“Brother Han, what do you think? Although Frost Li the Transcendent’s words hold some merit, this humble monk still has reservations. For the sake of prudence, how about we advance and retreat together? As for Fellow Daoist Long, from what I know, she has some ties with the Small Extreme Palace. It would be wise for us to be cautious!” The gray-robed monk secretly transmitted his voice to Han Li.
Han Li’s heart tightened, and his gaze flickered as he glanced sideways at the monk, who was smiling faintly at him.
His thoughts raced as Han Li pondered the truth of the monk’s words when suddenly a deafening roar erupted from the Void Spirit Hall above the Profound Jade Cave. The entire cavern trembled slightly, as if struck by a powerful impact.
Everyone’s expressions changed.
Had they been atop the Small Extreme Palace’s massive mountain at that moment, they would have seen a colossal, snow-white ice phoenix, dozens of feet in size, circling outside the mountain’s protective barrier. With a flap of its wings, a frigid gale swept forth, conjuring a hundred-foot-tall iceberg beneath it. The phoenix then released its grip, sending the iceberg crashing down like a collapsing mountain onto the barrier with an earth-shaking boom.
Countless white lights burst and flickered, distorting the thick barrier in an eerie manner, though it ultimately held. Even so, the mountain shuddered under the impact, and some less stable structures collapsed outright.
This giant phoenix was none other than the silver-robed woman. Enraged by the heavy losses suffered by the low-tier Ice Sea demonic beasts, she, as a natural-born spirit beast of ice, disregarded the outer frost barrier and tore through space to appear above the ice city, launching an assault on the Small Extreme Palace’s defenses.
Though her surprise attack had thrown the mountain’s cultivators into chaos, the palace’s high-ranking members would not allow her to continue unchecked.
As the phoenix’s white halo flashed again, preparing to summon another iceberg, a silver streak and a white orb shot out from the barrier below. Within them were Bai Yaoyi and the gray-haired elder.
Before nearing the phoenix, Bai Yaoyi let out a sharp cry, sending two silver flying swords slashing forward. The gray-haired elder, with a grim expression, rubbed his hands together, releasing a treasure from his sleeve that rapidly expanded—a translucent jade bottle.
The bottle shimmered with spiritual light, and a thunderous roar emanated from its mouth, exuding an air of mystery.
The phoenix’s pale green eyes flashed as it flapped its wings, conjuring a dozen massive ice spears, each over ten feet long, which shot toward the duo.
The gray-haired elder snorted coldly, forming hand seals within the white light. The jade bottle trembled violently, spewing forth streams of black-and-white mist that wrapped around the ice spears in an instant.
The mist seemed to possess some arcane power, causing the spears to shrink rapidly upon contact, turning into mere chopstick-sized slivers before being sucked into the bottle.
A flicker of surprise crossed the phoenix’s eyes, but it had no time to dwell on it. With a shake, it transformed into a blizzard, engulfing the two in a tempest of snow and wind.
Bai Yaoyi and the elder met the onslaught head-on, their silver streaks and black-and-white energy clashing magnificently.
The mountaintop echoed with thunderous booms as snow and light intertwined. Strangely, the beautiful woman and other palace elders were nowhere to be seen, likely either maintaining the barrier or engaging other high-tier demonic beasts.
Outside, the battle raged fiercely, while inside the Profound Jade Cave, Han Li and the others exchanged uneasy glances as they felt the tremors of the conflict.
Frost Li the Transcendent also glanced toward the cave entrance, his expression grave.
“It seems the demonic beasts have truly begun their assault. Under these circumstances, we cannot risk opening the cave entrance. Any disturbance during the critical breakthrough could ruin everything. I had hoped to rely on your assistance to fend off the beasts and would never act against you,” the palace’s grand elder said solemnly, his tone resolute.
“Frost Li, we understand your position. However, aiding you in your breakthrough could leave us severely weakened while you grow stronger. In such a confined space, that is hardly reassuring. As the saying goes, a wise man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. No matter our ties to your palace, we cannot stake our lives on mere words,” the monk replied slowly, frowning.
