Chapter 1086: The Ice Sea Beast

Han Li was naturally unaware of the matter regarding the “Void Heaven Cauldron” mentioned by Frost Li the Transcendent.

At this moment, he stood inside a massive chamber, his gaze fixed on rows of exquisitely crafted stone platforms, each about ten feet high and made of fine jade. He was momentarily stunned.

The platforms were densely packed, stretching as far as the eye could see—easily spanning a hundred feet. Each platform shimmered with a multicolored barrier, beneath which lay several jade slips of varying sizes.

At the far end of the chamber, a staircase leading upward was clearly visible. However, its entrance was sealed shut by a thick, solid barrier.

“Is this your sect’s Scripture Pavilion?” Han Li asked in quiet astonishment, taking a deep breath before turning to an elderly man dressed in the attire of the Small Extreme Palace.

“Yes, Senior. Our Scripture Pavilion is divided into seven levels, but the scriptures stored on each floor are categorized by type rather than rarity. Each level is separated by a barrier to prevent disciples from mixing up the jade slips. If you wish to proceed to the next level, simply inform me, and I will be waiting outside at your service,” the old man replied, his head slightly bowed. Despite his humble demeanor, the spiritual pressure emanating from him revealed him to be a mid-Core Formation cultivator.

“Understood. You may leave now,” Han Li nodded, his expression unreadable.

“As you command!” The old man bowed respectfully before retreating, closing the stone door behind him.

Now alone in the chamber, Han Li strode confidently to one of the barriers and waved an object in his hand toward it.

With a soft *pop*, the barrier shattered, revealing three jade slips on the platform. Han Li casually picked one up and immersed his consciousness within it.

At the same time, in the White Frost Pavilion where Han Li had once visited, two women in white robes stood facing each other on the second floor, deep in conversation.

One was Bai Yaoyi, while the other was the female cultivator who had appeared at Frost Li the Transcendent’s residence.

Their features bore some resemblance, but one was gentle and charming, while the other was icy and aloof.

“I’ve already told Second Sister, I don’t know much about this Fellow Daoist Han. Though he once claimed to be a rogue cultivator from overseas, the Yin Luo Sect and the Heavenly Lair Temple later identified him as a cultivator from the South. His abilities rival those of a late Nascent Soul cultivator—he once fought evenly with a Silver-Winged Nightfiend in the Yin-Yang Cave. As for how he escaped Mount Kunwu, I know little else,” Bai Yaoyi said, standing by the window with one hand resting on the sill and the other lightly brushing through her dark hair. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if displeased.

“Don’t take offense, Seventh Sister. It’s just hard to believe that a mid-stage cultivator could possess such power, especially one from a remote place like the South,” the other woman replied, her tone polite but her voice devoid of warmth.

Bai Yaoyi wasn’t bothered by her cousin’s cold demeanor, knowing it was a side effect of her extreme cultivation techniques. Still, the persistent questioning about Han Li had left her somewhat irritated.

“My interactions with him were limited—we only met during my last journey. I can’t provide any further details. But what I’ve told you is the truth. Why is the Grand Elder suddenly so interested in Fellow Daoist Han?” Bai Yaoyi stepped away from the window and asked leisurely.

“It’s nothing major. He possesses an extreme cold flame, which Senior Brother Frost Li has been searching for. You should have known about this, Seventh Sister. Why didn’t you mention it earlier?” The white-robed woman’s eyes gleamed as she spoke coolly.

“After parting with him, I didn’t know if he’d even survive Mount Kunwu. How could I rashly bring it up to Senior Brother Frost Li? As for now, I planned to mention it after helping him find the Ice Spirit Flower. I didn’t expect Senior Brother Ren to inform the Grand Elder first,” Bai Yaoyi replied dismissively.

“Very well, I won’t press further. Given his abilities, it’s best to keep him close. Especially regarding his purple cold flame—we should ascertain its true power,” the woman stated bluntly.

“Understood. If the opportunity arises, I’ll probe him,” Bai Yaoyi said with a slight frown, reluctantly agreeing.

“Good. I’ll take my leave now. Be vigilant—there are rumors of demonic beasts encroaching on North Dark Island.” With that, the white-robed woman descended the stairs without another word.

Bai Yaoyi remained silent, watching through the window as the woman’s figure vanished in a streak of light, her expression unreadable.

Time passed swiftly. Han Li spent seven or eight days in the Small Extreme Palace’s Scripture Pavilion without stepping outside. He perused countless texts of interest, gaining immense knowledge. Yet, he had only reached the third level.

The thought filled him with regret—there likely wasn’t enough time to explore beyond the fourth level.

One day, as he studied a text on rare spiritual herbs from ancient times, a fiery streak shot into the chamber, bypassing the entrance barrier as if it didn’t exist.

Han Li blinked in surprise but swiftly snatched the streak from the air, revealing it to be a message talisman burning in his palm.

After scanning its contents with his spiritual sense, his face lit up with joy.

He immediately placed the jade slip back on the platform and flew downstairs in a streak of light. Within moments, a cyan streak arrived before the White Frost Pavilion.

There, a graceful figure stood waiting—Bai Yaoyi.

The light dissipated, revealing Han Li. “Fairy Bai, is it true? The Ice Spirit Flower has been found?” he asked eagerly.

“Indeed. I expected it to take at least a month, but with the Grand Elder mobilizing so many hands, the search progressed much faster,” Bai Yaoyi replied with a radiant smile.

“Excellent! Are you free to depart now?” Han Li suppressed his excitement.

“Of course. I’m here to guide you. However, the location of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice is quite distant—beyond North Dark Island. The round trip may take several days,” she said with a light laugh.

“A few days is nothing! If it means obtaining the Profound Ice Flower, I’d travel for years if necessary!” Han Li declared without hesitation.

Bai Yaoyi simply smiled in response.

Without further delay, the two left the Frost Li Secret Realm, exited the ice city, and flew northward.

Along the way, Bai Yaoyi explained the details of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.

“Inside a nest of Snow Roar Beasts?” Han Li sounded surprised.

“Indeed. The disciple who discovered it was careless and provoked the beasts. They chased him for over a hundred miles, leaving him severely injured—nearly dead,” she confirmed.

“What rank are these Snow Roar Beasts?” Han Li asked with interest.

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. They’re only fifth or sixth rank—hardly worth your attention,” she chuckled.

“Fifth or sixth rank? Not worth capturing alive,” Han Li grinned.

“However, once we leave North Dark Island, we’ll be in the Ice Sea. Unlike the island, it’s teeming with demonic beasts of all kinds. The farther we go, the stronger they become. Generally, within a few days’ journey, we won’t encounter anything above eighth rank, so there’s no need for concern. But deeper in the Ice Sea, terrifying creatures lurk—even tenth-rank beasts exist. Two generations ago, our Grand Elder once encountered a tenth-rank Ancient Ice Phoenix in the depths. A true descendant of ancient spirit beasts, it could single-handedly challenge most of our sect’s cultivators,” Bai Yaoyi said gravely.

“A tenth-rank Ice Phoenix?” Han Li was startled.

“Don’t worry. When our founder established the sect here, he clashed with the most powerful beasts of the Ice Sea and forged an agreement. The Small Extreme Palace won’t hunt high-rank beasts indiscriminately, and high-rank beasts won’t appear within a million miles of North Dark Island—or face our sect’s wrath. Only low-rank beasts are exempt. The demonic hordes that attack us come from other parts of Great Jin. If the Ice Sea beasts joined, our sect would’ve been destroyed long ago. This balance has held since ancient times—otherwise, how could we endure?” she explained.

“Such an agreement exists? Then our journey should be safe,” Han Li mused, smiling.

“Not necessarily. Some high-rank beasts, driven by savagery, occasionally break the pact. Every year, disciples die to such encounters. We must remain cautious,” she warned.

“A few days’ journey is hardly enough for such misfortune,” Han Li said dismissively, glancing at the glittering glaciers below.

With a burst of cyan light, his speed increased.

Bai Yaoyi shared his confidence but had merely wished to inform him. Seeing his reaction, she accelerated, her figure a streak of cold radiance.

True to their expectations, they encountered no high-rank beasts. The vast Ice Sea was so sparsely populated that even low-rank beasts were rare.

After three days and nights of nonstop flight, they finally arrived above a massive ice fissure.