Chapter 1705: Thousand Faces of a Thousand Changes

**Volume Three**

**A Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume Three**

"If it's one-on-one, I could gain a significant advantage within ten breaths and kill it within thirty breaths," Shi Kun replied, his brow furrowed.

"Oh, what if three or four, or even a dozen, such dark beasts appeared at once?" Liu Shuier asked with a faint, knowing smile.

"If they all possessed such strength, I wouldn't be sure of victory against more than three. With more than five, I'd be certain to lose. With ten or more, I'd flee immediately without a second thought," Shi Kun said, a slight twitch in his mouth and a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"Exactly. As far as I know, there are tens of thousands of dark beasts in the Dark Beast Forest, and their spiritual powers and strength vary greatly. According to the ancient texts, the spiritual power of the one we just encountered should be even lower than that of an ordinary adult dark beast. Otherwise, it wouldn't have struggled with that strange python for so long. Above the ordinary dark beasts, there are two higher-ranked types. One is the Three-Eyed Dark Beast; besides being much stronger than ordinary dark beasts, its third eye can emit a strange beam of light that, once it hits a body, immediately turns it into rotten wood, making it quite troublesome. The other type is the King-level Dark Beast. The fur of these beasts is no longer black but pure gold, and their power is indescribable. It is said that among the predecessors who explored the Dark Beast Forest, only one person ever glimpsed it from afar, leading hundreds of adult dark beasts as they galloped through the forest," Liu Shuier said, her voice becoming solemn.

"I've also read similar texts. Regarding the Three-Eyed Beast, I estimate I could only handle one; facing two at once would be difficult to say. As for the golden dark beast, since it can command a beast horde, its spiritual power is naturally far superior to that of the Three-Eyed Dark Beast. Even if we combine our strength, we probably wouldn't be its match. However, since it's a beast king, there won't be many of them in the entire Dark Beast Forest. I don't think we'll be so unlucky as to encounter one, so there's no need to worry excessively about it," Han Li spoke slowly.

"Yes, that makes sense. We never intended to provoke these exotic beasts; our plan for the next month is simply to sneak through the forest. Unfortunately, if we could fly at high altitude, we could pass through the entire forest in just a few days. From the ground, it will take several times longer," Liu Shuier sighed faintly.

"We can afford to spend this much time. Besides, we have no other choice. Traveling from the sky would mean facing the simultaneous siege of dozens, even hundreds, of dark beasts," Han Li let out a wry laugh.

"I naturally know that. And according to the experience of our ancestors who passed through the Dark Beast Forest, dark beasts cannot exert even half of their strength during the day. Therefore, the Dark Beast Forest is unusually more heavily guarded during daylight. Many Three-Eyed high-level dark beasts intentionally come out during the day to patrol everywhere. But at night, when the dark beasts' strength greatly increases, their vigilance relaxes by more than half. High-level dark beasts also return to their caves to cultivate and rest," Liu Shuier nodded slightly.

"So, we'll travel at night and rest during the day? I originally thought it would be the other way around," Shi Kun said, a bit surprised.

"I also agree with Immortal Liu's words. Apart from the fact that high-level dark beasts are active during the day, our concealment methods will also be weakened by a third during the day. It's probably impossible to hide from those Three-Eyed dark beasts. After all, multi-eyed beasts usually possess some spiritual abilities in their extra demonic eyes to see through illusions and concealment. This is also highly disadvantageous for us. No matter how much the dark beasts are weakened during the day, being surrounded by hundreds of them would be no different for us than at night. It would be better to choose to travel at night," Han Li said after a moment's thought.

"Oh, listening to your words, fellow daoists, it truly makes a lot of sense. All right, then we'll act at night," Shi Kun seemed convinced, offering no further objections.

"Since you two fellow daoists have no objections, we'll set off in a moment. The sooner we get out of this Dark Beast Forest, the sooner we can relax. By the way, do either of you have any suitable concealment methods?" Liu Shuier first nodded with satisfaction, then suddenly asked in return.

"What do you mean by that, Immortal Liu? Do you perhaps have some more ingenious method that could help us with concealment?" Han Li, being a person of keen intellect, instantly guessed the meaning behind her words.

"Brother Han is truly exceptionally clever. Before I came out this time, I specifically borrowed three Thousand Transformations Masks from my master. With this treasure, one can directly transform into whatever they wish to become, unless someone intentionally scans with their spiritual sense. Otherwise, as long as we don't make a move, there's no fear of being discovered. I also know that you two fellow daoists surely have other brilliant concealment methods. But when it comes to blending in, this treasure is perfectly suited. This way, even if we are discovered by other dark beasts, we can subtly conceal ourselves," the cloaked woman explained with a low chuckle, then flipped her hand, and three shimmering, silvery, thin skin-like objects suddenly appeared in her palm.

"The Thousand Transformations Mask is something I've long heard about. I heard it's a unique treasure that only your master can refine. If Fellow Daoist Liu is willing to lend it, that would naturally be excellent. I, Shi, won't be modest," The moment Shi Kun saw the three thin skins, he immediately showed great joy, then raised his hand and, with a grab, drew one of the thin skins through the air, lowering his head to examine it closely.

Han Li hadn't been in Cloud City for long, and this was his first time hearing of this treasure. But that didn't matter; seeing Shi Kun's excitement at that moment was enough to know that the Thousand Transformations Mask was absolutely extraordinary.

Therefore, he also uttered a word of thanks and likewise drew one of the thin skins through the air, examining it with curiosity.

The so-called "Thousand Transformations Mask" was incredibly thin, like silk, yet it felt unusually warm and cool to the touch. With Han Li's experience, he couldn't even discern what material it was made from.

But what was even more striking was that the surface of the illusion mask was imprinted with silver runes of varying sizes, each the size of a bean, exceptionally profound.

Han Li's expression subtly changed the moment he clearly saw these silver runes. Although it was only a slight abnormality, it was still noticed by the cloaked woman.

A trace of surprise naturally flashed across the woman's face beneath her cloak, and she immediately opened her lips to ask:

"Brother Han, have you perhaps seen this item before?"

"Since it's Senior Cai's unique treasure, how could I possibly have had the chance to see it?" Han Li's heart tensed, but his expression had already returned to normal.

"Brother Han, just now..." The cloaked woman, however, didn't let it go, and pressed for an answer.

"Haha, the material of this treasure is a bit strange. I, Han, consider myself well-traveled and experienced, yet I can't discern its origin at all; I'm a bit ashamed," Han Li smiled slightly, speaking casually.

"So that's it. Although I don't know the refining method, I heard my master mention once that this Thousand Transformations Mask is refined from the integrated skins of seven spirit beasts, all rare across the entire continent. No wonder Fellow Daoist Han couldn't identify it," Liu Shuier seemed to genuinely believe Han Li's excuse and explained gently.

"I, Han, am enlightened," Han Li also feigned ignorance, gently stroking the silver runes on the thin skin in his hand with his finger, while various thoughts surged within him.

The silver runes on this Thousand Transformations Mask were astonishingly the same silver tadpole script from the Golden Palace Jade Book. The unexpected appearance of this script here naturally greatly astonished Han Li.

Since this treasure is Cai Liuying's unique possession, could it be that she also possesses an outer page of the Golden Palace Jade Book?

He muttered to himself for a long while.

Just then, Liu Shuier spoke again:

"Although this treasure is magical, it doesn't instantly transform upon wearing it. If transforming into a living creature, it's best to first obtain some flesh, blood, or fur of that creature. If you can get an entire hide of a beast, the transformation will be absolutely flawless."

"Fur, that's easy enough. Just find a few lone dark beasts and kill them. Heh heh, wasn't that one we just saw perfect? In such a short time, it surely hasn't run far," Shi Kun, hearing this, revealed a fierce look on his face.

Immediately, a yellow light flashed beneath his feet, and he silently and gradually sank into the ground.

Liu Shuier's eyes flickered a few times, but in the end, she didn't say anything to stop him.

As a result, Shi Kun used his Earth Evasion Art, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from that spot without a trace.

"Is it alright to just let Brother Shi go alone like that?" Liu Shuier glanced at Han Li before speaking in a low voice.

"Since Immortal Liu didn't speak to dissuade him, she must not see it as a big problem. I, Han, also don't think there will be any issues. I've already thoroughly checked the vicinity; there's absolutely no second dark beast within a hundred-mile radius. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Shi is prepared against an unaware opponent, so he'll surely succeed easily," Han Li said indifferently, narrowing his eyes.

Hearing Han Li say this, Liu Shuier said nothing more. Just half an hour later, at the spot where Shi Kun had disappeared, a yellow light flashed, and a figure emerged from underground.

It was Shi Kun himself.

As soon as he fully emerged from underground, he smiled at Han Li and the cloaked woman, then with a sudden flick of his sleeve, a dark, furry object flew out.

It was precisely the dark, gloomy fur of the dark beast.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, what do you think of this fur? Might it be suitable for my transformation?" Shi Kun said proudly.

"If there isn't even a single scratch on it, then naturally there's no problem at all. I'll transmit the incantation to you two fellow daoists, and Brother Shi can try it out first," Liu Shuier replied with a light chuckle after briefly examining the beast hide with her gaze.

The woman then returned the beast hide, and with a slight movement of her lips, she slowly transmitted a profound incantation to Han Li and Shi Kun.

Han Li and the other naturally diligently memorized all the incantations, daring not to be distracted in the slightest.

A moment later, when Liu Shuier's transmission abruptly ceased, Shi Kun's eyes lit up. He suddenly tossed the beast hide in his hand into the air, then raised his hand again.

The Thousand Transformations Mask transformed into a ball of silver light and merged into the fur, and immediately, silver runes appeared one by one.

The entire dark beast's hide then descended upon the burly man.