After a brief moment of contemplation, his lips moved slightly.
Thousands of miles away, Frost Li the Transcendent suddenly heard Han Li’s voice transmitted into her ears. Though the message was brief, it brought immense joy to her face.
“What’s happening? Who’s speaking to you?” Six Wings, sensing her sudden change, turned to ask.
“Fellow Daoist Han is nearby, not far from the array’s core. He’s summoning me. Fellow Daoist Six Wings, would you like to accompany me?” Frost Li glanced at him and replied with a light laugh.
“What? He’s guarding this array core?” Six Wings’ expression darkened instantly.
“What, Brother Six Wings, are you unwilling to come?” Frost Li arched an eyebrow.
“Hmph, if I leave, who will control the Qiankun Disk below? If you wish to see him, go alone,” Six Wings replied coldly after a moment of hesitation.
“Fellow Daoist Han asked me to relay a message: if you wish to be buried here, stay. But if you value your life, come with me to see him. As for the trapped true spirit, once it breaks free, he will deal with it personally,” Frost Li sighed.
“Is Han Li threatening me?” Six Wings’ face twisted with fury.
“I’ve delivered the message. Whether you believe it is up to you.” With a chuckle, Frost Li formed a hand seal, and a radiant glow enveloped her as she transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the distance.
Six Wings made no move to stop her but stared darkly at the fading light.
After a long pause, he suddenly stomped his foot and gritted his teeth. “Since you’ve discovered me, I might as well meet you, my former master. After all, I’ve reached the same realm as you. Do you really think I fear you?”
As he spoke, three pairs of translucent wings materialized on his back. With a light flap, he shot into the sky as a crystalline streak, abandoning the white array below.
Without his control, the massive array dimmed, its power dropping by a third. The trapped shadow within sensed the weakening and redoubled its struggles, filling the air with deafening roars and tremors. The entire array began to shake violently.
“Fellow Daoist Han, you’re truly here! This is wonderful!”
The streak of light dissipated as Frost Li appeared above the altar, looking down at Han Li, who had risen to his feet, her voice brimming with joy.
The guards near the golden pillars, following Han Li’s orders, made no move to stop her, remaining still.
“Fellow Daoist Frost Li, it’s been a while. Your cultivation has improved greatly. The Frost Phoenix physique is indeed extraordinary,” Han Li said with a faint smile.
“You jest. My progress pales in comparison to yours. Even during my travels, I’ve heard tales of your renown,” Frost Li replied with a radiant smile, descending gracefully to stand before him.
“I’d rather not have such fame. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be burdened with life-threatening tasks like this. Ah, Six Wings is coming. Wait a moment—I’ll speak with him first.” Han Li’s eyes flashed blue as he glanced toward the horizon.
“Be careful, Fellow Daoist Han. Since reaching the Mahayana realm, Six Wings’ abilities have grown formidable. He possesses a mysterious escape technique even that celestial immortal couldn’t catch,” Frost Li cautioned, stepping aside.
“An escape technique even a celestial immortal can’t match? I’d love to witness it,” Han Li mused, intrigued.
Just then, a crystalline streak shot through the sky with a sharp whistle. The guards stirred, but at Han Li’s calm assurance—”The newcomer is a friend, not a foe”—they settled.
The light faded, revealing Six Wings hovering above the altar, his expression cold. “If you wanted to see me, why not come yourself? And why threaten me with death? Did you think I’d believe it?”
“If you didn’t believe it, why did you follow Fellow Daoist Frost Li here?” Han Li replied evenly.
“Hmph! I merely thought that since you’re willing to deal with that true spirit yourself, I needn’t waste effort holding it back. I also wanted to see if my former master’s skills live up to the rumors,” Six Wings retorted.
“Is that so? You seem confident I can’t touch you now, daring to speak to me like this. Have you forgotten the blood pact I placed within you?” Han Li’s eyes narrowed as he chuckled.
“Before reaching Mahayana, I might have feared that pact. But now that we’re equals, do you really think it binds me?” Six Wings sneered.
“Ah, so the Mahayana realm has made you bold. But you’re mistaken about one thing,” Han Li said calmly.
“Oh? And what’s that?” Six Wings scoffed.
“That with this blood pact, I can still decide your life or death.”
As Han Li spoke, his hands moved in a blur, his eyes blazing like blue suns. Without moving, an overwhelming spiritual pressure crashed down on Six Wings.
Six Wings recoiled, shocked that Han Li would strike so abruptly. With a furious cry, he tried to retreat, raising a hand to counter.
But Han Li let out a cold hum. Though soft, the sound exploded in Six Wings’ mind like thunder, freezing his movements for a critical instant. The spiritual pressure engulfed him, and Han Li uttered a single word: “Halt.”
Six Wings felt a point in his consciousness rupture, sending waves of eerie energy through his body. His limbs locked, leaving him paralyzed, his face frozen in terror.
“You—!” He managed only one word before his tongue stiffened.
Han Li relaxed his hand seal, while Frost Li stared in stunned silence. She’d known Six Wings was no match for Han Li, but she hadn’t expected him to be immobilized without a fight.
“Fellow Daoist Han, what just happened?” she blurted.
“Nothing much. He underestimated the blood pact, thinking equal cultivation would nullify it. Normally, that might hold, but not with me,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, omitting the fact that his spiritual power dwarfed Six Wings’, making the pact unbreakable.
Understanding his reluctance to elaborate, Frost Li tactfully dropped the subject.
Han Li studied her for a moment before asking, “I heard you and he were pursued relentlessly by that celestial immortal. What happened? Tell me now.”
“Of course, Fellow Daoist Han. It began when Six Wings abducted me from Thunder Continent to Blood Sky Continent…” Frost Li recounted the tale without omission.
“…And so, when Six Wings and I were cornered by Ming Zun, we had no choice but to act as bait.”
“So the celestial immortal wanted you both as spirit servants, but after Six Wings provoked him, he turned vengeful. And he marked you, enabling him to track you anywhere,” Han Li mused, stroking his chin.
“Exactly. We searched thoroughly but found no trace of the mark. We suspect it’s embedded in our souls. The techniques of the immortal realm are terrifying—we never sensed a thing,” Frost Li admitted bitterly.
“If it’s a soul mark, I might be able to help,” Han Li said suddenly.
“Really? Even Ming Zun couldn’t remove it!” Frost Li gasped, torn between hope and disbelief.
“If it was hastily placed, even an immortal technique can’t be too advanced. He likely relied on his superior spiritual power. If mine isn’t too far behind, there’s a chance. If you trust me, I can try now,” Han Li said calmly.
“Fellow Daoist Han, I’d be eternally grateful. Please, do what you can,” Frost Li said without hesitation.
“Good. Simply open your consciousness and don’t resist my spiritual probe.” Han Li raised a finger toward her and spoke slowly.
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