Spring goes and autumn comes, and more than 20 years have passed.
Baicao Star, Golden Ginseng Valley is located in the southeast of Baicao Star. It has a superior geographical location and is home to many business travelers.
The streets were bustling with people and the noise of traffic.
A secluded green-tiled courtyard with a two-story green attic and a green stone pavilion. Han Benlin and Su Yuyan were sitting in the green stone pavilion chatting.
Han Benlin has been with Su Yuyan for these years. The two hunted monsters together, lived and died together, and developed feelings for each other, but Han Benlin did not reveal his true identity.
The news that Han Changming had advanced to the Void Refinement Stage reached Baicao Star, and Han Benlin also heard about it. While he was very happy, he did not dare to reveal his identity.
Su Yuyan is a casual cultivator who has been making a living by hunting monsters. Her parents were also casual cultivators who died at the hands of the Huang family of Huangfeng Island in a fight for treasures. The Huang family has many gods-transforming cultivators in charge, so Su Yuyan has no way to take revenge.
She has been bullied by the children of powerful forces many times over the years, and is very disgusted with the disciples of immortal cultivation families and sects. Han Benlin does not want to reveal his true identity for the time being, fearing that it will cause Su Yuyan's disgust.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Han. I will pay you back as soon as I have enough money."
Su Yuyan said gratefully that she participated in the auction to buy goods, but she did not have enough spirit stones, so she borrowed some from Han Benlin.
"It's just a small favor, Fairy Su, don't mind it. We have been working together for many years, there is no need to be so formal."
Han Benlin said nonchalantly.
"No, let's put things in perspective. I said I borrowed it from you, so it's a loan and you have to pay it back."
Su Yuyan said seriously that she knew Han Benlin had a good impression of her, but borrowing money was just borrowing money, which were two different matters.
Han Benlin nodded without refuting. Su Yuyan was a bit too serious. Strictly speaking, Su Yuyan clearly distinguished between public and private affairs and would not tolerate any inaccuracies.
Su Yuyan took out a communication disk with a flashing white light, typed in a spell, and a gentle male voice sounded: "Fairy Su, are you free now? We have something to discuss with you."
"Convenient, where are you guys?"
Su Yuyan spoke up.
"We are right outside your door."
Han Benlin nodded and said, "I'll go open the door."
He stood up and walked towards the gate. When he opened it, he saw two men and one woman standing at the door. Leading the way was a tall, thin old man in a green robe with a mustache. His aura was even stronger than Han Benlin's.
A middle-aged man with a fair complexion stood next to the old man in a green robe. The two men had similar facial features. A young girl in a golden skirt with delicate features stood next to them.
"Friend Li, Fairy Lin, come in and talk."
Han Benlin invited them in. The old man in green robe was called Li Feng, in the late Nascent Soul stage, and the middle-aged man was called Li Guang, in the early Nascent Soul stage. They were father and son.
The girl in the golden skirt is called Liu Yun, and she is in the middle stage of Nascent Soul.
The five of them often teamed up to hunt monsters and pick magical herbs.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Feng got down to business: "Fairy Su, Fellow Daoist Han, we have discovered the Ice Toad Fairy's cave, but we are unable to break the restriction. We would like to join forces with you. What do you think?"
The Ice Toad Fairy is a famous Divine Transformation cultivator who has raised a fifth-order ice toad. The ice toad was active more than 10,000 years ago and has not appeared in many years.
"The Ice Toad Fairy's sitting cave? Restrictions?"
Su Yuyan was somewhat tempted. If she could obtain the Ice Toad Fairy's inheritance, she would be able to pay back the money, and maybe she would get a magic elixir to advance to the Divine Transformation Stage.
"What kind of restriction is that? Can Fellow Daoist Li tell me in detail? How did you find the Ice Toad Fairy's sitting cave?"
Han Benlin was puzzled. He had no talent in alchemy and refining, but he was very interested in formations and learned the art of formations from Ye Xin.
Li Feng recounted what had happened. Half a year ago, they went to capture a fourth-rank three-tailed fox. While chasing the fox, they accidentally discovered an ancient cultivator's cave. They broke the outer restrictions and obtained some things. From the contents of the jade slip, they knew that the owner of the cave was the Ice Toad Fairy.
They joined forces to attack the ban for more than a month. They tried various methods but failed to break the ban. They had no choice but to return to the market town and look for friends to break the formation together.
"Fellow Daoist Han is proficient in formations. Do you know what this restriction is? Is there any way to break it?"
Liu Yun asked politely.
Su Yuyan and the other three looked at Han Benlin. They all knew that Han Benlin was proficient in formations, and Han Benlin might have a way to break the ban.
"It should be the Five Elements Soul Locking Formation, which has relatively strong defense. If the five of us join forces, the chances of breaking this ban are still very high."
