Rising Winds Beyond the Seas – Aiding in Destroying Demonic Beasts

Chapter 543: Rising Winds Beyond the Seas – Aiding in Destroying Demonic Beasts

After entering the mid-stage of Core Formation, Han Li had secluded himself in his cultivation chamber for over twenty years before emerging.

During that time, he had not consumed all the medicinal pills; a small portion still remained in his storage pouch.

This was not because he had grown restless and was impatient to leave before fully refining the medicines.

Rather, after cultivating to a point nearing late-stage Core Formation, he had finally encountered a cultivation bottleneck. Without breaking through this restraint, even if he consumed countless more pills, his cultivation would hardly advance a single step.

Methods for surmounting bottlenecks depended on one’s personal karmic luck and the characteristics of one’s technique—there were basically no fixed rules.

Still, among cultivators who had reached this stage in the past, some had broken through naturally while meditating in seclusion, others had gained insight while touring scenic mountains and waters, and still others had unexpectedly broken through in the life-or-death moment of a desperate battle.

Given this, Han Li was naturally unwilling to waste time idling in his cultivation chamber. He decided to go out and search for the rumored Companion Demon Grass, and see if, during his travels, he might break through the bottleneck by chance.

Since he had no idea how long it would take to accomplish anything, Han Li naturally did not dare to leave the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng behind in his residence for long.

Thus, he intended to abandon the cave dwelling on this mist-shrouded sea island.

Having Gongsun Xing take over was not a bad arrangement. At the very least, the place would remain safe for some time.

As for the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng, the issue of having to nourish it periodically with earthen qi had indeed been troublesome before Han Li had reached mid-stage Core Formation.

But now that he had entered mid-stage Core Formation, that worry no longer existed!

Han Li now had the ability to draw the essential earthen qi from the island and inject it directly into the spirit ginseng’s main body, ensuring its safety.

The direction in which Han Li was now flying was precisely toward the market town the young woman had mentioned. Only in such a place, where cultivators gathered frequently, would Han Li have the chance to obtain news of eighth-grade demonic beasts.

Once that was done, he could think of other ways to see if he could acquire the Companion Demon Grass.

As for the notion of simply purchasing the spirit herb directly from the market, Han Li had never entertained the thought that such good fortune would be waiting for him.

Han Li’s flying light moved at tremendous speed.

Although the young woman had said the island with the market town would take half a month’s journey, for him, it could be reached in just a few days at full speed.

On the second day, when Han Li was traveling across the sea at full speed, a streak of red light suddenly soared diagonally from the distance, with several balls of gray-white aura in hot pursuit.

At the sight, Han Li’s brow twitched slightly.

Then, with a thought, a string of barely audible incantations escaped his lips, followed by a series of faint crackling sounds from his body—quick and dense—as a ball of azure light rose over his face.

After a moment, Han Li’s figure silently stretched several inches taller; the azure light scattered, revealing a slightly sallow, unfamiliar face.

This was precisely the “Shape-Shifting Art,” one of the secret techniques of the Profound Yin Scripture that Han Li had deliberately cultivated during his seclusion.

This secret art could not only elongate or shorten various parts of the body at will, but also control the loosening and tightening of muscles and instantly change the color of one’s skin. It was absolutely the finest disguise technique available.

Based on Han Li’s estimation, this technique was in no way inferior to the other famous disguise arts spoken of in legends. Even facing a cultivator with spiritual sense a tier above his own, it would not be easily seen through. That was precisely why it had been included in the Profound Yin Scripture.

The only drawback of this secret art was that once activated, the practitioner could only use up to seventy percent of their full magical power.

If one used more than seventy percent of their mana in a fight, the effect of the Shape-Shifting Art would vanish, restoring the original appearance.

However, Han Li was not troubled by this.

Whenever he decided to conceal his identity, he most likely had no intention of revealing his true strength. Limiting his cultivation would not greatly affect him.

Just as Han Li finished altering his face, the red light in the distance spotted his presence. Immediately, as if grasping at a lifeline, it rushed toward him with all its might.

Seeing this, Han Li simply stopped his flying light and let out a light sigh in his heart.

It was not because trouble had come knocking that made him sigh.

Rather, Han Li felt that this fleeing person, without even knowing whether this stranger he had encountered could save him, had first intended to drag him into the mess—approaching without any hesitation. It seemed his character was rather poor.

As for the gray-white auras behind, they were clearly just three or four rank demonic beasts.

This, coming right after Han Li had been deeply moved by Gongsun Xing’s filial piety, suddenly made him feel that human nature was indeed a very complex issue.

