Feng Xi also caught sight of Han Li in the teleportation array and his expression drastically changed. Although he had some suspicions about Han Li seeking refuge on the small island as a suicidal move, he never expected a teleportation array to be there. Watching Han Li activate the array with a spell mixed with a mouthful of essence blood, expending a massive amount of true essence to instantly power it up, a loud hum filled the air.
“No!” he roared in shock and fury, instinctively spitting out a ball of cyan light that shot straight toward a corner of the teleportation array. Destroying the array would naturally make Han Li his captive.
Simultaneously, the demonic cultivator’s figure blurred as he lunged toward the teleportation array with a ferocious expression, attempting to interrupt Han Li’s teleportation.
However, his actions were clearly too late.
Han Li, aside from firing over a dozen sword beams to momentarily delay the approaching cyan light, showed no intention of dodging the charging Wind-Splitting Beast. The array had already emitted a milky-white radiance, engulfing Han Li’s figure within it.
By the time Feng Xi reached the array in a whirlwind, Han Li had already vanished into the light, leaving behind the enraged Wind-Splitting Beast in the hall.
Unaware of where the array led and lacking a teleportation talisman, he naturally dared not charge into the array to pursue.
At that moment, Miao He flew in through the shattered roof on his white crane, only catching the dimming white light of the array, his face equally stunned and frustrated.
But Feng Xi suddenly turned his head, his crimson eyes locking onto the Taoist with a flash of cold killing intent.
“All humans here must die!” The Wind-Splitting Beast, enraged by Han Li’s escape, vented his fury on Miao He, who had just arrived. With a surge of cyan light, he transformed into a cyan streak, charging menacingly toward Miao He.
Miao He’s expression changed. Without hesitation, he summoned his ancient mirror and jade hammer almost simultaneously.
Various lights intertwined in the air…
Over a month later, rumors spread among human cultivators in the nearby seas that Miao He Zhenren, a Nascent Soul cultivator, had his physical body destroyed by a ninth-grade demonic beast, barely managing to escape with his Nascent Soul back to his cave. For a time, humans were once again terrified by the ferocity of demonic beasts.
Little did they know, this was only the beginning.
Just a few months later, the Flood Dragon clan from the abyss suddenly dispatched a large number of high-ranking members, emerging from the deep sea to hunt down human cultivators above the Core Formation stage.
Though it lasted only a few years, the casualties among high-ranking cultivators rivaled those of a beast tide. Two other Nascent Soul elders were also besieged by several eighth and ninth-grade Flood Dragons, ending up severely injured.
This left cultivators in the nearby seas trembling at the mention of Flood Dragons, none daring to venture out lightly. The situation persisted for over a decade before gradually returning to normal.
However, some cultivators who narrowly escaped the demonic beasts were puzzled—each time before attacking, the beasts would ask if there was a Core Formation cultivator surnamed Li among them. If the answer was no, they would attack without hesitation.
Thus, the cultivators deduced that this large-scale assault by the Flood Dragons was likely provoked by someone surnamed Li.
How this person angered the Flood Dragon clan remained a mystery.
The consequence of this spreading rumor was widespread curses against this individual for bringing disaster. Had they been able to identify this Li, they might have bound him and handed him over to the Flood Dragons as an apology.
Yet, to their confusion, while there were surviving high-ranking cultivators, none bore the surname Li. Even if they wanted to assign blame, they couldn’t find the culprit.
Meanwhile, Han Li, now cursed by thousands, emerged from a flash of white light in an unfamiliar place, holding the Great Teleportation Token.
True to his cautious nature, Han Li had prepared for potential enemies before teleporting, altering his appearance once again to that of a stranger. But before he could recover from the dizziness of the teleportation, a lazy voice sounded beside him: “Fellow Daoist seems impatient. The two of us are the earliest arrivals; the others haven’t come yet.”
Hearing this, Han Li’s heart tightened, but he calmly responded with a hum before turning to look.
Not far from the teleportation array beneath his feet, a black-robed man sat cross-legged on a bluestone, head bowed. When Han Li looked over, the man raised his head and grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.
But upon seeing the man’s face, Han Li was startled.
The man’s appearance was horrifying—his face gaunt and skeletal, with eerie blue lights flickering in his eyes after grinning at Han Li.
Despite his shock, Han Li didn’t dare underestimate him, as a quick scan revealed the man to be a mid-Core Formation cultivator, a rare high-ranking figure in the Chaotic Star Seas.
The skeletal man, noticing Han Li’s late-Core Formation cultivation, showed surprise in his eyes and adopted a more respectful tone.
“Brother, rest here for a while. The others should arrive soon. This mission should bring us all great benefits,” the skeletal man chuckled.
Han Li feigned calm, nodding without revealing any suspicion.
Taking the opportunity to survey his surroundings, Han Li relaxed slightly.
They were in a cave-like space, about twenty zhang in length, width, and height. Besides the ancient teleportation array beneath him, two other arrays stood nearby.
Everything matched Fan Furen’s description of the Huangming Island teleportation site. He had indeed returned to the Inner Star Seas without incident. Earlier, hearing from a Miaoyin Sect disciple that the teleportation array hadn’t been tested, Han Li had been uneasy. Now, it seemed luck was on his side.
As the skeletal man spoke, another array flashed with yellow light, revealing the faint outline of a tall figure.
The black-robed man immediately stood and walked over.
Seizing the moment, Han Li covertly released a wisp of cyan sword energy from his feet, carving an almost imperceptible crack into the teleportation array beneath him.
This rendered the ancient array useless, eliminating any fear of Miao He or the Wind-Splitting Beast pursuing him with a teleportation talisman.
Han Li’s subtle act went unnoticed by the black-robed man and the newly arrived, fierce-looking burly man, who began chatting amiably.
Han Li calmly stepped off the array and headed toward the cave’s exit. But after only a few steps, the skeletal man’s puzzled voice called out behind him.
“Brother, the group isn’t complete yet. The orders were for five to act together. The messenger and one other haven’t arrived. We should wait here, or it’ll be hard to explain later. Is this your first time on such a mission? No wonder your face seems unfamiliar!” The black-robed man sounded surprised at first but quickly rationalized it.
Strangely, he never once doubted Han Li’s identity.
Han Li frowned slightly but deliberately grumbled with feigned annoyance, “So troublesome. No one mentioned these rules when I came.”
“Heh! Surely it’s because your cultivation is too high. Those delivering the orders wouldn’t dare lecture you. But bear with it a little longer. Once the mission’s done, you’ll have freedom again,” the skeletal man chuckled cryptically.
By now, Han Li had pieced together most of the situation.
As he considered probing further, another array flashed—this time, two figures teleported in simultaneously.
One was a gray-robed elder with white hair and beard, the other a lean, wiry man.
Han Li’s eyes flickered as he noticed the elder’s wide sleeves bore embroidered green flame insignias, lifelike and faintly pulsing with spiritual energy—clearly no ordinary symbols.
With their arrival, the cave now held five people.
Among them, Han Li was at late-Core Formation, the skeletal man at mid-Core Formation, the burly man and elder at early-Core Formation, and the wiry man only at late-Foundation Establishment.
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