqian lamented.
“True. But thanks to that Han boy’s unexpected strength, you escaped the Demon Gold Mountains alive. Do you still plan to cultivate his favor for the next Spirit Cave opportunity?” Qi Ying asked.
“That’s too far off to consider now. But regardless, given his power—comparable to an early Saint-stage expert—befriending him can only benefit me,” Qianqian reasoned with a smile.
“Fair point. For a seventh-tier Upper Race cultivator to possess such strength is indeed remarkable,” Qi Ying conceded after a pause.
“But after all that preparation and risk, to return empty-handed… It’s infuriating,” Qianqian grumbled, clenching her fists inside her sleeves.
“Don’t despair. While the True Kirin Essence eludes you, I know other ways to enhance your Crystal Race physique and help you ascend to Saint-stage,” Qi Ying said after a long silence.
“What? Do you know of another Spirit Cave?” Qianqian asked, stunned but hopeful.
Qi Ying chuckled. “No, but I do know of an ancient ruin—the abode of a legendary alchemy master from antiquity…” As it spoke, Qianqian listened intently, her eyes unblinking…
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