Chapter 1674: The Arrival of a Guest

“So fast!”

“Now is not the best time for it to open.”

…

In the blink of an eye, the beings in the hall stirred with unrest.

“It’s indeed unusual for the Moonfrost Instrument to show signs so soon after the Moonfrost Tokens emerged. This is different from before. And now, with the Horned Race invading our Tianyun, we can’t afford to divert all our attention here. However, the opening of the Moonfrost Realm is a rare opportunity for the various races of the Thunder Continent to greatly enhance their strength, so we must not neglect it. Therefore, how to prepare for this matter requires the joint deliberation of all fellow Daoists and Senior Weng.” Qian Jizi said solemnly.

“Fellow Daoist Qian is right. The Horned Race’s attack has already consumed most of our Yun City’s energy. Fortunately, this isn’t our first time experiencing the opening of the Moonfrost Realm. Even if it opens earlier this time, there’s no need to panic.” The young man surnamed Weng nodded in agreement.

“Actually, the opening of the Moonfrost Realm mainly depends on the potential and fortune of the younger generation. All we can do is finalize the entry list as soon as possible and set up the grand formation to enter the realm. This time, our thirteen races haven’t obtained many Moonfrost Tokens—only two are preserved in Yun City. Thus, we only need to prepare two formations here. The rest of the tokens will naturally be handled by others elsewhere, so we need not worry about them.” A pitch-black man, resembling charcoal, grinned in approval.

“Exactly!”

“But our Yun City has quite a few late-stage Void Refinement juniors. Determining the list won’t be easy.”

“We must guard against spies from the Horned Race taking advantage. The security around these two teleportation formations must be significantly increased.”

…

Some of those present looked delighted, while others frowned deeply, voicing their opinions one after another.

The young man surnamed Weng listened with a faint smile. Once everyone had spoken, he turned to the Crystal Clan woman and asked, “Fairy Cai, do you have anything to add?”

“Fellow Daoists have already covered everything. This concubine has nothing further to add.” The beautiful Crystal Clan woman was momentarily taken aback but quickly replied with a smile.

“Very well. In that case, we shall prepare for the Moonfrost Realm as per tradition. The specific list of juniors to enter will be decided by each of you upon returning. At the very least, they must be at the peak of late-stage Void Refinement. However, the security around the teleportation formations must be tripled, and the area within ten miles of the formations must be declared a restricted zone, barring strangers from approaching. Only the Ancient Race can set up the formations, so this task shall be entrusted to Fellow Daoist Qian and the other two.” After some thought, the young man surnamed Weng made the final decision.

Qian Jizi and the two other elders seated beside him naturally bowed and accepted the order.

“By the way, have you selected the candidates to activate the Moonfrost Tokens?” The young man surnamed Weng suddenly recalled another matter.

“One candidate has already been decided, but the other token doesn’t require preparation—it has already been activated by someone.” Qian Jizi hesitated before replying.

“If I recall correctly, to prevent accidents, those who activate the Moonfrost Tokens are carefully selected, and the activation ceremony is held at the last moment. Why was it activated so early this time?” The young man surnamed Weng’s expression darkened.

“Senior, please don’t be angry. That particular Moonfrost Token was already activated when we obtained it. The situation is like this…” Qian Jizi carefully recounted the matter involving Han Li.

“Such a thing actually happened. So, this person isn’t from our Tianyun, or even this continent?” The young man surnamed Weng was astonished.

“Indeed. Moreover, several of our races have agreed to lend him the continental teleportation array afterward, though he must provide the spirit stones for its operation himself.” Qian Jizi replied honestly.

“The continental teleportation array isn’t a big deal. The key is whether this person himself poses any problems?” The young man surnamed Weng’s expression eased, but he pressed further.

“Senior Weng, rest assured. This person shouldn’t be an issue. Besides, we’re merely borrowing his strength to enter the Moonfrost Realm. The entire process will be under our watch—how could he possibly cause trouble? Once inside, they’ll act independently, so there’s even less to worry about.” Qian Jizi said confidently.

“Since you’re so certain, and the token has already been activated, let it be. Just instruct others to keep a discreet eye on him.” The young man surnamed Weng, seeing no real issue, nodded in the end.

