Chapter 844: Offense

Two months later, the figures of Han Li and the other appeared above a vast lake.

Though called a lake, its surface stretched endlessly, with surging waves and frequent bursts of mist, no different from the sea.

"This lake is called Thousand Wave Lake. The Black River Ascetic dwells in a water palace deep at its bottom. Fellow Daoist Li, in my opinion, we should first employ courtesy before resorting to force," Shi Chuankong said, glancing at Han Li.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Shi. Since he is a Da Luo existence and an ally of the Third Prince, I will not act rashly," Han Li replied, his expression now calm as he nodded.

Seeing this, Shi Chuankong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Speaking of which, this place is already considered the border region of the Black Water Territory. Beyond this lake lies the Black Barbarian Territory, correct?" Han Li suddenly spoke.

"Indeed," Shi Chuankong said, startled for a moment, then sighed.

The Scale Feather Void Realm was located in the Black Barbarian Territory, not far from here.

Han Li slowly nodded but said nothing.

The two then flew into the lake and began to dive downward.

Thousand Wave Lake was extremely deep. The two descended tens of thousands of zhang without any sign of reaching the bottom.

At this point, immense water pressure pressed in from all directions, causing even Han Li some discomfort.

Shi Chuankong opened his mouth and spat out a water-blue orb.

A soft blue light radiated from the orb, forming a massive blue light sphere that enveloped the two, instantly dispelling all surrounding pressure.

The blue light sphere carried them forward and downward, advancing another several thousand zhang before finally reaching the lakebed.

However, the lakebed terrain was uneven, resembling a range of rolling mountains.

The ground was also split by huge crevices, deep and unfathomable, as if connecting to the endless netherworld.

Shi Chuankong urged the blue light sphere into a massive crevice, continuing downward.

"Fellow Daoist Shi seems very familiar with this place. Have you been here before?" Han Li asked, seeing Shi Chuankong acting like an old hand.

"No. It's just that when my third brother allied with the Black River Ascetic back then, I also contributed some effort and once thoroughly investigated the Black River Ascetic's situation here." Shi Chuankong smiled.

"I see." Han Li's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not press further.

The water quality in the fissure at the bottom of the lake gradually began to differ from that above—heavier, more viscous, and darker in color, taking on a pitch-black hue somewhat resembling heavy water.

The surroundings were pitch-black, so dark that one could not see one's hand in front of one's face, and even with their eyesight, the two could not see very far.

This time, they did not dive for long before their eyes brightened.

Ahead, the fissure space suddenly widened, and a massive underground cavern emerged.

At the center of the cavern, a colossal island spanning ten thousand mu was suspended in midair.

This entire island was not made of ordinary stone or sand but of a single piece of black crystal, on which pavilions and towers had been carved, forming a continuous palace complex.

The largest palace bore a plaque several dozen zhang in size, inscribed with four large characters: 'Black River Water Palace.'

The entire island radiated layers of watery light, and though black, it gave a crystalline and translucent impression, making it look like an underwater crystal palace—extremely magnificent and grand. The island was enveloped by a huge transparent black light barrier that separated the surrounding lake water.

On the black light barrier, dense prohibition runes could faintly be seen, emitting chilling waves of restriction energy.

Han Li had no doubt that if anyone forcefully attacked, the prohibitions on the black light barrier would erupt and could instantly obliterate even a Taiyi realm cultivator.

"We've finally arrived. This entire island is a massive piece of Taiyin Water Jade, which the Black River Ascetic has refined with his divine abilities for who knows how many tens of thousands of years. Now the whole island counts as a giant demonic treasure, extremely formidable. So unless absolutely necessary, it's best we avoid conflict with him." Shi Chuankong said in a low voice.

Han Li looked at the enormous island before him, said nothing, but a hint of determination flashed deep in his eyes.

Shi Chuankong sighed upon seeing this, knowing that further persuasion was useless, so he said nothing more. He took out a blue jade token, muttered a few incantations, and tossed it out.

The token turned into a streak of blue light, flashed through the black light barrier, and disappeared without a trace.

After a moment, a slightly wary woman's voice came from the island: "Which fellow daoist honors the Black River Water Palace with a visit?"

"I am Shi Chuankong, here especially to pay a visit to the Black River Ascetic." Shi Chuankong stepped forward, took out the purple token, and cupped his hands with a smile.

"So it's the Thirteenth殿下. I failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me." The woman's voice paused briefly before saying.

As soon as the words were spoken, a swirling mass of dazzling black light appeared on the black light shield in front of Han Li and the other man, then parted to both sides, revealing a passage several zhang in size.

Han Li thought to himself that the title of prince was indeed useful, and at the same time felt even more grateful to Shi Chuankong. If not for his company, given the caution of that person just now, it would likely have been difficult to even enter the Black River Water Palace.

He exchanged a glance with Shi Chuankong and flew into the passage.

The moment their bodies entered, streaks of black light suddenly emerged, enveloping the two of them, surging like a tidal wave.

Han Li frowned slightly but did not resist.

