With a low murmur, a light barrier around Han Li suddenly expanded by half, followed by a streak of white light shooting from his sleeve. After circling once, it landed before him—a snow-white fox transformed by Silvermoon.
“Time is tight. Let’s split up to search for it,” Han Li said swiftly. A faint golden lightning sphere crackled into existence in his palm, which he promptly flung backward. With a thunderous boom, the sphere transformed into a net of electricity, enveloping the white fox.
“Remember, this divine lightning won’t last long. If you sense it weakening, return to the surface immediately. I’ll be back soon,” Han Li said solemnly.
“Yes, Master. But I don’t know what the Demon Core Shard looks like,” the fox replied in a melodious, youthful female voice.
“The Demon Core Shard is pitch-black, resembling a crystal, and contains astonishing demonic energy. It’s easily recognizable,” the Great Divination Sage interjected before Han Li could respond.
“In that case, it’s settled. I’ll take my leave first,” the fox nodded, silver light flashing as it vanished into the stone platform.
Han Li wasted no time either. With a wave of his jade scepter, a faint yellow glow layered over his barrier, and he too descended into the platform without a sound. The vast platform was now eerily empty.
Time passed in silence, the surroundings growing still. The platform became a domain of demonic energy, thick black miasma obscuring all vision like the depths of the underworld.
After an indeterminate period, a sudden sound echoed, followed by a golden flash as Han Li reappeared atop the platform, his barrier intact. Glancing around and finding no sign of Silvermoon, a flicker of concern crossed his face.
But then he raised a clenched fist, opening his fingers to reveal a small, jet-black crystal the size of a thumb, translucent and exquisitely formed.
“As I expected, a Demon Core Shard has formed here. Your luck is truly remarkable—this is something ancient demonic cultivators would have coveted, a treasure rarely encountered even then,” the Great Divination Sage chuckled.
“Is that so? Is it truly that rare?” Han Li murmured, lifting the crystal to examine it closely.
The shard emitted no light, its inky darkness giving off an eerie sensation as if it could devour one’s soul. Han Li shuddered inwardly and quickly averted his gaze.
Just then, silver light flickered beneath his feet as the white fox, wreathed in faint golden sparks, shot out from the platform and into Han Li’s barrier.
“I was about to summon you myself! I thought you’d return before me. Did you find something?” Han Li waved his hand, summoning a blue mist to lift the fox before him.
Without a word, the fox spat out three dark, crystalline objects—were they also Demon Core Shards?
“Well done,” Han Li said, pleasantly surprised. The fox gave a human-like smile before vanishing into his sleeve.
Placing the three shards alongside his own, Han Li retrieved a jade box from his storage pouch, arranging the four Demon Core Shards neatly inside.
“It’s time to leave,” Han Li said calmly. Lightning crackled around his barrier as he slowly ascended into the air.
The descent had been slow, and the ascent was no quicker. After a full quarter-hour of flight, he finally glimpsed the hazy white barrier again, having never needed the demon-repelling artifacts provided by Wei Wuyan and the others.
In an instant, Han Li passed through the barrier, free of the demonic miasma. Glancing back, he dispersed the Divine Annihilation Lightning, the golden arcs vanishing entirely. Instead of immediately flying upward, he leisurely retrieved an item from his pouch—a tattered, emerald-green banner.
“Ah! Isn’t that the Netherworld Banner from before?” Silvermoon exclaimed in surprise.
“Though the demons and ghosts bound to this banner were destroyed, the banner itself remains largely intact—a rare demonic treasure. I’ve tested it; it can absorb ghost energy to repair itself. The demonic flags given by the Joyous Old Demon reminded me that demonic and ghostly energies are both forms of yin energy, somewhat interchangeable. With such pure demonic energy here, I thought to test if it could restore this banner. If not, no matter,” Han Li explained coolly.
Green light surged from his hand, enveloping the banner before it shot into the demonic miasma below. The spiritual light was instantly devoured, revealing the tattered Netherworld Banner as demonic energy swarmed around it.
Han Li formed hand seals and pointed at the distant banner. The lifeless artifact suddenly glowed fiercely green before expanding rapidly under his incantations, transforming into a massive banner over ten feet long—though its surface remained tattered, a testament to the damage inflicted by the Great Geng Sword Formation in battle.
Having searched the memories of the slain Yin Luo Sect elder, Han Li knew how to activate the banner. Such sect heirlooms lacked blood-binding rituals, making them usable by anyone who could refine them.
As Han Li chanted, a gaping hole several feet wide appeared on the banner’s surface, emitting a chilling wind. The surrounding demonic energy surged into the void like a flood, endlessly pouring in.
Delighted, Han Li watched as the banner absorbed the energy, its surface visibly repairing itself. Before long, the banner was restored—though its color had shifted from emerald to a strange mix of green and black.
The banner continued its voracious consumption, the green fading as black radiance intensified. Han Li observed silently, unmoving.
After an unknown duration, having devoured an immeasurable amount of demonic energy, the banner emitted a resonant hum, its gap sealing shut as it calmed. Now entirely jet-black, its surface gleamed with a piercing, almost tangible darkness.
Without hesitation, Han Li summoned it back. The banner shrank rapidly, returning as a streak of black light into his palm.
Inspecting the now palm-sized artifact, Han Li nodded in satisfaction before storing it away. He would test its power another time.
Having delayed long enough, Han Li dared not linger further. Summoning dozens of flying swords, he pierced through the spiritual energy above and soared skyward.
When Han Li emerged from the great vortex as a streak of azure light, Wei Wuyan and the others, though outwardly composed, betrayed faint anxiety in their eyes, fearing his failure to deploy the formation disk. Their relief was palpable upon seeing him.
“Fellow Daoist Han, how did it go? Was the journey smooth?” the Supreme Yang Sage asked with a smile.
“Mission accomplished. The formation is in place,” Han Li replied lightly.
“Good. Let me test it,” Wei Wuyan said, retrieving an identical formation disk from his pouch.
Holding the disk, he recited an obscure incantation. White light flickered across its surface before erupting into dazzling multicolored radiance.
“Excellent, the formation is indeed set. We can now invite other cultivators to assist in its repair. With this disk in place, we need not fear an abrupt demonic surge. Fellow Daoist Han, your contribution is immense,” Wei Wuyan laughed heartily.
“Since matters here are settled, I shall take my leave. I have pressing affairs to attend to. Here are the artifacts you lent me,” Han Li said, returning the four demon-repelling treasures to them.
Exchanging glances, Wei Wuyan and the others hesitated.
“Fellow Daoist Han, why the haste? Stay at Seven Spirit Island for a few more days,” the Supreme Yang Sage urged.
“Thank you for your kindness, but my matters cannot be delayed,” Han Li declined with an apologetic smile.
“If you insist, we shan’t keep you. Safe travels,” Wei Wuyan said, cupping his hands.
“Then I bid you farewell,” Han Li replied with a bow before erupting into azure light and streaking into the distance.
—
Half a month later, back at Falling Cloud Sect, Han Li informed Elder Cheng and the others about the newly allocated spirit island before preparing for another seclusion.
This time, his goal was not to cultivate his core but to fully refine the Second Nascent Soul. Possessing it would vastly enhance his abilities, effectively granting him an extra life. The Wood Spirit Nascent Soul, intended as the vessel, was nearly assimilated—only a few final steps remained.
After checking on Nangong Wan, Han Li entered seclusion, embarking on years of focused cultivation.
Meanwhile, the Tian Nan cultivation world, having weathered several upheavals, entered a period of stability. Sects focused on nurturing disciples, conserving strength for the future.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage