“Your sect originates from the Great Jin Dynasty?” This time, Han Li was completely taken aback and couldn’t help but freeze in surprise.
“Indeed. But that was countless years ago. Due to the immense passage of time, our Tai Zhen Sect has long since lost any connection to that lineage. Apart from a few ancient cultivation techniques, most of our current methods and traditions have no relation whatsoever to the Ji Zhen Sect. If not for this incident, where I accidentally discovered these ancient texts hidden in our sect’s secret archives, this matter might have remained unknown forever.” Venerable Zhiyang sighed as he spoke.
“Fellow Daoist Zhiyang, what does the text mention about the sealing formation? Did you find a way to resolve this calamity from it?” Han Li asked thoughtfully.
“Although the text speaks of the seal with utmost gravity, stating it as the eternal duty of our lineage, the details are quite vague, with nothing particularly specific. Fortunately, it does provide a general outline of the sealing formation’s structure. The three of us gathered several formation masters, and after years of research, we finally devised a method to repair the formation.” The Daoist priest said solemnly.
“However, this method not only requires gathering a large number of high-level cultivators but also necessitates someone venturing deep into the demonic miasma to bury an array disk at a specified location on the ocean floor. This is why we sought you out, Fellow Daoist Han. Only your Evil-Warding Divine Lightning can truly resist the demonic miasma’s corruption, allowing you to investigate thoroughly.” Wei Wuyan calmly interjected.
Hearing this, Han Li frowned slightly.
“Judging by your expressions, you must have devised this method some time ago. Yet I only recently returned to the Falling Cloud Sect. Before that, may I ask what method you planned to use to deliver the array disk into the depths of the demonic miasma?” Han Li asked composedly after his frown eased.
Wei Wuyan and Venerable Zhiyang exchanged glances, momentarily stunned by his question.
“It seems nothing escapes Fellow Daoist Han. We did indeed prepare another method earlier. We intended to gather several demon-repelling treasures from our major factions and entrust them to a cultivator specializing in evil-warding techniques, sending them into the miasma as a test. However, the demonic energy below is incredibly potent. That method had only a forty to fifty percent chance of success, with a high likelihood of failure. But your Evil-Warding Divine Lightning is different—its power is specifically tailored to counter demonic energy. With you handling this task, it would be effortless.” Venerable Zhiyang said with a smile.
“So that’s how it is! That does sound like a viable method.” Han Li chuckled lightly. “Logically, since this concerns the entire Tiannan Region, I should agree without hesitation. But before committing, may I first observe the boundless demonic miasma to gauge its severity? I prefer not to undertake tasks without certainty.” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he spoke.
“That is only natural. Right now, the Joyous Old Demon is monitoring the changes in the demonic miasma near the great vortex. Why not go take a look now? The sooner we reseal the miasma, the sooner we can rest easy.” Venerable Zhiyang agreed without hesitation. Wei Wuyan also nodded, showing no objection.
Seeing their reactions, Han Li felt slightly relieved. It seemed there were no hidden traps, and the matter was likely straightforward. The three of them then left Venerable Zhiyang’s cave abode and headed straight for the immense spiritual source Han Li had sensed.
Once outside Spirit Turtle Island, the trio transformed into three streaks of light, soaring westward.
After flying about a hundred miles, they finally spotted a radiant white glow shimmering on the distant sea. Vast swaths of multicolored light swirled and condensed high above, resembling an inverted giant funnel, its lower end faintly connected to the glowing mass below, creating an extraordinary spectacle. Han Li’s expression flickered with surprise. Under his spiritual sense, both the white glow and the multicolored light contained astonishingly pure spiritual energy, surpassing even the finest spiritual veins.
“This is the great vortex!” Han Li murmured to himself.
“Indeed, this is the place. The Joyous Old Demon is meditating on that reef over there. Let’s regroup with him first.” Venerable Zhiyang pointed toward a distant spot and suddenly spoke. Following his direction, Han Li’s spiritual sense swept over and indeed detected a black-robed burly man seated cross-legged on a reef about ten miles from the glowing mass—none other than the Joyous Old Demon!
As Han Li’s spiritual sense brushed over him, the Joyous Old Demon’s closed eyes abruptly snapped open. His cold gaze swept toward Han Li before he suddenly stood up. With a flicker, he appeared high in the air.
At that moment, Han Li and the others’ streaks of light shot over.
“Joyous! Fellow Daoist Han has arrived. It seems we can soon repair the formation.” Venerable Zhiyang stopped his flight near the Joyous Old Demon and greeted him with a smile. Han Li and Wei Wuyan materialized shortly after.
“Oh! Fellow Daoist Han is willing to lend a hand? That’s excellent news. With the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning, success is assured.” The Joyous Old Demon didn’t smile, merely giving Han Li a cool glance before speaking, his tone somewhat indifferent. Han Li was momentarily surprised but quickly understood the reason and couldn’t help but smile faintly.
