“What does Fellow Daoist mean by this?” Han Li merely glanced at the bone box without reaching out to take it, instead maintaining a composed expression as he asked. Without knowing what was inside the box, he wouldn’t recklessly accept it.
“Fellow Daoist need not worry. Inside is one of the three sacred talismans of our Heavenly Talisman Sect—the incantation for crafting the Spirit Subduing Talisman. Traditionally, only the sect leader is permitted to learn it. I have no ulterior motives; I merely hope that, if possible, Fellow Daoist might deliver this talisman-crafting method back to our sect on your way. I do not wish for this unique art of the Heavenly Talisman Sect to be lost.” The red-faced elder sighed deeply as he spoke, then opened the box himself, revealing several bone tablets densely inscribed with tiny characters.
“Spirit Subduing Talisman? Only the sect leader can learn it—does that mean you are the leader of the Heavenly Talisman Sect?” A trace of hesitation flickered across Han Li’s face.
“Shamefully, I, Yun, am indeed the 57th-generation leader of the Heavenly Talisman Sect. Our sect is but a minor faction in Huayun Province of the Jin Nation, so it is rather laughable that someone of Foundation Establishment cultivation like myself holds the position of sect leader.” The elder admitted with a faint blush.
Han Li’s expression briefly registered surprise before his brows furrowed slightly. After a moment, he looked at the elder and said slowly, “If the method to craft the Spirit Subduing Talisman is reserved solely for the sect leader, it must possess unique qualities. Aren’t you afraid that I, Han Li, might also learn the talisman-making technique from it? Moreover, while I have heard of the Jin Nation’s reputation, I have never been there, and whether I will ever have the chance to go remains uncertain. Isn’t this rather rash of you?”
The red-faced elder showed no surprise at Han Li’s questions. Instead, his eyes gleamed with appreciation as he replied, “By entrusting this to you, I am tacitly permitting you to learn the talisman-crafting method, which can be considered an advance payment for your assistance. To be frank, once you see the method for crafting this talisman, you may lose interest in it. Although the Spirit Subduing Talisman has been passed down through generations of our sect, aside from two or three ancestors during our peak who managed to craft a mere two talismans, all subsequent leaders have treated it as mere tradition, never actually attempting to craft it. Given our sect’s current decline, it is nothing more than a pipe dream.”
“As for whether you will go to the Jin Nation to return this incantation—that is entirely up to you. I merely seek peace of mind. After all, the Spirit Subduing Talisman is a unique creation of our founding patriarch. If it were to vanish from the cultivation world, I would have no way to account for it. Even if the method never returns to the Heavenly Talisman Sect, having it preserved in your hands is better than complete extinction. At least when I meet our ancestors in the afterlife, I will have some excuse.” The elder spoke with a bitter smile.
Hearing this, Han Li was momentarily speechless.
So this Heavenly Talisman Sect leader was merely seeking peace of mind. From this perspective, Han Li stood only to gain, with no risk of loss. If he never went to the Jin Nation, he wouldn’t need to return the bone box. If he did visit the legendary empire, delivering it would be a trivial matter.
Moreover, his curiosity was piqued by the mysterious Spirit Subduing Talisman, which seemed incredibly difficult to craft. From his growing experience, he knew that beyond the standard elemental spells that could be turned into talismans, the cultivation world also held special talismans with extraordinary abilities, collectively known as “secret talismans.”
These secret talismans defied classification under the five elemental arts, and each sect typically possessed unique methods to craft them, making replication nearly impossible.
For instance, during his time in the Void Sky Palace’s inner hall, he had been ambushed by Star Palace elders and nearly killed. The Doppelganger Talisman that appeared then, along with the Star Palace’s specialized teleportation talismans, were two distinct types of secret talismans—though the former was far more valuable than the latter.
After brief consideration, Han Li reached out and took the bone box, solemnly declaring, “All I can promise is to do my best. Fellow Daoist Yun should not set his expectations too high.”
“Hehe, that’s enough! With those words from Fellow Daoist Han, I am deeply grateful.” The red-faced elder seemed even more reassured by Han Li’s response, repeatedly expressing his thanks with a look of gratitude. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he tactfully took his leave.
Standing at the door, Han Li watched the elder’s retreating figure before weighing the bone box in his hand—it felt light, with no hidden mechanisms.
At this point, Mei Ning, who had remained silent behind Han Li, finally couldn’t resist asking, “I’ve never heard of the Spirit Subduing Talisman before. Is it truly a powerful talisman?”
“I don’t know, but I suspect it’s extraordinary.” Han Li glanced at her jade-like face and chuckled. He then returned to the table, sat down, and picked up one of the bone tablets to examine.
“Hmm?” After just a few glances, Han Li let out a surprised sound.
“What is it? Is there an issue with the crafting method?” Mei Ning sat gracefully across from him, her eyes shimmering with curiosity. Since their intimate moment, the distance between them had subtly lessened, and her earlier restraint had mostly faded.
“Nothing major. It’s just that the materials required to craft this Spirit Subduing Talisman are… rather heaven-defying. No wonder the Heavenly Talisman Sect, despite possessing the method, never dared to attempt it.” Han Li finished reading the bone tablet and casually placed it back in the box.
“What materials could even make you, Brother Han, call them heaven-defying?” Mei Ning looked puzzled.
“The other materials are manageable, but the primary ingredient is something even spirit stones can’t buy—it requires the essence of a shape-shifting demon beast to craft this talisman. Wouldn’t you call that heaven-defying?” Han Li picked up the next bone tablet with a faint smile.
“The essence of a shape-shifting demon beast?” Mei Ning gasped, her clear eyes widening in shock.
Unnoticed by her, however, Han Li’s face bore a mysterious glint as he scrutinized the bone tablet…
After resting for the night, Han Li and Mei Ning left the village without informing anyone, drawing puzzled glances from the guards.
Standing once more at the edge of the rocky terrain, gazing at the yellow desert ahead, Han Li identified their direction and led Mei Ning toward the nearest village.
His reasoning was simple: if Mei Ning’s brother had arrived safely, he would likely be in another village. Once found, they could leave together. Mei Ning agreed with his logic and raised no objections.
Soon, the two vanished into the vast sea of yellow sand.
Over a month later, on a stretch of blood-red land, a group of over a dozen men and women clad in gray robes and wielding bone spears stealthily encircled a mound-like elevation.
Atop the mound lay several green-bodied, thick-necked beasts curled in sleep—a species known as “Emerald Toad Beasts.” Though ugly, resembling oversized toads, they were one of the few non-venomous demon beasts in the Netherworld that humans could safely consume.
The group was here to hunt them, hoping to alleviate their village’s food shortage.
Moving with remarkable agility and silence, they nearly completed their encirclement when one of the beasts suddenly opened its crimson eyes, spotting the humans barely thirty yards away.
“Attack!” The humans’ cry and the beast’s warning screech rang out simultaneously. In an instant, over a dozen gleaming bone spears shot toward the beasts.
Most of the Emerald Toad Beasts leaped up but were instantly impaled. Only two, the most agile, dodged the spears, though not unscathed—the weapons had grazed them.
Among demon beasts, Emerald Toad Beasts ranked near the bottom, capable only of spewing a few bursts of yin energy. However, their leaping speed was astonishing.
The two surviving beasts spat out fist-sized black yin energy orbs, then kicked off the ground, soaring over twenty feet high and escaping the encirclement. Though a few humans hurled backup spears, they were too slow to hit the fleeing beasts.
Just as the two beasts bounded toward a nearby rock formation, a flash of green light struck them mid-air. Without a sound, they plummeted to the ground, lifeless.
Green blood stained the earth.
The stunned hunters gaped at the scene, utterly bewildered.
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