The entire Black Domain Assembly had consumed nearly a full day and night.
By the time
He summoned Hai Dashao and the other two, and upon learning that nothing unexpected had occurred during his absence, he felt a measure of relief.
After dismissing his two In-Name Disciples, he entered a private chamber and seated himself cross-legged on a meditation cushion.
With a single flip of his hand, a blue spirit beast ring materialized between his fingers. He tossed it gently into the air.
A wave of azure radiance swept forth from the ring, and a crystalline ice cage appeared floating before him.
Inside the cage, the snow-white Ice Phoenix — barely half a foot in length — clearly hadn't expected
"It's… it's you? How is that possible?!" The moment it made out
It was unmistakably the pleasant voice of a young woman, though tinged with a touch of cold.
"Fairy Feng, it's been many years. I never imagined we would meet in a place like this."
This Ice Phoenix was none other than the "Fairy Feng" who had breached the spatial node alongside him from the mortal world, only to be torn away by the spatial tempest.
Back in the mortal realm, this bird had been the supreme existence among all cultivators — the "Master of the Frozen Sea." Yet after a mere few centuries of absence, she had fallen to the point where she couldn't even assume human form, and had been sealed inside a cage as a captured spirit beast.
Seeing her like this,
That was precisely why, the moment he spotted her being put up for exchange at the assembly, he had stepped forward without a moment's hesitation to make the trade.
"It really is you, Brother Han! Then the person who exchanged for me at the assembly — that was you as well, Fellow Daoist? Could it be that you've already advanced to the Void Refinement Stage?" The Ice Phoenix's voice remained cool and clear, though it trembled ever so slightly.
"That's right, it was I. As for my cultivation level, you'll find out soon enough. I certainly never expected to run into you at the Black Domain exchange. It seems you and I really do share some fate, Fairy. But let's set that aside for now — let me get you out of there first." Without the slightest hesitation,
The talismans instantly flared with brilliant light and drifted downward. At the same time, the ice cage creaked open with a soft sound.
"Many thanks for your aid, Fellow Daoist Han!"
Though the Ice Phoenix still harbored some lingering suspicion, the sight of this naturally filled her with joy. She gave a flap of her wings and shot out of the cage as a streak of white light.
Then, silver light shimmered across her body as it swelled rapidly, transforming into her original form — a full half-zhang in length. Her feathers glistened and sparkled, as though carved entirely from mystic ice.
"It's a pity that I no longer have the ability to assume human form. I can only speak with you in this appearance. I'm truly ashamed!" The Ice Phoenix stretched her elegant body and shook her head.
"There's no need for that. With your foundation, once the seals within your body are removed, recovering your human form will be a simple matter."
"You saw through it, Brother Han. That Fusion Stage monster planted some unknown restriction inside my body, and it's quite troublesome. According to him, only someone of the Fusion Stage could undo it." The Ice Phoenix clearly believed
"Oh, is that so? Let me give it a try!"
In an instant, a torrent of five-colored divine flames surged forth, flooding into the Ice Phoenix's body like a raging tide.
The Fairy Feng felt a wave of extraordinary, frigid spiritual energy course through every one of her meridians in the span of a single heartbeat. Like a tidal bore, it smashed through the layer upon layer of restrictions and seals within her body, scattering them completely as they loosened and fell away.
At that, she was overjoyed — and simultaneously struck with a profound sense of shock.
If this person could so effortlessly dissolve the seals within her body, could it be that he was already a Fusion Stage existence?
It seemed almost too incredible to be real.
If