557: Lu Xueqi (34)

He took the netherworld token from Bi Yao's hand and fully urged the spirit boat.

The nether skeleton spirit boat broke free from the remaining suction, transforming into a black line and rapidly moving away from the underwater ruins.

Looking back, the sea area gradually returned to calm, with only the turbid seawater hinting at the recent danger.

“That was close!”

Bi Yao patted her chest, still shaken.

“That banner was incredibly potent, are you alright?”

Su Han shook his head, adjusting his somewhat disordered breathing.

“I'm fine. Luckily, that Magical Artifact is ancient, and its power is less than one-tenth of what it once was.”

Lu Xueqi looked at Su Han, a trace of imperceptible concern flashing in her cold eyes.

“Don't take such risks next time.”

Su Han smiled, knowing she meant well.

“The situation was urgent; I had no choice. However, this trip wasn't entirely without reward.”

He spread open his hand. In his palm lay a small black fragment chipped off the flagpole, bearing runes similar to those on the netherworld token.

“These ruins are very likely connected to the Netherworld Dao. The direction towards Liubo Mountain seems correct.”

After this ordeal, the three of them became even more vigilant.

On this vast ocean, unknown dangers were far more terrifying than overt enemies.

The spirit boat continued forward, and another two days passed.

According to the astrolabe, they were gradually approaching the sea area where Liubo Mountain was located.

The surrounding weather began to turn bizarre.

One moment it was clear skies for thousands of miles, the next moment dark clouds would gather, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

Huge whirlpools often appeared on the sea surface, emitting an ominous aura.

Sometimes they could even spot strange marine creatures—enormous in size, bizarre in shape, and radiating powerful Demonic Qi.

Fortunately, the stealth Formation of the nether skeleton spirit boat was truly extraordinary, and coupled with Su Han's careful maneuvering, they managed to avoid trouble every time.

One day, a thick, impenetrable fog appeared on the sea surface ahead.

The mist was grayish-white, obscuring vision. Even Divine Sense probing into it met with great resistance, making it difficult to perceive anything far away.

The pointer of the astrolabe pointed directly into the depths of the fog.

“It seems Liubo Mountain is beyond this fog.”

Su Han stopped the spirit boat and gazed ahead.

Ancient texts recorded that the periphery of Liubo Mountain had naturally formed illusory Formations and Restrictions; this fog must be it.

“This fog can isolate Divine Sense. Everyone, be careful and stick close to me.”

Su Han controlled the spirit boat and slowly sailed into the fog.

As soon as they entered the mist, the surrounding scenery instantly transformed.

Visibility dropped to less than ten zhang, the seawater became deathly silent, and even the wind seemed to stop.

Only the faint sound of the spirit boat cutting through the fog remained.

A feeling of oppression enveloped their hearts.

The starlight on the astrolabe also dimmed slightly, but the pointer's direction remained stable.

Su Han fully circulated his Divine Sense, perceiving everything around him.

In this fog, the sense of direction was extremely easy to lose. If not for the guidance of the astrolabe, they would probably soon be going in circles.

After sailing for a distance, Su Han suddenly felt a pang of alarm.

He violently steered the spirit boat hard to the left!

Right along the spirit boat's previous trajectory, an invisible spatial rift quietly appeared, tearing open a gap in the surrounding fog.

The edges of the rift flickered with dangerous black light.

“Spatial rift!”

Lu Xueqi's expression changed slightly.

This was a terrifying phenomenon occurring when the Laws of Heaven and Earth were unstable, possessing immense power. A Nascent Soul Cultivator touching it would either die or be severely injured.

Cold sweat beaded on Su Han's forehead.

If he had been a moment slower, the spirit boat would likely have been sliced in half.

The dangers surrounding Liubo Mountain were indeed well-deserved of their reputation.

He became even more cautious, pushing his Divine Sense to its limit while injecting his true qi into the astrolabe.

