Chapter 1461: Mysterious Mountain Range

Mortal Cultivation Saga: Volume 3

As they flew further into the distant great canyon, it appeared to descend deeper underground. Ahead, it was utterly dark, devoid of any light, as if it led directly to the Nine Netherworld Springs.

However, all the Vermilion Flame Clan members' eyes glowed with an astonishing red light, allowing them to see in the darkness. Each of them remained exceptionally calm.

Soon after, strange cries echoed from the darkness ahead. Large, shadowy figures swarmed out—a flock of eerie bats, as large as birds, with purplish-red eyes. They screeched and lunged towards the Vermilion Flame Clan group.

Zhu Yinzi, flying at the forefront, showed no expression at the bats' aggressive charge, but her wings suddenly fluttered. Countless feathers shot out, sweeping forward. With a flash of red light, the feathers transformed into innumerable fiery arrows, instantly piercing through the bat swarm. A series of violent explosions followed as the bats, one after another, erupted into flaming spheres and fell from mid-air; not a single one survived. Zhu Rongmei and her companions continued without stopping, their escaping light vanishing into the darkness in the blink of an eye. By continuing along this canyon, they would safely reach the Abyssal Core's second level after a day and a night. Above a crimson-red land, a huge dark shadow suddenly swept across the sky, seemingly fleeing in panic.

Shortly after the dark shadow had flown past, spiritual light flickered on the horizon, as over ten clusters of various colored spiritual lights suddenly appeared and darted towards them.

This group of people had various feathered wings on their backs, and all bore black tattoos on their faces. They were, surprisingly, members of the Qiyue Clan, renowned as the first branch of the Flying Spirit Race. The gaunt young girl flying at the very front was indeed Ao Qing, who had drawn the attention of all the Holy Sons.

The woman gazed at the distant, faintly visible black shadow fleeing in disarray, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she calmly pursued it.

"Senior Sister Ao, the direction this Goldtooth Beast is fleeing deviates somewhat from the entrance to the second level we're heading for. Shouldn't we stop following it and just eliminate it here instead?" After chasing for a while longer, a burly man among the Qiyue Clan Holy Sons finally couldn't help but speak.

"What's the rush?" the young girl said emotionlessly, without turning her head. "Since we've encountered a mid-tier, communal demon beast like the Goldtooth Beast on the first level of the Abyssal Core, we should naturally catch them all in one go. Or do you think that following me down to the next level later will prevent you from completing the trial?" "No, I have absolutely no such thoughts," the burly man replied, startled, quickly explaining. "I just fear that the Netherflame Fruit will be found first by other branches."

"If it's truly too late, we'll simply seize it from the other branches. If that's not feasible, there are certainly large quantities of this fruit on the fourth level of the Abyssal Core. At worst, we'll just spend more time and go down another level," Ao Qing said with a cold, noncommittal laugh. Hearing this, the burly man's mouth twitched, and he dared not speak further.

Thus, the group, watching the distant, frantically fleeing dark shadow, calmly followed it, much like a cat toying with a mouse.

Amidst a pile of scattered rocks, three Flying Spirit Race members, bearing blue feathered wings on their backs and scales on their faces, were relentlessly assaulting a dark demon beast. The creature, two *zhang* tall with a deer's head and a human body, was fiercely counterattacking.

Black mist surged from the creature's body as it wielded a giant black trident. It single-handedly fought against several Flying Spirit Race Holy Sons, surprisingly showing no disadvantage. Instead, it grew fiercer with each exchange. The three Holy Sons besieging it, however, were secretly groaning in distress.

This was merely the first level of the Abyssal Core; how could a high-level demon beast like the Deer-faced Demon, which should only appear on the third level, be present here? Nevertheless, since this malevolent demon, which feasted on flesh and blood, had targeted them, the three had no choice but to fight desperately.

Elsewhere, most of the Flying Spirit Race Holy Sons on the first level encountered unexpected trouble. However, some branches found the second-level entrance unusually smoothly and, much like the Vermilion Flame Clan, began to proceed into the second level.

Meanwhile, Han Li, to avoid other ill-intentioned Scorpion Clan branches, had to find the most remote entrance. Driving the spiritual chariot, he flew with Lei Lan and another companion for over half a day.

It was unclear whether the chariot's concealment spell was truly effective, or if there simply weren't many demon beasts along this specific route. They encountered no trouble during their subsequent journey. After flying for another two days and two nights, past two dense forests and a hilly region, they entered the deeper part of the Abyssal Core's first level. At the flying chariot's current speed and continued smooth progress, they should reach the second-level entrance in just one more day. Lei Lan and Bai Bi were extremely pleased about this.

However, after flying tens of thousands more miles, a dark, subterranean mountain range suddenly appeared ahead. Startled, the three had to stop the flying chariot. "According to the map, this should be a plain. How can there be a mountain range?" Bai Bi muttered, standing in the chariot and staring at the massive mountains blocking their path. Lei Lan also looked somewhat bewildered.

From a distance, most of the mountain peaks were extremely tall, some reaching directly into the uppermost part of the underground world. Only on the sides of some peaks were there passable crevices, forming narrow holes that made one's heart tremble. No one knew how long this mountain range stretched, or if there were other peculiarities beyond it!

Han Li's eyes narrowed. Suddenly, his body swayed, and he flew down from the spiritual chariot, landing on the nearby ground. He then lowered his head, carefully observing something.

Seeing Han Li's action, Lei Lan and Bai Bi were somewhat surprised. After exchanging glances, they too flew out of the spiritual chariot and landed beside him. "Judging by the nearby traces, this mountain range must have appeared within the last century," Han Li exhaled deeply and said slowly. "It was most likely moved here by someone using great magical power." "Moving mountains!" Lei Lan's face paled somewhat, and Bai Bi's expression also turned grim.

"That's right, and not just one peak; the entire mountain range was moved here. However, there's no need to be overly alarmed," Han Li said with a slight smile. "Such a divine ability cannot be achieved out of thin air, even by a demon king of the deepest underground. They most likely used some treasure or a restrictive formation. Otherwise, it would mean a living True Spirit-level demon beast has genuinely appeared at the very bottom of the Abyssal Core." "I see," Bai Bi, as a Holy Son of the Heavenly Peng Clan and a person of extraordinary insight, understood after a brief thought.

"Even so, the situation here isn't quite right. The sand we passed earlier also appeared suddenly. What other intentions do the Abyssal Core demon beasts have by doing this?" Lei Lan said, her face revealing worry.

"It might be the influence of a demon tide outbreak," Han Li said, unhurried. "Even if it's not, whatever the reason, the Abyssal Core trial cannot be canceled. We can't interfere with this matter. We can only hurry to the third level, retrieve the Netherflame Fruit, and immediately return to report this to the clan." After all, he had experienced countless such sudden incidents in his past.

"Brother Han is right. But this mountain range is probably a bit strange. If we fly through the gaps at the mountaintops, we don't know what risks we'll encounter. If we go around the sides..." Bai Bi hesitated as he spoke. "Absolutely not from the sides," Lei Lan flatly denied, then continued to analyze:

"According to the map, on one side of this region is the Abyssal Wind Zone. The abyssal winds there are not of the same power as what we encountered before. Their ferocity and extreme cold are enough to turn us into ice pillars, trapping us forever within; it's a famous restricted area on the first level. And the other side is not a benevolent place either; it's the most troublesome Black Abyssal Flying Ant Nest on the first level, home to hundreds of thousands of flying ants. With our cultivation levels, venturing in there isn't just a near-certain death; there's at least a fifty percent chance we'll never come out." "In that case, we only have one option: to risk passing through this area," Han Li muttered to himself, stroking his chin as he gazed at the dark mountain range ahead.

"That's not necessarily true," Lei Lan hesitated. "If we're willing to make a much larger detour, we could also bypass it via another route. However, the time wasted on such a journey would be at least seven or eight days, which would be very disadvantageous for our search for the Netherflame Fruit." Han Li's eyes flashed as he gazed at the distant mountain range, falling silent in thought. At this point, Bai Bi and Lei Lan also fell silent, seemingly leaving the decision to Han Li.

"This mountain range gives me a very strange feeling. If we truly pass through it, we might encounter some great danger. Even if we manage to break out of the mountain range, our magical power might be damaged, which would be detrimental to the subsequent trials. As for descending to the second level later, that's not a big deal. With this delay, it might actually obscure our route from those branches intentionally targeting us. Besides, with so many participants in the trial, there won't be many Netherflame Fruits left to find on the second level anyway; I originally planned to take you to the third level. Let's go. Wasting a bit more time is better than truly facing unknown dangers." Han Li finally spoke. Then, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a streak of green light, flying back into the spiritual chariot. Seeing this, Lei Lan and Bai Bi exchanged a few whispered words, then also ascended and flew onto the spiritual chariot. "Brother Han, why don't we discuss it a bit more? Perhaps this mountain isn't as dangerous as we imagine," Bai Bi couldn't help but say the moment his feet touched the spiritual chariot. Although he felt there was some truth in what Han Li said, such a long delay still made him feel great regret. "Don't even think about it. I will not enter this mountain range," Han Li said plainly, completely cutting off Bai Bi's further persuasions. He then lightly tapped the triangular spiritual chariot with his toe. With a 'whoosh,' the chariot transformed into a ball of spiritual light and shot out like a meteor towards one side.

Seeing Han Li's resolute demeanor, not only did Bai Bi sigh and say nothing more, but Lei Lan also fell silent. No one knew that beneath the hesitant gazes of the two Holy Sons, Han Li's heart was churning with uncertainty.

A wisp of his divine sense was connected to the Soul-Crying Beast on his spirit beast ring, calming the creature's restless emotions, while he also secretly mumbled to himself.

The moment he approached this mountain range, the Soul-Resonance Pearl within him suddenly grew hot. Startled, he immediately contacted the Soul-Crying Beast in his spirit beast bracelet. He found that the beast was uncharacteristically restless within the bracelet, continuously letting out low growls.