"Working together? When did I agree to work with him?" The silver-robed woman glanced at Han Li, then settled herself gracefully into a chair. "Friend Feng is being playful. That spatial node is so perilous—entering it alone offers barely any chance of survival. Over the years, haven't you also noticed its growing instability? It seems only a matter of time before it collapses completely." Undeterred by the silver-robed woman's cool demeanor, she smiled. "Working together into the node is certainly possible, but I have one condition. Should he agree to it, then I'll feel at ease about partnering with him." The silver-robed woman glanced at Han Li, her expression now slightly puzzled. "What condition is that? Please share it with me." Han Li's expression brightened, his curiosity piqued. "We can enter together, but I don't trust you. Before we enter, we must each cast a seal on the other. Should either of us face difficulty and the other fails to give full support, neither of us will survive the journey through the node." "Then I'll feel at ease joining forces with you." Ice Wind gazed steadily at Han Li, speaking each word deliberately. "No problem—I'm willing to agree. In fact, I'm equally reassured by this arrangement." Upon hearing this, Han Li smiled and readily agreed. The silver-robed woman, however, was momentarily taken aback, studied Han Li carefully from head to toe, then said coldly, "If you're willing, that's perfect. In that case, I'll need to leave this place for a while to make some preparations. The spatial node should be able to sustain itself for at least another thirty years. I'll arrive here precisely on this day thirty years from now to meet you. I hope you won't change your mind then." After finishing her words, she stood up and walked out without so much as consulting Han Li. Han Li furrowed his brow, but said nothing. Nangong Wan, however, rose to see her off, as though she had something further to say privately with the woman. After the two women had stepped out of the hall, Han Li sat down in his chair, pondering quietly—as if only now truly considering Bingfeng's suggestion. A moment later, he raised his head to find Nan Gong Wan silently stepping in again. "It seems that after thirty years, my husband will truly be leaving," Nan Gong Wan said, her eyes glistening with reluctance, her expression somewhat somber. "I'm not particularly worried, but mainly concerned that once you depart, should the spatial node here collapse, how will you be able to reach the Spiritual Realm even after you attain the stage of Divine Immortal?" Han Li sighed lightly, furrowing his brows. "That won't be a problem. There are many spatial nodes across the world—not just this one. I've already taken the Yang-Reviving Water. Once I reach the stage of Divine Immortal, my lifespan will far exceed that of others. Over such a long period, I'm certain I'll find another spatial node in the Human Realm." Nan Gong Wan replied softly, her lips gently curving. Then, she walked over to Han Li and slowly nestled herself into his arms. Han Li embraced the delicate figure in his arms, his senses enchanted by the subtle, gentle fragrance emanating from the woman. At that moment, Nan Gong Wan likewise felt no urge to speak, and the two simply leaned against each other, motionless. Their shadows cast on the ground had gradually merged into one, as if they had always been a single being. The golden box inside was the seal token required to enter the towering pagoda at the heart of the region. Nevertheless, even with this token, one still needed to possess the rank of late Yuan-Ying stage to bypass the peculiar external seals that suppressed修为. When I successfully advanced to the late Yuan-Ying stage, I immediately went to the Yue State and entered the pagoda, where I inherited the teachings of an ancient cultivator. However, within one of the pagoda's seals, I also discovered the remains of another cultivator. Clearly, this individual was unaware of the region's formidable defenses and had entered without obtaining the seal token, ultimately perishing in the process. The several treasures found on this remains were all extraordinary, indicating that the deceased had once been a significant figure. Among them, one item stood out in its remarkable nature, which I believe will greatly assist you on your journey. I have therefore brought it along. "Nangong Wan spoke softly, and as soon as she finished, gently tapped her hand against her waist satchel, instantly revealing a cluster of radiant six-colored light within her hands, inside of which a silvery scroll shimmered faintly. "Is it this scroll?" Han Li immediately found the object familiar, though he couldn't recall exactly what it reminded him of at the moment, and furrowed his brows in inquiry. "I don't know who crafted this scroll; my husband, perhaps, can tell you more." Nangong Wan's eyes sparkled with a smile, and then she tossed the silvery scroll into the air, followed by swiftly forming hand gestures and chanting a melodious incantation. Han Li had initially paid little attention, but the booming sound grew steadily louder, eventually becoming continuous and filling the entire hall. The ambient spiritual energy in the air was drawn and agitated by the vibrations, growing denser and more concentrated. Han Li's expression tightened, and his eyes narrowed slightly. At that moment, streaks of colorful spiritual light began to rise from throughout the hall, converging like a thousand streams flowing into a single ocean, rushing toward Nangong Wan and vanishing into the luminous aura within a moment. The silver aura began to fluctuate, layer upon layer of translucent light screens forming on Nangong Wan's body, each with a different hue and radiating brilliant spiritual brilliance. A short while later, a distinct six-layer aura solidified, thick and resolute. "The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Seal!" Han Li's mind flashed with insight, and without hesitation, he exclaimed aloud. "The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Seal? That's the name! Husband, do you recognize this seal?" Nangong Wan was greatly surprised, yet she did not pause in her hand gestures. The six-layered light shield warped and, in an instant, transformed into a six-colored battle armor, tightly adhering to Nan Gong Wan's body, its vibrant luminescence constantly shifting and shimmering, strikingly beautiful. "Should be quite good. I haven't personally witnessed this seal being activated, but in a canonical text from a sect in the Great Jin Dynasty, I've read descriptions of it. The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Seal doesn't rely on the cultivator's own spiritual power to activate—it instead draws in surrounding celestial and terrestrial qi to form a defensive barrier," said Han Li, his eyes gleaming. This was one of the Three Sacred Seals of the Heavenly Seal Sect—he had long desired to learn its crafting method, though had never found any clear clues, and thus had only been left with some regret. Now, he had unexpectedly obtained a fully formed seal. Could it be that the remains were from the former master of the Talent Gate Sect, Xiang Zhi-li, who had entered the crimson sanctuary specifically for him? Han Li thought this through with growing conviction, yet soon found it unlikely. Yet he didn't dwell on it further, but stepped forward and carefully examined the war armor formed by the spiritual seal. He saw that the armor covered nearly the entire body of Nangong Wan, except for her limbs and head, and its surface was exceptionally smooth, with the script subtly glowing, giving it a mysterious appearance. With his current spiritual prowess, he easily sensed the formidable spiritual energy contained within the armor, his brow slightly lifting. "Indeed, it is the heavenly armor seal—no doubt about it. However, according to the classical texts, this seal should possess far greater power than this. Wan'er, did you not fully channel the seal's strength?" asked韩立, his gaze shifting. "Of course not. I merely displayed one-tenth of its full potential," smiled Nangong Wan. "Good. This seal truly proves very beneficial for my entry into the spatial nodes. By the way, did you manage to extract the method of crafting the seal from the remains? If so, that would be even better," asked韩立, suddenly remembering, his eyes brightening. "No, and this is the only scroll of this kind." Nangong Wan shook her head. "Well, I must have been too greedy. To have this single scroll is already a rare fortune." Although Han Li was a bit disappointed, he soon found himself chuckling softly upon reflection. Upon hearing Han Li's words, Nangong Wan smiled gently, then lightly struck her armor with one hand. Instantly, the six-colored armor cracked and fragmented, reforming into a single silver scroll. Then, she blew gently into the scroll, and a wave of crimson light curled around it, carrying it directly to Han Li's hands. Han Li did not hesitate, and took the scroll. For the days that followed, Han Li remained on the island, spending his days in close companionship with Nangong Wan, their affection deepening with each passing moment. Both of them knew well that, regardless of whether Han Li managed to ascend to the Spiritual Realm, these days would likely be the only time they could spend together. Beyond this, they might never meet again—separated by fate, their chance of reuniting would be exceedingly slim. Thus, both of them completely released their feelings for their partners, spending these days inseparable, glued together like two pieces of adhesive. However, one day three years later, while Han Li and Nan Gong Wan were sipping tea and chatting leisurely on a picturesque, serene mountain near the Mist Sea, Han Li suddenly stiffened, his sleeve trembling. A piece of pale, misty jade tablet shot out and spiraled before landing gently into his palm—exactly a Ten-Thousand-Mile Scroll! Han Li immediately seized the scroll in his hand and glanced at it. Though the tablet bore only a few words, Han Li's expression first showed surprise, then turned to profound delight. It was a message from the human puppet stationed at the Valley of the Fall of the Demon—the Heavenly Sky Vine had finally bloomed and produced fruit! …One year later, a streak of jade-green light flashed briefly and vanished into a hidden, secluded valley within the southern reaches of the Valley of the Fall of the Demon. Han Li then remained in the inner valley for several months, and the jade-green light disappeared without a trace whenever it returned. Time flew by swiftly, and before long, the thirty-year agreement between Han Li and Bing Feng was reached. Gathered beneath a vast luminous sphere in the misty sea were a group of cultivators dressed in diverse attire. (First chapter!