Chapter 2375: Entering the Blood Heaven

In a heavily guarded, secret grand hall within the underground world, a colossal magic array, emitting a five-colored radiance, was set up in the center.

Within the magic array, over a dozen black-armored guards were busy swiftly placing top-grade spirit stones into what appeared to be densely packed grooves.

Meanwhile, in the grand hall outside the array, over fifty men and women, each with a distinct aura, stood.

Among them, the most powerful individuals possessed Mahayana stage cultivation, though their number was small, only five.

The rest were mostly at the Body Integration stage, with only seven or eight individuals possessing lower cultivation levels.

This group naturally included Xue Po and Zhu Guo'er.

Han Li, accompanied by the two women and Elder Hua Shi, stood in a corner of the grand hall, quietly observing the black-armored guards at work.

Those dozen or so fragrant maidens, naturally unable to be teleported to the Blood Sky together, were entrusted to members of the Merchant Alliance to be delivered to the human race.

The other few Mahayana cultivators in the hall were clearly proud and arrogant individuals. Whether accompanied by their disciples or alone, they each occupied their own space, showing no intention of conversing with one another.

The other foreign races remained obediently in their original positions, not daring to even glance at Han Li and the other Mahayana cultivators.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded from outside the grand hall, and Ming Zun, surprisingly, entered with Fairy Feiyun.

The few foreign Mahayana cultivators, who had been silently keeping to themselves, felt a jolt and immediately looked over.

After Han Li touched the green ring that had appeared on his wrist, he also cast a calm glance their way.

This circular ring, which resembled a storage bracelet, was precisely Tian Feier's transformed form.

"Fellow Daoists, this teleportation array can generally only be used once within a century. Therefore, I have personally come this time to ensure the transmission goes smoothly without error," Ming Zun said with a smile to the Mahayana cultivators, his gaze lingering on Han Li for a moment before moving away.

"Haha, with Brother Ming personally overseeing it, I'm sure this transmission will certainly be flawless," said a foreign Mahayana cultivator, remarkably tall and as thin as a bamboo pole, with a smile.

The others also offered words of thanks with smiles.

Facing this renowned Chief Steward of the Merchant Alliance, they dared not show the slightest disrespect. Ming Zun greeted each of them individually before finally turning to Han Li, clasping his fist, and asking:

"Brother Han, I have long admired your great reputation. If not for the disruptions at this auction, I had originally intended to visit you personally after its conclusion. It is only now that we meet, and I hope you will be understanding."

"Brother Ming, you are too kind," Han Li said with a smile, returning the courtesy. "It is also a pleasant surprise for me to meet so many fellow Daoists of the same cultivation level at your Alliance's auction this time."

The other foreign Mahayana cultivators, observing Ming Zun's attitude towards Han Li, couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

One should know that Ming Zun himself was one of the most renowned powerful figures on the Fengyuan Continent. An individual he would treat with such equality could naturally not be an ordinary Mahayana cultivator.

"Brother Ming, this Fellow Daoist Han is..." the remarkably tall foreign cultivator couldn't help but ask.

"I am Han Li of the human race. Greetings, fellow Daoists," Han Li proactively introduced himself before Ming Zun could offer any introduction.

"What? The human Mahayana cultivator who single-handedly breached the Demon Realm and slew the Mother of Demon Bugs!" Upon hearing this, the remarkably tall foreign cultivator's expression changed dramatically.

The other few Mahayana cultivators nearby were also startled, and their gazes towards Han Li instantly held a touch of something unusual.

At this point, they realized that Ming Zun had most likely come specifically for Han Li; otherwise, their mere status would certainly not have prompted him to make this extra trip.

"I did indeed participate in the expedition to the Demon Realm," Han Li replied noncommittally. "However, slaying the Mother of Demon Bugs was not accomplished by me alone; the rumors are somewhat exaggerated."

The attitudes of these foreign Mahayana cultivators towards Han Li instantly became much warmer. After introducing themselves, they began conversing with each other.

Ming Zun observed all of this from the side, occasionally interjecting a word or two.

Not long after, a clear hum resonated through the grand hall.

The spirit stones for the colossal magic array had been fully installed; the array itself instantly lit up, and countless five-colored runes emerged everywhere.

"The array has been charged with spirit stones. Fellow Daoists may now enter," Ming Zun said to Han Li and the others after a glance.

"Brother Ming, take care. I shall take my leave," Han Li said, cupping his fist towards Ming Zun, then led the two women towards the colossal magic array.

The other few foreign Mahayana cultivators nearby also bowed and walked over.

In the blink of an eye, dozens of people had all entered the colossal magic array.

After the colossal magic array emitted a burst of brilliant light, Han Li and the others' figures blurred and then vanished.

"They're finally gone," Fairy Feiyun said, letting out a long breath and surprisingly turning to Ming Zun. "Lord Ming, was that Dragon Race member truly among them?"

"Whether it's true or not, we'll know once we check," Ming Zun replied calmly, then made a grabbing motion towards the colossal magic array with one hand.

Instantly, a circular array disc flew out from it and landed in his hand with a flash.

The array disc was crystal clear and transparent, with a circle of scale-like spirit patterns marked along its edge, and more than half of its circumference glowed with a faint light.

"Fifty-seven. It indeed consumed the teleportation energy for one more person than anticipated," Fairy Feiyun said with a joyful expression, having clearly seen the display on the array disc from the side. "I wonder how she managed to blend in with these people, and how the hall's restrictive spells failed to detect her presence."

"The Divine Abilities of the True Dragon lineage are unfathomable. It's not too surprising that some cultivation techniques or treasures can deceive our senses," Ming Zun finally replied with a hint of a smile. "If he wished to return to the Dragon Race anytime soon, this teleportation was his only chance. However, now that the great trouble of the Nightmare Dragon Blood has been sent away, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

"It's fortunate that Lord Ming had a close Dragon Race friend who informed him in time," Fairy Feiyun said with a bitter smile. "Only then did we learn that the item was not 'Ancestral Dragon Blood' but 'Nightmare Dragon Blood,' which allowed the Dragon Race members to snatch the item at the auction. Otherwise, whether we had truly auctioned it off or used powerful means to harm the Dragon Race members, our Alliance would have been in a difficult situation."

"Since this Nightmare Dragon Blood is so sinister and would defile the true essence of anyone who refines it, auctioning it off would certainly lead to endless trouble," Ming Zun said calmly. "Originally, it wouldn't have been impossible to just hand the item directly to the Dragon Race members. However, that act would have appeared too weak, significantly impacting our Alliance's prestige and making it difficult to explain to our subordinates. It was better to let the Dragon Race take it. Although it still harmed the auction's reputation, we had to choose the lesser of two evils."

"That is true," Fairy Feiyun replied respectfully. "But even if we had wanted to use negotiation, there probably wouldn't have been enough time, so this compromise was the only option."

"Alright, this matter ends here," Ming Zun said, nodding. "Regarding the bounty, we just need to maintain a strict outward stance while being lax internally. I imagine in a few years, this matter will have largely been forgotten. Let's go back. Although the auction matters are resolved, there are still some things in the Alliance that need to be handled." He then flicked his sleeve and turned to leave without another word.

Fairy Feiyun smiled sweetly and promptly followed him out of the grand hall.

Han Li naturally had no idea that the snatching of the so-called Nightmare Dragon Blood was actually the Helian Merchant Alliance deliberately letting the Dragon Race off the hook. But even if he had known, he would probably have been speechless for only a moment before dismissing it from his mind.

When he felt the white light in front of him recede, he quickly recovered from a faint dizzy spell and immediately saw everything around him clearly.

Beneath him was a similar colossal magic array, but the surroundings were an unusually vast expanse of bluestone ground. Aside from two strangers, a man and a woman, standing side by side, there was no other person in sight.

"Welcome, seniors and fellow Daoists, to the Blood Sky Continent. I am Fang Jin, the representative of the Helian Merchant Alliance here. If any of you have questions, please feel free to ask me. I will do my best to answer what I know." The man had a round face and appeared to be only about thirty years old, but after cupping his fist and speaking to the crowd, he gave off a smiling, very amiable impression.

However, the young woman beside him was strikingly beautiful and cold. Aside from surveying the people in the array, she remained silent.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Fang. Do you have a map of the nearby area, with notable forces marked?" As these two also possessed Body Integration stage cultivation, most of the people who had teleported there dared not be negligent. They hurriedly returned the courtesy, and one person immediately inquired.

"Of course, they are prepared. Any fellow Daoists who need one, simply come and take a copy," the round-faced man said without hesitation. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, dozens of jade slips of various colors flashed into existence before him. The people in the array were delighted at this sight and stepped forward one after another to claim a copy.

Some impatient individuals, after briefly scanning the contents of a jade slip with their spiritual sense, showed expressions of joy. Then, summoning their escape light, they departed the area one after another.

The remaining individuals, after inquiring about other matters, also left.

This included the four Mahayana cultivators and their disciples.

In the blink of an eye, only Han Li, a Mahayana cultivator, remained near the array, along with five or six foreign individuals who appeared to be a group.

These foreign individuals were huddled together, whispering, seemingly discussing something.

"Let's go too," Han Li said calmly after quickly finishing scanning the jade slip in his hand.

He had not personally taken this jade slip; instead, Elder Hua Shi had made a trip to retrieve copies for each of them.

Hearing Han Li's words, Xue Po and the others naturally had no objections. After immediately assenting, they prepared to fly away from the location together.

"Senior Han, please wait a moment," the beautiful, cold woman suddenly stepped forward and spoke, her voice unexpectedly pleasant and sweet. "This junior was specifically ordered to welcome you, senior, and hopes you will accompany this junior to a certain place."

"Ordered to welcome me! By whose command? Are you also from the Helian Merchant Alliance?" Han Li paused, slightly surprised, and turned his head to ask.