The Evil-Warding Divine Lightning was specifically designed to counter demonic techniques, posing a significant threat to demonic cultivators practicing ancient demonic arts. As the foremost demonic cultivator, it was only natural for the Joyous Old Demon to be less than welcoming. Venerable Zhiyang’s excessive politeness during their previous meeting likely stemmed from a desire to ally with Han Li against the demonic faction.
Han Li shook his head inwardly. Though slightly irked, he didn’t dwell on it. With his current cultivation, even if the Joyous Old Demon harbored murderous intent, Han Li could defend himself with ease. Moreover, he trusted the old demon wouldn’t act so recklessly.
Wei Wuyan had already explained Han Li’s wish to inspect the demonic miasma. The Joyous Old Demon frowned but nodded in agreement. Under the trio’s lead, Han Li followed them toward the glowing mass.
As they drew closer, the so-called great vortex came into sharp focus.
On the sea surface ahead lay a massive hole, three to four hundred zhang in diameter. Though called a vortex, its center held not a drop of seawater. Instead, wisps of pure white spiritual energy continuously rose from its depths, floating upward and transforming under the sunlight into vast swaths of radiant light that painted half the sky in dazzling hues.
Han Li took a deep breath of the humid sea air, sensing the purity of the nearby spiritual energy. A trace of awe flickered in his heart. The great vortex had existed for a long time. If it released such vast amounts of spiritual energy daily, the cumulative loss was staggering!
Unable to see the vortex’s depths from the periphery, Han Li remained silent for a moment before his body flickered with cyan light. He abruptly appeared high above the vortex’s center, intending to peer downward.
But the moment he materialized, an immense gravitational force yanked him downward. A tremendous pull threatened to drag him into the abyss.
Startled, Han Li’s protective spiritual light flared violently, forming a cyan barrier around him. Relying on his profound cultivation, he halted his descent after only a few zhang, remaining motionless as if unaffected. Only then did he calmly gaze downward, his pupils faintly glowing blue.
This scene caused the expressions of Venerable Zhiyang and the others watching from outside to shift slightly.
“Brother Zhiyang, if I recall correctly, the last time your sect’s Elder Ma, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, flew to this spot without any magical treasures, he plummeted over ten zhang before barely stabilizing himself.” Wei Wuyan turned his head and spoke gravely to Venerable Zhiyang.
“Indeed, that happened. The gravitational pull at the vortex’s center is extraordinary. Even we would stagger if caught off guard.” The Daoist priest replied, his eyes also filled with astonishment.
“That confirms it. I’ve long suspected Fellow Daoist Han’s techniques are somewhat unique, clearly surpassing those of cultivators at his level. Now that he’s advanced to mid-Nascent Soul, his spiritual power has grown even more refined, far beyond ordinary cultivators. I wonder what technique he practices to achieve such effects.” Wei Wuyan clicked his tongue, his tone tinged with envy.
“That’s unclear. While some top-tier techniques can significantly enhance a cultivator’s spiritual power, they’re either exceedingly difficult to master or come with severe drawbacks, making them hardly worth the effort. It’s uncertain whether Fellow Daoist Han practices one such method.” Venerable Zhiyang hesitated before replying uncertainly.
The Joyous Old Demon remained silent, his expression darkening.
Meanwhile, Han Li flickered in the air. With a flash of cyan light, he returned to the side of the three great cultivators.
“The spiritual energy within the vortex is indeed astonishing. If the surface already exerts such force, I can only imagine the dangers deeper below.” Han Li said calmly.
“Due to the ten-thousand-zhang barrier of spiritual energy, spiritual sense cannot penetrate downward. To observe the demonic miasma, one must venture to the bottom. Although the pressure below isn’t as insurmountable as we’ve publicly claimed, it’s still advisable to deploy multiple protective treasures when descending. Additionally, numerous smaller spiritual energy vortices exist within the great vortex. Getting caught in one could be perilous. How about this—I’ll accompany Fellow Daoist Han on this journey.” Venerable Zhiyang unexpectedly offered.
“Having Venerable Zhiyang accompany me would be ideal. I appreciate your assistance.” Han Li replied with delight, his earlier reservations completely dispelled.
Without delay, Han Li and Venerable Zhiyang transformed into cyan and white streaks of light, vanishing into the vortex. Only Wei Wuyan and the Joyous Old Demon remained on the sea surface, silently watching the vortex’s center without a word.
“Brother Wei, what are your thoughts on this Fellow Daoist Han from the Falling Cloud Sect?” After an unknown length of time, the Joyous Old Demon suddenly spoke without turning his head, his tone indifferent.
“My thoughts? What do you mean, Fellow Daoist?” Wei Wuyan chuckled lightly, his voice unhurried.
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