“Heh, discarding your divine abilities? If it were that simple to escape, the Immortal Realm wouldn’t have classified the Soul Refinement Technique as a forbidden art all along. It seems you’re unaware that once this secret technique is initiated, there’s no turning back—it must be pursued relentlessly. Given your current second-layer cultivation, if you fail to reach the third layer within ten thousand years, your consciousness sea will inevitably be unable to contain such immense spiritual power and explode, leading to your demise. Under such circumstances, even if you attempt to seize another body and start anew, there’s not the slightest chance of survival.” The man sneered, delivering yet another blow that weighed heavily on Han Li’s heart.
“Ten thousand years! At least I still have some time to devise a solution. But the third layer… isn’t the Soul Refinement Technique supposed to have only three layers in total?” Han Li’s eyes flickered before he exhaled deeply and countered.
Naturally, he wouldn’t take the man’s words at face value, but he still detected some inconsistencies in the explanation.
“Three layers? Who told you the Soul Refinement Technique has only three? Ah, I see now. You’ve only obtained the first half of the cultivation method, not the complete manual. The full Soul Refinement Technique consists of seven layers. Having only mastered the first two, you still have a long way to go if you wish to survive.” The man paused momentarily before realization dawned on him.
“Thank you for the clarification. But do you happen to know the cultivation methods for the subsequent layers?” Han Li sighed before posing another question.
“While the Soul Refinement Technique isn’t considered particularly rare in the Immortal Realm, it’s far from being a common commodity. Moreover, the Immortal Realm strictly prohibits its dissemination or trade. As a former inspector envoy, I regret to say I don’t possess the latter half of the technique. However, there’s no need for undue haste. Once you master the third layer, the next crisis in your consciousness will be delayed by another thirty to forty thousand years. With such ample time, given your aptitude, you should have the opportunity to ascend to the Immortal Realm and seek alternative solutions.” The man replied with profound implications.
“Ascending to the Immortal Realm is no easy feat. If it were, there wouldn’t be so many fellow cultivators in the lower realms stuck at the Mahayana stage.” Han Li couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
“Haha, that was before you met me. Don’t forget, standing before you is a genuine immortal. If I’m willing to lend a hand, your chances of successfully ascending could increase by twenty to thirty percent.” The man chuckled softly.
“With your status as a true immortal, a word of guidance from you might indeed grant me a sliver of hope to ascend. But surely you didn’t summon me here just to offer unsolicited help?” After a moment of silence, Han Li sighed and spoke.
“You’re quite perceptive! If you were of no use to me, I might have assisted you in slaying the Mother of Silkworms, but I certainly wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of teleporting you here. The reason I did so is because I need your help with something. In return, I can provide methods to swiftly master the third layer of the Soul Refinement Technique and survive the tribulations of ascension. What do you say?” The man didn’t mince words, laying out his intentions plainly.
“If you’re seeking assistance, wouldn’t Fellow Daoist Baohua, as a Sacred Ancestor of this realm, be a more suitable candidate? Why insist on me?” Han Li remained composed, though unsurprised.
“Heh, if any ordinary Mahayana cultivator from the lower realms could aid me, I wouldn’t have endured here for so many years. I would’ve sought help from the local Mahayana cultivators guarding the seal long ago.” The man replied indifferently.
“What do you mean by that…?” Han Li’s heart tightened, his expression turning grave.
“Since we’ve come this far, I might as well be forthright. The reason I sought you out, Fellow Daoist Han, is precisely because you’ve cultivated the Soul Refinement Technique—a heaven-defying ability. Other Mahayana cultivators, even those several times stronger than you, would be of no use to me.” The man’s words left Han Li momentarily stunned.
“What? You approached me because I practice the Soul Refinement Technique?” Han Li was genuinely baffled.
“Indeed. Though I haven’t mentioned it yet, given your current predicament, you can probably surmise part of the reason.” The man laughed bitterly.
“Now that you mention it, I do have some questions about the past. If it’s not too much trouble, could you enlighten me? The Mother of Silkworms we just slew—was its primordial spirit still the same as the original fiend’s? Of course, if it’s inconvenient, you needn’t answer.” Han Li hesitated before cautiously inquiring.
“Though the past is painful to recall, sharing some details shouldn’t be an issue. When the Mother of Silkworms wreaked havoc in the lower realms, the chief inspector of the Immortal Realm took notice and dispatched me and another envoy to eradicate it. Back then, while it was difficult for us immortals to descend, we managed through special means…” After a brief silence, the man’s voice resumed, recounting the tale.
Hearing a firsthand account from a participant in such an ancient legend was a rare opportunity, even for a Mahayana cultivator like Han Li, who listened with rapt attention.
“Just as we were about to vanquish the Mother of Silkworms, a cosmic upheaval erupted, disrupting the boundaries between realms. The dimensional forces we had suppressed with artifacts and secret techniques rebounded violently. Our power diminished, and the Mother of Silkworms nearly devoured us. In desperation, we resorted to a mutually destructive tactic, detonating our bodies and unleashing an immortal secret art to severely wound the creature. By then, however, we could no longer destroy its indestructible form. We had no choice but to possess two high-ranking demons, construct this massive seal, and leave behind instructions. By then, we’d realized the cosmic upheaval had severed our connection to the Immortal Realm, barring our return. Assuming the identities of demonic Mahayana cultivators, we covertly explored renowned realms, only to find the upheaval had intensified dimensional forces tenfold, rendering return impossible. Left with no alternative, we returned to this seal, set up a small formation, and entered deep slumber within it. Our only hope was that friends in the Immortal Realm might remember us and attempt a rescue. Over the millennia, we awakened briefly every thousand years, only to be met with disappointment. Eventually, my companion grew despondent, and disputes arose between us. During one awakening, she ambushed me, sealing my primordial spirit within this vessel.”
The man’s voice echoed across the altar, tinged with emotion.
“She took the Clear Jade Lamp Oil, meant to sustain our spirits, and sought out the sealed Mother of Silkworms. As for her fate, you likely guessed upon encountering the creature. Had I not kept a reserve of the oil, I’d have perished long ago. Her motives? Perhaps she sought to refine the Mother of Silkworms’ body into a True Extreme Form to breach the dimensional barriers and return to the Immortal Realm. Or perhaps she had other plans—I cannot say.” The man concluded his tale.
“So that’s what happened. No wonder you’ve been trapped here. The favor you seek—is it to free you from this artifact?” Han Li’s mind raced, but his tone remained steady.
“Heh, though I was initially sealed in this Black Sandalwood Bowl, I’ve regained much of my freedom over the years. Otherwise, I couldn’t have aided you earlier. What I need is for you to use the amplified spiritual power from the Soul Refinement Technique to activate a treasure talisman in my possession. Once activated, it can transmit a message to a friend in the Immortal Realm, bypassing dimensional barriers. Given our past bond, I trust he’ll do everything to rescue me.” To Han Li’s surprise, the man spoke with solemn gravity.
“You possess a talisman that can reach the Immortal Realm directly?” Han Li couldn’t hide his astonishment.
“Don’t be too shocked. Ordinary talismans can’t achieve this. This one was crafted by a renowned Immortal Monarch and is exceedingly rare. Most low-tier immortals lack the spiritual power to activate it—which is why I sought you out.” The man sighed.
“You’re saying my current spiritual power, amplified by the Soul Refinement Technique, can activate this talisman?” Han Li frowned.
“Your spiritual power is formidable, far surpassing peers, but it still falls short of my prime. Only after mastering the third layer might you stand a chance.” The man chuckled in reply.
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