The second layer was naturally far more perilous than the first, but in the eyes of Han Li and the others, it was still nothing noteworthy.
After consulting the map and confirming their location, they set off westward.
Their journey lasted three days and nights. Along the way, they not only slew several mid-tier demons but also encountered multiple waves of law-enforcement cultivators.
The weakest among these cultivators were at the Deity Transformation stage, while their leaders were unmistakably at the Saint stage.
Given Jin Yue’s status as the Grand Elder of the Skywing Clan, these enforcers naturally did not trouble them. After a brief inquiry or two, they allowed the group to proceed unhindered.
However, witnessing this, Jin Yue’s expression darkened slightly.
Mobilizing so many forces for a single individual seemed to carry an air of strangeness.
Could there be more to the plundering of the mine than met the eye?
Having ruled the Skywing Clan for so many years, Jin Yue was no fool. Though suspicions arose in her mind, she betrayed nothing in front of the enforcers.
Thus, the trio smoothly found the entrance to the third layer—a hidden underground river.
Following the current, they drifted in darkness for several hours before arriving at the third layer of the Abyss.
Three days later, as they flew over a desolate plain strewn with rubble, Han Li and the others suddenly sensed an unusual disturbance in the spiritual energy in the distance. A flash of silver light appeared at the horizon.
A deafening roar followed, shaking the earth violently.
Han Li and Jin Yue exchanged alarmed glances.
“Fellow Daoist Jin, it seems someone is fighting over there. Should we investigate?” Han Li asked after a brief hesitation.
“With such a commotion, if there are other enforcers nearby and we avoid it, it might arouse suspicion. That wouldn’t be wise,” Jin Yue replied, her eyes glinting.
“Then let’s go take a look,” Han Li agreed, though reluctant to meddle, he acknowledged her reasoning.
Lei Lan had no objections either.
Thus, the trio changed course and sped toward the source of the silver lightning.
After flying over ten thousand miles, they finally halted on a high slope, gazing at the devastation below with mixed expressions.
Amidst a pile of rubble lay a massive crater dozens of feet in diameter, its edges charred black, emitting a faint burnt odor—as if struck by lightning.
Suddenly, Han Li raised his hand and made a grasping motion toward the crater’s edge.
With a *whoosh*, an object flew out from beneath the rubble and landed in his palm—a broken blue dagger, half-shattered and riddled with cracks, yet still gleaming coldly. Clearly, it had once been a formidable treasure.
“It seems the others were instantly reduced to ashes by that lightning strike, not even their lifebound treasures spared. For a single bolt to annihilate Deity Transformation and Void Refinement cultivators—its power is unimaginable. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Han?” Jin Yue asked gravely.
“The sheer ferocity of that lightning could be felt even from this distance. The attacker must be a master of thunder-based techniques. This weapon carries lingering killing intent, undispersed even after its owner’s death—likely belonging to the enforcers,” Han Li declared, tossing the broken dagger aside.
“Indeed, the remnants of three auras linger here. The one capable of such ruthlessness is almost certainly the same person who raided the mine,” Jin Yue agreed, summoning other damaged treasures from the rubble with a wave of her hand.
“To kill three enforcers simultaneously—how terrifying!” Lei Lan gasped.
“Not entirely surprising. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dared such an audacious act. Since no one else has arrived, it seems no other enforcers are nearby. But they have secret methods to sense each other’s presence. More will come soon. We shouldn’t linger,” Jin Yue mused.
“Agreed. My destination is only a few days away. Let’s hurry there and settle this,” Han Li said, relieved.
Lei Lan nodded thoughtfully.
With that, the trio soared into the sky as three streaks of light.
Half a day later, over a dozen figures approached the crater from another direction—but by then, Han Li and his companions were already millions of miles away.
Seven days later, above a range of dark mountains, Han Li held a white disk aloft while dozens of golden swords whirled around him, slicing through swarms of raven-like demonic birds, reducing them to bloody rain.
Beside him, Jin Yue wielded a golden mirror, releasing waves of golden light that shredded countless birds.
Lei Lan, her expression solemn, formed hand seals as silver lightning crackled from her wings, forming a protective net around her. Any bird that touched it was instantly incinerated.
After half an hour, the demonic birds thinned out, finally scattering with eerie cries.
The trio stowed their treasures and pressed onward.
Han Li frequently glanced at the disk in his hand, as if it guided their path.
Suddenly, the disk emitted a hum, glowing brilliantly before activating on its own.
“We’re here!” Han Li exclaimed, halting mid-air.
Jin Yue and Lei Lan stopped beside him.
“This is the place? The spatial energy here seems stable—no signs of a node,” Jin Yue said skeptically, scanning the area.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Jin. If the senior marked this coordinate, it must be correct,” Han Li replied with a faint smile.
“Very well. Now that I’ve brought you here, will you hand over the latter half of the technique?” Jin Yue asked solemnly.
“Of course.” Han Li flipped his hand, producing a yellow jade slip, which he tossed to her.
Jin Yue caught it eagerly and pressed it to her forehead to inspect its contents.
Meanwhile, Han Li waved his sleeve, releasing five-colored formation flags that transformed into towering pillars of light.
Chanting incantations, he sent spell after spell into the pillars, causing a dazzling five-colored formation to materialize at their center.
He then summoned over a hundred top-grade spirit stones, which vanished into the formation.
Finally, he tossed the disk into the air, channeling energy into it until it swelled into a radiant white orb.
Lei Lan watched silently, stealing glances at Jin Yue, whose face was alight with joy—confirming the technique’s authenticity.
With a low shout, Han Li guided the white orb into the formation, where it merged seamlessly.
“Are you satisfied with the technique, Fellow Daoist Jin?” Han Li asked calmly.
“Absolutely. On behalf of my clan, I thank you for this gift,” Jin Yue replied, exhaling in relief.
“This was a mutually beneficial exchange. Since you’re satisfied, I’ll take my leave now,” Han Li said with a slight bow.
“May your journey be smooth, Fellow Daoist Han,” Jin Yue returned the gesture with a smile.
“Lei Saintess, may your cultivation advance swiftly,” Han Li added, turning to Lei Lan.
“Thank you for your blessings, Senior. I will strive diligently,” Lei Lan replied with a curtsy.
“Time to go.” Han Li stepped into the formation.
As incantations echoed, the formation roared to life, spewing silver runes. The white orb expanded, engulfing the entire formation in blinding light.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage