Chapter 1620: The Appearance of the Demon Crow

The scenery here is incredibly peculiar!

From the ground up to about three to four hundred zhang, everything is pitch black, submerged in a thick, inky mist. Above that height, the world turns a murky gray, with faint gray demonic energy drifting everywhere. The boundary between the two is stark, as if separating the realms of yin and yang.

Han Li’s expression shifted slightly as he glanced downward.

Below, only a small portion of the mountains was visible, while the majority sank into the sea of mist. Objects within forty zhang were barely discernible, with trees and rocks appearing indistinct and blurred. Beyond that, everything plunged into utter darkness.

Seeing this, Han Li pondered for a moment before his pupils flashed with a blue light, activating his Bright Sight spiritual ability.

Instantly, everything within several hundred zhang of the black mist became clear.

Yet, Han Li still frowned.

The lowest hundred zhang remained hazy, beyond the reach of his spiritual vision. As for his divine sense, it could only penetrate a few dozen zhang downward before being repelled.

Even in the high altitude where he stood, the gray demonic energy hindered his divine sense, limiting its range to barely a li. It was far less effective than his Bright Sight.

This posed a problem. If they encountered a high-level demonic beast skilled in concealment, even he might fail to detect it in time.

Han Li silently mulled over this concern.

“Fairy Qian, could you now inform us of our destination?” Yue Zong turned to the crystal clan woman and asked solemnly.

“Of course. If I hadn’t intended to tell you, why would I have hired you as our guide?” The crystal clan woman chuckled.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent a prepared stone slab flying toward Yue Zong.

Yue Zong caught it effortlessly, pressed it to his forehead, closed his eyes, and immersed his divine sense within it.

Having confirmed the absence of demonic beasts nearby, Han Li withdrew his gaze and observed Yue Zong’s actions with detached interest.

“To think we’re heading to this area—it’s the deepest part of the mountain range’s outer periphery,” Yue Zong remarked gravely upon reopening his eyes.

“Brother Yue has ventured into the true depths of the mountains multiple times. Guiding us to this area shouldn’t be an issue,” Qian Qian replied with a light laugh.

“If it weren’t the demonic energy eruption period, there’d be no problem. But now, venturing this deep carries significant risks. Moreover, this area is quite far from the entrance, and the journey won’t be peaceful,” Yue Zong sighed.

“Risks are merely possibilities, not certainties. Since we’ve come this far, turning back isn’t an option. You’re familiar with the Demon Gold Mountain Range, so the route and method of travel are in your hands. I only ask that we reach the destination within ten days,” Qian Qian said with a smile.

“You place great trust in me!” Yue Zong gave a wry smile, then instinctively glanced at Han Li.

As the most powerful among the three, and given his earlier display of formidable abilities, Han Li naturally commanded Yue Zong’s respect and deference. He sought Han Li’s opinion first.

“I have no objections. Brother Yue, feel free to decide,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, understanding the unspoken request.

“Since Senior Han agrees, I won’t hold back. A direct route would be too risky, while sticking to the outermost periphery would be safer but take too long—we wouldn’t make it in ten days. Therefore, we must choose a middle path. This balances danger and time,” Yue Zong explained after some thought.

“Good, we’ll follow your lead,” Qian Qian agreed readily.

Han Li nodded without speaking.

After discussing further details and noting key precautions for traversing the mountains, the trio set off together.

—

Just an hour after their departure, another group of four emerged from the thunderstorm world nearby.

After cautiously surveying their surroundings, they huddled together and exchanged whispers.

The leader, a dark-faced mid-stage Void Refinement cultivator, waved his hand, and the four each produced a magic disk before flying off in another direction.

Over the next hours, more individuals or groups entered the Demon Gold Mountain Range at intervals.

The largest group was led by the outsider surnamed Gui, followed by the local cultivators from Thundercloud Town, including Elder Yan. However, both groups dispersed upon entering the mountains rather than sticking together.

—

Three days later, low rumbling explosions echoed through a section of the Demon Gold Mountain Range.

Several wheel-sized white orbs burst simultaneously, transforming into a raging white cyclone filled with countless razor-sharp wind blades.

Screams erupted from within the storm before dozens of dismembered, furry corpses plummeted into the misty abyss below.

With a *pop*, the cyclone dissipated like foam, revealing three figures.

One held a white pearl, his expression grave—Yue Zong. Beside him, Han Li hovered calmly with arms crossed, while Qian Qian now wore a light-red battle armor, a strange black bird with a crimson beak and golden eyes perched on her shoulder.

Sighing, Yue Zong stowed the pearl, and the remaining winds vanished.

“Something’s amiss,” he muttered darkly.

“Amiss? What do you mean? We’ve dealt with low-level demonic beasts before,” Qian Qian countered, puzzled.

“Ordinary low-level beasts wouldn’t be an issue. But these demonic crows usually dwell deep in the mountains, never appearing in the periphery. They’re symbiotic with high-level beasts like the three-headed badgers. One’s presence usually means the other’s nearby. That’s why I handled them alone and stayed alert,” Yue Zong explained.

“Could they be acting independently this time?” Qian Qian asked.

“Impossible. These crows are common in the depths, and their behavior is well-documented by countless explorers,” Yue Zong shook his head firmly.

“What does this anomaly imply?” Han Li interjected, eyes glinting.

“Either their symbiotic badgers died, forcing them to flee here, or a far stronger beast is driving them against their nature,” Yue Zong mused.

“Which do you think it is?” Han Li asked lightly.

“The first scenario is unlikely. Without their badgers, these weak crows wouldn’t survive the journey from the depths. Other beasts would’ve devoured them,” Yue Zong asserted.

“So, a powerful beast is controlling them, and we’re its targets?” Han Li’s eyes narrowed coldly.

“Likely so, and it’s probably highly intelligent,” Yue Zong said gravely.

“What should we do?” Qian Qian frowned.

“We’ll accelerate to shake it off. If that fails, we eliminate it. Otherwise, it could summon reinforcements or stalk us indefinitely. Of course, this plan hinges on Senior Han’s prowess. Alone, I’d resort to slower methods,” Yue Zong said, flattering Han Li.

Han Li smirked but remained silent, turning to Qian Qian instead. “Your thoughts, Fairy Qian?”

“Brother Yue knows these beasts best. And unless it’s a Saint-tier beast, Senior Han can handle it,” she replied sweetly.

“If you both agree, I’ve no objections,” Han Li said neutrally, stroking his chin.

“Then let’s move. Sadly, we can’t fly too fast without attracting attention. Otherwise, we could outpace any non-aerial beasts,” Yue Zong lamented.

Indeed, Han Li’s cyan escape light was swift and silent, showing no strain. Yue Zong’s white Dharma wheels matched Void Refinement speed, while Qian Qian’s golden banner turned her into a near-invisible streak rivaling Han Li.

Their three streaks vanished into the horizon.

Simultaneously, about ten li away, deep within the black mist at a mountain’s base, a cluster of blood-red eyes ignited in the darkness.