98: Brother, I was passing by

"Elder Bai, I'll be going ahead," Elder Yue said.

Elder Bai nodded. Immediately after, she led a few Disciples into the spatial rift.

Watching the Golden Spirit Sect enter, Elder Bai turned to look at Han Li and the others.

"Remember what I said on the way? Once inside, it's best to gather together."

"Understood," they all nodded.

Elder Bai said no more, taking the first step into the spatial rift.

Subsequently, Han Li and the others also stepped into the spatial rift one after another.

The moment they stepped in, a dizzying sensation swept over them.

At the same time, a powerful tearing force accompanied it.

Han Li circulated his True Qi, disregarding the dizziness, protecting his body, and resisting the tearing force.

A moment later, the spatial rift that had appeared also vanished, as if it had never existed... The scorching sun hung high in the sky.

Above an endless Gobi Desert, space cracked open, and a figure instantly plummeted towards the ground.

The moment he landed, the figure twisted, dissipating the falling force, and landed steadily.

Han Li shook his head, stabilized his posture, and looked around.

An endless Gobi Desert, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The great sun hung high in the sky, emitting scorching heat.

Surveying his surroundings, Han Li instantly sobered up.

"This place... should be the Yuanmo Gobi Desert of the Underground Palace."

Information about the Underground Palace Secret Realm surfaced in Han Li's mind.

Analyzing the situation based on the handbook given to him by the Sect Master.

This place belonged to the Yuanmo Gobi Desert.

It was one of the dangerous zones within the Underground Palace Secret Realm.

After understanding his environment, Han Li took out a jade plate.

On the jade plate, there were five red dots flickering. Besides the five red dots, there was also a golden light dot.

The five red dots represented Yun Xi and their life light dots, while the golden light dot represented himself.

From the jade plate, he and the other five light dots were very spread out.

The distance was very far.

At this moment, a vibration came from his cosmos ring. Han Li spread his hand, and a purple bell appeared in his palm.

A sound transmission bell.

This was also given to them by Elder Bai on the way, including the jade plate, one for each person.

With a movement of True Qi, Elder Bai's voice came from the sound transmission bell.

"Han Li, report your location and situation."

Elder Bai's voice came, and Han Li immediately activated his True Qi to transmit his voice through the sound transmission bell.

"Elder Bai, my current location is within the Yuanmo Gobi Desert, and there is no situation for now."

Soon, Elder Bai's voice came again from the sound transmission bell: "Alright, remember our previous agreement. Reach the meeting point as soon as possible. If there's any situation on the way, you can notify us through the sound transmission bell."

"Yes," Han Li replied, then put away the sound transmission bell.

Looking at the cloudless sky and the endless Gobi Desert, Han Li's figure moved and disappeared from the spot... The temperature of the Yuanmo Gobi Desert was very high, comparable to a desert, but the night temperature was extremely low.

The temperature difference between day and night was enormous.

Han Li headed east in the Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert had a vast expanse.

Han Li was unsure whether he was currently in the outer or core area of the Gobi Desert. If it was the core area, he would need more time to cross the Gobi Desert.

As he traveled, Han Li could see some white bones along the way.

Judging from the skeletons, most of them were the remains of demons.

The number of demons in the Underground Palace Secret Realm was unknown.

This was one of the dangers of the Underground Palace Secret Realm; another danger was the Restrictions present within the Underground Palace.

These Restrictions were extremely hidden; they weren't placed directly in front of you, but rather you'd unknowingly fall into them.

However, the Underground Palace Secret Realm had not just opened once or twice; most of the situations were already very clear.

The handbook also provided descriptions, and Han Li would not easily step into the marked dangerous forbidden zones.

---

An hour later, Han Li was still within the Yuanmo Gobi Desert.

Looking around, he still couldn't see the end.

Han Li didn't rush forward, maintaining only a standard speed.

Here, demons could emerge from anywhere.

Continuing forward, half an hour later, Han Li's footsteps suddenly halted, and he looked ahead.

A dilapidated temple appeared in his sight.

Standing prominently in the vast Gobi Desert, it was very conspicuous.

Han Li looked at the temple, then quickened his pace, soon arriving in front of it.

The temple was very dilapidated, and outside it stood a broken statue, though its features were no longer discernible.

Han Li's senses were fully open, and the Zhan Ling Sword was also clutched in his hand.

Looking at the dilapidated temple before him, he stepped inside.

Inside the temple, thick dust covered everything, making it desolate.

In the center of the temple, there was also a tall statue, but it too was broken.

Most of the architecture in the Underground Palace Secret Realm was related to that Supreme Paragon.

Han Li also raised his vigilance to the highest level.

Stepping into the dilapidated temple, he became even more cautious.

It was very quiet; there seemed to be nothing unusual.

Just as Han Li was about to continue exploring this temple, a scarlet light suddenly shot out from the depths of the temple.

Under his super-strong perception, Han Li instantly sensed it, and in the nick of time, he quickly dodged.

"Ch—!"

The scarlet light struck the wall behind him, leaving a deep mark.

Han Li looked into the depths of the temple, and a figure only half a person tall appeared in his sight.

With red skin, like a demon from Hell, sharp horns on its head, crimson eyes, and a tail behind it.

Looking at the monster before him, Han Li gripped the Zhan Ling Sword in his hand.

"Gaa—!"

The monster let out a peculiar shriek, then vanished instantly, moving incredibly fast. The next second, it appeared behind Han Li.

"Clang—!"

The monster's claws extended, and those sharp, knife-like claws swiped at Han Li, but they were directly blocked by his Zhan Ling Sword.

With its attack blocked, the monster's tail moved, and a scarlet light shot out like an arrow.

"Bang—!"

Before it could even get close, it was directly repelled by Han Li.

Just as he was about to dodge, with a 'poof,' Han Li's sword severed the monster's head, and blood spurted out.

Without its head, the monster was utterly dead.

A surge of blood Qi emerged, which Han Li instantly sealed within his Demonic Seed.

"This thing is too ugly..."

Looking at the dead monster, Han Li clicked his tongue.

Its appearance was truly disgusting.

"A Peak-level monster, it seems there are quite a few Innatel demons here."

Han Li regained his composure, scanned the temple again, and then continued his exploration.

The temple was very large, but under Han Li's exploration, it only took a moment.

Aside from the first red monster, Han Li didn't see any other monsters.

He also gained nothing, so he didn't waste any time, leaving the temple and continuing his journey.

---

On the endless Gobi Desert, Han Li walked under the scorching sun.

The environment seemed unchanged from when he entered.

Han Li had a rough idea that he had probably fallen into the innermost core area of the Yuanmo Gobi Desert.

It would take at least two or three days to get out.

However, he was not in a hurry. The Underground Palace Secret Realm was open for a month, which was still a long time.

As for treasures, that depended on Opportunity. Most importantly, he needed to hunt the demons here.

This was better than any treasure.

"Rumble—!"

As he walked through the Gobi Desert, the ground suddenly vibrated intensely.

Han Li instantly became vigilant.

"Boom!"

About ten feet ahead, the ground of the Gobi Desert suddenly exploded, and a monster burst out from the ground.

It was a giant worm, about three zhang long, with a hard shell on its body.

Its aura permeated the air.

The giant worm's head was like a suction cup, filled with dense, saw-like teeth.

Thicker than a bucket, it burst out from underground.

Han Li didn't know what kind of worm this was, but its appearance was truly nauseating.

However, the aura it exuded made Han Li very happy; this was an Innatel Demon King-level giant worm.

"Taiqing Demon Slaying!"

Activating the True Qi within his body, Han Li unleashed a sword strike. One hundred and fifty Sword Shadows formed the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay, and each Sword Shadow, like a divine sword, tore through the air.

"Clang clang clang!!!!"

As the Sword Shadows descended, a sound like metal clashing rang out, and sparks flew.

The outer shell defense of this Demon King-level giant worm was astonishingly strong.

Even the Sword Shadows could only leave marks.

Bombarded by over a hundred Sword Shadows, the giant worm's body writhed wildly, emitting a sharp shriek.

"Buzz—!"

The next instant, a red light rose, and the descending Sword Shadows instantly shattered.

"Shadowless Slash!"

Han Li lunged forward, leaping into the air, and struck the demon worm with a sword.

This sword strike, infused with one hundred and fifty Sword Shadows, fully unleashed the power of the High-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

"Pfft!"

The sword shattered the red light and struck the giant worm's body, instantly spewing green liquid. The hard shell defense simply couldn't withstand this fierce sword strike.

"Screech—!"

The giant worm let out a mournful roar, and its suction cup-like mouth instantly spewed green liquid.

Han Li dodged, instantly avoiding it.

"Hiss!"

The green liquid landed, instantly corroding the ground and emitting white smoke.

The extremely strong corrosiveness also startled Han Li.

At this moment, the giant worm roared again and instantly burrowed into the ground.

"Trying to run!"

Watching the giant worm burrow into the ground, Han Li's body instantly emitted the sound of Dragon Elephant trumpeting. A Dragon Elephant phantom manifested behind him, erupting with Dragon Elephant Divine Fist, and Han Li punched the earth.

"Boom!!!"

With a colossal force exceeding fifty thousand jun, coupled with the power of the Dragon Elephant Divine Fist, this strike instantly split the earth, exploding like dynamite.

The ground was literally blasted open into a deep pit by his punch.

And the giant worm that had burrowed into the ground was directly forced out.

"Slash!"

Han Li mobilized his True Qi, instantly activating the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay, unleashing his most powerful sword strike.

With the Sword Shadows fused, one sword strike directly severed this Demon King giant worm, splitting it in two.

However, the Demon King giant worm's vitality was extremely tenacious; even split in two, it still wouldn't die.

"Peerless Might of Heaven and Earth!"

The Fire Tipped Spear gleamed, Han Li blasted the air with a spear, locking onto the Demon King giant worm. A crimson spear shadow appeared, a peerless spear, piercing through the Demon King giant worm's body.

A peculiar shriek rang out, and the Demon King giant worm struggled incessantly. Han Li gave it no chance, raising his hand to activate the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay, and one hundred and fifty Sword Shadows swept over it like an overwhelming tide.

"Boom—!"

A tremor echoed for ten li. Under the continuous powerful attacks, the Demon King giant worm's tenacious vitality finally gave out.

It died instantly.

A scarlet blood Qi emerged, quickly disappearing into his body, sealed by the Demonic Seed.

Han Li also let out a long breath, putting away his Fire Tipped Spear.

From the body of the Demon King giant worm, he took out a Demonic Core.

Putting it into his cosmos ring, Han Li looked at the corpse of the Demon King giant worm and twisted his Zhan Ling Sword, destroying it.

Immediately, his figure quickly vanished from the Gobi Desert...

Night fell, and Han Li appeared in an abandoned temple in the Gobi Desert.

On his first day inside, he had already eliminated an Elementary Demon King and four or five Peak-grade monsters; Han Li was very satisfied.

Sitting cross-legged in front of the temple's idol, Han Li's thoughts stirred, instantly releasing the sealed blood Qi.

The demon seed pulsed, and the sealed blood Qi surged into his body like a torrent.

Han Li immediately circulated the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art, absorbing the blood Qi.

Deep within his flesh and blood, the sixth Dragon Elephant Embryo appeared, absorbing the blood Qi and rapidly growing stronger.

A layer of golden light shimmered on his skin.

The roar of a Dragon Elephant emanated from within his body.

The sixth Dragon Elephant Embryo grew, reached its limit, and then instantly Broke Through.

Han Li's blood Qi instantly surged, golden light permeated his skin, and then returned to calm.

Opening his eyes, he exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi.

The sixth Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo was successfully Cultivated.

His Physical Body had once again improved, and the Adamantine Bones within his body now occupied more than half.

With the sixth Dragon Elephant Primordial Embryo Cultivated, his strength also soared by ten thousand jun.

Sitting on the ground, Han Li felt the surging blood Qi flowing within his body.

His Physical Body had improved again.

His Overlord Body Golden Body also became even stronger.

His skin looked unchanged, but in reality, it had undergone a transformation.

Even without activating his Overlord Body Golden Body, he could easily block Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts; they couldn't break his defense.

This ultimate Body Tempering martial arts pursued the extreme of the Physical Body.

Strength like an Ancient Dragon Elephant.

The Physical Body shatters everything.

"The tenth Meridian is also about to Break Through..."

Han Li regained his senses, calmed his mind, and then took out the Iron Plate, holding it in his hand, and began to Cultivate the Qing Yuan Skill.

At night, he would not travel.

He would Cultivate and rest at the same time.

Absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, Han Li's True Qi also gradually increased...

A night passed.

The cold night had almost no effect on Han Li.

His Physical Body was strong, and his blood Qi surged, so even if he were naked in ice and snow, he could easily endure it.

At dawn, Han Li opened his eyes; a night of Cultivation had brought a slight improvement.

Han Li got up and stepped out of the temple.

In just one day, his changes had already reached an astonishing degree.

The blood Qi from killing was his biggest trump card.

It was also an improvement that others could not imagine.

However, it also required powerful Body Tempering martial arts; otherwise, while independent improvement would also strengthen him considerably, it would be far less significant than the current immense improvement...

In the Yuanmo Gobi Desert, Han Li's figure moved like the wind.

On the way, Elder Bai contacted him again, and upon learning of Han Li's safety, he did not ask many questions, only admonished him to be careful.

Han Li continued his journey.

Two days passed, and he had completely exited the Yuanmo Gobi Desert.

However, these two days, Han Li did not encounter any Innate Demon Kings, only eliminating some Peak-grade monsters.

Looking into the distance, Han Li gazed at a large mountain far away.

It stretched endlessly, like a giant Dragon coiled up.

Arriving at the foot of the mountain, Han Li saw towering trees a hundred zhang tall.

The plants here were also unusually huge.

Even mushrooms were taller than people; stepping into the mountain forest was like entering a world of giants.

The large trees covered the sky, and some colorful mushrooms were even as large as houses.

And this was the second dangerous place in the Underground Palace Secret Realm, the Monster Forest.

Its characteristic was simple: big!

Everything was big.

Even with his height of over eight chi, in the Monster Forest, he was as short as a seven or eight-year-old child.

To reach the rendezvous point, this was the second dangerous place Han Li had to Transmigrate through.

The Monster Forest also had more monsters.

Immediately upon entering, Han Li was ambushed by a man-eating flower.

However, this was just a basic flower demon, posing no significant threat to him, and he slayed it with a single sword strike.

Continuing deeper, Han Li became even more cautious.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Han Li stopped in his tracks; a peculiar sound came from ahead.

The vegetation was swaying.

"Demonic Qi!"

Han Li's gaze sharpened, and he tightened his grip on the Zhan Ling Sword in his hand.

His figure flashed, quickly disappearing from his original spot.

Leaping onto a large mushroom, Han Li saw the demon's body.

A giant millipede.

It was four zhang long and was currently gnawing on a mushroom.

Powerful Demonic Qi permeated the air, even more terrifying than the previous demon worm.

"Intermediate Demon King!"

Han Li could roughly judge the aura of this giant millipede in his heart.

At this moment, the millipede, which was gnawing on the mushroom, seemed to sense something, abruptly turning its head, its ferocious appearance sending shivers down one's spine.

Their gazes met, and the man and the demon simply stared at each other.

Han Li's scalp tingled.

An Intermediate Demon King; even with his increased strength, he probably wasn't its opponent. The gap was too large.

This was even more difficult to deal with than a Martial Artist of the Xiantian Second Realm.

"Human, delicious, eat..."

The millipede suddenly spoke human words, and in the next second, its massive body charged towards Han Li.

"Buzz!"

Han Li activated his Zhan Ling Sword, instantly unleashing the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay, striking out with a single sword.

"Clang, clang, clang!!!"

Powerful Sword Shadows descended through the air, landing on the millipede's body, producing clanging sounds.

The powerful strike failed to break its defense; the millipede continued towards Han Li as if nothing had happened.

Its defense was even stronger than that of the Demon King giant worm.

Han Li's pupils constricted, and the phantom image of a Dragon Elephant materialized behind him, the roar of a Dragon Elephant emanating from within his body.

"Dragon Elephant Tramples the Heavens!"

Han Li unleashed a punch, delivering the strongest move of the Dragon Elephant Divine Fist.

Divine light solidified into a Dragon Elephant, charging towards the millipede.

Seemingly sensing the power of this strike, the millipede curled up, shrinking into a ball.

A faint layer of light enveloped its entire body.

"Boom—"

The mountain forest trembled, the surrounding large mushrooms were shattered by the aura, and the ground collapsed.

The curled-up millipede rolled to the base of a large tree, unfurled itself, shook its head, and looked at Han Li.

"Human, strong!"

The millipede spoke human words again.

Han Li's heart pounded.

