Han Li stood on the deserted high platform, gazing at the bizarre stone disk before him, a look of astonishment flickering across his face.
The disk was about ten feet in diameter, lying flat with intricate patterns and seemingly profound incantations carved into its surface. Though no one was performing any rituals here at the moment, faint wisps of purple mist rose from it, merging with the violet clouds above the village.
Han Li, being quite skilled in formations himself, narrowed his eyes and began studying the disk intently.
Before long, his expression shifted between realization and deep contemplation, his mind wholly absorbed in deciphering its mysteries.
“So, fellow Daoist, have you uncovered any secrets?” Just as Han Li was lost in thought, an unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke from behind him.
Startled, Han Li inwardly cursed his carelessness. How had someone approached him unnoticed? Had this person harbored ill intent, he would have been in grave danger. However, this lapse wasn’t entirely his fault. Accustomed to relying on his spiritual sense to monitor his surroundings, the sudden loss of his spiritual power and mana had left him struggling to adapt.
Though inwardly wary, Han Li maintained a composed expression as he turned around.
Before him stood a white-haired elder with a long beard. His face was deeply lined, yet his eyes sparkled with vitality as he regarded Han Li with a smile.
“Are you also a cultivator?” Han Li asked hesitantly, unable to sense the man’s cultivation due to his lost spiritual power.
“This old man is Baohuanzi from the Five Dragons Sea. You must be one of the two newly arrived cultivators,” the elder replied with a chuckle.
“Five Dragons Sea?” The name stirred something in Han Li’s memory—the village elder had mentioned it before. His interest piqued, he decided to engage further.
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Baohuanzi. My surname is Han, a rogue cultivator from the Chaotic Star Sea,” Han Li said, his tone easing.
“Chaotic Star Sea? There was once another cultivator from there here, but alas, he perished during a mission against a powerful shadow beast. Still, cultivators well-versed in talismans are rare, and seeing how intently you studied this stone talisman, I’d wager your expertise is considerable!” The elder sighed before shifting the topic.
“Stone talisman? You mean this disk?” Han Li’s expression turned peculiar—this time not feigned, as he had genuinely never heard the term before.
“Haha! No wonder you’re unfamiliar. Stone talismans and jade talismans have likely been lost elsewhere. Only a few sects in our Five Dragons Sea still preserve these ancient arts,” the elder said proudly, his wrinkles twitching slightly as he smiled.
Hearing this, Han Li’s confusion faded.
“I’ve indeed never heard of stone or jade talismans, though I have studied talismans before. I was merely surprised to see talismanic inscriptions on this disk. Your explanation has clarified much. However, this stone talisman also seems to bear characteristics of a formation—am I mistaken?” Han Li frowned slightly as he studied the elder.
“To think you’re proficient in both formations and talismans—truly impressive! You’re not mistaken. This Sandalwood Cloud Stone Talisman differs from ordinary stone talismans. It was modified to harness shadow energy, blending talismanic and formation techniques. Though this weakened its power considerably,” the elder exclaimed, clapping his hands in admiration.
Han Li nodded thoughtfully but then glanced back at the disk. “The elder mentioned that you harness shadow energy here by combining shadow beast cores with formations to cast spells. Yet I see no cores embedded in this talisman. Is there something else at play?”
“Ah, you wouldn’t know. Today, you must have seen that Shadowfang Beast. While most villagers train in martial arts, making them far stronger than ordinary folk, even the most skilled warrior stands no chance alone against such a beast. Even with numbers, casualties would be severe—losses we cannot afford. Thus, using shadow energy to trap enemies is vital for the village’s survival. The stockpile of shadow beast cores determines our strength.” The elder paused before adding, “But these cores are exceedingly rare. Stronger beasts are more likely to have them, but it’s never guaranteed. Sometimes, after great effort, we find nothing. Other times, like today, villagers slay weak beasts and stumble upon a core. It’s unpredictable.”
“Overall, the village’s needs for spells and daily protection demand many cores, yet we gather only about ten a year—barely enough. Thus, the cores are kept by the elders and only distributed when needed. After battles, they’re reclaimed. This talisman is pre-charged with several days’ worth of energy for routine use, so cores aren’t embedded directly. The slots carved into it during its creation now go unused,” the elder explained, running his fingers over the disk’s empty grooves with a self-deprecating smile.
Han Li remained silent, offering only a faint smile. Though unsure why the elder was so forthcoming, he suspected it involved village politics—something he had no interest in, given his temporary stay.
*How pitiful,* Han Li mused. *Even cultivators, stripped of their path, resort to mortal power struggles.*
Noticing Han Li’s disinterest, the elder’s eyes flickered with disappointment before he resumed casual conversation.
“You must know this accursed place has existed for millennia. Though few cultivators are drawn here, over time, hundreds—if not thousands—have perished. Some say even Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators were trapped here until their deaths,” the elder remarked offhandedly.
“Nascent Soul cultivators were here?” Han Li’s expression shifted.
“Yes. Though it was long ago, one such expert spent his final years in this village. Like you, he likely encountered the Spirit-Severing Miasma’s eruption. Otherwise, such a mighty figure would never have been trapped by ordinary mist,” the elder sighed.
“Perhaps. But the Spirit-Severing Miasma is terrifying. Only legendary Deity Transformation cultivators could resist it,” Han Li said wryly.
“Deity Transformation? Haha, you dream big. Still, that Nascent Soul senior left behind some texts, including cultivation insights. Out there, they’d be priceless. Here? Well…” The elder shook his head ruefully.
“Cultivation insights? I’d be keen to see them. Where are they kept?” Han Li’s interest was genuine—Nascent Soul-level knowledge was invaluable.
“Your reaction mirrors mine when I first heard. But after years here, such things lose their allure. Without mana, they’re useless. Still, if you’re curious, they’re stored in a warehouse with other relics.” The elder gestured toward a dilapidated stone hut at the village’s edge.
Suppressing his excitement, Han Li thanked the elder calmly.
After a few more exchanges, the elder noticed Han Li’s distraction and tactfully took his leave.
Watching the elder depart, Han Li pursed his lips, pondered briefly, then shook his head and descended the platform, striding purposefully toward the old stone hut.
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