After the blood mist had completely dissipated, every last demon had been wiped from existence!
The cultivators, who had only just recovered from the daze induced by that cold snort, beheld the scene around them and were naturally struck dumb with astonishment.
"Which senior intervened to save us? This junior is Jian Feitian of the Heavenly Horse Gate — I offer my deepest gratitude to the senior for the life-saving grace!" It was the white-bearded elder who recovered first. Joy flooded his face as he hastily performed a grand bow toward the figure wreathed in azure light high above.
Hearing the elder's words, the other cultivators — men and women, old and young — suddenly understood what had happened. Overcome with elation, they dropped to the ground one after another in reverence.
"We are all of the human race. Since I happened upon the scene, it was only natural that I could not stand by and do nothing. Head west at once — there are no demons in that direction, so it should be safe for the time being. As for anything else, I'm afraid I cannot offer further assistance." The figure in the sky spoke in an indifferent tone, then flicked his broad sleeve. Instantly, the sky full of sword light contracted in unison, each streak vanishing with a flash.
"Might I ask the senior's honored name? The Heavenly Horse lineage shall forever maintain a shrine in the senior's honor to repay this immense kindness!" The white-bearded elder strained to make out the features of the figure within the azure light, but to no avail. He bowed deeply once more, his voice brimming with the utmost respect.
"Heh, there is no need for such formalities. I only did what came to hand. Well then, I must be on my way — take care of yourselves." The figure let out a light, noncommittal laugh, and before the elder could say anything more, it erupted with blinding spiritual light and transformed into an azure streak that shot away at incredible speed.
The sound of something tearing through the air rang out several times, and the streak of light vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye, as though it covered a thousand li in a single instant.
The white-bearded cultivator was startled by such astonishing speed. He stood dazed for a good while before he finally rose to his feet as if in a trance.
"Master, do you know which senior saved our sect?" A Nascent Soul stage man walked up to the elder and asked cautiously.
"Hmm. To annihilate so many high-ranking demons in a single sweep — that is something no Void Refining cultivator could possibly accomplish. Even an ordinary Spatial Tempering cultivator would find it extremely difficult. As for Spatial Tempering seniors surnamed Han in this vicinity, I know of only two. One is Senior Han Qing, the Nine Tears True Man, who recently pledged allegiance to the Holy Emperor. The other is Senior Han Li, who resides near Heavenpeak City. Both possess unfathomable Magical Power and extraordinary abilities, so it must have been one of them. As for which exactly it was — once we are truly out of danger, we shall naturally make inquiries. This life-saving grace must never be forgotten." The white-bearded elder thought for a moment, then let out a soft breath as he spoke.
"Yes, I heed Master's words. However, since demons have appeared here, it is no longer safe. Shall we continue on our original course to seek refuge with the Hidden Sect concealed in the Black Water Mountain Range, or shall we head west as that senior suggested? From what I know, the west is quite desolate — mostly open plains, with few places that would serve as a concealed refuge." The middle-aged man asked another respectful question.
"The Black Water Mountain Range is not terribly far from here, but I doubt it is much safer anymore. If Senior Han mentioned that there are no demons to the west, I see no reason to doubt him. As for the land being desolate and mostly plains — what of it? Do you truly believe that hiding in a mountain range would shield you from the divine sense sweeps of those high-ranking demons? As long as we can find a remote location, set up a formation, and bury ourselves deep underground, it is not impossible to weather this demon tribulation. After all, the demons cannot possibly scour every last inch of our territory." The white-bearded elder narrowed his eyes and let out a cold laugh.
"Understood. I shall relay the order to head west at once." The middle-aged man pondered briefly, then nodded repeatedly.
"Oh, and check the storage artifacts on those demons. They were elite forces — their worldly possessions are surely substantial. Since Senior Han saw fit to leave them behind, he clearly has no use for such things. But for our Heavenly Horse Gate, they are far from insignificant." The elder suddenly remembered and hastily added the instruction.
The middle-aged man naturally agreed, turned around, and loudly conveyed the white-bearded elder's orders to the rest of the group.
And so the several dozen human cultivators first scattered their flight light and dove toward the ground. After a brief moment, they all rose again in unison, changed course, and flew off to the west.
As for the demons who had vanished, it would likely take at least ten days to half a month before their side discovered anything amiss.
The figure within the azure light was, of course, Han Li.
He had encountered this sort of demon assault on human cultivators no fewer than five or six times along the way. Upon confirming that no demon lords of any significant rank were present, he had not hesitated to unleash devastating force and sweep the roaming demons clean off the map.
Now, short of running into a full demon army led by several demon lords acting in concert, there was truly very little he needed to fear.
Half a month later, a stretch of dark, primeval forest loomed ahead. The trees within were towering, their foliage dense, and the occasional low growl of some beast drifted out, lending the place an eerie, bone-chilling quality.
Han Li reined in his flight light and materialized at the forest's edge, peering deep into the woods.
Far in the distance, seven mountain peaks of varying sizes could faintly be seen linked together, forming a small range.
"The Yellow Springs Earthfire! I've heard of this place before. It truly lives up to its reputation — a location of extreme Yin energy. I imagine very few cultivators come here unless they cultivate Yin-attribute techniques." Han Li murmured to himself, then withdrew his gaze, transformed once more into a long streak of rainbow light, and shot straight toward those distant peaks.