After listening to the cautious words of the woman surnamed Song, Han Li nodded slightly without pressing further.
“It’s just as well that Nephew Song and Miss Mei aren’t going. The current Myriad Ridge Mountains are a chaotic mix of all sorts, and even if I enter the Fallen Devil Valley, I have little confidence in emerging unscathed. Miss Ziling, however, seems unwavering in her determination to enter the valley?” Han Li remarked casually to Ziling.
“As long as Brother Han is willing to enter the valley, I’m willing to take the risk. I have full confidence in you, Fellow Daoist Han,” Ziling replied with a charming smile, her tone composed.
“Since Fellow Daoist Ziling insists, I won’t try to dissuade you further. However, before entering the valley, there are a few matters I must clarify,” Han Li said, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Ziling.
“That’s only natural. Brother Han, feel free to ask whatever you wish,” Ziling replied without hesitation.
“First, I need to confirm the truth about the Spirit Candle Fruit. I don’t want to rush into the Fallen Devil Valley only to find it was all for nothing. Can you verify its existence?” Han Li’s expression turned serious.
“The Spirit Candle Fruit is absolutely real. It was personally recounted by a Ghost Spirit Sect elder who barely escaped the valley with his life—his Nascent Soul, to be precise. Otherwise, the Ghost Spirit Sect’s Nascent Soul elders wouldn’t be so fervently invested in this matter. I even have a jade slip here containing the Nascent Soul’s firsthand account of the fruit’s location, which should serve as proof,” Ziling explained, having prepared for this question. She immediately retrieved an emerald-green jade slip from her storage pouch and handed it to Han Li.
Han Li took the jade slip and immersed his spiritual sense into it, silently examining its contents. After a long while, he withdrew his consciousness and returned the slip without revealing any emotion.
“According to this, the Spirit Candle Fruit does indeed exist. However, the location described is deep within the valley and somewhat vague. With such ambiguous directions, finding it may not be guaranteed,” Han Li said with a frown, his tone hesitant.
“Since the Ghost Spirit Sect elder stumbled upon the fruit only after his Nascent Soul fled his body, it’s understandable that his memory of the location is unclear. But the jade slip does mention several distinctive landmarks, so locating the fruit shouldn’t be too difficult,” Ziling reassured him, clearly worried he might back out.
Han Li pondered the contents of the jade slip, weighing the risks and rewards.
“Even if we find the fruit, we must refine the Creation Pill and consume it within the valley, or its potency will greatly diminish. Have you prepared the supplementary materials for refining the pill?” Han Li asked calmly after a moment.
Ziling’s face brightened with restrained excitement. “The supplementary materials for the Creation Pill are indeed rare, but over the past few years, I’ve gathered enough for over a dozen attempts. As long as we have the Spirit Candle Fruit, and barring the worst luck, refining the pill shouldn’t be an issue.”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll venture into the Fallen Devil Valley. However, Miss Ziling, the dangers within the valley go without saying. While I’ll do my best to protect you within my capabilities, if we encounter threats beyond my power to resist, you must be prepared to fend for yourself,” Han Li said sternly.
“Of course. If such a situation arises, it would merely be my misfortune, and I would never resent Brother Han. Besides, I have some confidence in my ability to survive,” Ziling replied firmly, her usual soft demeanor replaced by a resolute air.
Han Li was momentarily taken aback but soon nodded in approval, his expression softening. “Have you three learned how the Ghost Spirit Sect plans to enter the valley? I’ve heard they’re issuing Fallen Devil Tokens to limit the number of entrants—an odd move. Given the current circumstances, whether a few hundred or a thousand cultivators enter makes little difference. There must be some restriction in their method. Otherwise, with tokens priced at tens of thousands of spirit stones, the Ghost Spirit Sect wouldn’t pass up such a lucrative opportunity.”
“Brother Han is truly perceptive—you’ve guessed correctly,” Ziling said with a surprised smile.
“Though we didn’t press further after the information leak, we did gather hints from their disciples. It seems this time, entering the valley requires the combined efforts of many Ghost Spirit Sect disciples and a massive expenditure of spirit stones at a specific time. That’s why the number of entrants is limited.”
