After hearing Fu Qiong's words, Han Yi's heart grew heavier. The reality was far more dire than Li Changsheng had been led to believe.
Li Changsheng had only mentioned the destruction of three Immortal Cities by the Sacrificial Daoists. This was because Fu Qiong had concealed part of the truth. In reality, the number was five times higher, and the consequences of such widespread destruction were pushing the entire battlefront to the brink of collapse.
Moreover, even Immortal Sovereigns had intervened without gaining any advantage, and an Immortal Monarch had perished on this front in recent years.
These grim tidings had been temporarily suppressed due to spatial anomalies in the Immortal Realm, which severely restricted the transmission of information. Within Heavenly March Immortal City, only Fu Qiong knew the full extent of the crisis, and even the Ming Su Profound Immortal he had summoned remained unaware for the time being.
"Fellow Daoist Han, you are no outsider," Fu Qiong said. "As the strongest combatant in Heavenly March Immortal City, I must disclose the full truth to you."
"If you encounter a Sacrificial Daoist beyond your capabilities, flee immediately. Do not risk your life for this city."
Fu Qiong spoke earnestly, and Han Yi nodded in acknowledgment. He then inquired, "By the way, Hall Master, could you provide more details about Fellow Daoist Bai Yuyai's disappearance in the Outer Domain?"
This was a perfect opportunity for Han Yi to inquire about Bai Yuyai's fate.
Unfortunately, Fu Qiong simply shook his head. "Three hundred years ago, Bai Yuyai vanished on the Extraterritorial Battlefield. At the time, he had already reached the Demigod stage. According to True Immortals who later returned from the battle, the Great Luo Immortal Fortress was attacked by three Abyssal Demon Clan behemoths, who shattered the fortress completely. Even True Immortals could only flee for their lives."
"Amid the chaos, Fellow Daoist Bai Yuyai vanished without a trace. His remains were never recovered during the battlefield cleanup."
"Given the harsh conditions of the Outer Void, there's a ninety-nine percent probability that disappearance means death."
"Moreover, the Soul Pearl he left in the Immortal Court has shattered."
"This implies one of three possibilities: first, he may have ventured too far beyond the Great Luo Immortal Realm for the Soul Pearl to maintain a connection. Second, he might have fallen into a sealed Great World with an aura-isolating barrier that even a Soul Pearl couldn't penetrate. Third, he may have met his demise, his Dao extinguished."
"I lean towards the third possibility," Fu Qiong said, his tone unchanged. In the five centuries since the Big Dipper Immortal Palace was established, countless cultivators had perished, including many True Immortals who served as Vice Palace Masters.
Even Bai Yuyai, despite his exceptional innate talent and apprenticeship under an Immortal Monarch, was simply dead.
On the Extraterritorial Battlefield, death was a constant companion. Those who proclaimed themselves Chosen of Heaven's Dao, destined for Monarch Venerable status, could find their bones buried in the Void the very next moment, their Dao Paths extinguished.
Han Yi's expression didn't waver upon hearing Fu Qiong's words. He harbored a deep-seated intuition that he would inevitably encounter Bai Yuyai again in the distant future.
This intuition, intangible and elusive as it was, burned with unwavering certainty in his heart.
"Han Yi, you may reside temporarily in Heavenly March Immortal City. Once Pang Wan and Daoist Tianxuan break through to the Profound Immortal Realm, further enhancing the city's power, you can decide whether to stay or leave as you wish."
"Is this acceptable?" Fu Qiong posed the question in a conciliatory tone. Han Yi had no objections, having already received similar instructions from Dong Chang and Li Changsheng.
The Daoist Tianxuan mentioned by Fu Qiong was one of the original Vice Palace Masters when the Big Dipper Immortal Palace was founded—the Sect Leader of the Tianxuan Sect in the Tianxuan Realm, one of the Seven Realms of the Big Dipper.
The Tianxuan Sect, named after the Tianxuan Realm, was the most powerful Immortal Sect in that domain. Needless to say, its Sect Leader possessed extraordinary strength and innate talent.
Pang Wan, the Emperor of the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom, was no less remarkable.
Both individuals, blessed with exceptional opportunities and talent, had reached the Peak True Immortal Realm in just a few centuries. They were now focused on secluded cultivation to break through to the Profound Immortal Realm.