The astrolabe received an energy supplement, its light brightening slightly. The starry projection on it seemed to become more sensitive to the surrounding energy fluctuations.

Relying on the astrolabe's early warnings and Su Han's powerful Divine Sense, the spirit boat navigated arduously through the fog, avoiding several hidden spatial rifts and bizarre energy currents.

This process was extremely draining on the mind.

Even Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao felt a sense of fatigue.

After an unknown amount of time, the fog ahead seemed to thin slightly.

Vaguely, they could see a massive shadow silhouette in the depths of the mist, standing tall and majestic.

An aura of vastness, antiquity, and a faint pressure emanated from the direction of the shadow.

“Is that... Liubo Mountain?”

Bi Yao looked into the distance and murmured.

Su Han's spirits lifted, and he urged the spirit boat forward, accelerating toward the shadow.

The closer they got, the thinner the fog became.

The surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi also grew richer, even carrying a hint of the ancient, primeval aura unique to antiquity.

Finally, the spirit boat burst out of the fog area.

The scene before them suddenly opened up!

Under a vast azure sky, an incomparably huge island appeared on the distant horizon.

The island had rolling mountains and lush vegetation. The main peak, soaring into the clouds, was shrouded in mist, its true appearance obscured. Vaguely, shapes of immortal cranes and auspicious signs circled above.

Contrary to the rumors of it being a perilous place, the scene before them possessed an air of an immortal abode.

However, Su Han and the other two dared not relax in the slightest.

The calmer and more peaceful the exterior, the greater the danger hidden beneath.

The astrolabe's pointer pointed directly at that island.

Their destination had finally arrived.

Su Han stopped the spirit boat when it was still some distance from the shore, observing carefully.

The sea around the island was clear to the bottom, and the beach was white, appearing normal.

But he keenly sensed extremely complex and powerful Restriction fluctuations above the island.

It was likely impossible to fly up directly.

“Find a place to moor, and proceed cautiously,”

Su Han said, controlling the spirit boat to sail slowly along the coastline, searching for a suitable landing spot.

After sailing for a while, they discovered a small bay.

The bay was calm, seemingly a good place to land.

Just as the spirit boat was about to enter the bay, the netherworld token on Su Han's chest suddenly became scorching hot without any warning!

Simultaneously, the pointer on the astrolabe began to shake violently!

“Something’s wrong! Danger!”

Su Han's face changed, and without hesitation, he controlled the spirit boat to rapidly retreat!

Almost the instant the spirit boat retreated, the calm bay they were about to enter suddenly had its water boil!

A gigantic mouth, covered in sharp teeth, abruptly emerged from underwater, snapping at the position they had just occupied!

The giant mouth was astonishingly large, capable of swallowing the entire nether skeleton spirit boat!

A foul, putrid stench washed over them.

The giant mouth missed its target, emitting a dull crashing sound that stirred up towering waves.

A massive, mountain-like figure slowly rose from the sea.

It was a colossal python, its entire body covered in dark blue scales. On either side of its head were organs resembling fish fins. Its pair of vertical pupils were cold and merciless, filled with a tyrannical aura.

The Demonic Qi it exuded was as vast as the sea, clearly reaching the level of the Nascent Soul Stage!

“It’s an ancient variant, the Fuhai Python!”

Lu Xueqi recognized the giant beast, her tone grave.

The Fuhai Python stared intently at the spirit boat, which had retreated to a safe distance, letting out a low hiss, clearly enraged that the meal within reach had escaped.

Its massive body churned the seawater, forming numerous whirlpools.

Su Han felt a chill in his heart.

They had only just approached Liubo Mountain and immediately encountered a guardian Yao Beast at the Nascent Soul Stage.

Beneath the facade of this immortal mountain and blessed land, there were indeed dangers at every step.

The adventure on Liubo Mountain truly began now.

He gripped the qingming sword in his hand, his gaze sharp as he looked at the terrifying giant beast.

A fierce battle was likely unavoidable. (End of Chapter)