Chapter 538: Aid to Eliminate Demons

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 4: Winds Rising Overseas

After entering the Mid Core Formation stage, Han Li remained in seclusion in his secret chamber for over twenty more years before finally emerging.

During this period, he didn't consume all his medicinal pills; a small portion still remained in his storage pouch.

It wasn't that he couldn't endure the solitude or was eager to come out before fully refining all the elixirs.

Instead, as he approached the Late Core Formation stage, he finally encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation. Without breaking through this barrier, even consuming more spiritual elixirs wouldn't allow his cultivation to advance by an inch.

The method for breaking through a bottleneck depends on an individual's destiny, opportunities, and the characteristics of their cultivation technique; there's essentially no fixed rule.

However, cultivators who reached this stage previously either broke through on their own during Qi cultivation and meditation, found inspiration and broke through while sightseeing, or unexpectedly broke through during life-or-death battles.

Given this, Han Li naturally didn't want to waste time in seclusion. He prepared to go out and search for the rumored Demon Companion Grass, hoping that he might coincidentally break through his bottleneck during his travels.

Since he didn't know how long it would take to achieve results, Han Li naturally didn't dare leave the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng in his dwelling for an extended period.

He also planned to abandon his cave dwelling on this misty sea island.

As for the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng needing to be nourished with earth and rock energy every so often, this was indeed a bit troublesome before Han Li reached Mid Core Formation.

But now that he had reached Mid Core Formation, he no longer had this concern.

Han Li was now capable of extracting the essence of earth and rock from the island and injecting it into the spirit ginseng's body, ensuring its safety.

Currently, Han Li was flying in the direction of the market mentioned by the young girl. Only in such a frequently visited place by cultivators would Han Li have a chance to obtain information about Grade Eight demonic beasts.

He would then devise another plan to see if he could acquire the Demon Companion Grass.

As for directly purchasing this spirit grass from the market, Han Li never even considered that such a good thing would be waiting for him.

Han Li's flight speed was extremely fast.

Although the girl mentioned that the small island with the market was half a month's journey away, for him, at full speed, it would only take a few days.

Two days later, as Han Li rushed across the sea at full speed, a red light suddenly shot out diagonally from a distance. Behind it, several clusters of grayish-white energy relentlessly pursued.

Seeing this, Han Li's eyebrows subtly twitched.

Then, with a thought, a series of inaudible incantations emerged from his mouth. A rapid, dense succession of soft popping sounds came from his body, and simultaneously, a cluster of green light appeared on his face.

Moments later, Han Li's height suddenly increased by several inches. The green light dissipated, revealing a slightly sallow, unfamiliar face.

This was precisely the "Form-Changing Art," one of the secret techniques from the Profound Yin Sutra, which Han Li had deliberately cultivated during his seclusion.

This secret art not only allowed him to freely lengthen or shorten various body parts and control muscle tension, but also to instantly change skin color. It was absolutely a top-tier disguise technique.

According to Han Li's estimation, this cultivation method was absolutely no less profound than other rumored disguise arts; even facing cultivators with superior spiritual sense, it wouldn't be easily seen through. This was why it was included in the Profound Yin Sutra.

The only drawback of this secret art was that once it was activated, only up to 70% of his full spiritual power could be utilized.

If he engaged in battle and used more than 70% of his spiritual power, the miraculous effect of the "Form-Changing Art" would vanish, and he would revert to his original appearance.

However, Han Li wasn't concerned about this.

When he decided to conceal his identity, it was usually because he didn't want to reveal his true strength. The limitation on his cultivation didn't significantly affect him.

Just after Han Li had changed his appearance, the red light also spotted him. It immediately rushed towards him as if clutching at a life-saving straw.

Seeing this, Han Li simply stopped his flight and sighed softly in place.

It wasn't trouble coming to his door that made him sigh.

Rather, Han Li felt that the person fleeing for their life, regardless of whether he, a bystander, had the ability to save them, had first considered dragging him into the mess. They came over without any hesitation, indicating a rather poor character.

As for the grayish-white masses behind, they were clearly just a few demonic beasts between Grade Three and Grade Four.

This made Han Li, who had just been deeply moved by Gongsun Xing's filial piety, suddenly feel that human nature was truly an extremely complex issue.

Indeed, one couldn't generalize!

