Chapter 2274: Jinhan Immortal Palace

The golden runes on the ice wall, which had been faintly shimmering, suddenly brightened significantly.

At the same time, strands of white light within the ice peak converged in one spot, instantly materializing into a small figure about a foot tall.

This figure had tightly closed eyes, its body enveloped in a hazy glow, with facial features and attire identical to the white-robed elder.

Seeing this, the elder outside the ice peak raised his arm and tapped a finger between his brows.

With a *pfft* sound, a milky-white crystalline thread shot out, piercing through the ice wall in a flash and vanishing into the small figure’s forehead.

The figure’s expression flickered slightly before its eyes slowly opened.

Its pupils shimmered with an unsteady light, revealing a striking golden-red hue.

“You’ve worked hard, but the task is finally accomplished. As long as we obtain the Thread of Time, the refinement of the being below can be shortened by more than half. This way, I can breathe a little easier. Otherwise, if it truly took tens of thousands of years, unforeseen complications might arise,” the small figure said slowly, its voice identical to the white-robed elder’s.

“If that’s the case, it’s naturally for the best. However, those few Thunderbolt Talismans are somewhat regrettable. They were originally intended for a few highly regarded juniors in our clan, to help them survive major heavenly tribulations,” the white-robed elder sighed.

“There was no other choice. The few spirit talismans and pills we brought from the Immortal Realm, which are absent in this lower realm, have been nearly exhausted after so many years and the clan’s calamities. To sway those Mahayana beings, only these Thunderbolt Talismans would suffice. But who would have expected that Patriarch Stoneheart would perish, only to be replaced by two human Mahayana cultivators? That was truly unforeseen. Among them, Han Li—isn’t he the same human youth who entered the Demon Realm with Qianqiu and the others?” The small figure’s golden eyes flickered several times as it spoke.

“It is indeed that newly ascended human Mahayana cultivator. Back then, no one knew what happened to their group in the Demon Realm. Qianqiu and the others all perished, yet he alone returned unscathed. Not only did he immediately overcome his heavenly tribulation upon returning to the Spirit Realm, but he also severely wounded a Yaksha Mahayana cultivator during his Mahayana ceremony. His strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Mahayana,” the white-robed elder said with a grave expression, as if explaining to the small figure or merely muttering to himself.

“It seems this human youth truly entered the Spirit Cleansing Pool and consumed the Pure Spirit Lotus. Otherwise, he wouldn’t possess such power. This is actually beneficial! The greater his abilities, the higher the chances of obtaining the Thread of Time in the Lesser Asura Realm,” the small figure mused before replying.

“That’s what I thought as well. If it had been the revered Ao Xiao accompanying Mo Jianli instead, I would never have agreed to their trade so easily,” the white-robed elder chuckled.

“Very well. Since things are proceeding smoothly, let’s continue as planned. I must now focus entirely on refining the True Soul of the Golden Immortal below. You handle everything outside. Unless those individuals emerge from the Lesser Asura Realm, there’s no need to wake me again,” the small figure said decisively.

“Understood. You may concentrate on the refinement without worry. After all, we are one. If you can refine the Immortal Soul Pill sooner, I too will benefit immensely,” the white-robed elder smiled, forming a hand seal and pointing a finger toward the ice wall.

With a *bang*, the small figure nodded and dissolved into motes of spiritual light.

The elder then turned, and without any visible movement, a flash of light appeared beneath his feet as a teleportation array materialized.

Amid a low hum, the elder’s figure blurred and vanished from the space.

—

In the True Immortal Realm, across an endless expanse of land, countless neatly divided spirit fields were tended by farmers clad in yellow attire.

Upon closer inspection, these “farmers” all bore identical, wooden expressions—they were lifelike humanoid puppets.

Most of the spirit fields grew a type of giant rice with stalks as thick as bowls, exuding an unimaginably pure spiritual energy. A single breath of it could invigorate the spirit.

Hovering a hundred zhang above the fields were multicolored spirit clouds, each about an acre in size, upon which sat individuals in long robes holding various tools.

Some were alone, others in pairs or trios, all dressed as Daoist acolytes regardless of age. They patrolled above the vast fields, occasionally activating their tools to release clear rain from the clouds to nourish the crops below.

At an even higher altitude of ten thousand zhang, a rolling sea of mist stretched endlessly, seemingly enveloping the entire continent.

Above the spirit fields, spiritual birds and beasts darted through the mist, carrying individuals of diverse attire in and out of the fog.

Suddenly, a dragon’s roar echoed across the sky!

A flash of crystalline light appeared at the horizon, revealing a hundred-zhang-long blue ice flood dragon.

With a rumble of wind and thunder, the ice flood dragon streaked across the sky to hover above the spirit fields.

Such a colossal creature, if it appeared before ordinary beings in the Spirit Realm, would either terrify them out of their wits or draw countless awestruck gazes.

Yet the “farmers” tending the fields and the acolytes controlling the clouds largely ignored it.

Only a few acolytes glanced up briefly before lowering their heads indifferently.

Two youthful acolytes, around twelve or thirteen with fair faces and red lips, showed a hint of surprise upon spotting the ice flood dragon from their spirit cloud.

“Isn’t that Lord Li? He just left the Immortal Palace a few days ago. Why has he returned so soon?” one acolyte murmured.

“Given Lord Li’s haste, it seems he’s handling urgent matters—and not very smoothly,” the other remarked.

“Perhaps. But Lord Li’s strength ranks within the top hundred of our Golden Han Immortal Palace. What in this immortal domain could trouble him? Tsk tsk, if disciples like us could receive even a bit of his guidance, it’d be a tremendous fortune,” the first acolyte said admiringly.

“Don’t dream. Disciples like us are the lowest in the palace—half students, half servants. Beings like Lord Li wouldn’t spare us a glance. But, senior brother, my spirit body has reached seventy percent refinement. Perhaps I can pass the next selection test and become a ranked disciple. Then I won’t have to waste time on such mundane tasks,” the second acolyte smirked, glancing at a jade tablet in his hand with newfound hope.

“What? Senior brother, your true body is already seventy percent refined? I’ve only reached fifty percent. I must work harder. If I fail to become a ranked disciple in a few years, I might be cast into the mortal world,” the first acolyte exclaimed, growing anxious.

“Actually, the mortal world isn’t so bad. Aside from lacking immortality, it offers every luxury imaginable,” the second acolyte chuckled, sounding oddly mature.

“I refuse! I’ll become a ranked disciple like you,” the first acolyte declared resolutely.

“Then you must redouble your efforts. If you fail to refine your true body within five years, the palace’s law enforcers won’t show mercy,” the second acolyte said, his smile fading into seriousness.

“Thank you for the advice, senior brother. I’ll strive harder,” the first acolyte nodded repeatedly.

As the two whispered, the blue ice flood dragon high above flicked its tail and plunged deeper into the mist, soaring ever higher.

In moments, it had ascended tens of thousands of zhang.

The mist suddenly parted, revealing another world brimming with spiritual energy.

Above the sea of mist floated hundreds of mountains, large and small, densely packed together.

The largest spanned tens of thousands of zhang, the smallest mere thousands, yet each was adorned with exotic flora and exquisite pavilions.

Rainbow-like bridges connected the peaks, with robed figures gliding gracefully across them.

It was a scene straight from a celestial paradise.

With a long cry, the ice flood dragon twisted its body and flew swiftly through the mountains.

Passing several peaks, it reached the heart of the range.

There, encircled by a dozen mountains, hovered a colossal palace resembling a city.

Gilded and resplendent, the palace was surrounded by swirling talismans the size of dou measures. At its towering gate stood golden-armored guards, and above them hung a silver plaque inscribed with four massive golden characters: “Golden Han Immortal Palace.”

The blue ice flood dragon blurred and appeared before the palace gates, its light condensing into a tall, gaunt Daoist with a dark face.

Clad in an Eight Trigrams robe and holding a silver horsetail whisk, he exuded an ethereal aura.

A squad of golden-armored guards at the gate stepped forward, their leader bowing slightly and asking respectfully, “Lord Li, what brings you to the palace today?”

“I have urgent business and must see the Palace Master,” the dark-faced Daoist replied without hesitation.

“That may be difficult. Today isn’t a council day, and the Palace Master is likely in seclusion, unlikely to receive visitors,” the guard said apologetically.

The Daoist’s expression darkened, but before he could speak, an authoritative voice resonated in both their ears.

“Let Li Ming enter. I have matters to discuss with him.”

“As you command, Palace Master! Lord Li, please proceed,” the guard saluted and stepped aside.