"Why bother with all this trouble? With the three of us joining forces, as long as we don't encounter any truly formidable fierce beasts native to this realm, we'll be more than capable of protecting ourselves. It'll be a full year before we're teleported back, and we don't even know where we are. Finding the restricted zone where those ruins lie, plus achieving our own cultivation breakthroughs — we barely have enough time as it is. Why go through this extra step!" Shi Kun was a hulking man with ghastly grey-white skin that resembled weathered rock, yet at this moment he simply shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist Shi. This Primordial Magnetic Divine Light combination technique was created by my master specifically for today's operation — she painstakingly developed it years ago, and its power far exceeds ordinary imagination. I insist that we practice this technique together first. Otherwise, should we run into a formidable enemy, it will be too late for regrets."
"Is that so? I still believe that getting to the restricted zone as quickly as possible and seizing the time to break through our bottlenecks is what truly matters. I, Shi, have never practiced any combination technique before, and yet I've still achieved what I have today." Shi Kun let out an eerie laugh, clearly unwilling to yield.
"Fellow Daoist Han, what do you think?" Liu Shu'er's eyes grew even colder beneath her hood as she turned to
"What I mean is... since the two of you disagree, but none of us can afford to lose either one of you — why not each give a little? We spend half a month practicing this combination secret technique, and no matter how well or poorly we coordinate by the end, we set off immediately to find the restricted zone. That way, we get at least some familiarity with the technique, and I imagine Brother Shi can afford to wait a mere half month." Han Li pondered for a moment before offering these words.
"Well..."
"Fine. I'll go along with Fellow Daoist's suggestion."
Upon hearing Han Li's suggestion, the cloaked woman hesitated briefly, while Shi Kun only thought for a moment before agreeing decisively.
"Since you both feel this way, I have no choice but to agree. Let it be so, then." Liu Shu'er could only reluctantly nod her head.
"In that case, let's first find a place to settle down, then study and practice." Han Li said with a smile.
Shi Kun and the other had no objections to this. All three immediately doubled their escape speed, releasing their spiritual sense simultaneously as they shot through the nearby void like meteors.
They had expected to find a small island quickly, but to their great surprise, it took a full day and night of flying before they spotted a small island, roughly a dozen li across, far off on the ocean surface.
It was sunset, and the sky above the island blazed with crimson clouds, while the surrounding sea was pitch-black, emanating a faint eerie glow — as if a vast swatch of dark oilcloth had been draped across the water.
Upon spotting the island, Han Li and his companions reduced their speed, revealing their forms several li away, and swept their gazes ahead.
"There's something odd here. My spiritual sense can't penetrate deep into the island, and the sea below reeks of demonic beast aura. It seems some kind of sea beast has claimed this island." Shi Kun's expression grew serious as he spoke first.
"That's right. There is a sea beast below, but its cultivation isn't high — roughly comparable to ours." Blue light flickered in Han Li's pupils as he spoke slowly.
"You can see beneath the island?" Liu Shu'er was somewhat surprised.
Just moments ago, she had been in much the same state as Shi Kun — the moment her spiritual sense touched the sea near the island, it had turned hazy and unclear. It seemed the surrounding waters had a strong suppressive effect on spiritual sense.
"I've had the fortune of cultivating certain special secret techniques that grant minor abilities of enhanced sight and hearing. I didn't use my spiritual sense to see it." Han Li replied frankly.
"That's excellent. With Brother Han possessing such an ability, we'll be able to avoid quite a few dangers." Hearing this, Shi Kun was delighted, and began addressing Han Li as a sworn brother.
Han Li simply chuckled lightly.
"Indeed. With Fellow Daoist Han possessing such a gift, our chances on this journey improve considerably. Since the island is already occupied by a sea beast, we should look for another spot. It's not worth wasting our magical power over a mere resting place." Liu Shu'er's eyes brightened momentarily before she said this.
This time, Shi Kun had no objection to the cloaked woman's words and immediately nodded in agreement.
But after a moment of thought, Han Li shook his head:
"I'm afraid even if we find another location, it won't be any better."
"Oh? What do you mean by that, Brother Han?" Shi Kun was somewhat taken aback.
Liu Shu'er also blinked and looked over, puzzled.
"What did you two think of our escape speed just now?" Han Li didn't answer directly, instead posing a question.
"It was decent enough. We weren't going all out, but we must have been using sixty to seventy percent of our full speed." Shi Kun answered without hesitation.
"Exactly. With the three of us flying at that speed for a full day and night, we must have already covered several million li. And on top of that, we had our spiritual sense scanning everything around us the entire time. Under those circumstances, don't you find it strange that we've only just now found a single island like this?" Han Li sighed.
"If Fellow Daoist Han has something to say, just spit it out clearly. My mind isn't the sharpest, and I've always hated people who talk in circles." Shi Kun snorted several times, sounding somewhat impatient.