“Baigu’er, in such a short time, you’ve already reached the late-stage of Deity Transformation. The innate talent of the Ice Marrow Physique is indeed well-deserved, and now it’s finally fully manifested.” After observing Baigu’er for a while, Han Li suddenly smiled and spoke.
“This is all thanks to Master’s guidance and the generous cultivation with various elixirs. Otherwise, this disciple would never have advanced to the late-stage of Deity Transformation so quickly.” Baigu’er bowed her head respectfully in response.
“Qilingzi, you’ve also encountered a bottleneck at the late-stage realm, haven’t you?” Han Li chuckled and then abruptly turned to Qilingzi with a question.
“Reporting to Master, this disciple is indeed just one step away from reaching the peak of the late-stage realm, but this step has been persistently elusive.” Qilingzi felt a chill in his heart but stepped forward to reply.
“Hmm, it seems both of you have reached the time to venture into the wilderness for experience. In previous years, your smooth progress in cultivation was largely due to your exceptional talents and the aid of elixirs. If you wish to enter the Void Refinement stage, secluding yourselves in the clan for hard cultivation is far from sufficient. It’s like flowers in a greenhouse—without experiencing wind and rain, they can never truly grow strong. Moreover, only in the wilderness can you truly find your own opportunities and fortunes. Although I can directly impart some of my insights and experiences to you, they may not necessarily be entirely suitable for you.” Han Li spoke with profound meaning.
“Thank you for your guidance, Master. This disciple had already considered whether to venture into the wilderness for experience. Now with Master’s approval, this disciple feels even more assured. This disciple and junior sister will immediately prepare and strive to leave Sacred Island for Tianyuan City as soon as possible!” Qilingzi showed no surprise upon hearing this but instead replied with joy.
Baigu’er also agreed calmly, clearly having anticipated this outcome.
“However, the risks in the wilderness are far greater than those within the clan. Even a Body Integration stage existence falling there would not be surprising. The two of you are only at the late-stage of Deity Transformation, so the risk of perishing outside is naturally even greater. Therefore, I have a few treasures to bestow upon you as means to preserve your lives.” Han Li nodded and then spoke again.
“Thank you for your generous gifts, Master!”
Although they didn’t know what treasures Han Li would bestow, Qilingzi and Baigu’er naturally expressed their gratitude profusely.
Han Li smiled faintly, flicked his sleeves, and two rings shot out, flashing once before landing in the hands of his two disciples.
“I prepared these treasures long ago, originally intending to give them to you in a few more years. But now, it seems I can’t delay any longer. Though the treasures aren’t numerous, as long as you’re clever enough, they can save your lives several times even if you encounter ordinary Body Integration stage existences.” Han Li spoke with exceptional confidence.
After probing the storage bracelets with their spiritual senses, Qilingzi and Baigu’er’s faces lit up with extreme delight, and they bowed deeply in thanks once more.
“Master, since senior brother and junior sister are both going to the wilderness for experience, can I also…” Hai Dashao, who had been fidgeting restlessly since Han Li mentioned sending Qilingzi and Baigu’er to the wilderness, finally couldn’t hold back and stepped forward, bowing as he spoke.
“Hmph, with your current early-stage Deity Transformation cultivation, even if I gave you life-preserving treasures, you wouldn’t be able to unleash much of their power. Moreover, although you’ve left Sacred Island for a while and temporarily suppressed the matter of your Hidden Thunder Root, avoiding the immediate backlash, who knows if someone is still watching you covetously from the shadows? It’s possible that the moment you leave Sacred Island, some old monster might capture you to use as a human-shaped tribulation-resisting treasure. Stay on Sacred Island and cultivate diligently for now. With my current reputation, as long as you remain on Sacred Island, even those Great Ascension stage beings from other races would have to show some restraint. Or do you think that because I didn’t punish you for your loose tongue before, you’re now inviting me to combine and deliver a severe punishment?” Before Hai Dashao could finish, Han Li guessed his intent and immediately swept his gaze over the disciple, coldly snorting.
“I wouldn’t dare. Please consider this disciple’s earlier words unsaid.” Hai Dashao shuddered upon hearing Han Li’s reprimand and dared not say more, hurriedly retreating.
“Heh, you’ve always been this frivolous and impulsive. After Qilingzi leaves for the wilderness, you will temporarily take charge of his disciples. Return the authority to him upon his return. I hope this tempering will make you more steady.” Han Li’s lips curled slightly, and his eyes flashed with amusement as he issued this order.
“Yes, Master.”
“Yes, Master!”
Qilingzi agreed readily, while Hai Dashao’s face fell, clearly reluctant.
However, Han Li naturally paid no heed to his second disciple’s feelings. Turning to Zhu Guo’er, who had remained silent, he softened his expression and said, “Hmm, your cultivation has also improved. It seems you haven’t been slacking off on Sacred Island either. Come to my chamber alone tomorrow at noon. I have some questions specifically for you.”
“Yes, Senior Han. This junior will be there on time.” Zhu Guo’er was delighted and quickly agreed.
“By the way, has there been any news from your Aunt Bingfeng?” Han Li nodded and then asked Qilingzi.
“Reporting to Master, Aunt has not sent any news, but her soul tablet remains undisturbed. She must still be traveling in the wilderness.” Qilingzi lowered his head and replied.
“Calculating the time, she should have returned by now. Could she have encountered some trouble? Even if her soul tablet is undisturbed, it doesn’t mean she hasn’t been trapped somewhere.” Han Li pondered thoughtfully.
“That shouldn’t be the case. Aunt Bingfeng is, after all, a high-level existence at the Void Refinement stage, and with her Ice Phoenix Physique, she should have more than enough means to protect herself even against ordinary Body Integration stage beings.” Hai Dashao replied without hesitation.
“I hope so.” Han Li frowned slightly but could only say this for now.
Almost simultaneously, above a certain body of water on the Tianyuan Continent, a white-robed youth with gold and silver patterns on his face stood in confrontation with a group of lion-like ancient beasts wreathed in raging flames.
The youth’s features were ordinary, but at a glance, there was a faint resemblance to Han Li’s appearance.
Dozens of feet behind the youth, a silver-robed woman with crystalline features hovered coldly in the air, appearing completely indifferent to the confrontation between the youth and the fire lions.
“What a bunch of fools! Just because I concealed my aura, you dare to provoke me. Truly seeking death! Well, it’s been a while since I’ve had fresh blood. You’ll make a fine appetizer.” The white-robed youth swept his gaze over the fire lions, whose strength was around the Deity Transformation stage, and muttered to himself.
With a single hand seal, six identical translucent cicada wings, each about a foot long, appeared on his back.
Though not highly intelligent, the fire lions became enraged at the youth’s actions. At the roar of their largest leader, they surged forward, trailing waves of scorching heat.
Several lions even spat dense volleys of fireballs mid-charge.
Faced with such a ferocious assault, the white-robed youth sneered. His six wings trembled, and his figure blurred, vanishing from sight.
The fireballs exploded into flames, sending towering waves of fire in all directions, even threatening the silver-robed woman.
Her expression darkened. Without moving, a crystalline white phoenix phantom, over a dozen feet long, appeared behind her. With a flap of its wings, a surge of icy mist enveloped her, neutralizing the flames with a sizzling sound.
Meanwhile, six winged phantoms materialized among the fire lions like ghosts.
With a series of flashes, the phantoms ignored the flames, pressing against the lions and driving crystalline arms into their bodies. A wave of indescribable cold extinguished the flames, freezing the lions into massive blocks of ice.
The remaining lions, enraged, turned to attack, but the phantoms vanished again.
The frozen lions shattered into fragments with mournful cries.
Moments later, the phantoms reappeared beside other lions, repeating the lethal process.
In moments, most of the lions were dead. The survivors, terrified, fled as giant fireballs at their leader’s roar.
“Thinking of escaping now? Not so easy!”
The six phantoms merged back into the white-robed youth, who glared at the fleeing lions with a sinister grin.
His sides blurred as over a dozen identical arms sprouted, each hand stretching toward the escaping lions.
A flash of white light—and a barrage of crystalline beams lanced out, piercing the fleeing beasts.
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