58: Stranger

“Brother Han, your martial arts are excellent.”

“Senior Brother Ji, your saber technique is strong.”

The two exchanged pleasantries, then immediately divided the Demonic Toad's corpse.

After the distribution was complete, they continued deeper.

Soon, they vanished into the mist.

Half an hour later, the two arrived at the depths of the Hidden Mist Grand Canyon.

Here, the mist was even thicker.

Beyond two or three zhang, nothing could be seen.

“It seems today is likely a bust.” After searching around, Ji Boda sighed deeply.

“Demons aren't fixed in one place, Senior Brother Ji, there's no need to be discouraged. How about we go look at other dangerous areas?”

Han Li spoke.

Slaying demons and taking lives, his blood Qi was unparalleled.

The Demonic Qi was a great boost to him, and to impact the third Spiritual Vein, Han Li also needed even richer Qi and True Qi.

“It seems Brother Han is in high spirits, haha. Alright then, I can't be a spoilsport. Let's go, we'll check out other places.”

Ji Boda smiled, and then the two headed out of the Hidden Mist Grand Canyon... In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two emerged.

Leaving the Hidden Mist Grand Canyon and reaching the ground, Ji Boda looked around and then at Han Li: “How about we go check out the north?”

“No problem.” Han Li nodded.

Ji Boda said nothing more and immediately headed north, with Han Li following close behind.

—

Leaving the Grand Canyon, the two traveled at full speed, crossing plains and forests, arriving before a peculiar mountain.

This mountain was several hundred zhang tall, steep and rugged, with rocks and vegetation all displaying an eerie black color.

This was also the second dangerous area of Demon Suppression Valley.

Black Mountain.

Spanning several hundred li.

The vegetation and rocks were all black.

Just as its name implied.

Looking at the Black Mountain before him, Han Li examined it carefully.

Black vegetation was indeed rare.

However, the world was vast, and full of wonders.

It wasn't anything particularly strange.

“Brother Han, this is Black Mountain. Let's see how our luck is.” Ji Boda spoke.

“Are there any special demons here?” Han Li asked.

“There is a type of Chang Monster that is extremely difficult to deal with.”

Ji Boda said.

“Chang Monster?”

“What kind of monster is that?” Han Li asked.

“It's a monster that's essentially a resentful spirit that has gained sentience.” Ji Boda explained.

“Resentful spirit gaining sentience...”

“So, this Chang Monster is also a type of spirit-body demon?” Han Li asked.

Ji Boda: “You could say that, but the difference is, Chang Monsters have physical bodies. If you don't kill them in one blow, they can instantly revive, so you need to be careful. They are also skilled in mental attacks. This monster feeds on Soul and flesh; the more it eats, the more ferocious it becomes.”

“I understand.” Han Li nodded, his mind clear.

“Let's go, let's enter the mountain and see.” Ji Boda said, then strode towards Black Mountain. Han Li followed behind him, entering Black Mountain...

The vegetation and rocks were entirely black.

The mountain itself was very steep; it was manageable at first, but the deeper they went, the harder it became to traverse.

Thorns were everywhere, and paths were almost nonexistent, forcing them to clear their own way.

Tall black trees blotted out the sky.

It looked pitch black.

Han Li perked up, as a hunter by origin, his senses had always been keen.

“Coo-coo~”

Within Black Mountain, a strange crow's cry echoed, its sound sending shivers down one's spine.

The deeper they went, the louder the crow's cries became.

“Whoosh—!”

Suddenly, in the forest ahead, a gust of wind blew, and accompanying the wind, a visible grey mist appeared in the mountain woods.

Wisps of Demonic Qi emanated from the grey mist.

Han Li instantly became alert.

“The Chang Monster is here, be careful.”

Ji Boda warned, gripping the great saber in his hand, looking at the grey mist ahead.

The grey mist continuously writhed, like dough, changing its form. Han Li's eyes were sharp; faintly, he seemed to see a shadow within the grey mist.

“Coo-coo-coo-coo!!!”

Within the grey mist, a strange cry rang out, and as the grey mist writhed, it slowly drifted towards the two.

