Chapter 694: 荒地凶险

**Volume Three, Chapter Five: Achieving Renown**

Wang Tiangu and the other cultivators had no objections to the conditions proposed by Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder. After all, considering their cultivation levels and their status as the initiators of this endeavor, it was only natural for them to receive more treasures. Everyone silently agreed.

To avoid any complications or prolonged delays, everyone immediately agreed to depart after two days of preparations, without waiting for the trade fair to conclude. Only after everyone had sworn a Heart Demon Vow never to reveal this matter did they depart from the location, one after another.

Han Li, however, noticed that Marquis Nanlong and the other elder appeared unusually confident, seemingly unafraid of any potential underhanded dealings from others. That made sense, as the location and the method to bypass its restrictions were both in their hands. Given their shrewdness and formidable abilities, it would indeed be difficult for anyone else to hatch a scheme.

Han Li had his own reasons for agreeing to this venture. Ever since he reached the Nascent Soul stage, the progress of his Azure Essence Sword Art had been incredibly slow, largely due to the lack of suitable cultivation pills. Han Li estimated that if he were to rely solely on solitary cultivation within his cave abode, he wouldn't reach the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage for another two or three hundred years. As for whether he could then advance to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, that would depend entirely on his fortune and opportunities. Innate talent, in fact, was not the most crucial factor at this point. This was because any Nascent Soul cultivator who had reached this level was undeniably a person of extraordinary talent.

According to Han Li's original plan, once this trade fair concluded, he would seclude himself for over a hundred years to painstakingly cultivate secret arts and techniques. After achieving minor success in all his cultivation methods, he would leave his cave abode and travel far and wide, searching for ancient cultivator ruins and rare heavenly treasures. Only by doing so would he have a chance to find an opportunity to potentially advance to the next realm ahead of schedule.

Now that he had a chance to obtain treasures from the renowned Fallen Devil Valley, how could Han Li possibly give it up? Perhaps this was his great opportunity! As for the thoughts of the other cultivators, they probably weren't much different from his. These old Nascent Soul monsters had been trapped in the early stage for countless years and would certainly not let go of any opportunity that might lead to a breakthrough. The demonic cultivator who perished in the Fallen Devil Valley was no ordinary ancient cultivator; it was said that he was a top-tier existence among ancient cultivators of his time. Thus, the cultivation techniques or pills he left behind would naturally be extraordinary. This alone was enough to tempt Han Li and the others.

However, since the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect would also be accompanying them, Han Li would naturally not hesitate to eliminate him if an opportunity arose during their journey. As long as he wasn't caught red-handed by Wang Tiangu of the Ghost Spirit Sect, what could the other party really do to him? After all, the Demonic Dao and his current Heavenly Dao Alliance were inherently in a hostile relationship.

As Han Li walked along a bluestone street towards his residence, he pondered with a growing killing intent. What he didn't know was that in an alley several streets away, Wang Tiangu was walking at a relaxed pace, with Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan silently following closely behind him.

"After we return, tell me in detail about the grievances between you and that person," Wang Tiangu instructed unhurriedly. "Judging by his demeanor, his hatred for you seems to be unresolved. From now on, you two should not stray too far from my side, lest he launch a sneak attack."

"Yes, Second Uncle," Wang Chan replied respectfully. "I never thought that a single lapse in judgment back then would create such a formidable enemy for your nephew. For him to break through both the Core Formation and Nascent Soul bottlenecks in such a short time truly surprised me!" However, whenever he thought of Han Li already being a Nascent Soul cultivator, he felt a blockage in his heart and appeared quite dejected.

"Hmph! You don't need to be too discouraged," Wang Tiangu said with a cold sneer. "With the supreme power of the Blood Spirit, when you two combine forces, you might not truly fear that brat. And once the Blood Spirit breaks through the seventh layer, you and Ruyan can both form your Nascent Souls. At that time, it's hard to say who will be looking for whose trouble! However, on this trip to the Mulan Grasslands, you two must be extra careful. Even if I genuinely have matters that force me to leave you, you two should not be separated. United, you should be able to protect yourselves."

"Thank you for your guidance, Second Uncle!" Wang Chan felt much more at ease after hearing Wang Tiangu's words and hastily expressed his gratitude.

"Heh heh! Among your brothers, I have the highest hopes for you," Wang Tiangu said, lowering his voice and muttering to himself. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought you alone to this trade fair. However, that brat was originally a cultivator from Yellow Maple Valley, and that old demon Linghu also seems to have personally come to this trade fair. That brat wouldn't still have some connection with that old demon, would he?" He seemed to be very wary of Patriarch Linghu of Yellow Maple Valley.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan exchanged a look of surprise and doubt.

