"No need. If this person is who I suspect, his cultivation is unfathomably deep—someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Mulan Divine Masters. An ordinary cultivator would be utterly powerless against him. It might even provoke a murderous rampage on his part. Besides, he holds the method to break the Soul-Sealing Curse, and I'd rather not tip him off." Han Li shook his head and spoke slowly.
"Shoulder to shoulder with the Mulan Divine Masters! Could he be a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator? If that's the case, Junior Brother absolutely must not go alone. It's far too dangerous. You should summon Long Han and Feng Bing to help." The silver-haired elder's face went pale with shock.
"Fellow Daoists Long Han and Feng Bing could certainly handle this person, but the round trip alone would take at least three or four months—there isn't enough time. That person left me only two months in the jade slip. He clearly calculated my return date; he simply didn't expect me to come back so quickly. Let me think this over carefully before deciding how to respond. Most importantly, I must find a way to obtain the method for breaking the Soul-Sealing Curse." Han Li took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
"Very well. If you need any manpower, Junior Brother, just say the word. Every disciple in the sect can be mobilized at your disposal." The silver-haired elder could only nod in agreement.
"Thank you, Senior Brother. According to what Wan'er wrote in the jade slip, the technique she used can theoretically delay the onset of the Soul-Sealing Curse for nearly a hundred years. But whether it actually works—no one has ever tested it. I can't help but worry!" Han Li murmured, gazing at the lifelike figure of the young girl frozen in the ice wall, his face lined with concern.
"You shouldn't worry so much, Junior Brother. Looking at Sister Nangong's features, she doesn't strike me as someone fated to die young. She'll surely overcome this. Tell you what—starting today, I'll search through ancient texts to see if there's a way to break this curse. Perhaps we won't even need to find that black-robed man." The elder thought for a moment, then offered comfort.
"I'll trouble you, Senior Brother. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here alone for a while. I hope you won't take offense." Han Li managed a faint smile.
"Of course—that's perfectly natural. I'll head to the library then. Keep your wife company." The silver-haired elder was briefly taken aback, but quickly showed understanding.
Then, under Han Li's gaze, the old man stepped out of the secret chamber and quietly pulled the stone door shut behind him.
Now only Han Li and the girl in the ice remained.
Han Li turned to face the ice wall. A look of loneliness settled over his features, and he let out a long, deep sigh.
For an entire day and night, Han Li stayed inside the secret chamber without once stepping out.
When the silver-haired elder returned from the library and saw Han Li still in there, he grew worried. After waiting another half day, unable to rest easy and on the verge of breaking the door down, Han Li finally emerged with a calm expression.
"Junior Brother Han, are you alright?" The elder couldn't help but ask, his face full of concern.
Seeing the elder waiting outside the door, Han Li felt a warmth in his heart and said apologetically:
"I'm fine. I was simply thinking through countermeasures against the enemy. Sorry to have worried you, Senior Brother. There's still a month and a half before that person's deadline. I plan to go into seclusion to prepare. If nothing urgent comes up, there's no need to look for me."
"Going into seclusion now? With so little time—will it even help?" The silver-haired elder blinked, somewhat puzzled.
"On this trip, I obtained some Geng Essence. I plan to reforge my original magic treasure. That way, when the time comes to face this enemy, I'll have a bit more power to bring to bear. It shouldn't take too long." Han Li answered vaguely.
"I see. Go ahead with your seclusion, Junior Brother. I'll make sure none of the sect's disciples disturb you." The elder finally understood and agreed readily.
"Also, since this ice wall has already formed, I won't rashly try to move it—doing so might cause harm. But I'll set up several protective formations around the secret chamber to ensure Wan'er's safety. I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on things." Han Li said solemnly.
"Leave that to me, Junior Brother. Since Fellow Daoist Nangong came to harm within our Luoyun Sect, I, as Grand Elder, already bear significant responsibility. I've designated this area as a forbidden zone—no ordinary disciple will be allowed near. Your wife's safety is absolutely guaranteed." The silver-haired elder answered without hesitation, having clearly already considered the matter.
"Then I'm relieved. There's no time to waste—I'll set up the formations first, then go into seclusion right away." A gleam of determination flashed through Han Li's eyes.
…
Half a day later, Han Li left the elder and returned to his cave dwelling.
To his surprise, Mu Peiling had somehow learned of his return and was already waiting outside his dwelling.
A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li's face, but he still invited her inside.
"Is Sister Nangong alright? I heard she was injured, but there's been no definite news. I've been worried sick." Before even sitting down in the main hall, Mu Peiling asked anxiously.
"Oh? You and Wan'er got along well?" Han Li settled into the main seat and asked calmly.
"We did. Sister Nangong has a wonderful temperament. During your absence, she guided my cultivation on several occasions. I benefited greatly." Mu Peiling answered without hesitation.
Han Li was silent for a moment, then let out a bitter smile:
"Hearing you say that, I should be happy. But Wan'er has been struck by the Soul-Sealing Curse and sealed away—I really can't bring myself to be cheerful. Still, after only a few months apart, your cultivation has clearly progressed. It shows you haven't slacked off in your training. That puts my mind at ease. Starting now, I'll be going into seclusion for over a month. I need to find a way to break Wan'er's curse."
"The Soul-Sealing Curse? That's a demonic curse—that's trouble. Young Master, you must have a way, right?" Mu Peiling asked, startled.
"What way could I have? My only option is to go after the one who cast the curse. Once he falls into my hands, I'll naturally find a way to make him reveal the method." Han Li's expression suddenly turned dark and sinister.
Hearing this, Mu Peiling could only furrow her slender brows in silence.