Four years later, inside the cave dwelling on the main peak of Zimu Peak, the stunningly beautiful woman transformed by Silvermoon stood waiting outside a sealed chamber that had remained closed for years. The day before, while using the green liquid to accelerate the growth of spiritual herbs, she had suddenly received a telepathic message from Han Li. Thus, she now awaited his emergence from seclusion.
The door to the meditation chamber, which had remained shut for years, did not keep Silvermoon waiting long. With a creak, it slowly rose. Her bright eyes flickered as she lifted her head, but instead of Han Li, a gust of dark, eerie wind suddenly blew out. A low chuckle echoed, and from within, a black cloud measuring over ten feet in diameter shot out, vanishing in a flash as it rushed toward her.
Silvermoon gasped in surprise, hastily retreating several steps, her face paling as she stared at the object. The black cloud abruptly halted, its surface gleaming darkly like black silk.
“This is…” Silvermoon’s thoughts raced, vaguely guessing what it might be.
“How about it? The Second Spirit Infant has reached this stage—it should be considered a success, shouldn’t it?” The black cloud suddenly condensed and transformed into a black-green infant barely an inch tall, speaking in a human voice.
“Congratulations, Master, on mastering this divine ability!” Silvermoon smiled sweetly and bowed to the infant. Apart from being slightly smaller than Han Li’s primary Spirit Infant, its appearance and demeanor were identical.
“Completing the Second Spirit Infant so quickly was somewhat unexpected. But now that it’s done, it does feel a bit strange,” came Han Li’s familiar voice from the chamber. Finally, his figure appeared at the doorway as he stepped out.
The black-green infant grinned and shot toward Han Li, circling once before perching atop his hair bun.
“Having two autonomous Spirit Infants naturally feels different from before. But once you grow accustomed, Master, it will be fine,” Silvermoon said, tilting her head slightly as she examined Han Li with a light chuckle.
“Oh? From your tone, it seems you know something about the Second Spirit Infant. Do you recall anything related to it?” Han Li’s eyes flickered with interest.
“I’m not entirely sure. It just slipped out—perhaps I once knew of similar abilities,” Silvermoon replied honestly, momentarily taken aback.
Han Li nodded but said nothing. Meanwhile, the infant on his head suddenly flipped its tiny hand, producing a small black banner—the Yin Luo Banner, now saturated with demonic energy—and began playing with it.
“Master, your Second Spirit Infant looks like this… Did you cultivate demonic techniques?” Silvermoon couldn’t help but ask, glancing at the infant.
“Since the Second Spirit Infant has been formed, it naturally needs some abilities. But without a physical body, it cannot cultivate techniques on its own. So, I used my own body and the refined demonic energy from the Yin Luo Banner to help it master some of the profound transformations from the Mysterious Yin Grand Method. As for whether to grant it a body, I’m still hesitant. A Second Spirit Infant with a physical form is highly susceptible to backlash, so caution is necessary,” Han Li explained with a frown. He then tapped his head, and with a flash of black light, the infant vanished inside.
Through internal observation, Han Li could see the Second Spirit Infant seated cross-legged opposite his primary Spirit Infant in his dantian, motionless in meditation.
“Master, caution is wise. This ‘Mystical Infant Grand Method’ is unheard of, while most other cultivators’ avatar techniques involve splitting souls or consciousness. Higher-level ones, like the Zhong Divine Master of the Mulan, forcibly split their souls with great power,” Silvermoon said, tilting her head in agreement.
“Heh! Though their avatar techniques don’t enhance their essence, they are useful for dealing with multiple foes or survival—still formidable methods. Enough of that. Did anything happen at the cave dwelling during my seclusion?” Han Li waved his hand dismissively and strode toward the main hall.
“A year after your seclusion, Lady Mu successfully formed her Golden Core. As instructed, I delivered the ‘Phoenix Nurturing Origin Technique’ and other elixirs useful for Core Formation. Lady Nangong remains safe within the restrictions, and the Soul-Sealing Curse weakens daily under the Fire Core’s power. Even without the curse-breaking method, it should dissipate within a century. Of course, this is just my speculation—Master should verify it yourself,” Silvermoon replied, following gracefully behind him.
Pleased by the two pieces of good news, Han Li was about to ask more when Silvermoon added, “There’s one more thing. The Six-Winged Frost Centipedes have been consuming the Rainbow Spirit Grass all these years. They should have grown rapidly and split, but for some reason, their growth has slowed drastically. They’ve only molted once and refuse to split further.”
“Molted?” Han Li paused, his expression puzzled.
“Yes. After molting, they seem much stronger. Recently, they’ve grown restless, as if preparing to molt again,” Silvermoon said, biting her lip lightly as she slowed her pace.
“Let’s check the insect chamber.” Han Li frowned, then turned expressionlessly toward another passage leading to the insect chambers.
Soon, Han Li stood before one of the chambers. Peering through a hole in the wall, he was met with a blast of cold air. The entire chamber was encased in thick, translucent ice, with several icy mounds on the ground. Deep holes dotted the ice, and several half-foot-long, snow-white centipedes darted in and out.
Sensing their master’s presence, the centipedes grew restless. Those outside flew toward Han Li, while those inside quickly emerged and floated toward him. With a wave, Han Li dispelled the barrier over the hole. The centipedes shrank to inch-long sizes, fluttering around him.
He caught one in his palm. Though still snow-white, it now had two small bumps on its back—otherwise unchanged. Han Li pondered silently as Silvermoon stood quietly behind him.
Extending a finger, he summoned a blue flame. The centipede exhaled a thin stream of cold air, causing the flame to surge and engulf it. Han Li closed his eyes, sensing something.
“After molting, they’re much stronger. Perhaps molting and splitting are no different,” he mused, extinguishing the flame. “As for why they no longer split, it’s not unusual. Ancient spirit insects are peculiar—maybe they can only split a few times, or the Rainbow Spirit Grass altered them. As long as the green liquid can still advance them, it doesn’t matter.”
“Master’s words put my mind at ease,” Silvermoon said with a relieved, enchanting smile.
Ignoring her charm, Han Li turned back toward the hall. “After resting briefly, we’ll head to the Great Jin Empire. Whether to resolve the baleful aura or gather rare materials, this trip is necessary. Moreover, though the Fire Core in Wan’er’s body is effective, I worry about unforeseen issues. Securing the curse-breaking method from the Yin Luo Sect is the safest option. That’s why I painstakingly cultivated the Second Spirit Infant—who knows what dangers await in Great Jin?”
“Understood. But with Master’s abilities, few in Great Jin could threaten you,” Silvermoon said with a smile.
“Heh, the cultivation world is full of wonders and dangers—nothing is certain. Besides, I’ve offended the Yin Luo Sect’s demonic cultivators. If discovered, trouble will follow. Caution is key. Now, I’ll check on Wan’er and visit Senior Brother Cheng to see what materials we still lack for the puppets and the Seven Flames Fan. If all goes well, we’ll depart in ten days to half a month.”
“Yes, Master! I look forward to seeing the famed cultivation holy land of Great Jin.”
Their voices faded as they left, and the insect chamber fell silent once more.
…
Half a month later, a streak of azure light shot southward from Yunmeng Mountain. Soon after, well-informed cultivators received news that Han Li, the renowned Elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, had left Yunmeng Mountain for an unknown destination—perhaps wandering the South Heaven Region or venturing beyond.
After a brief stir, the South Heaven cultivation world settled back into calm. Han Li’s departure left no ripples.
The Ancient Sword Sect and Hundred Craft Academy of Yunmeng Mountain remained deferential to the Falling Cloud Sect, solidifying its position as the leading sect of Xi Country.
Years passed. Aging cultivators either passed away or entered seclusion, while new faces emerged in the South Heaven cultivation world.
But Han Li vanished without a trace. For over a century, no word of him was heard…
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