After learning numerous hidden secrets about the Luo Tian Immortal Court, the Blazing Flame Dao Court, and the Azure Profound Immortal Domain from Fu Qiong, Han Yi was escorted to a specially prepared Immortal Palace. This palace, along with Fu Qiong's own and Daoist Mingsu's, were arranged in a row nearby.
Upon entering the Immortal Palace, Han Yi organized the information Fu Qiong had shared. He realized that the Luo Tian Immortal Court was in a precarious position under the looming threat of the Blazing Flame Dao Court.
If the Azure Profound Dao Field to the south made any further aggressive moves, the Doumu Primordial Palace—a defensive line established in the Heaven Profound Immortal Domain—could easily collapse.
In such a scenario, the Luo Tian Immortal Court would have no choice but to retreat and abandon the Heaven Profound Immortal Domain.
Of course, none of the Immortal Courts desired such an outcome. Disrupting the existing balance of power would usher in unpredictable changes, leaving no court feeling secure.
Moreover, Han Yi knew something the other Immortals didn't: several Immortal Courts had joined forces for a Great Expedition to the Wisdom Realm, with Immortal Venerable Haotian of the Luo Tian Immortal Court and Immortal Venerable Ziwei of the Huangya Immortal Court personally participating.
This implied that the Age Candle, Lingxiao, Donghuang, the Imperial Court, and Luo Tian factions had a Dao Ancestor-level agreement, which was necessary to ensure the smooth progress of the expedition.
Thoughts flashed through Han Yi's mind as he muttered to himself, "What exactly is the Blazing Flame Dao Court trying to accomplish?"
"Why did those Sacrificial Daoists who emerged from Chaos construct the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel?"
"What secret pact did Boundary Lotus Immortal Sovereign forge with Qingxuan Immortal Venerable during her southward journey to the Azure Profound Immortal Domain?"
"And expanding on that, according to Li Qiankun, the Great Luo Immortal Realm's expedition to the Wisdom Realm must have the support of a Heavenly Venerable. He suspects it's the Kunlun Immortal Realm."
"Beyond Chaos, in lands so distant that even Peak Immortal Monarch-level Immortal Fortresses take thirty years to reach, why was the World Barrier of the Source Wisdom Great World—a realm on par with the Primordial Era—torn asunder?"
"What exactly is happening—or about to happen—within Chaos?"
With these thoughts swirling, Han Yi took a deep breath and abruptly stopped his train of thought.
Beyond the mysteries of Chaos itself, the Immortal Realm held countless secrets. Contemplating these profound questions from his Profound Immortal Realm made Han Yi's heart race. Perhaps only Immortal Monarchs or even Immortal Sovereigns were qualified to intervene in such matters, and only Dao Ancestors or Heavenly Venerables could truly reshape the fabric of reality and steer the course of both realms.
He shifted his focus inward, examining and refining his own cultivation system before immersing himself once more in his training. His cultivation method remained the same: consuming Life Seeds to advance his Sword Control Immortal Art.
In his third year at Heavenly March Immortal City, another large-scale attack by Sacrificial Daoists threatened to destroy the city. Han Yi intervened decisively, slaughtering three Profound Immortals with thunderous force.
By the eighth year, the Sacrificial Daoists had grown stronger, now boasting combat power equivalent to Veteran Profound Immortals. Han Yi dispatched them just as swiftly.
In his eleventh year, Pang Wan, who had been in seclusion, emerged first. He fled Heavenly March Immortal City in search of an auspicious location to undergo his Profound Immortal Tribulation. Before departing, he personally requested Han Yi to serve as his Dao Protector.
Han Yi ultimately agreed. His role as Pang Wan's Dao Protector differed fundamentally from his duty to safeguard Heavenly March Immortal City. Protecting Pang Wan was a private matter of causality between individuals, while his responsibilities in the city stemmed from his ties to the entire Big Dipper Immortal Palace—two distinct threads of karmic connection.
Han Yi knew this, and Pang Wan knew it too.
It meant that if Pang Wan successfully weathered his Profound Immortal Tribulation, he would owe Han Yi a debt of Dao protection—a debt that must be repaid.
However, the battle lines were stretched thin, and Sacrificial Daoists might suddenly appear to attack the Immortal City. Fu Qiong, who possessed the power to protect the city, couldn't afford to be distracted. Moreover, Han Yi's superior strength, upright character, and proven trustworthiness made him a far more reliable choice as a Dao Protector.
Pang Wan's chosen tribulation site was Tai Li Mountain, a land where Dao Fire originated. Due to this sacred fire, Heavenly Thunder frequently gathered above the mountain, making it an ideal place for Tribulation Crossing.
Because Han Yi was present for Pang Wan's tribulation, none of the other Vice Palace Masters from the Big Dipper Immortal Palace had come.
Tai Li Mountain.
Han Yi surrounded the Dao Fire volcanic range with thirteen Immortal Artifacts. The swords hung suspended in mid-air, deliberately avoiding the formation of a Sword Realm to prevent interfering with the Profound Immortal Tribulation. Yet, should any unexpected threat arise, Han Yi could instantly link the swords and erect a formidable Sword Realm to envelop the entire mountain. Whether for offense or defense, this thirteen-sword formation possessed formidable power, capable of battling even Peak Profound Immortals.
Although Han Yi had recently advanced to the Profound Immortal Realm, he hadn't immediately begun refining the Fifth-Rank Immortal Sword gifted to him by Immortal Monarch Yuanshu.
Given his current low cultivation realm, where his Immortal Power hadn't even reached the first stage of perfection, refining a Fifth-Rank Immortal Sword would take an impossibly long time.
Therefore, the sword formation composed of three Fourth-Rank Immortal Swords and ten Third-Tier Immortal Swords was the most suitable for him.
Perhaps only upon reaching the Peak Profound Immortal stage would Han Yi consider refining a Fifth-Rank Immortal Sword and integrating it into his Sword Realm as its central blade.
Suddenly, Han Yi turned sideways to gaze into the distance, his eyebrows arching slightly. Several auras were rapidly approaching from that direction.
At that moment, the Profound Immortal Tribulation over Tai Li Mountain had reached its climax. Han Yi watched Pang Wan bleed profusely, his body drenched in blood, yet his eyes shone brighter than ever, a clear sign that he was confident in enduring the final surge of the Immortal Tribulation and successfully crossing into the Profound Immortal realm.
No longer concerned about Pang Wan, Han Yi turned his attention to the approaching figures, fiery red and silvery white light dancing in his eyes.
"Judging by their auras, they aren't Sacrificial Daoists."
"One Profound Immortal and four True Immortals."
"Robber Immortals?"
After a moment's thought, Han Yi decided to err on the side of caution. He rose from the Void and moved toward the approaching group, positioning himself at the edge of Tai Li Mountain to block their path.
The four figures noticed Han Yi, who had made no attempt to conceal his presence. They gradually slowed their pace, coming to a halt about thirty li away from him.
"Fellow Daoist, why do you block our path?" the Profound Immortal across from Han Yi demanded, his eyes glowing a deep, blood-red as he glared at him.
Han Yi frowned. The Profound Immortal's tone was off, unlike that of a typical Robber Immortal. If he were truly a Robber Immortal, he would have charged straight in for the kill without wasting time on such formalities.
"And why have you come here, Fellow Daoist?" Han Yi countered, his voice calm and steady.
The Profound Immortal snorted harshly, his tone turning venomous. "The True Immortal undergoing Tribulation Crossing ahead is Pang Wan, the sworn enemy of my Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect. If you insist on obstructing us, you declare war on the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect, and this will become a fight to the death!"
Behind the Profound Immortal, four True Immortals lined up shoulder to shoulder, their faces contorted with hatred as they glared at Han Yi.
Hearing this, Han Yi finally understood.
Though this was indeed a human tribulation, his opponents weren't Robber Immortals, but immortals with a deep-seated vendetta against Pang Wan.
If he hadn't intervened, sending Fu Qiong or the other True Immortals to deal with these five immortals would have been quite troublesome.
While the Profound Immortal was merely of ordinary caliber, the four True Immortals were all at the Peak True Immortal stage.
No wonder Pang Wan asked me to be his Dao Protector. He must have offended an entire Immortal Sect while traveling abroad.
"Judging by the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect's aggressive posture, it seems Pang Wan has truly offended them deeply."
"But in the Immortal Realm, where we vie for Immortal Opportunities, maintaining harmony is impossible. Offending an Immortal Sect is hardly a grave matter."
Han Yi shook his head slightly. Having made numerous enemies himself, he harbored no sentimental reservations about such matters.
"Apologies, this path is blocked. Fellow Daoist, please take another route."
With a wave of his hand, Han Yi unleashed thirteen Immortal Swords. Their auras vibrated through the Void, causing the five Immortals nearby to pale.
"Fourth-Rank Immortal Swords! And three of them!"
"Hiss!"
"Who is this man? How can he be so powerful?"
The Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect's Profound Immortal's expression turned grim. He restrained the four eager True Immortals beside him, shot a deep, conflicted glance at Han Yi, and inwardly struggled.
Reluctant to back down completely, he cupped his fists respectfully toward Han Yi. "I am Tianfu of the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect. May I have the honor of exchanging pointers with you?"
The Profound Immortal, whose Daoist Title was Tianfu, produced a palm-sized mirror with a seven-colored surface. He tossed it into the air, where it spun rapidly, its reflective face aimed at Han Yi.
In an instant, seven ethereal beams of light descended upon Han Yi, as if to drag him into a mysterious Illusionary Realm.
The mirror was a Fourth-Tier Immortal Artifact, one of the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect's prized treasures, known as the Seven Illusions Heavenly Mirror. The seven distinct rays of light it emitted could conjure seven separate Illusionary Realms. Even a veteran Profound Immortal caught in its gaze would find their Immortal Soul thrown into disarray, their combat prowess diminished to a mere fraction of its former strength.
Upon discovering Pang Wan's departure from Heavenly March Immortal City, the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect dispatched a team led by a Heavenly Mansion Profound Immortal to eliminate him. The Supreme Grand Elder had personally ordered Pang Wan's assassination, emphasizing that without Pang Wan's interference in the previous Immortal Opportunity, the Supreme Sect Master would undoubtedly have secured his Golden Immortal ascension. Instead, he suffered grievous injuries, confining him to the sect for recovery, and his cultivation realm had even plummeted from Peak Profound Immortal to ordinary Profound Immortal, a devastating blow to the entire Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect.
Despite activating the Seven Illusions Heavenly Mirror, the Heavenly Mansion Profound Immortal remained vigilant, his expression grave.
As expected.
In the next instant, among the suspended Immortal Swords, a Fourth-Tier blade subtly rose, unleashing a beam of sword light.
The sword light appeared slow, almost sluggish, yet it was precisely controlled. It gradually split into seven distinct strands, each piercing one of the Illusionary Realms with unerring accuracy. The realms shattered instantly. Though depleted, the seven strands barely recombined into a single beam of sword light, which suddenly accelerated and crashed downward with thunderous force.
The blinding radiance enveloped the area, forming a tangible barrier that seemed to cleave the very fabric of reality in two.
Great Freedom Cosmic Light Sword Canon, Sixth Form: Light-Slaying.
Han Yi's Sword Control Immortal Art had broken through to the mid-stage of the Fourth-Rank, and his Sword Canon had advanced along with it. He had now mastered six of its nine forms: Overturning Sea, Dawn-Breaking, Heavenburning, Netherworld, Eternal Night, and Light-Slaying.
The Heavenly Mansion Profound Immortal's face paled with terror. He swiftly retracted the Seven Illusions Heavenly Mirror, clasped his hands in a respectful bow toward Han Yi, and then, without a word, turned and fled with his four True Immortal companions.
He knew Han Yi had spared their lives. Had he not held back, none of them would have survived that single sword strike.
As for Pang Wan's vengeance, it would have to wait.
Han Yi watched them retreat, dispelling the power of his Immortal Sword. The sword shattered into fragments, reforming to encircle Tai Li Mountain.
It wasn't that he lacked the resolve to kill, but rather that he wished to avoid entangling himself in excessive causality.
His primary reason for protecting Pang Wan and obstructing the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect was their personal connection. The Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect's karmic debt to Pang Wan was something he would have to settle himself.