It truly could not be generalized!

“Fellow Daoist, save me! I, Huang Mingli, will surely reward you generously!” Within the red flying light was a withered old man with a rat-like face and furtive eyes. Before he had even reached Han Li, he was already shouting for help in panic, his face full of terror.

He was quick-witted enough. Though he had not yet clearly discerned Han Li’s cultivation level, seeing how steadily the other party remained as unmovable as a mountain, he immediately knew his life might be saved.

Han Li’s expression remained unchanged. Watching the old man fly right up to him, he lazily raised a hand. Five faint azure sword lights shot out from his palm, instantly intercepting the five demonic beasts behind and engaging them in battle.

Seeing this, the old man finally let out a long sigh of relief. He also released a ring of fire, a magical tool, to join the attack on the five beasts.

Han Li cast a sidelong glance at the old man. His cultivation was close to the Half-Foundation stage. No wonder he had managed to escape with his life under the siege of so many third- and fourth-rank demonic beasts.

After turning his head back, Han Li directed his few sword energies to slowly trap the beasts, in no hurry to deliver a killing blow and expose his full cultivation.

But even so, it greatly boosted the little old man’s spirits. He drove his fire-attribute magical tool to ruthlessly beat these beasts while they were already cornered.

After wearing them down a little longer, Han Li judged the time was right and began to move his Azure Origin Sword Lights to slay the demonic beasts one by one.

“Many thanks to this senior for saving my life! Might senior be heading to the market town on Nanli Island?” The little old man no longer needed to check Han Li’s cultivation to know that the other party was definitely a Core Formation cultivator. Thus, he respectfully stepped forward, bowed, and asked with a flattering smile.

“Yes, I was planning to go to the market to exchange for some things.” Han Li nodded calmly.

“Then senior need not go any further. It would be a wasted trip,” Huang Mingli blinked his small eyes and suddenly said with a bitter smile.

“What do you mean?” Han Li’s expression moved slightly. He showed a hint of surprise.

“A few days ago, the market town on Nanli Island was accidentally discovered by some low-rank demonic beasts. Although most of the beasts were slain on the spot, the ones that escaped the next day attracted a large swarm of high-rank fourth- and fifth-rank beasts. The cultivators in the market suffered heavy losses and were forced to break out in separate groups. I was one of them. Only, I never expected to run into this group of beasts halfway,” the little old man explained carefully in front of Han Li, a Core Formation cultivator.

“So you’re saying I really came all this way for nothing?” Han Li frowned, his expression darkening.

“Well… if senior truly wishes to buy or sell something, this old man can recommend another place. The items there are all genuine treasures, and only cultivators above Foundation Establishment may enter. However, this market requires an introduction by a known acquaintance to enter, and its location often changes. This old man still has the qualifications to make such an introduction. If senior is willing to go, I can lead the way, as a token of gratitude for saving my life.” Huang Mingli’s eyes rolled slightly, and he showed a mouthful of yellow teeth as he spoke with a mysterious face.

“A place like that? Are you talking about a secret market?” Han Li was taken aback for a moment, then asked thoughtfully.

“Senior jokes. These days, what market isn’t a secret market? Everyone has to tread carefully. If the demonic beasts discover them, the end result is always the same,” the little old man said with a somewhat embarrassed, hurried explanation.

“That is true.” Han Li could not help but chuckle drily at these words.

“How far is this place you mentioned from here?” Han Li then asked.

“Starting from here, if we hurry a little, it would only take about half a month. By then, the market should be just opening for business.” Huang Mingli seemed very familiar with this secret market and answered without a moment’s thought.

“Fine. I’ll go with you and take a look.” After some brief consideration, Han Li had no choice but to agree.

“Excellent! Ah, senior, please wait a moment!” Huang Mingli showed excitement but did not immediately lead the way. Instead, after blinking his eyes, he suddenly remembered something.

He quickly asked for forgiveness, then dove downward, heading straight for the several demonic beast carcasses floating on the sea surface.

Han Li watched this scene, stunned for a moment, then understood the man’s intention and smiled faintly.

After a short while, the little old man expertly dismembered the demonic beasts and stored them separately into his storage pouch. Only then did he fly back into the air, beaming.

“Please don’t laugh at me, senior. These beasts may not be worth much in your eyes, but to this junior, they are still a considerable income!” Huang Mingli said somewhat sheepishly.

After all, all five demonic beasts had been slain by Han Li.

“No matter. I have no use for these beasts. Let’s get moving,” Han Li said, shaking his head lightly. Without changing his expression, he urged them on.

(End of chapter)