Chapter 586: Dark Netherworld

The colossal beast seemed to sense danger, let out a roar, and expelled a bone-chilling, shadowy wind from its mouth. The arrows flying towards it, caught by this wind, not only veered wildly off course but were also instantly covered in a layer of crystalline black ice. They fell to the ground before even touching the beast's body. As for heavier objects like spears, even though they pierced the beast's massive body, their destructive power was significantly reduced by the fierce wind. They only managed to inflict minor superficial wounds, which merely enraged the beast further.

In its furious rage, the beast's four eyes suddenly glowed with a bloody light. With a sharp *bang*, some of the coarse hairs on its neck stood on end, making it look incredibly terrifying. Han Li, observing from the rooftop, was momentarily startled. Before he could understand the beast's intention, the colossal beast lowered its head. The bristling hairs instantly transformed into countless black streaks, shooting towards the stone wall.

The people on the wall seemed to have anticipated this attack from the beast. Although everyone's faces were tense, they still let out a shout and uniformly raised their various large shields. A "Pah-pah-pah" sound, like a sudden downpour, erupted from the shields. Although the black streaks penetrated several inches into the shields, most of them were fortunately blocked. However, some individuals with gaps in their defenses were directly pierced through their bodies by the black streaks. They immediately fell backward off the stone wall, their fates unknown.

The others had no time to worry about the fallen. Under the loud command of one person, another volley of spears and arrows was launched. But again, more than half of them were blown away by the beast's shadowy wind. It seemed the beast could only launch attacks using the coarse hairs on its neck. Although it roared in pain from being pierced later, it only struggled desperately to get up and displayed no further counterattack abilities. However, the tentacles formed by the purple mist kept its two legs firmly entangled, not loosening their grip for a single moment.

After repeating this ranged attack five or six times, the shadowy wind from the beast's mouth finally diminished rapidly, losing its initial power. At this point, the frequency of arrows and spears from the stone wall suddenly increased, embedding themselves densely into the colossal beast's body. It looked like a porcupine. Despite this, the beast seemed relatively unharmed. It continued to roar furiously with immense vigor, endlessly swinging the huge black club in its hand, leaving the ground nearby pockmarked with craters. Witnessing this, Han Li couldn't help but be slightly alarmed by the beast's tough hide and immense strength.

The villagers seemed to have their own methods for dealing with this beast. Immediately, a team of agile and exceptionally brawny men swiftly ran up the stone wall. They carried no weapons other than several enormous spears, three to four *zhang* long, tucked under their arms. As soon as they reached the top of the wall, they immediately raised their spears. After a brief aiming gesture, they hurled them with great force at the colossal beast's massive body. The whistling sounds of the spears cutting through the air made Han Li, who was behind them, subtly change his expression. Each of these individuals possessed considerable internal energy, effortlessly throwing these massive spears as if they were mere straws. Their power was as fierce as that of a heavy crossbow or a mighty bow.

Instantly, bowl-sized splashes of blood erupted all over the beast's body. Every single giant spear was embedded in its flesh, effectively pinning it to the ground. Its former ferocious aura vanished in an instant. Cheers erupted from the stone wall, and everyone showed signs of relief. The purple mist that had been entwined around the beast's legs also finally dispersed at this moment.

Some people excitedly rushed to lower the wooden gate, preparing to go out with their swords and knives to finish off the beast, while others began to tend to their injured comrades. But before the wooden gate was fully lowered, the colossal beast, which had been hanging its head, suddenly let out a final, heaven-shaking roar as if in a last burst of energy. Then, with a forceful swing of one arm, it powerfully flung the enormous club, over ten *zhang* long, from its hand. The giant club flew far into the sky, descending directly towards the center of the village, with astonishing momentum.

Below, seeing the beast about to die, were women and children who had excitedly rushed out. Seven or eight villagers were about to be crushed into pulp. The others cried out in alarm, their faces contorted in horror. But at that very moment, a figure flashed past, shooting straight towards the falling giant club. After a low growl, the figure swung both hands, striking the middle of the giant club with great force. A loud thud resounded, and the black club was sent flying diagonally, landing in an empty space. The person landed lightly on the ground, with graceful and effortless movements. It was indeed the somewhat stern-faced, pale-skinned middle-aged man.

