Chapter 1184: Rescue

Han Li muttered a few words to himself and raised his hand, beckoning toward the crimson light sphere.

Instantly, the blood light emitted a hum and shot back, circling once before obediently landing in his palm.

At the same time, Han Li raised his other hand, and with a *puff*, purple flames instantly erupted along his arm, swiftly spreading across his entire body and enveloping him.

A massive purple fireball plummeted directly from the sky.

With a *bang*, the fireball, now embodying Han Li, ignored the scorching red lava and plunged straight into the molten lake, disappearing without a trace. The impact sent nearby lava splashing in all directions, but the lake’s surface quickly calmed, as if nothing had happened.

By then, Han Li had already descended more than ten zhang beneath the lava and was still sinking slowly, wrapped in the purple flames.

Though submerged in molten rock, the Violet Extreme Flame, being an icy fire, effortlessly repelled the intense heat outside its barrier.

When Han Li finally reached a depth of over two hundred zhang, his feet touched solid ground littered with black stones at the lake’s bottom.

He glanced around, but aside from the overwhelming red hue, no other colors were visible.

Frowning, Han Li channeled spiritual power into his eyes, causing a faint blue glow to flicker deep within his pupils—he had activated the Brightsight Spirit Eyes.

After scanning the surroundings once more, he raised the blood-colored jade disk in his hand. The disk trembled violently in a certain direction, as if eager to break free.

Han Li followed the direction slowly, and after flying a considerable distance, the jade disk stopped trembling but abruptly plummeted downward.

With quick reflexes, Han Li snatched the disk before it could escape the protection of the Violet Extreme Flame. He then lowered his head to inspect the area below.

His expression shifted slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, a blinding golden streak shot out, slashing toward the lakebed beneath him.

With a deafening *boom*, the seemingly ordinary lakebed was cleaved open by the golden sword energy, revealing a massive fissure over seven or eight zhang long.

From within the crack, a faint blue light immediately surged forth, repelling the surrounding lava.

Beneath the lakebed lay a barrier of light—a restriction.

Overjoyed, Han Li didn’t hesitate to descend toward the blue barrier.

The barrier wasn’t particularly formidable. The Violet Extreme Flame easily pierced through it, creating a hole about a zhang wide.

Han Li himself flashed through the opening and entered the space beyond.

The blue barrier swiftly repaired itself, sealing the molten lake outside once more.

Ignoring this, Han Li surveyed his surroundings.

He now stood in an underground tunnel, its walls and floor uneven and pockmarked—clearly not man-made but naturally formed.

Without hesitation, Han Li tossed the jade disk again.

The disk spun rapidly before transforming into a crimson full moon, shooting deep into the tunnel.

Expressionless, Han Li levitated slightly and followed at a steady pace.

After flying about five or six li, the tunnel began to ascend. A hundred zhang later, a glimmer of light appeared ahead—the exit.

The blood moon shot out without hesitation.

Han Li, however, narrowed his eyes warily. With a flick of his sleeve, a tri-colored flame tumbled out—the Three Flames Fan.

Gripping the fan, he stepped forward and emerged from the exit, scanning the surroundings discreetly.

Though the area was pitch-black, his Brightsight Spirit Eyes rendered everything crystal clear.

This was a natural underground cavern, silent and seemingly devoid of life.

Han Li’s lips curled slightly as his gaze settled on another cavern connected to the far end of the current one.

The blood moon was hurtling toward it but suddenly froze at the entrance, emitting a shrill hum.

A crisp *snap* echoed as dozens of thin black cracks spread across the blood moon’s surface. In a flash, it disintegrated into specks of light.

Rather than alarmed, Han Li seemed pleased.

With a few light steps, he arrived at the entrance of the adjacent cavern.

Inside was a larger cavern, but upon closer inspection, Han Li paused in surprise.

The cavern was filled with billowing black mist, covering every inch of space. Yet, the mist halted abruptly at the entrance, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.

