Chapter 1702: The Xue Hou Clan

“My master didn’t elaborate, but it’s most likely the case.” Liu Shui’er nodded in agreement.

“Excellent! I never expected this journey would allow me to witness the renowned Taiyi Qingguang. Even if we obtain no other treasures, this trip would already be worthwhile.” Han Li exhaled lightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Meanwhile, Liu Shui’er gazed at the white mist below, her eyes filled with contemplation.

Suddenly, she flipped her hand, and a crimson flying fork materialized in her grasp. With a flick of her wrist, it transformed into a streak of red light that shot downward. In a flash, the red light reached the white mist, seemingly about to plunge into it.

At that moment, the red light trembled violently. The flying fork emitted a mournful cry before abruptly shattering into seven or eight pieces, as if simultaneously cleaved by invisible blades.

The broken fragments fell further, only to be met with a barrage of countless additional attacks. Eventually, they exploded into specks of red light, vanishing without a trace.

Witnessing this, Han Li’s smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. His spiritual sense had failed to detect the form of the Taiyi Qingguang. Fortunately, he had activated his Mingqing Spirit Eyes beforehand. As blue light flickered in his pupils, he faintly glimpsed dozens of slender, translucent shadows striking the fork during its destruction.

These shadows were barely discernible even under his Spirit Eyes, appearing entirely transparent. It seemed these were the true manifestations of the Taiyi Qingguang.

“The Taiyi Qingguang is indeed bizarre,” Liu Shui’er remarked with a sigh, seemingly able to perceive those shadows through some unknown method.

Han Li’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Raising his arm, a streak of green light shot from his sleeve, circling once before descending downward.

It was a green flying sword about a foot long—none other than the Emerald Swarm Sword.

The sword descended with astonishing speed, reaching within a dozen zhang of the white mist in an instant.

Han Li’s eyes gleamed with blue light as he stared unblinkingly below.

Soon, dozens of thread-like shadows materialized around the sword before simultaneously slashing at it.

A piercing screech erupted as green light flickered across the sword’s surface. Though it remained unscathed momentarily due to its sharpness, it continued its rapid descent.

Just as it was about to touch the white mist, hundreds—if not thousands—of shadows abruptly appeared around it, converging upon the sword in a rolling wave.

The Emerald Swarm Sword finally succumbed, emitting a low hum before shattering into fragments that exploded into a burst of green light.

Han Li’s expression darkened slightly. Without a word, he reached out, gathering the scattered green light into his palm. In moments, the sword reformed intact.

Liu Shui’er’s eyes flashed with surprise at this sight, but Han Li merely shook his head and waved his hand, causing the sword to vanish.

Though he possessed other treasures with far superior defensive capabilities than the Emerald Swarm Sword, they couldn’t be restored once destroyed. Naturally, he wouldn’t recklessly test this barrier with them.

Despite maintaining outward composure, Han Li felt a surge of excitement within. The Taiyi Qingguang was the primary material for crafting one of the Five Extreme Mountains—the Taiyi Green Mountain. While other artifacts might possess Taiyi Qingguang, only the Taiyi Green Mountain could sustain such a barrier from ancient times to the present, given its ability to endlessly generate the light.

If he could obtain this mountain, the second of the Five Extreme Mountains would be within reach.

Contemplating this, Han Li turned to Liu Shui’er and said calmly, “The Taiyi Qingguang is indeed formidable. It’s beyond our capabilities to break through alone. We should wait for Fellow Daoist Shi Kun and combine our strengths to dismantle the barrier.”

“I share the same thought. Let’s find a resting spot nearby to recuperate and prepare,” Liu Shui’er readily agreed.

After brief discussion, their escape lights soared into the distance once more.

Shortly after, they descended from the sky about a thousand li away.

Despite the swirling sand, Liu Shui’er flicked her wrist, summoning a yellow pearl. With a spin, it emitted a yellow radiance that enveloped both her and Han Li, instantly dispelling the surrounding sandstorm.

They floated down gently, landing amidst the ruins of a dilapidated hall, half-collapsed and barely standing.

