Chapter 1557: Fire Yang Tribe

**Volume 7: Traversing the Human Realm — Volume 9: Hundred Races of the Spirit World**

At this moment, the other male serpent-men in the distance had finished dismembering the giant crab. They then proceeded to wrap the materials and food in soft animal hides, slinging the bundles behind their backs. Each of these bundles was over two *zhang* tall, nearly twice the size of the serpent-men themselves. Yet, despite carrying them on their backs, the serpent-men appeared completely at ease, demonstrating their astonishing strength.

After the four female serpent-men carried Han Li over, the big man let out a shout, and the male serpent-men, with their burdens, immediately joined the group. The entire procession then headed out of the valley.

As soon as they exited the valley, Han Li's eyes lit up. Only then did he realize that just a few *li* from the valley entrance lay an expanse of shimmering blue water. The valley was surprisingly close to the sea; no wonder a monster like the giant crab could appear there.

However, the sea surface was unusually calm at the moment. Aside from a somewhat salty and humid sea breeze, there were no large waves. That's why Han Li hadn't heard any sound of waves crashing while in the valley. The serpent-men carried Han Li along the coastline. After walking for a while, the path curved, and Han Li looked around, a sudden realization dawning on him: this was not a continental coastline, but an unfamiliar island. After walking another ten *li* or so on this island, the serpent-men's group arrived at a pile of reefs.

Among these reefs, seven or eight slender, strange bone boats were moored. One was larger, able to seat four or five people, while the others could only seat two at most. One end of these bone boats was pointed, while the other featured various strange monster heads, all carved from wood.

Han Li and two serpent-women boarded the largest bone boat, while the rest of the group took the other smaller boats, setting off into the sea using the attached bone oars. All the serpent-men, male and female, possessed extraordinary physical strength. With the bone oars paddling almost incessantly, the bone boats cut through the waves like crossbow bolts. The sea surface remained unusually calm, and no sea beasts were seen attacking the small boats. After merely an hour, a black speck appeared in the distance, revealing itself to be another island. Han Li squinted slightly, a faint blue light flickering in his pupils, as he clearly made out the general outline of the island from afar.

This was a medium-sized island, likely hundreds of *li* in area. Its surface was verdant with undulating mountains, appearing to have many peaks and trees, making it a suitable place for habitation. However, the tallest mountain on the island had a slightly reddish top and a somewhat grayish-white base, surprisingly resembling a volcano. As for other things on the island, Han Li's magic power had not yet recovered, preventing him from enhancing his spiritual eye ability, so he naturally couldn't examine anything in more detail.

The bone boats swiftly cut through the waves towards the island. After the time it takes to eat a meal, they were only about ten *li* from the island. Just then, the previously clear and tranquil sky suddenly changed. Countless dark clouds appeared almost instantly. Then, a strong sea wind picked up, and torrential rain poured down from the clouds. The speed of the weather change over the sea was truly incredible!

However, none of these phenomena caused any trouble for the bone boats' progress. This was because the serpent-men on board each pressed a raised part on their boat. Instantly, a small formation appeared at the bottom of the bone boat, and individual sparkling white light shields suddenly emerged, enveloping all the bone boats. However, the serpent-men's expressions did not lighten as a result. Simultaneously with the sudden weather change at sea, giant waves as tall as a pavilion also surged, overwhelmingly striking the small boats.

These small boats were only two or three *zhang* long. They appeared extremely tiny before these giant waves and naturally could not resist them. However, protected by the white light shields, the boats wouldn't immediately capsize or cause fatalities. Still, they seemed extremely precarious amidst the waves, merely drifting with the current and unable to advance an inch.

Han Li was startled by this sight. After his gaze swept over the faces of the two serpent-women on the boat, he found that although their expressions were solemn, they did not show much panic. It seemed these serpent-men must have another way to cope. Just as Han Li expected, right when these bone boats were in extreme peril, a milky white light beam suddenly shot out from the nearby island. The light beam flashed and vanished into the nearby dark clouds.

Immediately, a thunderous roar echoed from the dark clouds. A huge ball of light exploded, and as white air currents surged, it forcibly tore open a massive hole, hundreds of *zhang* in circumference, in the swirling clouds. Han Li was naturally startled and couldn't help but glance at the island a few more times. But the light beam just now was too fast and only flashed for an instant. He didn't clearly see where on the island it had shot from.

After a large hole was pierced through the dark clouds, the fierce winds and giant waves on the sea surface weakened. Although it wasn't as calm as before, the bone boats, under the serpent-men's control, once again sped towards the island. A short while later, all the bone boats arrived at a natural small harbor on the island, and everyone prepared to disembark. Han Li was once again carried ashore by four serpent-women using the 'stretcher'.

At this moment, Han Li couldn't help but turn his head to look back at the nearby sky. Clearly, the change in the celestial phenomenon couldn't last too long; in just that short time, the large hole in the sky was once again filled with dark clouds, and the sea became turbulent with crashing waves again. But for the serpent-men who had already safely landed, it was inconsequential.

Han Li showed a thoughtful expression, becoming very interested in whatever on the island could emit the white light beam. Although his spiritual sense was depleted, he could still vaguely feel that the spiritual energy of this light beam was unusually mixed. It was definitely not the work of some mighty powerful being, but more like a magic formation or artifact unleashed with the power of spirit stones. Although such a level of power didn't particularly impress Han Li, its appearance on such a small, foreign island was somewhat strange. However, these thoughts merely flashed through Han Li's mind before his gaze returned to everything before him.

This small harbor was not deserted. Not only were there several stone houses of varying heights built along the shore, but also a tall stone pillar, about a hundred *zhang* high, stood erect. At the top of the pillar was also a small wooden house, where other serpent-men seemed to be vaguely present.

Just then, seven or eight serpent-men emerged from the stone houses on the shore, most of them female, with a few males. Leading them was a serpent-woman in her twenties, with an exceptionally full figure and radiant beauty. The woman's gaze swept over the big man and the others. When she saw the bulky bundles, a charming smile appeared on her face, but when her gaze swept to Han Li at the very end of the group, she couldn't help but be taken aback.

At this moment, the big man quickly walked over. After bowing, he spoke a few words to the woman with a hint of solemnity on his face. After the beautiful serpent-woman finished listening, her beautiful eyes swept over Han Li's lower body and legs again, and she, too, revealed a look of surprise.

Suddenly, the woman's body swayed a few times. After a few graceful movements, she stood elegantly before Han Li, opened her mouth, and spoke in a strange language. Han Li raised an eyebrow and shook his head. But the serpent-woman didn't give up. She tried seven or eight more languages in succession. When she switched to the last one, Han Li's expression shifted; he actually understood it. It was the language of the Winged Spirits! However, the woman spoke haltingly, appearing somewhat unskillful.

"You know the Winged Spirit language!" Han Li said slowly, a hint of surprise on his face.

"The esteemed Upper Race Lord also knows the Winged Spirit language, that's truly wonderful," the serpent-woman replied with a bow, overjoyed at hearing Han Li speak her tongue. "My name is Yan Wu, an auxiliary priestess of the Huoyang Tribe! May I know how the esteemed Upper Race Lord is addressed?"

"Just call me Mr. Han," Han Li replied, frowning slightly. "Huoyang Tribe? This is the first time I've heard of it. I unexpectedly ended up here. Where is this sea region?"

"Our Huoyang Tribe is merely a small branch of the Wa Clan, so it's not surprising that Mr. Han hasn't heard of our tribe's name," the serpent-woman replied, neither humble nor arrogant. "For an Upper Race Lord like yourself to descend upon our Huoyang Tribe is a great honor for our clan. However, I am merely an auxiliary priestess and do not know much about the Upper Races in the nearby sea region, nor am I qualified to personally receive Mr. Han. I will personally escort you to meet our tribe's High Priestess right away. If you have any questions, the High Priestess will surely be able to answer them in detail."

"High Priestess!" Han Li's eyes narrowed slightly, and he swept his gaze twice over the serpent-woman before him, sensing the faint spiritual energy emanating from her. Although this divine woman's cultivation was only around the Qi Condensation stage, she was indeed a cultivator. However, given her low cultivation, the High Priestess's cultivation couldn't be much higher. "There's nothing to be afraid of," Han Li concluded his quick mental calculations, then nodded faintly.

The beautiful serpent-woman secretly let out a sigh of relief when she saw Han Li agree. In her mind, the aura of this Upper Race individual before her was truly strange. If he was powerful, his spiritual pressure was almost imperceptible, seemingly not much stronger than hers. Yet, to say he was weak? She had already swept her spiritual sense over him but couldn't detect his cultivation level at all. Such a bizarre situation was naturally better left to the High Priestess to handle.

The serpent-woman immediately gave a few instructions to the big man and the others. Then, with one hand, she reached into her waist, pulling out a leather pouch. Reaching inside, she actually pulled out a spirit bird that was entirely snow-white. This bird was fist-sized, resembling a parrot, but its eyes were unusually fiery red, as if two flames were embedded within them.

After the serpent-woman caressed the bird a few times, she uttered strange "gurgling" sounds, then released it. Instantly, the bird transformed into a streak of white light and flew towards the depths of the island, vanishing from sight after only a few blinks.

"I have already informed the High Priestess," the woman said with a smiling face. "Now, I will personally escort Mr. Han to our Huoyang City."

Han Li raised an eyebrow but didn't express any objection. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes. Seeing Han Li's acquiescence, the woman didn't hesitate. She immediately personally led four serpent-women to carry Han Li, and they walked along a carved stone path, heading towards the center of the island.