With his Brightsight Spirit Eyes, the cavern—impenetrably dark to ordinary cultivators—was as clear as air to Han Li. He immediately spotted three women lying motionless at the center.

None other than Mu Peiling and her two companions!

Beneath them was a strange formation emitting faint spiritual light, from which the black mist continuously seeped.

Instead of rushing in to rescue them, Han Li narrowed his eyes and swept the cavern with his spiritual sense, confirming that the second Nascent Soul was indeed absent. Only then did he decisively raise a hand toward the entrance.

A golden flash!

With a *sizzle*, something seemed to be severed, and the thick black mist surged outward, rushing toward Han Li.

But with a single hand seal, thunderous crackles erupted around him as a layer of golden lightning arcs materialized.

The black mist dissipated upon contact with the arcs.

Han Li strode forward, vanishing into the mist.

Amidst crackling sounds, the golden arcs flickered and repelled all encroaching mist. Yet, the mist seemed alive, coalescing into over a dozen black snakes of varying sizes that writhed around Han Li, hesitant to strike.

His expression darkened. The Three Flames Fan vanished from his hand as he intensified the spell, causing the golden arcs to blaze brilliantly.

With a flick of his sleeves, two golden lightning dragons shot forth, tearing through the black snakes and reducing them to nothingness.

Not content, the dragons lunged at the surrounding mist, clearing it with thunderous roars. Han Li easily reached the formation.

After a brief inspection, he recognized it as a simple illusionary array.

*It seems the women’s spiritual power has been sealed. Otherwise, such a weak formation wouldn’t hold three Core Formation cultivators.*

With that thought, Han Li flicked his fingers, sending over a dozen golden sword energies simultaneously striking the formation.

With a *crack*, the formation ceased functioning.

At the same moment, deep within the Abyssal Demon Gorge of the Seven Spirit Islands—where Han Li had once retrieved several Demon Marrow Crystals—a towering shadowy figure enveloped in demonic energy abruptly opened his eyes, radiating astonishment.

He reached into his sleeve and produced a faint blue orb, now marred by a prominent crack.

“Impossible! The restriction was broken? How could he find the place so quickly? Even I would be helpless in such a situation,” the figure rasped, his voice laced with disbelief and frustration.

“No matter. If they’re rescued, so be it. It was merely a contingency plan. But I can’t stay here any longer. I must complete the demonic energy infusion and find another secluded place to cultivate.” After a brief contemplation, the figure closed his eyes again, dismissing the matter.

Meanwhile, Han Li retrieved a green jade vial and poured out three fragrant pills, placing one in each woman’s mouth before standing silently with his hands behind his back.

Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Song-clan woman groggily awoke first.

“Disciple Song, it seems your cultivation has improved. You’ve regained consciousness sooner than I expected,” a familiar male voice reached her ears before she fully came to.

Startled, she jerked her head up and met Han Li’s faintly amused gaze.

“Uncle Han! Wait—are you truly Uncle Han, or that demonic Nascent Soul in disguise?” she blurted, her face paling.

Han Li chuckled. “You’re quite vigilant. But I went through great lengths to find this place. As for my identity—do I seem fake to you?”

“You really are Uncle Han!” Though she was 60-70% convinced, she remained hesitant.

Han Li smiled but said nothing, merely beckoning lightly.

With several *whooshes*, over a dozen silver needles shot out from the woman’s body, all snatched into Han Li’s grasp.

Instantly, her sealed spiritual power began flowing freely again.

Her face lit up with joy.

Shortly after, Mu Peiling and Liu Yu also awoke.

Startled at the sight of Han Li, Mu Peiling quickly confirmed his identity through the restrictions in her consciousness and bowed deeply in relief.

Convinced, Liu Yu and the Song-clan woman promptly paid their respects as well.

“Was it my escaped second Nascent Soul who captured you?” Han Li cut straight to the point.

“Master, have you already encountered that demonic Nascent Soul?” Liu Yu couldn’t help exclaiming.

“If I had, would I be asking you three?” Han Li retrieved the silver needles from the other two women before replying calmly.