Chapter 1594: The Vast Cold Realm

Han Li could only repeatedly express his humility in response.

What followed was straightforward.

Under Qian Jizi’s orders, some of the armored guards immediately left to summon more soldiers, temporarily sealing off the surrounding area for several miles.

As for the inn, it was naturally requisitioned on the spot.

When Han Li saw Xiang Zhili’s astonished expression upon hearing the news, he could only offer a helpless, bitter smile.

Soon after, Han Li followed the plump elder out of the inn, while the token known as the “Moonfrost Order” remained under heavy guard inside.

Bai Yue and Cang Ying did not linger and soon took their leave.

Only then did Qian Jizi depart with Han Li.

However, he did not fly through the city using any mystical techniques. Instead, a beast-drawn carriage, pulled by two massive golden lion-like spirit beasts, was waiting obediently on the street beside the inn.

The plump elder invited Han Li aboard, and the golden lions immediately took off, their paws generating wind as they raced several feet above the ground.

Qian Jizi showed no intention of conversing with Han Li inside the carriage. After exchanging a few casual words, he sat opposite Han Li and closed his eyes to rest.

Han Li maintained a calm expression, but his mind raced, pondering the true purpose behind the elder taking him away.

Even after hearing Qian Jizi’s words about repaying a debt, he did not believe he could rest easy.

While he had indeed saved Jia Tianmu, the sentient puppet had already repaid that favor.

Now, the only leverage he had was the Moonfrost Order, which seemed to require his cooperation after being activated by his blood essence to enter the so-called “Moonfrost Realm.”

If that were the case, he might even be able to use this opportunity to explore the possibility of accessing the super teleportation array.

After careful consideration, Han Li realized that as long as he remained useful to the Tianyun clans, he was unlikely to face immediate danger. His mind gradually settled.

The beast-drawn carriage he was riding in was clearly much faster than before. In no time, they had traversed half the city and arrived at the corner where the Eight Cloud Mountains stood.

Through the window, Han Li caught sight of the eight towering mountains, each thousands of feet high. A flicker of surprise crossed his face as he wondered if the elder truly intended to take him to his cave abode.

However, as they approached one of the mountains, the carriage suddenly ascended into the air, veering around the peak and heading toward its rear.

Han Li was taken aback, but moments later, the carriage arrived behind the mountain, revealing a small castle spanning several miles.

Though the castle was not particularly large, its outer walls were layered, with seven or eight concentric barriers. Each wall grew progressively taller from the inside out, with the outermost standing over a hundred feet high and the innermost nearly a thousand feet tall.

From a distance, it resembled a colossal tower more than a castle.

With his enhanced vision, Han Li could clearly see silver-white statues stationed every hundred feet along the battlements.

These statues varied in form—some beast-like, others humanoid—ranging from over a hundred feet tall to just seven or eight feet. Though motionless, they exuded an eerie, ominous aura.

Additionally, rows of armored guards wielding long halberds patrolled the walls. Yet, they lacked any signs of life—each was a humanoid puppet.

At the four corners of the castle stood towering crystalline pillars, each a different color—yellow, blue, red, and green—soaring into the clouds. Countless runes flickered across their surfaces, radiating an extraordinary brilliance.

Just as Han Li was absorbing the sight, the carriage descended directly over the castle, circling once before landing in front of an oddly verdant hall at its center.

Stepping out, Han Li instinctively glanced up at the massive plaque above the hall’s entrance, inscribed with three golden characters: “Hall of Sentience.”

A thought struck him—was this place connected to his sentient puppet, or was it merely a coincidence?

As he pondered, Qian Jizi’s laughter sounded behind him. “Come in, Fellow Daoist. This is a sacred site of our Wangu Clan, where we discuss important matters in Yuncheng. Rarely do outsiders set foot here.”

“Many thanks for your trust, Senior. This junior is deeply honored,” Han Li replied with a slight bow.

In the presence of this peak Body Integration cultivator, Han Li dared not show the slightest disrespect, lest he invite trouble.

Qian Jizi’s lips curled into a faint smile as he waved a hand and strode inside.

At the entrance stood two white-robed guards who remained expressionless, ignoring the elder’s arrival.

Han Li found this odd and studied them more closely—only to realize something startling.

