The immense spiritual pressure generated by the violent compression and subsequent explosive release of massive amounts of spiritual energy instantly tore apart several layers of restriction formations that
A towering pillar of wind burst from the ground and soared into the sky before expanding outward, drawing everything within several li into the violent hurricane. At the same time, ring after ring of spatial fluctuations surged outward in all directions with frenzied force.
Even though Han Li and the others were already over a thousand li away, they could still clearly feel the world-ending aura of destruction emanating from the distant location.
The expressions of all three shifted slightly.
If their reaction had been even half a step slower and they had still lingered within that space, things would likely have ended very badly for them.
"Not good. Those Jiaochi people are heading this way — they're moving fast and will be here any moment,"
"They've definitely detected our presence and are using some kind of secret art to lock onto us. We can't stay here any longer — we need to split up and flee immediately. Those Jiaochi clan members have been lingering in this place for so long; whatever they're after must be significant. They won't necessarily pursue us relentlessly." Han Li had seemingly sensed the same thing, and his expression turned grave as he spoke in a low voice.
With the treasures already in hand, the three had originally planned to go their separate ways anyway, so upon hearing Han Li's words, the other two naturally had no objections.
"In that case, I'll be taking my leave first!" Shi Kun cupped his fists toward Han Li and Liu Shui'er, then transformed into a streak of yellow light and shot away at tremendous speed.
"Brother Han, let's reconvene in Cloud City in a few months." Liu Shui'er also offered a light laugh.
With a flick of her sleeve, a palm-sized silver canoe burst forth and, in a flash, expanded to over a zhang in length, positioning itself directly beneath her feet.
With a delicate step, she nimbly alighted onto the canoe.
At the same moment, the air rippled, and a flash of five-colored spiritual light burst from the void and plunged into Liu Shui'er's embrace — it was none other than the small winged sable.
Having retrieved her spirit beast, Liu Shui'er wasted not another instant. A silver glow flashed beneath her feet, and the canoe appeared dozens of zhang away in the blink of an eye, piercing through the sky in a different direction.
Seeing this, Han Li's eye twitched slightly. He formed a seal with one hand, and with a sudden clap of thunder, a pair of crystalline wings materialized behind his back.
The wings gave a gentle beat, and he transformed into a cyan-white thread of light that shot outward at blistering speed.
In just a few flashes, Han Li had traversed several hundred zhang and appeared at the edge of the sky.
Right at that moment, the sound of something tearing through the air rang out nearby. A small white serpent materialized, flickered, and dove into the thread of light, vanishing without a trace.
The light thread paused for barely an instant before accelerating to full speed and disappearing over the horizon.
A short while later, from the opposite end of the sky, a flash of spiritual light appeared as over a dozen streaks of fleeing light converged together. With a unified howl, they arrived at the spot where Han Li and the others had originally been standing.
The streaks of light withdrew, revealing over a dozen Jiaochi people dressed in various attires.
The leader was a young man with a golden horn protruding from his head, his expression exceptionally grim.
"These people were quick-witted enough — they fled fast. But while we were carrying out our great plan, members of other races were hiding nearby and spying on us. If we hadn't triggered the restrictions, we might never have discovered them. We absolutely cannot let them get away. Leng Han,
"Rest assured, Envoy Shu Shu. We will not fail your trust." A man and a woman from among the Jiaochi immediately bowed and responded.
The man was in his forties, tall and broad, with dense scales covering his skin and a pair of blue curved horns atop his head — a fierce and imposing figure.
The woman was petite in stature, with delicate features and a short white horn several inches long between her brows. She wore an unfamiliar set of silver robes.
After each of them beckoned to the rest of the group, three people immediately flew out from the formation and took positions behind them.
"You four should go with Fellow Daoist Leng as well. I'll handle this alone." The young man noticed that four people in the group still hadn't moved and furrowed his brow as he gave his instruction.
"But, Envoy..."
The remaining four were taken aback, and one of them hesitated, muttering uncertainly.
"Hmph, have you all forgotten what treasures I have on me this time? Even without employing a Profound Heavenly Sacred Artifact, would I need to fear some mere Upper Realm cultivator with my abilities?" The young man let out a cold snort, his tone brooking no argument.
Hearing the young man called Shu Shu speak thus, the remaining four exchanged glances and silently acknowledged the logic. They nodded and split into pairs, joining the blue-horned large man and the white-robed woman respectively.
Following this, the Jiaochi people, under the lead of the two, rose into the air one after another, transforming into over a dozen brilliant streaks of rainbow light that pursued in different directions — the very directions in which Liu Shui'er and Shi Kun had fled.
In the blink of an eye, only the golden-horned young man remained at the location.
The young man withdrew his gaze from the distance and cast a cold look in the direction Han Li had vanished. He gave a light pat at his waist.
With a whoosh, a ball of yellow light flew forth.
A long cry resembling a dragon's roar rang out, and a bizarre beast resembling a deep-yellow lizard materialized in a flash.
The creature had six legs and two pairs of enormous fleshy wings on its back. In an instant it had grown to over ten zhang in length, looking utterly ferocious.
The golden-horned young man swayed and appeared standing atop the enormous lizard's head in the next instant.
With a flip of his hand, a blood-red yet crystal-translucent snail materialized in his palm.
However, most of this spirit insect's body had retreated into its shell, and its two antennae were curled up into a ball, giving it an utterly languid appearance.