“Indeed, it’s quite peculiar! According to the Long Family Patriarch and the Spirit Tribe members, this cross-border passage shouldn’t be of much importance to the Demon Clan. But now, seeing it like this, either they deliberately lied from the start, intending to deceive us, or something unexpected happened on the Demon Clan’s side, suddenly making this place a priority. In my opinion, it’s most likely the latter.” Han Li, standing nearby, observed the scene in the bronze mirror and spoke calmly.
“Senior Han, how can you be so certain?” Zhu Guo’er, startled by Han Li’s words, asked in surprise.
Meanwhile, Crab Daoist stood with his hands behind his back, gazing with interest at the fortress as if he could ignore spatial distance and directly observe everything within the massive stronghold.
“It’s simple. Although the fortress walls ahead are tall, the bricks indicate they were built within the last decade or so. By that time, we had already entered the Demon Realm, so this couldn’t have been a trap set by others.” Han Li narrowed his eyes slightly and replied slowly.
“I see. I was careless and didn’t notice that. But Senior, since there’s an unexpected situation here, should we look for another passage?” Zhu Guo’er asked with concern.
“There’s no need. The nearest alternative spatial passage would take months to reach. Over such a long time, the likelihood of complications is high. Generally, even a fortress of this size would only have a few Demon Venerables stationed here. Their strength alone can’t stop me. The only trouble is the arrays set up around the fortress. If we’re delayed by these restrictions, escaping could become difficult.” Han Li frowned as he observed the faintly flickering restriction lights around the fortress.
When they first entered the Demon Realm, they had joined forces with over a dozen Spirit Tribe members at the Body Integration stage to break through the restrictions and enter the passage. Now, with only him left and the fortress being far larger than the one they had breached before, the arrays and restrictions were naturally more profound.
Zhu Guo’er couldn’t help but look worried, though she had no better suggestions.
“If you find these arrays troublesome, I have a secret technique that can help you dismantle them all in an instant,” Crab Daoist suddenly turned and said.
“What? Brother Crab has such an ability? If true, I would be immensely grateful,” Han Li replied, overjoyed.
“No need for gratitude. This technique consumes an enormous amount of immortal spiritual power. The number of times I can assist you, as per our previous agreement, will be reduced by nearly half. Think carefully before deciding whether you truly want my help,” Crab Daoist replied expressionlessly.
“That’s no problem! Right now, I just want to return safely to the Spirit Realm. Using up those assistance opportunities is of little consequence.” Han Li paused briefly but then answered without hesitation.
With the mysterious small vial in his possession, he had no concerns about the offerings.
“Good. In that case, I’ll act whenever you begin your move. However, because this technique is extremely overpowering, my cultivation will drop by a major realm for a period afterward. If we encounter other powerful enemies during that time, I’ll only be able to protect myself and won’t be able to shield you much.” Crab Daoist nodded and added words that sent a chill down Han Li’s spine.
“Ordinary high-level demons I can handle myself. As for Saint Ancestors at the Mahayana stage, they’re not so easily encountered.” Han Li thought carefully before responding firmly.
“As long as you’ve considered it thoroughly.” Crab Daoist nodded and turned away, saying no more.
Han Li smiled slightly and began meticulously planning the steps for their breakthrough.
As the sky gradually darkened, white light orbs illuminated the fortress walls.
Han Li, seated cross-legged on the ground, used his spiritual sense to probe the fortress from afar. Finding no significant changes from the daytime, he stood up and uttered, “Action.”
Crab Daoist flicked his sleeves, releasing a burst of silver light that enveloped Han Li and Zhu Guo’er. In a flash, the three vanished within the silver radiance.
Moments later, silver light shimmered in the void about a dozen miles from the massive fortress, and the trio silently reappeared.
As soon as Han Li materialized, he raised a hand without a word, and the gray flying chariot reappeared before him.
Zhu Guo’er obediently flew onto it, while Crab Daoist immediately sat cross-legged in mid-air. With a grasp, he produced two command arrows—one gold, one silver—which spun rapidly in his hands, transforming into swirling orbs of light.
Simultaneously, Crab Daoist’s aura receded to near nothingness, while his body shimmered with green light, covered in dark green mystical patterns that spread across his entire form, making him appear eerily enigmatic.
From the two orbs of light, faint chants emerged, and strands of gold and silver radiance intertwined above his head, rapidly coalescing into a massive sphere.
A golden-silver orb, about ten feet in diameter, formed in the air and continued to expand.
Such a spectacle naturally drew the attention of the demon guards on the fortress walls. A sharp gong sounded, and a squad of thirty to forty demon guards took to the skies, charging toward Han Li’s group.
Han Li narrowed his eyes but remained motionless, showing no intention of intercepting them.
Within moments, the squad arrived.
The leader, a towering demon, bellowed from afar, “Who goes there? Don’t you know this is a restricted zone? No one is allowed to linger nearby!”
The demon guards exuded an aggressive, uncompromising aura.
“A restricted zone? No lingering? My apologies, but we plan to stay a while longer—and even take a look up there.” Han Li smiled faintly, glancing at the fortress before replying nonchalantly.
“What? How dare you— Wait, what is that person doing? And your cultivation levels—” The lead demon initially flared with anger but then paled as his spiritual sense swept over Han Li and Crab Daoist.
Before the demon could react, Crab Daoist’s body trembled slightly. The two orbs of light before him vanished into the void, while the massive golden-silver sphere above his head exploded with a deafening boom.
Countless golden-silver specks—each a tiny rune—shot out like rain, illuminating half the sky as they surged toward the fortress.
The squad of demon guards, caught in the path, let out brief screams before being riddled with holes and dissolving into wisps of smoke.
Across the void within a dozen miles of the fortress, layers of array restrictions flickered into visibility as the golden-silver rain struck, causing the space to ripple violently and shimmer with colors.
The runes possessed an inexplicable power—wherever they passed, the arrays and restrictions dissolved like withered grass. Within moments, the sky was littered with broken formations, none remaining intact.
After releasing the orb, Crab Daoist’s face paled repeatedly, his aura plummeting by eighty to ninety percent—just as he had warned, his strength had fallen below the Mahayana stage.
“Let’s go!” Han Li wasted no time. With a flash, he boarded the flying chariot.
Crab Daoist stood and, in a single step, blurred into the chariot as well.
Han Li took a deep breath, his body wreathed in cyan light as he channeled all his spiritual power. With a hand seal and the utterance of “Go,” the chariot trembled slightly before emitting a piercing shriek and transforming into a streak of cyan light.
Its speed was such that only a faint afterimage could be seen flashing through the void.
The remnants of the fortress’s restrictions posed no obstacle. The chariot darted past them effortlessly, soaring toward the dark demonic clouds above the fortress.
Chaos erupted within the fortress as countless flying chariots and armored soldiers took to the skies. Yet, most ordinary demons hadn’t even detected Han Li’s presence. Only the high-level demons at the Nascent Soul and Void Refinement stages noticed the chariot and flew to intercept—but none could match its speed under Han Li’s full power.
Then, several formidable auras burst from the fortress—a mass of green flames, a black whirlwind, and two blinding crimson streaks shot forth from different corners.
The Demon Venerables stationed there had finally made their move.
But Han Li paid them no heed. The chariot streaked upward, reaching the dark clouds in moments. Without hesitation, Han Li rubbed his hands together and thrust them toward the sky.
Thunder roared!
Countless golden lightning balls surged from his palms, vanishing into the clouds.
A series of deafening explosions followed, golden lightning snakes flickering within the clouds.
The seemingly impenetrable demonic clouds offered no resistance—wherever the golden lightning touched, they dissolved instantly, clearing a vast expanse of empty sky.
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