The light pillar flashed through the void and vanished in an instant. The dozen or so fleeing fire lions suddenly had a crystalline glow shimmer across their bodies, transforming into massive blocks of ice in the blink of an eye.
A cold expression flickered across the white-robed youth’s face. With a flutter of his cicada-like wings, he turned into a blur and appeared before one of the ice blocks, raising his hand to deliver a seemingly effortless slap.
With a *bang*, an astonishing sight unfolded!
The fire lion trapped within the ice trembled violently before shattering into a mist of blood. Only a red glow—the essence of its soul—remained, darting frantically within the blood mist but unable to escape the confines of the ice.
Unhurried, the white-robed youth opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of white mist, which seeped into the ice. The mist swirled, sweeping up both the blood mist and the fire lion’s soul before being swallowed whole with a *gulp*.
The youth’s figure flickered repeatedly as he used the same method to devour the flesh and souls of the remaining fire lions. Only then did a satisfied expression cross his face. He turned his head and called out to the silver-robed woman in the distance.
“Fellow Daoist Ice Phoenix, the taste of these blood offerings is quite delightful. Would you care to try a few?”
The silver-robed woman in the distance was none other than Ice Phoenix, who had left the human race many years ago. However, her aura was now several times stronger than before, seemingly just a step away from the Body Integration stage.
“I never consume blood offerings. Fellow Daoist Six Wings, you may keep them for yourself,” Ice Phoenix replied expressionlessly.
“What a pity. These ancient beasts contain a great deal of scorching yang energy. After devouring them, the fusion of yin and yang with our ice-attribute spiritual power can provide a significant boost,” the white-robed youth chuckled.
With that, his figure flickered repeatedly, reducing the remaining fire lions to blood mist and devouring them all in an instant. Then, with another teleportation, he appeared beside Ice Phoenix.
“Fellow Daoist Ice Phoenix, let us continue our journey. I’ve heard that the Yu Clan, the closest to us here, maintains friendly relations with a major clan from the Thunder Continent. They must have a super long-distance teleportation formation set up. We can borrow it for our use!” the white-robed youth declared, startling Ice Phoenix slightly.
“Fellow Daoist Six Wings, do you truly intend to go to the Thunder Continent?” Ice Phoenix asked gravely after a moment of hesitation.
“Of course. Though, if I hadn’t recently learned from other foreign races that my former master has also advanced to the Mahayana stage, I might have considered returning to the human race first. But now, the Thunder Continent is a must. Otherwise, with my current abilities, I have little confidence in suppressing my former master,” the white-robed youth sneered. As he spoke, the golden and silver patterns on his face twisted slightly, making his expression eerily resemble Han Li’s by five or six parts.
“If I recall correctly, Brother Han never mistreated you. In fact, if not for his continuous supply of spiritual medicines, you might never have awakened your intelligence, let alone reached your current level!” Ice Phoenix said after a moment of silence, her tone tinged with something unreadable.
“My desire to kill Han Li has nothing to do with how he treated me in the past. Back then, he used a blood sacrifice to plant a master-servant imprint in my soul. Although I’ve erased most of its effects through secret techniques, as long as he lives, I will always be subtly restrained by it. Heh, now that I’ve awakened my intelligence and cultivated a human form, I am destined to walk the path of the Great Dao. How can I allow such a weakness to remain in another’s hands? So, the Thunder Continent is non-negotiable,” the white-robed youth replied coldly.
“Even so, do you truly believe you’ll find what you seek on the Thunder Continent? That thing is little more than a legend. The odds of you finding it are less than one in ten thousand!” Ice Phoenix narrowed her eyes and spoke slowly.
“That’s none of your concern. Since I’ve decided to go, I naturally have some confidence. The Suyin Clan of the Thunder Continent is indeed rarely seen by outsiders. Legends say they can directly communicate with the Yin Star and condense Suyin Star Qi. Heh, if I use the Reverse Spirit Art to absorb this star qi, I can directly cultivate a True Spirit Body, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other powerful True Spirits. By then, killing my former master Han Li will be as easy as blowing dust from my hand,” the white-robed youth replied dismissively.
Hearing this, Ice Phoenix’s expression darkened slightly.
“Even if you plan to trouble Han Li or go to the Thunder Continent, why must you drag me along? If you truly wanted to kill me, you could have done so long ago,” Ice Phoenix glared at the white-robed youth, her voice laced with suppressed fury.
“Kill you? Why would I do that? Beings like us, born of the purest yin energy of heaven and earth who have cultivated human forms, are exceedingly rare. You and I—one female, one male—are a perfect match ordained by the heavens. Once I kill that brat Han Li, you will obediently become my cultivation partner,” the white-robed youth burst into wild laughter, his words shocking.
