"What are you doing here? You've also advanced to Deity Transformation?" The silver-robed woman was none other than the former Ice Sea's sovereign — the Ten-Level Ice Phoenix transformed into human form. Her expression was somewhat unsightly.
After all, she had personally witnessed
After all, there might be well over a hundred Late Nascent Soul cultivators in this realm, but those who could reach Deity Transformation were few enough to count on one's hands.
"Heh heh, hasn't Fairy Feng likewise advanced to Deity Transformation? Though I don't know how Fellow Daoist learned of this place, you must have come for the spatial node. If that's the case, why not come down and have a face-to-face discussion with me? This matter — there's no reason the two of us cannot cooperate once." Han Li chuckled lightly, sending his voice over in a slow transmission.
As his words fell, the thunderfire that had been bombarding the hurricane ceased abruptly, and the surrounding restrictions shut themselves down of their own accord. The four Core Formation cultivators who had been flying up from below had long since heard Han Li's transmission. Upon learning that the woman before them was a Deity Transformation demon cultivator, their faces turned pale. Without a moment's hesitation, they respectfully lined up on either side, as though they had originally come to greet the silver-robed woman.
The Ice Phoenix remained silent for a moment, then arched one slender brow. Without so much as glancing at those four Core Formation cultivators, she transformed into a streak of silver light and descended toward the island below.
Han Li's four subordinates inwardly let a huge sigh of relief and immediately followed close behind, wisely guiding the woman toward the largest pavilion on the island.
From a distance, the woman could already see a young man standing at the entrance of the pavilion, his robes billowing in the wind, a faint smile on his face as he looked toward her.
It was none other than that human cultivator who had once made her grind her teeth in hatred.
"Fellow Daoist Han certainly moves quickly — you've already claimed this island ahead of me. Where is the spatial node?" the silver-robed woman said, her tone anything but pleasant. She alighted from her light-borne flight some ten-odd zhang from Han Li and asked bluntly.
Han Li smiled. He first waved to the four Core Formation cultivators who had followed behind her, and the four immediately understood, retreating respectfully.
Only then did he reply at a leisurely pace:
"Fellow Daoist has already arrived here, so why the rush? The spatial node is not far from this location. After we've finished our discussion, I can personally lead you there. How does that sound?"
"What is there to discuss with you? Don't tell me you think that after also reaching Deity Transformation, you can still dominate me?" A frosty mask descended over the woman's face, yet her words involuntarily betrayed a hint of wariness toward Han Li.
"Fellow Daoist seeks the spatial node because you wish to ascend to the
"Cooperate? With a human cultivator?" A trace of mockery curled at the corner of the Ice Phoenix's lips.
"I trust Fairy already knows the fate of Xiang and the others. Otherwise, you wouldn't have appeared here. Fellow Daoist possesses innate spatial abilities — you can tear through the surrounding space at will and traverse it freely. This will be of tremendous use when we enter the spatial node and face the Inter-realm Force. As for my own abilities, Fellow Daoist has seen them firsthand — they are certainly no inferior to yours. Moreover, I carry two Heaven-defying Spirit Treasures, so I assure you I will not be a burden to Fairy. With the two of us joining forces, entering the spatial node will be far safer than going in alone. Otherwise, you've seen what happened to Xiang and the rest. I hear that old demon Che entered a different spatial node. Although that old monster left behind no Primordial Spirit lamp, so we cannot know the outcome, the node entrance there is even more violent than this one. I would say his prospects are far from optimistic." Han Li urged in an unhurried manner.
The silver-robed woman listened to all of this, her face like a sheet of ice. Silver light flashed within her phoenix eyes, and she said coldly:
"After advancing to Deity Transformation, my lifespan has effectively doubled. Even if I remain in the Human Realm for tens of thousands of years more, it will make no difference. Why should I be in such a hurry to ascend to the Spirit Realm, much less cooperate with you?"
"Oh? But what happens when that lifespan runs out? Does Fairy Feng really think that spatial nodes in this realm are so easy to find, and that they will remain stable for that long?" Han Li stroked his chin, a smile that was not quite a smile appearing on his face.
"What do you mean by that?" The silver-robed woman's expression shifted the moment she heard those words.
"Nothing much. I merely wish to inform Fellow Daoist that the spatial node here will, at most, last another hundred-odd years before it collapses and vanishes. If Fairy Feng is confident that you can find a more suitable node entrance elsewhere in the Human Realm, then please disregard what I said just now." Han Li let out a soft chuckle.
"How could things be so coincidental? Are you trying to deceive me with empty words?" The silver-robed woman was stunned, but skepticism quickly flooded her face.
"Whether or not it's true, Fellow Daoist is welcome to observe this node for as many days as you wish. I myself will need to leave for a time to search for methods of resisting the Inter-realm Force. In my absence, one of my female disciples will be stationed here. If Fellow Daoist has any needs, simply give her your instructions. Of course, if Fairy Feng could see fit to offer her some casual guidance in her spare time, I would be all the more grateful on my disciple's behalf." Han Li was remarkably straightforward about it — rather than continuing to press his case, he simply changed the subject.
"You're leaving this island? It seems you truly do intend to enter this node in the near future. Very well, seeing as you've shown some sincerity, I'll remain here for a time. But if your words prove false, I'll turn and leave without a second thought." The Ice Phoenix was somewhat surprised by this, but after pondering for a long while, she nodded with a measure of reluctance. In the end, she did not immediately refuse Han Li's proposal for an alliance.
Naturally, Han Li was delighted. He raised his hand, and a streak of fire shot into the sky with a whoosh, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
It was a message talisman!