Hearing Han Li's words, Shi Kun was taken aback for a moment, but quickly replied with a laugh:
"Brother Han's abilities are certainly no less than mine or Fairy Liu's, so let's stop flattering each other and get down to business. Another day or two of travel and we'll truly be entering the depths of the Dark Beast Forest. The vast majority of dark beasts live in there. We'll need to be on our absolute guard if we want to pass through."
"When we reach the center of the Dark Beast Forest, don't even think about killing any stray dark beasts. Our restrictions work well enough against ordinary ones, but when it comes to the high-grade three-eyed dark beasts, the moment we make a move, there's no way we can conceal ourselves from their senses. Plus, deep in the forest, we won't be able to release our spiritual sense to scan the entire area beforehand. Once a fight breaks out, the danger will be unimaginable," Liu Shui'er added in a grave voice.
"If we are truly forced to fight, we can't drag things out like we have been. The three of us must strike together, aiming to kill the target in an instant — that's the only way to minimize the risk." Shi Kun pondered briefly, then offered this additional thought.
"Mm. With the combined strength of the three of us, if we're only facing a single ordinary dark beast, killing it in an instant shouldn't be too difficult. But if we run into a high-grade dark beast, that's another story entirely." Han Li rubbed his chin, a contemplative look in his eyes.
"If we really do end up targeted by a high-grade dark beast, then our combined Yuan Magnetic Divine Light technique might finally see some use." Liu Shui'er gave a light laugh.
"That's right! I almost forgot about that secret technique. With that in our arsenal, even a lone high-grade dark beast shouldn't be anything to fear." Shi Kun's eyes lit up at once, and he clapped his hands together with a hearty laugh.
"However, that technique should only be our absolute last resort. I'd rather not be hunted by a horde of high-grade dark beasts all at once," Han Li said, shaking his head, still looking somewhat worried.
"Rest assured. The two of us understand that much, Brother Shi. Once Fairy Liu and I have each obtained a piece of dark beast hide, let's transform and proceed formally from there. The three of us should maintain some distance between us — bunched too closely together, we'll be far too conspicuous," Liu Shui'er suggested.
"Fairy Liu makes a good point. Then I'll go on ahead first." Shi Kun cracked a broad grin upon hearing this.
He formed a single-handed seal, and the dark, shadowy beast hide surfaced over his body. A ball of silver light flew from his sleeve and merged into the hide. The big man rolled once, and in an instant transformed into a black dark beast. With a slight push of its limbs, it shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
Han Li and Liu Shui'er didn't hesitate either. They each cast their own techniques, transforming into two more black dark beasts. Splitting left and right, they followed close behind.
During their flight, each of them activated their treasures again to further conceal their presence.
In this place where shadows of trees loomed everywhere, spotting the traces of the three of them became all but impossible.
On the road that followed, whenever Han Li and the others detected any sign of strange beasts or the slightest stir of wind and movement, they would quietly and imperceptibly detour well around it, never making contact with another creature.
In the first few days, encounters with dark beasts were still relatively infrequent, and these beasts rarely appeared alone — most moved in groups of two or three.
After another seven or eight days, when they had truly entered the central region of the forest, the dark beasts began appearing in groups of five or six, or even packs of more than ten.
This sent a slight jolt of alarm through all three of them, and they grew even more cautious than before.
Fortunately, their concealment techniques were fairly adept, and their Magical Power far exceeded that of ordinary dark beasts by a significant margin, so they managed to avoid any mishaps.
Whether it was their own good fortune or some unusual occurrence within the Dark Beast Forest, the much-rumored high-grade three-eyed dark beasts never once appeared along their path. Unimpeded, they infiltrated straight to the very heart of the Dark Beast Forest.
If the next three or four days went as smoothly, they would pass through the most dangerous stretch of the Dark Beast Forest and could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
But rather than feeling more at ease, Han Li and the others grew increasingly solemn-faced with each passing day.
All three were seasoned veterans of extraordinary experience. They had witnessed countless tales of things going wrong at the very last moment. The complete absence of high-grade dark beasts in the depths of this forest filled them with relief on one hand, yet kept them muttering doubts to themselves in uneasy silence.
As they pressed onward, even the ordinary dark beasts grew scarce — over the next two days, they encountered barely a dozen in total.
A chill ran down Han Li's spine, and he grew ever more vigilant.
……
Han Li moved through the forest like a spectral phantom. A towering tree loomed directly before him, yet the green shadow of his transformed form simply surged forward and passed through it as though it were intangible, without producing the slightest sound.
Such an uncanny movement technique naturally granted him a frighteningly swift speed of travel.
Yet his brow was furrowed tight. A faint blue glow shimmered in his eyes as his gaze swept ceaselessly through his surroundings.
Since he dared not release his spiritual sense in the heart of this forest, his only recourse was to rely on the Bright Clear Spirit Eye technique to detect the dark beasts ahead and give them a wide berth in time.
He had no idea what methods Liu Shui'er and Shi Kun were employing, but whenever a dark beast appeared, the two of them evaded just as swiftly as he did.
This came as quite a surprise to Han Li.
Had these two likewise cultivated some wondrous technique involving the five senses, or were they relying on some unknown treasures to achieve the same effect?
His estimation of them rose a few more notches in his mind.
As these thoughts turned over within him, Han Li's gaze shifted, glancing toward the left and right.