When the blood mist dissipated, all the demonic beings had vanished without a trace!
The cultivators who had just regained their senses from the chilling snort were naturally dumbstruck by the sight of their surroundings.
“Which esteemed senior has lent us their aid? This junior, Jian Feitian of the Tianma Sect, offers deepest gratitude for your life-saving grace!” The white-bearded elder was the first to react, his face lighting up with joy as he hastily bowed toward the figure shrouded in azure light high above.
Hearing the elder’s words, the other cultivators—regardless of age or gender—also came to their senses, overwhelmed with elation as they prostrated themselves in reverence.
“Since we are all of the human race, it was only natural for me to intervene when I encountered this situation. Head westward immediately. That area is free of demonic beings and remains safe for now. Beyond that, I can offer no further assistance,” the figure in the sky said indifferently. With a flick of his sleeve, the countless sword lights in the air retracted and vanished in a flash.
“May I ask for the esteemed senior’s name? Our Tianma lineage will forever enshrine your name in our ancestral halls to honor your great kindness!” The white-bearded elder strained his eyes to discern the figure’s features within the azure light but to no avail. He bowed deeply once more, his tone filled with utmost respect.
“No need for such formalities. I merely acted on a whim. Now, I must be on my way. Take care of yourselves.” The figure chuckled lightly, offering no further response. Before the elder could speak again, a dazzling spiritual light erupted, transforming into a streak of azure radiance that shot into the distance.
The sound of breaking air echoed a few times before the light vanished beyond the horizon, as if traversing a thousand miles in an instant.
The white-bearded cultivator was startled by the incredible speed, standing dumbfounded for a long moment before finally rising to his feet.
“Master, do you know which senior saved our sect?” A male cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage cautiously approached the elder and asked.
“Hmm, to annihilate so many high-ranking demonic beings in one strike is beyond the capability of even a Void Refinement cultivator. Even ordinary Body Integration experts would find it difficult. As far as I know, there are only two senior figures surnamed Han in the nearby regions who could achieve such a feat. One is Senior Han Qing, the Nine Tears True Lord, who recently joined the Sacred Sovereign’s ranks. The other is Senior Han Li, who resides near the Sky Abyss City. Both possess unfathomable power and profound abilities. It must be one of them. As for which one it was, we’ll need to investigate further once we’re truly out of danger. We must never forget this life-saving grace,” the elder mused before exhaling softly.
“Yes, I will heed your teachings. However, since demonic beings have appeared here, this place is no longer safe. Should we continue toward the Hidden Sect in the Blackwater Mountain Range as originally planned, or follow the senior’s advice and head west? From what I know, the western region is quite desolate, mostly flat plains with few places to hide,” the middle-aged man asked respectfully.
“The Blackwater Mountain Range isn’t far from here, but it’s unlikely to be safe either. Since Senior Han mentioned the west is free of demonic beings, it’s probably true. As for the desolation and plains, what does it matter? Do you truly believe hiding in the mountains would shield us from the detection of high-ranking demonic beings? If we can find a remote spot, set up formations, and conceal ourselves underground, we might still evade this demonic calamity. After all, the demonic forces can’t possibly scour every inch of our lands,” the elder retorted with a cold laugh, narrowing his eyes.
“Understood. I’ll order everyone to head west immediately,” the middle-aged man nodded after a brief consideration.
“Also, search the storage artifacts of those demonic beings. They were elites, so their possessions must be valuable. Since Senior Han didn’t take them, they must have been beneath his notice. But for our Tianma Sect, they could be significant,” the elder suddenly remembered and quickly added.
The middle-aged man acknowledged the order and turned to relay the elder’s commands to the others.
Soon, the group of human cultivators dispersed toward the ground. After a short while, they regrouped and set off westward in unison.
As for the vanished demonic beings, it would likely take at least ten days to half a month before their absence was noticed.
The figure in the azure light was none other than Han Li, who had intervened.
Encounters like this, where demonic forces hunted human cultivators, had happened at least five or six times on his journey. Whenever he confirmed the absence of Demon Venerables, he ruthlessly eradicated the roaming demonic troops. Unless he faced a full demonic army or multiple Demon Venerables, he had little to fear.
