“How did you get here? Have you also advanced to the Deity Transformation stage?” The silver-robed woman was naturally the former ruler of the Ice Sea, the ten-level Ice Phoenix in human form, her expression now somewhat grim.
She had personally witnessed Han Li advancing from mid-Nascent Soul to late-Nascent Soul. Now, after not seeing him for several hundred years, if he had already reached the Deity Transformation stage, his fortune would be truly extraordinary.
After all, while there might be over a hundred late-Nascent Soul cultivators in this realm, those who could ascend to Deity Transformation were almost countable on one hand.
“Heh, Fairy Phoenix has also advanced to Deity Transformation, hasn’t she? Though I don’t know how you learned of this place, you must be here for the spatial node. If that’s the case, why not come down and have a chat with me? This is something we could cooperate on.” Han Li chuckled lightly, his voice unhurried.
As soon as he spoke, the thunder and flames that had been bombarding the hurricane abruptly dissipated, and the nearby restrictions deactivated on their own. The four Core Formation cultivators flying up from below had naturally heard Han Li’s voice transmission. Upon realizing that the woman before them was actually a Deity Transformation demonic cultivator, their faces paled, and they immediately stood respectfully on either side, as if they had come specifically to welcome her.
The Ice Phoenix remained silent for a moment before suddenly raising an eyebrow. Without even glancing at the four Core Formation cultivators, she transformed into a streak of silver light and flew toward the island below.
The four subordinates of Han Li secretly sighed in relief and quickly followed, tactfully guiding her to the largest pavilion on the island.
From a distance, she saw a young man in fluttering robes standing at the entrance of the pavilion, smiling at her.
Who else could it be but that human cultivator she had once hated to the bone?
“Fellow Daoist Han is quite swift, having already taken control of this island. Where is the spatial node?” The silver-robed woman’s expression darkened as she landed her light a dozen or so yards away from Han Li, her tone unceremonious.
Han Li smiled, first waving off the four Core Formation cultivators, who promptly retreated.
Then, he replied leisurely, “Since you’re already here, why the rush? The spatial node isn’t far. After we’ve talked, I’ll personally take you there. How does that sound?”
“What is there to discuss? Do you really think that just because you’ve also reached Deity Transformation, you can still suppress me?” The woman’s face was icy, but her words betrayed a hint of wariness toward Han Li.
“You’re seeking the spatial node to ascend to the Spirit Realm, just like me. That’s why cooperation is entirely possible,” Han Li said, his expression unchanging.
“Cooperate? With a human cultivator?” The Ice Phoenix’s lips curled in mockery.
“The fate of Fellow Daoist Xiang and the others must already be known to you—otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. You possess innate spatial abilities, allowing you to tear through space and traverse it freely. This would be immensely useful when facing the boundary-crossing force within the spatial node. As for my abilities, you’ve seen them yourself—they’re no less than yours. Moreover, I possess two Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures and am confident I won’t hold you back. Together, we’d have a far better chance than going alone. Otherwise, you’ve seen what happened to Fellow Daoist Xiang and the others. As for that old demon Che, I heard he entered another spatial node. Though he left no Soul Lamp to confirm his fate, the entrance there was even more unstable than this one. His outcome is likely far from optimistic.” Han Li spoke calmly, trying to persuade her.
The silver-robed woman listened, her frosty face unreadable. A flash of silver light passed through her phoenix eyes as she said coldly, “After advancing to Deity Transformation, my lifespan has doubled. I could remain in this realm for tens of thousands of years without issue. Why should I rush to ascend to the Spirit Realm, let alone cooperate with you?”
“Is that so? But what happens when your lifespan runs out? Do you think spatial nodes like this are easy to find, or that they’ll last forever?” Han Li stroked his chin, his expression ambiguous.
“What do you mean by that?” The woman’s expression shifted slightly.
“Nothing much. I just wanted to inform you that this spatial node will collapse and vanish in at most another hundred years. If Fairy Phoenix is confident she can find a more suitable node elsewhere in the human realm, then you can disregard everything I’ve just said.” Han Li chuckled.
“How could it be such a coincidence? Are you lying to me?” The woman froze momentarily, then her face filled with disbelief.
“Whether it’s true or not, you’re welcome to observe the node for yourself. I, however, must leave for a while to gather some means to resist the boundary-crossing force. One of my female disciples will remain here to guard the island. If you have any requests, feel free to command her. Of course, if you could spare some time to offer her guidance, I’d be even more grateful.” Han Li was surprisingly nonchalant, not pressing further. Instead, he smoothly changed the subject.
“You’re leaving the island? It seems you truly intend to enter the node soon. Fine, since you’re being sincere, I’ll stay for a while. But if your words prove false, I’ll leave immediately.” The Ice Phoenix seemed taken aback but, after some thought, reluctantly nodded, not outright rejecting Han Li’s proposal.
Han Li was inwardly pleased. With a flick of his wrist, a fiery streak shot into the sky—a voice transmission talisman.
He then engaged the silver-robed woman in casual conversation, though she responded only sparingly before falling silent. Han Li didn’t mind and tactfully stopped speaking.
A short while later, a streak of white light flew in from the direction of the spatial node, circling once before landing beside them. It revealed a slender woman in a yellow robe, her features as delicate as a painting—Tian Qin’er!
“Greetings, Master!” Tian Qin’er bowed respectfully to Han Li before standing quietly to the side.
“This is your personal disciple? Hmm… Dragon’s Cry Physique?” The silver-robed woman’s eyes swept over Tian Qin’er, her expression shifting to one of surprise.
“You noticed as well. As a woman, this physique is more a curse than a blessing. I’ve heard that the Ice Phoenix clan’s innate Frost Essence possesses miraculous properties—able to cleanse marrow, reshape meridians, and balance yin and yang. I wonder if you might spare a few drops to see if it can free her from this constraint and allow her to pursue the Great Dao.” Han Li smiled faintly, broaching the subject casually.
Though he had never spoken much about Tian Qin’er’s Dragon’s Cry Physique, he had spent considerable time researching ancient texts, eventually finding this seemingly sole viable solution. Now that the opportunity had arisen, he subtly steered the conversation in her favor.
“A few drops? How bold of you to ask, Fellow Daoist Han. Innate Frost Essence is far too precious to waste on a human. Perhaps if I’m in a good mood someday.” The Ice Phoenix scoffed dismissively.
“Naturally. Qin’er, you heard Fairy Phoenix’s words. She’ll be staying on the island for a while—make sure to attend to her needs diligently. Of course, if she deigns to offer you guidance, consider yourself fortunate.” Han Li laughed heartily, his words carrying a deeper meaning for Tian Qin’er.
Upon hearing that her Dragon’s Cry Physique might have a cure, Tian Qin’er’s eyes brightened instantly. Now, with Han Li’s hint, she eagerly nodded in agreement.
The silver-robed woman shot Han Li an exasperated look but said nothing more.
The rest was straightforward.
Han Li personally escorted the Ice Phoenix to inspect the spatial node, then remained on the island for half a month. Once he was satisfied that she didn’t outright reject Tian Qin’er, he quietly departed.
Beyond the misty sea, hundreds of thousands of miles in the sky, Han Li flew leisurely as a streak of azure light.
“Fellow Daoist Han, do you truly intend to enter the node with that Ice Phoenix?”
A ball of azure light flew out from his sleeve, carrying a small cauldron that hovered before him. A shadow flickered atop it, revealing the figure of a child.
Han Li regarded the child with slight surprise.
In recent years, apart from occasionally requesting materials or pills, the child had rarely appeared. Now, suddenly inquiring about the Ice Phoenix—what was his motive?
“Indeed, I plan to cooperate with her. Her spatial talents may prove useful when entering the node,” Han Li replied frankly.
“That’s true. Though she isn’t a true Heavenly Phoenix, she’s inherited some of their spatial abilities. With her help, traversing the node would indeed be safer. But before you leave this realm, shouldn’t you lift my restrictions and release me from the Virtual Heaven Cauldron? Have you forgotten?” The child nodded in agreement before abruptly changing the subject.
“Of course not. But Fellow Daoist Tianlan, I gave you that fragment of the Golden Jade Book years ago. Shouldn’t you have some results to show by now?” Han Li’s expression remained neutral as he turned the question back on the jade page.
“I’ve deciphered part of the talisman techniques inscribed on it, but I can’t guarantee their accuracy. Moreover, they can’t be demonstrated in this realm. After all, immortal-grade talismans require far more spiritual energy than this world can provide. Attempting them would drain the caster dry before completion. Are you sure you want what I’ve deduced?” The child frowned, his tone noncommittal.
“Absolutely. And I’ll be taking the Golden Jade Book back. Once in the Spirit Realm, I’ll study it myself,” Han Li replied coolly.
“Very well. Here you go, Fellow Daoist Han.” Without hesitation, the child stepped on the cauldron, causing its lid to flip open slightly.
Two streaks of light—one yellow, one green—shot out, which Han Li caught deftly.
A yellow wooden box and an emerald-green jade slip!
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