The sky was dark, with thick clouds.

A wide river crossed through the towering mountains, winding into the fertile land of the Songma Plain stretching for miles below.

The cold wind howled, waves rose and fell on the river surface, vortexes were densely packed, and occasionally, gigantic creatures could be seen leaping out of the water, but quickly crashing back in, splashing large amounts of water.

At this moment, a kite suddenly flew out from the depths of the mountains, about two meters long, lifelike, with a blood-red figure sitting cross-legged on its back.

This person’s eyebrows were sharp and cold, thin as iron, his whole body drenched in blood-soaked clothes, chest flesh flipped out, bleeding profusely.

The blood quickly flowed from the hem to the paper kite below, spreading a crimson color, covering the kite in a layer of blood.

Han Lin’s face was pale; while turning his head to look back, he reached for a bottle of Revitalizing Pills from his waist, gathering all the remaining Spiritual Power within his body to the wound, desperately suppressing the "boiling" Sword Qi.

He poured out several Revitalizing Pills and swallowed them, the medicinal power quickly spreading throughout his body, soon causing a tingle in his chest, making the blood gradually stop flowing.

Han Lin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his heart suddenly bursting with endless rage, an angry aura rushing to his mind.

"Chen Lie, you old thief, I, Han Lin, will remember today’s feud. One day, I shall repay it tenfold!" Han Lin snarled through gritted teeth.

Recalling six months ago, Chen Lie was still a righteous and generous elder brother.

This person was extremely adept at disguising, even deceiving Han Lin and his companions, making them believe they were kindred spirits, thus forming a bond as sworn siblings.

Unexpectedly, Chen Lie was so insidious and cunning; he had already discovered a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s cave mansion but didn’t dare enter rashly due to heavy defenses and hidden dangers within. Hence, he deceitfully lured Han Lin and the others there with flowery words.

Young and inexperienced, Han Lin couldn’t see through the malice hiding in the "sworn brother," even thinking him righteous and honest, openly revealing a Great Cultivator’s Mansion to them.

Excitedly, Han Lin and companions followed the elder brother to explore the legacy, but the cave mansion was fraught with dangers; three sworn brothers fell in succession, leaving only Han Lin and Chen Lie.

While Han Lin was concerned about his elder brother’s injuries and stepped forward to bandage him, Chen Lie, the old thief, suddenly launched a sneak attack, nearly killing him on the spot.

If not for Chen Lie also being heavily injured, slowing the speed of the Radiant Sun Sword a moment, allowing Han Lin to narrowly escape the fate of having his chest cut open and abdomen slashed.

However, Han Lin’s cultivation was merely at the Qi Refining Fifth Level, no match for Chen Lie’s Qi Refining Ninth Layer strength.

Han Lin activated his cherished Earth Escape Talisman, timely disappearing into the earth layers just before the Radiant Sun Sword could strike again, narrowly escaping peril.

But...

Just as Han Lin was gnashing his teeth in hatred, a streak of Flowing Light suddenly shot out from the mountains behind.

The Flowing Light swiftly crossed the sky, quickly approaching the swiftly flying paper kite ahead.

Han Lin turned his head to glance back, instantly seeing the approaching Sword Light and a shadowy, indifferent face.

In an instant, the Sword Light was approaching within three miles behind.

Seeing no escape from the pursuit, Han Lin’s heart sank, his gaze swiftly scanning around, suddenly spotting a wide river ahead.

White Dragon River?!

He was overjoyed, immediately formulating a plan in his mind.

Two breaths later, the paper kite descended from the sky, swiftly skimming over the water’s surface.

Enduring the severe pain, Han Lin leaped off the paper kite, instantly plunging into the surging river water.

Upon entering the water, the cold, biting chill quickly invaded his whole body, causing the previously stopped bleeding wound to once again ooze dark red blood.

The blood mixed into the water, and the scent of blood rapidly spread nearby, immediately alerting many hunters lurking underwater.

In just seven or eight breaths, a massive blue-scaled fish near two meters long swiftly swam over, frantically charging at the sinking Han Lin.

Han Lin’s gaze turned icy, suddenly a streak of red light shot out from his bosom.

The red light flickered and pierced into the large fish’s head, instantly penetrating it, causing pink brain matter to flow out from the fist-sized opening.

The blue-scaled fish’s body stiffened, losing its breath on the spot.

But due to inertia, the fish’s body still collided, instantly knocking Han Lin several meters away.

Glug, glug...

Han Lin’s face was ashen, mouth constantly bubbling out blood-soaked bubbles, his chest bleeding even more fiercely.

Just as one ordeal was over, another ordeal arrived!

Before Han Lin could catch his breath, a massive creature suddenly rose from the deep, dark riverbed.

Han Lin only felt a blackout, then a whirl, and lost consciousness.

Unknown how much time passed, he suddenly awoke from unconsciousness.

Upon regaining awareness, Han Lin felt intense pain all over, while an extremely dense stench surrounded him.

In the next moment, he was horrified to find himself facing a wall of flesh, the surrounding space exceptionally cramped, everywhere coated in foul, decaying mucus mixed with numerous fish corpses and countless pale fish bones.

This is...?

Han Lin’s heart sank, instantly realizing something was amiss.

Recalling the glimpse before he fainted, he confirmed he had been swallowed by a gigantic creature.

Not good!

Han Lin’s face turned pale, hurriedly pulling out the pill bottle and swallowing all remaining Revitalizing Pills, then reluctantly took out a single bright red Elixir Pill, slipping it under his tongue.

The pure, fiery medicinal power rapidly dispersed, instantly refreshing Han Lin’s spirit, transforming into a surge of Spiritual Energy flooding into his limbs and bones.

Han Lin couldn’t spare time for healing, promptly sitting cross-legged with eyes closed, wholeheartedly refining the scattered Spiritual Energy into his own Spiritual Power.

But he didn’t notice that under his buttocks lay a grayish-white Stone Bead, with Spirit Liquid slowly permeating its surface and integrating into his skin.