However, Han Li’s mana was draining even faster than before.
Though it was only a negligible amount compared to his total reserves, over time, the additional loss would still be significant.
But given his far superior cultivation compared to peers of his rank, as long as he kept the consumption at an extremely low level, it should be enough for him to escape safely.
As Han Li flew, these thoughts crossed his mind. The emerald sword light enveloping his body suddenly contracted, shrinking from dozens of feet to just a few feet in size.
Then, after a few flashes, his figure plunged deep into the sea of ants, completely swallowed by the dense swarm of demonic ants.
…
At the same time, in other parts of the ant sea, the demonic beings also found themselves surrounded by the overwhelming tide of demonic ants.
Various demonic artifacts were summoned, and a myriad of demonic techniques erupted, wreaking havoc among the ants.
Large swathes of the mana-draining ants were obliterated.
But for the lower-ranked demons, this was akin to drinking poison to quench thirst—their mana would soon be exhausted.
Once that happened, these low-level demons would be devoured by the ants.
Yet, faced with the relentless onslaught of the mana-draining ants, they had no choice but to frantically expend their mana in terror.
Those who had reached the Nascent Soul stage and condensed their demonic infants could last much longer, sustaining themselves for half a day or even a full day.
As for higher-ranked demons at the Deity Transformation or Void Refinement stages, they could endure for days or even weeks under the ants’ relentless attacks.
The number of demons from Blood Crow City and the previously driven demonic beasts trapped in the ant sea was staggering.
Naturally, the ant sea couldn’t focus its full force on every individual, so escaping alive wasn’t entirely impossible.
Time passed slowly.
After several hours, the low-level demons finally exhausted their mana one by one, unable to sustain their protective techniques any longer. The power of their demonic artifacts weakened until, eventually, agonized screams began to ring out.
By the time half a day had passed, only those at the Nascent Soul stage or above remained struggling in the ant sea.
With the demons and demonic beasts scattering in all directions, the once-impenetrable ant sea inevitably split into dozens of smaller swarms, slowly spreading outward in pursuit of their prey.
In a sizable ant sea tens of millions of miles from Blood Crow City, six demonic beings—five men and one woman—flew silently in the same direction.
Two of the younger demonic men radiated blazing flames and icy mist respectively, incinerating or freezing any ants that approached.
The demonic woman, dressed as a matron, had an ancient black mirror floating above her head, spewing forth bursts of green light accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, blasting apart any ants that drew near.
These three were none other than the Hai Family demons who had once confronted Han Li in Blood Crow City.
The remaining three demonic men, all in their forties, bore striking resemblances to one another, clearly sharing blood ties.
Instead of using demonic artifacts, they formed hand seals together, conjuring a thick black mist that swept through the ants, clearing them away.
All six were at the Void Refinement stage, and their combined might was formidable. They carved a path through the ant sea, covering hundreds of miles in no time.
The ants ahead gradually thinned, suggesting they were nearing the edge.
Elated, the six demons pressed on—until disaster struck.
A section of the ant sea suddenly split open, unleashing over a hundred giant ants, each several feet long, with emerald-green bodies, translucent wings, and vicious fangs.
The moment they appeared, the giant ants lunged at the three demonic men.
“Be careful, Fellow Daoists Nangong! These are mutated demonic ants—far more dangerous than ordinary mana-draining ants!” the demonic woman urgently warned.
The three men were startled but quickly redoubled their efforts. The black mist thickened, transforming into a massive black flood dragon that surged toward the giant ants.
A sharp hissing filled the air as the ants spat globs of purple liquid, striking the flood dragon’s body.
Low explosions erupted, and yellow smoke billowed where the liquid hit, dissolving large portions of the flood dragon.
Undeterred, the ants spat more purple liquid—this time targeting the three men.
The leader of the trio barked a command and spat out a miniature shield, which rapidly expanded into a massive white barrier covered in eerie carvings and ghostly wails.
Channeling their demonic power, the shield emitted a black barrier, shielding all three.
The purple liquid rained down, corroding the barrier, which trembled violently and rapidly thinned.
“Help me! I can’t hold it alone!” the leader cried in terror.
The other two demons swiftly placed their hands on his shoulders, channeling their energy into him.
The barrier stabilized, but their mana drained at an alarming rate, leaving them unable to counterattack.
“Fellow Daoist Hai, help us!” the leader shouted desperately.
“Don’t worry, I’ll deal with them!” the demonic woman replied, pointing at her mirror.
But before she could act, another swarm of giant ants—hundreds this time—emerged from the ant sea.
Horrified, she abandoned her attack, encasing herself in green light and fleeing without a second thought—leaving the three Nangong men and her own subordinates behind.
The two Hai Family demons panicked and fled as well, leaving the Nangong men cursing in fury.
Similar scenes played out elsewhere in the ant sea.
The appearance of the mutated high-level ants wiped out most of the remaining demons.
Only those with rare treasures, unique techniques, or sheer luck survived.
As for Han Li and the few remaining human cultivators and high-level demons, they fought their way through the giant ants by sheer force.
Yet the mana-draining ants refused to relent, clinging to the survivors like parasites.
Any lapse in vigilance would plunge them back into the ant sea, forcing them into desperate battles anew.
Days turned into months, and the ant tide persisted for half a year before finally dissipating.
By then, seven or eight cities around the grasslands had been destroyed, and countless demons had been devoured. The mere mention of the ant tide struck fear into the hearts of many.
The notoriety of the mana-draining ants became legendary in the region.
A year later, above a vast black forest filled with towering trees, a faint green streak shot through the sky.
A dozen miles behind, a flock of crimson-feathered, grotesque birds screeched in pursuit.
Suddenly, the green light paused, releasing dozens of gleaming sword beams that sliced the leading birds in half before resuming its flight.
The remaining birds shrieked in fury but eventually gave up the chase.
After flying tens of thousands of miles, the green light slowed.
“Excellent. Finding such a large piece of Windflame Crystal here will surely prove useful later,” murmured a young man holding a crimson crystal the size of a human head.
This was Han Li.
A year ago, relying on his formidable power, he had broken through into the demonic wilderness, finally shaking off the mana-draining ants.
Following the plan agreed upon with the others, he had not sought out Long Family’s Patriarch but instead headed straight for the Phantom Howl Desert.
The demonic wilderness was perilous for most demons, but Han Li’s abilities made it manageable.
Along the way, he had discovered rare materials and spiritual herbs seldom seen in the Spirit Realm, filling him with delight.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage