“The Taming Tiger Technique… the Wheel-Turning Sutra… the Mingwang Jue…” Han Li swiftly scanned through them, murmuring the names of these cultivation techniques. Just from the titles alone, it was clear that the jade slips indeed recorded Buddhist cultivation methods.
“The Mingwang Jue! I’ve heard of this technique—it’s a rare cultivation method specifically practiced by the Vajra Protectors of the Buddhist sect. It seems extremely difficult to master. How did this ancestor of the Feng family come to possess it? Let me see the jade slip—can this technique dispel the baleful aura?” However, when the words “Mingwang Jue” were uttered, the Great Divination Sage exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing this, Han Li felt a surge of joy. He didn’t care how the Feng family ancestor had obtained the technique; as long as it could help him resolve the baleful aura, that was enough. Without hesitation, he tossed the jade slip into the bamboo tube on his back.
For the next while, the Great Divination Sage focused intently on comprehending the technique within the jade slip, while Han Li unceremoniously began filling his storage pouch with the most valuable items from the Feng family’s secret vault.
In truth, Han Li would have preferred to take everything at once, but his storage pouch had limited space. Apart from the spirit stones, he had to be selective with the rest. Naturally, he took all the magic treasures, while only picking a small portion of materials and talismans that were useful to him. As for the magic tools, aside from two or three with unique effects, he left the rest untouched on the shelves.
After selecting his haul, Han Li turned his attention to the pile of jade slips, searching for a particular technique that had caught his interest earlier during his spiritual sense sweep. He then sat cross-legged in the hall, silent and still.
Time passed slowly, and after an indeterminate period, the Great Divination Sage’s voice finally echoed through the empty hall, immediately drawing Han Li’s attention away from the technique in his hands.
“This Mingwang Jue is a bit peculiar! It claims to be a Buddhist technique, but its cultivation method is extremely domineering, almost leaning toward demonic arts,” the Great Divination Sage said slowly.
“Demonic arts? What do you mean? Can this technique actually dispel the baleful aura in my body?” Han Li’s heart sank, but he remained calm as he asked.
“Don’t be impatient. Regarding the baleful aura, I have good news for you—this technique can indeed resolve your major problem. However, it doesn’t dissipate the baleful aura. Instead, it follows a method somewhat akin to demonic arts, refining the baleful aura for personal use. But judging from the cultivation method, this approach seems rather dangerous. After all, baleful aura isn’t something easily controlled. Whether you want to seek another Buddhist technique is up to you—consider the risks carefully.” The Great Divination Sage pondered for a moment before laying out his thoughts and tossing the jade slip back out of the bamboo tube.
“Refining the baleful aura for personal use? At higher levels, won’t this lead me down the path of ancient demonic cultivation?” Han Li caught the jade slip, his heart chilling as he asked warily.
“There’s no need to worry about that. Since the Mingwang Jue is a technique practiced by Buddhist protectors, it naturally wouldn’t truly align with demonic arts. Although its methods are somewhat extreme, it differs greatly from typical demonic techniques that cultivate baleful aura. It merely uses the baleful aura as a supplement, not directly wielding it to attack or harm others. This preserves the domineering nature of the baleful aura while eliminating most of its negative effects. Tsk tsk! The Buddhist sect truly has remarkable individuals—to create a technique that transitions from demonic to Buddhist. Their wisdom is likely no less than mine. This technique is comparable to the Great Divination Art in terms of power.” The Great Divination Sage spoke with a hint of admiration.
Hearing the Great Divination Sage compare the technique to the Great Divination Art, Han Li couldn’t help but feel skeptical. He immediately immersed his spiritual sense into the jade slip again, carefully reviewing the Mingwang Jue.
But after only a short while, he let out a surprised exclamation: “Huh? This technique feels familiar—have I seen it somewhere before?”
“You’ve seen it?” The Great Divination Sage was also startled.
“Yes… I remember now! This technique is very similar to the demonic cultivation method on that thing!” After a brief moment of contemplation, Han Li suddenly recalled something. He reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a palm-sized copper fragment—the very same True Vajra Fragment he had long since forgotten about.
Without another word, Han Li began comparing the demonic script on the copper fragment with the Mingwang Jue.
After a short while, he realized that while the content of the so-called Mingwang Jue and the demonic script’s technique differed, they clearly originated from the same lineage. However, the Mingwang Jue was noticeably simpler than the technique on the copper fragment, yet the two bore an uncanny resemblance, leaving Han Li utterly confused.
“What exactly is this copper fragment?” The Great Divination Sage, seeing Han Li alternating between the jade slip and the copper fragment with a strange expression, couldn’t help but ask.
“Senior, please take a look as well. My comprehension is limited, and I can’t discern the connection. Perhaps you can enlighten me.” After a brief hesitation, Han Li exhaled lightly and tossed the copper fragment into the bamboo tube on his back, crossing his arms in thought.
“This is demonic script. If so, this technique must hold significant importance among demons. Let me see…” The Great Divination Sage muttered a few words before his voice trailed off, clearly engrossed in studying the technique on the copper fragment.
This time, the Great Divination Sage didn’t take long—just a quarter of an hour later, he provided a definitive answer.
“I’ve finally pieced it together. It’s clear that the Buddhist ‘Mingwang Jue’ was adapted from this demonic technique, specifically from the missing foundational portion of the copper fragment,” the Great Divination Sage declared with certainty.
“So that’s it. But the final part of the Mingwang Jue still doesn’t seem to connect with the technique on the copper fragment. There must be another missing section.” Having finished his own analysis, Han Li raised his head and voiced his thoughts.
“I’m surprised you noticed that as well, Han boy. You’re absolutely right—the complete demonic technique should consist of three parts. The Mingwang Jue is derived from the foundational body-refining portion, the copper fragment records the final divine ability, and the middle section—the form-shifting portion—is missing. This technique is truly extraordinary! Three heads and six arms—isn’t that similar to the ancient demon’s ability? I’ve long heard that demons were the first to come into contact with the ancient demon realm. It seems there’s truth to that.” The Great Divination Sage chuckled softly, clearly finding the situation intriguing.
“So, this technique was likely passed from demons to the demonic race, and then the Buddhist sect obtained the foundational portion, adapting it into the current Mingwang Jue. For a single technique to be valued by demons, the demonic race, and Buddhists alike—it must have quite the history and unique merits. But regardless of its power, the Five Ghosts within me could lose control of the baleful aura at any moment. I can’t afford to hesitate—I’ll have to cultivate the Mingwang Jue first to resolve this immediate crisis.” After much deliberation, Han Li could only sigh in resignation.
“Indeed. Spending more time searching for another technique might be too risky. Besides, while the Mingwang Jue may pose difficulties for others, you already possess such dense baleful aura, which should make cultivation smoother for you.” After some thought, the Great Divination Sage agreed.
“I hope so. But this technique seems to require Vajra relics for cultivation. Will there be any issues if I proceed directly?” Han Li raised another concern hesitantly.
“Vajra relics? Didn’t you just obtain one? Consider it a stroke of luck—otherwise, I might not have recommended this technique. While other relics could suffice, they’d be far less effective than a Vajra relic. Once your spirit beast finishes absorbing the corpse fire from the Vajra Shield, complete its refinement. I’ll then teach you a method to forge it into a life-bound treasure. That should resolve any issues. During my travels, I once took great interest in relics—even disguised myself to join a major Buddhist sect for over a decade to study them. There’s no need to worry. In fact, even if you chose another Buddhist technique to dispel the baleful aura, you’d still need a relic. But in a place like Great Jin, where Buddhism thrives, obtaining one wouldn’t be difficult.” The Great Divination Sage spoke confidently, as if he’d already considered everything.
“If that’s the case, I’m relieved! Since the technique is truly suitable, let’s leave this place quickly. Ever since entering these mountains, I’ve felt uneasy—it’s not a good sign. We must find another spiritual vein for cultivation.” After carefully weighing the risks, Han Li concluded that cultivating the Mingwang Jue posed no real issues and relaxed slightly.
With a final glance around the hall to ensure nothing was overlooked, he strode toward the corner’s teleportation array. In a flash of white light, his figure vanished.
A short while later, Han Li transformed into a streak of azure light, speeding away from the Snow Ridge Mountains. As he flew, he discussed with the Great Divination Sage where to find a suitable spiritual vein for secluded cultivation.
But after traveling several hundred li, an earth-shaking explosion suddenly erupted from a distant direction. The entire mountain range trembled violently, as if heaven and earth were collapsing.
Caught off guard, Han Li’s ears rang, and his body swayed. His expression darkened instantly.
With a quick glance toward the source of the explosion, Han Li’s face turned grim. Without hesitation, he doubled his speed, the azure light abruptly changing direction as he fled away from the disturbance.
Yet after flying only twenty li, his spiritual sense detected astonishing fluctuations of spiritual energy behind him. A mass of gray mist, a dark cloud, and a white hurricane shot through the air in pursuit—far surpassing Han Li’s current Foundation Establishment speed. In the blink of an eye, they closed to within a few li of him!
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