Chapter 1138

Three cultivators, under such a barrage of lightning balls, were in a flustered panic, utterly unable to react to the infant carp beast's escape.

But seeing this, Han Li's expression darkened, and he flicked his sleeve toward the direction the monster fled.

A foot-long flying sword shot out from his sleeve, and with a tremor, it transformed into a golden light over ten zhang long, sweeping forth.

The sword light was so swift that the infant carp beast only felt a flash of gold before its eyes, and its entire body was immediately wracked with excruciating pain, losing all consciousness.

The golden light merely circled the beast a few times, and a large spray of blood mist was flung down from midair; the beast was instantly hacked into seven or eight pieces, its primordial spirit not even having time to escape before being annihilated within the sword light.

The残 limbs fell directly downward!

At this moment, Han Li again reached out with one hand toward the distant void.

A fragment of the beast's corpse exploded strangely, and a blue-colored pearl shot out from the flying flesh and blood, turning into a blue light and fleeing.

With a closing of his five fingers, Han Li easily drew the infant carp beast's demon core into his hand.

He glanced at the demon core nonchalantly, and there was not the slightest change in his eyes.

Naturally, he would not deign to look upon such a low-grade demon core.

And as this beast died, the hundreds of lightning balls that had been frenziedly attacking the three cultivators nearby all flickered and dissipated at once.

These three people immediately let out a great sigh of relief, and their gazes toward Han Li instantly turned reverent.

Although they had been too preoccupied to分身 earlier, they had clearly seen Han Li's gesture of raising his hand and slaying a sixth-level demon beast.

Their shock was naturally easy to imagine.

The reason was that Han Li, merely passing by alone, was at most a Core Formation cultivator, yet they had not expected him to appear as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

However, this place was already deep in the outer sea; although cultivators of Han Li's high level were still rare, the three of them had not lacked the opportunity to encounter such beings, so aside from their surprise, they did not become flustered. The three hurriedly stowed their magic treasures and instruments and flew toward this side.

Before they even drew near, the leading man in the bamboo hat first bowed deeply and offered a salute:

"Junior Chen Jing of the Qingyang Sect, pays respects to Senior, thank you for your assistance; otherwise, we juniors would have been entangled by this monster for a long time and truly unable to escape. May I ask your exalted surname?" As he spoke, he furtively glanced at Han Li; though his expression was increasingly respectful, he also bore an air of neither humble nor arrogant.

"Qingyang Sect? Are you a disciple of the San Yang True Person?" Han Li, upon hearing this, was slightly startled, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

"The San Yang True Person is indeed my master; do you know my master, Senior?"

The bamboo-hatted man's divine sense swept over Han Li, but aside from knowing the opponent's cultivation was unfathomable and likely that of a Nascent Soul expert, he could not determine Han Li's exact realm. Strangely puzzled, he naturally took Han Li to be an early Nascent Soul cultivator.

After all, mid- and late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators are basically known to everyone in the Chaotic Star Sea.

"Hehe, Han Mou has only heard of the great name, but has never seen your master!" Han Li gave a hehe laugh.

Upon hearing the names Qingyang Sect and San Yang True Person, he naturally recalled the incident years ago when Yuan Yao killed the Qingyang Sect's junior sect leader and was thereafter hunted by the Qingyang Sect. However, although San Yang True Person enjoys considerable fame in the Chaotic Star Sea, in Han Li's eyes he is merely a mid-stage cultivator, not worth his attention now.

Besides this matter, Han Li has no grudge with Qingyang Sect and will not suddenly turn hostile toward these three; he directly opened his mouth to ask what he wanted to know:

"You three should be fairly familiar with the nearby sea; do you know the exact location of Bilin Island?"

Although Han Li's sea chart is detailed, accurately finding an island in this boundless sea is truly no easy task. Having fortunately encountered these three cultivators, he naturally would not let them go easily.

Upon hearing the mention of Bilin Island, this Qingyang Sect cultivator's expression stirred, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Senior must be thinking of going to Bilin Island to gather some high-grade spirit stones. If so, Senior need not go to Bilin Island; in the nearby market towns, one can similarly obtain spirit stones. Of course, if Senior knows the guardians of the mines in the Nixing Alliance or Tianxing Palace, the price will naturally be cheaper."

"Market towns? Are there many high-grade spirit stones in these market towns? I need more than just a few pieces," Han Li said noncommittally.

"Senior truly jests. High-grade spirit stones are theoretically worth tens of thousands of ordinary spirit stones, but their actual selling price is several times this amount, or even more. As long as Senior's required quantity does not exceed thirty or forty pieces at once, these market towns can still supply them." Chen Jing replied with a accompanying smile.

"In that case, first take me to the market towns to have a look. If unsatisfied, I will then go to Bilin Island. Will this demon core serve as payment for your guidance?" Han Li bluntly raised his hand, and the infant carp beast's demon core shot forth, flung toward the opposite side.

Chen Jing caught the demon core in one hand, and his heart immediately leapt with joy.

"Senior, rest assured; I have lingered in these nearby seas for over ten years, and I know these market towns extremely well. Entrusting this matter to me will certainly not disappoint Senior." Although this Qingyang Sect cultivator still harbored some doubts about Han Li's identity, a sixth-level beast's demon core represents a considerable sum of spirit stones for a Core Formation cultivator, and guiding is such a small matter. He naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

As for the old man and the maiden cultivator, whose cultivation is far inferior to his, naturally everything follows his lead; merely their gazes toward Han Li are filled with even greater dread!

After all, the difference between Foundation Establishment and Nascent Soul cultivators is truly immense!

Immediately, Han Li, led by Chen Jing and the three, transformed into several streaks of遁 light and departed this place. According to him, this place is only half a month's journey from Bilin Island, and along the way they will naturally pass by the island where they reside.

Flying eastward all the way, almost without stopping, after more than ten days of flight, an unnamed island finally appeared ahead.

This island appears quite large, with a radius of several thousand li. The island's mountains rise and fall, and there are actually many high mountains and hills, lush and verdant.

"This is Konglei Island; I have a simple dwelling on the island, so I am very familiar with the market here. This market is also the largest among the several near Bilin Island; I believe it will certainly not disappoint Senior." Chen Jing flew alongside Han Li, explaining with a beaming face.

"The spirit veins on this island are not bad; no wonder so many cultivators remain here." Han Li glanced at it from afar a few times and nodded.

"Konglei Island not only has the best spirit veins among the nearby islands, but it also produces several kinds of rare spirit herbs; the Nixing Alliance and the Star Palace have both taken notice of this island, but ultimately, due to mutual apprehension, other forces joined together to occupy it." Chen Jing said somewhat proudly.

"These so-called other forces include your Qingyang Sect, then?" Han Li suddenly chuckled lightly.

"Cough... our Qingyang Sect does have a few people on the island, but these people dare not lay a finger on this island." Chen Jing gave a dry laugh twice, as if he had some difficulty.

Han Li naturally would not truly concern himself with Qingyang Sect's affairs; after a faint smile, he no longer mentioned this matter.

But at this moment, Chen Jing proactively began to introduce Han Li to the major and minor powers on the island, as well as several Nascent Soul cultivators residing there.

"Miaohe True Person! That Miaohe of the Biyun Sect? He is also on this island? I have heard that he once suffered severe injuries back then." Upon hearing a familiar name from Chen Jing's mouth, Han Li was suddenly startled and could not help but ask in return.

"Senior also knows of Senior Miaohe's affairs? This True Person, although he once ruined his physical body in the past, later recovered his cultivation through the Biyun Sect's rescue and by taking over another body. This time coming to Konglei Island, I heard he intends to take the island for the Biyun Sect, but since this idea is not held solely by the Biyun Sect, it has instead become a situation where several forces jointly occupy the island." Chen Jing felt a stir in his heart, but his face remained honest as he replied.

"Hehe, so that's how it is!" Han Li said indifferently, leaving Chen Jing unable to discern the slightest thought.

In the blink of an eye, the three entered the air above the island and then flew straight toward the island's center.

After flying a short while longer, between several mountains and hills, a small city suddenly appeared before their eyes.

At first glance, this city is of the newly built type; its area is not large, only about ten or so li in size; all buildings in the city are constructed of gray-white stone, appearing exceptionally neat and brand-new. Moreover, there seem to be city gates on all four sides, but those entering and exiting these gates are mostly low-level Qi Refining cultivators, while those who understand how to drive instruments and fly are few; instead, they boldly fly directly in and out of the city, giving the impression of a thriving place.

"How many cultivators on this island live in this city?" Han Li, seeing this scene, narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly asked this question out of the blue.

"I truly have not counted this, Junior; but if even the Qi Refining cultivators are included, there are thirty or forty thousand. About half live in the city, while others are scattered across other gathering points on the island. Moreover, some who consider their magic power profound have directly opened some caves in the mountains for themselves." Chen Jing was startled, but after a moment's thought, he immediately replied.

"En!" Han Li nodded thoughtfully, and did not ask anything else. In the blink of an eye, the three arrived directly above the small city.

At this moment, being at a high altitude, one could clearly take in the entire small city.

Han Li casually glanced around and took some interest in the eight stone towers standing like pillars holding up the sky in the city.

These stone towers are round, each about fifty or sixty zhang high, their surfaces uneven, inscribed with numerous profound and abnormal runic formations, flashing with faint multicolored spiritual light, quite eye-catching.

Han Li also couldn't help but take two more looks.

"These eight stone towers can activate the city's protective grand formation. They were designed by the famed formation master of our 'Luan' Star Sea. Once activated, their power will not fall short of the sect-protecting grand formations of those major sects and clans. Moreover, a Foundation Establishment cultivator guards each tower around the clock in twelve two-hour shifts, ensuring the formation can be activated at any time. This grand formation has indeed saved our city from destruction several times—no small achievement."

"What? Are demonic beasts still attacking this island?" Han Li's heart tightened as he slowly asked.

"Hehe, please rest assured, Senior! What I spoke of happened many years ago. In recent years, ever since the mineral veins on Bilin Island were divided between us humans and the demonic beasts, these beasts have ceased to 'harass' our island. Let us go down. The market is just over there. I happen to know several shops that specialize in selling high-grade spirit stones, and I can introduce them to you." Chen Jing replied with a grin, then pointed toward the southern part of the small town and waited silently for Han Li's command.

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