Upon hearing Linglong’s words, Xiang Zhili readily agreed.
The Corpse Fiend, however, showed a hint of hesitation before gritting his teeth and nodding as well. Though the blood blade was precious, compared to the opportunity to enter the Spirit Realm, the demon clearly understood the trade-off.
Moments later, two earthen-yellow talismans and a half-foot-long blood blade appeared in Linglong’s hands.
She carefully inspected the items, briefly toying with the blood blade in her hand. After a flicker of bloody light, she stored them away with satisfaction before turning to Xiang Zhili and the others.
“Between the upper and lower realms, aside from temporary Reverse Spirit Channels, there are naturally weak spatial nodes in the human world. The boundary force in these places is far weaker than elsewhere, some even existing within spatial rifts between the two realms. With sufficient external force, a path to ascension can still be opened. Back then, the Ancient Demon Realm’s invasion of the human world was only possible because they coincidentally discovered such a node between their realm and ours. Otherwise, no matter how powerful those Demon Saints were, they wouldn’t have been able to cross over so easily.”
“Spatial nodes!” Xiang Zhili murmured, while the others also fell into deep thought.
“Of course, the world is vast, and these nodes are not easy to find. The ancient cultivators of the past scoured the world and only found a dozen or so. Some shift locations unpredictably, while others remain fixed. But regardless, the space around these nodes is extremely unstable—prone to collapse or reform at any moment. The paths they open are far more dangerous than Reverse Spirit Channels. The greatest peril isn’t the boundary force but the spatial storms caused by the instability of the passage. Once caught in one, even the most powerful would perish without a doubt. But that’s a concern for later. Right now, the priority is locating the exact position of a node. Though I remember a few, after so many years, most have either vanished or shifted. You’ll have to search for new ones yourselves. Before that, I’ll provide you with the original node locations, search methods, and specific characteristics in detail.” Linglong spoke calmly.
“Then we’ll trouble you, Your Highness!” The Corpse Bear and Xiang Zhili were overjoyed, each presenting a blank jade slip to the silver-haired woman, who copied the information for them before returning the slips.
Lin Yinping watched enviously but dared not step forward to ask for a copy.
“Good. I’ve given you what you need. With your experience, verifying its authenticity shouldn’t be difficult. Now, I must return to the ninth layer. If you don’t want to be caught up in it, you’d best leave soon. I can’t guarantee that the Ancient Demon won’t seize the chance to break free.” Linglong said.
Hearing what sounded like a dismissal, Xiang Zhili and the Corpse Bear tried to persuade her further but, failing to change her mind, said no more. They each summoned their escape lights and departed. Lin Yinping glanced at Han Li before silently transforming into a silver streak and vanishing as well.
In the blink of an eye, only Han Li and the silver-haired woman remained in the hall.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, staring unblinkingly at her with a cold expression. She, in turn, gazed at the hall’s exit, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
After a moment, the silver-haired woman exhaled deeply.
“Those two were sensible enough not to leave any probing divine sense. Now, you can bring out the Heavenly Crystal Stele.” She turned to face Han Li.
“You’re so certain I have the Heavenly Crystal Stele?” Han Li sighed inwardly but replied indifferently.
“If it’s not the Heavenly Crystal Stele, then what else could it be? Don’t forget, part of my soul was once your artifact spirit and saw the ancient script on the stele. Help me reclaim my body, and I’ll let you keep the small cauldron in your possession. I’ll even give you the Eight Spirit Ruler. Though Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures are rare, they aren’t the most supreme treasures in the Spirit Realm. But what’s strange is that I vaguely recall you possessing something even more valuable—though I can’t remember what. Did you tamper with my split soul?” Linglong’s gaze turned icy toward the end.
“Are you joking, Senior? With your immense divine sense, how could a mere mid-Nascent Soul cultivator like me tamper with anything?” Han Li’s heart skipped a beat, but he replied nonchalantly.
“Hmph! Don’t play dumb. The artifact spirit contract between us hasn’t been dissolved. And there’s a memory related to you that’s clearly sealed. It seems tied to another treasure you possess. I’m curious—what could be more important to you than the Void Heaven Cauldron?” The silver-haired woman sneered, eyeing Han Li with ill intent.
“What if you do know? Do you plan to capture and interrogate me again?” Han Li’s expression darkened.
The humanoid puppet beside him suddenly shifted, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him as a faint silver glow enveloped its body.
Han Li had already made up his mind—if she pressed about the vial, he’d try to forcibly awaken Silvermoon by activating the artifact spirit contract. But more likely, before Silvermoon could awaken, he’d be subdued by her. After all, the power of a Deity Transformation cultivator was beyond his current capabilities. Even if she held back to avoid harming him, he’d be captured in moments.
Seeing Han Li’s defiance, the silver-haired woman’s face grew colder, her delicate brows furrowing as a hint of killing intent surfaced between them.
Han Li watched her warily, one hand in his sleeve gripping the Three Flames Fan while the other secretly formed a spell seal. Meanwhile, the humanoid puppet’s hand faintly materialized a small bow.
“Pfft—”
The silver-haired woman suddenly burst into laughter, her expression softening into one Han Li found eerily familiar.
“Silvermoon? Is that you?” Han Li blurted out in shock.
“Master, you’re quite cunning. You sealed the memory of the vial before I merged with Longmeng. If not for Linglong’s divine sense being severely damaged in the spatial explosion, forcing Longmeng’s consciousness into slumber and allowing me to regain control of this body, I might never have uncovered the truth.” She smiled.
“You agreed to the memory seal, didn’t you? Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy.” Relieved to confirm it was Silvermoon in control, Han Li relaxed slightly.
“Though I’ve regained control, my divine sense is far weaker than Longmeng’s. If she recovers or this body is damaged again, she’ll take over. Fortunately, though she noticed the sealed memory earlier, she didn’t investigate further. Otherwise, such a crude seal wouldn’t have held. If you truly want to keep the vial a secret, you’ll need to use a Soul-Sealing Art on me. With my cooperation, and since it only targets the vial’s memory, it’ll be foolproof. Unless one of us perishes or the artifact spirit contract is formally dissolved, even in the Spirit Realm, it should remain secure.” Silvermoon spoke gravely.
“That’s the only way. But if you reclaim your body, can you really return to the Spirit Realm?” Han Li’s joy faded as he asked quietly, avoiding the question of why she was helping him.
“I have no choice. Longmeng alone can’t summon a Reverse Spirit Channel. Longmeng, Linglong, and I share a fate—if one falls, all suffer. As for the artifact spirit contract, only after you ascend to the Spirit Realm can I use a secret technique to break free.” A strange light flickered in Silvermoon’s eyes as she admitted this.
For a moment, Han Li fell silent.
“Master, you should cast the spell first. Time is running short. Then, I’ll use a Boundary-Breaking Talisman to tear open the barrier here and restrain that person with the blood blade. You’ll seize the chance to activate the Heavenly Crystal Stele. Once the backup array suppresses the demonic energy, I’ll use a soul-devouring technique to forcibly return to my original body. If I can consume the Yuan Cha Saint’s split soul, everything will be resolved.” Silvermoon finally said.
“Very well. I’ll set up a temporary array first, in case those two return.” Han Li nodded, flipping his hand to produce a stack of formation flags. He sent them flying, and they vanished into the surroundings as a cyan glow enveloped half the hall.
Silvermoon sat silently as Han Li settled cross-legged before her. Gazing at her exquisite face, he said calmly, “I’m beginning the spell. Be careful.”
With that, he formed hand seals, and specks of cyan light emerged from his body as ancient incantations left his lips. Soon, the glow intensified, shrouding them both completely. After the time it takes to eat a meal, the chanting ceased, replaced by Silvermoon’s soft gasp as the light dissipated, revealing them once more.
The graceful figure clutched her forehead, her jade-like face twisted in pain.
“Are you alright?” Han Li asked urgently, concern flashing in his eyes.
“It’s fine. The technique succeeded. Even if Longmeng regains control, she won’t break this seal. We must hurry—there’s no telling when she’ll wake. Let’s move to the ninth layer.” The silver-haired woman shook her head, her expression steadying before she smiled at Han Li.
For a moment, her smile was like a blooming rose—delicate and radiant.
Han Li studied her briefly, confirming she was unharmed, then nodded hesitantly.
They rose together, and the silver-haired woman flicked a yellow talisman into the air.
With a flash of light, a burst of yellow mist exploded, revealing a transparent spatial barrier.
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