“Indeed. I obtained a jade slip from the Young Master of the Qingyang Sect, which mentioned that the Nurturing Soul Wood was hidden within the Void Heaven Hall. After some preparations, I specifically went there to retrieve this divine wood. However, I never expected the hall to be far more dangerous than the rumors suggested. If not for Fellow Daoist Han’s repeated rescues, given my recent Core Formation, I might have truly perished inside. Now, after years of nourishment from the Nurturing Soul Wood, Senior Sister Yanli’s soul has mostly recovered. Although she still cannot actively possess a body, she can now use the ‘Soul Return Art’ to regain a physical form.” As Yuan Yao spoke, a hopeful expression flickered across her face.
“Soul Return Art? The forbidden technique that allows a soul to enter a newly deceased body and revive?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly.
“Exactly, that’s the one.”
“Fellow Daoist Yuan, do you realize what you’re doing? I won’t even mention the dangers of this technique. Just the cost of performing it is beyond what most cultivators can bear. Not only does it require at least Core Formation cultivation to cast, but because the technique defies the natural order, the caster’s cultivation will suffer severe backlash. Typically, a Core Formation cultivator would drop an entire realm. With your current cultivation, if you perform this technique, there’s a ninety percent chance your core will shatter, and you’ll fall back to Foundation Establishment.” Han Li’s voice turned icy as he stared at her.
“Of course, I’m aware of this. This technique is different from possession. Possession takes over a living body, and as long as the three ironclad rules aren’t violated, it can be done safely. But the Soul Return Art revives a newly deceased body—naturally, there must be a price.” Yuan Yao fell silent for a moment when Han Li brought this up, but then she spoke lightly, as if it were nothing.
It seemed she had already steeled herself for the outcome of her core shattering.
“With the Nurturing Soul Wood’s aid, can your senior sister not perform possession? Or perhaps you could wait until you reach mid-Core Formation before casting the Soul Return Art for Fellow Daoist Yanli. That way, you wouldn’t face the risk of core shattering. You must know that reforming a core after it shatters is incredibly difficult—far harder than the first time, to the point where it’s practically hopeless.” Han Li’s eyes gleamed sharply as he issued a grave warning.
“Senior Sister suffered too much damage earlier, and her soul has existed in a disembodied state for too long. She’s already begun losing her sanity intermittently, something the Nurturing Soul Wood cannot prevent. At most, within a year or two, she’ll lose her mind entirely. By then, even if the Soul Return Art is performed, she’ll be left in a vegetative state. Moreover, I’ve recently found a perfectly suitable body and have already expended great effort to set up the Soul Return Art formation. If undisturbed, I planned to perform the technique in a month or two.” Yuan Yao spoke calmly, though a faint sorrow lingered between her brows. Her resolve, however, was unshaken.
Hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Han Li’s eyes.
“Fellow Daoist Yuan, by telling me all this, are you hoping for my assistance?” After a long pause, he exhaled lightly and asked.
“Brother Han has already helped me once, and I shouldn’t ask for more. But the Soul Return Art must be performed in a Yin-rich location and is extremely sensitive to disturbances. The ritual’s effects are also highly conspicuous, and even with concealment formations, it’s prone to attracting prying eyes. Due to my status as a fugitive from the Qingyang Sect, I have no connections with other high-level cultivators besides you. So, I dare not ask for anything else—just that you spare a few days to guard me during the ritual. This matter concerns Senior Sister Yanli’s life and death. If you agree, you may name any condition, and I’ll fulfill it to the best of my ability.” Her delicate brows arched, and her jade-like face was filled with determination.
Han Li fell silent, a contemplative look crossing his face. Given his usual cautious nature, he would never willingly delay his own affairs. After all, he had his own troubles to deal with, and avoiding unnecessary complications was his way. Yet Yuan Yao’s willingness to shatter her core for her friend stirred something deep within him.
