Chapter 1264: The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman

“Join forces? When did I ever agree to join forces with him?” The silver-robed woman glanced at Han Li and calmly took a seat on a chair, speaking indifferently.

“Fellow Daoist Feng must be joking. That spatial node is so perilous that venturing in alone offers almost no hope of survival. Over these years, haven’t you also noticed the instability of the node? It likely doesn’t have much time before it collapses completely.” Lady Nangong Wan paid no heed to the woman’s cold demeanor and instead smiled as she spoke.

“Entering the node with him isn’t entirely out of the question, but I have one condition. Only if he agrees will I feel assured in joining forces with him.” The silver-robed woman cast another glance at Han Li, her expression revealing a hint of peculiarity.

“What condition? Let’s hear it,” Han Li responded, his curiosity piqued.

“Entering the node together is fine, but I don’t trust you. Before we go in, we must place mutual restrictions on each other. If one of us is in trouble and the other doesn’t assist with full effort, neither will survive the node. Only then will I feel secure in cooperating with you.” Frost Li the Transcendent fixed her gaze on Han Li, enunciating each word clearly.

“No problem, I can agree to that. In fact, I’d feel much more at ease with such an arrangement.” Han Li chuckled and readily consented.

The silver-robed woman was taken aback by his response. After scrutinizing Han Li once more, she said coldly, “It’s best that you agreed. In that case, I’ll need to leave for a while to make preparations. The spatial node should hold for at least another thirty years. On this day thirty years from now, I’ll return here to meet you. I hope you won’t go back on your word by then.”

With that, she stood and strode out without waiting for Han Li’s opinion.

Han Li frowned slightly but said nothing. Lady Nangong Wan, however, rose to see her off, as if she had more to say to the woman in private.

After the two women left the hall, Han Li sat in contemplation, seemingly only now giving serious thought to Frost Li’s proposal.

A short while later, he looked up to see Lady Nangong Wan re-enter silently.

“It seems you’ll truly be leaving in thirty years, husband.” Her beautiful eyes betrayed a trace of reluctance, her expression tinged with melancholy.

“My departure isn’t the main concern. What worries me is that once this spatial node collapses, how will you reach the Spirit Realm even if you ascend to the Deity Transformation stage?” Han Li sighed lightly, his brow furrowing.

“That’s of no consequence. There are other spatial nodes in this world. Having consumed the Sun Returning Water, my lifespan will far exceed others if I reach the Deity Transformation stage. With such time, I’ll surely find another node in the human realm.” Lady Nangong Wan replied softly, her lips parting gently.

She then approached Han Li and nestled into his embrace.

Han Li wrapped his arms around her delicate form, inhaling her faint fragrance, his mind momentarily intoxicated.

At that moment, neither wished to speak. They remained entwined, motionless, their shadows merging into one as if they had always been a single entity.

…

“By the way, Wan’er, what is this defensive treasure you mentioned?” After an indeterminate time, Han Li gently patted her fragrant shoulder and asked quietly.

“Husband, do you recall the golden chest we discovered in the underground cavern during the Bloody Trial all those years ago?” Lady Nangong Wan reluctantly pulled away from his embrace, smoothing her gown as she spoke softly.

“The golden chest? Ah, of course I remember it.” Han Li pondered briefly before recalling the past.

“The Bloody Forbidden Land was actually the retreat of an ancient cultivator. That golden chest contained the restriction token to enter the towering pagoda at the center of the region. However, even with the token, one must be at the late-Nascent Soul stage to bypass the strange restrictions suppressing cultivation levels outside. Once I reached late-Nascent Soul, I returned to Yue Country and entered the pagoda, inheriting that ancient cultivator’s legacy. But besides that, I also found the remains of another cultivator within one of the pagoda’s restrictions. Clearly, this person underestimated the dangers and ventured in without the token, meeting their demise. Among the treasures on the remains, each was extraordinary, suggesting the deceased was someone of great renown. One item in particular was exceptionally miraculous. I believe it could greatly aid your journey through the node, so I brought it with me.” Lady Nangong Wan explained in detail. As she finished speaking, she tapped her storage pouch, and a six-colored glow appeared in her hand, within which shimmered a silver talisman.

“Is this the talisman?” Han Li found it vaguely familiar but couldn’t place it immediately, his brow creasing in question.

“I don’t know who crafted this talisman, but its powers are remarkable. See for yourself, husband.” With a flicker of amusement in her eyes, Lady Nangong Wan tossed the silver talisman into the air, forming hand seals as a melodious chant escaped her lips.

An incredible scene unfolded.

The silver talisman spun midair before transforming into a streak of silver light that enveloped her. Instantly, a shimmering silver barrier materialized.

The barrier flashed wildly as a thunderous roar erupted.

Initially indifferent, Han Li grew alert as the noise intensified, filling the entire hall and drawing dense spiritual energy from the surroundings.

His heart tightened, and his eyes narrowed.

At that moment, multicolored strands of spiritual light emerged in the hall, converging toward Lady Nangong Wan like rivers to the sea, vanishing into the barrier.

The silver barrier began shifting, layering itself with multicolored light, each hue dazzlingly radiant.

Moments later, a distinct six-layered barrier took form, exceptionally solid.

“The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman!”

Recognition dawned on Han Li, and he exclaimed without hesitation.

“Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman? Is that its name? You recognize it?” Lady Nangong Wan was surprised but continued her hand seals.

The six-layered barrier morphed into a six-colored battle armor, clinging tightly to her body, its radiant glow mesmerizing.

“Indeed. Though I’ve never seen it in person, I read about it in the records of a Great Jin sect. The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman doesn’t rely on the user’s spiritual power but draws on surrounding spiritual energy to form its defense.” Han Li’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

As one of the three secret talismans of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, he had long coveted its crafting method. Yet, lacking any leads, he could only lament. Now, to obtain a completed talisman—could the remains belong to that sect’s elder? Had Xiang Zhili entered the Bloody Forbidden Land for this very reason?

Han Li’s thoughts raced, though he quickly dismissed the notion.

Setting aside further speculation, he approached Lady Nangong Wan to examine the armor closely.

The armor shielded nearly her entire body, leaving only her limbs and head exposed. Its surface was smooth, with faintly visible runes, exuding an air of mystery.

With his current abilities, Han Li easily sensed the immense spiritual power within the armor, his brows lifting slightly.

“It’s undoubtedly the Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman. However, according to the records, its power shouldn’t be this limited. Wan’er, you haven’t activated it fully, have you?” Han Li inquired, his gaze sharp.

“Of course not. I’ve only demonstrated a tenth of its potential.” Lady Nangong Wan chuckled lightly.

“Excellent. This talisman will indeed be invaluable for my journey through the node. By the way, did you find its crafting method among the remains? That would be even better.” Han Li’s eyes brightened at the thought.

“No, and this talisman is the only one of its kind.” She shook her head.

“No matter. I’m being greedy. Obtaining even one is rare enough.” Though slightly disappointed, Han Li laughed at his own avarice.

Lady Nangong Wan smiled warmly and tapped the armor. It shattered into fragments, reverting to the silver talisman.

With a gentle exhale, a red mist enveloped the talisman, delivering it to Han Li.

He accepted it without ceremony.

In the days that followed, Han Li remained on the island, spending every moment with Lady Nangong Wan, their affection deepening.

Both knew that whether Han Li succeeded in ascending to the Spirit Realm or not, these days might be their last together. The likelihood of reuniting afterward was vanishingly slim.

Thus, they abandoned all restraint, their bond growing inseparable.

Three years later, while enjoying tea on a picturesque hill near the Misty Sea, Han Li’s expression suddenly shifted. He flicked his sleeve, and a white jade talisman flew out, landing in his palm.

It was a long-distance communication talisman.

Han Li grasped it and scanned its contents.

Though the message was brief, his face lit up with joy.

The humanoid puppet stationed in the Fallen Devil Valley had sent word—the Profound Heavenly Spirit Vine had finally bloomed and borne fruit.

…

A year later, within the inner valley of the Fallen Devil Valley in the Heavenly South, a streak of azure light vanished into a hidden gorge.

Han Li remained there for months before the azure light departed, disappearing without a trace.

Time flew, and soon the thirty-year deadline agreed upon with Frost Li arrived. Beneath the colossal light sphere in the Misty Sea, a group of cultivators in varied attire had gathered.