Han Li followed behind the Marquis of Nanlong and the others, finally flying out of the massive wind formation that stretched for dozens of miles. Not a single Dharma Master had appeared to block them during this entire time — clearly, someone had given them instructions to stand down.
This reminded Han Li of the anomaly he had inadvertently discovered when breaking free from the restriction.
Come to think of it, it really was quite a coincidence!
At the time, since his spiritual sense couldn't penetrate the surrounding sandstorm, he had no choice but to channel spiritual power into his eyes and test out the Clear Bright Spirit Eye's supernatural ability.
After all, he had already used the Clear Bright Spirit Water to cleanse his eyes multiple times. Now was the perfect chance to see just how effective it was.
The result far exceeded his expectations. The hazy yellow sandstorm, once swept by his spirit eyes, became transparent almost effortlessly.
He was overjoyed!
But then he grew astonished. Not far away within the sandstorm, he spotted a round, dark shadow dwelling within, with a diameter of over ten zhang.
Startled, he let the spiritual power in his eyes fade — and the dark shadow vanished along with it. What his naked eyes perceived was nothing but the same old wall of sand.
Blinking in surprise, Han Li activated his spirit eye ability once more, and the dark shadow reappeared in its original position, as if it had never left.
This time, however, he increased the spiritual power flowing into his eyes. The shadow gradually became a fraction clearer, and he could faintly make out several human-like figures shifting within it.
When he tried to pour in even more spiritual power, that was as far as his vision would go. It seemed this was the limit of his Clear Bright Spirit Eye's power.
But by now, Han Li understood perfectly. Someone over there was using a supernatural ability to conceal themselves nearby and spy on them.
He didn't know what kind of astonishing technique could deceive even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, but whoever could appear in this place had to be a Dharma Master.
It seemed the other party knew their group was formidable and had no intention of revealing themselves for a direct confrontation — they were content to simply watch from the sidelines.
With that in mind, Han Li didn't expose their presence either. He pretended not to notice and simply departed.
He doubted those people had the guts to come out and block them again.
The moment they left the Yellow Sand Wind Formation, Han Li and the others immediately activated their escape lights. The group transformed into a chain of brilliant rainbows, hurtling through the sky at full speed.
After all, although they had slipped past the Dharma Masters' advance forces, the main army would arrive before long.
If they couldn't escape this barren yellow wilderness within a short time, their lives would truly be in peril.
Whether it was a high-level cultivator among the Dharma Masters striking at them individually, or countless Dharma Masters swarming them all at once, they wouldn't stand a chance.
And so, the Marquis of Nanlong and the others didn't say a word. They simply hunched their heads and pushed their speed ever higher.
With their profound cultivation bases, after just half a day of intensified flight, they could faintly make out a strip of green on the distant ground — they had finally reached the edge of the Mulan Grasslands.
"Good, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief. It looks like this time, we made it through without any real danger." The Marquis of Nanlong, who had been leading the way, let out a long exhale upon seeing this. A hint of a smile appeared on his face, and he slowed his escape light.
After expending so much magical power over such a long stretch, even he was starting to feel the strain. The others were no better off, and they similarly reduced their speed.
"Indeed. We've made it this far without incident. Even if those Mulan people regret letting us go, they can't catch up to us now," the dark-complexioned man said with evident relief, clearly believing they were out of danger.
"Don't let your guard down! There are many formidable characters among the Dharma Masters, and the abilities they possess are truly beyond belief. We—" The white-robed elder had only spoken a few words before he let out a soft exclamation, his expression turning suspicious as he glanced behind them.
Han Li's heart stirred at this. He was about to say something when, from somewhere far behind them, a piercing boom faintly echoed through the air.
In the span of an instant, that strange, shrill sound grew three times louder.
Every person's expression changed dramatically, and they all turned to look behind.
At the distant horizon, white light flickered. A seemingly small sphere of light was hurtling toward them at a speed that defied all comprehension.
Its velocity was simply unbelievable!
"This is bad! That's a Dharma Master's Wind-Riding Chariot. The ones inside are definitely Dharma Masters at our level — otherwise, they wouldn't dare give chase." The white-robed elder identified the approaching object at a single glance, his expression turning to one of alarm and fury.
"There are five Dharma Masters inside, all at the Nascent Soul stage like us. It seems they don't intend to defeat us — they just want to pin us down and buy time for reinforcements to arrive." Wang Tiangu's expression darkened as he spoke, his spiritual sense having already swept over the chariot.