Upon hearing this, Yuanyao and the other woman exchanged glances, their expressions shifting uncertainly.
Naturally, the two of them had no intention of abandoning their desire to restore their normal forms.
“It was my oversight. From Brother Han’s earlier words, it seems you’ve previously traversed a spatial node. If that’s the case, and if we can indeed find a relatively stable node, my junior sister and I would naturally wish to leave this place as well. However, we know nothing about how to locate such nodes.” After a long silence, Yanli spoke with a bitter smile.
“Rest assured on that matter, fellow Daoists. I have some unique methods in this regard. However, before we set out to search, we must wait a while longer to evade the pursuit of the Ghost Granny and the others. Regardless of whether they obtain what they seek, due to the presence of the Ephemera Clan, they won’t linger here for long. The best opportunity for us to search for nodes and escape will be after they leave the Netherworld River region but before the Ephemera Clan arrives. For now, we should find an extremely secluded place to hide temporarily.” Han Li spoke leisurely, exuding confidence.
Yuanyao and Yanli found his reasoning sound and nodded repeatedly.
After finalizing their plans, the three of them continued their flight without pause, vanishing into the horizon in a flash.
Several days later, Han Li and his companions appeared above a strange expanse of water.
The water below was a mix of emerald green and black, with a faint layer of black mist swirling above it.
Even more peculiar was the fact that this seemingly endless body of water—whether a sea or a lake—was dotted with countless islands of various sizes, scattered like stars.
After flying deep into the region for a full day and night, Han Li and the others still saw no sign of an end.
“Let’s hide here. This body of water is so vast that it likely rivals the open ocean. Even if those demon kings come searching, they won’t be able to find us quickly. Moreover, I sense that there are many terrifying things lurking in the depths. If such entities exist, the Ghost Granny and the others won’t dare to recklessly sweep the area with their spiritual sense, which will serve as an additional layer of protection for us.” Han Li halted his flight, his eyes flashing with blue light as he scanned the dense black mist below before speaking slowly.
They had encountered many such dense fog banks along the way, but under Han Li’s spiritual vision, this particular patch concealed a small island beneath it.
Though Yuanyao and Yanli couldn’t pierce the mist to see the island, they trusted Han Li’s judgment and followed him without hesitation as they descended into the black fog.
What happened next shocked all three of them.
The black mist seemed ordinary at first glance, but the moment they entered it, the fog churned and surged toward them, dispersing their spiritual energy and causing their flight to instantly collapse.
“Ah!”
Yuanyao and Yanli cried out in alarm, their faces paling as they plummeted deeper into the fog. Despite the various spiritual lights flickering around them, they couldn’t stop their descent.
Han Li was equally startled, but his vast experience with unexpected situations allowed him to react swiftly. He cycled through several techniques—Yuanci Divine Light, the True Devil Arts of the Brahma Saint—but none could muster enough spiritual energy to counteract the effect. In a stroke of inspiration, he activated the Kunpeng Transformation from the Twelve Awakening Techniques. His body shimmered with cyan light as he transformed into a massive azure roc, instantly regaining full control of his magic power.
Overjoyed, Han Li spread his wings, expanding his form several times over. With a swift motion, he seized the two women in his talons and shot upward, breaking free of the fog in a few flashes of movement.
As the cyan light faded, the roc vanished, and Han Li reappeared in human form. Yuanyao and Yanli, their magic power restored, floated in the air with expressions of lingering shock.
“What was that? How could the black fog be so terrifying? If not for Brother Han’s intervention, we would have suffered greatly,” Yanli murmured, her face still pale.
Yuanyao, though also shaken, wore a strange expression as her bright eyes flickered with thought.
Han Li clasped his hands behind his back, studying the roiling black mist below with a contemplative look.
“It is indeed peculiar, but this sensation… Fellow Daoist Yuan, does it feel familiar to you as well?” Han Li turned to Yuanyao and asked.
“You’re right, Brother Han. I’ve experienced something like this once before in the human realm—in the Chaotic Star Sea, when we were engulfed by the ghost mist and transported to the Yin Netherworld,” Yuanyao replied with a mix of surprise and suspicion.
“The Yin Netherworld and the Netherworld River… Hmph, the names are quite similar. Combined with this strange mist that drains spiritual energy, there must be some connection,” Han Li mused, stroking his chin.
