Published: August 28, 2025
Chapter 457: Every Step a Struggle
"My disciple's cultivation base is still shallow. As his master, I naturally must take extra care of him. Although this White Rhinoceros Pendant is also valuable, I plan to travel the Path of Mysterious Crystals, and this item won't be much use to me there. However, I recall that Brother Man seems to have a Frozen Ice Pearl as well. Why not lend it to my disciple temporarily? I assume you, fellow cultivator, wouldn't want anything to happen to my disciple before he enters the Inner Hall!" The Supreme Patriarch of Dark Yin did not get angry. Instead, his eyes shifted slightly as he smiled and spoke.
"Hmph! Before the Void Heaven Cauldron is retrieved, I won't let him die easily. This Frozen Ice Pearl is something I obtained years ago after killing a cold carp. Boy, you can have this one for now." With that, Barbarian Huzi took out a milky, smooth, round pearl about the size of a thumb and tossed it to Han Li.
Han Li's heart leapt with joy. He accepted the item and thanked them several times. He understood that these two were giving him such precious treasures solely because of the Blood Jade Spider, but if it could ensure his safety while crossing the Lava Path, he would gladly accept it.
Although both the Frozen Ice Pearl and Barbarian Huzi's White Rhinoceros Pendant emitted white light, the moment Han Li held the pearl, a chilling cold that seemed to freeze his very skin gave him a shiver. He hurriedly stored it in his storage pouch. This was completely different from the warm, cool sensation of the White Rhinoceros Pendant—it seemed to be in a league above the jade pendant.
The old man in Confucian robes saw this scene and chuckled softly, his figure shimmering as he entered the Path of Mysterious Crystals. Other cultivators, seeing this, also followed their chosen passages and entered the canyon.
Within moments, most of the cultivators in front of the path had disappeared.
"Han Li, you enter the valley first. We will meet at the teleportation formation at the end of the canyon in a few days." The Supreme Patriarch of Dark Yin looked at Han Li kindly and spoke gently.
Han Li naturally had no objections. After responding, he headed toward the passage marked by the stone tablet "Lava Path."
However, before entering, Han Li calmly scanned his surroundings once more.
A sense of unease crept into his heart.
That Mysterious Bone Old Demon still hadn't appeared. Could it have suddenly changed its mind and slipped away alone?
Han Li couldn't help but consider the worst.
After all, human hearts are unpredictable, and it was possible that upon seeing the strength of the Dark Yin faction, the Mysterious Bone might have changed its mind again.
But if such a thing happened, Han Li would not hesitate to expose the old demon's secrets at an inopportune moment, using them as a bargaining chip to save his own life. A fierce light flashed in Han Li's eyes as he thought this.
Perhaps this movement provoked someone. Just as Han Li felt a bit resentful, the calm voice of the Mysterious Bone suddenly sounded in his ear.
"Stop looking around. I am currently hiding nearby, just not showing myself. Take care of yourself! After you pass the Path of Ice and Fire, I will contact you." After saying this, the voice vanished again.
Han Li was pleasantly surprised, finally able to relax, and strode confidently into the passage.
A blast of hot wind blew down the corridor, making Han Li feel like he was standing next to a blazing furnace the moment he stepped in.
He frowned and focused his gaze ahead.
The passage was only about six feet tall—not very tall—but the dazzling red light faintly spilling out ahead was shocking and unsettling.
Han Li licked his slightly dry lips and, with a grim look, took step after step forward.
With each step, the temperature of the surrounding air seemed to rise by a degree.
After twenty or thirty steps, Han Li could go no further.
The intense heat around him, coupled with occasional gusts of hot wind, made the skin on his face sting painfully.