Chapter 1070: The Inverse Spirit Passage

Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Xiang Zhili was momentarily taken aback but then shook his head and said,

“Indeed! Since there was a backup formation, the ancient cultivators also prepared another artifact to control the restrictions of Kunwu Mountain. However, unlike the Dragon Transformation Seal, this artifact has been missing since ancient times. It is said to be hidden in an unexpected place within this mountain. Only the descendants of the other branch of the Kunwu Three Elders knew its whereabouts. But this branch has long since vanished, their identities concealed. Where could we even begin searching?”

“Another branch of descendants! Hmph, I see. Those three were truly cautious,” Linglong snorted, immediately grasping the intentions of the Kunwu Three Elders.

Lin Yinping and the Corpse Bear both showed signs of concern upon hearing this. Han Li also furrowed his brows but casually asked another question.

“What is this other artifact? Is it another seal like the Dragon Transformation Seal?”

“No, it’s a stone tablet called the Heavenly Crystal Stele. With this stele, we could activate the backup formation,” Xiang Zhili replied offhandedly.

“Heavenly Crystal Stele!” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he was startled. He immediately recalled the object he had obtained at the mountain gate earlier—the ancient inscription on it bore that very name.

Almost simultaneously, he sensed a gaze sweep over him. Linglong had glanced at him as if by accident.

Han Li’s heart skipped a beat.

“If there’s truly no other way, we should leave this place first. That demon won’t break free from this space for several days. Let’s take this opportunity to gather all the nearby cultivators in the Southern Border, set up some grand formations, and temporarily reseal Kunwu Mountain. Then, we can invite sects from across the Great Jin to gather here. The demon is still alone for now. Even if it absorbs demonic energy and becomes more powerful, with thousands of cultivators attacking together, we should still be able to destroy it. As for the true demonic energy—it’s lifeless, after all. At worst, we can designate the surrounding ten-thousand-mile area as a forbidden zone and slowly devise a solution.”

As a Spirit Transformation cultivator, Xiang Zhili quickly proposed a feasible plan in just a few words.

“Brother Xiang’s words make perfect sense. Let’s proceed accordingly. I’ll return to the Ten Thousand Demons Valley and report this matter to our Valley Master. This isn’t just an issue for human cultivators—our demon race will also lend a hand,” the Corpse Bear said earnestly, exhaling in relief.

“Oh! If the Ten Thousand Demons Valley intervenes, our chances of success will increase significantly. Especially with Fellow Daoist Che from your valley—I’ve long admired his reputation since I began cultivating. Unfortunately, despite several visits, I’ve never had the fortune to meet him. It seems Fellow Daoist Che has always been in seclusion!” Xiang Zhili said delightedly.

The Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear chuckled dryly but didn’t respond. Instead, his eyes flickered before he turned to Linglong and spoke respectfully, “Princess Linglong, our Valley Master is someone you knew in the past. He is…” At this point, the Corpse Bear’s voice became silent, his lips moving as he transmitted his words privately.

Linglong, who had been expressionless, showed a flicker of surprise in her eyes after hearing a few sentences.

“It’s him! No wonder he knew I was sealed beneath the Demon Suppression Tower,” Linglong murmured softly, as if recalling something from the past, a trace of loneliness appearing between her brows.

“Since you now know our Valley Master’s identity, Princess, why not accompany me back to the Ten Thousand Demons Valley for a short stay? Our valley is home to countless rare spiritual beasts—you could surely find a suitable body there,” the Corpse Bear said sincerely.

“Go to the Ten Thousand Demons Valley? I have no interest, nor will I leave Kunwu Mountain. Soon, I’ll return to that space,” the silver-haired woman declared, stunning everyone with her words.

“Princess, you’re going back? That’s impossible!” the Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear exclaimed.

“Indeed, but I won’t be going alone. This man’s Evil-Warding Divine Lightning is useful to me. He’ll accompany me,” Linglong said coolly, pointing at Han Li.

Han Li’s expression flickered briefly before settling into impassiveness.

“Senior Linglong, surely you jest. Why take such a risk?” Xiang Zhili asked, casting a puzzled glance at Han Li, clearly unwilling to see her endanger herself again.

“I’m different from you. I originally descended to this realm in my true form from the Spirit Realm. Even if my cultivation recovers to the late Spirit Transformation stage, I cannot ascend again on my own. The only way back to the Spirit Realm is to reclaim my true body and return through the Reverse Spirit Passage. This time, I’ll prepare the innate divine ability of our Silvermoon Wolf Clan. If I can get close to that demon, I should have a fifty percent chance of reclaiming my body,” Linglong said coldly.

“This… Princess, please reconsider!” the Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear said hesitantly, looking troubled.

