"Rest assured, I've long made all preparations. Tens of millions of ghost soldiers have already infiltrated their predetermined positions. It's a pity that the opponent's location is also one of those main planes that cannot be converted; otherwise, we could have used their entry point to this world to directly invade their plane in return. Still, settling things through a battle between powerhouses works just as well. After all, apart from this small world, there's virtually no major conflict of interest between them and us." The last figure, despite being short and small in stature, replied in a shrill, infant-like voice.
"Through soul-searching the captured beings, we've learned that the opponent appears to be located in a completely sealed-off cluster of small planes, having long lost contact with the Immortal Realm. Had it not been for a tremor that coincidentally happened to link this small world to two main planes, we would never have been able to reach them at all. And because of this, their cultivation system has likely remained largely unchanged since ancient times, still retaining certain techniques and secret arts that are rare in other plane clusters nowadays. This is one of the reasons why Boss Ming Xiong sent all five of us out in one go. On one hand, he hopes we can overwhelm the opponent and claim this small world for ourselves. On the other, he hopes that the five of us can gain some insight from these battles against enemies unlike any we've faced before. Haven't you noticed that all five of us among the ten have been stuck at our bottlenecks for years, unable to advance our strength any further?" The shadow with the gloomy voice spoke unhurriedly.
"Now that you mention it, that really is the case. Boss Ming Xiong really has thought things through. Heh heh, a cultivation system from ancient times — now that's truly rare. I hope they don't disappoint me." The tall shadow's eyes brightened upon hearing this.
"Very well. Since no one else has questions, let's leave it here for today. Everyone go back and rest properly. Tomorrow, we'll begin sending people to make contact with the opponent and start setting up the agreed-upon restrictions at the dueling ground." The shadow with the gloomy voice made the final decision.
The other shadows naturally nodded in agreement.
Early the next morning, at the five mountain peaks along the dividing line, armored soldiers and horrifying ghostly creatures wreathed in black qi appeared at each location, each claiming one peak and getting busy.
A full half-day later, the formation masters on both sides finally completed their respective arrangements, and with tacit understanding, immediately exchanged positions to inspect each other's work.
Several more hours passed before all the formation masters withdrew from the peaks, leaving only a few guards behind to keep vigilant watch.
One more day later, when Han Li walked out from his resting quarters and arrived at the hall of the temporary fortress, he finally met the top powerhouse of the Blood Heaven Continent known as "Blood Fiend" — an unremarkable-looking middle-aged man in a gray robe, with a crystal-clear blood-red headband tied around his head and a short beard beneath his chin.
However, after Han Li's gaze swept over the man, he could clearly sense the terrifyingly intense aura of blood hidden within his body, which could not help but send a chill through his heart.
Before Han Li had the chance to exchange words with this newly appeared powerhouse, Bi Ying called out to him, and together they walked out of the great hall and flew directly into an "island" floating high in the sky.
The next moment, this massive magical artifact carried them all forward through the air.
Before long, the island had reached a point high in the sky roughly ten-odd li from the five mountain peaks, where it hovered to a stop once more.
Then Han Li and the other four flickered and appeared on the surface of the island, silently gazing toward the other side.
From the black qi on the other side of the dividing line not far away, a thunderous rumble rang out as a colossal mountain of white bone burst forth. After several flickers, it too arrived near the peaks and came to a halt.
With a muffled pop, a plume of black qi surged from the top of the bone mountain, and within it, several shadowy figures of varying heights could be seen flickering about.
Bi Ying's pupils contracted. He looked up at the sky, then stood in place with a dark expression, saying nothing.
Han Li and the others naturally kept studying the black qi on the opposite side as well, but not a single one of them showed the slightest change in expression.
After a full period of time it takes to eat a meal, the brilliant white sun that had been hanging high in the sky suddenly dimmed by a full three-tenths.
The armored soldiers and ghostly creatures that had been stationed near the peaks immediately scattered as if on cue, each side rapidly withdrawing back to their own territory.
Seeing this, Bi Ying's expression shifted. He cupped his fists toward the others and said: "Fellow Daoists, the time has come. Regardless of the outcome of this battle, the rewards I have promised will not fall short by even a fraction."
"With a word from Brother Bi, that's enough." Blood Fiend smiled faintly, his shoulders swayed, and he was the first to transform into a blood-red rainbow that shot toward one of the peaks.
"The item that I, Lei, want — you've prepared it as well."
"Rest easy, Brother Lei. The item has long been found, waiting for you to claim it."
Upon hearing Bi Ying's personal guarantee, the silver-armored giant surnamed Lei laughed heartily. A thunderous rumble rose from beneath his feet as a thundercloud materialized out of thin air, lifting his figure and drifting outward.
Wen Xinfeng smiled radiantly, tossed the small beast in her hands into the air, rolled on the spot, and transformed into a massive silver marten with fleshy wings growing from its back.
The creature merely fluttered its wings and shot out as a streak of silver light. After a sudden wide circle, it scooped Wen Xinfeng onto its back before streaking off into the distance.
Han Li smiled faintly, gave Bi Ying a slight cup of his fists, then took a great stride forward.
With a flicker, he vanished from where he stood, only to reappear over a hundred zhang away in the next instant. After a few more steps, he arrived directly above the second peak from the left.