The thirty-zhang-tall ice wall didn’t seem particularly high, but its extraordinary translucence was utterly mesmerizing, drawing one’s gaze unconsciously.
What was even more astonishing was that the entire wall wasn’t constructed from block-like ice bricks but was instead a single, flawless piece, as if carved directly from a colossal block of ice with divine craftsmanship, without a single seam on its surface.
At the city gate, over a dozen cultivators dressed in white robes stood guard.
The highest cultivation among them was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, but what caught the eye were the several ape-like white spirit beasts accompanying them. Their long fur was pristine white, and they crouched there with pairs of green eyes gleaming with eerie cold light.
These ape-like beasts were a type of snow ape native to extreme cold regions. Though not particularly high-level, they were exceptionally intelligent and easy to tame, making them popular among many northern cultivators.
However, these snow apes were somewhat unusual—not only were they significantly larger than ordinary ones, but their demonic aura also reached the level of fourth or fifth-tier demon beasts, nearly matching a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This made Han Li take a few extra glances. It seemed that as the premier sect of the north, the Small Extreme Palace must possess some unique secret techniques for taming these snow apes.
As soon as the gate guards saw the Ren-named cultivator approaching, they immediately stood at attention on either side, repeatedly addressing him as “Grandmaster Uncle.”
Ren Bi didn’t even nod, merely uttering a faint “Hmm” before striding past with an air of authority.
Though the guards found Han Li unfamiliar, they dared not question his presence since he was accompanied by their Grandmaster Uncle.
But just as Han Li passed through the gate and neared the snow apes, an unexpected change occurred!
The beasts suddenly let out a series of panicked whimpers and hastily retreated.
The Small Extreme Palace disciples nearby were startled and immediately scolded the apes in beast language. But the snow apes ignored them, curling up with their arms over their heads, their faces filled with extreme fear and reverence toward Han Li.
Seeing this, Ren Bi couldn’t help but exclaim, “Huh?” He glanced at Han Li with a strange expression. “Fellow Daoist, do you carry a high-tier ape-type spirit beast? Though these snow apes aren’t particularly useful, their sensitivity to their own kind is extraordinary. For them to be this terrified, your spirit beast must be quite remarkable!”
“An ape-type spirit beast? I do have one, though it’s not particularly useful and rarely summoned,” Han Li replied casually, realizing the snow apes had sensed the Tihun Beast in his spirit beast pouch. He showed no intention of summoning it.
Ren Bi smiled faintly and didn’t press further. The two then proceeded into the ice city.
The main street inside was unusually straight and wide, paved with thick ice that extended all the way to the gate.
From a distance, the street wasn’t particularly crowded, mostly filled with low-level cultivators dressed in yellow and white robes.
The buildings on either side were neatly arranged, making the place resemble a fortress more than a city.
Before Han Li could examine further, Ren Bi transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the massive mountain at low altitude.
Without a word, Han Li followed in flight.
Soon, the two landed on an ice platform halfway up the mountain.
“From here, Brother Han will need to ascend on foot. Beyond this point lies the Inner Palace, and even as an Inner Palace elder, I must abide by the sect’s rules,” Ren Bi explained with a smile.
Han Li nodded in understanding, and the two began ascending a crystalline ice staircase leading upward.
Few disciples were qualified to enter the Inner Palace, and they encountered only a handful along the way. Each one respectfully greeted Ren Bi upon sight.
Unlike at the gate, Ren Bi treated these Inner Palace disciples warmly, regardless of their cultivation level.
Han Li observed that these Inner Palace disciples, regardless of strength, all possessed exceptional talent. Moreover, with his mastery of formations, he detected at least three or four formidable restrictions that even gave him pause. It seemed the Small Extreme Palace had at least one grandmaster-level formation expert.
This piqued Han Li’s interest further, and he wondered if he should seek out this formation master for an exchange of knowledge later.
As he pondered, Ren Bi led him along a winding, secluded path that eventually ended before a towering ice cliff several hundred zhang high.
Han Li studied the cliff, his brows twitching slightly in surprise.
At that moment, Ren Bi raised his hand and sent out a silver-glowing jade token. A silver radiance unfurled from it and vanished into the ice cliff.
Moments later, the cliff trembled silently before splitting open to reveal a passage about two zhang wide.
Ren Bi turned to explain, “The palace-like structures atop the mountain are merely for low-level Inner Palace disciples to cultivate and reside in. The true high-level disciples live within the Cold Li Secret Realm behind this cliff—the real heart of our Small Extreme Palace. If not for Brother Han’s friendship with Junior Sister Bai, I wouldn’t dare bring an outsider here so easily.”
Han Li responded with a faint smile, though inwardly he was skeptical. The so-called Cold Li Secret Realm was likely no secret to many northern cultivators—otherwise, Bai Yaoyi wouldn’t have directed him here, nor would Ren Bi have brought him so readily.
What puzzled him more was why this man, whom he’d never met before, seemed so eager to befriend him. This raised Han Li’s guard even further.
Nevertheless, when Ren Bi invited him inside, Han Li didn’t hesitate. The two walked side by side into the passage.
The passage wasn’t long—only about a hundred zhang.
When Han Li emerged and surveyed the scene ahead, he couldn’t help but show astonishment.
Lush greenery, birdsong, and floral scents filled the air. It was a completely enclosed valley surrounded by walls, brimming with exotic plants under a perpetually warm, sunlit sky.
The valley spanned several li, enclosed by verdant cliffs. Against these cliffs stood exquisite pavilions and towers of breathtaking beauty.
At the very center of the valley stood three grand halls constructed from white jade, occupying nearly a third of the space.
As Han Li gazed at the three halls, his expression shifted slightly, and a trace of awe rose unbidden in his heart.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage