Chapter 1135: The Division of the Immortal Domains

"Speaking of this matter, I happen to know something about it. To be honest, that little friend of yours is quite skilled. She used herself as bait to lure out a Devouring Gold Immortal that the Nine Yuan Temple had raised for many years. Although she eventually succeeded in devouring it, she was discovered by the Nine Yuan Temple and captured by several of their Great Luo cultivators. She is now imprisoned within the temple." Jiao San did not conceal this and replied via voice transmission.

Han Li's expression tightened slightly as he fell into contemplative silence.

"Brother Han need not worry too much. A rare insect like the Devouring Gold Immortal is a treasure that would make anyone envious wherever it goes. The Nine Yuan Temple will not mistreat her; on the contrary, they will likely spare no effort to care for her. It's just that she won't be able to regain her freedom for the time being," Jiao San transmitted.

Han Li understood the implication in her words: once Jintong could regain her freedom, it would be the day she was tamed by the Nine Yuan Temple.

He was not overly concerned about that, as taming Jintong was no simple matter. What worried him more was that, given Jintong's temperament, she would likely suffer quite a bit.

Although Jintong's physical body was indestructible and nearly immortal, it was not without weaknesses. Moreover, a deeply entrenched major power like the Nine Yuan Temple might have other means, which left him uneasy.

After all, this little creature had accompanied him through most of his cultivation career and held great significance for him. He would never stand idly by while she suffered.

"In any case, the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall will soon have a mission concerning the Nine Yuan Temple. If Fellow Daoist Han is willing to participate, you can take this opportunity to rescue Jintong," Jiao San urged again, seeing Han Li lost in thought.

"What mission?" Han Li asked.

"You know the rules of the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall. Some things cannot be disclosed yet. Moreover, there is still a considerable amount of time before the mission begins. During this period, Brother Han can take the chance to further improve his cultivation," Jiao San replied.

"Fellow Daoist Jiao San, do you have a map of the Gold Origin Immortal Domain? Could you give me a copy?" Han Li asked after a moment of deliberation via voice transmission.

"What does Brother Han need the map for? Do you intend to go to the Nine Yuan Temple?" Jiao San frowned and replied.

"Since the Nine Yuan Temple is in the Gold Origin Immortal Domain, I might as well go there to gather some information. I won't do anything foolish," Han Li said, his expression unchanged as he transmitted back.

"Brother Han, I'm afraid you've misunderstood. This Gold Origin Immortal Domain is not the same as that Gold Origin Immortal Domain," Jiao San laughed.

"What do you mean?" Han Li asked, puzzled.

"Brother Han may not know this, but there are countless immortal domains in the entire immortal realm, and not many share the same name. Most are remote small domains that coincidentally share names without knowing it for a long time. As for the Gold Origin Immortal Domain, the situation is even more special. It is a small immortal domain that shares its name with a large one," Jiao San replied.

"Are there distinctions between large and small immortal domains?" Han Li asked, confused.

"It's not surprising that Fellow Daoist Han, having traveled through small domains like the North Cold Immortal Domain, is unaware of this. In fact, most people in the true immortal realm know little about it. After all, cultivators below the Golden Immortal stage may never leave a single immortal domain in their lifetime. In reality, the entire immortal realm has thirty-six top-tier great domains, five hundred middle domains, and three thousand small domains. Of course, the three thousand is just an approximate number. No one has the leisure to count exactly how many there are," Jiao San transmitted back.

"Thirty-six great domains? I've heard of the Central Earth Immortal Domain before. It should be one of the thirty-six, right?" Han Li asked.

"Correct. The Central Earth Immortal Domain, as the foremost of the thirty-six great domains, holds a transcendent status. The Great Gold Origin Immortal Domain is also a renowned existence, and the Nine Yuan Temple's mountain gate is located there. The Small Gold Origin Immortal Domain we are in now shares its name without needing to change because it was originally part of the Great Gold Origin Immortal Domain, but separated from it during a great upheaval of heaven and earth," Jiao San continued to explain.

"I see," Han Li nodded in reply.

Just then, Jiao San's gaze flickered as she glanced at Lan Yan.

A fierce glint flashed in her eyes as she suddenly struck out with lightning speed, aiming a palm at Lan Yan's heart.

Having just survived a calamity, Lan Yan had barely relaxed when faced with this sudden turn of events. She had no time to react and was struck in the left chest by Jiao San's palm. Feeling a strange force penetrate her body, she spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.

The others were startled at first but quickly understood.

Lan Yan struggled to sit up, not bothering to wipe the blood from her lips, her face filled with terror.

Seeing that Jiao San was about to strike again, Han Li frowned and flashed in front of Lan Yan, blocking Jiao San.

"Brother Han, this woman is a disciple of the Nine Yuan Temple. She cannot be kept alive," Jiao San said with a frown.

"Even so, her crime does not warrant death," Han Li said.

"Brother Han, this woman has traveled with us for too long. It's hard to guarantee that she won't reveal key information when she returns. You shouldn't have such misplaced compassion," Jiao San said.

"Earlier, she and her brother made a gentleman's agreement with me. Even when pressured by the old woman She Chan in the secret realm, they did not attack me, showing that they are people who value trust and keep their word. As long as she promises not to report what she has seen and heard about us to her sect, I think we can spare her life. Later, I will place a soul restriction on her," Han Li said after some hesitation.

"Why go through all that trouble? Just kill her and be done with it, leaving no future trouble," Jiao San said coldly.

"Fellow Daoist Jiao San, if you truly consider me one of your own, please do me this favor, alright?" Han Li said with a serious expression.

Jiao San looked at him, then at Lan Yan, a look of sudden realization dawning on her face. She nodded and said, "I see..."

"Thank you," Han Li said, knowing she had misunderstood but too lazy to explain, simply clasping his fist.

Then he turned to Lan Yan and said:

"Circumstances are stronger than people. Fellow Daoist Lan has no other choice at the moment. I will place a restriction in your sea of consciousness. As long as you do not break your promise and reveal anything about us, you will be safe."

Lan Yan said nothing, only pursed her lips and nodded, looking rather pitiful.

Han Li then formed hand seals, plucked a strand of crystalline light from his own brow, and slowly sent it toward Lan Yan's brow.

The crystalline light, like a snake emerging from its hole, hovered in the air before plunging into Lan Yan's brow and vanishing in a flash.

While Han Li was performing the technique, Jiao San's figure flickered and appeared in the deep pit on the ground.

Heavenly Demon Shi Kongmo was happily playing with the flames by himself. Seeing her come down, he became somewhat angry and raised his hand to strike her with a palm.

"Senior Shi, please don't attack. This junior has important matters to discuss," Jiao San was startled and quickly shouted.

"Key? What key do you have? Show me..." Shi Kongmo raised his hand mid-swing and asked curiously.

"Senior has been searching for your wife and child, haven't you? This junior might be able to help," Jiao San said with relief.

Hearing this, Shi Kongmo's expression changed instantly, his face full of anxious urgency as he asked repeatedly, "Do you know where they are? Do you know where they are? Where are they?"

"This junior does not know where they are, but I have a way to help senior find them," Jiao San said, slightly moved by the scene but still composed.

Upon hearing this, Shi Kongmo's expression suddenly turned cold, and the manic look on his face vanished instantly, sending a chill through Jiao San's heart.

"That Jinsui once deceived me with such words. If you dare to do the same, I will make your life worse than death," Shi Kongmo stared at her coldly, his eyes turning pitch black as he spoke each word deliberately.

"This junior would not dare," Jiao San said, cold sweat streaming down her forehead.

"Good that you wouldn't dare, good that you wouldn't dare, hehe, hehe..." Hearing this, Shi Kongmo's expression softened and he laughed.

His pupils instantly returned to normal, and he quickly reverted to his manic state, as if the fierce demeanor from before had never existed.

"Then, Senior... would you like to return to the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall with me?" Jiao San ventured to ask.

"Return, return, find people, find people..." Shi Kongmo said with a smile.

The two returned to the surface, and Liu Zizai immediately approached Jiao San, saying:

"Thank you for the rescue. I should have returned to the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall with you, but I have some other matters to attend to. I hope you understand."

"Is it to return to the Barbarian Wilderness Realm with Hu San?" Jiao San asked, glancing at Hu San who was not far away.

"Yes," Liu Zizai nodded.

"That's fine. The Hall Master has already given instructions on this matter," Jiao San said.

Liu Zizai's gaze narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but in the end, he asked nothing.

"Fellow Daoist Han, what about you? Will you return to the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall with me?" Jiao San looked at Han Li and asked.

"Fellow Daoist Jiao San, please go back on your own this time. I have some matters to attend to, so I won't return with you. However, our previous discussion remains unchanged. I am willing to join the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall and participate in its missions," Han Li said with a smile.

Jiao San frowned slightly but quickly relaxed and said:

"In that case, I wish Fellow Daoist Han a smooth journey. I believe we will meet again before long."

After taking leave of everyone, Jiao San left with Heavenly Demon Shi Kongmo and Huai Yangzi.

Liu Zizai, leading Likima, was talking with Hu San nearby, apparently discussing something.

Han Li glanced at them briefly before his gaze fell on Qu Lin.

"Fellow Daoist Qu, what are your plans? Will you continue traveling with me?" Han Li asked with a smile.

"That was my original plan, but now I might have to change my mind," Qu Lin said with a smile.

"Oh? Why is that?" Han Li asked, puzzled.

"After this incident, and with your earlier rampage at the Gold Origin Immortal Palace, your reputation must have spread throughout the Heavenly Court. If I continue to travel with you, it would be like raising a banner inviting encirclement. That would be very unwise," Qu Lin shook his head and said.

"When you put it that way, it does make some sense," Han Li nodded in agreement.

In truth, after the series of events, both parties felt that the other was not easy to deal with, and neither wanted the other to stay by their side. So this was a mutually agreeable parting.

Han Li also knew what was on the other's mind. Since Devouring Gold Immortals should have some kind of mutual感应, now that they were in the outside world, he would naturally find a way to seek out his own kind.

"In that case, let us part ways here. The mountains are high and the waters are long; we shall meet again," Han Li said, clasping his fist.

Qu Lin then took his leave, and with a flash of light, he transformed into a rainbow and departed.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, are you returning to the Nine Yuan Temple afterward?" After he left, Han Li transmitted to Lan Yan.

Lan Yan looked slightly surprised and nodded.

"Then I'll trouble you to take me along. I happen to need to go to the Great Gold Origin Immortal Domain," Han Li said.