The rescued villagers, both men and women, breathed a huge sigh of relief. They immediately surrounded the man, their faces full of gratitude, thanking him repeatedly. But the man merely waved his hand dismissively and returned to his original position. However, a peculiar expression flashed across Han Li's face. After rescuing the villagers, the man had casually cast a cold glance in his direction. Although Han Li didn't know his intention, it was clear the man disliked him.

Han Li frowned. While he was still pondering the strangeness of the situation, the wooden gate was fully lowered. Dozens of young, strong men rushed out of the village and killed the severely wounded beast on the spot. But these men weren't finished. One person used a white long blade to cleave open the beast's skull. After a bloody search, he suddenly raised a hand, revealing a thumb-sized green crystal. The man cried out in surprise and joy, and after a stir among the nearby onlookers, they too became overjoyed.

Han Li, watching this scene, blinked. He suddenly felt that the green crystal looked familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before. He pondered for a moment, head bowed in thought. Then, a flash of insight, and he remembered. Back in the inner hall of the Void Heaven Palace, all the puppet remnants he acquired seemed to contain a similar green crystal. Could they really be the same thing? Han Li muttered to himself.

After watching for a little longer, Han Li, without a word, leaped down from the stone house. The plump old man and the other elders had already returned to the hall. Han Li still had a multitude of questions he wanted answered. Mei Ning saw Han Li return to the hall and entered with her head bowed. Having witnessed the battle with the colossal beast, she seemed to realize the danger of this place, and a hint of worry appeared on her face.

As Han Li walked in, the old man and the other elders had all returned to their original seats. Seeing Han Li enter, the old man smiled. Just as he was about to speak, a tall, muscular man strode quickly into the room, holding the green crystal in his hands.

"Great Elder! This is the Underworld Beast Crystal from the head of the ferocious *Zhen Jiao*," the brawny man said respectfully, placing the crystal on the stone table in front of the old man. "Please, Elders, examine it."

"You've worked hard again this time," the old man said happily upon seeing the crystal. "Taking advantage of the eruption of the Spirit-Severing Qi, Xin Shi and the others brought back some fish and shrimp. Later, everyone can take a bit extra as a reward."

"Thank you, Elders!" The brawny man instantly showed a look of pleasant surprise, and, content with the instruction, withdrew from the hall.

Han Li remained to the side, observing with a detached gaze.

"The strange beast you two just saw is a *Zhen Jiao*, an Underworld Beast unique to this place," the old man said, carefully putting the green crystal into his pocket before turning to Han Li with a serious expression. "It must have surprised you quite a bit! Although this Underworld Land is only about a hundred *li* in circumference, it is home to demonic beasts, humans, and various types of Underworld Beasts."

"There are demonic beasts here too?" Han Li asked, slightly surprised.

"Of course," the old man said with a wry smile, pausing before continuing. "Whenever space tears open here, it doesn't discriminate; cultivators and demonic beasts alike are all pulled in. Demonic beasts here are also unable to use their demonic arts. However, their demonic bodies, tempered through countless trials, are incredibly powerful—not something us humans or Underworld Beasts can provoke. Fortunately, they generally stay in a few fixed locations, preying on other Underworld Beasts, and rarely venture out. Their threat to us humans is not significant. But these Underworld Beasts are different. They are born from the Underworld Qi of this place and inherently love to devour human flesh and blood. Almost every so often, powerful Underworld Beasts will target human villages. While most are repelled by the villagers, there have been occasions when smaller villages were breached, and all their inhabitants devoured. Conversely, even if we kill a *Zhen Jiao* like today, it won't be long before another identical one is born from where the Yin Qi condenses. These Underworld Beasts are simply endless."

"From what you're saying, it sounds like this isn't the only human village here. Are there others?" Han Li asked slowly after a moment of silence.

"Of course there are. While not many, there are about seven or eight of them, scattered throughout the Underworld Land. Food is extremely scarce here. Aside from a few limited plots of land where some coarse grains can be grown for food, the rest of the ground is completely barren due to the excessive Yin Qi. Most of the Underworld Beasts here contain potent venom. While demonic beasts' digestive systems are unaffected, for us humans, touching it means certain death! Except for a few special varieties, even if we kill other Underworld Beasts, we cannot eat them. These harsh conditions combined dictate that the number of humans who can survive here is fixed. Every person who wishes to survive here must be useful, otherwise they will be driven out of the village to fend for themselves!" As the old man spoke the latter words, his tone became somewhat chilling.