Chapter 711: Taking Risks

"The Netherworld Domain is the most conservative and ruthless of the three major powers in this Grey Realm region. It has never allowed outsiders from other realms to set foot on its territory, let alone immortals from the Celestial Realm. Once you step in and are discovered, there is absolutely no chance of escape," Bai Liyan said slowly.

"I had heard before that the Grey Realm is divided into three major powers, but I didn't know the reasons behind it. I would like to ask you, Domain Lord Bai, to enlighten me," Han Li said, not continuing the discussion on whether to infiltrate the Netherworld Domain, but instead asking another question.

"Very well, I'll tell you. In the Grey Realm, the radical faction consists of many domains under the leadership of the Reincarnation Palace Lord, who advocates uniting the Grey Realm's forces to attack the Celestial Realm. The conservative faction, on the other hand, is led by the Netherworld Domain Lord and comprises many domains that believe the Celestial Realm's continuous infiltration into the Grey Realm is entirely caused by the Reincarnation Domain's mischief. Thus, they advocate for rectifying the Grey Realm's forces but are unwilling to engage with the Celestial Realm. The third faction is a group of domains led by the Black Rope Domain Lord, who wish to maintain the status quo—neither actively attacking the Celestial Realm nor engaging in internal strife and consumption," Bai Liyan glanced at Han Li, hesitated briefly, and explained.

"So that's the reason. But since they are all forces of the Grey Realm, why do they hold such different views toward the Celestial Realm?" Han Li nodded thoughtfully and asked again.

"This is determined by the composition of the tribes within each faction. The Reincarnation Domain is mostly populated by Three-Corpse Immortals, who have a strong obsession with the Celestial Realm and naturally wish to return there. The Netherworld Domain, on the other hand, is dominated by native Grey Immortals, who advocate for holding their ground and avoiding conflict with the Celestial Realm. As for the Black Rope Domain, although its members are mostly native Grey Immortals, they are dissatisfied with the Netherworld Domain's tyranny on one hand, and on the other hand lack trust in the Three-Corpse Grey Immortals of the Reincarnation Domain, thus wavering between the two," Bai Liyan continued.

"I see. But may I ask, what are these 'Three-Corpse Grey Immortals' you mentioned?" Han Li asked, somewhat puzzled.

"You may not know this, Fellow Daoist Li, but before a Celestial Realm cultivator achieves the Dao Ancestor realm at the Great Luo stage, they must sever their three corpse souls, cutting off all worldly attachments and root thoughts. What is severed is called the 'Three Corpses,' which are mostly the deepest obsessions of Great Luo cultivators on their path to the Great Way. From the moment they are severed, they become mortal enemies of the original body. Due to various reasons, these Three Corpses enter the Grey Realm and form the Three-Corpse Immortals," Bai Liyan explained.

Han Li listened, feeling confused and sensing many doubts. Just as he was about to ask, Bai Liyan waved his hand and continued, "The severing of the Three Corpses has always been a closely guarded secret among Great Luo cultivators, not easily shared with others. I am still far from that step, and the information I can obtain is limited, so I cannot answer your other questions."

"If that's the case, then there's no way for me to enter the Netherworld Domain?" Han Li said with a bitter smile, then added.

"In the past, you indeed could not infiltrate the Netherworld Domain. But even if there is now an opportunity to sneak in, your chances of finding the Cleansing Pool are extremely slim, not to mention that entering the Cleansing Pool itself carries fatal risks," Bai Liyan shook his head and said.

"To be honest, my Calamity of Decay is very special. I have tried many methods before, but none worked. The Cleansing Pool might be the only way to help me rid myself of the decay energy and enter the Tai Yi realm. Since you say there is now an opportunity to infiltrate the Netherworld Domain, I am unwilling to miss it. Please tell me the truth, and I, Li, will be deeply grateful," Han Li said with a solemn expression, cupping his hands toward Bai Liyan.

Bai Liyan listened and fell silent for a long time, as if caught in a difficult dilemma.

Han Li did not urge him, quietly waiting for his decision.

"Forget it. Many of the things I mentioned earlier involve numerous secrets and should not have been told to you. But since you have shown me kindness and are definitely not a member of the Heavenly Court, I will tell you everything. The reason I came to this 'Youhe City' is to represent the Reincarnation Domain in persuading the Black Tooth Domain to join our faction and vote for us in the upcoming 'Three-Domain Alliance Meeting.' And the location of the Three-Domain Alliance Meeting is in the Rakshasa City of the Netherworld Domain," Bai Liyan let out a long sigh and then said.

"If that's the case, I can take advantage of this alliance meeting to enter the Netherworld Domain. If so, can I follow Fellow Daoist Baili to attend this meeting?" Han Li's eyes lit up slightly as he spoke.

"The Three-Domain Alliance concerns the Gray Realm's mainstream attitude toward the Immortal Realm and is very important. I am now on a mission to contact more neutral forces like the Black Tooth Domain under the jurisdiction of the Black Rope Domain Lord, to gain an advantage for the Reincarnation Domain. Moreover, you are not truly a member of the Reincarnation Hall, so I cannot bring you along," Baili Yan shook his head.

"That makes sense. It would indeed be inconvenient for me to follow you. Since Fellow Daoist Baili has come to win over Lord Miao Gao, the Black Tooth Domain will certainly attend this meeting. I can go with them to the Netherworld Domain," Han Li nodded.

