Not long after, he seemed to have thought of something and chuckled to himself. He then stood up and went to the first floor.
When he appeared at the bottom of the stairs, he saw Jin Yue and Elder Shi with their eyes closed as they sat down. But immediately after, they open their eyes at the same time and looked over in his direction.
Han Li felt his heart tremble.
“Fellow Daoist Han, why aren’t you getting proper rest? Could it be that you have something urgent to attend to?” Rather than Jin Yue, it was Elder Shi who spoke.
“I have something I wish to do and I want to take a trip outside,” Han Li calmly stated.
“What is it?” Jin Yue said with a trace of dissatisfaction.
With the trial right around the corner, she hoped that Han Li would obediently rest in his room, rather than be distracted by other things.
Han Li smiled and gave an honest answer, “In truth, it isn’t much. I found that the earth abyss guard’s armor was quite peculiar as it was formed from baleful Qi. I was hoping of finding someone that could explain the mysteries behind it.”
Jin Yue paused and then said with an odd expression, “You mean the Four Fiend Armor Technique? The technique requires an immense amount of baleful Qi to use. Otherwise, the technique would be too weak. What do you plan to do with it?”
Elder Shi also felt somewhat surprised.
Han Li smiled and formed an incantation gesture. Golden light shined from his body, emitting an astonishingly deep aura. A dense wave of baleful Qi soon burst out from the depths of his body.
The baleful Qi he refined with the Vajra Arts began to concentrate all over his body.
Both of the elders were astonished by the display of baleful Qi.
“With such dense baleful Qi, it is no wonder you’re interested in the Four Fiend Amor Technique. Hehe, but you don’t need to go outside. The technique isn't kept secret, and I’m proficient in it as well. I can hand over the entire cultivation art to you. With the immense baleful Qi on your body, you may even use the technique tomorrow during the trial.” As Elder Shi heartily laughed, he spoke the words that Han Li already anticipated.
When he saw so many ordinary earth abyss guards comprehend this technique, the Tian Peng elders likely knew this technique as well.
Now, his assumption was proven correct.
Suppressing his joy, Han Li respectfully answered, “Senior Shi, I can’t thank you enough. But are the techniques easy to comprehend? Would I be able to use them after a night?”
Elder Shi waved his hand and casually said, “Hehe, so long as Fellow Daoist Han assists Lei Lan and Bai Bi through the trial, I’m the one who should be thanking you. Don’t worry, the technique isn’t particularly complicated, and with your cultivation, you’ll be able to cultivate several layers in a single night. As for the last few layers, they require immense baleful Qi, so you won’t be able to use them.”
Han Li nodded several times in response.
Jin Yue raised no objections. Instead, she simply closed her eyes again.
Elder Shi took out a finger-sized bamboo tube from his robes and muttered to it for a moment before tossing it over to Han Li, “I’ve put the technique in there. You may return.”
“Many thanks, Senior!” Han Li then took the tube and climbed up the stairs without delay.
He sat cross-legged on his bed and pressed the tube against his forehead and immersed it with his spiritual sense.
Suddenly, an ancient green script flowed through Han Li’s mind, his face becoming entirely still.
Not long after, Han Li put away the tube into his storage pouch and his face relaxed.
The set of techniques was as Elder Shi had described. They were simple and he’d be able to condense a layer of baleful armor.
With that thought, Han Li rested his hands on his knees and began to comprehend the technique.
During this time, a layer of faintly black baleful Qi began to appear from his body.
The baleful Qi roiled and went still for a time. Not long after, his surroundings began to violently stir, creating a faint black wind around him and blurring Han Li’s figure from sight.
Chapter 1440: Untitled
On the morning of the second day, Bai Bi and Lei Lan descended to the first flood and quietly joined their elders who were calmly standing there as if they were waiting for something.
Both of the elders appeared somewhat hopeful, causing the two holy disciples to feel somewhat baffled. They also looked turned to look at the stairwell.
In the time it took to finish a meal, footsteps sounded from above. In a blur, Han Li appeared at the bottom of the stairs with a smile on his face.
Elder Shi’s eyes lit up and he asked, “Did you succeed?”
Han Li smiled, “Many thanks for your kindness. Senior. I almost have it entirely grasped. I should be able to use it to face the enemy.”
Jin Yue closely examined Han Li’s face and said, “Very good. This trial will prove much more dangerous than normal. Although Fellow Daoist Han possesses the cultivation of a high-grade Spirit General, I fear you will counter powerful enemies you won’t be able to face. That is why Elder Shi and I have prepared to hand over a clan protecting treasure to you. As such, if you truly come across something unexpected, you’ll be able to defend yourself.”
“A clan protecting treasure,” Han Li said with a tone of surprise.
“That’s right. This is the Lightning Wyrm Scissors. Take it.” As she spoke, she shook her sleeve and sent out an azure light.
Han Li unconsciously raised his hand and took the treasure into his hand.
Under closer examination, he found that the scissors were only a half-foot long and appeared quite old. Its surface was a deep azure, but the mysterious silver talisman designs showed it was no ordinary item.
