Chapter 1233: Tracking Shadows

Just as Han Li and Lan Yan passed through the restriction, a fluctuation of void appeared outside the entrance of Gold Jade Pass, and a dark red light shot out from nowhere, swiftly flying through the crack in the restriction and entering inside.

“Not good, close the exit quickly!” Elder Qi’s expression changed, and he immediately urged the golden token.

A beam of golden light shot out from the token and vanished into the restriction light screen.

Almost at the same time Elder Qi acted, the other eight also urged the golden banners in their hands, and the exit on the golden light screen began to close rapidly.

At the same time, Elder Qi opened his mouth and spat out two streams of white light, which transformed into two white giant swords radiating immense cold, causing ice crystals to appear in the nearby void.

The white giant swords moved with extreme speed, conjuring dense afterimages, and in an instant caught up with the dark red light, slashing down fiercely in a cross.

But the dark red light suddenly brightened, and circles of dark red light waves oscillated out from it.

As soon as the two white giant swords touched those dark red light waves, they were heavily struck, the white light on the swords dissipating like snow meeting fire, and the two giant swords were directly knocked away.

Within the dark red light, a figure of a red-robed girl flickered into view, with a curvaceous figure and features like a painting—it was none other than Jiao San.

Lan Yan was also startled by the sudden change, staring blankly at the scene before her.

But Han Li’s expression was very calm, as if he had expected this all along.

Jiao San glanced in Han Li’s direction, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, revealing a barely noticeable smile, and at the same time raised her hand and waved.

A silver light door emerged from the void beside her, and figures filed out from the light door, none other than the people of the Reincarnation Palace, and in no small number—in the blink of an eye, several hundred had flown out, with more figures still emerging from the light door.

“Go, seize control of Gold Jade Pass!” Jiao San raised her hand and waved.

All those Reincarnation Palace people pounced toward Elder Qi and the others, multicolored light raining down like a shower.

Seeing this, Elder Qi’s eyes nearly split with rage, but he could only engage in battle.

Fortunately, the number of Nine Yuan Temple disciples stationed at Gold Jade Pass was large, over a thousand, giving them a numerical advantage.

In an instant, the two groups clashed, erupting with deafening rumbling sounds.

“Let’s go!” Han Li pulled Lan Yan, who had not yet recovered her senses, and flew into the distance.

“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Han, thank you for your help. Once this mission is complete, I will surely reward you handsomely.” Jiao San’s tinkling laughter sounded in Han Li’s mind.

Han Li paid no attention and flew ahead with Lan Yan, soon disappearing into the distance, unnoticed by anyone.

“Fellow Daoist Han, did you know all along that those Reincarnation Palace people would appear?” Lan Yan asked.

“Fellow Daoist Lan, sometimes it’s better not to ask questions you shouldn’t. Knowing too much won’t do you any good,” Han Li replied coldly, but his mind was racing with thoughts.

So Jiao San had been secretly following them all along. Knowing that he wanted to rescue Gold Boy and would inevitably go to the Inner Temple, she took the opportunity to seize Gold Jade Pass when they entered. What a good scheme. It seemed there must be something odd about the mask she had someone deliver to him.

“Then let’s take this chance to go rescue him. But I wonder where Gold Boy is now? I’m more familiar with the situation inside the Nine Yuan Temple and can guide you,” Lan Yan said, quickly changing the subject when she saw Han Li’s displeasure.

“According to the intelligence I obtained, Gold Boy is imprisoned in the Ghost Valley within the Inner Temple. Here is a map of the Inner Temple,” Han Li said, taking out a jade slip with a map and handing it to Lan Yan.

“Ghost Valley? As far as I know, that is the cultivation ground of one of the Four Holy Envoys, Ghost Spirit,” Lan Yan said with a surprised expression.

“Ghost Spirit’s territory?” Han Li frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed.

Gold Boy was captured by Ghost Spirit, so it made sense that he was imprisoned in Ghost Spirit’s own territory.

“Ghost Spirit’s cultivation has reached the mid-Daluo stage, and he practices an extremely eerie ghostly law. In terms of strength, he is considered the foremost among the Four Holy Envoys. Although the Reincarnation Palace attack is happening now and he might not be in Ghost Valley, we should still prepare for the worst,” Lan Yan glanced at Han Li and couldn’t help but remind him.

“Of course, rest assured, I have no intention of underestimating Ghost Spirit,” Han Li chuckled lightly, then waved his hand.

A stream of black qi emerged from his hand, enveloping the two of them.

Their figures instantly flickered and disappeared, transforming into a shapeless shadow that shot forward rapidly.

Han Li’s black mask could not only conceal himself but also cover those nearby, as long as they were not too far away.

Lan Yan looked around, a gleam of admiration flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her focus and concentrated on guiding the way.

The Outer Temple of the Nine Yuan Temple was filled with various majestic buildings, giving an impression of a grand sect.

But the Inner Temple had far fewer buildings, with peaks and valleys in a natural state, though the celestial energy here was much denser than in the Outer Temple.

Although some restrictions had been activated in the Inner Temple at the moment, they were not as numerous as in the Outer Temple, perhaps because the Nine Yuan Temple people thought the net-like restrictions in the Outer Temple and the super array at Gold Jade Pass were sufficient.

This worked to the advantage of Han Li and Lan Yan, who advanced swiftly.

After half a day, the two arrived near a valley and landed silently.

The land and rocks around the valley were pitch black, and a thick layer of black clouds hung over the valley, flowing slowly in the air like watery clouds, likely containing deadly poison given their deep black color.

A bone-chilling yin wind surged from the valley, emitting piercing shrieks that rose and fell in waves, making one’s heart pound with fear. Violent and ferocious thoughts rolled within the yin wind, making the place seem like a ghostly underworld.

Even from a distance, Han Li and Lan Yan could feel the fierce ghostly qi emanating from the valley, like countless icy steel needles piercing their bodies.

Fortunately, both had deep cultivation and could withstand it.

“Is this Ghost Valley?” Han Li swept his gaze around and asked.

“Yes, I’ve never been here, but I’ve heard about it—exactly this eerie, ghostly scene. And the map points to this very place, no mistake,” Lan Yan affirmed.

Han Li nodded, closed his eyes, and tried to sense Gold Boy’s presence.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, frowning deeply.

“Can’t sense his aura?” Lan Yan asked.

Han Li nodded slightly, his face darkening.

Previously in Liujin City, he couldn’t sense Gold Boy’s presence, perhaps because the distance was too great. But now, so close, still unable to sense him—that was truly strange.

Was Gold Boy inside some seal that blocked perception? Or was the Reincarnation Palace’s intelligence inaccurate?

The ghostly qi in the valley before him was overwhelming, making even him quite wary, especially since there might be a mid-Daluo stage Ghost Spirit stationed inside.

“Master, it’s better not to enter Ghost Valley rashly. First, confirm whether Gold Boy is inside. The Reincarnation Palace’s intelligence may not be accurate,” Ti Hun’s voice sounded in Han Li’s mind.

Han Li slowly nodded.

“Master, let me out. I’ve been with Big Brother for a long time and have some connection with him,” Xiao Bai suddenly said.

“Alright.” Han Li waved his hand and summoned Xiao Bai out of the Flower Branch Space.

Xiao Bai sat down with eyes closed, faint white light shimmering on his body, and a misty crystalline light appeared at his brow.

“No good, I can’t sense Big Brother’s aura either,” Xiao Bai said after a moment, opening his eyes and shaking his head with a sigh.

Han Li was not too surprised. Gold Boy was a spirit beast he had raised himself, and even he couldn’t sense him, so naturally Xiao Bai couldn’t either.

“Master, what do we do now?” Xiao Bai asked anxiously.

“It’s fine. Although we can’t sense Gold Boy, there is someone who might be able to,” Han Li said with a slight smile, then formed hand seals.

The restrictions near the pavilion in the Flower Branch Space quickly dissipated, and a figure shot out from inside, landing on the ground—it was Qu Lin.

Han Li then waved his hand, directly summoning Qu Lin out of the Flower Branch Space.

“Fellow Daoist Han, when I agreed to travel with you, it wasn’t to be treated as a prisoner, locked up all the way,” Qu Lin said with a very displeased expression, glancing around before speaking to Han Li in a deep voice.

“Apologies, Ti Hun has been a bit sensitive on this journey. I apologize to Fellow Daoist Qu on her behalf,” Han Li said with a cupped fist salute.

“Hmph! Where is this place?” Qu Lin snorted coldly but didn’t press the matter further, looking around again and asking.

“This is inside the Nine Yuan Temple. Fellow Daoist Qu, do not casually extend your divine sense to probe, lest you be detected,” Han Li said indifferently.

“Oh, if I remember correctly, Fellow Daoist Han is currently being pursued by the Nine Yuan Temple, aren’t you? To dare come inside the Nine Yuan Temple, you really are bold,” Qu Lin’s expression changed slightly, then he gave Han Li a deep look and said.

“There are some matters I need to handle here,” Han Li said with a faint smile, not informing Qu Lin about the Reincarnation Palace’s attack on the Nine Yuan Temple.

“Then there must be a reason you’ve released me now, Fellow Daoist Han?” Qu Lin’s eyes rolled as he asked.

“I do have a matter to trouble Fellow Daoist Qu with. According to the intelligence I’ve obtained, a Devouring Gold Beetle may be hiding in the valley ahead. However, the valley is heavily restricted, and I can’t sense its aura. Since you are of the same kind, I’d like you to help me sense whether that Devouring Gold Beetle is in the valley ahead,” Han Li said, not mentioning Gold Boy.

“There’s a Devouring Gold Beetle here? Fellow Daoist Han, are you planning to capture it?” Qu Lin’s eyes lit up, then a hint of suspicion flashed in them as he asked.

“This Devouring Gold Beetle and I have crossed paths before; it took something from me. I need to find it and retrieve that item,” Han Li said with a laugh.

“…Haha, I see. Sensing whether that Devouring Gold Beetle is in the valley ahead is not difficult,” Qu Lin stared at Han Li for a moment, then suddenly laughed and agreed. He closed his eyes, and golden light flickered on his body.

After a moment, he abruptly opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing in them.

“Yes, there is indeed a Devouring Gold Beetle in the valley ahead, but not above ground—underground,” Qu Lin said.