96: Wouldn't you think about it again?
"It's him!"
Atop the Peak, the woman in the sky-blue dress looked at the figure opposite the Innate Demon King, her pupils contracting.
Han Li, the number one on the Mountain and River Rankings this year.
She had witnessed his battle during the Mountain and River Tournament.
But she hadn't expected Han Li's strength to be so formidable.
Surpassing an Innate Demon King of the Innate First Realm.
"This is his true strength. Could it be that he didn't even reveal his real power during the Mountain and River Tournament?!"
Watching Han Li, the woman's heart churned.
An Inner Sect Disciple, capable of surpassing an Innate Demon King of the Innate First Realm, and even more incredibly, able to crush the Demon King despite its advantages.
This scene felt somewhat dreamlike and bizarre.
"Hmm?"
Han Li suddenly felt a gaze fixed on him. He looked up and saw a woman in a sky-blue dress on a Peak, watching him.
Their eyes met, and the woman immediately averted her gaze.
"Other True Disciples..." Han Li frowned.
It had been five days since he entered, and he hadn't encountered a single True Disciple. Today, he met an Innate Demon King, and then suddenly encountered one.
"This woman, she isn't trying to reap the benefits, is she?" Han Li's brows furrowed.
Just at this moment, a terrifying Aura struck.
"Be careful!"
The woman's warning came from beside his ear. Han Li couldn't bother with anything else. Seeing the golden light approaching, he instantly activated Dragon Elephant Divine Fist, unleashing a punch that manifested a phantom Dragon Elephant, shattering the Innate Demon King's attack.
Terrifying Qi waves impacted the surroundings, and the valley trembled!
Han Li looked at the Innate Demon King, and light bloomed in his hand. The Zhan Ling Sword instantly appeared.
With other True Disciples present, he naturally couldn't engage in close-quarters combat with the Innate Demon King anymore.
The testing objective had been completed. It was time to unleash his killing move and end the fight quickly!
"Taiqing Demon Slaying!"
Wielding the Zhan Ling Sword, Han Li struck out with a single sword, and a hundred tangible sword shadows appeared, tearing through the air, forming a Void Realm sword array, its power instantly skyrocketing.
The golden Innate Demon King sensed the power of this strike. A roar exploded through the valley, and a powerful golden light erupted from its body, forming a formidable golden shield that completely enveloped it.
"Boom—!!"
The Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay Array was unleashed, a sword array formed by the Fusion of a hundred sword shadows, pushing the power of the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay to its Peak. Coupled with the stacked power of the Zhan Ling Sword, the overwhelming sword shadows descended, instantly destroying the Innate Demon King's golden shield.
Dust flew, the ground shook, and the scent of blood permeated the air.
With the golden shield shattered, the Innate Demon King's body was covered in shocking sword wounds, bleeding profusely.
One strike, devastating damage.
Its Aura also became extremely unstable.
And just at this moment, the Innate Demon King roared, stomping heavily on the ground, which instantly exploded. Several earthen spikes shot towards Han Li.
At the same time, the Innate Demon King turned and fled, directly soaring into the air.
Han Li had just destroyed the Innate Demon King's attack when a violent explosion echoed in mid-air. The Innate Demon King, who had just taken flight, was directly blasted to the ground by a single strike.
The woman on the Peak had made her move.
The Innate Demon King was instantly severely wounded, the valley trembled, and a deep pit appeared.
Han Li ignored everything else, and the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay erupted again. Over a hundred sword shadows formed the Taiqing Shadowless Sword Array, striking towards the Innate Demon King.
Having just emerged from the deep pit, the Innate Demon King was right at the center of the sword array's impact.
The power of the Taiqing Shadowless Sword Array was Peerless Might of Heaven and Earth. A hundred sword shadows engulfed the Innate Demon King's body, and the ground shook and shimmered.
The Innate Demon King's Aura was completely on its last breath. And at this very moment, Han Li revealed the Fire Tipped Spear, thrusting out with one spear, Peerless Might of Heaven and Earth!
"Pfft—!"
The fatal spear thrust directly pierced through the Innate Demon King's head, completely ending its life.
The moment it died, a crimson blood Qi surged, and Han Li instantly activated the Demonic Seed to seal the blood Qi.
With the blood Qi sealed, Han Li finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he had secured the last kill. Otherwise, it would have been a huge loss.
The Innate Demon King's blood Qi was enough for him to Cultivate the fifth Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo.
If he hadn't achieved the decisive kill, the loss would have been significant.
Although Cultivating the Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo required more vast blood Qi as he progressed, for now, the blood Qi of an Innate Demon King of the Innate First Realm was sufficient for him to Cultivate a new Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo.
As for the Dragon Elephant Divine Embryo, that was not something that could be enhanced by the blood Qi of a single Innate Demon King of the Innate First Realm.
"Whoosh—!"
Han Li moved, arriving at the dead Innate Demon King, pulling out the Fire Tipped Spear, and placing it into his cosmos ring.
At this moment, a fragrant breeze wafted by, and the woman from the Peak also descended from the sky, appearing before him.
Only then did Han Li get a good look at this woman.
Her features were exquisite, subtly made up, and her figure was curvaceous, with prominent Peaks. A sky-blue dress added a touch of elegance, making her a striking sight.
She could be called a peerless beauty.
And her Aura was even more terrifying; she was a Martial Artist of the Innate Qi Realm.
Han Li looked at the woman, and the woman likewise looked at him.
The air seemed to quiet down instantly.
"The champion of the Mountain and River Rankings is indeed formidable. I didn't expect Junior Brother Han's strength to still be hidden. It's truly incredible."
At this, the woman's voice rang out, very pleasant to listen to.
Han Li looked at her and said, "Senior Sister is too kind. Thank you for your assistance just now; otherwise, I might not have been able to kill this beast."
The woman glanced at the Innate Demon King's corpse on the ground. Seeing this, Han Li said, "Senior Sister also contributed to the attack. How about we split it evenly?"
Han Li spoke, his expression serious.
He certainly wasn't an opponent for a Martial Artist of the Xiantian Second Realm. Anyway, his biggest gain was the blood Qi; other things, while not worthless, he could still make concessions for.
Hearing this, the woman's Phoenix eyes narrowed as she looked at Han Li: "What, is that how you see me? Did I make a move just to share your spoils of war?"
Han Li: "..."
"Senior Sister misunderstands, I didn't mean that." Han Li's heart twitched as he spoke.
"Hmph, you underestimate me. Do I look like the kind of person who acts for petty gains?" The woman snorted coldly, her expression displeased.
Han Li: "..."
Alright, whatever you say. I won't argue with you, is that okay?
Never reason with a woman; the ancients truly didn't deceive me!
I was clearly being kind, but you made it sound like I was a villain trying to take advantage. Damn it, Dou E wasn't even this wronged.
Han Li grumbled inwardly, but a smile remained on his face.
"Senior Sister, please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean it that way."
"Then what do you mean?" The woman looked at him.
Han Li choked.
Damn it!
Women should also be reasonable, right?
What did I do to you? My good intentions were taken for ill will!
If you don't want it, I won't give it.
"I misunderstood. Please forgive me, Senior Sister." Han Li spoke.
"That's more like it." The woman nodded.
Han Li: "..."
"Alright, I'm leaving." The woman spoke, then turned, soared into the sky, and disappeared from Han Li's sight.
"Phew..."
Watching the woman fly away, Han Li let out a breath in his heart.
Women are indeed unreasonable, especially powerful women... Recalling his gaze, Han Li looked at the demonic ape in front of him. Breaking open its body, he took out a Demonic Core.
The Demonic Core, the size of a longan, emitted an extremely pure demonic Qi Aura.
"At least a million taels, not bad. Converted to merit points, it's also a million." Looking at the Demonic Core in his hand, Han Li smiled, casting the unpleasant incident aside.
Immediately, he began to dissect it with the Zhan Ling Sword.
The Innate Demon King's corpse was also a huge fortune... After dealing with everything, Han Li disappeared into the valley.
Among the mountains, on a Peak, Han Li's figure appeared.
He looked around, and after confirming there were no issues, Han Li instantly released the blood Qi sealed by the Demonic Seed.
"Boom—!"
The surging blood Qi poured out, sweeping through his body. Han Li quickly circulated the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art, and deep within his flesh and blood, the fifth Dragon Elephant Embryo rapidly evolved successfully.
With the powerful blood Qi of the Innate Demon King infused, the Dragon Elephant Embryo in his body expanded at a visible rate.
His blood Qi was like a furnace, and a layer of golden light was activated. Behind him, a powerful phantom of a Dragon Elephant manifested.
His Aura became even more formidable.
It was as if a true Ancient Dragon Elephant had descended, and an overwhelming Aura swept through, shaking the air.
After a while, the sound of a Dragon Elephant echoed, and Han Li instantly opened his eyes. The Dragon Elephant phantom disappeared, the anomaly vanished, and Han Li then stood up.
His muscles tensed, feeling the surging power within his body.
The blood Qi of the demonic ape Innate Demon King had allowed him to successfully Cultivate the fifth Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo as he wished.
His strength had also reached fifty-four thousand jun of power.
He had already reached half the strength of a Martial Artist of the Xiantian Second Realm.
Among those in the Innate First Realm, he was strong enough to dominate.
With the successful Cultivation of the fifth Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo, Han Li also smoothly opened his ninth Meridian, stepping into the Tōngmài Realm Peak.
However, he was still some distance from the true Peak.
Only by fully opening all twelve Meridians would he reach the true limit.
But even with just the ninth Meridian opened, he was strong enough to sweep aside any Martial Artist of the Vein Opening Realm.
The battle with the Innate Demon King also allowed him to understand his true strength.
Now, with this further improvement, he had reached an even higher level.
"The Physical Body's improvement is the greatest. With the strength of my Physical Body alone, I can now go head-to-head with an Innate Demon King." Han Li felt the changes within his body.
With the successful Cultivation of the fifth Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo, his Overlord Body Golden Body was also continuously strengthening, making further progress.
"I wonder if I'll encounter any more Innate Demon Kings..." Looking at the ranges of mountains, Han Li's eyes gleamed.
Of course, he hoped to encounter more Innate Demon Kings, but the probability was probably very low.
"I can head back, and deal with some demonic creatures along the way..." His mind settled, Han Li once again stabilized his Aura, then disappeared from the Peak.
—
Two days later, in Demon Suppression Valley, by the great river on the third level.
Han Li's figure appeared.
Aside from encountering that one demonic ape Innate Demon King, Han Li hadn't encountered any other Innate Demon Kings afterward. However, on his way back, he did encounter many Peak-level demonic creatures, all of which Han Li dealt with.
Looking at the surging waters of the great river, Han Li took off his clothes, leaving only a pair of shorts.
"Entering the riverbed, with my blood Qi, I should be able to attract more monsters."
"Splash~"
Han Li plunged into the river.
The cold river water stimulated his skin, but his Physical Body could easily withstand this temperature.
He sank to the riverbed, a full ten zhang deep.
Han Li activated his Overlord Body Golden Body. In the dark riverbed, he was like a bright lamp. Instantly, the surrounding river water churned, and black fish rushed towards him one after another.
The moment they approached, the defense of the Overlord Body Golden Body instantly counter-killed them.
Han Li quickly sealed the blood Qi.
He circulated his True Qi, transforming it into internal breathing. Even staying at the riverbed for a day would be no problem.
"Bang bang bang!!!"
Rows of black fish rushed over, and were counter-killed upon approaching. The individual blood Qi was not much, but the quantity was large.
Drops of water forming a river is still possible.
An hour passed, and there were no black fish around. Although they lacked intelligence, they still possessed instinctive perception.
The death of over a thousand black fish made the other black fish sense fear.
Fear of death.
Han Li stayed for a while longer. With no black fish or other aquatic demons above, he directly broke through the water and left.
After putting on his clothes and releasing the sealed blood Qi, the over a thousand black fish only boosted the sixth Dragon Elephant Embryo slightly. It was still a long way from reaching the Primordial Embryo stage.
Han Li glanced at the great river, then disappeared from the bank... A day later, Han Li stepped out of the Demon Suppression Valley.
This time, it took several days.
And there were only seven days left until the departure for the Underground Palace Secret Realm.
Han Li looked into the distance, then disappeared at the entrance of the Demon Suppression Valley.
Arriving at Qingyuan Market, Han Li directly sold the various Materials of the demonic beasts.
In total, he exchanged them for two million eight hundred thirty thousand taels of silver.
Among these, the Materials of the Innate Demon King accounted for the largest share.
Keeping thirty thousand taels of silver, Han Li exchanged the rest for merit points.
Immediately, he headed to Heaven and Earth Peak and exchanged for several Comprehension Pills.
Returning to Yuhua Peak, Han Li once again immersed himself in Cultivation... Time passed quickly; a few days flowed by in an instant.
Yuhua Peak, back mountain.
Han Li's figure appeared on the cliff of the back mountain. Behind him, Sword Shadows floated, like divine swords, emitting a powerful Aura.
He didn't waste the remaining days; he spent all of them in Cultivation.
His Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay also greatly improved.
Manifesting one hundred fifty Sword Shadows, they could combine into a more powerful Taiqing Shadowless Sword Array.
The Sword Shadows rotated, evolving into a sword array. The soaring Aura pierced through the Void Realm, and sharp Sword Qi spread out.
As the sword array activated, a monstrous wave of Qi swept out from the back mountain.
Dust and smoke surged.
The surrounding air was completely shredded, filled with Sword Qi.
After unleashing one attack, Han Li stood still, looking at the panel in front of him.
Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay (Major Achievement 55%)!
"Just half more, and I can Breakthrough to Perfection..."
Looking at the panel, Han Li's face also showed a smile.
Breaking through to Perfection would mean his Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay would advance another level, evolving into a Divine Ability, breaking through its limits, and the swordplay could also Breakthrough to Earth Rank High Grade.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. It seems I'll only be able to improve it after the Underground Palace Secret Realm ends."
Han Li exhaled, then disappeared into the back mountain... The next day, early in the morning, Han Li was fully prepared, dressed in brocade robes and white jade boots, his entire demeanor completely transformed.
Stepping out of Yuhua Hall, Han Li headed directly to Qingyuan Palace.
Half an hour later, Han Li arrived at the square outside Qingyuan Palace.
He didn't see anyone else.
It was completely empty.
"Did I come too early?"
Han Li blinked.
Looking at the magnificent Qingyuan Palace, Han Li did not enter, but waited outside.
And at this moment, in the distant sky, a long rainbow broke through the air.
Han Li looked up.
In an instant, the long rainbow in the sky descended before Qingyuan Palace.
A white-clothed figure appeared in his sight.
"It's her!"
Looking at the white-clothed figure, Han Li was stunned for a moment.
This person was precisely the woman he had met several days ago in the third layer.
Dressed in white, with long hair draped over her shoulders.
"Could it be that she is also going to the Underground Palace Secret Realm?" A thought surfaced in Han Li's mind.
The Sect Leader had said that besides him, there were several True Disciples going.
Her appearance here at this time should not be a coincidence.
"Junior Brother, we meet again." The woman's voice came, and with a step, she arrived in front of Han Li.
"Greetings, Senior Sister. Thank you for last time." Han Li bowed respectfully.
"My name is Yun Xi, the 'Xi' from 'day'!"
The woman said.
"Yun Xi... Senior Sister's name is truly beautiful." Han Li nodded.
"Junior Brother Han is quite eloquent." Yun Xi smiled.
"I haven't seen you for a few days, and you seem to have become stronger." Yun Xi said, looking at Han Li.
"Senior Sister Yun overpraises me, I haven't improved much." Han Li smiled.
"Senior Sister Yun, are you also going to the Underground Palace Secret Realm?" Han Li asked.
"Yes, I am one of them." Yun Xi nodded.
"Then, I'll ask Senior Sister Yun to take care of me then." Han Li said.
Yun Xi looked at him, her bright eyes unblinking: "Do you still need me to take care of you?"
Han Li: "..."
"Senior Sister Yun is joking. I am only at the Vein Opening Realm, so I still need Senior Sister's care."
Yun Xi said seriously: "I've never seen such a monstrous Vein Opening Realm Martial Artist like you."
Han Li: "..."
Just as Han Li was about to speak, the Void Realm once again echoed with the sound of something breaking through the air.
Three figures descended from the sky, appearing not far away.
Two men and one woman.
All of them were also at the Innate Qi Realm.
"Senior Sister Yun!"
As the three landed, the woman among them instantly came to their side, a brilliant smile on her face, affectionately linking arms with Yun Xi.
Han Li glanced at her. This woman had a baby face, snow-white skin, and an even more impressive figure, a bit better than Yun Xi's.
Their beauty was on par; she was also a stunning beauty.
The other two men also came forward, dressed in brocade robes with jade belts around their waists, possessing an extraordinary Aura.
"Junior Brother Han Li, hello, my name is Yuan Zong." At this moment, one of the young men spoke, a smile on his face.
"Han Li greets Senior Brother Yuan Zong."
Han Li also nodded in response.
However, the other young man's face was cold, and his gaze towards Han Li seemed somewhat unfriendly.
Han Li frowned.
"His name is Zhang Xuan, a Disciple of Xuandu Peak, and also Zhang Yi's cousin."
Yuan Zong said.
Hearing this, Han Li's mind instantly became clear.