"Fellow Daoist, help me! I, Huang Mingli, will surely repay your kindness!" Within the red escape light was a scrawny old man with shifty eyes. Before he even reached Han Li, he cried out for help with a panicked expression.

He was quite astute. Although he hadn't yet clearly discerned Han Li's cultivation level, seeing the other party so calm and steady like a mountain, he immediately knew his life might be saved.

Han Li's expression remained normal. Seeing the old man fly closer, he lazily raised a hand. Five streaks of faint green sword light shot out, instantly intercepting the five demonic beasts behind and engaging them in battle.

Seeing this, the old man greatly rejoiced and let out a long breath of relief. He likewise released a fiery ring artifact to attack the five demonic beasts.

Han Li glanced at the old man out of the corner of his eye. This person's cultivation was already close to the Core Formation stage, at the Pseudo-Core realm. No wonder he could escape with his life under the siege of so many Grade Three and Grade Four demonic beasts.

Han Li turned back and directed several sword qi to slowly trap the demonic beasts. He wasn't in a hurry to unleash lethal moves and expose his cultivation.

Even so, it greatly invigorated the little old man beside him. He urged his fire-attributed artifact, fiercely beating the "drowning dogs."

After a while longer, Han Li felt it was time. He then waved his Azure Essence Swordlight, killing the demonic beasts one by one.

"Thank you, Senior, for your timely rescue! Is Senior heading to the market on Nanli Island?" The little old man no longer needed to check Han Li's cultivation; he knew the other party was definitely a Core Formation cultivator. Thus, he stepped forward respectfully to bow and asked with a fawning smile.

"Indeed, I intend to go to the market to exchange for some items," Han Li nodded impassively.

"Then Senior doesn't need to go anymore; it would just be a wasted trip," Huang Mingli blinked his small eyes a few times, then said with a bitter smile.

"What happened?" Han Li's expression shifted, and he asked with a hint of surprise.

"A few days ago, the market on Nanli Island was accidentally discovered by some low-grade demonic beasts. Although most of them were killed on the spot, the escaping beasts attracted a large number of Grade Four and Five high-grade demonic beasts the next day. Many cultivators in the market suffered casualties. We had no choice but to break out separately. I was one of them. I just didn't expect to accidentally run into this group of demonic beasts halfway through." The little old man spoke cautiously before Han Li, a Core Formation cultivator.

"So, by your account, I've really come all this way for nothing?" Han Li frowned, his expression darkening.

"Well... if Senior truly wishes to trade items, this old man could introduce another place. The items there are definitely rare treasures, and only cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage are permitted to enter. However, this market requires an acquaintance's referral to gain entry, and its location frequently changes. Though I'm just a small old man, I do have the qualification to give referrals. If Senior wishes to go, I could lead the way, as a small token of gratitude for your life-saving kindness." Huang Mingli's eyes flickered slightly, and he grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, speaking with a mysterious expression.

"There's such a place? Are you talking about a secret market?" Han Li paused, then said thoughtfully.

"Senior, you jest. These days, there's no distinction like 'secret market' among market places. Everyone has to be cautious and trembling. Once discovered by demonic beasts, there's only one outcome." The little old man looked a bit embarrassed and quickly explained.

"That's true!" Han Li couldn't help but let out a wry smile upon hearing this.

"How far is this place you mentioned from here?" Han Li then asked.

"From here, if we travel diligently, we'll arrive in just over half a month. By then, the market should be just about to open." Huang Mingli seemed very familiar with this secret market and replied without hesitation.

"Alright then. I'll follow you to take a look." Han Li pondered for a moment, then had no choice but to agree.

"Excellent! Oh! Senior, please wait a moment!" Huang Mingli showed excitement but didn't immediately lead the way. Instead, after blinking his eyes, he suddenly remembered something.

He quickly offered an apology, then abruptly swooped down, heading straight for the several demonic beast corpses floating on the sea surface.

Han Li witnessed this scene, first startled, then understood the other party's intentions and smiled faintly.

After a short while, the little old man expertly dismembered the demonic beasts and stored them in his own storage pouch.

Only then did he excitedly fly back into the air.

"Senior, please don't laugh. These demonic beasts are certainly nothing in Senior's eyes, but for this junior, they're a considerable income!" Huang Mingli said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

After all, Han Li had slain all five demonic beasts just moments ago.

"It's nothing; I don't care for these demonic beasts either! Let's get going," Han Li shook his head gently, urging him on with an unchanged expression.