Xiang Zhili also joined in urging her to reconsider.

The silver-haired woman twirled a strand of her pure silver hair around her finger, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

“I know you want to learn the location of the Reverse Spirit Passage from me. You’re afraid that if I perish inside, your hopes will be dashed.”

Hearing this, the Corpse Bear looked embarrassed, while Xiang Zhili remained composed, insisting it was a “misunderstanding,” showing no sign of being exposed.

“Enough. Regardless of what you think, among the many humans and demons who descended through that passage in the past, few truly knew the details. In the Spirit Realm, the Reverse Spirit Passage isn’t something ordinary cultivators can access. The so-called Reverse Spirit Passage isn’t a physical entity—it has no fixed location.”

Linglong’s light words left Xiang Zhili and the Corpse Bear stunned.

Han Li’s eyes flickered as he listened attentively to their conversation, but his divine sense quietly probed his storage pouch, inspecting the Heavenly Crystal Stele. Meanwhile, Lin Yinping was wholly absorbed in the secrets of the Reverse Spirit Passage.

“If it doesn’t truly exist, what does that mean?” Xiang Zhili asked gravely, though he had already guessed the answer.

“It’s simple. The Reverse Spirit Passage was merely a temporary channel opened by the Spirit Realm using the power of heaven and earth. After sending us to the human realm, it ceased to exist,” Linglong said coldly.

“Impossible! If that were true, how did some return to the Spirit Realm after the ancient war? Without the Reverse Spirit Passage, how could they have done so?” the Corpse Bear protested vehemently.

“Have you forgotten how the human realm’s ancient cultivators contacted the Spirit Realm for aid when the Demon Realm first invaded?” Linglong replied indifferently.

“The Boundary-Incense!” Xiang Zhili frowned.

“Correct. When those people withdrew, they naturally lit the incense again to notify the Spirit Realm and reopen the passage. But even if you still possess such incense today, do you think the Spirit Realm would reopen the passage for a few of you? The cost in top-tier spirit stones for each opening is staggering—even the combined resources of humans and demons couldn’t bear it,” Linglong said, crushing the Corpse Bear’s last hope.

“Then, Princess, how will you return to the Spirit Realm after reclaiming your body?” Xiang Zhili seized the crux of the matter, asking calmly.

“As the consort of the Heavenly Kui Wolf King and the eldest princess of the Silvermoon Wolf Clan, I’m different from other descending cultivators and demons. My true body and divine sense were both marked with the Reverse Star Disk’s imprint. Once I reclaim my body and activate this imprint, the elders of my clan will use the main Reverse Star Disk to forcibly open a small Reverse Spirit Passage to retrieve me. This passage can only accommodate me—anyone else attempting to enter would be torn apart by its power. If not for the sudden possession by the Yuan Cha Sacred Ancestor’s split soul and the separation of my divine sense, I would have returned long ago,” Linglong said irritably.

“An imprint? So the Reverse Star Disk in your hand isn’t the real one? No wonder its power pales in comparison to the legends!” the Corpse Bear muttered, staring at the disk in Linglong’s hand, his spirit broken.

Xiang Zhili’s smile vanished, his expression darkening.

Anyone whose centuries-long hopes were suddenly dashed would likely wear the same expression.

At this moment, Han Li grew wary, subtly stepping back. He couldn’t predict what desperate actions these disillusioned individuals might take.

“Is there truly no other way to ascend to the Spirit Realm besides reaching the late Spirit Transformation stage? Given the state of our human realm’s spiritual energy, the likelihood of achieving that is nearly zero,” the Corpse Bear sighed, clinging to a final sliver of hope.

“Of course there is. Besides the Reverse Spirit Passage, there’s another method to enter the Spirit Realm. But it’s theoretically possible—only a handful have succeeded since ancient times. It’s a path of near-certain death. Do you still wish to hear it?” Linglong asked, her laughter suddenly enchanting, her charm overwhelming.

Even Han Li, who had been watching coldly, felt his throat go dry. Startled, he quickly circulated the Great Development Art to steady his mind.

He was inwardly horrified!

“Of course we want to hear it. No matter how dangerous, it’s better than waiting here for death!” Xiang Zhili said eagerly, perking up.

The Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear nodded vigorously.

“I can tell you, but as payment, I’ll need to borrow something from each of you—to aid me in reclaiming my body,” the silver-haired woman said, a sly glint in her eyes.

“Borrow something?”

Xiang Zhili and the Corpse Bear were taken aback.

“Indeed. That blood blade, the imitation Demon Dragon Saber, and the two remaining World-Breaking Talismans you have, Fellow Daoist Xiang,” Linglong said with a smile.