No wonder he looked at him so unkindly.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Zhang Xuan." Han Li still greeted him.
"Mm." Zhang Xuan responded, his expression unchanged.
Han Li didn't try to get closer either.
If he was unhappy, he was unhappy. There was no need for him to force a smile.
He was certainly not an opponent for someone in the Xiantian Second Realm, but he wasn't entirely defenseless either.
"Junior Brother Han, my name is Zhou Yun, it's a pleasure to meet you." At this moment, the baby-faced woman beside them also spoke, her face beaming with a brilliant smile.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Zhou." Han Li nodded, a polite smile on his face.
"Senior Brother Yuan Zong, how many people are going this time?" Han Li asked Yuan Zong beside him.
"Why so much nonsense? Do you need to worry about this?" At this moment, Zhang Xuan said coldly from the side.
Hearing this, Han Li's gaze narrowed as he looked at Zhang Xuan: "Senior Brother Zhang, was I asking you? Why are you interjecting?"
"What did you say?" Zhang Xuan's eyes were cold as he looked at Han Li, his gaze even more unfriendly.
"Kid, don't think you can be arrogant just because you took first place in the Mountain and River Rankings. In the vast Martial Dao, you are nothing but an ant." Zhang Xuan said coldly.
"You're absolutely right." Han Li said.
Hearing this, the other three looked at Han Li, their expressions astonished.
So docile?
A faint smile also appeared on Zhang Xuan's face, "It seems you are still..."
"But you are just a bigger ant." Han Li said calmly, speaking again.
"Pfft~"
Hearing this, Zhou Yun and Yun Xi immediately couldn't help but smile.
Yuan Zong, on the side, also looked at Han Li, his mouth twitching.
This Disciple from Yuhua Peak was not to be trifled with.
Even this Han Li, he too had a fiery temper.
"What did you say? Say it again?" Zhang Xuan's expression was cold.
"Can't you think again?" Han Li said faintly.
Tit for tat!
Han Li didn't want to cause trouble, but at the same time, he didn't want to be trampled upon and bullied.
The Xiantian Second Realm was indeed not an opponent, but he was not without the power to resist.
If he should be kind, he would be kind. If he should be tough, then he would be tough!
To hell with it!
Han Li's response instantly made the others unable to help but laugh.
This personality, he was not someone to be trifled with!
Zhang Xuan's face darkened, and his Aura fluctuated.
"Junior Brother Zhang, that's enough. This is Qingyuan Sect." At this moment, Yun Xi spoke.
Zhang Xuan reined in his Aura and looked at Han Li: "There will be many opportunities in the future. Be careful not to stumble."
"Thank you for the reminder. If I stumble, it must be because of you. I think my Senior Brother should be clear about this." Han Li said faintly.
"..."
Zhang Xuan didn't speak, just gave him a deep look.
And at this moment, Yuan Zong spoke.
"This time, it's just the five of us, and an Elder."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Yuan Zong, for informing me." Han Li nodded.
And at this moment, a divine light descended from the Void Realm. The few immediately looked up, and the figures of the Grand Elder and the Sect Leader appeared simultaneously.
There was also another Elder whom Han Li didn't recognize.
The two Elders and the Sect Leader descended before the main hall of Qingyuan Palace. The few quickly composed themselves and stepped forward to salute.
"Greetings, Sect Leader!"
A chorus of voices rang out.
The Sect Leader nodded, looking at the five of them, and said: "This time in the Underground Palace Secret Realm, Elder Bai will lead the team. You must obey Elder Bai's command and not act on your own. Do you understand?"
"Yes." The few replied in unison.
"Good, time is almost up. Do you have anything else to say?" The Sect Leader asked the few.
As soon as his voice fell, Zhang Xuan stepped forward, looked at the Sect Leader, and said: "Sect Leader, although the Underground Palace Secret Realm is a treasure land, it is also extremely dangerous inside. This Disciple believes that Junior Brother Han Li might encounter some unexpected situations there. For Junior Brother Han's safety, I think Junior Brother Han should remain in the sect. Of course, some compensation can be given appropriately, and this Disciple is also willing to offer some personal compensation."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, the Grand Elder and the others frowned, looking at Zhang Xuan.
Han Li's face also darkened.
Looking at Zhang Xuan, a wisp of Killing Intent appeared in his heart.
For his safety, what a 'for his safety'.
To revoke his spot, his intentions were truly vicious!
Second update, twelve thousand words. Please support.