Chapter 1614: Exchange and Countermove

Volume 7: Roaming the Human Realm — Volume 9: The Hundred Races of the Spirit Realm

"Since you've put it that way, Senior, this junior has no room to refuse," Han Li said calmly.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Han, why are you so disheartened?" Qian Jizi said with a smile. "Although the Boundless Cold Realm has some dangers, it's still an incredibly good fortune for most people. Ordinary individuals don't get such opportunities; most would be extremely envious."

"Envious?" Han Li shook his head, looking utterly dejected. "This junior's cultivation hasn't reached a bottleneck yet, so entering there won't yield much gain. On the contrary, there's nearly a fifty percent chance of dying, which is truly risking one's life for an extraordinary danger. If possible, this junior would definitely not want to enter." Hearing Han Li's words, Qian Jizi and Elder Ma couldn't help but exchange a glance, as if conveying something.

"Once the Boundless Cold Token is activated, only the person who activated it can use its command to transport people to the Boundless Cold Realm. This concerns the future prosperity and decline of our thirteen clans, so indeed, Fellow Daoist cannot refuse. Originally, for you, Fellow Daoist, bringing this token here, our Myriad Ancient Clan should have offered deep gratitude. However, the token has already been activated, and you, Fellow Daoist, have also gained the qualification to enter the Boundless Cold Realm. This can be considered a mutual offset. But if you personally don't wish to enter the Boundless Cold Realm, yet must now venture in, it's still a significant sacrifice. How about this: if you have any requests, Fellow Daoist, feel free to mention them to us. We will try our best to fulfill them, depending on the circumstances," Qian Jizi said slowly to Han Li.

Han Li's heart suddenly skipped a beat upon hearing this. However, after his thoughts raced through several possibilities, he then said without hesitation, "This junior's request, I believe Senior can probably guess a bit of it. I wish to use the cross-continental teleportation array after the matter of the Boundless Cold Realm is concluded."

"Use the teleportation array?" Qian Jizi replied calmly, without showing any surprise. "If it's just for one use, it should be possible. However, the exorbitant price of top-grade spirit stones required for teleportation will need to be borne by you alone. Our clans cannot provide them for you. Furthermore, this teleportation array is not solely under our clan's control; we must also discuss it with the other clans. Perhaps other clans will have additional conditions, which you will also need to agree to. Fellow Daoist, do you have any issues with this?"

"As long as I can use the teleportation array, the cost of teleportation should naturally be borne by this junior. As for other conditions, as long as they are not utterly impossible for this junior to fulfill, I can also agree to them," Han Li said, greatly pleased. "Hehe, Fellow Daoist Han, there's no need to agree so quickly," Elder Ma suggested, his eyes glinting. "The number of top-grade spirit stones required for cross-continental travel is enough to bankrupt even a Saintly Being. Fellow Daoist Han may have some wealth, but gathering enough for teleportation will likely be exceedingly difficult. And with your cultivation, Fellow Daoist, even if you were to remain permanently with our Myriad Ancient Clan, you would certainly be greatly valued and put to good use. Why bother going to other continents? Why don't you, Fellow Daoist, take this good opportunity to choose another condition and acquire more elixirs and miraculous medicines? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?" Han Li's expression stiffened, but after a moment of thought, he shook his head repeatedly. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but this junior's mind is made up!"

Seeing Han Li immediately reject his suggestion, the middle-aged man did not get angry. He merely nodded faintly and said nothing further.

"By the way, Seniors!" Han Li rubbed his nose and asked, "This junior still doesn't know when the Boundless Cold Realm will open. Once I know, I can make preparations beforehand." Qian Jizi replied with a smile, "We aren't exactly sure of the precise opening date. But based on past experience, it could be as short as a few years, or as long as a century." "As long as a century!" Han Li was immediately speechless upon hearing this. "For cultivators like us, a century is but a fleeting moment. Fellow Daoist Han, there's no need to be so surprised, is there?" the middle-aged man retorted, raising an eyebrow. "Nothing," Han Li gave a wry smile, "it just greatly exceeded my expectations."

"Fellow Daoist was originally staying in an inn, correct? However, that area has now been sealed off. And Fellow Daoist cannot leave Cloud City in a short period of time. In that case, why don't you move to Eight Clouds Mountain? I will have someone arrange a cave dwelling for you free of charge, allowing Fellow Daoist Han to cultivate in peace while waiting for the Boundless Cold Realm to open," Qian Jizi said. Han Li was somewhat surprised to hear this, but after a quick thought, he nodded in agreement.

In the time that followed, Qian Jizi and Elder Ma casually asked Han Li some questions about his origins, but he vaguely glossed over them.

Qian Jizi and Elder Ma seemed not to mind, seeing that Han Li didn't want to reveal too much, and did not press him further.

Afterward, the Myriad Ancient Clan's third elder, a tall, burly man with a full beard, finally arrived at the Spirit Communication Hall.

However, this burly man merely glanced at Han Li twice, uttered a single "Good" word, then told Qian Jizi and Elder Ma that "another batch of pills still needs refining" before hastily flying away.

