Chapter 1837: The Traction Envoy and the Entrance

In the time that followed, the old Daoist truly explained some of the taboos of the Black Domain Convention to Han Li.

Han Li nodded repeatedly as he listened.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the old Daoist glanced at the still dim sky, then smiled brightly and said:

"It's getting late now, let's head to the entrance together. There are quite a few entrances to the Black Domain each time it opens, and at the place we're going, I estimate there will only be four or five people waiting at most. But before we go, we must first conceal our true appearances. There's no need for overly complex methods. The Black Domain has restrictions on spiritual sense; ordinary concealment techniques are enough to block others' prying. It's best not to be recognized by other fellow cultivators before entering. However, even if you are recognized, it doesn't matter. Once inside the Black Domain, you can simply change your concealment method again, and they shouldn't be able to recognize you at the exchange."

True Bone Daoist truly lived up to his reputation as someone who had participated in the Black Domain Convention multiple times, effortlessly offering a string of insightful tips.

"Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist True Bone. I know what to do," Han Li replied with a smile, and at the very moment he spoke, a layer of grey misty light swirled out from his body, enveloping and concealing his entire form.

It was precisely the Primal Magnetic Divine Light that he had forced out of his body.

With this divine light concealing him, it would be difficult for the spiritual sense of other Body Integration cultivators to penetrate his true appearance.

Seeing Han Li's appearance, True Bone Daoist also chuckled.

With a single-handed incantation, a cloud of black mist billowed out from his body, similarly concealing his form.

Then, their escape lights flared up again, and the two shot out towards the Nine Immortals Mountain.

At the same time, many Body Integration old monsters and some mysterious cultivators in Nine Immortals Mountain also quietly left their residences, heading towards the outskirts of the mountain range.

However, these individuals were heading in vastly different directions, effectively poles apart.

Several hours later, as the sky fully brightened, Han Li and True Bone Daoist exited Nine Immortals Mountain and landed their escape lights in a seemingly desolate mountain valley nearby.

There, two people were already waiting silently.

One was bathed in brilliant golden light, so dazzling that one could not look directly at him. The other's figure was as faint as a wisp of smoke, making it impossible to discern anything no matter how intently one gazed.

These two stood far apart, one to the south and one to the north. Upon seeing Han Li and the other arrive, they merely cast a glance.

Evidently, these two were not companions, unlike Han Li and the old Daoist.

Han Li only glanced at the two, not presumptuously using his spiritual sense to probe them.

Because the old Daoist had made it clear upon their arrival.

Whether before or after entering the Black Domain, all human and demon cultivators attending this convention strictly avoided probing others with their spiritual sense.

At best, it would be seen as a provocation; at worst, it would immediately lead to a confrontation and a lesson.

Han Li had no objections to this rule; thus, when he couldn't discern the other two with his naked eye, he immediately withdrew his gaze.

Although he was confident that his Brightsight Spirit Eyes could very likely see through the two's concealment, if the other party cultivated special secret techniques, they might sense his probing.

He certainly didn't want to rashly invite trouble before even entering the Black Domain.

Therefore, Han Li and True Bone Daoist found a higher vantage point, staying far away from the other two, and waited quietly.

All four individuals present had concealed their true appearances, and none had any interest in conversation.

This atmosphere made the place seem somewhat eerie! Apart from the rustling of the wind, there was no other sound.

Han Li, with his eyes slightly narrowed, silently calculated the approaching time.

After about another half hour, the sound of something breaking through the air came from the horizon again.

Then, a strange, misty green light appeared high in the distance, and flashed instantly as it shot towards them.

After a few flashes, the green light descended from above like a meteorite, but just as it seemed about to crash violently into the ground, it suddenly halted a few yards above the earth, drifting down without making the slightest sound.

Han Li glanced indifferently, discerning a vague human figure standing within the green light.

This figure's position was precisely in the center of Han Li and the others.

After surveying the other four, the figure seemed to grin within the green light, then settled down cross-legged on the spot, showing no intention of moving further.

Han Li was momentarily startled by this sight, then a slight smile appeared on his face, finding the person quite interesting.

The old Daoist, however, watched the figure in the green light with a somber gaze, as if recalling something, and his brows furrowed slightly.

According to True Bone Daoist, it was clear that these five individuals were the attendees of the Black Domain Convention at this location.

After another good half hour, Han Li suddenly felt an unusual ripple from his sleeve. His expression shifted, and he immediately reached inside.

He pulled out a palm-sized triangular token!

The token was pitch black, but a faint white halo flickered erratically on its surface, seemingly resonating with something.

Han Li's heart stirred with joy, and he looked up at the others.

He saw that both True Bone Daoist nearby and the other three individuals had similarly taken out identical tokens, also with faint white lights flickering on them.

At that moment, a low, rumbling sound suddenly echoed from above the valley.

Then, a powerful spatial fluctuation rippled out from the same spot.

The five individuals below were all startled, simultaneously looking towards the source of the fluctuation.

Above the valley, which had previously been clear, a heavy, dark overcast suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Within this black cloud, streaks of silver lightning arcs silently emerged, then intertwined and flashed, instantly coalescing into a single mass.

After a thunderous crack and a flash of light, a massive silver gate suddenly materialized!

This gate stood over ten zhang tall, its surface adorned with ancient and mysterious patterns, and silver runes constantly swirled around it.

What an astonishing sight!

Fortunately, the five individuals in the valley were no ordinary beings; each had witnessed countless scenes far stranger than this. Thus, they all remained standing still, appearing completely composed.

Suddenly, the massive silver gate hummed, and the surrounding runes trembled, then simultaneously froze in place.

The gate then slowly opened, revealing a narrow slit.

A sliver of black light shot out from the gap, and with a flicker, a mysterious cultivator cloaked entirely in a black robe flashed out from the gate, hovering before it.

The person was enveloped in strange black mist, and their icy, piercing gaze swept coldly over the people below, yet they uttered not a single word.

Han Li watched the black-robed figure with narrowed eyes, a slight chill rising in his heart.

The aura emanating from this person was extremely bizarre; at one moment it seemed exceptionally powerful, and the next it was so weak it was almost imperceptible, as if their cultivation was highly unstable.

What kind of cultivation technique is this? It seems I've never heard of it before...

A hint of surprise flashed across Han Li's face as his thoughts raced.

The person shimmering in golden light, who seemed to have attended the Black Domain Convention before, bellowed, their voice as resonant as a bronze bell, "Are you the Black Domain's Guiding Emissary?"

"Do you all have your guiding tokens?! If so, this emissary will open the Gate of Guidance and allow you to enter the Black Domain. Those who wish to enter the Black Domain without a guiding token—kill!"

Their voice was high-pitched and grating, making it impossible to discern their gender.

The person in golden light let out a cold snort, seemingly displeased with the black-robed figure's arrogance, but ultimately said nothing further.

As for Han Li and the others, they naturally wouldn't interject.

Seeing that the five individuals below had no objections, the black-robed figure unceremoniously flipped their hand, revealing a dazzling silver, drumstick-like magical artifact.

With a backhand swing, they struck the massive gate with the artifact.

With a crisp 'clang,' the silver gate, which had already opened a narrow slit, fully opened amidst a deep roar.

Han Li naturally focused his gaze into the gate.

Inside the slowly opening colossal gate, it was utterly dark, devoid of any light, as if it were a boundless world of darkness—truly living up to its name, the Black Domain.

Just as Han Li secretly mused with delight, he suddenly felt the guiding token in his hand grow hot and scalding. The next moment, with a 'bang,' it disintegrated into swirling masses of black light, instantly enveloping his form.

Simultaneously, Han Li felt the air around him tighten, and a force lifted him up, sending him directly flying towards the silver gate opened in the air.

Han Li was startled at first, but upon glancing around and seeing the other four similarly lifted into the air by black light, he relaxed and calmed down.

In the blink of an eye, under the black-robed figure's cold gaze, all five individuals entered the massive silver gate one by one.

Seeing no abnormalities, the black-robed figure immediately struck the air on both sides of the gate with their artifact, then flew into the gate themselves.

A rumbling sound rose again as the massive silver gate slowly closed, followed by a peal of thunder, and then it dissipated into countless electrical arcs once more.

After the electrical arcs vanished, the nearby black clouds also churned briefly and disappeared into thin air.

The previously overcast sky returned to its original clarity.

Enveloped in black light, Han Li continuously surveyed his surroundings, his face filled with curiosity.

After entering the massive silver gate, he and the other four were still encased in black light, quietly suspended in a line in the void.

Now that he was within the mysterious space behind the colossal gate, Han Li could clearly see this so-called "Dark World."

All around him was a black sea of mist composed of various black energies. Some black mists flowed slowly, appearing quite ordinary. Others, however, were wildly violent, swirling and dancing madly, tearing apart everything around them, forming dangerous, misty black hurricanes.

What made Han Li's expression shift even more was sensing a strange aura of demonic beasts within the black mist a little further away—their numbers were vast, yet their fluctuations differed greatly from ordinary demonic beasts.

They were concealed in the distant mist, seemingly eyeing them menacingly, but for some unknown reason, they were also extremely hesitant to advance.

Even from such a distance, Han Li could feel the tyrannical aura emanating from these demonic beasts; they were not to be underestimated.