After weighing the risks, he concluded that with his current cultivation, as long as he didn’t encounter a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, there would be little danger. Ordinary cultivators who came snooping could be easily dealt with. Guarding her for a few days seemed manageable.
With this in mind, Han Li made his decision. He rubbed his nose and smiled wryly. “It seems I’m not as heartless as I thought—I can’t bring myself to refuse. Since Fellow Daoist Yuan is willing to shatter her core to help Fellow Daoist Yanli, I’ll guard you once. I won’t ask for anything else in return. Just tell me the peculiarities of the Soul-Calling Pearl. I’ve been hesitant to refine it due to my concerns. Also, is this Yin-rich location you mentioned on this island? Since this place is already exposed, it’d be better to perform the ritual elsewhere.”
Yuan Yao’s face brightened at Han Li’s words, and gratitude shone in her eyes.
“Brother Han, your help means everything to me! But rest assured, the Yin-rich location isn’t here—it’s on another small island, just a few days’ journey away. That should be enough to evade the Qingyang Sect’s pursuit long enough for me to complete the ritual. As for the Soul-Calling Pearl, it’s simple. The Weeping Soul Beast originally belonged to the Qingyang Young Master and was only half-refined, which is why the pearl controlling it has flaws. Refining it causes periodic, unbearable headaches that worsen with deeper refinement. I only partially refined it to deal with the ghost mist in the Void Heaven Hall, but even that left me sleepless and tormented. I also have the later refinement techniques for the Weeping Soul Beast, though I doubt you alone could complete them. Still, I’ll give them to you.” She produced a green jade slip and tossed it to Han Li.
Han Li’s mind cleared. No wonder the beast’s soul-devouring abilities seemed weaker than the legends—it was an unfinished product.
Disappointed, he glanced at the jade slip before stowing it away.
“Fellow Daoist Yuan, this place is compromised. To avoid complications, we should leave immediately for the Yin-rich location. Delaying may invite trouble.” Han Li’s tone turned serious.
“Agreed. I was about to suggest the same. Let me gather a few things from the cave, and we’ll depart without delay.” Yuan Yao nodded in understanding.
—
Three days later, above a desolate island, Han Li hovered in the air, gazing intently below.
“This island does indeed have dense Yin energy. It’s impressive that you found it, Fellow Daoist Yuan. With this much Yin energy, you might mitigate some of the backlash.” Stroking his chin, Han Li turned to the woman beside him.
“Naturally. I researched this area and learned that long ago, this nameless island was known as a ‘Beast Graveyard.’ Before humans settled in the Chaotic Star Sea, low-level beasts nearing their end would come here to die. After humans took over the inner sea, most low-level beasts were hunted, and the tradition faded. Even so, after all these years, the island’s Yin energy remains staggering. But it’s small and off the usual routes, so few know of it.” Yuan Yao smiled faintly as she surveyed the island.
With that, she descended gracefully, and Han Li followed unhurriedly.
Landing in a secluded valley, they arrived before an empty patch surrounded by fist-sized black stones. Yuan Yao formed a hand seal, and with a flick of her wrist, a red light shimmered. The scenery before them rippled, revealing an intricate formation spanning over thirty feet. The formation was staggeringly complex, with nested arrays and profound runes—clearly no ordinary setup.
But what caught Han Li’s attention was the translucent white jade coffin at the center. Seven feet long and three feet high, it was wreathed in mist—crafted from rare Cold Jade, an exorbitantly precious material.
Han Li’s eyes gleamed. Undoubtedly, this coffin held the body Yuan Yao had procured for Yanli.
As Han Li knew, the Soul Return Art had stringent requirements for the body—spiritual root attributes, birth timing, even the circumstances of the original owner’s death had to align perfectly. Only then could the ritual succeed.
As Han Li studied the coffin, Yuan Yao solemnly withdrew a black wooden box from her robes and placed it atop the coffin before stepping back.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage