Chapter 392: The Celestial Mansion Appears in the World

As he spoke, Hu Yan waved his hand and shot out a red light, which flew in front of Han Li and floated motionless.

Han Li squinted, seeing that within the red light was a pale golden jade bottle, faintly emitting a heart-penetrating fragrance of medicine.

“This is a bottle of Six Harmony Profound Pills, which not only heals injuries but also helps restore one’s vitality. You have forcefully crossed the Desolate Wind of Despair and encountered Yin Demons, causing considerable damage to your vitality. This will be just right for you,” Hu Yan said slowly.

“Senior Hu Yan is being too courteous. Setting aside everything else, I am already unable to repay you for your timely assistance just now. How could I accept any reward for answering a couple of questions?” Han Li shook his head and waved his hand to send the jade bottle back.

Seeing this, Hu Yan said nothing more and turned his hand to put away the jade bottle.

Han Li paused briefly, then roughly recounted what he had seen and heard in the Black Wind Sea, even mentioning the appearance of people from the Northern Frost Immortal Palace on Black Wind Island.

However, regarding his joining the Reincarnation Hall, since it involved his own secrets, he naturally did not mention it. Although he secretly guessed that Hu Yan was also a member of the Reincarnation Hall, the other had never admitted it.

Upon hearing this, Hu Yan and Yun Ni exchanged glances, their eyes flickering uncertainly, as if pondering something. But they did not seem particularly surprised, as if they had expected it.

“Judging by your expressions, you don’t seem very surprised by the anomalies in the Black Wind Sea or the appearance of people from the Northern Frost Immortal Palace here?” Han Li finished and looked at them with a smile.

Hu Yan raised his white brows slightly at this, while Yun Ni glanced at the old Daoist.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

“If you two seniors find it inconvenient to answer, just consider my words unsaid,” Han Li said with a faint smile.

“Haha, Fellow Daoist Li is so forthright, so I won’t hide anything,” Hu Yan said after a brief hesitation, laughing.

“Hu Yan!” Yun Ni frowned slightly.

“It’s fine. Fellow Daoist Li is not an outsider. Besides, we may need his help with this matter,” Hu Yan waved his hand and said with a meaningful tone.

Yun Ni was taken aback but did not say anything more.

“Senior Hu Yan, what do you mean by that? If there is something difficult to say, you don’t have to,” Han Li frowned slightly. He was now focused on staying out of trouble and did not want to get involved in any troublesome matters.

“Fellow Daoist Li, don’t rush to ask. First, let me finish. This matter may also be a great opportunity for you,” Hu Yan said with a hint of mystery.

“Please go ahead, Senior,” Han Li said after a moment’s thought.

“You mentioned that various natural disasters and anomalies have frequently occurred in the Black Wind Sea over the years. In short, the reason is that a celestial mansion is about to appear, causing disturbances in the spiritual veins. The people from the Northern Frost Immortal Palace came here for this celestial mansion. To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist Li, our trip to the Black Wind Sea is also for this reason,” Hu Yan said slowly, his face grave.

Han Li’s body trembled upon hearing this, and his face showed surprise.

This information was like a thunderclap, exploding in his heart. Even though he had some mental preparation, he still felt shaken.

While shocked, Han Li recalled some puzzling things he had seen before, and now everything suddenly became clear.

The various strange actions of Black Wind Island and Qingyu Island, and the sudden appearance of the Northern Frost Immortal Palace—all were because of this.

Even Jiao San’s painstaking efforts to recruit him into the Reincarnation Hall and the generous reward for refining the Void Essence Pill were probably related to this celestial mansion.

His mind raced, and he let out a light breath, quickly stabilizing his mind and continuing to listen attentively.

“...This celestial mansion is called the Netherfrost Celestial Mansion. It is the legacy cave dwelling of a senior named ‘Netherfrost Celestial Lord’ from countless tens of thousands of years ago. Exactly how many years have passed is no longer verifiable. It is only said that this Celestial Lord used great magical power to seal the mansion into a spatial rift and then disappeared. Since then, every few tens of thousands of years, this mansion appears on its own somewhere in the Northern Frost Immortal Domain... The mansion contains countless treasures, including pills, techniques, and immortal artifacts. Every time it opens, it triggers contention among various forces. It can be said that the Netherfrost Celestial Mansion is the greatest treasure trove in the Northern Frost Immortal Domain,” Hu Yan continued.

As he spoke, he secretly observed Han Li’s expression.

But Han Li’s reaction was somewhat unexpected for Hu Yan. Apart from initial surprise, he remained very calm afterward.

"The Netherfrost Immortal Mansion... sounds intriguing. The opportunity you mentioned, Senior—could it be that you want me to accompany you two to explore this mansion?" Han Li asked after a moment of silence.

"Indeed! Such opportunities are rare. Are you not interested, Fellow Daoist Li?" Huyan nodded and asked.

"From what you say, Senior, this Netherfrost Immortal Mansion has existed for untold years and must have appeared many times. Even if there were treasures inside, wouldn't they have been plundered clean by now?" Han Li countered instead of answering Huyan's question.

"On that point, you need not worry at all. The mansion is filled with layers of mechanisms and restrictions; seizing treasures is no easy task. Many who rashly enter without sufficient strength end up staying there forever, and their belongings become part of the mansion's treasures. Besides, I've heard that during the last opening, someone discovered another hidden realm within the mansion, with who knows what great opportunities inside." Huyan said with a smile.

Han Li did not show the excitement Huyan had expected; instead, he fell silent again.

Seeing Han Li like this, Huyan did not urge him but simply looked at him with a smile.

"Thank you for the invitation, Senior, but exploring such a secret realm, while offering opportunities, also comes with great danger. I will not participate." Han Li looked up after a moment of silence and said.

His most important task now was to find a way to break through to the Golden Immortal stage. This Netherfrost Immortal Mansion, though sounding promising, held unknown dangers within.

More importantly, the North Cold Immortal Palace had sent many people this time, including high-level Golden Immortal cultivators. If they discovered his identity, this mansion might become his grave.

"Are you worried about encountering people from the North Cold Immortal Palace in the mansion, Fellow Daoist Li?" Huyan seemed to see through Han Li's thoughts and spoke.

"I am merely a minor True Immortal cultivator. If I meet anyone from the North Cold Immortal Palace, I would have no power to resist." Han Li did not deny it and nodded.

He had more to say: Huyan and Yun Ni were both wanted by the North Cold Immortal Palace. Entering the Netherfrost Mansion with them would increase the chances of exposure.

"Actually, you need not worry about this at all. I know you have also joined the Wuchang Alliance. The Wuchang masks inherently possess profound illusionary abilities that even Golden Immortals cannot easily see through. If we three use them to change our appearances and pose as rogue cultivators, the North Cold Immortal Palace people likely won't see through our identities. Moreover, every time the Netherfrost Mansion appears, many factions come. This time, Cangliu Palace and Fuling Sect will surely send people. Though the North Cold Immortal Palace is powerful, it is also a target for all. They probably won't have much energy to deal with us 'rogue cultivators.'" Huyan shook his head and said to Han Li.

"Wuchang masks... Senior, are you saying that Cangliu Palace and Fuling Sect have also sent people to the Black Wind Sea?" Han Li asked in surprise.

"Every time the mansion opens, the three major sects, including our Candledragon Sect, have never been absent. Now that the Candledragon Sect has fallen, these two sects have not been much affected. Upon learning of the mansion's appearance, they must have sent people to the Black Wind Sea. And because of the Candledragon Sect, these two sects have grown increasingly hostile toward the North Cold Immortal Palace. They might even join forces within the mansion." Huyan added.

"Senior, do you mean that the North Cold Immortal Palace will likely focus most of its efforts on dealing with them and pay no attention to us?" Han Li asked.

"Exactly." Hu Yan nodded with a smile.

Han Li stroked his chin and fell into thought.

Hu Yan's words did carry some weight—not only the Cangliu Palace and the Fuling Sect, but also the Reincarnation Hall, the Immortal Palace's sworn enemy.

Jiao San had been acting mysteriously, likely preparing to enter the immortal mansion.

With so many overt and covert enemies, the North Cold Immortal Palace probably had little leisure left.

"Moreover, the immortal mansion contains many treasures. With your current cultivation, you might just find an opportunity to break through your bottleneck and achieve the Golden Immortal stage," Hu Yan continued, seeing Han Li's interest.

"Are there treasures in the immortal mansion that can help one break through to Golden Immortal? Please enlighten me, Senior." Han Li's eyes lit up, and he pressed for an answer.

"Well... I've only heard rumors. Though unverified, I think they hold some truth, as someone once found a furnace of top-grade pills that could aid Golden Immortal cultivation inside..." Hu Yan said, slightly startled.

"It seems Senior knows little about the mansion. There may be some treasures inside, but I truly have no desire to risk my life for trivial things." Han Li shook his head after a moment's deliberation.

"Your thinking is reasonable. We cultivators hold our lives precious and should not take risks lightly. But you practice the 'True Word Incarnation Wheel Sutra,' don't you?" Hu Yan suddenly changed the subject.

"Yes." Han Li was taken aback, unsure of Hu Yan's intent, but nodded.

"Hehe, though you cultivate this technique, you may not know its origins well," Hu Yan said with a laugh.

"I would like to ask Senior Hu Yan for guidance." Han Li cupped his hands.

"The 'True Word Incarnation Wheel Sutra' is one of the three supreme techniques of the Candle Dragon Sect, but it was not inherited. It was seized by Sect Master Baili from a sect called the True Word Sect many years ago." Hu Yan explained.