Han Li stroked his hand across it and sensed a deep icy Qi. With joy in his heart, he asked, “Seniors, are you truly lending this to me?”
“In truth, there were several other treasures in the tribe that are more suitable for use in the earth abyss, but I fear those treasures will take up too much time to refine.
These Lightning Wyrm Scissors aren’t nearly as troublesome. So long as you infuse it with spiritual power, you will be able to use its awesome power to strike down your enemies. As a result, the treasures are also easily seized by enemies as well. Fellow Daoist Han should use it with care.” Jin Yue solemnly warmed.
“Many thanks, Senior. I will take great care using it.” Han Li didn’t hold back and took the treasure with a smile, knowing that this grand treasure was being handed over in order to help preserve the safety of the holy disciples.
Jin Yue nodded and spoke to both Bai Bi and Lei Lan but took out nothing else.
Han Li didn’t pay this any mind.
The two should’ve already been given treasures before they parted from the holy city. During Lei Lan’s battle with Hong Sha in the sparring arena, the golden gourd she used should’ve been one of those treasures.
A short moment later, the five walked out from the building and soared to the sky.
There were various other branches that had gathered there earlier.
This time, none of them were mounted on birds or flying insects. They were all floating with their wings.
Also, the holy disciples of the Flying Spirit Tribe’s various branches were gathering together, separated from their elders.
The holy disciples were now much different than the day before. They wore solemn expression and were whispering to one another.
Han Li blinked, simply bringing his fellow holy disciples to the corner of the group and remaining silent.
But not long after, Han Li sensed people looking at him. As his heart stirred, he looked back in their direction.
Three hundred meters away, there was a short skinny girl examining him.
Her skin was dark, but strange black tattoos were drawn on her neck.
When she saw Han Li looking at her, she smiled, reve
aling a mouthful of pure-white teeth.
Han Li felt his heart tremble!
He quickly swept his spiritual sense over to her and found that she was also a high-grade Spirit General. The strange aura on her body faintly gave him a sense of danger as if she cultivated a peculiar technique.
Han Li showed none of this on his face, instead merely moving his lips.
Standing at the side, Bai Bi with his eyes shut suddenly heard Han Li’s voice transmission.
He opened his eyes in a start and glanced at the skinny short girl. His face greatly changed and he hastily lowered his head.
With a voice of awe, Bai Bi replied in a voice transmission, “Brother Han, that is the Sevenpass Race’s Ao Qing. She is even more famous than Zhu Yinzi and is one of the most capable disciples of our generation. However, she is incredibly ruthless and her temperament is odd. She’ll take the lives of others without provocation. Brother Han had best avoid her attention.”
Han Li frowned. Just as he thought why that woman was examining him, he suddenly sensed a gloomy look aimed at him. This time, he felt genuine hostility.
Han Li’s expression sank and he looked to the side.
At another corner of the crowd, he saw Zhu Yinzi and the other Chi Rong disciples look at them with hostile expressions.
Han Li coldly returned a glance and expressionlessly looked away.
Given the Chi Rong’s attitude to the Tian Peng, they were certain to be up to no good. Han Li felt ill at ease over the matter.
Because Han Li and company had come somewhat later, they didn’t have to wait for much longer.
An hour later, the three grand elders from the council and the azure-armored man appeared in front of the crowd. The entire group then began to move forward and arrived at a small mountain in front of a huge wall.
For some unknown reason, the wall was completely barren. There weren’t any patrols or watches above the wall.
The azure-armored man then walked in front of the elders and spoke a few words, pointing at the wall.
A huge rumbling sounded and the wall stirred. In a flicker of rainbow light flashed, a faint silver spell formation appeared.
When the azure-armored man saw this, he immediately opened his mouth and spat a purple wooden badge.
The badge brightly lit up and released a purple beam of light. It flickered several times before striking the heart of the formation.
Suddenly, the silver spell formation roiled and beaming light roamed. The formation suddenly vanished, but a huge silver gate appeared underneath the wall.
The door was a hundred meters tall, gleaming with an icy light. From appearance and weight, it appeared to be formed from pure silver.
The azure-armored man wordlessly put away the wooden badge and swept his sleeve to the huge door in the distance.
Suddenly, a purple light mist swept out and struck the huge gate.
A huge gong sounded as the silver gate slowly opened.
A grey demonic wind immediately blew out from the gate. As it passed, the holy disciples shuddered, feeling as if knives were being pressed against their skin.
It was a truly odd sensation.
When Han Li felt how odd the wind was, blue light shined from his eyes.
The huge gate opened. Without any hesitation, the holy disciples began to walk through the gate.
When Han Li saw what was behind it, he felt his blood run cold.
As far as the eye could see, there was only black land, completely lacking light and even a single blade of grass. Be it stone or sand, it was only black as well.
The sky was covered in a grey mist that appeared quite dense. It was impossible to see through from below and seemed to have no end.
There were cracks in between the mist and the earth about a hundred meters tall, but one could hear winds harshly whistled without end as if the cracks would consume everything.
Everyone that heard this couldn't help but feel a chill.
‘So this is the earth abyss gate. It looks dangerous as expected,’ Han Li muttered to himself.
The old woman with a cane then said, “Alright, we’ve arrived. Apart from holy disciples, no one else will take a step forward. The earth abyss gate is a myriad kilometers outside the mist.”
Although her voice wasn’t loud, everyone could clearly hear it. Those that were restless immediately calmed down.
The white-haired man chuckled, “Since we’re here, you all must be anxious. Let's begin making the details clear.”
The old woman glanced at the white-haired man and calmly said, “The council of elders would like to inform you that the demons marked for this trial will be different from the past few. If you bring back an Infernal Flame Fruit, you will have passed. This spirit fruit is different from the others in that it is found in the areas that are darkest and filled with filthy Qi. The fruit needs to be about five hundred years of maturation and each tree only bears one fruit. The darkness on the first level won’t be enough for the fruit to grow. Of course, if you’re lucky, you could find it there. On the second floor, they may grow there in a small number, but we don’t guarantee anything. The third floor is where it is guaranteed that the fruit will grow and in great numbers as well. Act in accordance with your judgment. You have three months. After those months, the gate will open again to receive you, regardless if you’ve succeeded. I hoped you listened well.” The old woman’s voice was powerful. Knowing the odds of survival through the trial, Han Li listened to each and every one of her words carefully.
The tattooed old man sullenly commanded, “Since we’ve told you the details of the trial, you may set off. In three months, I hope I will see most of you again. As for the others, you will turn back. The Devil Sealing Gate will close again.”
With a wave of his sleeve, he made his way back to the outside without any intention of looking around.
The white-haired man and the old woman exchanged a glance before closely following after him. The others in the council of elders silently followed them. As for the branch elders, they took a few looks at their clan’s holy disciples before heading back.
Only a small portion of them sent them off with a voice transmission.
In the blink of an eye, the huge gate disappeared, leaving behind a few hundred holy disciples looking at each other in dismay.
Chapter 1441: First Level of the Earth Abyss
"Hehe, what are you all still thinking about? Could it be that you intend to stay here until three months later?" A burst of loud laughter erupted from within the crowd, following which a humanoid figure sped toward the distance as a white blur.
There were several people behind him following along in silence, and they appeared to be brethren of his.
Seeing as someone was leading the way, many people in the crowd also banded together to fly toward the rift beneath the mist.
Moments later, only a small portion of people remained on the same spot.
These people were chatting among themselves, completely unfazed by the fact that their competition was getting a headstart on them.
Han Li and the Chi Rong beings were among these people.
Following a resounding boom, the massive gate behind them slowly fell shut. Five-colored light swirled over its surface, following which the gate disappeared without a trace.
A stir ran through the remaining people upon seeing this. "Let's go." Han Li swept his gaze across the giant wall where the silver gate had disappeared before waving a hand and flying through the air as a streak of azure light following a flap of his wings.
Bai Bi and Lei Lan immediately followed along as a ball of silver light and a ball of golden light, respectively.
As soon as Han Li and the others departed, several beings from foreign races focused their attention on his group.
Aside from Chi Rong beings, there were a few holy disciples from other unfamiliar Flying Spirit Race branches, and all of them looked on with cold and sinister expressions as Han Li and the other gradually faded into the
distance.
Only after Han Li and the others had disappeared into the mist for a long while did Zhu Yinzi also spur the Chi Rong beings into action.
At this moment, there were only beings a dozen or so Flying Spirit Race branches remaining at the foot of the massive wall.
Most of these were branches that were quite powerful and situated very high up on the rankings. However, these people all wore indecisive expressions, and they were casting occasional glances toward the two of the remaining holy disciples.
One of them was a thin female child with dark skin; she was none other than Ao Qing of the Sevenpass Race. In contrast, the other person was a tall and broad man in a suit of black wooden armor. The man appeared to over 30 years of age with an unsettling light flashing within his two pairs of eyes. There was a broadsword that was of the same stature as him strapped to his back, and it was shimmering with cold golden light. It was unknown why he didn't place such a large object into a spatial storage device.
For some reason, all of the remaining holy disciples of the other power factions were waiting to see what these two were to do, and no one else departed.
After a while, the stalemate continued, and Ao Qing's brows furrowed slightly. She then giggled before flying away with a dozen or so of her brethren.
A cold light flashed through the eyes of the four-eyed man upon seeing this, and he strode forward, covering a distance of several tens of feet with a single step, pursuing Ao Qing as he also departed. Three men from the same race who were just as imposing as he was followed along behind him in silence.
All of the other Flying Spirit Tribe beings' expressions eased at the sight of their departure.
Many people even immediately gathered together to discuss some things.
After a while, these people departed in several successive waves as if everything had been planned out in advance.
Thus, the several hundred Flying Spirit Tribe holy disciples all disappeared into the black lands up ahead.
The area near the massive wall was now devoid of all beings.
At the same time, Han Li, Bai Bi, and Lei Lan were slowly flying through the air at low altitudes of just over 100 feet. The completely still and motionless grey mist up above was only just over 200 feet above their heads, and it stretched for as far as the eyes could see. That, paired with its monotonous and stifling grey hue made for a very depressing and oppressive effect.
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248 Page 808