Seeing this, Qian Jizi and Elder Ma could only smile helplessly. They seemed to be long accustomed to the burly man's behavior. Next, after Han Li received a One-Thousand-Mile Talisman from Elder Ma, he finally stood up to take his leave. As Qian Jizi departed, he stated that in three days, the discussions about the teleportation array with the other clans would be complete, and at the same time, the cave dwelling would be ready. At that time, Han Li could move directly to Eight Clouds Mountain.

Han Li, upon hearing this, naturally expressed his heartfelt thanks. He then exited the main hall, boarded the beast carriage at the entrance, and flew away from the Myriad Ancient Clan's fortress. Meanwhile, Qian Jizi and the middle-aged man sat in silence within the grand hall, each pondering something. "What do you think?" Qian Jizi asked slowly. "Could this person be a spy sent by the Horned Devil Clan?"

"A spy? That's naturally impossible!" The middle-aged man shook his head without hesitation. "Using a Boundless Cold Token to infiltrate our Myriad Ancient Clan would be far too generous. What's more, this person rescued Master Jia and even instantly killed several cultivators of the Horned Devil Clan at the same level. If it were truly just to create confusion, it would be utterly counterproductive. Furthermore, even if he served as a guest elder in our clan, he wouldn't gain access to our clan's true secrets. What would be the point of spending such a high price?"

"I thought so too. In that case, we don't need to use soul-searching techniques to investigate his background. Otherwise, if he were to resent us because of it, it would be quite troublesome," Qian Jizi nodded, expressing his agreement.

"Moreover, this person's combat power is so formidable, almost on par with a peak Void Refinement late-stage cultivator. If he can truly serve as a guest elder in our clan, it would be beneficial to us. We should primarily focus on winning him over," the middle-aged man said. Qian Jizi frowned slightly. "But this person wants to use the teleportation array to leave Thundercloud Continent."

"Hehe, the spirit stones consumed by the teleportation array are not so easily gathered. Even if he truly gathers the required amount, it's hard to say how many years from now that would be. In the meantime, if we just put in a bit more effort, keeping him here won't be too difficult. Of course, if he's truly determined to leave, we don't need to be villains; letting him go is fine. For a peak Void Refinement cultivator, one more doesn't make a big difference, and one less doesn't make a big difference either. It's not worth tarnishing our clan's reputation for him," Qian Jizi said, his expression unchanged, as he made his final conclusion. The middle-aged man pondered for a moment and also agreed to this decision, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Qian Jizi has decided, I, Ma, have no objections."

"Right, let's talk about the intelligence regarding the Horned Devil Clan!" Qian Jizi changed the subject and discussed the Horned Devil Clan's invasion with the middle-aged man. "This time, the Horned Devil Clan's movements are so extensive, they seem to far exceed previous times. Setting aside everything else, just the number of Saintly Beings among them is..."

On the other side, Han Li, riding the beast carriage, did not travel far from Eight Clouds Mountain. He simply got off at a somewhat secluded street and found another inn to stay in. This inn looked quite ordinary and resembled human-style architecture.

After Han Li set up a protective formation in the room, he immediately sat cross-legged on the bed. He began to carefully ponder his conversation with Qian Jizi and the others from earlier, to see if there was anything amiss. His expression remained uncertain for a while before he finally let out a long breath, his expression relaxing.

Judging by their demeanor, it seemed there was nothing disadvantageous to him. The only concern was the potential dangers of the Boundless Cold Realm.

However, since none of the clans entering possessed cultivators above the Integration stage, there was no need to fear anything. As long as he wasn't overly greedy, and didn't recklessly search for spiritual medicines or treasures, but instead found a secluded spot and honestly hid himself, he should not be in mortal danger.

This was also why, while in the Spirit Communication Hall, he instantly understood the crux of the matter, and then agreed to Qian Jizi and their requests without hesitation. However, the Boundless Cold Realm's opening possibly being delayed for such a long time was somewhat beyond his expectations.

If it truly would only open a century later, with such a long period of time, he could use the power of spirit elixirs and have the opportunity to cultivate to the peak of the early Void Refinement stage first, and then, with the amazing spiritual energy of the Boundless Cold Realm, break through to the mid-stage.

This was also because he could use the mysterious filtrate to endlessly refine the exceedingly rare Ascending Dragon Pills. Otherwise, for an ordinary cultivator to reach the peak of the early stage without five or six centuries of arduous cultivation, it would be completely unimaginable.

Upon reaching the Void Refinement stage, to advance one's cultivation further, the amount of spiritual energy required for cultivation is immense, far beyond what is needed at the Nascent Soul stage. Not to mention, the path of dual cultivation of body and magic chosen by Han Li is far more difficult than other cultivation methods.

Han Li mused silently to himself, but suddenly his expression shifted. With a flick of his wrist, a shimmering white object appeared in his hand, its surface also affixed with a crimson talisman. It was indeed another jade box containing a "Boundless Cold Token."

Han Li knew clearly that if he were to reveal this item, he could certainly use it to exchange for greater benefits from Qian Jizi and the others. At the very least, another spiritual puppet would undoubtedly be available. However, he had not mentioned this matter at all in the Spirit Communication Hall. This was due to his own cautious nature.

Regardless of the extra Boundless Cold Token and its potential use before or after entering the Boundless Cold Realm, he would rather forgo any benefits just to have this extra ace up his sleeve.