“Your caution is understandable. If I were in your shoes, I’d feel the same. But Master Mojiu, do you have a solution that satisfies both sides?” Frost Li asked helplessly.
“How about this? If you truly mean no harm, why not entrust the Qianlan Cauldron to the three of us for safekeeping? Once this matter concludes, we will return it. This way, we can assist you without reservation,” the gray-robed monk suggested, his eyes gleaming.
Han Li and the old woman on the light pillar were momentarily taken aback but soon nodded in agreement.
“Excellent! That is indeed a fair solution,” Han Li affirmed.
The old woman, after some thought, also nodded slowly.
The green-robed man, however, paled and interjected, “Master Mojiu, this is inappropriate! You know full well the Qianlan Cauldron’s significance—it’s a sacred artifact for cultivating the Qianlan Iceflame. How can it be handed over so casually?” He shook his head vehemently.
“We seek only temporary custody and will return it before leaving. There’s no intent to claim it. Fellow Daoist Ouyang, you worry too much,” the monk retorted, his usual amiability replaced by firmness.
“But—” the green-robed man began, only to be cut off by Frost Li. “Enough, Junior Brother Ouyang. Master Mojiu’s proposal is reasonable. Very well, I agree! But to whom among the three shall the cauldron be entrusted?” The grand elder’s final question gave Han Li pause, prompting him to glance at the others.
The monk and the old woman also fell silent, weighing their options.
“Since Master Mojiu proposed this, let him safeguard it. I have full confidence in his integrity,” the old woman declared.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, his thoughts racing before nodding subtly.
“Since you both trust this humble monk, I shall take custody of the cauldron,” the monk agreed solemnly.
With their decision made, Frost Li wasted no time. Pointing at the small cauldron above, he guided it downward as its blue flames dimmed.
The monk waved his sleeve, releasing a green mist that enveloped the cauldron, temporarily sealing it. Though the cauldron could produce Qianlan Iceflame, the monk’s own mastery of an extreme cold flame ensured no mishaps.
This time, Han Li actively flew toward the purple light pillar. Having observed the ritual over the past days, he had grasped most of its intricacies. However, the final breakthrough technique was crucial, requiring firsthand witness to fully comprehend.
Though uneasy about the sealed cave, Han Li, confident in his abilities, felt little fear. Even if Frost Li succeeded in reaching the Deity Transformation stage, he would pose no immediate threat before stabilizing his cultivation.
Moreover, Han Li had learned from the jade slip left by Linglong about the limitations of the Deity Transformation stage in the human realm, easing his concerns further.
Still, as a precaution, he silently summoned the Lunar Trueflame into the formation, hiding it beneath some rubble—a move unnoticed by the others.
With a smile, the monk ascended, followed by the rest, who took their positions within the formation.
Frost Li wasted no time, activating the formation with rapid hand seals. Multicolored lights surged as a barrier enveloped them, soon obscured by a white hurricane.
Han Li blinked, scrutinizing the surroundings. Though the formation appeared unchanged, its spiritual fluctuations differed slightly. His near-mastery of formations allowed him to discern subtle nuances, which he analyzed silently.
“Let us begin! Heh, should I succeed, I shall not forget your kindness!” Frost Li’s laughter echoed from within the milky-white cold light. Forming hand seals, his blue iceflame intensified into a deep azure, mesmerizing to behold.
“Ah! To think Fellow Daoist Frost Li has refined his Qianlan Iceflame to such a degree—this must be the pinnacle of coldflame purity in our realm!” the old woman murmured enviously.
“So this is the fully refined extreme coldflame?” Han Li mused, studying Frost Li intently.
The others seated themselves, lotus-shaped lights blooming beneath them. Han Li sat calmly, forming hand seals to activate the technique.
Various coldflames ignited around them, but this time, instead of immediate action, they began chanting low incantations. The lotus lights expanded, doubling in size, amplifying the flames’ brilliance.
Han Li felt a searing heat, as if bathed in sunlight, his Purple Apex Extremeflame fully awakened within him.
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