“Yet there are differences. The mist here seems slightly less potent than the ghost mist in the human realm. Though it suppresses our magic power, we can still sense spiritual energy. Back then, after being caught in the ghost mist, we were completely reduced to mortals,” Yuanyao said uncertainly.
“I share that impression. The reason could be that this mist is weaker than its counterpart in the human realm, or perhaps our cultivation has advanced enough to mitigate its effects. But there are other differences. The ghost mist in the human realm seemed more sentient, actively seeking to devour nearby cultivators. This mist…” Han Li shook his head, pinpointing the distinction.
“Just as you said, Brother Han. This black mist shows no signs of actively consuming us. But if the ghost mist in the human realm could transport people to the Yin Netherworld, could this mist lead to another realm or space?” Yuanyao’s eyes brightened with excitement.
“That’s unclear. After all, we never fully understood the origins of the ghost mist or the Yin Netherworld in the human realm,” Han Li sighed.
“Are all the patches of black fog nearby the same? Do they all have this effect?” Yanli, who had been listening quietly, suddenly interjected.
“I hadn’t paid attention to that. Fellow Daoists, wait here for a moment. I’ll investigate and return shortly.” Han Li paused, then with a flicker of cyan light, transformed back into the azure roc and soared away, leaving the two women to exchange bewildered glances.
“Junior Sister Yuan, Fellow Daoist Han truly possesses an array of remarkable abilities. Even the transformation techniques of the Flying Spirit Tribe are within his grasp,” Yanli remarked with admiration.
“Senior Sister, have you forgotten? Brother Han entered the Earth Abyss under the guise of a Flying Spirit Tribe Saint. It’s not surprising he knows such techniques,” Yuanyao replied with a smile.
“You may not be aware, but becoming a Flying Spirit Tribe Saint isn’t something just anyone can fake. I’ve heard from others that to qualify as a Saint of a Flying Spirit branch, one must possess the true spirit bloodline of that branch, among other stringent requirements. Even among the Flying Spirit Tribe, becoming a Saint is exceedingly rare. I wonder how Fellow Daoist Han managed it and acquired such abilities,” Yanli said with a coy smile.
“Is that so?” Yuanyao nodded, her gaze drifting toward the direction Han Li had disappeared.
Noticing her expression, a flicker of something unreadable passed through Yanli’s eyes before she continued lightly, “More than that, I’m curious why Brother Han’s transformation renders him immune to the ghost mist’s effects.”
“It is strange. I don’t understand it either. Could the Flying Spirit Tribe’s transformation techniques conceal some unknown power?” Yuanyao mused, her confusion mirroring Yanli’s.
“Hard to say. We can ask Fellow Daoist Han later. Perhaps he knows something,” Yanli suggested with a smile.
“That might not be appropriate. Matters related to cultivation techniques and divine abilities are sensitive. It may not be our place to inquire,” Yuanyao hesitated.
“With the history between you and Fellow Daoist Han, such a small question shouldn’t be an issue. We’re not probing his cultivation secrets—just seeking a way to counter this ghost mist. But since I’m not as familiar with him, it would be better if you asked, Junior Sister,” Yanli said dismissively.
Yuanyao frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before nodding silently.
A full half-hour later, a streak of cyan light reappeared on the horizon, accompanied by a clear cry as the azure roc returned.
With a few flashes and a gust of wind, the roc materialized before the two women. The cyan light dissipated, revealing Han Li once more.
“Well? Are the other patches of black fog also unusual?” Yanli couldn’t help but ask first.
“Not all of them, but a significant portion can drain spiritual energy. Mostly the larger, denser clusters,” Han Li replied solemnly.
Hearing this, the two women exchanged surprised glances.
“Should we still venture into the black fog to investigate?” Yanli asked after a deep breath.
“Logically, given our current predicament, delving further would be unwise. However, this black fog can block spiritual sense, making it an ideal hiding place. Even if those demon kings possess extraordinary abilities, they’d never find us here. The only concern is whether there are hidden dangers within the fog,” Han Li said after a brief hesitation.
“If it means evading the Ghost Granny and the others, the risk is worth taking. Besides, Brother Han, doesn’t your Kunpeng transformation render you immune to the fog’s effects?” Yanli countered with a smile.
Han Li smiled faintly but before he could respond, Yuanyao spoke up hesitantly, “Brother Han, your transformation technique originates from the Flying Spirit Tribe, correct? Why does it negate the fog’s suppression of spiritual energy? Do you have any insights? Is there a way for us to avoid losing our magic power within the mist?”
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