…

Fifteen days later, a faint streak of light appeared at the horizon, speeding toward their location.

After several flashes, the light halted above the ruined hall, revealing a towering figure—Shi Kun of the Stone Cocoon Clan.

However, the burly man appeared pale, his eyes dim, as if severely drained of vitality.

Instead of descending immediately, Shi Kun cautiously scanned his surroundings, ensuring no threats were present. Only then did he produce a magic disk, examining it intently before finally descending, his body enveloped in yellow light.

The yellow sand battered against his protective aura, producing metallic scraping sounds, yet failed to penetrate it.

By the time he reached the ruins, Han Li and Liu Shui’er were already waiting at the entrance.

“Brother Shi, you look terrible. Did you encounter trouble on the way?” Liu Shui’er asked, startled by his appearance.

“Trouble? I nearly lost my life,” Shi Kun replied with a bitter laugh upon seeing them, his tension easing slightly.

With a flicker, he appeared before them.

“Did those vicious insects catch up to you?” Han Li inquired calmly, recalling the swarm of Silver Tide Insects that had pursued Shi Kun—similar to those that had chased him. Without exterminating them entirely, escape would have been difficult.

“Though troublesome, I managed to shake them off using a secret technique from my master. No, it was the Snow Roar Tribe that hunted me for over half a month, leaving me in this state,” Shi Kun growled through gritted teeth.

“The Snow Roar Tribe? Those fanatics who wield only ice-attribute techniques, believing them to be the source of all powers, and despise all other methods?” Liu Shui’er exclaimed in shock.

“Exactly. Though their overall strength is mediocre and their logic nonexistent, their individual combat prowess rivals that of high-ranking members from major clans like the Sea King Horned Demons. They usually dwell in the far north of the Thunder Continent, rarely obtaining Moonfrost Tokens to enter the Moonfrost Realm. Yet this time, not only did they enter, but I had the misfortune of crossing paths with them,” Shi Kun spat angrily.

Having read about the Snow Roar Tribe, Han Li exchanged a glance with Liu Shui’er, silently lamenting Shi Kun’s bad luck. Given his condition, it was clear he wasn’t fit to join them in breaking the barrier immediately.

After brief discussion, they agreed to wait five or six days for Shi Kun to recover before proceeding.

Han Li also mentioned the Horned Demon Tribe’s proximity—merely tens of thousands of li away—prompting a wry, speechless grin from Shi Kun.

Five or six days passed in a blink.

Throughout this period, Han Li’s puppets and Liu Shui’er’s spirit beasts detected no unusual activity from the Horned Demons under their illusion. It seemed they had settled in without further action.

Though unsure of their motives, Han Li and the others were relieved, hoping the situation would remain stable until they dismantled the barrier and departed unnoticed.

On the appointed day, the trio rose silently from the ground, heading toward the barrier.

Soon, their escape lights reappeared near the white mist. Their figures materialized before dispersing into a triangular formation above the barrier’s edge.

“I trust you’ve both memorized the steps to dismantle the barrier. The Taiyi Qingguang forms the core, divided into three major layers and eleven minor tiers, each progressively stronger. We must break through all at once. If we falter at any tier, the previously dismantled layers will restore themselves, nullifying our efforts. Senior Duan once broke through the first seven tiers before advancing to the Saint Clan, relying on his formidable defense and physique. With our combined strength and the restraining power of the Magnetic Light, we should theoretically overcome all eleven tiers. However, this is merely my master’s speculation. We must remain vigilant,” Liu Shui’er declared solemnly, her gaze shifting between Han Li and Shi Kun.

Clearly, she would lead the barrier-breaking effort.

Han Li chuckled lightly before asking, “Fellow Daoist Shi and I expended great effort to reach this point. Naturally, we’ll give our all to avoid failure. But do you both recall the terms of our agreement with your masters?”

“Rest assured, Brother Han. Our masters have promised that aside from the items they require, any other treasures we discover will be ours to claim. We won’t demand anything beyond that,” Liu Shui’er assured him.

Shi Kun nodded in hearty agreement.

Satisfied, Han Li nodded in turn.