“You are a Mahayana-stage ancestor. Forcing someone to be your cultivation partner—doesn’t that demean your status?” Ice Phoenix’s face paled.
“Hmph, precisely because I’ve reached the Mahayana stage, finding a partner like you—with the same attributes and potential not inferior to mine—is incredibly rare. How could I let you go? As for status, what use is such a thing in my eyes?” the white-robed youth scoffed.
Ice Phoenix’s eyes flashed with fury and humiliation, but knowing she was no match for him and had no chance of escape, she simply fell silent.
The white-robed youth also had no more to say. With a flick of his sleeve, the phantom of a six-winged snow-white centipede emerged above his head before swooping down to envelop both of them. With a flutter of its wings, it transformed into a streak of crystalline light and shot into the distance.
After a few flashes, it vanished beyond the horizon.
—
Meanwhile, on the Holy Island of the human race.
After discussing some important matters with his disciples in his cave abode, Han Li waved his hand and said,
“Alright, except for Bai Shimei, the rest of you may leave. I have some words to share with her alone.”
“Yes, Master!”
“Then this junior will take his leave!”
Qi Lingzi, Hai Dasha, Zhu Guo’er, and the others bowed respectfully before filing out of the hall, leaving only Bai Guo’er standing obediently with her hands at her sides.
“Guo’er, do you know why I’ve kept you behind?” Han Li asked calmly once the others had left.
“This disciple dares to guess—is it related to the journey I’m about to undertake?” Bai Guo’er hesitated before replying.
“You clever girl. Indeed, it is. Do you remember what I said when I took you in as my disciple?” Han Li smiled faintly before continuing unhurriedly.
“What you said when accepting me… Could Master be referring to the matter of this disciple’s Ice Marrow Constitution? This disciple has kept it firmly in mind and never forgotten,” Bai Guo’er’s heart skipped a beat as she answered hastily.
“Good. Now that your cultivation has reached a preliminary level and you’re about to venture into the wildlands, I can entrust you with this task,” Han Li said with a smile.
“Please instruct me, Master!” Bai Guo’er replied respectfully.
“It’s nothing too difficult. I simply wish for you to search for something during your travels. It’s called Haoyin Stone. Normally, this material lies tens of thousands of feet beneath glaciers, concealed by frigid energy that even divine sense cannot penetrate. The only way to find it is through someone with frost-based abilities, who can sense its presence through their own cold qi. I require a large quantity of this material, so I’d like you to begin gathering it during your journey. If you can collect enough, I will reward you handsomely upon your return,” Han Li explained slowly.
“Without Master’s selfless sacrifice of his own spiritual power to save me, this disciple would not be alive today. Master need not worry—Guo’er will spare no effort!” Bai Guo’er immediately prostrated herself and declared without hesitation.
“Your cultivation is still limited, so don’t push yourself too hard. Just gather what you can during your travels,” Han Li waved his hand, signaling her to rise.
Bai Guo’er stood up, verbally agreeing, but inwardly resolving to dedicate herself fully to finding Haoyin Stone.
After giving her a few more instructions, Han Li dismissed her.
In the blink of an eye, the hall was empty save for Han Li himself.
Sitting alone in his chair, he lightly tapped the armrest with one hand while resting his chin on the other, lost in thought.
When he first obtained the method to refine the Five Extreme Mountains, he had assumed that crafting this post-natal Profound Heavenly Treasure would be impossible. He had thought that refining even one or two of the mountains would be a significant boon.
Yet, through a series of fortuitous encounters, he had managed to refine the Magnetic Extreme Mountain, the Supreme Yin Light Extreme Mountain, and the Yin-Yang Great Five Elements Extreme Mountain.
If Bai Guo’er could indeed gather enough Haoyin Stone to refine the Haoyin Frost Marrow Extreme Mountain, he would have four of the five mountains.
As for the final one—the Arctic Divine Light Extreme Mountain—he had already uncovered some clues back in the human world.
Given his current abilities, descending to the human world in person was impossible. However, with the aid of a few boundary-breaking treasures, sending an incarnation of his divine sense was not out of the question.
Still, the risks were considerable, and he would need to plan carefully before making a decision.
If he could truly gather all five mountains and refine the Five Extreme Mountains, not only would he no longer need to fear the Great Heavenly Tribulations, but he might even stand a chance at overcoming the tribulation of ascension.
A faint smile curled at the corners of Han Li’s lips as he pondered.
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