Half a month later, a vast, dark primeval forest appeared ahead. Towering trees with dense foliage stretched endlessly, occasionally punctuated by low growls, exuding an eerie and chilling atmosphere.
Han Li slowed his flight, materializing at the forest’s edge as he gazed deep into its depths. Far in the distance, seven peaks of varying sizes formed a small mountain range.
“The Netherworld Earthfire! I’ve heard of this place before. As the rumors say, it’s a land of extreme yin energy. Few cultivators venture here, except those practicing yin-attribute techniques,” Han Li murmured before transforming back into a streak of light, shooting toward the peaks.
Despite the distance, his astonishing speed brought him to the mountains in moments.
Without hesitation, he headed straight for the second tallest peak. After a few flashes, he appeared at its summit and materialized once more.
But upon scanning his surroundings, Han Li froze in surprise.
Two human cultivators were seated cross-legged near a crater-like depression at the summit. One was plump and fair-skinned, clad in purple monastic robes—a monk. The other was gaunt and dark-skinned, resembling a charred log—an ugly old man.
Both were at the mid-Body Integration stage, just like Han Li. They had concealed their auras so well that he hadn’t detected them earlier.
The moment Han Li appeared, their eyes snapped toward him in unison.
“Oh? It’s Fellow Daoist Han! This humble monk, Tianchan, greets you,” the plump monk exclaimed in recognition, his expression odd as he called out Han Li’s name. This monk was none other than Tianchan, one of the Sacred Sovereign’s two trusted subordinates whom Han Li had met once before.
“Greetings, Master Tianchan,” Han Li replied with equal surprise but maintained his composure, clasping his hands in greeting from a distance.
“Tianchan, you know this man?” The ugly old man, also sensing Han Li’s mid-Body Integration cultivation, asked in a hoarse voice.
“Haha, it’s no surprise Brother Yu doesn’t recognize Fellow Daoist Han. He only advanced to the Body Integration stage a few centuries ago. Since you’ve been in seclusion, he’s unfamiliar to you,” Tianchan explained with a smile.
“A few centuries? Unless I’m mistaken, Fellow Daoist Han is at the mid-Body Integration stage!” The ugly old man gasped, his gaze sharpening as he scrutinized Han Li.
“I’ve only recently advanced to mid-stage. May I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?” Han Li responded politely, cupping his fists.
“I am Yu Xiaotian, though some call me the Black Rain Venerable. To reach such heights in mere centuries—your aptitude is unparalleled, even among the talents I’ve seen on the Sacred Island,” the old man remarked, his eyes gleaming with undisguised astonishment.
“The Sacred Island? Brother Yu is an emissary from there?” This time, Han Li was genuinely startled, his voice tinged with surprise.
“I wouldn’t call myself an emissary, but I do reside on the Sacred Island,” the Black Rain Venerable replied modestly.
“The Sacred Island’s reputation precedes it. I’ve long yearned to visit, but the opportunity never arose. If time permits, I’d love to hear more from you, Brother Yu,” Han Li said, his initial shock fading into a smile.
“Normally, every millennium, the Sacred Island invites newly advanced Body Integration cultivators for a visit. Some are even asked to stay and cultivate there. Had the demonic calamity not erupted prematurely, you might have already had your chance,” the Black Rain Venerable chuckled.
“Is that so? This is my first time hearing of it. I must seem quite ignorant to you both,” Han Li admitted, nodding with a hint of surprise.
“Not at all. The Sacred Island requires its visitors to keep certain matters confidential, so those below the Body Integration stage remain unaware,” the Black Rain Venerable explained understandingly.
“Fellow Daoist Han, after we last met, I heard you secluded yourself near Sky Abyss City and moved there before the demonic calamity. How fares the city now?” Tianchan interjected with a question.
“Indeed, I currently reside in Sky Abyss City as a guest elder. As for its state… it’s not ideal. Aside from the city itself, all other major strongholds seem to have fallen,” Han Li replied grimly.
“Sky Abyss City is in such dire straits? Though its strongholds are fewer, I heard they were well-defended, each with Body Integration cultivators guarding them. How could they fall so quickly?” Tianchan’s expression darkened.
“It’s a long story. I’ll elaborate later. But given your and Brother Yu’s statuses, what brings you here? If it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask?” Han Li sighed before curiosity crept into his tone.
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