Chapter 512: Parting

"Forget it... hitting you would be a waste of energy." Lu Yun spat lightly.

"Yes, yes, I'm thick-skinned and tough, it doesn't matter. But if I hurt your hand, wouldn't I be heartbroken?" Mo Yu said with a grin.

"Do you really not blame me for what I did back then?" Lu Yun stepped half a pace out of his embrace, her hand resting on the mottled railing, as she asked.

"After you imprisoned me back then, for the first few hundred years I truly couldn't understand. In the following thousand years, I even hated you a little. But as time passed... I only missed you and thought of you, and could no longer hold a grudge." Mo Yu looked at her cloud-like temples and spoke slowly.

"I just didn't expect the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall to react so strongly, daring to attack my Minghan Immortal Mansion. Later, the battle spiraled out of control, and instead, the hypocrites of the Heavenly Court reaped the benefits." Lu Yun sighed.

"It's all in the past, no need to mention it again... Now that we have returned to the Northern Frost Immortal Domain, it's time to settle accounts with the Heavenly Court." Mo Yu's expression also tightened slightly as he raised his hand to put it around Lu Yun's shoulder.

With a crisp "slap," his hand was heavily struck and knocked down.

"From now on, in front of outsiders, don't get handsy!" Lu Yun warned him with her back turned, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

...

Above an unknown expanse of azure sea.

In the void, countless dense streams of light floated and wavered, gathering together to form a square light gate several zhang high. Inside, streams of light swirled, emitting waves of intense spatial fluctuations.

As the dazzling golden light within the gate suddenly flashed, with a "whoosh," a golden beam shot straight out, and two figures, as if riding a golden dragon, flew out from the beam. The light gate then scattered and disappeared.

The two figures flying out from the gate were a white-haired old woman in exotic attire and a burly, dark-skinned man.

These two were none other than Jiao San and Han Li, who had disguised their appearances.

After parting with Mo Yu and the others, they were teleported out of the Minghan Immortal Mansion not long after and arrived here.

"Daoist Jiao San, do you know where this is?" Han Li steadied himself, swept his gaze over the vast sea around them, and asked with some doubt.

"We're still within the Black Wind Sea, but far from Red Moon Island." Jiao San flipped her hand to produce a sea chart shimmering with green light, examined it carefully for a moment, and said to Han Li.

"Could I borrow this map for a look?" Han Li glanced at the sea chart and said.

"It's not worth much. I'll give it to you. Since we're leaving the Black Wind Sea this time, we probably won't come back." Jiao San casually tossed it, and the green sea chart flew into Han Li's hands.

"Thank you." Han Li didn't stand on ceremony; he took the sea chart and cupped his hands in thanks.

"What are your plans next, Daoist Han?" Jiao San raised an eyebrow and asked.

"I have some personal matters to attend to in the Black Wind Sea. After that, I'll probably leave the Black Wind Sea as well." Han Li pondered briefly and replied.

"If you'll take my advice, leaving the Black Wind Sea alone won't be enough. It would be better to leave the Northern Frost Immortal Domain altogether." Jiao San said upon hearing this.

"I'm aware of that. With so many things happening this time, Xiao Jinhan, the Palace Lord of the Northern Frost Immortal Palace, and Gongshu Jiu, the Supervisory Immortal Envoy, have both fallen. Once news reaches the Heavenly Court, the entire Northern Frost Immortal Domain will likely undergo earth-shattering changes. Those of us who entered the Minghan Immortal Mansion will naturally be the focus of the Heavenly Court's pursuit. Besides, I've long been on the Immortal Palace's wanted list." Han Li said after a moment's thought.

This time, in the fierce battle with Gongshu Jiu, although he ultimately killed him with the True Word Wheel of Time, there was too much luck involved.

When he pushed his abilities to the extreme, he indeed had the power to kill a Taiyi Initial Stage Jade Immortal, but limited by his immortal spiritual power, this state could only be maintained for a very short time. Without the attrition caused by the Gray Immortal Mo Yu and the inexplicable resonance of their domains with Jiao San, he would never have succeeded.

Thinking that he would inevitably encounter Heavenly Court Immortal Envoys of such cultivation again in the future, he urgently wanted to improve his strength and become more powerful. However, the upcoming situation in the Northern Frost Immortal Domain would certainly not allow him to cultivate in peace.

He had to leave this place and find a safe haven to continue his cultivation and enhance his realm.

"Daoist Han, your cultivation is unfathomable, and your future should be a broad and promising path. But in reality, it is fraught with dangers; one misstep could lead to eternal damnation." Jiao San looked Han Li up and down for a moment and suddenly said.

"Daoist Jiao San, speak plainly. Why such alarmist talk?" Han Li's expression remained unchanged.

"I'm not being alarmist. You cultivate the Divine Refining Art, which already makes you a thorn in the Heavenly Court's side. Now, involving yourself with the laws of time is like walking a dead-end road. In the future... I'm afraid there is no future." Jiao San said slowly.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Han Li frowned and asked.

"This matter touches upon the fundamentals of the Great Dao and cannot be explained in a few words. If you don't want to walk into a dead end completely, I can recommend you to become a true core member of our Wheel of Reincarnation Hall. Then, with the protection of the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall, it won't be so easy for the Heavenly Court to deal with you." Jiao San said.

"Core members? Wasn't the Son of Reincarnation before a core member?" Han Li asked in return.

"The Son of Reincarnation is indeed a core member of the Hall. But earlier, it was a matter of expediency, and everything was rather hasty. Strictly speaking, the Hall Master and some high-ranking members of the Hall are not yet aware of your existence." Jiao San continued.

"It's not impossible to make me wholeheartedly side with the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall. But does the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall truly have the strength to contend with the Heavenly Court?" Han Li smiled and said.

"Compared to the Heavenly Court, we indeed lack overt power structures like the Immortal Palaces. But lower-level organizations like the Wuchang Alliance and the Shifang Tower are more hidden and countless throughout the Immortal Domain. The energy they contain, I believe you are well aware of." Jiao San continued.

Han Li fell silent, deep in thought.

Just the Wuchang Alliance alone, with its various transactions and information exchanges, was already staggeringly complex, yet it was only one of countless branches under the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall.

From this, one could see how deeply entrenched the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall's power was throughout the Immortal Domain.

"This matter... I still need to think about it." Han Li did not decide immediately.

"No matter. I believe you will eventually come to us willingly." Jiao San had anticipated this outcome and said.

"Regardless, I really can't stay in the Northern Frost Immortal Domain. How can I leave? Please enlighten me." Han Li said.

"Travel between different Immortal Domains varies slightly, but most rely on the 'Qiankun Gate' for cross-realm crossing. During the time of Immortal Lord Minghan, the Northern Frost Immortal Domain had eight Qiankun Gates. However, after a series of changes, most have been destroyed. Now, only the Northern Frost Immortal Palace controls one, built within the Polestar Palace." Jiao San said.

"Only this one? So to go to another Immortal Domain, I have to go through the Northern Frost Immortal Palace?" Han Li couldn't help frowning and hesitated.

"That's one official route. Naturally, our Wheel of Reincarnation Hall cannot use it. So we have opened another path, leading to the nearest Black Mountain Immortal Domain. But compared to the Qiankun Gate, it is much more time-consuming and labor-intensive." Jiao San shook her head and continued.

"What do you mean?" Han Li raised an eyebrow and asked.

"You may not know, but besides a few Immortal Domains that are directly adjacent, most are separated by the Primordial Wasteland. The distances vary, but all are extremely dangerous. After millions of years of exploration, our Wheel of Reincarnation Hall has managed to open a relatively safe route within it." Jiao San explained.

"Crossing the Primordial Wasteland? Why not build another Qiankun Gate? Wouldn't that be safer and more convenient?" Han Li frowned and asked.

"Don't think of the Qiankun Gate as an ordinary ultra-long-distance teleportation array. It requires the full participation of Golden Immortal or above cultivators proficient in spatial laws, combined with the utmost effort of formation masters, and consumes unimaginably vast resources to build. Not everyone can afford it." Jiao San continued.

"Other forces might not be able to build one, but the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall shouldn't have financial worries, right?" Han Li smiled.

"True. With our Hall's wealth, building one in an Immortal Domain is nothing; even three or four would be no problem. But the issue is that when the Qiankun Gate operates, it involves the power of spatial laws and cannot hide its traces. If we build it within the Heavenly Court's sphere of influence, how could we use it for long? In the end, it would only benefit the Heavenly Court." Jiao San said.

"Indeed. So this route..." Han Li looked at Jiao San, hesitating.

"Since you are ostensibly the Son of Reincarnation, using this route is within your authority. I can tell you." Jiao San nodded.

With that, she flipped her hand and produced a white jade token, tossing it to Han Li.

"The information about this route is all within this jade token." Before Han Li could speak, Jiao San said.

"Why not use this jade token as a bargaining chip to recruit me into the core of the Wheel of Reincarnation Hall?" Han Li caught the token and raised an eyebrow.

"No need. I believe that in the near future, you will willingly join on your own. By the way, I can now give you the fifth layer of the Divine Refining Art, as promised earlier." Jiao San shook her head and said.

With that, she flipped her hand again, and a black jade slip appeared in her palm, which she tossed high to Han Li.

Han Li reached out and caught it. After a brief inspection, he stored it in his storage bracelet.

"Daoist Jiao San, you are true to your word. Han Li thanks you." A hint of joy flashed in Han Li's eyes as he cupped his hands.

"I still have matters to attend to in the Northern Frost Immortal Domain. Let's part ways here. Until we meet again." With that, Jiao San turned to leave.

Just as she was about to fly away, she turned back and said, "Daoist Han, your cautious nature is very similar to an old acquaintance of mine. If you two meet someday, you should get along well."

After speaking, she transformed into a streak of rainbow light and flew off, disappearing over the horizon.