Chapter 1906: Demonic Arrival at the City Gates

Current Location: Volume Ten - The Demonic War

Main Text: Volume Ten - The Demonic War

Thousands of miles behind both sides of the main battle groups, transformed demonic beasts and high-level demonic cultivators stood in distant confrontation.

They did not engage, coldly observing the battle below, merely holding each other in check.

Over a vast expanse of sea, an endless expanse of black mist surged towards a city built on a colossal island. Within the black mist, countless demonic figures writhed, as if an army of thousands was concealed within.

Suddenly, from the depths of the ocean near the giant island, a roar like a dragon's cry echoed, reverberating through the entire sky.

Following this, fierce winds raged and waves surged on one side of the island's sea. Then, as the massive waves parted, a ten-thousand-foot-long azure beast head slowly emerged from the seabed.

The beast head's surface was rugged and pitted, covered in green seaweed and rubble, its original form indiscernible. Yet, its two murky eyes opened on either side, casting a cold gaze at the distant black mist, and its colossal mouth, like a bottomless abyss, gaped open.

A thunderous roar erupted, causing the entire sea surface to tremble. A misty blue glow surged out from the enormous mouth, then shimmered, transforming into a blue hurricane that swept across the sea, engulfing the black mist.

Though tens of thousands of demonic beasts were within the black mist, they were utterly powerless against the hurricane, which was akin to a force of nature. They were involuntarily sucked in.

Indeed, so much seawater was drawn into the colossal mouth that the surrounding sea level visibly receded.

After swallowing such a multitude of demonic beasts, the giant head closed its eyes and slowly sank back into the seabed.

In an instant, the sea surface returned to calm, as if the preceding immense demonic energy had never appeared.

From a tall tower on the distant giant island, a tall figure watched all of this with cold eyes.

Sky Abyss City!

Han Li sat cross-legged on the highest floor of the tower, his hands forming incantations. In front of him, a golden gourd and a shimmering map of ten thousand swords floated. His eyes were slightly closed, as if his entire being was immersed in a state of profound contemplation.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, his hand seals shifted, and a finger tapped the golden gourd. The gourd trembled, its surface flickering with spiritual light, revealing brilliantly colored five-element runes.

Then, a humming sound emanated!

The gourd opened. Amidst swirling multicolored light, five flying swords of different colors—gold, yellow, azure, crimson, and blue—flew out.

Each sword was only an inch long, yet their bodies shimmered with crystal clarity, emitting dreamlike hues that made them appear exceedingly mysterious.

Han Li formed a sword incantation, and with a clear hum, the five flying swords shot upwards, each transforming with their unique powers.

With a muffled 'pfft,' the crimson flying sword surged with flames, transforming into a ten-foot-long fire snake that coiled and danced erratically.

As for the blue flying sword, as it swirled and flew, wisps of blue mist emanated from it, instantly forming masses of clouds in the nearby void, making the sword's original form difficult to discern.

However, the most astonishing display came from the originally unassuming yellow flying sword.

With a tremble, this sword elongated to over ten yards. At the same time, spiritual light flowed over its surface, and layers of hard yellow material appeared. From a distance, it seemed to have transformed into a gigantic earthy-yellow stone sword. As it was swung, the surrounding void hummed, its power clearly astonishing.

As for the golden and azure flying swords, they underwent no significant changes other than their dazzling brilliance.

The five flying swords chased and danced in the air, displaying astonishing sentience.

Han Li's gaze towards the five flying swords remained cool and detached. After activating them to fly for a short while, he withdrew his sword incantation.

With a prolonged hum, the five flying swords immediately reverted to their original forms and were swiftly drawn back into the golden gourd with a whoosh.

At this point, Han Li shifted his gaze to the map of ten thousand swords beside him, his expression turning somewhat solemn.

But the next moment, he suddenly raised his hand, unleashing several incantations that vanished into the map in a flash.

The previously still sword map immediately emitted sharp hums. Then, its surface radiated brilliant golden light, and the myriad small swords etched upon it began to twist and shimmer, from a few, then a dozen, to hundreds, and eventually thousands.

In just a blink of an eye, the small swords on the map seemed to come alive.

Han Li let out a low cry, opened his mouth, and exhaled a misty green spiritual energy, which vanished into the sword map in a flash.

The map of ten thousand swords immediately erupted with a metallic clangor of battle and slaughter. Countless golden sword shadows surged out from the map like a tide. In an instant, a chilling sword qi, piercing to the bone, enveloped the entire hall.

Han Li's expression stirred. A black light flashed between his brows, and the Eye of Destruction spontaneously appeared. Dazzling black light swirled within it, and a powerful divine sense burst forth, instantly merging into the map of ten thousand swords.

In an instant, the tens of thousands of sword shadows in the hall shimmered with golden light, were activated, and began to slowly revolve around Han Li.

Initially, they moved as slowly as snails, but almost immediately, the sword shadows became as nimble as small fish, darting around the hall and subtly forming a vast, formidable sword array.

Han Li's eyes flashed, his hand seals changed, and he was about to mobilize the immense spiritual power within his body to activate all the sword shadows once more.