Qian Jizi naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

“Fellow Daoist Lu and the others have sent word—the Horned Race has reinforced their frontlines, adding five or six Saint-tier experts. Caught off guard, we’ve already lost three cities and are at a significant disadvantage. It seems the Horned Race intends to escalate this war.” As soon as Qian Jizi and the other two took their seats, another Saint-tier expert with dark green skin stood up to report.

“Hmph, immediately dispatch five Saint-tier experts and a thousand mid-to-high-tier cultivators from the city to the frontlines. If they wish to escalate, Tianyun will see it through to the end.” The young man surnamed Weng snorted and issued orders without hesitation.

“Yes!”

In the following time, others also reported various important matters.

Ultimately, this high-level meeting of Yun City’s most powerful figures lasted nearly half an hour before concluding.

Once all the Saint-tier experts left, they immediately dispersed to make their preparations.

Meanwhile, Han Li remained secluded in his cave abode, deep in cultivation.

A year later, on a certain day, Han Li suddenly emerged from his cave and left Yun City.

Yet, barely half a day later, he mysteriously returned and secluded himself once more.

Time flowed on, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

Inside the dimly lit chamber of Han Li’s cave, three figures sat cross-legged on meditation cushions.

One was radiant with golden light, its body covered in shimmering golden scales like polished metal. Another was shrouded in rolling black mist, its form indistinct and blurred. The last emitted a violet glow, its skin an unusual shade of emerald green.

Each held a different hand seal, motionless as statues.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the golden figure suddenly shuddered and opened its eyes, two piercing blue lights bursting forth.

“What’s going on? That person has come looking for me. Could it be…” The golden figure muttered to itself.

Then, with a flick of its sleeve, a ball of white light flew out and hovered near the ceiling, illuminating the chamber.

The three figures were now clearly visible.

The central golden figure was none other than Han Li, his brow slightly furrowed as if deep in thought.

Beside him, the violet-glowing figure with emerald skin bore an identical face to Han Li, though its eyes were crystal clear, blinking curiously at its original.

Meanwhile, the black mist emitted faint Buddhist chants as it gradually dissipated, revealing a monstrous figure with three heads and six arms, half-demon, half-deity.

The golden colossus stood two zhang tall, its three heads and six arms gleaming brilliantly. Two of its faces were distinct, while the third lacked any features—a sight that sent chills down the spine.

As the golden statue’s two visible faces slowly opened their eyes, their pitch-black pupils seemed to swallow one’s very soul.

“We have guests. Continue your cultivation. I’ll meet them first.” Having reached a decision, Han Li issued the command before transforming into a golden streak that shot toward the chamber wall, vanishing without a trace.

Moments later, the tightly sealed gate of the cave abode flashed with azure light and slowly opened, revealing Han Li stepping out calmly.

“Greetings, Senior Cai. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” Han Li bowed slightly to the woman waiting outside—none other than the Crystal Clan’s Cai Liuying.

“What, Fellow Daoist Han, are you not welcoming this concubine?” She smiled playfully.

“Senior jests. Your visit is an honor beyond my expectations. And this fellow Daoist is…” Han Li chuckled, his gaze shifting to the veiled figure behind her.

Standing behind Cai Liuying was another woman with a graceful figure, her face obscured by a white hood and a shimmering crystalline glow.

“She is my newly accepted disciple.” The Crystal Clan beauty offered no further explanation.

The veiled woman merely nodded in silence.

Seeing this, Han Li refrained from pressing further and invited them inside.

Soon, the three were seated in the main hall of Han Li’s cave.

A humanoid puppet, under Han Li’s mental command, served spirit fruits and tea.

Cai Liuying took a sip of the tea, her eyes flashing with surprise.

“Such potent spiritual energy! This must be from a tea tree over a thousand years old, and a rare variety at that. Even in Yun City, such tea is seldom sold.” She praised after a few sips.

“If Senior enjoys it, this junior has some more to offer as a humble gift.” Han Li smiled, flicking his sleeve to produce a milky-white box on the table.

“Since you insist, I won’t decline. I do quite like this tea.” The Crystal Clan woman’s eyes sparkled as she accepted with a smile.