When they were about three zhang apart, Ji Boda suddenly drew his saber, and a visible Saber Qi slashed out, rushing towards the grey mist.

“Chii!”

The sharp Saber Qi directly split the grey mist in two, but the next second, the grey mist fused back together, quickly writhing, and a monster taller than a man appeared before their eyes.

Its head was like a bat's, with small eyes, pointed ears, and a pair of black fleshy wings on its back. Its lower body was human-like, but covered in thick fur, its limbs were inhuman, with scales on them, and its claws were like sickles.

This looked... like a monster that was a mix of everything.

Although its head resembled a bat's, it was much larger than a typical bat's head, and its eyes were green.

It floated in the air, with wisps of grey Qi entwined around its body.

“This guy looks truly hideous.”

Looking at the Chang Monster's true form, Han Li grumbled inwardly.

“Jie—!”

At this moment, the Chang Monster let out a shriek, and a visible sound wave burst forth.

This sound, reaching their ears, was more deafening than a clap of thunder.

In an instant, they experienced a momentary daze.

“Careful!”

Ji Boda's voice rang out. Han Li had just recovered when a black shadow struck. The Chang Monster's claws and fangs were already before him, carrying fierce True Qi, the strong wind pressing against his face.

“Swish—!”

Han Li's figure flashed, swiftly disappearing from his original spot. A large tree behind him was struck by the Chang Monster and instantly shattered.

This claw strike could break metal and stone as easily as tofu.

“Slash!”

Ji Boda drew his saber, slashing at the Chang Monster's body from a distance. One of its wings was instantly severed, and blood spurted out.

“Jie-jie!!!”

The Chang Monster shrieked, and an ear-piercing sound wave spread, causing their heads to ache intensely.

Han Li appeared ten zhang away, looking at the Chang Monster. The severed wing flashed with grey Qi and instantly regenerated as good as new.

Limb Rebirth.

This kind of monster, he had indeed encountered for the first time.

“Roar—!”

At this moment, a tiger's roar shook the mountains and fields, and a giant Fierce Tiger appeared in mid-air. Han Li activated Fierce Tiger Fist, and with the speed of Divine Travel Eight Desolations, he directly closed in.

With a roar from the Fierce Tiger, the Chang Monster seemed startled, immediately letting out a sharp shriek.

“Boom—!”

Han Li punched out, exploding the air, and the Divine Ability of Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound followed, directly blasting through the Chang Monster's body.

The immense power instantly vibrated, causing the Chang Monster to fall to the ground.

“Roar—!”

Another roar, and the Fierce Tiger appeared. Its powerful roar caused the air to burst, and the Chang Monster's body trembled, fear showing in its eyes.

“It only dies if its head is destroyed.”

Ji Boda's voice rang out. Han Li's punch landed, and the Chang Monster's head instantly exploded, splattering fluids everywhere, completely ceasing all movement.

A blood Qi appeared, sealed by the Demonic Seed.

Han Li looked at the Chang Monster with its head destroyed, letting out a breath.

“My Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound seems to be able to restrain it. The roaring phenomenon just now made this guy extremely afraid...”

Looking at the Chang Monster's corpse, Han Li recalled the scene just now.

The impact of the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound made the Chang Monster extremely fearful, even causing it to temporarily lose its ability to resist.

If not for that, he probably wouldn't have been able to deal with this Chang Monster so easily.

“That must be it. It seems this time, my Divine Ability was quite unexpected.”

A thought flashed through Han Li's mind.

Against the Chang Monster, this was indeed unexpected.

Directly restraining it.

A momentary daze and fear, for him, was already enough time to eliminate this monster.

“This is his true strength!”

“Such a phenomenon, his martial arts are so profoundly cultivated. It seems highly likely he possesses the potential of Wu Wuji...”

Not far away, Ji Boda looked at Han Li, a glint flashing in his eyes.

The scene just now had also startled him.

He almost thought a real Fierce Tiger had appeared out of thin air.

This strike was enough to represent Han Li's strength, and it was no wonder he could enter the second layer of Demon Suppression Valley.