The flying carriage carrying Han Li and the others did not pause for even a moment. With a flash, it shot like a meteor straight toward the center of the demonic clouds.
Amid the dispersing black mist, a massive passageway with a diameter of over a mile was revealed.
At that very moment, two cold, distinct voices suddenly rang out from the mist on either side!
“This path is closed!”
“Turn back!”
As soon as the words fell, a thunderous crack erupted from the black mist on one side, and a black lightning arc over ten zhang long flashed out, transforming into a thunderous flood dragon as it slashed toward the flying carriage.
From the other side, a long cry sounded, and a phantom of a massive green sword emerged from the mist. With a single slash through the air, a green sword light swept forth like a rolling wave.
Han Li, witnessing this from within the flying carriage, showed a slight flicker of emotion in his expression.
Although the two attackers remained hidden in the mist and had yet to reveal themselves, the sheer force of their simultaneous strikes was undeniably astonishing—far surpassing that of ordinary Demon Venerables.
Of course, such attacks were nothing to him. With a flick of one sleeve and a light tap of a finger toward the green sword light, he countered effortlessly.
A thunderous roar erupted from his sleeve, followed by a flash of golden light as a thick golden arc shot out. Simultaneously, a bright golden light surged from his fingertip, forming a sharp sword beam.
Two deafening explosions rang out.
Lightning clashed with lightning, sword light with sword light.
The moment the four forces collided, a blinding radiance erupted, only to vanish almost instantly, leaving no trace behind.
It appeared to be a draw.
Han Li was momentarily taken aback by this outcome, while the two demons hidden in the black clouds on either side were equally shocked.
It must be noted that the attacks launched by those two high-ranking demons, though seemingly ordinary, contained extraordinary power. The black lightning arc was one of the Four Great Divine Thunder techniques of the demon realm, imbued with terrifying corrosive force capable of reducing ordinary magical treasures to ruins in an instant.
As for the green sword light, it was the lifeblood technique of another demon who had cultivated it for nearly ten thousand years. With its unparalleled sharpness, it had severed countless flying swords and blades.
Yet now, both attacks had been effortlessly neutralized by Han Li using similar methods. How could this not leave the two prideful demons utterly stunned?
However, Han Li had no intention of indulging their bewilderment. The flying carriage, which had momentarily paused due to the shockwaves, trembled once more before transforming into a streak of azure light, darting straight into the entrance of the massive passageway.
“How dare you?!”
“Don’t even think of escaping!”
The two high-ranking demons, seeing this, erupted in fury, casting aside their shock as they attacked once more.
This time, thunder roared from one side of the black mist as countless black lightning arcs shot forth like a dense net.
From the other side, a piercing shriek sounded, and a sword light four to five times thicker than before, blazing like the sun, slashed forward.
Both attacks were unleashed almost simultaneously, not aimed at the flying carriage but directly at the entrance of the passageway, sealing it off completely in an instant.
If the flying carriage wished to enter, it would first have to break through their blockade.
Witnessing this, Han Li, instead of growing angry, let out a low laugh. With a sudden roar, his body erupted in golden light as he transformed into a golden-furred giant ape several zhang tall. His massive fists clenched, his arms swelling with power as he unleashed a barrage of punches toward the incoming lightning and sword light.
With the full might of his transformed Mountain Giant Ape form, the force of his strikes reached an unimaginable level—enough to make even a Mahayana cultivator think twice about facing them head-on.
The space ahead twisted violently as the air blurred, condensing into two massive golden fist shadows, each the size of a small hill, crashing down like tangible objects.
A deafening explosion shook the earth as the blocking lightning arcs and sword light shattered into fragments under the golden fists, forcibly clearing a path.
The flying carriage blurred for an instant before vanishing like a ghost, disappearing entirely into the spatial passageway beyond.
As multicolored light flickered within the passage and waves of spatial fluctuations spread, the flying carriage was gone without a trace.
Only then did the black clouds on either side part, revealing two figures who hurriedly flew out.
After a few flashes, they appeared simultaneously at the entrance of the spatial passageway, staring into its unfathomable depths with traces of panic on their faces.
One of the demons had delicate features, wore a purple robe, and bore a single horn on his forehead. The other had dark skin, fiery red hair, and was clad in white battle armor.
