Chapter 1231: Sneaking into the Tiger's Den

About a quarter of an hour later.

In a remote forest within the Nine Yuan Temple, Han Li, with his aura concealed, sat cross-legged on a towering ancient tree a hundred zhang tall, hidden by dense leaves, his form unseen.

He held the jade token in his hand, pressed against his brow.

After a moment, the light on the jade token dimmed. Han Li put it away, closed his eyes in thought for a while, then reopened them.

The jade token contained a map of the Nine Yuan Temple's regions, marking where Jintong might be imprisoned—a restricted area that even core disciples and elders could not enter freely.

After pondering for a moment, Han Li took out a jade slip and examined it briefly, then nodded and muttered to himself:

"The map from the Reincarnation Palace is not much different from Lan Yan's. It seems no tricks were played. But I didn't expect Jintong to be imprisoned in such a place. This is troublesome..."

As he mused, a loud boom echoed from afar, accompanied by faint, continuous cries of battle.

"It seems the Reincarnation Palace is making a big move this time. The Nine Yuan Temple, a behemoth with roots stretching back eons, has fallen into such chaos—it's hard to imagine." Han Li stood atop the tree, gazing into the distance, sighing.

After a moment of rest, he leaped, not flying high but bounding through the forest, skimming low toward a neighboring peak.

Now, within the Nine Yuan Temple, as a large number of black-clad, masked figures stormed in, the once-fairyland was engulfed in flames of war everywhere.

As he flew deeper into the temple, he saw many Reincarnation Palace figures at key locations along the way, all of considerable cultivation, including experts and even Da Luo level beings.

The Nine Yuan Temple had naturally dispatched many elders and disciples to form formations and fight these invaders, while various internal restrictions were activated.

But the Reincarnation Palace's sudden attack was clearly well-planned. Taking advantage of the turmoil across the Great Golden Source Immortal Domain, the absence of many high-level cultivators from the temple, and the gathering of Bodhi Token holders from all directions in Nine Yuan City under the Heavenly Court's decree, they caught the Nine Yuan Temple off guard.

This move was indeed beyond reason. Who would have thought that the Nine Yuan Temple, so esteemed in the entire True Immortal Realm and guarded by a Dao Ancestor, would one day be attacked at its doorstep?

Han Li felt puzzled: the Reincarnation Palace must have invested heavily in this mission to the Nine Yuan Temple, but what was their true purpose?

The remaining disciples of the Nine Yuan Temple were no ordinary folk. Initially caught off guard, they retreated step by step, but under the leadership of their elders and peak masters, they quickly regrouped. Using the restrictions laid out across the land, they could not drive out all enemies but managed to halt their advance, resulting in a stalemate.

Han Li had no intention of joining the fray. Disguised as an unremarkable Nine Yuan Temple disciple, he sped deeper into the temple.

His current identity was utterly inconspicuous, and with the temple in chaos, no one paid him any attention.

Moreover, with his strength, only Da Luo beings could pose a threat to him.

Soon, Han Li reached the depths of the Nine Yuan Temple, where the Reincarnation Palace forces had not yet attacked.

He slowed his flight slightly, forming hand seals to activate the black mask's invisibility ability.

Black light flickered around Han Li, and he turned into a shadowy figure, emitting not a trace of aura. Even with his powerful divine sense, he could detect nothing unusual.

Seeing this, he felt pleased and continued forward.

Although no Reincarnation Palace figures appeared here, the Nine Yuan Temple had not let down its guard. They activated all defensive and detection restrictions, setting up a net-like formation to prevent secret infiltration.

Fortunately, his divine sense was strong and his Netherworld Demon Eyes had greatly improved, allowing him to pass through safely.

Half a day later, he landed near a peak, hiding in a concealed spot, and looked ahead.

Before him stood two golden peaks, towering into the clouds, straight as giant pillars.

Between the two peaks lay a passage.

On either side of the peaks stretched boundless golden mist, reaching the sky and spreading endlessly, like a natural moat.

According to the map Lan Yan had given him, this place was called the Golden Jade Pass, the entrance to the Inner Temple.

The Outer Temple and Inner Temple of the Nine Yuan Temple were clearly divided. The areas Han Li had passed through were all Outer Temple. The Inner Temple was the true core, accessible only to high-ranking members and a few elite disciples with permission.

According to the Reincarnation Palace's intelligence, Jintong was now imprisoned in a restricted area within the Inner Temple.

The golden mist connecting heaven and earth was a super restriction within the Nine Yuan Temple, said to be personally set by the Nine Yuan Dao Ancestor, enveloping the entire Inner Temple. Entry was only possible through passages like the Golden Jade Pass.

There were three such entrances to the Inner Temple in the entire Nine Yuan Temple.

Han Li looked closely at the Golden Jade Pass and frowned.

The passage of the Golden Jade Pass was now closed, sealed by a thick golden light barrier.

Behind the barrier stood a dense crowd of cultivators in golden patterned armor.

"Why is the entrance closed? Is it because of the Reincarnation Palace invasion?" Han Li gritted his teeth.

After a moment's thought, he sent his divine sense into the Flower Branch Space, contacting Lan Yan to inform her of the situation and ask about the Golden Jade Pass.

"Fellow Daoist Han, with the Reincarnation Palace invading the Nine Yuan Temple, it's normal for the Golden Jade Pass to be closed. All important places in the temple are in the Inner Temple, which cannot be compromised." Lan Yan's voice sounded in Han Li's mind.

"Do you have a way to get through?" Han Li's heart sank as he pressed.

Inside the Flower Branch Space, Lan Yan hesitated.

To save Lan Yuanzi, she had revealed much information about the Nine Yuan Temple to Han Li, but none of it was critical.

The Golden Jade Pass, however, involved core secrets of the temple. If the Nine Yuan Temple learned she had disclosed this to an outsider, they would not let her off.

"Fellow Daoist Lan Yan, the Nine Yuan Temple is in chaos now; no one will notice what happens here. Besides, you have never shown your face, so no one will suspect you." Han Li, seeing her hesitation, said with a faint smile.

Lan Yan's face shifted between light and shadow but soon calmed. She pursed her lips and smiled: "That may be so, but the Nine Yuan Temple has many capable people, including those skilled in esoteric detection and divination, who cannot be judged by common sense. I can tell you everything I know about the Nine Yuan Temple without reservation, but I ask that you agree to two conditions."

"What conditions?" Han Li frowned slightly.

"First, please ask Fellow Daoist Ti Hun to wake my brother." Lan Yan glanced at Ti Hun beside her.

At that moment, in the Flower Branch Space, Ti Hun and Xiao Bai stood beside Lan Yan.

Qu Lin was not there, still cultivating in the pavilion, around which Ti Hun had placed layers of restrictions.

Ti Hun remained vigilant toward Qu Lin.

"Agreed." Ti Hun's expression shifted, and after a private discussion with Han Li, she nodded.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ti Hun." Lan Yan's eyes showed excitement as she bowed to Ti Hun.

"And the second condition?" Han Li asked.

"Having betrayed so many secrets of the Nine Yuan Temple, I can no longer stay here. So my brother and I wish to seek refuge with you, Fellow Daoist Han. Please take us in." Lan Yan lowered her head, saying something that surprised Han Li.

"Seek refuge with me?" Han Li was taken aback.

Ti Hun and Xiao Bai also looked surprised.

"Yes. After two encounters, I have some understanding of your strength and character. With your power, sheltering my brother and me is more than enough. Only with your protection can I dare to tell you everything about the Nine Yuan Temple without fear." Lan Yan said calmly.

Han Li frowned and said nothing.

Seeing this, Lan Yan also kept silent, her beautiful eyes fixed on Han Li.

"Since you put it that way, taking you in is not impossible. But I must make something clear: you are different from Xiao Bai and Ti Hun. I must plant a soul-sealing technique on you to ensure safety. Of course, once I deem you trustworthy, I will remove it. Also, I will not interfere with your future cultivation or provide assistance; you must manage on your own." Han Li did not think long before speaking.

"Agreed." Lan Yan was straightforward, agreeing without hesitation.

Han Li was slightly surprised but did not dwell on it. He contacted Ti Hun through their soul link to act.

Ti Hun chanted incantations, and a black light flew from her hand.

The black light quickly transformed into a black ring, within which countless tiny black runes danced, looking very mysterious.

"Go!" Ti Hun pointed, and the black ring turned into a black light that flashed into Lan Yan's mind.

Lan Yan's body trembled, and her face turned pale, but she soon calmed, showing no dissatisfaction.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, you have a firm mind and a keen eye. Choosing to pledge allegiance to my master today is a wise decision." Ti Hun said with a light laugh, a hint of approval in her eyes.

"Indeed." Xiao Bai also smiled.

Hearing this, Lan Yan's eyes flickered.

"Enough, no more idle talk. Please tell me in detail about the Golden Jade Pass." Han Li said flatly.

"Yes. The Golden Jade Pass is a crucial checkpoint leading to the Inner Temple. According to regulations, entry requires permission from the temple master, two deputy masters, and the four holy envoys. But with the Reincarnation Palace's massive invasion, the situation may differ. With a proper reason, the Golden Pattern Guards inside might open the pass." Lan Yan steadied herself and quickly replied.