"You truly are remarkably perceptive! What we're plotting does indeed involve items within the Broad Cold Realm. Fellow Daoist Li, rest assured — although you are not a member of the Thirteen Races of Tianyun, both of us hold certain positions within our respective clans. Getting you into the Broad Cold Realm is certainly no problem. Offering you such an extraordinary opportunity could be considered our compensation for your assistance — how does that sound?" A flicker of surprise crossed the beautiful Crystal Clan woman's face, followed by a smile. She made no attempt to deny it.
Han Li's expression turned peculiar. After a long moment, he finally let out a long breath:
"My cultivation hasn't reached any kind of bottleneck — there wouldn't be much benefit for me in entering the Broad Cold Realm. Moreover, I can enter on my own without any need for your assistance, esteemed seniors."
"You can enter the Broad Cold Realm too? That's unlikely! Although you've concealed your true appearance and the face before us is an illusion, it's certain that you are not one of our thirteen races. How could any outsider possibly qualify to enter the Broad Cold Realm through Tianyun?" Duan Tianren raised his head and looked over, a trace of astonishment appearing on his face for the first time.
"Don't jump to conclusions, Brother Duan. As it happens, there really was an outsider who recently obtained the qualification to enter the Broad Cold Realm. In that case, I should be calling you 'Fellow Daoist Han,' shouldn't I?" The Crystal Clan woman looked somewhat surprised but quickly broke into a delicate laugh.
Hearing their words, Han Li secretly sighed to himself.
Using secret techniques to alter one's appearance had indeed failed to deceive these two. But at least, judging from what they said, they couldn't see his true face directly. Otherwise, the effect of choosing to come clean would have been greatly diminished.
"Surname Han? Now that you mention it, I recall hearing about this from members of my clan. There was indeed some outsider who activated a Broad Cold Token about a year ago, and who apparently intended to use the shared super-formation as well." After a brief moment of thought, Duan Tianren suddenly recalled the matter.
"That's right. It seems Fellow Daoist Li before us is precisely that person." Seeing Han Li remain silent, the Crystal Clan woman smiled.
"Heh heh, so he would have entered the Broad Cold Realm anyway. In that case, it works out perfectly — saves us the trouble of arranging it ourselves." Rather than growing angry, Duan Tianren looked pleased.
"But I still know nothing about what the two of you are planning. Furthermore, I've already taken on another task for your noble clan. Once I enter the Broad Cold Realm, I'm afraid I won't have the capacity to do both." Han Li glanced at Duan Tianren and said hesitantly.
"Oh, you mean the matter of collecting refining materials. Don't worry — that won't take much time and certainly won't delay you. If push comes to shove, you should naturally prioritize my task first. Even if those materials can't all be gathered, with me speaking on your behalf in the clan, do you really think anyone would give you trouble?" Duan Tianren said with a hint of pride.
"As for what we need you to do — since you'll definitely be entering the Broad Cold Realm, there's no harm in letting you in on some of the details. Brother Duan, allow me to fill our young friend Han in on a bit of this." The Crystal Clan woman chimed in.
"If the fairy thinks it's appropriate, then share some of it. I have no objections," Duan Tianren replied noncommittally.
"Actually, this is quite simple in principle! Fellow Daoist Han, we need you and two other individuals who possess a Magnetite Spirit Body to work together to break open a hidden restriction within the Broad Cold Realm and retrieve several items from inside. These items are directly related to whether Brother Duan and I can survive our upcoming Great Tribulations. If we succeed, for the next tens of thousands of years we will face no further danger of perishing." The woman spoke with solemn gravity, her words slow and deliberate.
"The Great Tribulations!" Han Li was startled by this, and couldn't help but think of Qing Yuanzi, who had gone into hiding within the Underworld River region.
That individual, whose cultivation had reached heaven-defying heights, had been forced to conceal himself in another space and dare not show his face in the main world — all to delay the threat of his Great Tribulation.
Once one's cultivation reached their level, the crisis of lifespan was no longer a concern, but each Great Tribulation became an inescapable nightmare, forcing them to desperately seek ways to evade and postpone it.
It seemed that unless one could cultivate a True Immortal's body, true freedom between heaven and earth was simply impossible.
Han Li felt a twinge of emotion and secretly sighed.
The Crystal Clan woman continued:
"That restriction is something I discovered in the Broad Cold Realm when I advanced to the Holy Race stage. Although I wasn't able to open it at the time, I was fortunate enough to learn partial information about its contents from elsewhere. The items inside are mere leftovers for you of the Upper Race, but for us of the Holy Race, they are life-saving treasures that can help us endure our tribulations."
"If this is a restriction within the Broad Cold Realm, doesn't that mean it was left behind by an Immortal? Many from the various races who entered the Broad Cold Realm in the past perished within various restrictions. Do you really have confidence, esteemed senior?" Han Li asked cautiously.
"Perhaps my cultivation is somewhat weaker compared to other Holy Race members, but when it comes to mastery of formations and restrictions, I can easily rank among the top five in all of Tianyun. Besides, I examined it carefully at the time. That restriction has existed for untold ages, and its power has long since dissipated by more than half. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to set my sights on it. Does Fellow Daoist not believe what this woman is saying?" The beautiful woman looked at Han Li, her gaze laden with deeper meaning.