“What do we do? They actually broke through! What if they run into the Lord?” the dark-skinned demon, appearing to be in his forties, said frantically.
“It can’t be that much of a coincidence. The Lord only said he would return from the Spirit Realm today, but didn’t specify the exact time. He might not return until evening,” the other demon replied, forcing calm into his voice, though his words lacked conviction.
“I hope you’re right! But no matter what, we’re definitely guilty of dereliction of duty this time. Who were those people, daring to barge into the spatial passageway? Do they not fear the wrath of the Sacred Ancestor?” the dark-skinned demon sighed, his face twisted in worry, though his last few words were spoken through gritted teeth.
“Regardless of the others, that man who countered us had unfathomable power. He shattered our techniques with ease—definitely no ordinary Demon Venerable. But he didn’t seem like any of the Sacred Ancestors either,” the purple-robed demon mused, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
“A Sacred Ancestor? Impossible. No matter how powerful he was, he was far from that level. Besides, if it were truly a Sacred Ancestor, why would he force his way in? He could have just revealed his identity, and we’d have stepped aside without hesitation!” the dark-skinned demon shook his head vehemently.
“If he wasn’t at the level of a Sacred Ancestor, yet still so formidable among Demon Venerables, it’s hard to believe such a figure exists without us knowing. Maybe we should ask the other Venerables guarding the fortress below if they noticed anything?” the purple-robed demon suggested hesitantly.
“If even we couldn’t discern his origins, those fools probably didn’t even get a clear look at him. What help could they be?” the dark-skinned demon scoffed, glancing disdainfully at the few dazzling streaks of light approaching from below.
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask. We might uncover some clues,” the purple-robed demon insisted.
As they spoke, the streaks of light finally arrived at the spatial passageway, revealing several Demon Venerables of varying heights, who promptly bowed to the two demons with utmost respect.
Without ceremony, the dark-skinned demon waved a hand through the air, summoning a cluster of azure light that projected images of Han Li and his companions.
“Do any of you recognize these people?” the dark-skinned demon asked coldly.
The newly arrived Demon Venerables studied the images carefully before exchanging bewildered glances.
After a long pause, a gaunt-looking Demon Venerable stepped forward cautiously and said, “My lords, given the level of their power, these individuals likely aren’t from our demon realm. They might be human experts from the Spirit Realm.”
“Human experts?” the dark-skinned demon blinked in confusion, while the purple-robed demon’s expression shifted slightly.
“Indeed. Since you two have been stationed here and focused on cultivation, it’s no surprise you haven’t heard. But in truth, news of these humans has spread across half the Sacred Realm. There are even rumors that one of the Sacred Ancestors was defeated by them,” a female Demon Venerable added hurriedly.
“Such a thing happened? Explain it to us in detail,” the two demons exclaimed, their faces paling with disbelief.
“This matter dates back several years…” the gaunt Demon Venerable began, recounting the various rumors surrounding Han Li. As they listened, the two demons’ expressions fluctuated between shock and disbelief.
Meanwhile, within the spatial passageway between realms, the flying carriage was now encased in layers of runes and light barriers, hurtling forward amid continuous spatial fluctuations.
Han Li stood at the front of the carriage, having reverted to his human form. Though his posture remained upright, his expression had visibly relaxed.
Once inside the passageway, the carriage would return to the Spirit Realm in a matter of hours. Though the other end led to the Wood Tribe’s domain, Han Li couldn’t help but feel a stirring of excitement at the thought of nearing his homeland.
Time passed steadily as the carriage flew unimpeded through the turbulent passage.
Just as Han Li estimated they had traversed over half the distance, a sudden spatial ripple erupted ahead, revealing an enormous black warship over a hundred zhang long, packed with demonic guards, charging straight toward them.
“Damn it!” Han Li cursed inwardly, his expression hardening as he channeled his spiritual power.
Though battles were typically avoided in spatial passageways to prevent catastrophic spatial storms, if the other side attacked recklessly, he wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate.
Given the imposing aura of the warship, the high-ranking demon commanding it was likely no ordinary Venerable. Han Li braced himself for the worst.
Both the flying carriage and the warship moved at incredible speeds. In the blink of an eye, they were within striking distance, close enough for those aboard to see each other clearly.
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