Chapter 1777: Blood Soul

Seeing this, the old man and the giant also showed joy on their faces.

Xu Jiao suppressed his excitement and, using the same method, removed the talisman from the jade box.

The white-robed man’s gaze swept over the two items. After a brief hesitation, he reached out and grabbed the blue jade slip.

Placing the jade slip gently against his forehead, the man closed his eyes.

Time passed slowly. The white-robed man’s expression, initially calm and composed, gradually turned puzzled, then eventually shifted to shock.

The old man, Xu Huo, and the giant exchanged glances, feeling a growing tension.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the white-robed man finally exhaled deeply, looking somewhat dazed as he removed the jade slip from his forehead.

“Nephew, what exactly does it say?” the old man couldn’t help but ask.

The giant also wore an eager expression.

“Uncle Huo, see for yourself.” Xu Jiao seemed to regain some clarity, his expression complex as he tossed the jade slip over, unwilling to elaborate.

The old man caught the jade slip, naturally suspicious, but after a brief hesitation, he also channeled his spiritual sense into it.

Meanwhile, Xu Jiao turned his gaze to the jade box. After a moment’s thought, he flicked his sleeve.

The lid opened on its own.

Inside the jade box, a dark light swirled, revealing a small crimson vial a few inches long.

The vial’s surface bore strange patterns and emitted a faint bloody scent.

“Ah, this looks like something from our clan…” The giant, seeing it clearly, immediately recognized something.

“Indeed, this is the Blood Soul Vial, a heirloom of our Xu family. Originally a pair, one was taken away by our ancestor, Frost Li. I never thought we’d see them reunited today,” Xu Jiao said darkly.

“It really is this treasure!” The giant swallowed hard, murmuring.

Xu Jiao said nothing more and directly ordered the giant, “Take my token immediately and mobilize all the clan’s secret guards. Surround the mountain where the ancestral temple is located, activate all nearby restrictions, and don’t let even a fly in. Also, invite Grand Uncle out of seclusion and have him wait in the ancestral temple for now.”

“What? Mobilize the secret guards? And summon Grand Uncle?” The giant was shocked, finding it hard to believe.

“Yes. This concerns our ancestor, Frost Li. Even if Grand Uncle is in the midst of critical cultivation, he must emerge for this,” the white-robed man said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

“The clan leader has truly found traces of our ancestor! Good, I’ll go at once.” The giant, overjoyed, agreed without further hesitation and strode out.

Watching the giant leave the chamber, Xu Jiao turned his gaze back to the crimson vial, his expression fluctuating.

A while later, the old man Xu Huo exhaled deeply, having finished reading the jade slip, and opened his eyes. “So it’s true. Our ancestor did venture into the barbarian world and even crossed to another continent. But something must have happened—only a wisp of her blood soul was sent back.” The old man frowned deeply.

“Aside from the Blood Soul Secret Art recorded in the jade slip, there are only a few vague hints. To uncover the truth, we must use the ‘Blood Crystal Coffin’ to revive this wisp of blood soul. Thankfully, Frost Li prepared for this long ago by crafting the Blood Crystal Coffin and this pair of Blood Soul Vials. Otherwise, we’d truly be at a loss,” Xu Jiao said grimly.

“Indeed. But the jade slip warns that once the talisman is removed, the revival ritual must be performed within days. Otherwise, even with the Blood Soul Vial, the wisp of blood soul will dissipate. It’s been sealed in the vial for too long,” the old man added worriedly.

“Don’t worry. We’ll perform the ritual tonight,” the white-robed man said, his eyes flashing.

“That’s the only way. By the way, what about Senior Han in the main hall? According to Yu’er, he has some connection to Frost Li and voluntarily returned her blood soul. He likely means us no harm,” the old man asked.

“Hmm. Although Senior Han has only recently advanced to the Body Integration stage, his abilities seem extraordinary, and he’s well-versed in ancient formations. He might become a powerful ally for our Xu family. Regardless, we must persuade him to stay longer. After the ritual, we’ll find ways to deepen our ties with him,” Xu Jiao mused before making a decision.

“Agreed. I’ll go make arrangements.” Xu Huo nodded and prepared to leave.

