Chapter 2379: The Great Battle is About to Begin

Over the renowned Blood Sky Continent, a land teeming with demonic beasts, above a vast lake in the Tidefall Grasslands, Han Li and his companions were speeding through the sky aboard an unremarkable flying vessel.

Han Li stood at the forefront of the vessel, his expression unreadable, betraying no hint of his thoughts.

Behind him, Zhu Guo’er and Hua Shi the Venerable appeared somewhat dejected.

Not long ago, they had completed their investigation of the final ancient altar on the grasslands, only to come up empty-handed, leaving the two greatly disheartened.

Suddenly, a distinct buzzing sound emanated from Han Li.

His expression shifted slightly as he flicked his sleeve, releasing a pale blue array disk. Silver runes shimmered across its surface, glowing faintly with spiritual light.

“Let’s go to Tianma City nearby,” Han Li commanded without hesitation, narrowing his eyes.

Though Hua Shi the Venerable was surprised, he swiftly formed a hand seal, redirecting the flying vessel toward another direction.

“Senior Han, has something happened? Could it be that the so-called ‘Battle of the Strong’ is about to begin?” Zhu Guo’er blinked her large eyes and couldn’t help but ask directly.

While Han Li hadn’t divulged everything about the Battle of the Strong to Zhu Guo’er and Hua Shi, he had shared some inconsequential details.

Though Zhu Guo’er didn’t fully grasp the nature of the battle, she knew Han Li was scheduled to face off against certain powerful figures at a specific time and place, hence her question.

“Indeed, the time has come. Heh, since I’ve accepted benefits from the Merchant Alliance, it wouldn’t be right to back out now,” Han Li replied nonchalantly.

“For even the Helian Merchant Alliance, with its many Mahayana cultivators, to seek your assistance, this Battle of the Strong must be no simple affair. Senior, you must be cautious,” Zhu Guo’er expressed her concern.

“Rest assured. With my current abilities, few in this world can threaten me. Even if I were to face an opponent I couldn’t defeat, escaping unscathed would be no issue,” Han Li replied confidently, smiling.

Seeing his assurance, Zhu Guo’er and Hua Shi exchanged glances, their worries somewhat alleviated.

Half a month later, Han Li and his group finally left the grasslands and arrived at a massive city on its edge.

Unlike ordinary cities, towering black-green bamboo formed a continuous wall around the perimeter, encircling the entire city.

On the city walls, statues of winged horses stood every few hundred meters, each over ten zhang tall, lifelike and uniquely posed.

Their flying vessel didn’t bother landing at the gates. Instead, it soared over the city walls, drawing gasps from low and mid-level cultivators below as it collided with the seemingly invisible barrier.

The vessel dipped slightly before steadying and darting toward the city center.

“A Mahayana Venerable!” several voices exclaimed below.

The guards on the walls, initially wary, quickly adopted expressions of reverence as they watched the vessel fly away.

Only a Mahayana cultivator could bypass a city’s aerial restrictions so effortlessly.

While most cities prohibited unauthorized flight, such rules were often ignored by Mahayana or powerful Body Integration cultivators.

Tianma City, though sizable, had no Mahayana overseers—only a few Body Integration cultivators. The guards dared not provoke a Mahayana Venerable.

Thus, within moments, Han Li and his companions arrived before a grand building bearing the Merchant Alliance’s emblem.

As Han Li stowed the vessel and descended, two rows of respectful men and women emerged, bowing deeply. A gray-haired elder at the forefront spoke deferentially, “Greetings, Senior Han. We received word from headquarters days ago and have prepared the teleportation array. Would you care to rest before departing?”

“Your alliance is efficient. No need for rest—proceed with the teleportation,” Han Li said coolly, his gaze sharp as a blade.

“Understood. This way, Senior,” the elder replied promptly, bowing again.

Han Li nodded and strode toward the entrance, Zhu Guo’er and Hua Shi following closely.

Soon, they stood in a hidden underground hall, where a silver array covered in intricate runes occupied the center.

Han Li frowned slightly upon seeing it. “This is a cross-realm teleportation array. Does it lead directly to that minor world?”

“Your insight is impeccable, Senior. Bi Ying intends for you to join the others there directly,” the elder answered honestly.

“If Bi Ying has arranged it, preparations must be nearly complete. Begin the teleportation,” Han Li said, stepping into the array without hesitation.

With a ripple of energy, Zhu Guo’er and Hua Shi joined him.

The elder produced a pale green jade token, waving it to release a silver beam that vanished into the array.

The array hummed, glowing brightly before Han Li and his companions disappeared in a flash of light.

In another realm, within an open-air array surrounded by lush trees, silver light flashed as Han Li and his group materialized.

“Brother Han, you’ve arrived as promised. It’s been years—I trust all is well?” a hearty voice called from behind the trees.

The foliage parted as if alive, revealing two figures.

The first was a gaunt, yellow-faced elder in green robes, smiling warmly.

Behind him stood a dignified young woman in brocade robes, cradling a silver-furred beast, her demeanor serene.

“Fellow Daoist Bi Ying?” Han Li asked, sensing a familiar aura from the elder.

“Indeed. I hope you bear no grudge over the test with the Devouring Buddha Diagram. We’ll rely heavily on your strength in this Battle of the Strong,” Bi Ying said with a laugh.

“You flatter me. Having agreed, I’ll naturally contribute,” Han Li replied, smiling faintly.

Bi Ying chuckled and introduced the woman. “This is Elder Wen Xinfeng of our alliance’s council, from the Illusory Heart Sect. Her prowess ranks among the finest in Blood Sky, and she’ll also participate in the battle.”

“The Illusory Heart Sect? I’ve heard of it—the foremost sect in northern Blood Sky, with elite disciples despite their small numbers,” Han Li remarked, surprised.

After years traversing Blood Sky, he was no longer ignorant of its major factions. Such a powerhouse joining the Helian Merchant Alliance seemed unusual.

Noticing his puzzlement, Wen Xinfeng smiled sweetly. “Don’t be perplexed, Fellow Daoist Han. Our founder hailed from the alliance, so our sect has always stood with it. My position as elder was only natural.”

“I see. My ignorance is to blame,” Han Li conceded.

“Come, rest at my quarters. The battle begins in two months. Fellow Daoists Lei and Blood Fiend should arrive soon. Should you need anything, the alliance will spare no effort,” Bi Ying said, leading them down a path.

“Then I shan’t hold back,” Han Li replied.

Soon, they emerged from the forest before a fortress-like complex.

“This is one of our alliance’s 36 strongholds in this world, nearest to the Netherworld’s territory. The battleground lies at the border. Besides us, armies will stand guard as a precaution…” Bi Ying explained as they approached.

At the gates, over a hundred mid-to-high-rank armored guards stood watch.

Along the hundred-zhang walls, half-human, half-beast puppets patrolled.

Above, multicolored lights flickered amidst dense arrays.

The fortress was heavily fortified.

With Bi Ying leading, the guards bowed and stepped aside.

The group entered unimpeded.

Within half an hour, Han Li was seated cross-legged in a secluded chamber atop a stone tower at the fortress’s heart.

To prepare for the battle, he had instructed Zhu Guo’er and Hua Shi to guard in shifts while he meditated, conserving his strength.