Chapter 995: Purple Mist

Returning to the cave, the elderly Fu and Bai Yaoyi were still sitting cross-legged in meditation.

Han Li had no intention of disturbing them. After a brief hesitation, he patted his storage pouch with one hand, and a set of formation flags and disks appeared in his grasp. Without hesitation, he tossed them into the air.

Instantly, beams of spiritual light shot out in all directions, vanishing into the cave walls as a simple formation took shape. This formation not only provided concealment but also served as an alarm should any enemies intrude.

The other two paid no attention to Han Li’s actions, remaining motionless in their spots.

Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly, then settled into a corner of the cave, sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes to rest.

After a full day and night, Fu and Bai Yaoyi gradually recovered their spiritual power.

When the two stood up one after another, Han Li stirred slightly and opened his eyes. “Fellow Daoists, have you fully recovered your spiritual power?” he asked calmly.

“Many thanks for your protection, Brother Han. Elder Fu and I have mostly regained our strength,” Bai Yaoyi replied with a charming smile.

“Brother Han, did you learn anything about our location during your excursion?” Elder Fu asked, glancing at the massive formation in the center of the cave.

“I’m not certain, but we are deep within a colossal mountain, surrounded by restrictive barriers. Leaving won’t be easy,” Han Li admitted frankly.

“A colossal mountain? Brother Han hails from overseas, so it’s understandable if you’re unfamiliar with the famous peaks of the inland regions. But perhaps I might recognize it,” Elder Fu said, his eyes brightening with confidence.

“Is that so? If Elder Fu is so confident, why not take a look outside first?” Han Li chuckled noncommittally.

“Judging by Brother Han’s tone, is there something unusual about this mountain? I’ll accompany Elder Fu for a look,” Bai Yaoyi said, her eyes flickering with curiosity.

Han Li nodded without further comment.

Given his far superior abilities, he had naturally taken the lead among them.

Exchanging a glance, Elder Fu and Bai Yaoyi transformed into streaks of light and flew out of the cave.

Han Li remained seated but flipped his hand, summoning a tracking disk. His gaze swept over it, noting two distinct dots—one white, one black—clearly marked.

Narrowing his eyes, he stared at the disk in silence.

After an indeterminate amount of time, his brow twitched, and with a flash of light, the disk vanished from his hand.

Moments later, light flickered at the cave entrance as Elder Fu and Bai Yaoyi returned. Their expressions were grim as they reappeared before Han Li.

“So, what did you find?” Han Li asked with a faint, enigmatic smile. Though unfamiliar with the Great Jin, he doubted such a massive spiritual mountain could have escaped his notice.

True to his expectations, Elder Fu let out a bitter laugh.

“Brother Han, spare me the jest. I’ve never seen—let alone heard of—such a colossal mountain. I’m not even sure if we’re still within the Great Jin’s borders,” he said, his face clouded with worry.

“Indeed, if such a mountain truly existed within the Great Jin, I would have surely heard of it,” Bai Yaoyi added, her delicate brows furrowed.

“Perhaps. Though we don’t know the nature of the barriers outside or the mountain’s surroundings, this teleportation formation is undoubtedly the work of ancient cultivators. Its sudden activation—sending us and the Silver-Winged Nightfiend here—might have been triggered by the battle or some other unknown cause. But that’s irrelevant now. Our priority is refining the Spirit Infant Pill, then exploring this mountain. What do you think?” Han Li said calmly.

“Brother Han speaks wisely. The spiritual energy here is abundant; staying longer poses no issue. And even if this mountain holds mysteries, with Brother Han here, we need not fear. It might even be an opportunity for us,” Elder Fu said after a moment’s thought, forcing a smile.

Bai Yaoyi, eager for the Spirit Infant Pill, naturally agreed with a nod.

“Elder Fu flatters me. As you’ve likely noticed, our spiritual sense is severely suppressed here—likely due to the barriers—extending only a few miles at most. Given the mountain’s vastness, even the three of us working together would take ages to explore it fully,” Han Li suddenly shifted the topic.

“Indeed, I noticed that too. And the lifeless aura here is eerie enough—hardly a peaceful place,” Bai Yaoyi added.

“Regardless, the abundant spiritual energy here is ideal for pill refinement. I’ll proceed with the Spirit Infant Pill first,” Elder Fu said with a dry chuckle.

Han Li and Bai Yaoyi raised no objections. The group immediately set up a spirit-gathering formation and several protective barriers within the cave, after which Elder Fu began refining the pill.

During this time, Han Li and Bai Yaoyi remained inside, standing guard.

The Spirit Infant Pill was far too important for them to be distracted, even if the mountain held other mysteries.

—

While Han Li and the others awaited the pill’s completion, halfway up the colossal mountain, a stone pavilion hosted the Ye Clan cultivators. Most sat cross-legged nearby, clutching spirit stones as they recovered their spiritual power.

The clan’s Grand Elder, a white-robed scholar, hovered above the pavilion, gazing at a long stone staircase built into the mountainside.

The staircase, constructed from pristine white jade, resembled a celestial ladder from afar. Up close, its breadth was staggering—spanning fifty to sixty zhang in length.

Looking up or down, the steps vanished into a milky-white mist, obscuring any view.

The scholar remained expressionless, suspended motionless in the air.

Before long, a streak of light appeared on the horizon, shooting toward the pavilion like a falling star.

The scholar stirred, turning his gaze toward the approaching radiance.

In moments, the yellow streak halted before him, revealing a large-headed oddity—the Ye Clan’s “Seventh Uncle.”

“Third Nephew, I’ve scouted ahead. Ascending the stairs for dozens of miles leads to an archway—likely the famed Gate of Ten Thousand Cultivators. But it’s sealed by a barrier. Without breaking it, we cannot proceed further,” the oddity said gravely.

“The Gate of Ten Thousand Cultivators! That confirms it. Legend says the ancient cultivators of Mount Kunwu once numbered in the tens of thousands. Beyond this gate lies their dwelling places,” the scholar exhaled, his expression easing slightly.

“But the barrier sealing the gate is formidable. We should act swiftly—time is not on our side,” the oddity urged, frowning at the resting cultivators below.

“I’m aware. But the others are drained. They must recover first. Even if you and I are unharmed, this place is hardly safe. We must guard them—we can’t split up,” the scholar said helplessly.

“True. Who knew traversing the barrier’s fissures would be so arduous? Thankfully, we brought only Core Formation and above, or casualties would’ve been inevitable,” the oddity sighed.

The scholar smiled faintly, about to reply when his expression suddenly darkened. He turned sharply toward a distant direction.

“What is it?” the oddity asked, startled.

“I heard something—from over there,” the scholar said gravely.

“A sound?” The oddity tensed, channeling spiritual power to his ears. A distant roar reached him—like a lion’s growl, yet also resembling a dragon’s cry—growing louder by the second.

“What is that? Something’s approaching!” The oddity’s eyes gleamed coldly as a silver object materialized in his hand.

The scholar stared unblinkingly into the distance.

Soon, a mass of purple mist surged into view, racing toward them. The beastly roar emanated from within.

In moments, the mist halted a hundred zhang from the pavilion.

Through the haze, a dark, hulking figure loomed, its blood-red eyes fixed on them with savage fury.

The oddity’s face darkened. With a flick of his wrist, a streak of silver shot forth—only for a massive, taloned claw to snap out from the mist, snatching the projectile midair.

A silver shuttle, mere inches long, glittered in the claw’s grasp.

But green blood dripped from the wound it had inflicted. The creature roared in pain, its eyes blazing with renewed malice.

Abruptly, the purple mist thinned, vanishing entirely—leaving only the pair of baleful eyes before they, too, disappeared.

The oddity and the scholar exchanged alarmed glances.

This creature was adept at concealment! With their spiritual sense suppressed in this mountain, such an enemy was a nightmare to face.

Without hesitation, they acted in unison.

The oddity spat out a yellow flying sword, which expanded into a massive blade. With a sweep, countless sword rays erupted, blanketing a ten-zhang radius.

Meanwhile, the scholar flicked his sleeve, producing a small green banner. Tossing it beneath him, a surge of emerald mist billowed forth, enveloping the Ye Clan cultivators in a protective shroud.