Chapter 2253: White Light Realm

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Xielian doesn't seem surprised by our arrival." Han Li squinted, speaking pointedly.

"Are the three of you Fellow Daoists from the Spirit Realm or the Blackflame Realm?" Ancestor Xielian asked expressionlessly after scanning Han Li and his companions a few more times.

"The Spirit Realm! The Blackflame Realm!" Han Li's eyes flashed as he asked, "How can Fellow Daoist Xielian be so certain that we three are from these two realms?"

"Because among the realms that sent powerful individuals to assist our Sacred Realm last time, only the Blackflame Realm and the Spirit Realm haven't had anyone approach us yet," Ancestor Xielian replied coldly.

"A few of you?" Han Li's expression shifted.

"Indeed, it is naturally those of us Ancestors who have not yet entered the Land of the Primordial Seal. Although I am currently in reclusion in Mount Ten Thousand Flowers, my contact with a few other Fellow Daoists has never been interrupted. If you newly arrived powerful individuals from the outside world wish to understand the situation of the Land of the Primordial Seal, you would naturally seek us out first," Xielian replied unhurriedly.

"I see. The three of us are indeed from the Spirit Realm; Fellow Daoist, you haven't guessed wrong. However, it seems Fellow Daoist Xielian should be very clear about what has happened in the Land of the Primordial Seal?" Han Li said slowly after a moment of contemplation.

"So, Fellow Daoists from the Spirit Realm! Your face looks somewhat familiar; have you been to our Sacred Realm before?" The woman in the green palace dress did not immediately answer Han Li's question. Instead, after staring at his face for a moment, she suddenly asked thoughtfully, appearing completely unfazed that Han Li and his companions were from the Spirit Realm, as if unaware that the two realms had just concluded a major war a short while ago.

Han Li was slightly taken aback by her words, but then immediately smiled.

"I did indeed visit your esteemed realm once before. It seems Fellow Daoist Xielian has already recognized me, so why ask something you already know?"

"Tsk, tsk, you truly are the cultivator surnamed Han who was once jointly pursued by the Six Extremes of Yuanyuan! When you left the Sacred Realm, you were merely an Incarnation-stage cultivator, but now you've actually advanced to the Grand Ascension stage. I finally understand why those two valued you so much back then. In that case, this Fellow Daoist beside you... must be Fellow Daoist Xie from the Demonic Abyss Sea. I am probably one of the few Ancestors in the Demon Realm who has not yet met Brother Xie in person at the Demonic Abyss Sea. But it seems it's not too late now," Xielian sighed, her gaze shifting to Reverend Xie as she spoke.

As for Silvermoon, the early Incarnation-stage cultivator, she didn't even glance at her.

Clearly, in her eyes, beings below the Grand Ascension stage were not worth her attention.

Reverend Xie's expression remained impassive, showing no intention of speaking.

Han Li, however, raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening as he asked,

"Since Fellow Daoist has recognized Brother Xie, it saves me the trouble of introductions. Regarding the matter of the Land of the Primordial Seal, it seems you haven't answered my question yet?"

"I do know something about the Land of the Primordial Seal. However, this matter is not trivial. This is not the place for conversation. The three of you Fellow Daoists should come with me downstairs for a detailed discussion." After scanning her surroundings, the woman in the green palace dress's cold expression suddenly melted away.

"Downstairs? Is Fellow Daoist inviting the three of us to your esteemed cave residence for a talk?" Han Li glanced at the nearby mountain peak shrouded in five-colored light, asking noncommittally.

"What, is Fellow Daoist Han perhaps afraid I might play some tricks?" The palace-dressed woman chuckled softly, a hint of allure suddenly appearing between her brows.

"How could I think that way! With Fellow Daoist Xielian's status, you wouldn't engage in such petty schemes. Unless, of course, Fellow Daoist truly believes you can simultaneously contend with two Grand Ascension-stage beings." Han Li yawned, speaking in a way that revealed nothing of his thoughts.

"Then, the three of you Fellow Daoists, please," the palace-dressed woman said with a smile, turning slightly.

Han Li did not stand on ceremony. With a flick of his sleeve, a golden radiance swept out to both sides, and he, along with Reverend Xie and Silvermoon, transformed into a golden rainbow, streaking towards the distant mountain peak.

Ancestor Xielian's body blurred, turning into a ball of green light that also flew away.

The five-colored light enveloping the mountain peak suddenly parted, allowing Han Li and his companions, followed by the palace-dressed woman, to enter the barrier. They landed together in front of the palace gate at the peak.

Just then, a figure flickered at the palace gate, and two more burly men, dressed in extremely strange attire, emerged from it.

Both men had dark skin and wore silver-grey battle armor. Striking crimson spirit patterns were emblazoned on their exposed skin, such as their arms and faces. Their eyes glowed with a silvery sheen, completely devoid of pupils, making them appear extremely eerie.

One of them had a gleaming bald head, completely devoid of hair, and an exceptionally fierce expression.

The other had disheveled hair and wore thick golden armbands on both arms, appearing extremely robust.

When their gazes swept over, they were as sharp as blades, causing even Han Li, with his cultivation, to feel a slight chill on his skin.

"Grand Ascension beings!" Han Li's heart tightened as he whispered.

Silvermoon's expression changed at his words, and she gasped sharply.

These two dark-skinned burly men were also Grand Ascension cultivators, yet their aura was completely different from that of the demon race, giving Han Li an extremely unfamiliar sensation.

"Fellow Daoist Xielian, these three are also reinforcements from other realms. How is it that one of them is merely an Incarnation-stage junior?" The bald burly man, after scanning Han Li and his companions, rolled his eyes and spoke in an odd, metallic voice.

"Fellow Daoist Han, let me introduce you. These two are Brother Jincha and Brother Shiding from the 'White Light Realm,' who arrived here just half a month before the three of you. Brother Jin, this is Fellow Daoist Han and Fellow Daoist Xie from the Spirit Realm," the palace-dressed woman said with a smile, stepping forward to introduce them.

"The Spirit Realm... that's the realm that recently had a conflict with your Demon Realm. I thought this realm wouldn't send anyone else," the bald burly man said with a wide grin, revealing a mouthful of pearly white teeth, though his words carried a hint of disdain.

"If the Mother of Demonic Insects truly breaks free from the seal, the nearby realms will all face the danger of complete annihilation. Naturally, our Spirit Realm will not stand idly by. As for the White Light Realm, this is the first time I've heard of it," Han Li said calmly, his surprise fading from his face.

"Hmph, you haven't even heard of our White Light Realm. It seems you are truly quite ignorant. You didn't just coincidentally advance to the Grand Ascension stage, did you?" A hint of murderous intent flashed across the bald man's face, and his voice turned noticeably colder.

The disheveled man beside him, much like Reverend Xie, remained expressionless and silent throughout.

Han Li yawned, and just as he was about to say something, the palace-dressed woman interrupted their conversation.

"Fellow Daoists, you didn't come here just to bicker, did you? Since all of you are here because of the Mother of Demonic Insects, why don't we go inside and discuss it in more detail? Brother Jin, haven't you always wanted information about the Land of the Primordial Seal? Now that Fellow Daoist Han and his companions have also arrived, I can speak openly."

Upon hearing this, Jincha's expression changed several times, but after a brief contemplation, he nodded slightly, a silver glint in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Xielian is finally willing to tell us the information we seek. Brother Shi and I will naturally listen attentively."

With that, the bald burly man immediately called out to his companion, then turned and walked into the palace gate.

"Fellow Daoist Han, please," the palace-dressed woman said, turning to invite Han Li, seemingly unconcerned by the other's action.

Han Li gave a faint smile, then, taking Silvermoon and Reverend Xie with him, followed Ancestor Xielian into the palace.

"Greetings, Lord Xielian!"

Although the verdant green palace was not large, the corridors on both sides behind the palace gate were filled with maids dressed in identical palace attire, numbering some thirty to forty.

Upon seeing Ancestor Xielian enter, they immediately bowed respectfully.

"Prepare some spirit fruits and spirit tea. We have other distinguished guests arriving today," Xielian commanded with a wave of her hand, her demeanor graceful and noble.

Some maids immediately acknowledged her command and withdrew.

A moment later, Han Li and the others followed Xielian into the palace hall.

There, the two Grand Ascension-stage cultivators from the White Light Realm were seated on two chairs on one side, their mouths moving slightly as they communicated through spiritual transmission.

Seeing this, Han Li unceremoniously took Reverend Xie and Silvermoon to sit opposite the two men.

Xielian, after a few graceful steps, took her seat on the main chair in the center.

"Fellow Daoist Xielian, we are all here. Can you speak now?" the bald burly man asked directly, his expression shifting.

"Of course. However, before I speak, I have a few questions for all of you Fellow Daoists. Did you come to the Sacred Realm this time to help us suppress the Mother of Demonic Insects again, or merely to rescue your kinsmen and friends?" Xielian asked, her smile fading slightly, her tone somewhat solemn.

"Fellow Daoist Xielian, what do you mean by that? I don't see any contradiction between the two," the bald burly man replied, his expression subtly changing, his voice suddenly deepening.

Han Li was quite surprised by this question and couldn't help but frown.

"This might disappoint some of you. Time is pressing now, and we can only do one of those things first. And regardless of which we prioritize, we must concentrate all our strength and go all out to have any chance of success. This is also why I didn't rashly inform Brother Jin and his companion about the Land of the Primordial Seal earlier," Xielian said, a hint of a bitter smile appearing on her face for the first time.

"Hmph, so simply because two more people arrived, Fellow Daoist Xielian feels comfortable sharing the information!" Jincha huffed, sounding somewhat displeased.

"Actually, even if Fellow Daoist Han and his companions hadn't come, I would have told Brother Jin the same information within a month at most. Because in a month, it will be the day for us Ancestors to gather, and Fellow Daoists who come as reinforcements from other realms will also participate to discuss how to resolve the Sacred Realm's great calamity. I imagine none of you Fellow Daoists would want to miss that," Xielian said after a moment of thought, no longer hiding anything.

"Fellow Daoist Xielian, regardless of our purpose for coming to the Sacred Realm this time, wouldn't it be better to first inform us about the situation in the Land of the Primordial Seal, and then let us make our choice?" Han Li suddenly interjected when he heard this.