Han Li formed a hand seal, and over a dozen formation flags facing the crystal wall began to float and shift. Moments later, these flags arranged themselves into a peculiar formation, seemingly chaotic yet subtly profound.
At that moment, Han Li chanted a low, obscure incantation, then swiftly cast over a dozen hand seals, each striking a formation flag with precision. The flags trembled, emitting a dazzling array of multicolored lights, and beams of light shot out from them, weaving together to form an intricate spell formation.
Wang Tiangu, Marquis Nanlong, and other cultivators well-versed in formations frowned at the sight. The formation seemed vaguely familiar, yet none had ever seen it before, prompting them to silently analyze it for hidden insights.
However, Han Li seemed unwilling to let others study the formation’s secrets for too long. With a low shout, his body suddenly erupted with blinding white light. Those who had been intently observing the formation were caught off guard, reflexively shutting their eyes.
Yet these seasoned cultivators quickly recovered, channeling spiritual power into their eyes to reopen them. To their astonishment, the formation flags had seamlessly embedded themselves into the crystal wall, as if they had always been part of it.
Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder were visibly delighted, their confidence in Han Li greatly bolstered.
Wang Tiangu’s expression flickered briefly before returning to normal. Behind him, Wang Chan’s masked face revealed a mix of shock and bewilderment, while Yan Ruyan frowned slightly, her beautiful eyes narrowing in suspicion as she studied the formation within the wall.
Han Li then approached the crystal wall, pressing his hands against its surface as his fingers emitted a faint cyan glow. In response, the formation within the wall erupted with radiant five-colored light, growing increasingly dazzling until it filled the entire wall in a breathtaking display.
Just as the onlookers were mesmerized, Han Li withdrew his hands and swiftly moved to another crystal wall. After a moment of contemplation, he produced another set of formation flags, arranging a different formation. Another flash of white light later, this formation too was embedded into the wall.
This time, prepared for the blinding light, Marquis Nanlong and the others shielded their eyes with spiritual power, allowing them to witness Han Li’s flawless execution. They marveled at how effortlessly he dismantled the crystal barriers.
Han Li repeated the process for all four walls, a task that took a full half-hour.
None of the other cultivators showed impatience—everyone knew that dismantling such an ancient and intricate restriction would naturally take time. Han Li’s composed demeanor also instilled confidence in them. Otherwise, Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder would not have tolerated such a lengthy delay.
Once the formations were in place, Han Li strode to the center of the hall and produced a jade-green formation plate. Without hesitation, he cast a series of complex hand seals into it. The plate and the formations in the walls pulsed in unison, their rhythms chaotic at first but soon synchronizing perfectly.
Without even glancing at the radiant lights around him, Han Li lowered his head slightly and uttered a single word: “Break.”
The lights surged violently, accompanied by a piercing hum that grew louder, like the cries of ten thousand birds.
With a thunderous boom, the lights shattered, plunging the hall into darkness.
Marquis Nanlong and the others then realized that the crystal walls had vanished without a trace, replaced by ordinary stone walls. Embedded in one of them was a massive stone door, standing over twenty feet tall and ten feet wide.
“Fellow Daoist Han, your mastery of formations is truly remarkable. You’ve actually broken this restriction! Haha! Excellent! As promised, after Brother Yun and I make our selections, you may choose a treasure first,” Marquis Nanlong exclaimed, his eyes alight with excitement.
The white-robed elder, spotting the stone door, also broke into a broad smile, his gaze burning with anticipation.
“Brother Nanlong, let’s see what treasures lie within. Surely there aren’t more restrictions?” the surnamed You cultivator asked eagerly, though a hint of worry lingered in his voice.
“Rest assured, there are none. According to the legacy of the late Venerable Cangkun, this cave abode only had two layers of restrictions,” Marquis Nanlong replied confidently. With that, he strode forward and flicked his sleeve lightly at the stone door, which swung open effortlessly.
The last traces of doubt vanished from the cultivators’ minds as they followed Marquis Nanlong inside.
“What is this?” the old woman gasped in astonishment upon seeing the scene beyond the door. Han Li and the others were equally stunned.
The chamber beyond was several times larger than the previous hall, but its most striking feature was a delicate, two-story pavilion carved entirely from shimmering white jade. Standing over thirty feet tall, it was exquisitely crafted, with the words “Jade Pavilion” inscribed in silver above its entrance.
Yet the sight of a pavilion erected inside a hall was undeniably bizarre. Before the pavilion stood an aged, blackened altar table, upon which rested a silver-white scroll, glowing faintly—clearly no ordinary object.
The rest of the hall was barren, devoid of any other exits or treasures.
“Could the treasures be inside the pavilion?” The thought crossed everyone’s minds simultaneously.
Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder exchanged glances. The marquis remained still while the elder cautiously approached the altar.
The old woman and Wang Tiangu watched intently but made no move to interfere.
Instead of directly touching the scroll, the surnamed Yun elder hesitated, then exhaled a stream of white mist that lifted the scroll into the air. With a flick, it unfurled to reveal an embroidered image of a scholarly figure clad in white, his back turned as he gazed skyward, a long sword strapped to his back.
“Is this Venerable Cangkun?” the cold-faced cultivator asked, puzzled.
“Perhaps. But since it’s enshrined here, it must hold some significance—though likely not of great value,” Wang Tiangu remarked, his eyes flickering toward the jade pavilion.
“Let me test it first,” the surnamed Yun elder said after a moment’s thought.
He formed a hand seal and fired several red incantations at the image. The scroll glowed brilliantly for a moment before returning to normal, showing no further anomalies.
“Strange… but it might just be an ordinary embroidery,” the elder mused uncertainly.
“In that case, let’s set it aside for now and decide its fate once we’ve secured the other treasures. Any objections?” Marquis Nanlong proposed after a brief silence.
“None from me,” the old woman cackled in agreement. The others, having yet to see the remaining treasures, naturally had no objections.
Thus, the elder carefully stored the scroll in his storage pouch.
“Now, let’s inspect the pavilion,” Marquis Nanlong declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The group bypassed the altar and approached the tightly shut pavilion door. This time, Marquis Nanlong eagerly pushed it open with a creak.
Before Han Li and the others could step inside, a dazzling radiance burst forth, momentarily blinding them. When their vision cleared, they saw three slender ebony stands within the pavilion’s first floor, each laden with treasures emitting a mesmerizing glow.
Marquis Nanlong, the white-robed elder, Wang Tiangu, and the rest were overjoyed. Yet, seasoned as they were, none dared make any reckless moves that might provoke bloodshed.
Suppressing their excitement, they slowly entered the pavilion and began examining the treasures on the stands.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage