Chapter 405: Gathering

Han Li studied the silver-robed woman, a flicker of shock in his eyes.

The silver-robed woman's aura was faint and elusive; even with his formidable spiritual sense, he could barely detect her cultivation level.

Han Li had only experienced this with Xiao Jinhan and Bai Liyan; even Luo Qinghai did not give him such a feeling.

He glanced at her twice, then slightly closed his eyes, concentrating his mind.

This woman was none other than Qu Ling.

At her waist hung a small golden pouch, its surface translucent with spiritual light, faintly revealing several peculiar patterns, from which emanated a fluctuation of laws.

Just then, the small pouch trembled almost imperceptibly.

Qu Ling's expression shifted slightly, and her jade hand brushed over the pouch without leaving a trace.

A silver light ball appeared in her palm and swiftly seeped into the pouch.

A barely noticeable layer of light emerged on the surface of the golden pouch, and it immediately returned to calm.

Han Li's heart jolted; he opened his eyes, a strange glint flashing within them.

But he quickly lowered his eyelids, concealing the expression in his eyes.

At that moment, Qu Ling raised her head and looked toward the crowd in the cave, a silver light flashing in her eyes.

Most people were gazing at her, and as their eyes met, they felt as if pricked by needles, sharp and painful.

The majority of those present changed expression and hastily averted their gaze.

Some with slightly lower cultivation turned pale, and a few even groaned as if suffering some hidden injury.

The Golden Immortal cultivators from several factions frowned, staring at Qu Ling, but said nothing.

“So it’s Fellow Daoist Qu Ling. I never thought you would be interested in the Minghan Immortal Mansion this time. Quite rare.” Luo Qinghai frowned slightly and spoke.

Just now, two True Immortal cultivators from the Cangliu Palace had also turned pale under the unexpected assault, suffering minor hidden injuries—not a good omen for the upcoming expedition to the Immortal Mansion.

“Even Palace Lord Luo, who rarely leaves seclusion, has come in person. Why can’t I?” Qu Ling glanced at Luo Qinghai and said indifferently.

“This Minghan Immortal Mansion is not the property of our Cangliu Palace; Fellow Daoist Qu is naturally welcome. However, you gave these juniors a show of force as soon as you arrived—does that befit your status?” Luo Qinghai said with a faint smile.

“Then please, Great Palace Lord Luo, keep your juniors in line and tell them not to stare at people with their eyes, or else I won’t mind teaching them a lesson on behalf of Cangliu Palace.” Qu Ling sneered, expressionless.

The other Golden Immortals of Cangliu Palace grew furious and were about to speak, but Luo Qinghai raised a hand to stop them.

“Hehe, Fellow Daoist Qu is right; these juniors were indeed rude first. It’s been many years, and your divine abilities seem to have advanced considerably—impressive.” Luo Qinghai smiled faintly.

Qu Ling glanced twice at the black restriction, found a spot in the cave to stand, and showed no intention of acknowledging Luo Qinghai further.

Luo Qinghai was not offended; he maintained his smile and looked away, appearing as composed as before.

“Senior Huyan, who is this woman? Even Luo Qinghai seems reluctant to provoke her.” Han Li transmitted his voice to inquire.

“This woman is named Qu Ling. Though she rarely moves in the outside world, she is a fairly famous Golden Immortal cultivator in this realm. She had already reached the late Golden Immortal stage over a hundred thousand years ago, and now her cultivation seems to have advanced further.” Huyan Daoist replied via voice transmission.

Han Li’s pupils contracted; he had thought as much.

“This woman excels at driving all kinds of spirit beasts. Though her cultivation is high, her true strength lies in the myriad bizarre spirit beasts and spirit insects she possesses. Moreover, she is extreme and ruthless in temperament, unpredictable. Even the North Cold Immortal Palace would be unwilling to provoke such a character. If you encounter her in the Immortal Mansion, stay far away and never anger her.” Huyan Daoist continued via voice transmission.

“Yes, thank you for the reminder, Senior. I will remember.” Han Li nodded, a faint glimmer flashing in his eyes.

Time passed slowly, and half a day went by.

The crowd in the cave grew restless again, especially those from the Ghost Cry Sect.

The pockmarked old man’s gaze shifted back and forth between the cave entrance and the black light barrier.

Just then, the sound of tearing air came from the cave entrance. The pockmarked old man and others showed joy as a group of gray-clad figures appeared at the entrance—it was the Fuling Sect contingent led by Feng Tiandu and the one-eyed giant.

“Haha, Elder Feng, Sect Leader Qi, I have been waiting for you for quite some time.” Luo Qinghai laughed and rose to greet them.

The others in the cave had varied expressions upon seeing the Fuling Sect group.

“Hehe, Palace Lord Luo, I didn’t expect you to arrive so early. Tsk tsk, bringing so many elite troops, it seems you are determined to seize the treasures of the Minghan Immortal Mansion.” The one-eyed giant, Sect Leader of Fuling Sect, said with a smirk.

“Not at all. With Elder Feng and Sect Leader Qi here, that thing will surely escape your grasp. I am merely bringing these reckless disciples to broaden their horizons and have no intention of contending with you two for that thing.” Luo Qinghai waved his hand and said with a smile.

“Palace Lord Luo is still so modest.” The one-eyed giant sneered a few times, clearly not believing a word of Luo Qinghai’s words. His single eye swept over the others in the cave.

Feng Tiandu had been silent since entering, his wooden eyes also scanning the crowd. He had changed into a clean gray robe; though his complexion was still corpse-like, he looked much more normal than before, and the chains on his body had completely disappeared.

Suddenly, Feng Tiandu’s gaze stopped, landing on one person—Qu Ling.

“Fellow Daoist Qu is here too.” Feng Tiandu spoke with slight surprise.

“Fellow Daoist Feng.” Qu Ling raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly.

Han Li was startled by this and secretly assessed Feng Tiandu.

Since entering the cave, Qu Ling had been arrogant, unchanged even before Luo Qinghai, but she seemed much more restrained in front of this man.

However, this zombie-like man’s cultivation was indeed astonishing, giving Han Li a feeling no weaker than Qu Ling’s.

“Senior Huyan, are these people from the Fuling Sect?” Han Li transmitted his voice to Huyan Daoist.

“Yes, that one-eyed giant is the Fuling Sect Leader, Qi Tianxiao. He is usually low-key, so his reputation is not widespread. As for that zombie-like cultivator, he is the Great Elder of Fuling Sect, Feng Tiandu, who has a great reputation in our North Cold Domain. He, along with Bai Liyan and Xiao Jinhan of the North Cold Immortal Palace, were known as the Three Peerless Golden Immortals many years ago. But tens of thousands of years ago, for some unknown reason, he went into seclusion and never came out. I never thought he would come here this time.” Huyan Daoist introduced him carefully, his voice slightly low.

Han Li’s heart stirred upon hearing this.

He carefully studied Feng Tiandu, feeling inexplicably that this man’s aura was somewhat familiar—had he seen him somewhere?

Just then, Feng Tiandu seemed to sense Han Li’s gaze and turned to look at him.

Their eyes met, and Han Li’s heart skipped a beat; he felt a chill, as if Feng Tiandu’s gaze had pierced through him, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

Han Li quickly averted his eyes.

Feng Tiandu gave Han Li a deep look, a strange glint flashing in his eyes, but he soon looked away, focusing on the black restriction in the cave.

“Palace Lord Luo, are the people from the North Cold Immortal Palace inside there?” Feng Tiandu squinted and asked.

“Yes, they are all inside.” Luo Qinghai nodded.

Feng Tiandu studied the black light barrier for a moment, then raised a hand.

With a soft “whoosh,”

a black light arrow shot from his palm and struck the black light barrier in a flash.

The arrow seemed ordinary and not very bright, but upon hitting the black light barrier, it caused the spot to tremble violently, rippling like water waves.

However, countless black lights immediately emerged on the black light barrier, coalescing into patterns resembling the Nine Palaces.

A peculiar restrictive force emerged, and the ripples on the barrier quickly disappeared, calming down within a few breaths.

“The Nine Huan Xuan Cang Sealing Method—indeed Xiao Jinhan’s handiwork.” Feng Tiandu said indifferently, then looked at Luo Qinghai.

“Elder Feng has keen eyes.” Luo Qinghai laughed.

“This restriction is formidable, but with Palace Lord Luo’s transcendent cultivation and the strength of the Cangliu Palace elders, breaking it should not be difficult. Why hasn’t Palace Lord Luo acted?” Feng Tiandu asked slowly.

“Haha, Elder Feng flatters me. I do not have such ability. Besides, since everyone wants to enter the Immortal Mansion, it is only right to break the restriction together.” Luo Qinghai laughed heartily.

“Palace Lord Luo speaks truly. Fellow Daoist Qu, what do you think?” Feng Tiandu’s gaze deepened as he looked at Qu Ling.

Qu Ling said nothing, merely nodded.

“Good. Since we all understand, I’ll spare the superfluous words. Fellow Daoists present, let us join forces for now, first force the North Cold Immortal Palace to open the restriction, and enter the Immortal Mansion together. As for how many treasures we obtain inside, let each rely on their own abilities—how about it?” Feng Tiandu turned to look at the surrounding crowd and spoke loudly.

“Good!”

“No problem!”

Those nearby exchanged glances and nodded one after another.

Feng Tiandu nodded slightly and, without further hesitation, rose into the air and flew to land before the black restriction.

The Fuling Sect members quickly followed, and cultivators from other factions also stepped forward, all gathering before the black restriction.

Han Li and the others naturally did not lag behind, but as Han Li shot forward, he fell behind, standing in an inconspicuous corner at the back of the crowd.

An immense pressure emanated from the crowd, merging together and pressing toward the black restriction.

Even the void seemed unable to withstand this pressure, trembling gently, and the entire cave rumbled and shook.

The black restriction fluctuated, its surface flickering with black light.

“Xiao Jinhan, you used schemes to seal the entrance of the Immortal Mansion, trying to monopolize it. Unfortunately, man proposes, heaven disposes. Now the situation has reversed. Open the restriction quickly, or we won’t hesitate to break it by force!” Feng Tiandu sneered and said slowly.

Though the black restriction’s light trembled, it showed no sign of opening.