His vision suddenly blurred, and the next moment he found himself in a great hall.

The hall was quite spacious, with walls and floor of crystalline black, and even the seats and other objects were carved from the same material, seamlessly connected to the floor, ingeniously crafted yet forming a unified whole without any disharmony.

The sound of footsteps came from within the hall, and a beautiful woman emerged, dressed in a light blue feathered robe with gold thread, her cloud-like hair piled high, adorned with three gold-inlaid phoenix hairpins, followed by four respectful maidservants.

The woman appeared to be in her thirties, with fair skin and a rather beautiful face, but her eyebrows were slightly straight, giving her a sharp look.

Han Li glanced at her; her cultivation was not weak, having reached the early Taiyi stage, and from her bearing and manner, she seemed to be an important figure in the Black River Water Palace.

“The Thirteenth Prince graces us with his presence, and we failed to welcome you with the rites due a prince; please forgive us,” said the feathered-robed woman, performing a curtsy, her voice matching that of the person who had transmitted sound earlier.

“Madam is too polite; our visit today was too sudden,” Shi Chuankong said with a smile.

The feathered-robed woman glanced at Han Li, her stiff brows furrowing slightly, but she said nothing.

“Fellow Daoist Li, this is Madam Ju, the Dao companion of Senior Black River. And this is Fellow Daoist Li, though from the Immortal Domain, he is a close friend of mine. Fellow Daoist Li has great supernatural powers, and my father also thinks highly of him,” Shi Chuankong said, reading the situation and introducing both parties.

“Madam Ju, Li offers his greetings,” Han Li said, his heart stirring as he cupped his hands in salute.

Hearing this, Madam Ju gave Han Li another look, her attitude softening slightly as she inclined her head slightly in return.

“May I ask what brings the Thirteenth Prince to our Black River Water Palace today?” Madam Ju invited the two to sit, then had the maidservants behind her present tea and fruit before speaking.

“I dare not speak of instruction. I came today with a matter on which I wished to seek advice from Senior Black River. Is Senior Black River in the palace?” Shi Chuankong said.

“Ah, the Prince has come at an unlucky time. My husband has been in seclusion for many years to cultivate a great technique, and I fear he cannot come out to meet the Prince,” Madam Ju said, a proud look in her eyes.

Han Li felt a secret relief upon hearing this.

“Is that so? What a pity,” Shi Chuankong said, glancing at Han Li from the corner of his eye.

“My husband has entrusted me with managing the affairs of the Black River Water Palace before his seclusion. May I ask what the Prince wishes to see my husband about? If it is not too important, you can tell me just the same,” Madam Ju said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and speaking with a smile.

Though she tried to hide it, a hint of complacency still showed in her expression.

“Haha, it’s not really a big matter. I heard that over a hundred years ago, the Black River Water Palace took in a lower-realm ascender named Zi Ling. Is that true?” Shi Chuankong said with a smile, his gaze shifting.

Upon hearing this, the smile on Madam Ju’s face instantly vanished, a layer of frost covering her fair face. Jealousy flashed in her eyes, along with a sharp, chilling light.

But these changes lasted only an instant; the next moment, Madam Ju’s expression returned to calm as she said, “Oh, there is such a person. But why does the Thirteenth Prince ask about her?”

Though Madam Ju’s expression changed only briefly, both Han Li and Shi Chuankong noticed it.

Han Li’s heart sank, but he did not speak.

“It’s nothing major. That Zi Ling and Fellow Daoist Li are friends from the lower realm. Fellow Daoist Li heard that she ascended to the Holy Domain and came specially to visit today. Madam, could you please ask Miss Zi Ling to come out so they can meet?” Shi Chuankong said solemnly.

“Heh, friends? More like lovers, I’d say! A vixen is a vixen, seducing men wherever she goes!” Madam Ju glanced at Han Li and sneered.

“Zi Ling has just ascended to the Holy Domain and is not yet familiar with everything here. If she has offended you in any way, Li is willing to apologize on her behalf,” Han Li said, his mind racing as he stood up and cupped his hands in salute.

“Offended… Hmph!” Madam Ju snorted coldly but did not continue.

“To soothe Madam’s anger, I have a few decent materials here. Please accept them,” Han Li said, his gaze shifting as he raised his hand and waved.

A beam of green light shot from his hand and swept over the nearby table.

Four items appeared on the table: a small blue flag, a purple-black seal, a blue ice crystal, and a piece of black deadwood.

The small blue flag and the purple-black seal were both magic tools of graded quality, while the blue ice crystal and black deadwood were materials containing law power, each emanating a vast amount of law power, even surpassing the two magic tools.

These magic tools and materials were all found in Zhao Gu Zhenren’s storage device, and even Shi Chuankong found them quite tempting.

Madam Ju’s gaze flickered at the sight of these items, but she then snorted again, looking up at the ceiling, refusing to even glance at them.

Seeing this, Han Li’s expression darkened.

“Ahem, Madam Ju, regardless, could you, for my sake, allow them to meet?” Shi Chuankong cleared his throat and said.