Two years later, in the deepest chamber of the Qingyuan Palace, Han Li sat cross-legged in a corner, his fingers flicking rapidly like a spinning wheel as he sent multicolored incantations shooting forward.
At the center of the chamber stood a faint golden formation, about ten feet in size, within which two green bottles—one large and one small—floated in midair, one above the other.
The upper bottle was a bluish-green hue, only a few inches tall, with its mouth inverted and flickering with an unknown, mysterious radiance. Every incantation Han Li cast was absorbed into it without a trace.
At the center of the lower formation was a foot-tall bluish-green bottle, densely wrapped in multicolored threads of light that shot out from the formation. From its mouth, strands of an unknown crystalline light emerged, all of which were drawn into the small bottle above.
With each absorption, the lower bottle shrank slightly, its color growing dimmer.
After half a day, when the lower bottle had shrunk to the size of the upper one and its color had turned nearly transparent, it finally burst with a *bang*, transforming into a final surge of crystalline light that shot upward and was absorbed by the small bottle above.
“Now!”
Han Li, who had been continuously casting spells in the corner, brightened at the sight. With a low shout, he pointed a finger at the formation.
The formation, which had been humming softly, abruptly stopped. All the light dissipated, and the small bottle above slowly descended.
Han Li raised an eyebrow, retracted his finger, and made a beckoning motion with his hand.
With a *whoosh*, the bluish-green bottle flew into his palm as a streak of green light.
“The Fusion Immortal Art recorded in that newly acquired jade slip is indeed effective. It actually allowed this imitation to fully merge with the Heaven-Hand Vial. It was worth the time I spent on this. Now, by using the control method recorded within, I can wield this treasure with ease—not just for nurturing spiritual medicines.” Han Li examined the small green bottle in his hand, a faint smile appearing on his face as he murmured to himself.
“Though I knew this object was extraordinary, I never imagined it would be a treasure even the Dao Ancestors of the Immortal Realm would covet. But how did it end up in the human world? And why is only a part of it here? Where is the bottle spirit? Could it have been lost elsewhere in the human world?” Han Li stowed the bottle away, his expression turning contemplative.
“Never mind. Obtaining even a part of this treasure is an immense fortune. My progress to this point is largely thanks to it. There’s no need to force anything else. My next task is to focus on secluded cultivation—mastering the newly acquired divine abilities, refining treasures like the Five Extreme Mountain, and further purifying my magic power until I reach the level where I can face the tribulation of ascension. But before long-term seclusion, there are a few matters I must settle first.”
Han Li’s thoughts raced as he flipped his hand, revealing a somewhat damaged jade plaque. He gently traced it with his fingers before murmuring, “Spirit Race.”
Shortly after returning to the Boundless Sea, he had asked Crab Daoist to track the owner of this life plaque to confirm whether they were truly in the Spirit Realm.
The result had shocked him.
Using a secret technique, Crab Daoist not only confirmed the owner’s presence in this realm but also pinpointed their approximate location—near the human territories, likely within the Spirit Race’s domain.
Han Li’s mind immediately flashed to the Spirit Monarch.
Though he didn’t know the identity of the plaque’s owner, it was almost certainly connected to the enigmatic Spirit Monarch.
He had intended to investigate immediately, but the aftermath of the battle at the Howling Abyss forced him to remain in the Qingyuan Palace, delaying his plans until now.
“With no other races seeking trouble these past two years, it’s time to resolve this matter.”
Han Li narrowed his eyes, finalizing his thoughts.
—
Months later, above the Spirit Race’s sacred mountain, Mount Fuling, a violent spatial ripple erupted as an ink-black giant ship silently emerged.
A figure flickered at the ship’s bow, and a green-robed youth abruptly appeared in the void before the vessel.
Chaos erupted below as layers of restrictions activated, and countless figures soared into the sky from the mountain.
Yet the youth paid no heed. Instead, he exhaled lightly and spoke in an emotionless voice that echoed across the mountain:
“Spirit Monarch, Han Li has come to visit. I hope you will grant me an audience.”
This youth was none other than Han Li!
Though his voice seemed ordinary, it reverberated with immense power. The Spirit Race guards who had just taken flight trembled and plummeted from the sky.