Han Li returned to his lodging. After a night's rest, he woke up the next day and spent the entire day hastily acquiring all the remaining materials he needed. He then gave some instructions to Mu Peiling, intending to ask Lu Luo to escort her back with him. Lu Luo was greatly astonished to hear that Han Li intended to depart hastily before the trade fair concluded, but seeing that Han Li had no intention of elaborating, he didn't press for reasons and readily agreed. This significantly increased Han Li's goodwill towards Senior Martial Brother Lu.

For the remaining day, Han Li went nowhere, spending the entire time meditating and cultivating qi in his pavilion.

At the appointed time, Han Li calmly left the pavilion and headed alone towards a small mountain a thousand li south of Tian City. When he arrived, Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder were already waiting there, unaccompanied by any disciples or attendants. Marquis Nanlong, in particular, had even changed out of his purple robes and jade crown, appearing instead in the light yellow attire of a scholar.

Over the next two or three hours, the others arrived one by one. However, Wang Tiangu and the other two from the Ghost Spirit Sect were the last to arrive, appearing together. Han Li's expression shifted slightly upon seeing this.

With Marquis Nanlong's single word, "Depart!" the group of nine quietly left Tian City, heading south towards the Mulan Grasslands.

Yu Country, where Tian City was located, was not the closest country to the Mulan Grasslands. The territories of the Nine-Nations Alliance bordering the Mulan Grasslands were not actually contiguous; instead, they were separated by an expanse of desolate loess land stretching for nearly ten thousand li. This area had sparse vegetation, with yellow dust swirling year-round and endless strong winds. It had naturally become a battlefield for the cultivators of the Nine-Nations Alliance and the Mulan spell casters. Over the years, tens of thousands of cultivators had perished in this land. Not to mention during official battles, even during peaceful times, this desolate land was exceptionally dangerous.

For various reasons, many cultivators and spell casters from both sides roamed this land. Some were there for open murder and treasure hunting, while others sought to break through cultivation bottlenecks by facing life-or-death situations. Regardless of their reasons, one thing was common: the cultivators who dared to venture here were naturally quite confident in their own abilities, often considerably stronger than ordinary cultivators of the same rank. Most of these individuals were Foundation Establishment cultivators, though occasional skirmishes between Core Formation cultivators also occurred. Whenever these Core Formation level cultivators appeared, the low-level cultivators would immediately scatter, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire. As for Nascent Soul-level old monsters, they would not easily appear in such minor skirmish areas. So when Marquis Nanlong led Han Li and his group into this area, everyone paid it no mind, treating the desolate land as if it were nothing.

A distance of ten thousand li could be easily traversed by Nascent Soul cultivators like Han Li in just over half a day. Therefore, they were in no hurry, merely flying forward at a normal speed. Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder led the way, Wang Tiangu and his two companions brought up the rear, while Han Li and the others flew in the middle, spread out. Along the way, they did spot a few low-level cultivators, but the group naturally paid them no heed, flying silently over their heads.

Perhaps by coincidence, after they had flown for nearly half an hour over the desolate land, the white-robed elder leading the way suddenly paused and came to a stop.

"Brother Yun, what's wrong?" Marquis Nanlong asked, surprised. He and the white-robed elder were taking turns releasing their spiritual sense to monitor their surroundings, which was why he asked.

"There seems to be a strong wind ahead, and it feels a bit off!" the elder surnamed Yun said with a solemn expression, narrowing his eyes.

"A strong wind, what do you mean? Isn't it normal for there to be some wind here?" Marquis Nanlong asked with some surprise, then released his own spiritual sense to probe the distance. He knew the white-robed elder wouldn't say such a thing without reason.

Han Li and the old woman, who were behind them, also clearly heard what Marquis Nanlong and the other elder said. After exchanging glances, they also took their own actions. Although they hadn't truly entered the Mulan Grasslands yet, it was still better to be careful. All of them possessed powerful spiritual senses, and no matter how detailed others' descriptions were, it was naturally less reassuring than probing it themselves.

As Han Li and the others released their spiritual senses forward, expressions of surprise and uncertainty appeared on their faces.

"This wind isn't just a bit off; there's definitely something wrong with it," the old woman said with a grim expression after retracting her spiritual sense. "It's certainly not a naturally occurring strong wind!"