“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I have some confidence in concealment and transformation. Unless we encounter a senior from your clan at the Mahayana stage, probing techniques will have little effect on me,” Han Li said confidently.
No wonder he spoke so boldly! His body indeed contained genuine Sky Roc spiritual blood, and his Wind and Thunder Wings had long been cultivated to a state of perfect harmony with his mind. Disguising himself as a Sky Roc guard was naturally flawless.
“Mm, it’s good that you’re so confident. Saintess Lan, we’ll need to trouble you when we reach the Abyss,” Jin Yue nodded before turning to the silver-robed woman beside her.
“Elder Jin, rest assured. I do have a secret technique that requires the aid of frost and baleful qi for cultivation. Decades ago, I once ventured into the Abyss for this very reason. The guards there will surely not suspect anything,” the silver-robed woman replied respectfully to Jin Yue, though her beautiful eyes flickered toward Han Li, her jade-like face still betraying a trace of astonishment.
Though she had known before setting out that Han Li, who had once aided them, had returned to the Holy City as a mid-stage Saint, seeing him in person still left her utterly shocked.
Back in the Abyss, she had already recognized that Han Li’s abilities far surpassed those of his peers. Yet, to reach mid-stage Saint cultivation in just a few centuries was simply unbelievable!
However, as a Saintess now, she naturally maintained her composure. When meeting Han Li, she merely expressed gratitude with the courtesy of a junior for his past assistance in the Abyss, keeping all her doubts hidden deep within.
As for the other Sky Roc Saint, “Bai Bi,” it was said he was in seclusion cultivating a certain technique and thus unable to meet Han Li.
Hearing Lei Lan’s words, Jin Yue smiled faintly and nodded without further comment.
With that, the group transformed into streaks of light, vanishing from the Holy City in an instant.
…
Several months later, Han Li and his companions finally caught sight of the massive city guarding the Abyss and the rows of armored figures atop its walls.
Jin Yue narrowed her eyes slightly before leading Han Li and Lei Lan straight toward one of the city gates below.
At the azure gate stood over a dozen Abyss guards, their wings of various colors spread behind them as they scrutinized the approaching trio with wary eyes.
Their light dissipated, and the three appeared before the guards.
Han Li had already altered his appearance slightly and suppressed his cultivation to the Void Refinement stage.
“Esteemed senior, are you from the Sky Roc Clan? What brings you here? It is not yet the rotation period for the guard shifts,” the leading guard, a mid-stage Void Refinement cultivator, spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly after a slight bow to Jin Yue.
Though he couldn’t discern Jin Yue’s exact cultivation, he knew she was undoubtedly a Saint.
Han Li and Lei Lan, however, seemed entirely ignored by him.
This attitude was unsurprising. The guards here, having battled Abyss demons for years, possessed combat prowess far beyond their peers in other clans, naturally carrying an air of pride toward outsiders.
Jin Yue wasn’t angered by this. With a faint smile, she flicked her wrist, sending a blue jade token flying into the guard’s hands.
The leading guard took the token with slight confusion, but after a glance, his expression shifted. He returned it with both hands and said respectfully, “So it is Elder Jin, the Sky Roc Clan’s Grand Elder. This junior was discourteous earlier.”
“According to the agreement signed by the clans, Grand Elders have the right to enter and exit this place at any time. I trust there are no further questions?” Jin Yue retrieved the token and replied indifferently.
“Of course not. This junior would never dare to obstruct you,” the guard answered without hesitation, gesturing for the other guards to clear the gate.
Jin Yue nodded and led Han Li and Lei Lan through without further ado.
Beyond the gate, the scene was much as Han Li remembered from centuries ago—rows of towering cylindrical pavilions, each dozens of feet high, densely packed across most of the city.
However, the streets were nearly deserted, with only a few patrols visible in the distance, hovering above the city.