Even the few Saint Spirits who hadn’t yet ascended felt their magic power freeze, their movements sluggish. Their expressions twisted in shock.
At that moment, an ancient, hoarse voice finally rose from Mount Fuling:
“So it is Fellow Daoist Han. This old man has been remiss in not welcoming you sooner. Please, enter!”
As the voice faded, the restrictions atop the mountain parted, revealing a passage just wide enough for one person.
Han Li smiled faintly, transforming into a streak of green light that shot into the opening.
—
On the platform before the grand hall at Mount Fuling’s peak, a white-robed elder stood solemnly at the entrance, gazing upward.
A green flash later, Han Li appeared before him like a ghost.
The elder’s pupils contracted slightly, but he forced a smile and clasped his hands in greeting.
“Fellow Daoist’s divine abilities are truly unfathomable. Now that your might shakes the entire Spirit Realm, what brings you to this humble place?”
“Brother Spirit Monarch flatters me too much. Han Li merely stumbled upon a bit of empty fame—hardly something worth celebrating for beings like us. As for my purpose here, I wish to inquire about something.” Han Li replied courteously before cutting to the chase.
“An inquiry? What matter could Fellow Daoist Han need to ask this old man about?” The Spirit Monarch frowned.
“Do you recognize the owner of this object?” Han Li flicked his sleeve, sending an item flying toward the elder.
The Spirit Monarch caught it effortlessly—it was the damaged life plaque. But the moment he sensed its aura, his expression shifted.
“Did Fellow Daoist Han obtain this plaque from that fallen immortal?” After a long silence, the elder asked with a bitter tone.
“It seems I’ve come to the right place.” Han Li nodded calmly.
“Follow me.” The white-robed elder hesitated briefly before tossing the plaque back to Han Li, as if resolving himself. Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode into the hall.
Han Li’s expression flickered slightly, but he followed without hesitation.
—
The time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, in a mysterious underground space.
Han Li stood before a crystalline ice peak, staring in shock at the exceptionally handsome youth sealed within its depths.
The white-robed elder stood beside him, forming a hand seal before flicking a spell into the ice.
Moments later, countless white specks of light surged from the ice, coalescing into a tiny white figure identical in appearance to the elder.
The figure swept its gaze over Han Li but showed no surprise. Instead, it sighed wryly.
“So you’ve come after all. It seems the recent uproar about a fallen true immortal was indeed tied to this one I’ve suppressed. For him to hide in the Spirit Realm for so long, he must bear some great secret. It’s no surprise the Immortal Realm sent someone after him—though I had hoped otherwise.”
“So this immortal was suppressed by Brother Spirit Monarch. It seems the rumors about you aren’t entirely baseless.” Han Li studied the tiny figure thoughtfully.
“My origins are not something I can discuss in detail. Let me retract this spell, and we’ll speak properly.” The figure shook its head before dissolving into a streak of white light that shot back into the elder’s body.
The elder, who had previously seemed like an ordinary Great Ascension cultivator, straightened slightly—and an overwhelming aura erupted from him, no weaker than any top-tier expert Han Li had ever encountered.
This was the true Spirit Monarch.
Han Li’s eyes gleamed, but he remained silent.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Monarch retracted his aura and asked solemnly:
“Now that you’ve found this place with the life plaque and seen its owner, what are your intentions?”
“Regardless of this immortal’s connection to the one I slew, I have no intention of leaving loose ends.” Han Li replied coolly.
“You plan to kill this immortal as well? I’m afraid that won’t be so simple. If it were easy, I wouldn’t have resorted to sealing him here and slowly refining his true immortal body with my life flame.” The Spirit Monarch shook his head.
“Oh? Why is that? When I destroyed the body of that descended immortal, it didn’t seem particularly difficult.” Han Li raised an eyebrow.
“That’s different. The immortal you killed was already suppressed by the Spirit Realm’s laws, his power and body constantly resisting the realm’s pressure. But this one has already replaced his body within the Spirit Realm and cultivated some unknown Immortal Realm secret art, sealing his magic power, soul, and body into an indestructible unity. His physical resilience likely surpasses that of ordinary true immortals. Even an Profound Heavenly Treasure might not harm him.” The white-robed elder explained.
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