"Are you really sure you want to go to the Netherworld Domain? Although this alliance meeting is an opportunity, the various races of the Netherworld will surely strengthen their defenses around the sacred land. The risk is beyond your imagination. You must think it through," Baili Yan still felt uneasy.

"Rest assured, Lord Baili, I know my limits," Han Li smiled and nodded.

"Fellow Daoist Huyan once said you were no ordinary man, and his judgment was indeed unique. I just didn't expect us to meet again under these circumstances," Baili Yan saw this and no longer insisted, letting out a hearty laugh.

"He is now enjoying himself immensely, something we cannot envy. Fortunately, I learned quite a few brewing methods from him back then. I still have some wine here. Would Lord Baili like a drink?" Han Li asked with a smile.

"One cup is not enough! Ten jars or a hundred jars wouldn't be enough, haha..." Baili Yan laughed heartily.

The two talked happily and only bid farewell near dawn, each returning to their own residence.

Not long after, Baili Yan left Youhe City.

That afternoon, Miao Xiu visited Mo Guang again, mentioning that she would accompany her father to Shura City for the 'Three-Domain Alliance'.

Entrusted by Han Li, Mo Guang immediately expressed great interest in this alliance meeting and said he would go with Miao Gao and the others to attend, taking the opportunity to tour the scenery of the Netherworld Domain.

Miao Xiu did not agree on the spot, saying she needed to report back to Miao Gao and let her father make the decision.

Soon after, she brought back news that her father had agreed, and they could all go to Shura City together.

Han Li was a bit surprised at first, but quickly figured out the reasoning behind it.

The Nicida Domain that had attacked the Tamuda Assembly before was a minor domain under the Jiuyou Domain, showing that before the alliance produced results, relations between domains were unstable.

Traveling all the way to the Jiuyou Domain with Han Li and the other two naturally greatly enhanced their safety, so why wouldn't they be willing?

However, because too many tribes were participating in this assembly, the scheduled gathering time was still far off, and there was still half a year before Miao Gao and his group set out for the Jiuyou Domain.

……

Several months later, the day of departure finally arrived.

On the square before the lord's mansion was moored a huge three-story ship, the very one Han Li and the others had taken before, but the carriage horses were much larger than the previous three, with three pairs of fleshy wings on their backs.

Han Li, the two others, Miao Gao, Miao Xiu, and a gray-robed man with an aquiline nose—a party of six—walked out the gate.

"Three of you, we must first go to Heichi City in the Heichi Domain to meet the domain lord, then proceed together to the Jiuyou Domain," Miao Gao said to Han Li and the others.

"We are merely accompanying you to have a look; Lord Miao may proceed as usual," Mo Guang nodded and said with a smile.

Han Li and the other stood by without speaking.

"This tri-domain alliance is a major event in the Gray Realm, and every domain attaches great importance to it. Please accept these three guest elder tokens to avoid being questioned about your identities." Miao Gao flipped his hand and produced three black tokens, handing them over.

Han Li and the others took them, put them away with a flip of their hands, and uttered a word of thanks.

"May I ask, Lord Miao, how long will it take to travel from here to Heichi City?" Mo Guang asked.

"Heichi City is located at the center of the Heichi Domain. Although these three six-winged horses are much faster than four-winged ones, it will still take about a dozen years," Miao Gao said.

Mo Guang nodded and said nothing.

"A dozen years..." Han Li's eyes flickered slightly, and he furrowed his brow.

He had been in the Gray Realm for only a few years, yet the accumulated baleful qi had already triggered a riot of baleful qi within his immortal apertures. If he did not devise a countermeasure, it would likely erupt several times over a dozen years.

"It's about time. Board the ship, please." Miao Gao made a gesture of invitation to Mo Guang. After the three boarded, he also stepped onto the ship.

The gray-robed youth walked to the bow and made hand seals. The carriage horses spread their fleshy wings, pulling the ship into the sky, soon disappearing into the distant horizon.

Miao Xiu then arranged rooms for the three, the same ones they had occupied before.

As soon as Han Li entered his room, he closed the door and laid down several layers of restrictions. Then, with a wave of his arm, a flash of golden lightning, and the figure of Crab Daoist appeared.

"Fellow Daoist Crab, I must trouble you to keep watch here for me," Han Li said to Crab Daoist.

As he spoke, he moved his finger, and a silver-white light door materialized.

Crab Daoist said nothing, merely nodded.

Han Li gave a slight nod to Crab Daoist, then with a flicker of his body, he flew into the light door and entered the Flower Branch Space.

By hiding in the Flower Branch Space and avoiding contact with external baleful qi, he could greatly delay the eruption of baleful qi within his immortal apertures.

Han Li sat cross-legged in a secret chamber of the pavilion. With a flip of his hand and a flash of green light, a pile of materials appeared beside him—the ingredients for the Suppressing Baleful Pill.

He had collected a good number of the other ingredients for the Suppressing Baleful Pill last time and stored them in his storage device. Now, having obtained the two main ingredients, Xuanzhi Crystal and Kuluo Flower, by chance, he could finally start alchemy again.

After arranging the various materials in order, Han Li did not immediately begin alchemy. Instead, he flipped his hand and produced a map—a map of the Heichi Domain.

He lightly traced his finger between Youhe City and Heichi City, a smile appearing on his face. Then he put away the map and slowly closed his eyes.