Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 618

The cultivators noticed Senior Im approaching and immediately greeted him. Im Byeok simply nodded and strode past them.

They also saw Han Li, a stranger, but they wouldn’t question a guest brought by their Senior Uncle. However, as Han Li was about to pass through the city gate, the snow monkeys acted strangely.

They suddenly whimpered and retreated as if in a panic. The surrounding cultivators were surprised and tried to discipline them, but the commands were ignored. They all covered their heads with their arms and wouldn’t even look at Han Li. They seemed to be very afraid of him.

Even Im Byeok was curious at the sight and glanced at Han Li.

“Senior, do you perhaps have a spirit beast of the monkey type? Snow monkeys don’t have many special abilities, but they are sensitive to spirit beasts of their kind. Judging by how they are trembling, you must have a very powerful spirit beast.”

“I do have a monkey-type spirit beast, but my spirit beast doesn’t have any special abilities either.”

At Im Byeok’s explanation, Han Li immediately thought of Jehon in his spirit beast pouch. He gave a vague answer but had no intention of taking Jehon out here.

Im Byeok just smiled and didn’t ask further. The two of them walked into the ice city. The passage into the ice city was straight and wide, and it was also made of ice.

Inside the city, there weren’t many cultivators passing by, and most of them were low-level cultivators wearing yellow and white robes. Buildings lined both sides of the road, but it didn’t quite feel like a market; rather, it looked like a small fortress.

Before Han Li could examine it closely, Im Byeok, who was beside him, turned into a streak of light again and flew towards a huge mountain. Han Li also followed him, flying as a streak of light.

Soon, the two arrived at an open space made of ice on the mountainside.

“From here, we have to walk up the mountain. This area above belongs to the inner palace, and even I, an inner palace elder, must follow the rules.”

Im Byeok explained with a smile, and Han Li nodded as if he understood. The two of them slowly ascended the shimmering ice stairs.

There weren’t many disciples who could enter the inner palace, so they hardly encountered any disciples on the way up.

Some of them respectfully greeted Im Byeok, and unlike outside the city gate, the Sogeuk Palace elder responded with a smile regardless of their cultivation level.

As Han Li observed closely, the inner palace cultivators, whether their cultivation was high or low, were all exceptionally talented. And along the way, there were four or five powerful restrictions, which suggested that at least a Grandmaster-level formation master resided in the Sogeuk Palace.

This made Han Li even more interested in the Sogeuk Palace, and he thought that if he had time, he would like to find the formation master and exchange insights on the enlightenment of formations.

After a while, Im Byeok led him through winding paths, and at the end, an ice wall hundreds of feet high appeared.

Han Li raised his eyebrows as if puzzled, looking at the ice wall.

At that moment, Im Byeok raised a silver-shining jade pendant. Then, a silver aura flowed out and disappeared into the ice wall.

After a moment, the ice wall trembled slightly, and a passage about two feet wide appeared in the middle.

Before entering, Im Byeok turned his head and explained.

“Some people think that the buildings visible at the top of the mountain are the Sogeuk Palace, but they are actually just the residences of low-level cultivators. High-level cultivators and inner palace disciples reside in the Hanryeo Secret Realm inside the ice wall! This is the true North Underworld Sogeuk Palace. Since you are a friend of Senior Baek, we are inviting you here, but outsiders cannot enter without permission.”

Han Li simply smiled at Im Byeok’s tone, which seemed to be trying to win his favor.

In fact, the Hanryeo Secret Realm was well-known among the high-level cultivators in the northern region, so it was no longer a secret. Otherwise, Baek Yo-i wouldn’t have called him here.

Rather, Han Li felt wary of Im Byeok, who was acting friendly on their first meeting.

The passage wasn’t very long, only about a hundred feet. Han Li came out of the passage and was very surprised as he looked around.

The valley, surrounded by cliffs on all sides, was full of beautiful flowers and lush greenery, and the weather was like a warm spring day.

Along the cliffs surrounding the valley, pavilions and buildings were beautifully built. And in the very center of the valley, there were three huge palaces, which occupied one-third of the area.

Han Li’s expression subtly changed as he looked at the three palaces.

‘The Void Sky Hall!’

Han Li was shocked.

The three white jade palaces, except for their different sizes, looked exactly like the Void Sky Hall he had seen in the Chaotic Star Sea. [A vast region in the novel’s world.]

The buildings, crafted from pure white jade, emitted a light of spiritual energy that seemed to come from treasures. However, unlike the real Void Sky Hall that floated in the air, the three palaces were only one-third of its size.

Hiding his surprise, Han Li calmly observed, but no matter how he looked, they were identical to the Void Sky Hall. He casually asked Im Byeok,

“This is the inner palace of the Sogeuk Palace. The spiritual energy is indeed extraordinary. But what are those three palaces with such unique styles?”

“The Void Spirit Hall has been here since the founding of our palace. It is said that the founder created them using immense magical power.”

“The Void Spirit Hall…”

“It seems you are interested in that place, but unfortunately, I cannot take you there. The Void Spirit Hall is usually closed, and it can only be opened with the consent of more than half of the elders!”

Im Byeok smiled as if telling a secret when Han Li showed interest. Han Li, understanding the other’s words, also smiled and didn’t ask further.

It was taboo in the cultivation world to pry into the secrets of other sects. Besides, no matter what relationship the three palaces had with the Void Sky Hall, he had already obtained the most important treasure of the Void Sky Hall, the Void Sky Cauldron, so there was no reason to care.

“Baekyeong Pavilion is over there. Senior Baek seems to value you quite a bit. That place is only used when her closest friends visit. The building itself is secluded, so it will be a good place to talk.”

Im Byeok seemed very interested in Baek Yo-i.

“Is that so? I am overwhelmed by such generous treatment.”

As Han Li replied with a smile, Im Byeok led him towards a cliff, and a pavilion appeared. The three-story pavilion was about a dozen feet tall and made of jade-colored wood, with half of it embedded in the cliff.

Han Li was looking at the words ‘Baekyeong Pavilion’ written on the yellow plaque when a woman in a white robe walked out.

The woman was a little surprised to see Han Li with Im Byeok, and then she politely asked,

“Greetings, Senior Uncle Im. This must be Senior Han.”

“That’s right. Is Senior Baek inside?”

“Master has just finished her closed-door cultivation and is organizing her techniques. Instead, she sent me to bring Senior Han inside. I hope you don’t mind.”

The woman stepped aside to clear the way, but she didn’t invite Im Byeok to enter.

“I need to see your master too. I have something to say.”

“Senior Uncle Im… Please don’t make it difficult for me. You know that Master said she would never see you again. Do you know how badly Senior Gong was scolded for bringing you in last time?”

The woman smiled wryly, looking troubled.

“This time is different. I brought Senior Han here. Surely your master wouldn’t turn away even Senior Han?”

Im Byeok’s face flushed slightly, and he brought out Han Li as his trump card. Han Li, who was listening from the side, was dumbfounded but said nothing.

“That is…”

“An-ah, bring Senior Uncle Im in.”

At that moment, a woman’s voice was heard from inside the pavilion. It was Baek Yo-i’s voice, which he hadn’t heard in a long time.

“Understood! Senior Uncle Im, please come in.”

The woman finally stepped back with relief. Im Byeok, hearing Baek Yo-i’s voice, became excited and began to send a voice transmission.

Unexpectedly, it seemed he was trying to have a conversation with Baek Yo-i through voice transmission from outside the pavilion.

“Senior Brother Im Byeok, if you have something to say, please come inside and talk slowly. If you leave Senior Han standing outside like this, they will scold our Sogeuk Palace for not knowing etiquette.”

To his voice transmission, Baek Yo-i unexpectedly replied so that everyone could hear. Han Li stroked his chin at those words and just smiled.

“It was my fault. Senior Han, please come in.”

“No, I was just admiring Senior Im’s passion.”

Han Li smiled knowingly. He now understood why Im Byeok had been so friendly when he said he had come to see Baek Yo-i.

It seemed he was completely infatuated with that woman. They were guided into Baekyeong Pavilion.

The first floor of the pavilion wasn’t very large. In the square hall of about twenty feet, there were simple bamboo tables and chairs, and pots of yellow flowers that Han Li didn’t recognize were placed in each corner, emitting a strong fragrance and spiritual energy.

Baek Yo-i didn’t appear, but as soon as the two cultivators sat on the bamboo chairs, her voice, filled with apology, was heard.

“Senior Han! Please wait a moment. The cultivation technique I am practicing is special, so it will take some time. I will come down as soon as my energy circulation is finished. While you wait, please try our Sogeuk Palace’s Ice Spirit Fruit.”

Clap!

As soon as she finished speaking, an elegant woman clapped her hands.

Then, two women in white came in from outside the pavilion, carrying round fruits that sparkled like pearls on a bright red wooden tray.

“The Ice Spirit Fruit is a specialty of our Sogeuk Palace, and even the elders only get a few each year. The flesh is sweet and has a cold nature, so it is helpful for cultivators who practice ice-attribute techniques.”

Im Byeok explained to Han Li and then took one and ate it. Since the other person had tasted it first, Han Li had no reason to hesitate.

He took a fruit and put it in his mouth, and as soon as he chewed, a cold energy swirled in his mouth. It was indeed full of high-purity ice-attribute spiritual power.

Although he didn’t practice ice-attribute techniques, this level of cold was nothing to him, as he possessed the Extreme Yang Flame and the Taiyin True Flame. [Two powerful flames in the novel’s world.]

He swallowed the fruit and the spiritual energy and happily took another one. Im Byeok’s expression changed subtly for a moment as he watched.

The Ice Spirit Fruit was famous, and any cultivator would like it. However, unless one practiced ice or fire-attribute techniques, it usually took time to process the cold energy and absorb it into the body.

If one just swallowed it recklessly, it could even cause internal injuries. But Han Li, who had pure wood-attribute spiritual energy, was able to swallow two fruits in a row, which was surprising.

Even Im Byeok, who was strong against the cold due to practicing fire-attribute techniques, couldn’t swallow two Ice Spirit Fruits so quickly.

While the Sogeuk Palace elder was inwardly surprised, footsteps were heard from above the pavilion, and a woman in white was gracefully descending the stairs. Han Li stood up and smiled brightly.

“Senior Baek, have you been well?”

“Senior Baek! You finally came to see me!”

It goes without saying that Im Byeok also stood up with a joyful expression.

“Since Senior Han is not one to speak falsely, I have been waiting for you to visit for several years. It was unexpected that you would come after more than ten years. …Senior Brother Im, I would not have met you if you had not come with Senior Han.”

She smiled at Han Li and then turned her head to look at Im Byeok, her expression becoming serious.

“I came this time because I found a solution. I believe you won’t be disappointed either.”

“You found a solution? Even so, please tell me later. Senior Han has come from afar, so we should talk first.”

“That would be good too. I will explain the details to you later. Just knowing that you will talk to me again is a relief!”

Im Byeok paused but immediately spoke with a smiling face. Baek Yo-i nodded without showing any emotion and sat down, and Han Li and Im Byeok followed suit.

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