“Let’s go. There’s no need to stay the night,” Jin Yue suddenly transmitted to Han Li and Lei Lan before soaring into the air, heading straight for the opposite side of the city. The two followed silently.
An hour later, they arrived before another massive azure wall. On its inner face was an enormous silver formation, shimmering brilliantly.
Before the formation stood another group of armored guards.
Strangely, behind them sat a middle-aged man in green armor, cross-legged on a mat with his eyes closed.
At the sight of this man, Han Li’s heart tightened. Jin Yue’s pupils also contracted slightly.
This man was none other than Jin Feng, the Abyss guard commander Han Li had met years ago—a terrifying existence at the peak of the Saint stage.
Why was he personally guarding the Abyss entrance?
Countless thoughts raced through Jin Yue’s mind, but her expression remained unchanged. Instead, she smiled and spoke, “Commander Jin, what a surprise to see you here. It’s been centuries. I trust you’ve been well?”
Hearing her voice, the green-armored man’s brows twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.
“So it’s Fairy Jin of the Sky Roc Clan. What brings you here instead of cultivating in your clan?” he asked bluntly.
“That’s precisely what I wished to ask you. Since when does the Abyss exit require the commander’s personal presence?” Jin Yue chuckled.
“Normally, I wouldn’t intervene. But a major incident has occurred here, forcing me to take charge,” Jin Feng replied calmly.
“An incident?” Jin Yue frowned.
“A month ago, I received word that someone raided the deep Abyss mines, looting years’ worth of rare ores and killing or injuring nearly half the guards. The thief’s abilities are extraordinary. I’ve dispatched numerous enforcers into the Abyss. Since this is the only entrance and exit, and the city is undermanned, I had to station myself here,” Jin Feng explained with a cold laugh.
“Such a thing happened? If I recall correctly, Elder Qin was personally guarding the mines. Could even he not stop the thief?” Jin Yue asked, shocked.
“The thief was cunning. He struck during the half-day Elder Qin was away. By the time Elder Qin returned, the thief had already fled. Now, Fairy Jin, may I ask your purpose here? Though Grand Elders have the right to enter the Abyss, a valid reason is still required,” Jin Feng sighed before fixing Jin Yue with a sharp gaze.
“It’s not for me, but for Saintess Lei Lan, who requires frost and baleful qi for her cultivation,” Jin Yue replied, gesturing to Lei Lan with a smile.
The silver-robed woman stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Lei Lan pays her respects to Senior Jin!”
“Saintess Lei Lan? I recognize her. Reports mention her previous entry into the Abyss for cultivation. In that case, she may enter again. With Fairy Jin accompanying her, safety shouldn’t be an issue despite the current dangers. But who is this? Does he also need to enter?” Jin Feng’s gaze shifted to Han Li, his brow furrowing.
“This is a junior of mine, serving as Saintess Lei Lan’s personal guard. He must accompany her,” Jin Yue replied smoothly.
“If Fairy Jin is present, why the need for a guard? I see no reason for him to enter. Given the current situation, fewer people are better,” Jin Feng said, narrowing his eyes at Han Li.
Lei Lan’s expression flickered slightly, and Han Li’s eyes moved imperceptibly.
Jin Yue, however, remained unperturbed. “I’m afraid that won’t do. Though he is merely a guard, he shares a special bond with the Saintess and is crucial to her cultivation this time. Otherwise, why would I bring him all this way?”
“Fairy Jin, you jest. What connection could a guard have with the Saintess’s cultivation?” Jin Feng laughed dismissively.
Jin Yue smiled faintly, then transmitted a silent message to him.
After a moment, Jin Feng’s expression shifted from confusion to realization, and he chuckled wryly.
“I see. In that case, I shan’t object further. The three of you may enter,” he said, his gaze lingering oddly on Han Li and Lei Lan.
Though neither showed any outward reaction, both were inwardly baffled.
Nevertheless, they expressed their gratitude for his permission.
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