These cultivators were the first to emerge from the Path of Ice and Fire. While the Black Desert and Blood Ice Forest posed no threat to high-level cultivators like Ji Yin and others at the Nascent Soul stage, those at the late Core Formation stage had to endure considerable hardship to escape. As for those with weaker cultivation, their chances of survival were slim, which is why so few had made it out thus far!
Ji Yin and Qing Yi were naturally worried about Han Li’s life. If Han Li perished on the Molten Rock Road, the Jadeblood Spider would inevitably meet the same fate, rendering all their efforts and hopes futile. This was especially true for Patriarch Ji Yin, whose stakes were the highest, making his anxiety even more intense than that of Qing Yi.
Wan Tianming, though somewhat calmer, wore a cold expression as he stared down at his broad, slender hands in silence.
These three Nascent Soul cultivators were well aware that the anomaly in the Path of Ice and Fire was undoubtedly linked to the yet-to-appear Star Palace Elders. This realization filled them with both fury and deep apprehension.
What was the Star Palace’s intention with this move? Did they truly intend to openly confront both the righteous and demonic factions here in the Void Heaven Hall?
Amid this tense atmosphere, time slowly passed. Figures like Man Huzi, Tian Wuzi, the old farmer, Wu Chou, and Xuan Gu successively teleported into the stone hall. Their expressions ranged from gloomy to furious, clearly inwardly cursing the Star Palace for this unexpected turn of events.
With only a small portion of the day left before the Path of Ice and Fire closed, and with Han Li still nowhere to be seen, Ji Yin’s expression, which had slightly improved after Wu Chou’s successful passage, darkened once again.
Wu Chou had only made it through thanks to an ancient treasure Ji Yin had provided him for protection. He held no such hope that Han Li possessed a treasure of similar caliber for safeguarding himself.
He suspected that Qing Yi and Man Huzi were equally regretful. Given their statuses, they likely had several powerful ancient treasures themselves. Had they lent them to Han Li, his safety would have been assured.
With this thought, Ji Yin couldn’t help but shoot a frustrated glance at the old man and Man Huzi.
The scholar-robed elder was watching the teleportation formation with an uncertain expression, as if deep in thought. Man Huzi, meanwhile, was gazing at the hall ceiling, his jaw moving slightly as he muttered to himself, evidently lost in his own contemplations.
Seeing this only fueled Ji Yin’s irritation. However, after calming himself slightly, he resigned himself to facing reality: without the Jadeblood Spider, what should their next move be?
Xuan Gu was seated cross-legged on a stone table, eyes half-closed as if cultivating. Not seeing Han Li was both somewhat unexpected and somewhat expected. In his estimation, Han Li’s true strength was, at best, on par with a late Core Formation cultivator. Whether he could pass through the altered Path of Ice and Fire was a toss-up. Without Han Li’s assistance, however, Xuan Gu doubted his own ability to handle Ji Yin alone.
He began to waver on whether to make his move within the Void Heaven Hall. Perhaps finding a more opportune time with better preparation would yield a higher chance of success.
Feeling somewhat helpless, Xuan Gu inwardly cursed the two Star Palace Elders once more.
As for Wan Tianming and the other righteous path cultivators, they were equally frustrated. Some of their plans, which relied on the strength of Core Formation disciples, now had to be altered.
Just as everyone in the stone hall was lost in their own thoughts and schemes, the two Star Palace Elders in white robes unexpectedly appeared within the teleportation formation. Immediately, hostile gazes from all directions fixed upon them.
“Ahem! I wonder which reckless fellow daoist triggered some powerful restrictions while traversing the Path of Ice and Fire, causing a great change within the canyon,” the kind-faced elder said, sighing with an air of genuine remorse, completely ignoring the icy stares. “We two specifically searched for a solution but unfortunately found no way to lift them. I’m afraid we’ve lost many fellow daoists from our cultivation world this time. We have failed in our duties for this Void Heaven Hall session and will certainly return to confess to the two Holy Masters and face seclusion for over a hundred years to atone for our negligence.”
Hearing this, everyone from both the righteous and demonic paths inwardly cursed the elder’s shamelessness. With a few light words, he attempted to shift all blame, making it seem as if the Star Palace bore no responsibility.
However, as the two had anticipated, although everyone in the hall watched them coldly, no one stepped forward to openly question them. After glaring fiercely for a moment, formidable figures like Man Huzi and Wan Tianming averted their gazes and returned to their own affairs.
It seemed the prestige of the Star Palace was still something no one dared to challenge lightly.
Exchanging a glance and a slight smile, the two white-robed elders found a corner to sit down in and closed their eyes to rest.
Just as everyone felt unwilling yet hesitant to be the first to speak out, the teleportation formation flashed with white light, and two figures emerged. It was Han Li and the great beauty Yuan Yao.
However, Yuan Yao had once again shrouded herself in a black robe, making her gender indistinguishable, seemingly wary of certain individuals within the stone hall.
“Han Li!” Patriarch Ji Yin’s eyes lit up the moment Han Li appeared. He called out with a beaming smile and beckoned for Han Li to come over immediately.
Man Huzi and Qing Yi also showed pleasant surprise. Exchanging a glance, they unceremoniously moved closer to Patriarch Ji Yin’s side.
Han Li sighed inwardly, said a few words to Yuan Yao, and then mustered his energy to walk towards Patriarch Ji Yin. He comforted himself with the knowledge that these demonic old monsters wouldn’t harm him before obtaining the treasure, so he remained relatively calm. Moreover, upon entering the hall, he had caught sight of Xuan Gu, which further steadied his nerves.
Patriarch Ji Yin called Han Li over and engaged in warm, standard mentor-like pleasantries, casually inquiring about his experience on the Molten Rock Road.
Naturally, Han Li avoided details, offering only vague replies, which sufficed. He knew the other party wasn’t truly interested in the specifics.
Sure enough, Patriarch Ji Yin didn’t press further and instead offered a few words of praise.
The scholar-robed elder nearby watched Han Li with a smile, occasionally interjecting with concerned remarks, appearing equally invested in Han Li’s well-being.
Man Huzi, conscious of his status, merely observed coldly from the side without asking anything. However, when Han Li attempted to return the Frost Pearl, Man Huzi generously waved his hand, indicating it was a gift.
It seemed that having successfully traversed the Path of Ice and Fire and advanced closer to the inner hall, Han Li had gained even greater importance in the eyes of these old monsters. However, Wu Chou’s hostility towards him had also intensified, his occasional glances filled with cold malice.
Patriarch Ji Yin seemed to notice this and suddenly glared at Wu Chou a few times, transmitting a message. Wu Chou immediately lowered his head, and when he looked up again, his expression had returned to normal.
While dealing with Ji Yin and the others, Han Li wondered if he should contact Xuan Gu to see if there was a concrete plan or if they were simply waiting for an opportunity.
As Han Li divided his attention, the final moments passed. Right on time, the teleportation formation in the center of the stone hall vanished without a trace.
Only about a dozen cultivators remained. Simultaneously, with a rumble, the stone doors on the four walls automatically rose, revealing deep, bluestone passages leading into unknown depths.
“Three of these four passages lead to pavilions, each containing different items left behind by ancient cultivators: ‘Ancient Treasures,’ ‘Pills,’ ‘Cultivation Techniques,’ and the like,” the kind-faced white-robed elder explained without rising, remaining seated cross-legged. “Each item is sealed by restrictions, and everyone has only one chance to take one item. Once obtained, the person will be immediately teleported to the next trial, the ‘Extreme Mirage.’ The last passage leads directly to the next trial. Anyone who enters it can only blame their luck for coming all this way for nothing. The restrictions here are peculiar; the passages don’t lead to fixed locations. Once you enter one, you cannot exit the same way. Those who do not wish to challenge the Extreme Mirage can remain in this stone hall. After some time, they will be automatically transported out of the Void Heaven Hall, provided they resist the temptation to seek treasures in these pavilions. I hope all fellow daoists choose wisely!”
This time, however, the others merely glanced at him coldly before ignoring him completely.
The Star Palace elder remained unperturbed, smiling slightly before closing his eyes again.
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