“Wait. To show sincerity, I’ll accompany you,” the white-robed man said after a brief hesitation.

“Very well. A Body Integration cultivator deserves the utmost respect,” the old man agreed.

Thus, the Xu family leader carefully stored the jade box containing the crimson vial and left the chamber with the old man.

An hour later, in an exquisitely crafted pavilion atop a mountain, Han Li sat cross-legged on a cushion, frowning slightly in silence.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit amused.

Originally, he had planned to deliver the items, exchange a few pleasantries with the Xu family, and take his leave.

But the Xu family leader had been overwhelmingly hospitable, insisting he stay longer. When Han Li showed reluctance, the leader hinted that among the delivered items, there might indeed be clues about Frost Li.

If he stayed a while longer, they might uncover their ancestor’s whereabouts.

This gave Han Li pause.

It wasn’t that he was indifferent to Frost Li.

The Dry Blue Ice Flame he had absorbed, the perilous trip to the Void Sky Palace, the Void Sky Cauldron he obtained, and his experiences in the North Coldwind Palace of the Great Jin—all were deeply connected to Frost Li.

Moreover, he had several unresolved questions he hoped Frost Li could answer.

Staying an extra ten days or half a month wouldn’t bother him.

Given his current power, he had no reason to fear any schemes from the Xu family.

Among humans and demons, aside from legendary Mahayana cultivators, few could threaten his life.

Thus, after much persuasion from the Xu family leader and others, he agreed to stay in this pavilion.

But Han Li had made up his mind: he would stay no longer than a month. If no news about Frost Li surfaced by then, he would leave without delay.

Even if he did learn of Frost Li’s whereabouts, whether he’d pursue her further was another matter entirely. He’d decide based on the circumstances.

Lost in thought, Han Li raised his hand. A faint glow flickered, and a silver talisman appeared in his palm.

This was one of the depleted celestial talismans he had obtained from the ruins in the Moonlight Realm.

Lately, unable to refine Body Integration pills, he hadn’t focused on cultivating his spiritual power. Instead, he devoted most of his efforts to studying these celestial talismans.

Though devoid of power, the talisman’s inscriptions were written in Silver Script, sharing similarities with the talisman techniques recorded in the Golden Jade Book he had acquired earlier.

This had led to significant insights.

The “Heavenly Halberd Talisman,” which he had previously found impenetrable in the Golden Jade Book’s fragments, now seemed within reach.

This talisman, the last recorded in the fragments and the only offensive one, was far more complex than the others, like the Taichi Ethereal Talisman.

Even after reaching the Body Integration stage and gaining some understanding of the laws of heaven and earth, Han Li still couldn’t fully grasp it.

This alone suggested the “Heavenly Halberd Talisman” was worth anticipating.

Han Li stared intently at the silver talisman, his finger tracing invisible patterns in the air.

Most of the time, nothing happened. But occasionally, silver runes of varying sizes would burst from his fingertip—some dissipating instantly, others flickering mysteriously.

Time passed. Soon, several bright full moons hung over the Xu family’s mountain range, marking the deep of night.

Suddenly, a strange expression crossed Han Li’s face.

In the next moment, he stood and flashed to the window, gazing toward a distant peak with a hint of confusion.

“What’s this? Such an odd restriction fluctuation… It’s almost like…” His thoughts raced as he looked up at the sky.

What he saw startled him.

The once silver moons had turned blood-red, casting an unsettling glow.

Han Li exhaled deeply, then narrowed his eyes at the distant peak.

Blue light flickered in his pupils. Under his spiritual sight, the seemingly ordinary peak was enveloped in a bloody haze.

The blood light pulsed around the mountain, and the fluctuations that had caught his attention seemed to emanate from within.

Clearly, some profound restriction had been activated around the peak. Yet the blood light was so unusual that part of its spiritual pressure leaked through.

“Such intense blood energy… Is the Xu family performing some blood sacrifice? But why now, with an outsider present? Could it be related to what I delivered today?” After a long moment, the blue light in his eyes faded as he muttered to himself, deep in thought.

With his sharp mind, he had pieced together most of the truth.