“It seems Fellow Daoist Han has noticed. These two hall guards are sentient puppets, equivalent to upper-tier ninth-stage cultivators, tasked with guarding this place day and night. Unless one of us elders or a select few brings someone in, anyone who approaches the Hall of Sentience will be attacked without hesitation,” the plump elder chuckled without turning around.

“Upper-tier ninth-stage!” Han Li inhaled sharply, his expression turning peculiar.

These puppets were comparable to peak Void Refinement cultivators. If an ordinary cultivator had two such puppets, they could dominate anyone below the Body Integration stage. To use them as mere guards was truly a waste.

Han Li clicked his tongue in admiration before following Qian Jizi inside.

Despite its imposing exterior, the Hall of Sentience was surprisingly simple inside—just a main hall flanked by two side chambers.

The main hall contained only dozens of thick metal pillars and little else of note.

Qian Jizi strode to the center, where two rows of chairs were arranged, and took the central seat without ceremony.

“Please sit, Fellow Daoist Han. Given the significance of the Moonfrost Order, I’ve summoned two other elders of our clan. The three of us oversee all Wangu Clan affairs in Yuncheng,” Qian Jizi said with a grin.

“I see. So the Moonfrost Order must indeed be extraordinary,” Han Li nodded thoughtfully.

He hadn’t noticed any unusual actions from the elder during their journey, yet messages had already been sent. Truly befitting a peak Body Integration cultivator.

“You’re not from the Thunder Continent, are you?” Qian Jizi suddenly asked, his eyes glinting.

Han Li tensed momentarily before relaxing and admitting frankly, “Indeed, I hail from another continent. Did Fellow Daoist Jia mention my request to use the super teleportation array?”

“Master Jia did mention it, but even if he hadn’t, how could a native of the Thunder Continent fail to recognize the Moonfrost Order—let alone activate it so easily?” Qian Jizi chuckled.

“Is the Moonfrost Order that renowned? I haven’t come across any records of it in the texts I’ve read. Might Senior enlighten me?” Han Li asked with a wry smile.

He wasn’t surprised that Jia Tianmu had shared his situation with Qian Jizi. It would have been odd if the Wangu Clan’s puppet master hadn’t mentioned the teleportation array.

“It’s no surprise those texts don’t mention it. While the Moonfrost Order is famous, it’s not something an individual can use alone. Without the backing of an entire clan, obtaining the order is futile—entering the Moonfrost Realm would remain a pipe dream. Moreover, ordinary texts wouldn’t document it. However, most upper-tier cultivators are aware of it,” the plump elder replied, his eyes twinkling slyly.

“Requiring an entire clan’s support? The Moonfrost Realm must be extraordinary for the clans to invest such effort,” Han Li mused, stroking his chin.

“Extraordinary doesn’t begin to cover it. Acquiring certain treasures from the Moonfrost Realm can determine a clan’s rise or fall. Of course, such treasures are exceedingly rare even within the realm. The realm’s greatest value lies in its spiritual energy—ten times denser than the Spirit Realm’s—and its unique spirit herbs and fruits, which are nearly impossible to find elsewhere,” Qian Jizi said, studying Han Li with a knowing smile.

“A place with such concentrated spiritual energy?” Han Li’s face betrayed disbelief.

“Do you think the Moonfrost Realm is just a spatial rift or a minor sub-realm of the Spirit Realm?” Qian Jizi stroked his beard, chuckling.

“Please enlighten me, Senior,” Han Li said respectfully.

“Though we cannot be certain, we are seventy to eighty percent confident that the Moonfrost Realm is a fragmented space once attached to the True Immortal Realm,” the plump elder said gravely after a long pause.

“The True Immortal Realm!” Even Han Li’s unshakable composure cracked at this revelation.

“Indeed, likely an abandoned space of the True Immortal Realm. Past explorers have discovered what appear to be immortal abodes—even remains—but no living immortals,” Qian Jizi said calmly.

Han Li sat frozen, momentarily speechless.

“No need for such shock, Fellow Daoist. We still lack definitive proof. Moreover, the abodes and remains found in the Moonfrost Realm haven’t yielded any true treasures or techniques. It’s not as if anyone who enters can easily obtain heaven-defying artifacts. Even spirit herbs and fruits are hidden in remote areas, requiring thorough searching,” the plump elder added with an enigmatic smile.