Han Benlin analyzed.
"Should? Fellow Daoist Han isn't completely sure?"
Li Feng frowned. If Han Benlin recognized the wrong restriction and they had no way to break it, they could only ask other cultivators for help. The more people involved, the less they would get.
If not for this, they would not have looked for Han Benlin and Su Yuyan, just hoping that Han Benlin could break the ban and then divide the treasure together.
There are too many monks involved. If the news leaks out, not only will they get a small share, but they might even lose their lives.
"The formations are unpredictable. Some formations are similar, but their power varies greatly. You have to see it with your own eyes to know the details."
Han Benlin explained that if he could describe it in a few sentences, he would be able to tell the origin and weakness of the formation. Either he was a formation master, or the formation was too ordinary. He was not a formation master, and this restriction was not simple either.
"Friend Han, how confident are you?"
Li Guang frowned and said that if they couldn't break the ban, they wouldn't have notified others.
"It's hard to say. I can't answer with just a few words. You have to see the power of the formation with your own eyes."
Han Benlin remained unmoved and spoke seriously.
He could understand Li Feng and his son, but he was not completely sure. He could lie and claim that he was 99% sure and gain the other party's trust, but he was not that kind of person.
Li Feng frowned and looked hesitant. If Han Benlin couldn't break the ban and had to ask other people for help, it would be too late to regret.
"Fellow Daoist Han's attainments in formations are not low, and Fellow Daoist Li has known Fellow Daoist Han for a long time. Of course, if Fellow Daoist Li doesn't trust Fellow Daoist Han, he can ask other formation masters for help. However, the Nascent Soul cultivators from immortal cultivation families or sects are not so easy to talk to. If they knew about the Ice Toad Fairy's sitting cave, Fellow Daoist Li might not get anything, and his life might even be in danger."
Su Yuyan said meaningfully.
She knew that Li Feng was a little hesitant. Since it was a rare opportunity, she naturally had to speak for Han Benlin.
After hearing this, Li Feng said without hesitation, "Okay! Then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Han and Fairy Su to come with us. I hope we can successfully break the restriction."
Han Benlin looked at Liu Yun and asked doubtfully, "Fairy Liu also understands formations?"
Liu Yun is only in the middle stage of the Nascent Soul. If he doesn’t know how to break the formation, there is no need to call Liu Yun. You can just get a smaller share.
"Fairy Liu has a mid-grade spiritual treasure that is quite powerful and can be of great help."
Li Guang explained.
Han Benlin suddenly realized that Li Guang was always close to Liu Yun when they were hunting monsters. It was normal for Li Guang to invite Liu Yun when they discovered the ancient cultivator's cave this time.
"Okay! Let's go for a run!"
Han Benlin nodded and agreed.
After leaving the market, Li Feng raised his right hand and a green light flew out. It turned out to be a flying boat with green light flowing continuously. It was a low-grade flying magic treasure.
The five of them walked onto the green flying boat one after another. Li Feng cast a spell, and the green flying boat suddenly lit up with a dazzling green light and flew towards the sky. Not long after, the green flying boat disappeared into the sky.
······
Xuanyang Star, the forest of ten thousand gourds.
In a vast manor, Han Changming was sitting in a green stone pavilion, and Han Benfu was talking to him.
“Dad, it’s all my fault. If I had kept an eye on Ben Lin, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Han Benfu's face was full of self-blame. Han Benlin had left the city for more than 20 years and there was no news of him. She couldn't find Han Benlin for a long time, so she rushed back to Xuanyang Star to report the news.
"Ben Lin's soul lamp has not been extinguished yet, so he should be fine. Maybe I guessed it right. He is no longer on Baicao Star and has gone to other immortal cultivation stars."
Han Changming comforted her, saying that Han Benlin was independent and difficult to discipline, and it was not Han Benfu's fault.
Fortunately, Han Benlin's soul lamp has not been extinguished, so he should be fine.
Han Benlin doesn't have to worry about the resources for cultivating immortals, and he shouldn't take risks in dangerous or forbidden areas. As long as he doesn't provoke strong enemies, there will be no problem.
"Dad, how about asking the Zhao family for help?"
Han Benfu suggested.
If the Zhao family is willing to help, it will be much easier. But I am afraid that Han Benlin will change his appearance, which will undoubtedly increase the difficulty.
Han Changming nodded: "I will contact Brother Zhao! I hope Benlin is okay."
Whether he can find Han Benlin or not, he will try.
"By the way, the Refining Ceremony is about to be held. Please help to receive the guests who come to congratulate you."
Han Changming warned.
Han Benfu responded and agreed.
Han Changming left his residence and came to Wanhu Valley, where he found Zhao Tianzong easily.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Han Changming stated his purpose: "Friend Zhao, I have encountered a small problem and would like to ask your Zhao family for help."
"Friend Han, please feel free to speak."
Zhao Tianzong said seriously that Han Changming was talking about the Zhao family, and it was obviously not a trivial matter.
"My youngest son has been traveling and hasn't returned yet. I would like to ask Daoist Zhao to help find him. This is his portrait."
Han Changming said sincerely and took out a scroll.
"Your son has been away traveling and hasn't returned yet? Where was he last seen?"
Zhao Tianzong was a little surprised and asked.
"He has not been seen in the Qianling Market on Baicao Star for more than 20 years. His whereabouts are unknown. He may have gone to another immortal cultivation star."
Han Changming said truthfully.
Zhao Tianzong nodded and said, "Okay, I will immediately send people to contact the affiliated forces of Baicao Star and other affiliated forces of Xiuxian Star to help find your son. Fellow Daoist Han, don't worry. Your son is a lucky person and he should be fine."
"Thank you very much, Brother Zhao."
Han Changming expressed his gratitude. In this way, he owed the Zhao family another favor. It was not easy to repay a favor, but for Han Benlin, Han Changming still had to ask for it.
"Fellow Daoist Han, you are too polite. It's just a small favor. The Refining Void Ceremony is approaching, so just prepare to entertain the guests."
Zhao Tianzong's tone was warm.
Han Changming nodded, chatted for a while, then said goodbye and left.
Zhao Tianzong called two clansmen and asked them to take Han Benlin's portrait, pass on the order, and send people to various immortal cultivation stars to search for Han Benlin.
······
The Ziyu Mountain Range is located in the northwest of Baicao Star. The spiritual energy here is weak and high-level cultivators rarely stay here.
A green light appeared in the sky and flew towards here quickly.
Not long after, the green light stopped, and a flying boat with shining green light appeared. Han Benlin and four others stood on it with solemn expressions.
In order to prevent being followed, Li Feng kept taking them in circles, heading to other markets, using teleportation arrays to travel and constantly changing places.
"Friend Li, we have been turning for more than a year. We won't turn again!"
Liu Yun said with some dissatisfaction.
"Don't worry, Fairy Liu. It won't happen again."
Li Guang explained.
Li Feng glared at Li Guang and nodded, "We have arrived at our destination."
He made a gesture of magic, and the green flying boat's light increased greatly, flying towards the depths of the mountains.
After a cup of tea, the green flying boat stopped and appeared above a long and narrow valley. The stone walls on both sides of the valley were uneven and a large amount of weeds grew in the valley.
Han Benlin opened his spiritual sense and scanned the valley, but found nothing unusual.
This is not surprising. If the abnormality could be discovered by a scan with spiritual sense, the ancient cultivator’s cave would have been discovered long ago.
"The ancient monk's cave is here?"
Liu Yun asked in confusion.
Li Guang nodded and said, "It's right here. We used a formation to hide the cave."
Li Feng pinched his fingers and the green flying boat quickly fell into the valley.
At the end of the valley there was a cave several meters in size, and they walked towards the cave.
The cave was dark and damp, extending underground. After passing through a narrow tunnel, they emerged in a cave covering several acres. In the lower left corner there was a pool several hundred feet in size, with water dripping into the pool from time to time.
There is a row of stalactites of varying lengths on the top of the cave, and the stone walls are uneven, nothing special.
Li Guang took out a formation plate that was flashing with yellow light, and entered a spell. The stone wall on his left hand side lit up with a dazzling yellow light, revealing a thick five-colored light curtain. The surface of the light curtain was covered with countless five-colored runes, and the spiritual light kept flashing.
Behind the five-colored light curtain is a simple green stone door.
Han Benlin and the other four looked at each other, nodded, and used their magic weapons to attack the five-colored light curtain.
Han Benlin sacrificed the Yiyuan Bottle and cast a spell, which spurted out a stream of blue sea water. The sea water rolled violently and turned into a huge blue hand, which slapped the five-color light curtain with a force of millions of kilograms.
There was a loud rumbling sound, various spiritual lights flashed, the cave shook violently, and a large amount of rubble was shaken down.
Half a day later, accompanied by a deafening explosion, the five-colored light curtain shattered into pieces, and even the green stone door was smashed to pieces, with smoke and dust billowing.
After the smoke and dust cleared, a simple stone chamber several hundred feet in size appeared in front of them. The chamber had obvious signs of artificial excavation. In the center was a humanoid corpse wearing a worn white bellyband and a white long skirt, and a green storage ring on the left hand.
Upon closer inspection, one can find that the upper body of the humanoid corpse is black, two ribs are broken, and the right arm is missing. It seems that the Ice Toad Fairy was seriously injured before her death.