Han Li's pupils constricted slightly as he heard this, and he stood there silently.

"The Scale-Lined Void isn't exactly a good place. Fellow Daoist Zi Ling has just ascended and should only be at the True Immortal Realm. I'm afraid..." Shi Chuan Kong hesitated before speaking.

"Besides Madam Chrysanthemum, Venerable Black River has over a dozen concubines who are constantly fighting among themselves, just like the harems of mortal emperors. Fellow Daoist Zi Ling being able to stay safe in the palace for so many years already shows her extraordinary intelligence. Moreover, before Venerable Black River went into seclusion, he feared that Fellow Daoist Zi Ling would be bullied by the other concubines, so he bestowed upon her several powerful demonic artifacts for protection. Therefore, even if she enters the Scale-Lined Void, self-preservation shouldn't be a problem," Shi Po Kong said slowly.

"I hope it's as Third Highness says. Third Highness is truly unparalleled in wisdom and strategy. To find out so much information in such a short time is truly embarrassing for Li," Han Li sighed, changing the subject.

"Yeah, Third Brother, that tigress is so difficult. How did you get this information?" Shi Chuan Kong also asked curiously.

"I've known Madam Chrysanthemum for many years and understand her nature very well. In fact, before questioning her, I roughly guessed how she would deal with Fellow Daoist Zi Ling. After that, it was just probing indirectly. Madam Chrysanthemum's mind isn't very subtle, so it's not difficult to figure these things out," Shi Po Kong said calmly, as if narrating a trivial matter.

"Things that Third Highness finds easy, we could never accomplish no matter what," a trace of admiration flashed in Han Li's eyes.

"These are just tricks and schemes, not worth mentioning. What are Fellow Daoist Li's plans next?" Shi Po Kong looked at Han Li.

"This isn't the place to talk. I fear there are ears on the walls. Let's leave this place first and then discuss it in detail," Han Li said, his eyes flickering slightly.

Half a month later, in a side courtyard within the City Lord's mansion in Blackwater City.

Inside an elegant and antique hall, there was a round table made of Wusu wood, upon which sat a red clay stove with a charcoal fire burning brightly. A purple clay teapot sat on top, emitting a large amount of steam, causing the lid to jump.

Shi Po Kong was standing by the table, raising his hand to pick up the teapot and pour it into another celadon porcelain pot, rinsing the tea leaves inside once. Then he poured out the water and added fresh water.

After brewing the second pot of tea, he filled the three exquisite teacups on the table one by one, pushing them in front of the other two people sitting at the table.

One of these two was wearing a purple robe with snow-white hair, and the other had ordinary features with star-like eyes. They were none other than Shi Chuan Kong and Han Li.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you might not be clear about the dangers of the Scale-Lined Void. Do you really have to go in?" Shi Po Kong placed the teapot back on the stove, then spoke.

"Third Brother, that Fellow Daoist Zi Ling isn't just a mere confidante to Brother Li. So don't try to dissuade him. If it were possible to dissuade him, I would have stopped him already," Shi Chuan Kong said with a smile.

"Since Fellow Daoist Li is determined, then I won't say more. So, when are you returning to the Rainbow Heaven Domain to take up your post?" Shi Po Kong said, turning his head to look at Shi Chuan Kong.

"Third Brother, Brother Li is my friend in adversity, and the extent of his kindness to me is something you know. This time, going to the Scale-Lined Void, I of course have to accompany him. The matter of managing the Rainbow Heaven Domain... I'll trouble Third Brother to handle it on my behalf," Shi Chuan Kong said with an embarrassed smile.

"Nonsense. Father ordered you to manage the Rainbow Heaven Domain, it's not a child's play! Moreover, how can I let you put yourself in danger!" Shi Po Kong's expression hardened, and he rebuked in a low voice.

"Brother Shi, Third Prince is right, I can go to this Scale-Lined Void alone," Han Li said, feeling a warmth in his heart.

"Third Brother, you know that I've always been clear about gratitude and grudges, and I also emphasize fairness and reciprocity in running the Guangyuan Trading Firm. Brother Li has saved my life, and not just once. Now that he needs my help, how can I ignore him?" Shi Chuan Kong waved his hand at Han Li, looking at Shi Po Kong with a serious expression, and said.

Hearing this, Shi Po Kong's face still showed hesitation, and he could only sigh in the end, saying, "Forget it, I know I can't stop you. If it weren't for the fact that clan affairs can't be put down, I would have accompanied you on this trip."

"Haha, it doesn't matter if the clan lacks a hundred Shi Chuan Kongs, but if it lacks a Third Brother like you, wouldn't it be a mess?" Shi Chuan Kong laughed loudly.

"Alright, stop being glib. Although I know some things about the Scale-Lined Void, I haven't personally set foot in it after all, so what I know isn't very detailed. I'll tell you as much as I can," Shi Po Kong shook his head and said.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Han Li nodded sincerely.

"It's fine, just listen carefully," Shi Po Kong shook his head and said.

Then, he began to narrate the situation of the Scale-Lined Void that he knew.

About a quarter of an hour later, Shi Po Kong finished narrating. With a turn of his wrist, he took out two items and handed them to Shi Chuan Kong and Han Li respectively.

Han Li took the thing he handed over and saw that it was a piece of leather from an unknown kind of strange beast, on which some terrain distribution maps were roughly drawn, with some words sparsely marked on it.

"This is a map of the Scale-Lined Void found in unofficial history books. It's unknown how old it is, so it's uncertain whether it can help you after you go in. Just take it," Shi Po Kong said.

Han Li nodded, checked it out, and then stuffed it into his chest.

"Third Brother, what is this?" Shi Chuan Kong asked, holding something that looked like a necklace pendant in his hand, puzzled.

Han Li shifted his gaze and saw that it was a delicate miniature sculpture like a black cage. Inside it were carved ferocious-looking scaled beasts, grabbing the cage with both claws and making roaring gestures.

"Wear this thing around your neck. In times of crisis, just use external force to crush this cage and throw it out. No spiritual energy or demonic energy is needed to activate it, and it might be able to save you once," Shi Po Kong said solemnly.

Hearing this, Shi Chuan Kong put the pendant around his neck as instructed.

"Remember, in the Scale-Lined Void, not only are the spiritual energy and demonic energy of heaven and earth forbidden, but even casting spells is impossible. So your storage rings and storage bracelets and other storage items cannot be opened. If there's anything you want to bring, take it out in advance and carry it with you. After entering, what you can rely on will mostly be your flesh and blood," Shi Po Kong exhorted.

"Since the Scale-Lined Void has been sealed, how should we return in the future?" Han Li frowned and asked.

"Originally, there was a special teleportation formation in Blackwater Domain that could remotely extract people from the Scale-Lined Void, but it has been out of service for tens of thousands of years. Reactivating it will probably take some effort. But don't worry, I'll handle this matter later. These two marked seals are the key to the teleportation formation determining your location, so be sure to keep them safe." With that, Shi Po Kong took out two jade tokens shaped like leaves and handed them to the two.

"Third Brother, how do we use this thing?" Shi Chuan Kong took the seal and examined it carefully for a moment, but couldn't figure out anything.

"When you want to come back, you only need to drop a drop of blood essence on it, and the formation will sense it, and you can be extracted from the Scale-Lined Void. As for that Fellow Daoist Zi Ling, you only need to have Fellow Daoist Li take her with you, and you can be teleported back together," Shi Po Kong said.

"Okay, we've noted it all down," Shi Chuan Kong nodded and said.

"Also, here are two Blood Tide Pills, which can stimulate your physical strength in a short period of time. As for the strength of the effect, it depends on your respective physiques. Of course, the after-effects are also not small. After the medicinal effect passes, you will enter a period of weakness, and even a situation where you can't move your whole body, so don't use it unless it's absolutely necessary," Shi Po Kong exhorted again.

"Third Brother, you don't need to worry too much. We're not greenhorns who have just started out, we have our own measure," Shi Chuan Kong said with a smile.

"Don't think I'm being long-winded, after all, that place has been sealed for too long. Alright, I've explained everything that needs to be explained, the next step is up to you. In any case, you have to come back safely to me," Shi Po Kong took a deep look at his thirteenth brother, raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, and said.

"Don't worry," Shi Chuan Kong said with a "hehe" smile.

Han Li's gaze fell on the two, and a smile couldn't help but appear on the corner of his mouth.

Not long after, Shi Po Kong took his leave first.

After a short rest, Han Li and Shi Chuan Kong also left Blackwater City and headed straight for the area where the Scale-Lined Void was located.

……

Within the Blackwater Domain, among a stretch of dark green mountains, patches of yellowish-brown sand dunes were distributed abruptly. Looking down from a high altitude, they were like patches of baldness growing on the earth.

Han Li and Shi Chuan Kong arrived floating in the air, suspended above these ugly bald patches.

Even from a distance of hundreds of miles, he could still feel the strange spatial fluctuations emanating from that area.

His eyes narrowed, and a purple light flashed in his eyes, and he saw that above the void there, there was actually a layer of almost transparent hemispherical restrictions, like a big pot inverted on the ground, covering all the sand dune areas.

"Brother Shi, is that the entrance to the Scale-Lined Void?" Han Li asked.

"That's right. It seems that a long time ago, my father ordered it to be sealed off and listed as a forbidden area," Shi Chuan Kong said.

"Oh, is it to prevent the people exiled inside from escaping?" Han Li asked.

"There is also this consideration, but more is to prevent people from the Holy Region from accidentally breaking in, being sucked into the sand dunes, and then trapped in the Scale-Lined Void," Shi Chuan Kong thought for a while and said.

"I see," Han Li nodded and said.

"Let's go, let's go to the entrance of the restriction first," Shi Chuan Kong said.

With that, the two flew down and landed in front of a large hall outside the sand dunes.

"Scale-Lined Forbidden Land, no approaching, leave quickly." The Demon cultivators guarding outside the hall immediately stepped forward to stop them when they saw this.

After the two stated their identities, a Golden Immortal Realm cultivator stationed here immediately greeted them.

That was a short Demon old man with freckles on his face. As soon as he saw Shi Chuan Kong, he immediately saluted respectfully and said:

"Xu Fu, a cultivator stationed in the forbidden area, pays his respects to the Thirteenth Prince."