Chapter 523: Comforting the Wind and Dust

Daoist Hu Yan laughed heartily, flicked his sleeve, and a red flash appeared on the table, revealing an orange-red wine jar about a foot high. From the ancient patterns on the jar and the archaic inscriptions engraved on it, it was clearly quite old.

Even before it was unsealed, a peculiar aroma of wine had already seeped through the jar, spreading leisurely into the surroundings.

"Excellent wine! This fragrance, ethereal as clouds—could it be 'Dream of Spring and Autumn'?" Han Li, having discussed the art of wine with Daoist Hu Yan, had become quite knowledgeable in judging various fine wines.

"Haha, exactly! The main ingredient of this jar of 'Dream of Spring and Autumn' is the Cloud-Birth Fruit. I have no idea how many tens of thousands of years I spent on this wine." Daoist Hu Yan gave Han Li a thumbs-up, patted open the seal, and, as if performing a magic trick, produced three jade-white wine cups, pouring three servings.

The wine was clear and pure, like a mirror, with a faint red hue. Placed in the white cups, it enhanced the wine's color even more.

"Excellent wine!" Han Li took a sip, and his eyes immediately lit up.

As soon as the wine entered his mouth, even though he was prepared, the red liquid instantly transformed into a soft, cloud-like warmth that permeated every part of his soul, leaving no part untouched by comfort.

The wine also contained extremely pure immortal spiritual power. His dantian, which had been somewhat depleted after the battle with the two from Cangliu Palace, rapidly recovered, becoming full and abundant.

"Of course! If you talk about cultivation and strength, I, Daoist Hu Yan, am only average and probably not even ranked in the Northern Cold Immortal Domain. But when it comes to brewing fine wine, with this jar of 'Dream of Spring and Autumn,' I am absolutely second to none!" Daoist Hu Yan said proudly.

"As soon as you drink, you lose all sense of proportion and brag wildly!" Yun Ni shot a glare at Daoist Hu Yan, but still raised her cup and took a small sip.

The three drank together, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then began to talk about what had happened since they parted.

It turned out that after Daoist Hu Yan and Yun Ni left, they immediately concealed their traces, but soon after, they were inexplicably teleported out of the Minghan Immortal Mansion and appeared in the Black Wind Sea.

After some discussion, the two did not risk crossing the Luopo Jingfeng again. Instead, like Han Li, they planned to find a way to use a teleportation array to leave. Unexpectedly, they encountered people from Cangliu Palace activating a teleportation array. The two then took the opportunity to disguise their appearances and blend into the crowd being teleported.

"So that's it. During the teleportation earlier, I sensed two fairly familiar Golden Immortal auras. I suppose they were the two of you?" Han Li said with a chuckle.

"Indeed. Who would have thought that Fellow Daoist Li would openly snatch the right to teleport right in front of the Cangliu Palace crowd? Tsk tsk, truly domineering," Daoist Hu Yan said with a laugh.

"When I arrived at Black Wind City, the teleportation array was about to activate. In a pinch, I had no choice but to resort to that," Han Li said with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Li, after we left that day, what was the outcome of your battle with that Gongshu Jiu?" Yun Ni suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Daoist Hu Yan's expression also turned serious.

"Gongshu Jiu is dead." Han Li raised his cup, drained it in one gulp, and said calmly.

Daoist Hu Yan and Yun Ni, seeing Han Li safe and sound, had already guessed this outcome, but upon hearing it, they still exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Li's divine abilities are now far beyond our imagination. Even a Taiyi realm cultivator is no match for you. Truly a prodigy. I toast to you." Yun Ni's eyes showed admiration as she raised her cup.

"Heh, back at Zhulong Dao, I knew that young Li was extraordinary. Who would have thought that in just a few hundred years... Cheers." Daoist Hu Yan laughed heartily and also raised his cup.

"That Gongshu Jiu died at the hands of several people working together. I only contributed a little effort. You flatter me too much." Han Li humbly said, then drained another full cup.

"And that Gray Immortal?" Daoist Hu Yan asked again.

"After Gongshu Jiu fell, that person left quickly and did not trouble me. After I left the Taiyi Hall, I was suddenly teleported out of the mansion not long after. I suspect someone was secretly controlling everything. Based on the timing, my time in the mansion had not yet expired." Han Li's mind turned, but he did not tell them about Lu Yuqing.

"Indeed, it was likely the work of that Gray Immortal... It is said that this person had some connection with Minghan Immortal Lord back in the day and should be quite familiar with some of the mansion's restrictions. Fortunately, he is not a bloodthirsty person; otherwise, even if we had left the battlefield, we would not have escaped his grasp." Daoist Hu Yan said with a relieved expression.

"For a Gray Immortal to have such a temperament—it seems different from the rumors." Han Li nodded thoughtfully, also feeling quite fortunate.

"This time, the Heavenly Court lost a Supervisory Immortal Envoy in the Minghan Immortal Mansion. This is no small matter. I'm afraid a new Supervisory Immortal Envoy will soon descend on the Northern Cold Immortal Domain to investigate. Those Supervisory Envoys all possess secret supervisory techniques. You must be very careful." Daoist Hu Yan put down his cup and warned solemnly.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Hu Yan. I will be careful to conceal my traces from now on." Han Li's heart tightened as he said.

"With your divine abilities and your possession of a supreme law, as long as you hide carefully, you should be fine. If the Northern Cold Immortal Domain truly cannot accommodate you, just leave." Daoist Hu Yan waved his hand and said.

"Does Fellow Daoist Hu Yan happen to know a way to leave the Northern Cold Immortal Domain?" Han Li's heart stirred as he asked.

"I once heard from Palace Master Baili that the Northern Cold Immortal Palace has a Qiankun Gate connecting to other immortal domains. However, it is said that each use consumes no small amount of resources, and even the Palace Master may not be able to use it easily. People like us naturally have no qualifications to use it. Even if we tried to force our way in, it would be like seeking death now. I'm afraid that before we find a way, the Heavenly Court might already send someone." Daoist Hu Yan said thoughtfully.

"I've heard a little about that as well. That path is naturally impassable. Are there any other ways?" Han Li shook his head and asked again.

"There are other ways, of course. One could be considered a makeshift solution—crossing the desolate borderlands between the immortal domains. I'm not exaggerating; the danger of the desolate borderlands is no less than storming the North Cold Immortal Palace. Even a Taiyi cultivator cannot be sure of a safe passage. But it is said that the Reincarnation Palace has opened a relatively safe passage through the desolate borderlands, though I don't know where that place is." Hu Yan Daoist glanced at Yun Ni and said gravely.

Han Li nodded upon hearing this.

So it seemed that what Jiao San had told him back then was largely true. As for the safe passage opened by the Reincarnation Palace, presumably because he hadn't agreed to truly join them, they hadn't mentioned it to him. That was understandable.

"Brother Li, the danger of the desolate borderlands lies mainly in its unknowns. Many cultivators have attempted to cross it, but given the vastness of the immortal domains, most never return. Unless necessary, it's best not to try lightly," Yun Ni also spoke.

"Thank you both for informing and reminding me. I will treat this matter with caution. What plans do you two have next? Now that your identities have been exposed, the Heavenly Court will not let you off either." Han Li cupped his hands toward Hu Yan and the other, then changed the subject.

"We will naturally hide carefully. Don't worry about us, lad Li. I won't hide it from you—now that Sect Master Bai has taken the Taiyi Pill, his advancement to the Taiyi realm is imminent. When that time comes, what fear will we have of the Inspection Immortal Envoys!" Hu Yan Daoist chuckled.

"Then let me offer my congratulations in advance to Sect Master Bai on reaching the Taiyi realm soon!" Han Li said with a smile.

"Sect Master Bai is currently in seclusion, hastening the refinement of the Taiyi Pill, so he probably cannot come out to meet you. But he is very grateful for your help this time and is quite interested in you. If fate allows in the future, we'll drink together and chat happily." Hu Yan Daoist laughed heartily.

"Certainly," Han Li smiled.

The three chatted for a while about the situation in the North Cold Immortal Domain and possible future developments, then turned to exchange cultivation experiences.

The pot of Immortal Cloud Wine was soon finished, but Hu Yan Daoist had countless fine wines on him and immediately took out a new jar.

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye, the sun slanted westward and night fell.

The three had enjoyed their conversation immensely and felt reluctant to part, but now it was time to say goodbye.

"All feasts must end. It's getting late; we should be going. Lad Li, I won't say much else—take care!" Hu Yan Daoist stood up, put away the table and chairs, and said.

Yun Ni also bowed to Han Li.

"Both of you, take care," Han Li nodded.

Huyan Daoist laughed heartily, his sleeves billowing as he waved a hand, sending forth a red light like blazing flames that enveloped Yun Ni beside him.

The two of them then rose into the air amidst swirling clouds, flying hand in hand toward the distant sun about to sink below the horizon, like a blaze rushing toward the sunset, growing smaller yet brighter.

"I have a flask of wine, enough to soothe the dust of the road.

Pour it all into the river and sea, to offer a drink to all the world.

I have a flask of wine, enough to soothe the dust of the road.

When sealed, I gather friends; when opened, I am alone.

I have a flask of wine, enough to soothe the dust of the road.

Drunk, I spend my youth; waking, my hair has turned white.

I have a flask of wine, enough to soothe the dust of the road.

The Great Dao has thirty million paths; with true feeling, the Dao runs deep.

Facing the wind, I let out a long howl; shaking my robes, I ascend Kunlun.

The vast waves and starry fields stretch wide; radiant light scorns the Heavenly Gate.

Turning my head, my home mountains are far; clouds shift, mountains lie across.

Only when the clash of arms ceases, I offer a drink to all the world..."

A melodious and resounding song suddenly came, male and female voices harmonizing, echoing all around, growing fainter and farther, and with the disappearance of that red shadow, it too dissipated into the dusky sky.

Han Li stood with his hands behind his back, letting the evening wind rustle his robes, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the direction of the setting sun, like a statue.

After a long while, he suddenly turned his head, raised his hand to offer up the jade-green flying carriage, and transformed into a mass of green light, shooting off in another direction.