Chapter 776: Seeking the Beloved

At this moment, Han Li had a thousand questions in his mind, but in the end, he asked nothing. After calming down, he became even more puzzled: why did Shi Chuankong tell him all this?

"According to my speculation, after I refined the Luo Zha Pipa using my family's secret technique, my father sensed it. That's how he was able to use his spatial神通 to bring us back, using the Luo Zha Pipa as a guide," Shi Chuankong explained after a pause, seeing that Han Li remained silent.

"I see..."

Han Li nodded after hearing this. Just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly remembered something.

With a flick of his wrist, a silver light gate about ten feet tall appeared beside him. He stepped forward and entered.

A hint of confusion flashed in Shi Chuankong's eyes, and he followed Crab Immortal into the light gate.

Crossing the light gate, they entered the bamboo building within the cave heaven.

Han Li immediately saw Soulfall lying on the floor inside. He quickly bent down and lifted her horizontally.

With a thought, he began to examine her condition.

After a moment, Han Li took out a golden pill and placed it into Soulfall's mouth, helping her swallow it.

After the pill entered her stomach, Soulfall remained unconscious, showing no change.

"Brother Li, she..." Shi Chuankong hesitated.

"Her injuries are not severe, and her soul hasn't suffered much damage. She shouldn't be unconscious. I don't know why this is happening," Han Li said with a frown, shaking his head.

"In that case, why not check if there's something wrong with her dantian?" Shi Chuankong suggested.

Han Li realized this and quickly examined her.

"Strange... I can't detect any trace of her origin power in her dantian. This is very odd," Han Li said, puzzled.

"If so, the problem is likely here," Shi Chuankong said after a moment's thought.

Han Li carefully recalled the scene before their teleportation and felt a chill in his heart.

He felt that Soulfall's current condition was closely related to the circular wheel technique that had suddenly appeared earlier, but he wasn't sure if it was specifically caused by that.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Shi. Otherwise, I wouldn't have found the cause," Han Li said.

"It's just that concern clouds judgment. But do you know how to handle this situation, Brother Li?" Shi Chuankong asked.

"I've never encountered this before, so I really don't know what to do. Do you have any good ideas, Brother Shi?" Han Li said with a bitter smile.

"I know nothing about healing methods. However, if you return with me to the holy capital, Yeyang City, perhaps our clan's high priest can help," Shi Chuankong said, shaking his head.

Han Li didn't answer immediately but fell into thought.

"Whether you are willing to come or not, let me ask: what are your plans next?" Shi Chuankong asked upon seeing this.

"I thought I had returned to the Immortal Realm, but instead I ended up here. I need to think carefully about what to do next," Han Li said with a light sigh.

"To be honest, this place is a desolate area in the south of our Holy Domain called the 'Ten Calamities Mountain Range.' It got this name because there are ten ferocious beasts with cultivation bases comparable to Taiyi cultivators lurking here, causing long-term disasters. Even if you want to consider your future, you should find another place," Shi Chuankong said frankly.

"Ten Taiyi-level ferocious beasts! That is indeed troublesome. To be honest, I'm completely in the dark right now. In your opinion, what should we do next?" Han Li was startled, then asked after a moment's thought.

"The ferocious beasts here are extremely territorial. Ordinary ones might be manageable, but if the leading ten discover our presence, it will be truly dangerous. We should head north and leave here as soon as possible. At the northernmost point of the Ten Calamities Mountain Range is a city called Xiongju, an important pass against the ferocious beasts. There are Taiyi cultivators stationed there. Once we arrive, we'll be safe. From there, whether through the city lord's mansion or the Guangyuan Zhai branch, we can quickly reach the holy capital, Yeyang City," Shi Chuankong said.

Han Li thought it over and found it reasonable, so he nodded in agreement.

"Since you agree, let's set off quickly. Although the ferocious beasts have retreated for now, they might return at any time. This place isn't safe either," Shi Chuankong said with a joyful expression, somewhat impatiently.

"Brother Shi, please wait a moment. There's something I'd like to ask before we leave," Han Li suddenly called out.

"Please speak, Brother Li," Shi Chuankong said, his eyes flickering.

"Earlier, when I was breaking through my cultivation, thank you for protecting me. But I'm curious: why did you go to such trouble to help me? If you have something to ask, just say it directly," Han Li said, looking at Shi Chuankong.

After spending time with Shi Chuankong, Han Li had somewhat figured out his temperament and style. Shi Chuankong was doing him such a big favor because he likely had a request.

"Haha, nothing escapes your notice, Brother Li. Indeed, I have a request. The Ten Calamities Mountain Range is extremely dangerous, and with my strength, I'm not confident in leaving safely. You are powerful, so I hope you can look after me along the way," Shi Chuankong said with some embarrassment.

"Of course. Since this place is dangerous, we should help each other," Han Li nodded.

Now that he had advanced to the Taiyi stage, his strength had greatly increased. With his time law and many treasures, he was confident he could protect himself even against Taiyi-level beings. Bringing Shi Chuankong along wouldn't be a problem. In a worst-case scenario, he could put him into the Flower Branch Space.

"Thank you very much, Brother Li. The headquarters of Guangyuan Zhai is in Yeyang City, and there is a spatial gate connecting to various immortal domains in the True Immortal Realm. Once we reach Yeyang City, I will immediately arrange for your return to the Black Soil Immortal Domain," Shi Chuankong said joyfully.

"There's no rush to return to the Black Soil Immortal Domain. When we get to the Guangyuan Zhai headquarters, I have another matter I'd like you to help with," Han Li said, touching his nose with a flicker in his eyes.

The spiritual energy here in the Demon Domain was also rich, and it was far from the Heavenly Court's sphere of influence, making it quite suitable for his cultivation.

Thus, he wasn't in a hurry to return to the True Immortal Realm.

"Oh? What is it? Is it about what you mentioned in the Gray Realm that day?" Shi Chuankong was startled, then thought of something.

"Yes. I'd like to ask you to use Guangyuan Zhai's intelligence network to help me find a flying immortal. Here is her portrait," Han Li said, taking out a blue jade token and handing it over.

On the jade token appeared the figure of a woman in a purple robe, with delicate features and extraordinary beauty. It was Zi Ling.

"Could this be your beloved, Brother Li? She is truly stunning," Shi Chuankong said, his eyes lighting up as he took the token.

"Her name is Zi Ling. She is a Saint Clan cultivator from the lower realm. She may have already ascended, or she may not have. Please help me look into it," Han Li said noncommittally.

"She is a Saint Clan cultivator from the lower realm? That makes it easier. Saint Clan cultivators from the lower realms all ascend to the Holy Domain. The ascension platform in the Holy Domain is managed by my third brother. We are close, so it will be easy to investigate. If she has ascended, we will definitely find her," Shi Chuankong said with a confident smile.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Shi," Han Li said, feeling relieved.

"You're too kind, Brother Li. I already promised you this in the Gray Realm, and now I'm asking you to protect me out of the Ten Calamities Mountain Range. If anyone should be thanking, it's me," Shi Chuankong laughed.

The two didn't delay any further. They soon left the Flower Branch Space and cautiously headed north.

...

At this moment, in a vast mountain range countless miles away from Han Li and the others, most of the mountain walls appeared golden due to the unique ores they contained.

At the center of the mountain range stood a towering peak ten thousand feet high. The entire peak was golden, flawless, and emitted rays of golden light at all times, visible clearly from hundreds of miles away.

On top of the peak sat a massive palace complex, tall, exquisite, and magnificent. Everything inside the palace was also golden, bathed in bright golden light.

The palace was bright and majestic, but it also gave off a vulgar impression.

The Ten Calamities Mountain Range was vast, with each of the ten calamity kings ruling over a large territory, commanding countless powerful demonic creatures. Their strength was formidable, and even the outside demon clans could do nothing about them.

This was the cave dwelling of one of the ten calamity kings, the Golden Rhinoceros King.

The guards and attendants in the palace all wore golden armor or clothing.

Outside the main gate of the outermost hall, two golden-armored guards stood on either side, both clad in thick golden armor, with only half their faces visible.

"This Qianjin Armor is really heavy, suffocating. But if I don't wear it, I'll be injured by the crystal golden light. Standing guard on this Golden Peak Mountain is really a tough job," the guard on the left complained as he moved his body.

"Brother Ba, you've just arrived, so you're not used to it yet. You'll get better after a while. Although the duty here is hard, the pay is much better than elsewhere," the other guard said.

"Of course. If not for the pay, I wouldn't want to come here. But the Golden Rhinoceros King's tastes are really strange, liking this kind of environment..." the guard named Ba said with a curl of his lip.

"Shh!" The other guard immediately sent a voice transmission to stop him.

"What's wrong?" Guard Ba asked, startled.

"The Golden Rhinoceros King hates it when people comment on his preferences. Last time, a new concubine of his carelessly said something similar and was immediately subjected to the sun torture, tied to a sun pillar in the back mountain and roasted to charcoal. Remember never to say that again!" the other guard warned seriously via voice transmission.

"Thank you for the advice, brother," Guard Ba said, frightened, and quickly thanked him, glancing around.

After a long while with no movement around, Guard Ba finally breathed a sigh of relief.