Chapter 1162: The Eight Desolations

Yuan San looked up and down at the five golden pills several times, the delight in his eyes growing stronger.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Long Wu's alchemy skills are truly remarkable. It took you only five or six years to refine five Time Dao Pills. Admirable." Yuan San cupped his hands and said.

"Since Fellow Daoist Yuan San said it should be done within ten years, I naturally had to hurry a bit. Add to that the favor of heaven and some luck, I barely managed to meet your requirements. Please first check if these pills have any issues." Han Li said with a faint smile, placing the five Time Dao Pills along with the box into the transmission array, then formed a hand seal and pointed.

The Dao Pills and the box vanished in a flash, appearing before Yuan San.

Yuan San did not hesitate, picking up each of the five pills and carefully inspecting them.

"All five pills are fine, and they are all third-grade Dao Pills, much better than I expected. I never take advantage of others. Besides the agreed-upon Water-Evolution Time King Crystal, I will add one million Immortal Origin Stones as extra compensation." Yuan San nodded and said.

"There is no need for extra compensation. Fellow Daoist Yuan San, you don't take advantage of others, and neither do I. Since we agreed to exchange five Time Dao Pills for that Water-Evolution Time King Crystal, just give me the crystal." Han Li's heart stirred, but he spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Yuan San fell silent for a moment, but his eyes brightened slightly as he looked at Han Li.

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Long Wu to be a man of character as well. Good, shall we become friends today? Although I lack your alchemy skills, I have some connections and means, especially in collecting rare materials, so I am not useless." Yuan San suddenly laughed heartily and said.

"I would be delighted." Han Li's eyes moved, and he smiled in reply.

Although he had not exchanged many words with Yuan San, the fact that the latter could produce a Water-Evolution Time King Crystal and had sufficient materials for him to refine Time Dao Pills meant he must have some methods for collecting time-attribute materials.

His refusal of the one million Immortal Origin Stones was precisely to draw closer to Yuan San, in order to learn from him the whereabouts of other time-attribute objects. Naturally, he would not refuse further interaction.

From what he could see, the other party was, to some extent, a kindred spirit.

"Now that I have obtained these five Dao Pills, I need to arrange some matters immediately. I won't have a deep conversation with you today, Fellow Daoist Long Wu. If you ever come to Nine Yuan City, be sure to contact me, and we'll have a good drink together." Yuan San said.

"Nine Yuan City!" Han Li's brows twitched at the words.

He had once heard Lan Yan mention this city, a great metropolis near the Nine Yuan Temple mountain gate and one of the largest cities in the Great Golden Source Immortal Domain. Could Yuan San be a member of the Nine Yuan Temple?

Thoughts churned in Han Li's mind, but he readily agreed aloud.

Yuan San then flipped his hand to produce the Water-Evolution Time King Crystal and transmitted it to Han Li through the array.

Both were eager to handle their respective gains, so they soon ended the communication.

Han Li formed a hand seal to close the trading interface, looked at the Water-Evolution Time King Crystal in his hand, and couldn't help but smile. He immediately activated the "Great Five Elements Illusion World Art" to condense the golden ring, enveloping the crystal.

With a "crack" sound!

The Water-Evolution Time King Crystal shattered, and countless water-drop-shaped golden specks shot out, merging into the golden ring. Then, in a flash, they transformed into golden crystal threads, as many as forty-one, all flying out to wrap around the Time Cleansing Vase.

The time law power within him surged, almost restoring him to his former peak state.

Han Li closed his eyes, silently running the "Great Five Elements Illusion World Art." The five time-attribute objects revolved around him, indeed much smoother than before, filling him with joy again.

He then shook his head, formed a hand seal to put away the "Great Five Elements Illusion World Art," and flipped his hand to produce the Heaven-Piercing Sword Formation Diagram, continuing to comprehend its mysteries without a moment's pause.

He had no idea what awaited him at the Eight Desolations Mountain ahead; he had to race against time to improve his strength.

The Heaven-Piercing Sword Diagram hovered above Han Li's head, emitting a soft glow that enveloped his body.

Threads of profound sword formation changes flowed from the diagram and passed through Han Li's mind, deepening his understanding of the Heaven-Piercing Sword Formation rapidly.

Time passed in cultivation, and in the blink of an eye, several more years went by. The Eight Desolations Mountain finally came into view in the distance.

...

The vastness of the Barbarian Wilderness Domain was incalculable, only divided into irregular regions by the scattered Immortal Domains. The Eight Desolations Mountain was one particularly special location.

Its uniqueness lay in the fact that the Barbarian Wilderness Domain contained countless mountains and rivers, some of which were grand peaks and mighty rivers rarely found even in Immortal Domains. Yet nearly half of the mountain ranges and river sources originated from the Eight Desolations Mountain.

Thus, it was not an exaggeration to say that the Eight Desolations Mountain was the dragon head of all mountains and rivers in the Barbarian Wilderness Domain.

For this reason, when the eight True Spirit Kings attempted to end the chaotic era of the Barbarian Wilderness Domain, the Eight Desolations Mountain became the place of their alliance and oath, and subsequently the sacred mountain of the entire domain.

At the summit of the Eight Desolations Mountain stood a round hall built of black stone.

The hall was enclosed on all sides, with only a half-man-high dark red brazier in the very center, where clusters of golden flames burned softly. The fire was not very strong, casting flickering shadows around.

Around the hall's walls were placed eight stone seats, simple in style, resembling roughly made stone chairs from rustic villages, with a coarse texture.

Behind each seat stood a stone sculpture about ten feet tall, most of which were ferocious beasts with bared fangs and claws, but one in the center was notably different.

It was pure white, shaped like a lion with a fluffy mane, two horns on its head, and a beard under its chin. Its expression was quite kind, and behind it trailed a long, thick tail that coiled like a clean white cloud.

Unlike the empty seats before the other stone carvings, the stone chair before this beast was occupied by a middle-aged man in a white robe. He had a face like jade, sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a handsome, extraordinary appearance. His eyes were deep as pools, with a ring of pale golden light around the pupils, shining like the moon reflected in a pool.

However, on his head grew two backward-curving horns, and under his chin was a small goatee, not too long, which added a touch of liveliness to his otherwise gentle and solemn face.

At the moment, the man held a roll of green jade bamboo slips in his hand but was not looking at them. Instead, his gaze fell on the brazier in the center of the hall, his eyes somewhat wandering.

After a moment, he slowly withdrew his gaze, a hint of desolation appearing on his face.

It was in this hall that he and the other True Spirit Kings had sworn an alliance by smearing blood on their lips, ending the ancient chaos of the Barbarian Wilderness Domain. But now, among the eight True Spirit Kings, many had fallen, leaving only him in the hall.

And he was the most wise among the eight True Spirit Kings, the divine beast Bai Ze.

It was said that he had mediated and facilitated the alliance of the eight kings.

Afterward, he and Mo Yan Pi Xiu had jointly revised the Barbarian Code, establishing a basic set of rites and laws for the entire Barbarian Wilderness Domain, truly ending the era of great chaos where many vied for supremacy.

"Back then, I endured countless disdainful looks to bring you all together, despite your mutual dislike. Now, you've gone your separate ways, scattered, or died, leaving me to handle this mess. Why should I?" Bai Ze's gaze swept over the other empty chairs, and he complained somewhat.

After complaining, he smiled helplessly, looking at the flames in the brazier, and continued:

"Over the years, this barbarian fire has grown increasingly weak. Chaos is rising throughout the Immortal Realm. Swept up by the general trend, our Barbarian Wilderness Domain may not escape either. The Asura Blood Gate must be opened, and you won't be able to hide from the peace and quiet any longer..."

At this point, Bai Ze seemed somewhat pleased, stroking his goatee and laughing.

His voice began to echo in the hall: "The great wind rises, clouds soar..."

...

At the foot of the Eight Desolations Mountain stood a black stone city.

The city walls were a hundred zhang high. Below, the gate was bustling and noisy, with teams of strange beasts pulling carts, streaming into the city in a mighty procession.

A small, inconspicuous convoy stood out among all the massive teams.

In front of a carriage in the middle of the convoy, a tall Silver Horn Rhinoceros man walked back, his face full of worry. He was none other than Sang Tu.

"Senior Stone, we're about to reach Town Desolation City. The inspection at the city gate is very strict. Our two tribes' identities... are somewhat inadequate, and we'll likely have difficulty being allowed entry. We need you to step in." Sang Tu came to the side of the carriage, rubbed his hands, and said.

Inside the beast-drawn carriage sat, of course, Han Li.

Throughout the journey, he had kept his aura concealed, only intervening with lightning speed to kill attackers when major demons assaulted the Silver Horn Rhinoceros and Cloud Pattern Tiger tribes. Otherwise, he stayed behind the scenes, not revealing himself.

As a result, the two tribes held him in even greater awe and respect.

In the Immortal Realm, strength reigns supreme, and even more so in the Barbarian Wilderness.

Ultimately, with their strength, Sang Tu and Yun Bao could not detect the peculiarities of Han Li's true spirit bloodline. But if they encountered an existence stronger than Han Li, it would be hard to conceal.

Once Han Li's human identity was exposed, it would inevitably bring much unnecessary trouble.

He had come here for serious business, not to seek trouble.

"No matter. You will undergo inspection as usual. I will handle everything; don't worry." Han Li said calmly.

Hearing Han Li's words, Sang Tu's heart eased considerably. Over the decades of travel, he and Yun Bao had witnessed many of this "Senior Stone's" methods and had grown increasingly confident in him.

He glanced at Yun Bao, who was driving the beast cart. The latter nodded and continued driving forward.

After such a long time together, their relationship had eased, and they had developed a certain tacit understanding.

As time passed, near dusk, the convoy of the two tribes finally reached the gate. Two guards, with eagle heads and human bodies, held halberds and had sharp eyes. They stopped the convoy.

"Halt! Which tribe are you from?" One of them scanned the convoy and asked.