“Regardless of the Ghost Spirit Sect’s method, our Falling Cloud Sect has been allotted three tokens, one of which I secured upon returning. Entering the outer valley won’t be an issue. The inner valley, however, is fraught with peril—no one can guarantee safe passage. Still, I suspect most cultivators will only explore the outer valley, leaving the inner valley to Nascent Soul cultivators. Of course, a few Core Formation cultivators might take the risk, but they’ll be few. While in the outer valley, Fellow Daoist Ziling should be safe enough to act independently. But once we enter the inner valley…” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he suddenly switched to voice transmission, his lips moving soundlessly.
The woman surnamed Song and Mei Ning showed no displeasure at this, understanding the need for caution given the extreme dangers ahead.
“I’ll follow your lead, Brother Han,” Ziling agreed after a brief hesitation.
“Then I’ll see you in the Fallen Devil Valley, Fellow Daoist Ziling. By the way, Nephew Song, I heard from our sect’s disciples that Senior Brother Cheng has also arrived. Do you know his whereabouts?” Han Li turned to the woman surnamed Song.
“I’m afraid I don’t. Senior Cheng arrived with a few close friends and hasn’t contacted me since,” she replied apologetically.
“I see. It seems Senior Cheng intends to take his chances in the valley before his lifespan runs out,” Han Li murmured thoughtfully.
“I’ve also heard rumors that Mulan shamans might participate in this expedition. Is there any truth to that?” Han Li asked after a pause, his brow slightly furrowed.
“We’ve heard the same, but the rumors are conflicting, so we can’t confirm their validity,” Ziling replied with a troubled expression.
Han Li stroked his chin in silence. Moments later, however, his expression shifted slightly, and he abruptly stood to take his leave, departing without further explanation. The three women exchanged bewildered glances.
“What happened? Why did Brother Han leave so suddenly?” Ziling wondered aloud.
“Perhaps Senior Han had urgent matters to attend to,” Mei Ning speculated, her disappointment faintly visible.
The woman surnamed Song, meanwhile, gazed thoughtfully at the door.
—
“Are you trying to scatter your soul to the winds?” Han Li strode down a secluded street, his steps measured and seemingly composed. In reality, he was inwardly berating someone with extreme irritation.
“Heh! I merely found that girl Ziling exceptionally beautiful. It’s only natural to be intrigued,” an aged voice replied nonchalantly in Han Li’s mind.
“Hmph! Don’t forget that the Seven Emotions Art you once cast linked your emotions to my second Nascent Soul. Your lustful thoughts aren’t just your problem—they affect me too, since the second Nascent Soul is connected to my consciousness. Besides, Ziling’s current appearance isn’t particularly striking. How did you even see through her disguise? You once boasted of having countless concubines and experiencing all the world’s beauties, yet a single female cultivator reduces you to this state. Were your past claims nothing but lies?” Han Li retorted coldly, his anger unabated.
“I cast the Seven Emotions Art to target your main soul. Who’d have thought a mere early Nascent Soul cultivator like you would possess a second Nascent Soul to bear the brunt? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in this sorry state. While the Seven Emotions Art can’t control a cultivator’s consciousness, manipulating their emotions can make life a living hell. As for that girl, her disguise might fool others, but not my spiritual sense,” the old man grumbled defiantly.
“Even if your Seven Emotions Art were peerless, targeting the wrong person renders it useless. While my second Nascent Soul shares some connection with me, its affliction only mildly inconveniences me. But you—I never imagined the founder of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, the creator of the Great Development Art, the legendary Great Development Sage, would cling to existence as a puppet’s spirit. If not for your astonishingly powerful spiritual sense and mastery of the Great Development Art, I’d never believe it. But if you keep stirring trouble with female cultivators and disrupting my mind, don’t blame me for being ruthless,” Han Li’s voice turned icy.
“Boy, you know full well that even with your Soul Nurturing Wood bead, my spirit will dissipate within decades. If not for my unfinished puppet research, I’d gladly reincarnate already. Enduring millennia as a numb puppet is more than enough. Spend ten thousand years without seeing a woman, and you’d be worse than me!” the old man snorted dismissively.
Han Li rubbed his temples, exasperated.
This ancient monster hiding in the bamboo tube on his back was truly troublesome. If not for his promise to impart the final three layers of the Great Development Art and several powerful, never-before-seen puppet crafting techniques, Han Li would have long since eradicated him.
What infuriated him further was the old man’s incomprehensibly strong spiritual sense. Attempting a soul search on him was futile—it nearly backfired, leaving Han Li wary of trying again.
Faced with the ten-thousand-year-old Great Development Sage, Han Li found himself at a loss.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage