Without a break, Shu Han continued to absorb the cold energy from Shangguan Ruolin's body, gradually freezing himself as well.

Suddenly, Shu Han's spiritual sense detected something unusual in the surroundings. He quickly hid with Shangguan Ruolin, held his breath, and observed the surroundings.

Soon, he saw ten Qi Refining stage cultivators cautiously stepping into the boundary of the Yin Spring Maze.

With a glance from his Clear Bright Spiritual Eye, Shu Han recognized that their robes were identical to those worn by Cui Xiangming from Treasure Light Pavilion, all members of the Golden Silkworm Association.

"This is the interior of the Immaculate Realm. How did these Qi Refining cultivators get here?"

These cultivators were carefully exploring the Yin Spring Maze. Shu Han watched in silence, knowing that these Qi Refining cultivators would be instantly frozen to death once they touched the Yin Spring's cold energy. To come here in search of treasure was just seeking death!

Sure enough, the cultivator at the front suddenly touched the invisible cold and instantly screamed as he was frozen into ice shards, shattering on the spot.

The scene terrified the other cultivators, who retreated several tens of steps.

The leader shouted, "This is the place! Everyone, activate your treasure bottles and absorb the cold energy!"

So, the remaining nine people each took out a jade bottle. Infusing their magic power into the bottle, the invisible Yin Spring cold energy was absorbed by the bottles. Shu Han understood that these cultivators were ordered to absorb the Yin Spring cold energy.

They could pinpoint this place either because they had a map of the Immaculate Realm's interior, or... they were guided by a late Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

Thinking about this, Shu Han suddenly felt a chill down his spine and quickly rolled to the side.

At this moment, a purple light shot from the forest, hitting the spot where Shu Han had just hidden.

Shu Han immediately went on alert. His Clear Bright Spiritual Eye scanned the direction of the attack, and he saw a young woman standing on a distant tree, looking at him coldly.

A powerful cultivator from the Golden Silkworm Association in the late Foundation Establishment stage!

Immediately, Shu Han became cautious and used his Heaven-Earth Transformation Art to change his appearance.

The Golden Silkworm Association had once put a bounty on him; he couldn't let this woman recognize him.

The woman floated over, looked at Shu Han, and then turned her gaze to Shangguan Ruolin, who was held tightly in Shu Han's arms. Her brows furrowed deeply, and she angrily said, "How dare you! Who are you to behave so rudely towards Senior Shangguan? You're seeking death!"

With that, her spiritual power radiated from her body, and a purple pair of big scissors appeared in her hand. The aura was chilling, and intimidating, and upon seeing it, one could not help but feel a chill run down their legs.

"Wait!" Shu Han hastily intervened, "Do not strike without understanding the situation! Do you recognize her?"

"What kind of question is that? Everyone in the Golden Silkworm Association knows her! This journey into the Immaculate Realm was led by none other than Senior Shangguan!"

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Upon hearing this, Shu Han was completely stunned on the spot. In an instant, he realized that the Senior Shangguan this woman spoke of and the one in his arms was not the same person!

So, Shangguan Ruotong, that madwoman, had also entered the Immaculate Realm!

Shu Han felt as if the entire Immaculate Realm was suffocating, making it difficult for anyone to breathe.

With the Devil Music Sect chasing after him and the betrayal from the Green Thunder Sect, and now the persistent Shangguan Ruotong! Could he even live peacefully in the Immaculate Realm?

Shu Han lamented in his heart, "Linlin, please wake up soon. If not, we should just flee. Let's leave behind the Heavenly Creation Fluid. Our lives are more important. I promise to provide for you in the future."

He forced himself to calm down.

Shu Han thought that the members of the Golden Silkworm Association must have spread out. Even if he met this woman, it didn't mean Shangguan Ruotong was nearby. And since the two sisters looked nearly identical, he could potentially use Shangguan Ruolin's identity to get some information.

Thus, Shu Han spoke, "I'm glad to hear this. As I was passing by, I saw Senior coming out of the stone formation over there. But she was invaded by a cold energy. Before she fainted, she instructed me to stay by her side and rid her of this coldness. I dared not defy her, so I've been absorbing the cold energy from her. I had no ill intentions."

The woman glanced at Shangguan Ruolin, noticing her frosted face, filled with a chilling aura, and believed Shu Han's earlier statement.

However, she couldn't help but question, "If you and Senior Shangguan are strangers, and absorbing this cold energy harms you, why would you stay by her side? Don't tell me it's merely out of the goodness of your heart."

Shu Han gave a wry smile, "You're right. To be honest, I was forced. When Senior Shangguan emerged, she saw me trying to flee and placed a restriction within me. If I stop dispelling the coldness for her, this restriction would sever my meridians and I'd perish. Senior Shangguan promised to grant me a late-stage magic treasure upon her awakening. But absorbing this cold energy harms my cultivation foundation, so I don't really want to continue... Perhaps, could you assist me in dispelling this coldness?"

Upon hearing this, the woman laughed, "Since it's a special task from Senior Shangguan, I shouldn't steal your credit. Keep up the good work." Saying so, she approached Shu Han with her large scissors, stating, "In the meantime, you must stay close and follow us. If you dare to escape, you will be shown no mercy."

Shu Han nodded vigorously, "While I work on dispelling the cold, it's reassuring to have members of the Golden Silkworm Association nearby to protect the surroundings. Do you think, once I awaken the senior, she will truly reward me with a late-stage Foundation Establishment magic treasure? If I could obtain such a treasure, this trip to the Immaculate Realm wouldn't be in vain."

Seeing the glint of greed in Shu Han's eyes, the woman chuckled, "Senior Shangguan is a distinguished guest of our Golden Silkworm Association. A mere late-stage Foundation Establishment magic treasure is nothing noteworthy to her."

However, as she observed Shu Han holding Shangguan Ruolin closely, she inwardly sneered, though you might be earnest in ridding the cold energy, daring to touch Senior's pristine body in such a manner might mean you wouldn't live long.

Feigning reassurance, Shu Han inquired, "Might I ask for the name of my esteemed companion?"

The woman responded with a slight bow, "I am Che Hanyan."

"I am Yu Tiancheng."

Che Hanyan questioned, "I notice you don't seem to belong to the six sects. How did you manage to enter this Immaculate Realm?"

Shu Han then regaled Che Hanyan with a tall tale, recounting how he had once, by sheer luck, assisted an elder from the Purple Sun Sect. In gratitude, the elder secretly arranged for him to enter the Immaculate Realm. The story flowed seamlessly, and Shu Han seemed to have mastered the art of weaving tales, narrating his fabricated adventures to Che Hanyan in vivid detail.

The deeper he delved into the story, the more Che Hanyan's brow furrowed. She sheathed her large scissors and waved him off, "Enough! I have no interest in the minutiae of your life!"

Noticing her disciples had successfully absorbed the cold essence, she turned to Shu Han, "Yu Tiancheng, come, follow us into the Immaculate Realm Sacred Mountain."

Hearing this, Shu Han demurred, "The interior of the Immaculate Realm is fraught with danger. I dare not venture within."

Che Hanyan scoffed, "What are you afraid of? I have a map. There will be no issues as long as we follow it and avoid the dangers."

Shu Han inquired, "You're not going after the Heavenly Creation Fluid, are you? I wouldn't dare get involved in that. I've heard it's pursued by late-stage seniors. Entering as a mere mid-stage like me, I'd probably be obliterated!"

Che Hanyan cast her gaze toward the mountaintop, saying, "The rainbow mists haven't fully retracted yet. It's not time to fight for the Heavenly Creation Fluid. There's no need for concern."

Noticing her reluctance to divulge more, Shu Han thought, I might need to find a way to subdue her, seize the map, and interrogate her thoroughly. The Golden Silkworm Association shouldn't have the kind of tough characters as the Devil Music Sect, ones who would explode rather than betray a secret, right?