Suddenly, a flash of spiritual light appeared on the massive black ship, and a streak of white light shot down from it. After a few flickers, it came to a halt above the head of an elderly foreigner with snow-white hair, revealing a stunningly beautiful girl who appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen.
“Fellow Daoist, is this the Crimson Flame Mountain Range?” the seemingly young girl asked gently after a brief glance around, addressing the foreign elder.
The foreign elder, whose cultivation was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, happened to be one of the highest-ranking individuals present.
“Reporting to Senior, this is indeed the Crimson Flame Mountain Range,” the foreign elder replied nervously, unable to sense the girl’s exact cultivation level and finding her aura unfathomable.
“Perfect, I’ve found the right place. Since this is the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, do you know the location of Black Scorch Peak?” the girl asked eagerly, her face lighting up with joy.
“Senior wishes to go to Black Scorch Peak? That’s one of the central regions of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, fraught with extreme danger and long designated as a forbidden zone,” the foreign elder replied in surprise.
“A forbidden zone? That makes it even more correct. You needn’t worry about the dangers—just tell me how to get there,” the girl countered with a laugh.
“Yes, Senior. If you wish to reach Black Scorch Peak, simply head west. Near the heart of the mountain range, you’ll see three black peaks arranged in a triangular formation—that’s Black Scorch Peak,” the foreign elder answered timidly.
“Excellent. Here are some Spirit Stones for your trouble,” the girl nodded, tossing several high-grade Spirit Stones to the elder before transforming back into a streak of white light and shooting into the sky. After a few flickers, she returned to the massive ship.
Moments later, the black ship shimmered with radiant light and, with a thunderous roar, flew deep into the mountain range.
Below, the foreign elder clutched the high-grade Spirit Stones in his hands, his face alight with ecstasy.
While high-grade Spirit Stones meant little to high-level cultivators, for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage, they represented an extraordinary fortune.
However, sensing the envious and jealous gazes of those around him, the elder’s heart skipped a beat. He hastily stowed the Spirit Stones and took to the skies, fleeing the area.
Shortly after his departure, several other foreign cultivators of similar strength silently left the region as well.
The remaining low-level Qi Condensation foreigners exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing, bowing their heads and continuing their search for fire-attribute spiritual materials.
The black ship was none other than Han Li’s Demon Spirit Sacred Vessel, with Han Li himself standing at its bow, gazing into the heart of the mountain range.
Beside him stood Xue Po, Zhu Guo’er, and others, standing respectfully.
“For the Heavenly East Alliance’s auction to be held in such a conspicuous place is truly unexpected. The low-level foreigners here seem completely unaware,” Han Li remarked suddenly.
“Senior Han, only those at the Void Refinement stage or above would know of this auction. Naturally, these local foreigners wouldn’t be privy to it. However, judging by the timing, the auction should commence within the next month or two. Many powerful figures from various races have likely already arrived. You might even find some unexpected treasures at the auction,” Xue Po replied deferentially, stepping forward half a pace.
“Unexpected treasures? I hope so. But at my level, few things catch my eye. Unless other Mahayana cultivators bring out something extraordinary, it might not be worth the effort,” Han Li said casually, nodding.
“Rest assured, Senior. Based on my past experience, many Mahayana cultivators like yourself will attend. Beyond the auction, they often engage in private exchanges. Even if you find nothing at the auction, such gatherings are bound to yield something valuable,” Xue Po said with a light laugh.
“Private exchanges? That’s something to look forward to,” Han Li mused, his expression shifting slightly.
Half an hour later, three towering, bizarre peaks appeared in the distance.
The three peaks stood in a triangular formation amidst a chaotic field of black-red stones, with the pungent scent of sulfur carried by scorching winds.
As the black ship approached within a hundred miles of the peaks, a squad of foreign guards mounted on giant eagles intercepted it.
The guards wore black armor, carried bows and blades, and their faces were completely concealed by visors. Each was exceptionally tall, towering nearly two heads above an average human.
Their mounts were enormous black eagles, their wings stirring fierce gales as they flew, exuding an air of majesty.
“Seniors, the area ahead is a restricted zone of our alliance. Without a token, you cannot proceed further,” the lead guard said respectfully, bowing slightly. The sheer size of the ship and the countless puppet warriors visible on its deck made it clear that those aboard were no ordinary figures.
“A token? You mean this?” Xue Po murmured to Han Li before floating down from the ship’s bow.
With a flick of her wrist, a streak of white light shot forth.
The lead guard caught it and examined it closely—a white token engraved with intricate, unknown patterns on one side and a faint silver character for “Alliance” on the other.
“Ah, an honorary elder! Of course, you may enter the restricted zone. I’ll have someone escort you personally,” the guard said without hesitation, returning the token with both hands.
He made no further inquiries about Han Li, Bai Guo’er, or the others standing at the ship’s bow.
Xue Po nodded, retrieving the token with a wave of her hand before returning to the ship.
The squad of guards dispersed, leaving only one behind to guide the black ship as it slowly advanced toward the three black peaks.
Along the way, they encountered several other patrols, but none intervened, seeing the escort.
The hundred-mile distance was nothing to the Demon Spirit Sacred Vessel, and it arrived in moments.
Just as the ship approached the airspace directly above one of the black peaks, the void ahead rippled strangely. The peak blurred momentarily before revealing a colossal milky-white gate, nearly a thousand feet tall.
Around the gate floated hundreds of oddly shaped structures—some round, others square—with guards on giant eagles constantly coming and going.
The black ship’s approach naturally drew the attention of the guards stationed near the structures.
With a resonant hum, the ship halted of its own accord several miles from the gate.
Han Li frowned slightly, sweeping his spiritual sense around. Sensing a peculiar restrictive force, he quickly understood the situation.
The escorting eagle guard reined in his mount beside the ship and explained, “Passing through this Profound Heaven Gate will take you directly into the restricted zone. However, orders prohibit the use of any flying treasures within. Thus, Seniors must stow your ship before entering. My duty ends here—I am not authorized to proceed further.”
“Understood. You may leave,” Xue Po’s voice rang out faintly from the ship.
With a thunderous roar, countless runes surged from the black ship, and a dazzling radiance enveloped it before it vanished into thin air.
When the light faded, only Han Li and his companions remained in the air.
The eagle guard bowed deeply once more before urging his mount away.
Han Li, Zhu Guo’er, Xue Po, Hua Shi, and the others then flew boldly toward the massive gate.
Though the guards eyed them curiously, none dared to intercept them as they flickered into the gate.
“What? Another Mahayana Daoist has entered the Profound Heaven Gate? Excellent. I’ll dispatch someone to greet them immediately. Continue your duties,” a red-haired elder said to a stone wall displaying a clear image of a black-armored guard.
The hall was entirely sealed, devoid of any furnishings save for the central stone wall and a few meditation mats.
Its walls were inlaid with multicolored gemstones, and a faint blue mist drifted through the air, lending the space an air of mystery.
After a brief pause, the elder flicked his sleeve, and a red glow flashed across the wall, replacing the guard’s image with that of the awe-inspiring black ship and its indistinct figures.
The red-haired elder narrowed his eyes, studying the ship for a moment before frowning. He raised a hand and sent a spell seal into the wall.
With a soft *pop*, the figures on the ship magnified over a dozen times, their features becoming clearer.
Han Li, Xue Po, and the others’ faces became faintly visible.
The elder’s gaze swept past Xue Po and Hua Shi, settling on Han Li’s seemingly ordinary face.
“Hmm? This man looks familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before?” the red-haired elder muttered to himself in surprise.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage