Chapter 2384: True Immortal Descends Tianding Palace

Madam Wan Hua stood rooted to the spot, her face ashen.

At this moment, not only had the entire formation diagram been shattered by the golden giant palm, but even the black giant lion behind the old woman had shrunk into a ball under an immense suppressive force, seemingly unable to move an inch.

Although several defensive treasures, including a verdant wooden shield, flew from Madam Wan Hua to protect her, she knew very well that, given the terrifying power displayed by the giant palm, these treasures could not possibly offer much resistance.

The opponent's True Demon Body was terrifying to such an extent; with just one palm, he had defeated her, even after she had used all her trump cards. This instantly left Madam Wan Hua, who had always been proud, utterly disheartened.

"I accept your concession."

The giant form of Han Li, after saying this indifferently, retracted his outstretched arm. Almost at the same time, the golden giant palm above Madam Wan Hua vanished in a flash.

This time, the old woman didn't even know how she left the light barrier, returning to the stands in a dazed state. Outside, Daoist Qing Ping and Xiao Ming exchanged glances, both showing expressions of extreme shock.

Han Li, still inside the light barrier, then called out to Daoist Qing Ping: "Daoist Qing Ping, I invite you to step into the arena and enlighten me."

Daoist Qing Ping had just recovered from the shock of Han Li's astonishing feat of defeating the old woman in a single strike. Upon hearing Han Li's words, his expression suddenly changed. After a good while, he cupped his hands at Han Li and replied with a wry smile: "Daoist friend, your demonic cultivation is unparalleled. I admit I am absolutely no match for you; there's no need for me to even take a single move. I concede defeat."

This Daoist Qing Ping was very pragmatic, surprisingly conceding defeat proactively.

Han Li was not too surprised to hear this and had no intention of pressing further. He simply nodded, retracted his Sanskrit Saint True Body, and with a flash, also exited the light barrier.

"Daoist Han, your divine abilities are truly astonishing, the greatest I have ever witnessed in my life. However, this also reminds me of someone. Could you be Han Li, the human from Fengyuan Continent who entered the Demon Realm and killed the Mother of the Spirit Devouring Insects?" Xiao Ming asked, staring unblinkingly at Han Li, enunciating each word.

"It's a bit embarrassing; the rumors are somewhat exaggerated, but I am indeed Han Li of the human race," Han Li replied calmly, his eyes flickering slightly.

"Haha! It truly is Daoist Han! No wonder you possess such great divine abilities. This is truly a distinguished guest arriving! Daoist friend, you must stay in our city for a while and allow us to have a good exchange," Xiao Ming said with a hearty laugh, disregarding the expressions of the other two.

"Since Daoist friend sincerely invites me, I naturally won't refuse," Han Li replied with a faint smile, as he was quite interested in the Blood Bone Sect's blood cultivation techniques.

"Excellent! Madam Wan Hua, Daoist Qing Ping, let's all gather at my cave mansion for a small get-together," Xiao Ming said, seemingly extremely excited, as he turned to Madam Wan Hua and Daoist Qing Ping.

"We came on this trip with a request in mind, and naturally wouldn't leave before hearing Brother Xiao's reply. Brother Xiao, please lead the way; we two will trouble you for a bit," Daoist Qing Ping and Madam Wan Hua replied after exchanging glances and a slight hesitation.

"I have already instructed my subordinates to prepare a grand feast in my cave mansion, which will surely satisfy you all greatly. So, please follow closely, fellow Daoists," Xiao Ming chuckled upon hearing this.

Thus, the next moment, the few of them transformed into several streaks of dazzling light and shot directly towards a massive palace in the center of Blood Crane City.

More than half a day later, as dusk approached and the sky showed a trace of blood-red, Han Li calmly flew out from the massive palace. Then, less than half an hour later, he somehow found a lodging resembling an inn on a secluded street and entered a rented courtyard within it.

At the entrance of the courtyard, Old Ancestor Huashi and Zhu Guo'er were surprisingly standing respectfully outside. Upon seeing Han Li approach, they immediately stepped forward and bowed.

After Han Li waved his hand, he led the two into the courtyard. Afterward, with a flash of white light, the gate closed tightly.

At the same time, in a side hall of the massive palace, Xiao Ming, Madam Wan Hua, and Daoist Qing Ping were seated around a white jade round table, seemingly arguing about something.

Because Xiao Ming's face was obscured by a mask, his expression could not be discerned, apart from his eyes flickering slightly. Daoist Qing Ping and Madam Wan Hua both had solemn expressions, even mixed with a hint of anger.

"Old Monster Xiao, your conditions are simply too excessive! You actually intend to take ninety percent of the Heavenly Cauldron Palace's harvest and only give Daoist Qing Ping and me ten percent. Do you truly see us as nothing?" Madam Wan Hua snapped furiously.

"If you two also possess the key to the Heavenly Cauldron Palace and can know the approximate opening location in advance, then you would also be qualified to propose such conditions," the masked man replied without a trace of anger.

"Of course we know Brother Xiao possesses these things, otherwise, we wouldn't have sought you out before entering the Myriad Moon Mountain Range. But regardless, only leaving ten percent for Madam Wan Hua and me is indeed a bit too much," Daoist Qing Ping said with a deep frown.

"What kind of place do you two think the Heavenly Cauldron Palace is? Without the key in my possession, even if you knew the location and arrived early, what good would it do? I paid an immense price for this key back then. Leaving ten percent of the treasures for you two Daoist friends is already quite generous," Xiao Ming said, completely unmoved.

"Hmph, there's more than one key to enter the Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Palace. The one in your hand is merely one of them, and it's unknown if it's even genuine. When the Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Palace last appeared, many fake keys surfaced. Although these fake keys can't guarantee safe entry into the Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Palace, they are more than enough to detect the Immortal Palace's opening time and approximate location. If one is willing to risk falling, they could try to force their way in," Madam Wan Hua said coldly, staring at Xiao Ming.

"Fake keys? I naturally know a thing or two about those, but I can assure you two Daoist friends that the one in my hand is definitely one of the original ones. Otherwise, how would I dare propose such conditions?" Xiao Ming chuckled, speaking with great confidence.

"Brother Xiao's confidence is indeed worth our trip here. However, with so many fake keys circulating back then, it's likely that when the Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Palace opens, not to mention the lower-level cultivators like Body Fusion and Void Refinement who come to try their luck, there certainly won't be too few fellow cultivators of our level. After all, it's the remnant cave mansion of True Person Tianding, who, a million years ago, underwent the most Great Heavenly Tribulations on this continent and ultimately ascended successfully. Who knows how many treasures and spiritual medicines useful to us are inside. At least from the cultivation techniques and secret formulas left behind, one can learn the methods True Person Tianding used to survive those Great Heavenly Tribulations. This alone will tempt countless old monsters. Daoist Xiao Ming, if you don't have our assistance, even if you can enter the Heavenly Cauldron Immortal Palace, can you be sure you'll obtain great treasures and emerge safely? Furthermore, aren't you afraid that we might go back and seek cooperation with others who possess keys, thereby inadvertently adding two more competitors?" Daoist Qing Ping narrowed his eyes and spoke these words.

"Daoist Qing Ping, are you threatening me?" Xiao Ming's voice suddenly turned cold.

"This is not a threat; I am merely speaking frankly. Our personal appearance here at least demonstrates our sincere intention to cooperate with you. Moreover, if you don't cooperate with us, will you truly feel at ease journeying with others? That Daoist Han from Fengyuan Continent, his divine abilities are astonishing. Why did Brother Xiao not invite him to enter the Heavenly Cauldron Palace earlier? It couldn't be because Daoist Han's strength is so great that even Brother Xiao is deeply wary of him, could it?" Daoist Qing Ping spoke eloquently, his face completely calm once more.

"That's right, I am somewhat wary of that person and do not have the confidence to suppress him, which is why I didn't mention the Heavenly Cauldron Palace matter. But it's impossible for me to make concessions based solely on this point," Xiao Ming replied without hesitation.

At this point, Daoist Qing Ping's expression truly turned a little unsightly.

"Daoist Qing Ping, Old Monster Xiao is too stubborn. Just tell him that matter. With that condition, he won't dare not make concessions," the old woman suddenly said coldly from the side.

"What matter?" Xiao Ming was visibly stunned.

"Daoist friend, do you know the origin of Daoist Qing Ping's lineage?" Madam Wan Hua said, a hint of mystery on her face.

"Daoist Qing Ping is..." Xiao Ming was slightly surprised, and his gaze shifted immediately to the young Daoist priest.

"It's quite embarrassing, but my true lineage is..." After Daoist Qing Ping sighed lightly, he moved his lips slightly, transmitting his voice without a sound.

Xiao Ming had initially appeared unconcerned, but moments later, his eyes suddenly lit up, revealing an expression of mingled surprise and delight.

In a very deep canyon within the Myriad Moon Mountain Range, Xue Po was riding on a massive, pitch-black eagle puppet and staring motionless at a faint white light appearing on a rock wall.

Within the white light, several extremely bizarre runes shimmered in and out of existence, constantly shifting, seemingly representing some extremely mysterious information.

"Heavenly Cauldron Palace."

Xue Po, on the puppet, suddenly murmured to himself. Then, his mind flashed, and many previously sealed memories suddenly surfaced.

At the same time, in a stone house with a courtyard in Blood Crane City, Han Li was sitting cross-legged on a wooden chair, carefully observing a small, several-inch-high cauldron he held in his hand.

The cauldron was pale green, with an ancient and peculiar appearance. However, the carved patterns of insects, fish, birds, and beasts on its surface were now faintly glowing and flickering incessantly, as if they were about to come alive.

Han Li rubbed his chin, then looked at the small cauldron in his hand again, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

In a dark, hidden space within the Myriad Moon Mountain Range, a pleasant sigh suddenly echoed: "Finally, the day the palace gates open has arrived. After being trapped for so many years, I can finally leave this place and see the light of day again."