Chapter 717: Journey to the Netherworld

"Lord Lu Hong has keen eyes. I was just about to report to the Domain Lord that these three are indeed not from our Sanmiao Clan, but from the Xuhe Clan of Shaohao Domain. They contributed greatly to repelling the Nicida Domain and are benefactors of our Sanmiao Clan. They expressed a desire to visit Rakshasa City to witness the grand alliance of the three domains, so I brought them here," Miao Gao said to the obese elder.

"The Xuhe Clan of Shaohao Domain!" The other lords were startled upon hearing this.

"Lord Miao Gao, this alliance concerns the vital interests of our Heichi Domain, and with various forces gathered in Rakshasa City, every move carries great significance. How could you casually bring people from other domains along?" The obese elder frowned, somewhat displeased.

"It's fine. I see they all hold guest elder tokens of Sanmiao, so they can be considered members of our Heichi Domain. These three seem quite capable. Miao Gao, you should put more effort into recruiting them; it would benefit our Heichi Domain." Just as Miao Gao's expression darkened and he was about to speak, the Heichi Domain Lord spoke first.

"Yes, as the Domain Lord commands." Miao Gao's face lit up with joy as he bowed in acknowledgment.

Although the obese elder was still reluctant, he could say nothing more since the Domain Lord had spoken.

...

After Han Li and the others left the main hall, Miao Xiu warned them about some precautions in Heichi City, and then they dispersed.

Shi Chuankong bid farewell to Han Li and the others, then rushed off toward the city's market districts, apparently looking for ways to make money again.

Mo Guang did not wander around but immediately returned to the tower ship.

Han Li was quite interested in everything about the Gray Realm. After taking a tour around Heichi City and gathering some information about the Gray Realm, he also returned to the tower ship and retreated into the Flower Branch Space.

"Lad Li, the Gray Realm is holding a three-domain alliance?" As soon as Han Li sat down in the Flower Branch Space, Shi Qinghou's voice echoed in his mind.

"Indeed. The three major domains seem to be negotiating at the alliance to decide whether the Gray Realm should invade the True Immortal Realm." Han Li raised an eyebrow and said.

"Oh, discussing that matter? Interesting. But you're a cultivator from the True Immortal Realm; why would you want to get involved? Are you planning to gather intelligence?" Shi Qinghou said with a slight smile.

"I'm merely a minor figure in the True Immortal Realm; such major affairs are none of my concern. I've heard that there is a Cleansing Pool in Rakshasa City that can wash away the baleful qi within a person. I'm going to Rakshasa City to find that pool and use it to overcome my Baleful Decay." Han Li's eyes flickered as he spoke without concealment.

"You're looking for the Cleansing Pool? That explains it. I've heard of such a place in Rakshasa City before. But lad Li, don't expect me to help you with that. Although I have a grudge against Yin Chengquan, I've never been to Rakshasa City, so I don't know where the Cleansing Pool is. And don't think that just because you possess the Law of Time and have some strength, you can take risks recklessly. Let me be clear: I've agreed to help you, but if you insist on seeking death, don't blame me for breaking our agreement." Shi Qinghou snorted.

With that, Shi Qinghou's voice fell silent again.

Han Li frowned slightly upon hearing this.

He had informed Shi Qinghou of this matter hoping to learn something about the Cleansing Pool, but it seemed the other didn't know much either.

However, the Cleansing Pool was quite famous; once he entered Rakshasa City, he was confident he could find its whereabouts.

As for Shi Qinghou's words, Han Li didn't take them to heart. Now that their fates were linked, once inside Rakshasa City, Shi Qinghou would have no choice.

Moreover, it would be good if Shi Qinghou could help, but if he refused to act, Han Li didn't mind. He relied on himself in all matters and never depended on anyone.

His eyes flickered, and then he closed them.

The Heichi Domain Lord and Miao Gao and the others negotiated for two days. On the morning of the third day, everyone gathered in the square before the Domain Lord's mansion, boarded a five-story tower ship made entirely of a black jade-like material prepared by the Heichi Domain Lord, and set off.

...

Thirty years passed in the blink of an eye.

At the end of the horizon stood an enormous black city wall, a hundred zhang high and stretching a thousand li, casting a massive black shadow under the evening sunlight.

At the boundary between shadow and light, a huge black tower ship slowly descended. Dozens of figures flew down from it but did not rush toward the city gate.

After the Heichi Domain Lord flew down from the ship and waved his hand to put it away, everyone walked together toward the city gate.

Han Li and his two companions, dressed in Sanmiao Clan attire, walked in the middle of the procession.

"So this is Rakshasa City? Truly magnificent and extraordinary, one of the great cities of the Gray Realm, I suppose." Shi Chuankong's eyes flickered as he praised.

Han Li looked into the distance and saw various strange runes carved into the city wall, quite different from those in the Immortal Realm, with faint fluctuations of baleful qi emanating from them.

At the huge city gate, a dense crowd of figures was gathered, apparently queuing to enter the city.

The procession of Han Li and the others slowed down when they were still over a hundred zhang away, as the various tribes ahead were already filing in and the line had reached them.

Han Li saw at a glance that several hundred guards were stationed beside the three arched gates.

Almost all of them wore long gray robes that dragged on the ground, floating a foot above the ground, making them taller than most tribal people, and every one of them wore an indifferent expression.

In terms of appearance, they were quite similar to humans, but from below the eyelids down to the cheeks, they had gray-white scales that resembled snake skin, which was somewhat unsettling.

"These fellows seem to be Jiuyou Clan members?" Shi Chuankong glanced at them and said.

Han Li was also puzzled upon hearing this.

The Jiuyou Clan was the ruling race of the Jiuyou Domain, and its chieftain was the Domain Lord of Jiuyou Domain, so they held a special status and usually wouldn't be tasked with guarding the city. It was indeed unusual to see them all as Jiuyou Clan cultivators today.

"They don't count as true Jiuyou Clan members; at best, they are You Slaves, an inferior branch eliminated by the Jiuyou Clan, serving as their servant race. In fact, the true Jiuyou Clan members are few in number, and almost every one of them is a cultivation genius, so they are inherently very proud. See those under the city gate? Those are the real Jiuyou Clan members." Miao Gao, hearing Shi Chuankong's words, turned back and said to them.

Han Li looked as directed and saw a gaunt, thin old man sitting on a large black chair under the city gate. He wore a black robe and looked almost identical to the You Slaves, except that he had no snake-like scales on his cheeks.

As if to intimidate the gathered tribes before the gate, the old man made no effort to conceal his terrifying aura, which was comparable to that of a late-stage Taiyi cultivator.

Beside him stood two others, floating a foot in the air, both wearing black robes and looking proud. Because they were already quite tall, one had to look up to see them.

When the various tribes of Heichi Domain arrived before the city gate, the leading cultivator merely lifted his eyelids to glance at them and remained seated motionless on the black chair.

Among the two floating beside him, one who was somewhat stout moved and floated over.

"Everyone from Heichi Domain, follow me. Enter through the side gate." The man said in a sinister tone, omitting even a greeting, and directly led them toward the small gate on the left side of the main gate.

The Heichi Domain Lord frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he said nothing.

The various lords under Heichi Domain were all quite annoyed, muttering curses under their breath, but no one dared to speak loudly. After all, they were on someone else's turf and had to keep their tails between their legs.

Led to the left gate, they saw a long line ahead, apparently some tribes from a region of the Reincarnation Domain, filing into the city.

Han Li, Shi Chuankong, and Mo Guang, together with Miao Gao and the others, walked in the middle of the Heichi Domain procession, moving slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Li, something seems off. They're checking identities here." Shi Chuankong suddenly transmitted a message to warn him.

As soon as he finished speaking, Miao Gao also spoke: "These bastards make us use the side gate and still check identities? What do they take us for?"

Han Li looked over and saw a person ahead holding an octagonal black prism. Its outer frame seemed to be made of some metal, with many fine patterns visible on it, and the mirror surface gleamed like black crystal.

Whenever someone approached the gate, that person would look into their eyes through the octagonal prism.

But at the central and right city gates, no one was checking.

"Fellow Daoists, this thing is called a Spirit-Exploring Mirror, a type of detection treasure, especially effective for detecting changes in baleful qi. Through it, the state of baleful qi condensation in a person's eyes is fully visible. They can even distinguish a person's racial origin based on subtle differences in the pupils." Mo Guang suddenly transmitted.

"You recognize it?" Han Li said, somewhat surprised.

"While you've been looking through Gray Realm materials, I haven't been idle. I've read some books. There's a record in an ancient text called 'Records of Strange Goods.' Would you like to see it?" Mo Guang laughed.

"In your opinion, will our disguise be discovered?" Han Li frowned and asked.

"This body of mine is originally from the Xuhe Clan, so they won't detect anything. Fellow Daoist Li, you've been troubled by Baleful Decay for a long time; your pupils have already changed, and baleful qi has gathered in your acupoints. This misfortune might actually turn into a blessing, and you should be able to pass. But Fellow Daoist Shi... it's a bit troublesome." Mo Guang transmitted slowly.

Shi Chuankong's expression tightened upon hearing this, and he fell into thought.

The various tribes in the front line entered the gate one by one. Although the line seemed long, the pace was fast, and soon it was the turn of the Heichi Domain tribes.

The Domain Lord, being of noble status, naturally did not need to undergo inspection. He merely showed his Domain Lord token, symbolizing his authority, and entered the city. After him, whether tribal chieftains, lords, or elders and guest elders, all had to undergo inspection with the Spirit-Exploring Mirror.

After the Heichi Domain people were inspected, they did not immediately enter the city but waited inside the gate with the Domain Lord until everyone had passed through before entering together.

Soon, it was the turn of the six from the Sanmiao Clan.