But just then, the map of ten thousand swords suddenly trembled and emitted a low hum. Its spiritual light dimmed, and it instantly became incredibly faint.

The golden sword shadows, which had been dancing all over the hall, let out a mournful cry, became indistinct, and finally flickered and vanished.

Almost simultaneously, the third black eye between Han Li's brows also flickered and disappeared.

His expression subtly changed, and he frowned slightly as he looked at the map of ten thousand swords.

He had obtained the golden gourd from a forbidden area in the Guanghan Realm. As it was likely a Dharma artifact crafted by an Immortal, he naturally dared not underestimate it, and had been slowly studying and comprehending it.

Fortunately, he had now mastered the Golden Seal Script and Silver Tadpole Script. Thus, even though the artifact's crafting method differed greatly from those in the Human Realm and Spirit Realm, and the flying swords within the gourd seemed unfinished, he still managed to understand some of its intricacies.

As a result, based on his own insights and utilizing some rare materials with Five-Element attributes, he finally managed to refine this set of treasures to completion.

However, he had managed to refine the gourd's original pure gold-attribute flying swords into a complete set of Five-Element flying swords.

Thus, while the treasure's power undoubtedly could not compare to what its original owner had envisioned, it could at least be used in battle, and its might was no less than that of ordinary spirit treasures.

Though this set of gourd swords was impressive, given Han Li's current possessions, it was not of great use to him.

He intended to bestow it upon his disciples once he verified that the treasure was completely stable.

As for the unusual phenomenon displayed by the map of ten thousand swords earlier, Han Li had drawn inspiration from a certain exotic secret art. He refined the astonishing sword qi contained within the map using a special method, allowing it to be activated for combat like an ordinary magical artifact.

The sword qi preserved in this map originated from the True Immortal Realm. If it could be fully activated, its power would be unimaginable.

Even an Integration cultivator, caught amidst the map's tens of thousands of sword qi, would have no chance of survival.

Unfortunately, this refinement method was exceedingly time-consuming, and he had previously spent all his time on increasing his magical power. Thus, the map was only half-refined.

Moreover, because the sword qi within the map was a finite resource, once depleted, the map of ten thousand swords would be utterly destroyed.

Furthermore, he had not yet fully comprehended the 'Thought Sword Art' contained within the map. Therefore, even if the map of ten thousand swords were fully refined, he would never use it unless absolutely necessary.

Otherwise, if the 'Thought Sword Art' were destroyed, it would truly be a tremendous loss for Han Li.

Now, after Han Li's latest attempt to control the map of ten thousand swords failed, as his thoughts turned to whether he should try again, his expression suddenly shifted, and he abruptly reached behind him.

With a 'whoosh,' a ball of fire shot out from the doorway and landed in his palm in a flash.

He closed his five fingers, and the fireball burst open. Simultaneously, Young Master Hai's urgent voice emanated from the flames.

"Master, the Elder Council just sent someone to invite you to the Sky-Gazing Platform. It seems the demonic tribes are beginning to encircle us, and high-level demons appear to have emerged."

"High-level demons... very well, I shall go and see for myself!"

Han Li was startled by the message, revealing a thoughtful expression, but then a chilling aura appeared on his face as he muttered to himself.

He then shook his sleeve, storing away the golden gourd and the map of ten thousand swords. At the same time, golden light enveloped his body, and he transformed into a golden rainbow, shooting off.

The golden rainbow, having escaped from the tower, showed no intention of stopping. After a few flashes, it shot towards the edge of Sky Abyss City.

With Han Li's current escape speed, covering a thousand li in an instant was natural. In less than half an hour, he could see the towering city walls in the distance.

At this moment, outside the city walls, the sky was filled with rolling demonic qi; not a trace of sunlight was visible. It seemed as if the scorching sun, originally high in the sky, had been obscured by an immense magical force.

From beneath the demonic qi, the faint, soul-stirring sounds of gongs and drums could be heard.

On Sky Abyss City's side, bugle calls echoed continuously, as teams of warriors and cultivators, clad in various colored armor, surged out from the giant towers, some running, some flying.

They held weapons or magical artifacts in their hands, flying directly to their designated defensive positions, each with an exceedingly solemn expression.

On the colossal city walls, altar-like high platforms slowly emerged from various magical formations amidst rumbling sounds.

On these high platforms, gigantic circular disks or massive conical spires stood upright, each surrounded by seven or eight robed cultivators standing at attention.

In addition, above Sky Abyss City, which was already enveloped by a vast light screen, countless rays of light now shimmered, and a white jade palace, like a miniature city, inexplicably appeared.

Around this palace, countless silver runes swirled, and figures moved on it, revealing faint glimpses of countless armored warriors standing guard.

Atop the highest pagoda-like structure of the palace, an ancient golden mirror, ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) in diameter, was embedded.

This mirror now shone dazzlingly, transforming into a golden scorching sun, illuminating most of Sky Abyss City below it.

Both human warriors and cultivators, the moment the golden light touched their bodies, instantly felt invigorated. An inexplicable courage surged within their hearts, and their confidence in defeating the enemy immediately redoubled.