There were so many shadow beasts, each possessing terrifying abilities no less than those of Void Refinement cultivators. With such a large gathering, even though Han Li and his companions were no ordinary figures, they couldn’t help but feel a slight heaviness in their hearts.
Han Li remained relatively calm, confident in the numerous trump cards at his disposal. Whether it was his swarm of Gold Devouring Beetles or the Profound Heavenly Fruit, he was certain he could annihilate these shadow beasts if he was willing to pay the price.
Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun, however, knew they stood no chance in a direct confrontation. Even if they managed a narrow victory, they would suffer severe injuries, and the loss of vitality would make their subsequent journey perilous. There would be no hope of finding ruins or breaking through restrictions.
Fortunately, though the shadow beasts had unexpectedly blocked their path, they were well aware of the fate of their earlier companions. Filled with fury and caution, they showed no immediate intent to attack, merely seeking to delay the trio until more reinforcements arrived.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Liu Shui’er’s delicate brows arched slightly, and she whispered something.
Instantly, Han Li and Shi Kun heard her voice transmitted into their ears:
“Fellow Daoists, we are not far from the exit of the Shadow Beast Forest. There’s no need to fight so many shadow beasts head-on. Let us split up for now and regroup outside the forest.”
“Good, I agree with the Fairy’s suggestion,” Shi Kun replied without hesitation, having the same thought.
Han Li’s eyes flickered briefly before he nodded faintly.
The leading shadow beast, a three-eyed creature far larger than the others, seemed to sense their intentions and let out a low growl.
The other shadow beasts stirred restlessly before suddenly opening their maws in unison. Dozens of black beams shot forth, while countless claw projections materialized in the air, enveloping the trio in a deadly net.
The combined attack of so many shadow beasts was undeniably terrifying!
But Han Li and his companions had already slain several shadow beasts before and had some experience dealing with such assaults.
With a flash of spiritual light, the three activated their movement techniques.
Han Li formed a hand seal, and a pair of crystalline wings unfurled from his back. With a single flap, he transformed into a thin green-white streak, weaving through the barrage of beams and claws with uncanny precision before vanishing into the void behind the beasts.
Liu Shui’er’s method was simpler. She spat out a blue crystal orb while a white glow flashed beneath her feet, summoning the translucent jade mouse once more. Bathed in radiant light, she transformed into a blue-white orb and shot forward. The black beams struck the orb but were swallowed without a sound. With a sharp hiss, the orb blurred slightly before reappearing a hundred zhang away, escaping into the distance.
Shi Kun’s method was far more domineering. With a cold snort, his armor flared with spiritual light as he clapped his hands together violently. A deafening boom echoed as specks of yellow light materialized around him, rapidly merging into a bizarre barrier covered in spiral patterns. The black beams struck the barrier with dull thuds before being deflected. Seizing the moment, Shi Kun twisted his body and sank into the earth, tunneling away at astonishing speed.
Naturally, the shadow beasts had no intention of letting them escape so easily. At the three-eyed leader’s roar, the pack split into three groups, each pursuing one of the trio based on their lingering aura.
Han Li, unhindered and moving at full speed, quickly left his pursuers far behind. Within the time it took to finish a meal, his streak-like form had vanished from sight.
However, his conspicuous flight attracted other shadow beasts lurking below. Several lunged from the forest, attempting to intercept him.
Han Li merely flicked his sleeve, unleashing dozens of green sword beams like a storm. No longer concealing the true power of his Emerald Swarm Sword, he sliced the attacking beasts into countless pieces. Even those that reacted swiftly enough to unleash claw projections found their defenses useless—the green sword beams phased through effortlessly, instantly killing them.
Thus, Han Li pressed onward without pause, draining his spiritual power relentlessly. After flying for most of the day, he finally burst out of the dark forest and into open skies.
Before him stretched an endless expanse of green grassland. Though night still reigned, the rich scent of grass filled the air.
Yet Han Li did not stop. His streak of light continued forward, covering nearly a hundred thousand li before finally descending upon a small earthen mound.
With a flash, Han Li reappeared, his expression calm. His eyes gleamed blue as he scanned the surroundings. In such open terrain, his spiritual sight could reach its full potential.
Within moments, everything within a hundred li was imprinted clearly in his mind. Farther regions appeared blurry but still discernible.
Finding no immediate threats, Han Li exhaled softly before releasing his divine sense to sweep the area once more.
A crack of thunder sounded as his crystalline wings dissipated.
He turned, narrowing his eyes as he gazed back toward the Shadow Beast Forest. At this distance, even if the shadow beasts were furious, they wouldn’t dare pursue him so far.
But if they did, he wouldn’t mind eliminating them all.
His earlier reluctance to engage had nothing to do with fear—he simply didn’t want to risk being surrounded by an overwhelming force.
Standing motionless atop the mound, Han Li let the breeze ruffle his robes, giving him an ethereal, immortal-like aura.
Suddenly, he flipped his hand, revealing a blood-red jade disk with faint silver threads shimmering across its surface.
After studying it for a moment, his brow furrowed.
“These two have already regrouped and aren’t far from here. Why haven’t they come yet? Did they run into trouble?” he murmured. With a shake, the disk vanished, and he turned his gaze toward a distant direction.
A flash of green light later, he transformed into a green rainbow, soaring into the sky. After a brief circle, he shot toward the direction he had been staring at.
Though not as fast as before, his speed was still extraordinary.
Within moments, he had traversed twenty to thirty thousand li, arriving above another part of the grassland.
His blue eyes flickered as a strange expression crossed his face.
The sound of his flight ceased as he reappeared a hundred li away, his gaze fixed ahead.
A hundred zhang away, two groups stood facing each other.
One consisted of Shi Kun and Liu Shui’er.
Liu Shui’er’s eyes beneath her hood flickered with caution, while Shi Kun wore a cold smirk, his fists clenched and armor pulsing with energy.
Opposite them stood a man and a woman.
The man had a thick beard, wore silver scale armor, and carried a massive trident, exuding an air of boldness.
The woman had delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, dark eyes, and fair skin. Her tight green leather outfit accentuated her voluptuous figure, but strangely, their lower bodies were shrouded in white mist, accompanied by the faint sound of flowing water.
“Sea Monarch Tribe!” Han Li recognized them instantly, his expression shifting slightly.
Though the Sea Monarch Tribe did not border the Tian Yun region, it was common knowledge that they were allied with the Horned Race.
No wonder tensions were high.
The two groups reacted differently upon seeing Han Li’s arrival.
Liu Shui’er’s eyes brightened with relief.
Shi Kun, whatever his thoughts, grinned and greeted Han Li politely.
The Sea Monarch pair, however, scrutinized Han Li with cold, hostile gazes.
Upon sensing his cultivation at only the seventh tier of the upper race, they exchanged puzzled glances.
“Are you also from Tian Yun?” the man boomed in a thunderous voice.
“For now, you could say so,” Han Li replied evenly. “Are you two planning to attack my companions?”
“Attack them? If we had, do you think they’d still be standing here unharmed?” the man sneered.
“What arrogance!” Shi Kun laughed darkly, stepping forward. “Since you boast so much, why don’t I test the famed might of your so-called ‘Three Great Water Tribes’?”
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