Even the strongest Dragon Elephant Divine Fist combined with all his strength couldn't break its defense. This millipede, he clearly couldn't kill it.

Moreover, this creature had been passively defending and hadn't actively attacked yet. Han Li had no confidence whatsoever in taking it down.

If all his moves were exhausted and he still couldn't defeat it, then he could only run.

"Buzz—!"

At this moment, the upper half of the millipede glowed, transforming into a human-headed appearance.

"Human, impressive. You, don't provoke me." The millipede spoke, but did not attack.

"Brother, I'm just passing by, you can continue eating." Han Li coughed once, then with a whoosh, he instantly fled and disappeared.

This millipede Demon King definitely had a powerful move, but this creature seemed quite benevolent, unlike other monsters who were so ferocious. Otherwise, that would have been another fierce battle just to escape.

An Intermediate Demon King was not an opponent.

The difference in strength was too great; even with the Cultivation of the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art, it couldn't currently bridge such a massive gap.

The Dragon Elephant Divine Fist being resisted without issue meant there was definitely no hope.

If this millipede Demon King were truly pushed, who knew what special methods it might possess.

"Human, sensible."

The millipede Demon King watched in the direction Han Li disappeared, spoke again, then with a flash of light, transformed back into its original body, crawled to a large mushroom, and continued eating...

Having bypassed the millipede Demon King, Han Li became even more cautious.

Immediately upon entering the Monster Forest, he encountered an Intermediate Demon King, so he had to be extremely vigilant.

If an even stronger Demon King suddenly appeared, he might not even have a chance to escape.

Continuing deeper, Han Li poked his head out from under a large mushroom, looked around, and just as he was about to move forward, a whoosh sound pierced the air.

Han Li swiftly dodged, immediately evading the attack.

The large mushroom he had just been under instantly exploded into dust.

Han Li looked not far away, and a gigantic spider appeared in his sight.

It exuded a powerful aura; it was indeed an Innate Demon King.

However, it was not as powerful as the millipede Demon King, being only an Elementary Demon King.

The black spider had a human face on its abdomen, grinning maliciously as it looked at Han Li.

"Hiss—!"

It opened its mouth and spat out a strand of spider silk, which shot through the air like an arrow.

Han Li raised his sword, and a sharp Sword Qi pierced through the air, shattering the spider silk.

"I couldn't kill the millipede, so you'll be the substitute."

A cold light flashed in Han Li's eyes, his sword vibrated, and he instantly activated the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay, sending one hundred and fifty Sword Shadows overwhelming the spider demon.

Sensing the power of this strike, the spider demon's web behind it quickly covered its entire body.

"Boom!!!"

A tremendous sound shook the mountain forest. The one hundred and fifty Sword Shadows charged, directly shattering the spider demon's web, and one of its spider legs was also severed.

The spider demon let out an angry roar, and the human face on its abdomen spat out several strands of spider silk towards Han Li.

"Whoosh—"

A sword strike shattered the solidified Sword Qi, destroying the spider silk.

Han Li flashed, and the roar of a Dragon Elephant echoed through the mountain forest.

"Boom—!"

Divine light transformed into a charging Dragon Elephant, its immense power shattering the air.

It engulfed the spider demon.

The immense power sent the spider demon flying. Han Li once again unleashed the Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay, forming the Taiqing Shadowless Sword Array, leaving the spider demon no chance to breathe.

Sealing off its surroundings, Sword Shadows pierced the air, all striking the spider demon.

His figure flashed, instantly appearing before the spider demon. The Dragon Elephant Divine Fist erupted again, with sixty-four thousand jun of crushing force, punching the spider demon's massive body.

"Pfft—!"

Green liquid gushed out, and the spider demon's body was directly pierced by his strength. The human face on its abdomen let out a shrill scream.

The Zhan Ling Sword struck like lightning, piercing through the human face on its lower abdomen, and blood flowed out.

A wisp of blood Qi emerged, quickly merging into his body.

This spider Demon King was completely dead.

Pulling out the Zhan Ling Sword, breaking open the spider Demon King's body, and taking out its Demonic Core, Han Li instantly disappeared from his original spot.

A powerful aura would inevitably attract monsters; swift action was the Righteous Path.

Han Li only stopped after madly rushing for dozens of li.

Once he confirmed his safety, his tightly strung nerves relaxed slightly.