Han Li remained in the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s Scripture Pavilion for three days and nights, meticulously studying all the texts related to talisman-making on the second and third floors. Among them, he discovered many unique talisman-crafting techniques, which he unabashedly copied for future reference and study when time permitted.
From some of the ancient texts, Han Li also learned about the other two major secret talismans of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, which left him inwardly astonished.
The **Transformation Spirit Talisman** was a special talisman that could be absorbed into the body and refined day and night in the Dantian, offering endless miraculous uses in the future. This talisman was somewhat similar to a magic treasure—when cultivated to a certain level, it could not only unleash incredibly sharp transformations but even mimic the effects of the demonic path’s “Transformation Tribulation Great Technique,” all without requiring the user to endure the backlash with their own body.
The **Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman**, on the other hand, was a secret technique that harnessed the power of talismans to gather nearby spiritual energy, forming six layers of protective barriers. As long as spiritual energy remained, these barriers could regenerate endlessly. It was one of the few techniques in the world that could manipulate spiritual energy without requiring the cultivation level of a Deity Transformation cultivator—truly astonishing.
Among the three secret talismans, the Transformation Spirit Talisman was relatively easier to handle. Once one advanced to the Core Formation stage, they could refine it using their Core Flame, making it a mandatory technique for all Heavenly Talisman Sect’s Core Formation cultivators throughout the generations. However, the power of the Transformation Spirit Talisman depended not only on the cultivator’s cultivation level and refinement time but also on the materials used and the talisman’s inherent grade.
The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman was different. Once crafted, anyone could use it, and its effectiveness depended entirely on the surrounding spiritual energy. The denser the spiritual energy, the more formidable the talisman’s power.
However, according to records left by a past elder of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, the jade slip containing the Six Ding Heavenly Armor Technique mysteriously vanished after the Heavenly Talisman True One passed away. This shocked the powerful Heavenly Talisman Sect at the time, and for several generations afterward, recovering this secret technique became the sect’s top priority. Yet, no clues were ever found, and the matter was eventually forgotten as the sect declined.
As for the **Descending Spirit Talisman**, due to material constraints, very few had ever been able to craft it since its creation. Thus, while the Heavenly Talisman Sect boasted of its three great spirit talismans, in reality, only the Transformation Spirit Talisman was truly useful.
After perusing the relevant ancient texts, Han Li naturally developed a keen interest in the other two talismans, both of which appeared to possess extraordinary capabilities. The Transformation Spirit Talisman, in particular, could replicate the effects of the Transformation Tribulation Great Technique—potentially serving as a lifesaver in critical moments.
Three days later, Han Li finished reviewing the last jade slip, stood up from the meditation cushion, stretched, and swept his spiritual sense downstairs, sensing Xiang Zhili waiting on the first floor.
Han Li frowned slightly. This Senior Brother Xiang, who had worried him earlier, had been unusually well-behaved these past few days, doing nothing but meditating and never leaving the pavilion.
Outside the pavilion, he found it somewhat amusing that ever since his first day of reviewing the ancient texts, several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Heavenly Talisman Sect had been taking turns to wait for him, as if fearing he might suddenly depart without notice.
After a moment’s thought, Han Li descended the stairs.
“Senior, have you finished reviewing everything?” The old man, seeing Han Li appear, immediately put away the jade slip in his hand and greeted him with a smile.
“Yes, I’ve seen all I needed to. Fellow Daoist, you may carry on as you please here.” Han Li chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning, before walking out of the pavilion without further ado.
The old man watched Han Li’s departing figure without moving, a flash of sharp light flickering in his eyes before his expression returned to normal.
Coincidentally, the person waiting for Han Li outside the pavilion was none other than the Yang-family cultivator who had escorted him earlier. Upon seeing Han Li emerge, he hurriedly bowed and respectfully invited Han Li to return to the main hall.
Since Han Li had already benefited from their treasured collection of scriptures, he saw no reason to refuse such a minor request. With a nod, he agreed. The middle-aged cultivator, overjoyed, immediately sent out a message talisman and personally escorted Han Li to the main hall.
Waiting for Han Li in the hall, besides the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s senior members he had met before, were two unfamiliar Core Formation cultivators—a man and a woman, both appearing to be in their forties.
After the Wen-family elder and the others greeted Han Li, the Heavenly Talisman Sect elder promptly introduced them: “These two are Fellow Daoist Chang from Golden Glow Mountain and Fellow Daoist Xie from Bright Sun Valley. They heard of your arrival and came specifically to pay their respects, having waited for you here for an entire day.”
“Oh? You’ve gone to such trouble. I’ve been studying some talisman-making techniques these past few days, keeping you waiting.” Han Li replied calmly, his expression unreadable.
“Not at all! It’s our honor to meet you in person today.” The two cultivators, after scanning Han Li’s cultivation level, were inwardly shocked and bowed deeply. Truth be told, when their respective sect leaders reported that an early Nascent Soul cultivator had arrived at the Heavenly Talisman Sect, they had been skeptical.
After all, they were well aware of the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s circumstances. Though the three sects were small and often cooperated closely, the Heavenly Talisman Sect was the weakest among them. Why would a Nascent Soul cultivator visit such a minor sect? Yet, if they could establish ties with a Nascent Soul cultivator, the benefits would be undeniable.
Unable to sit still, the two had rushed to White Bamboo Mountain overnight to verify the matter. Now, witnessing Han Li’s unfathomable cultivation firsthand, they had no doubts left.
Once Han Li took his seat, the three Core Formation cultivators and Yue Zhen dared to sit as well, while the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators remained standing respectfully to the side.
“Senior, did you find anything of interest in our Scripture Pavilion? Though our valley isn’t specialized in talisman-making, we do have some related classics. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to visit.” The Xie-family female cultivator, though plain in appearance, spoke with a pleasant voice.
“No need for such trouble. I have urgent matters to attend to and must soon depart for Linjiang Prefecture.” Han Li glanced at her and smiled faintly.
“Linjiang Prefecture? Senior, are you heading there for those vicious flood dragons?” The Chang-family male cultivator exclaimed in surprise.
“How did you know?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly as he asked.
“Recently, most cultivators going to Linjiang Prefecture are targeting those flood dragons. Senior’s information might not be the latest.” Chang hesitated before replying.
“I received the news half a year ago from a market and traveled thousands of miles for it. I heard those flood dragons are around the seventh rank—surely they haven’t been exterminated so quickly?” Han Li’s face darkened as he spoke slowly.
“Not at all. In fact, during a recent ambush, while one flood dragon was killed, many cultivators were devoured in return. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator was severely injured.” The Wen-family elder quickly explained.
“A Nascent Soul cultivator was injured? What happened?” Han Li was surprised.
Among the flood dragons, an eighth-rank, shape-shifting blue flood dragon suddenly appeared. The ambushing cultivators were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses. Later, several elders from the South Sea Sect joined forces to repel the flood dragons but couldn’t eliminate them. The flood dragons then retreated to key islands along the coast, ambushing lone cultivators and mortal ships. Whenever Nascent Soul cultivators banded together to confront them, they would dive into the deep sea and escape using water遁术. The situation has grown increasingly troublesome. Rumor has it that the South Sea Sect has invited many high-ranking cultivators to Qiongying Island for a ‘Slaughter Flood Dragon Assembly.’ After all, an eighth-rank flood dragon is exceedingly rare.” This time, the Wen-family elder took the lead in explaining.
“An eighth-rank flood dragon?” Han Li murmured to himself, his expression unchanging, though his mind flashed back to the eighth-rank venomous flood dragon he had once slain.
Though classified as an eighth-rank demon beast, as a creature of heaven and earth, its true strength likely surpassed even mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Combined with its natural advantage in the sea, it was no wonder so many high-ranking cultivators were helpless against it.
However, Han Li hadn’t come for the blue flood dragon. After a brief consideration, he asked, “I recall one of the flood dragons was a red fire flood dragon—possibly the legendary Crimson Flame Flood Dragon. Has that one also retreated to the islands?”
“Crimson Flame Flood Dragon? Indeed, there is a red flood dragon that joined the others at the coast, though whether it’s the Crimson Flame Flood Dragon is unclear.” The Chang-family male cultivator seemed knowledgeable on the subject and answered without hesitation.
“That’s all I needed.” Han Li nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing Han Li’s demeanor soften, the cultivators in the hall relaxed slightly.
At this point, the Wen-family elder exchanged glances with the other two before tentatively asking, “Senior, with your formidable cultivation, may we ask where you previously secluded yourself? Are you an elder of a major sect?”
“Heh, I hail from a very remote place and am not affiliated with any Great Jin sect.” Han Li’s eyes gleamed as he studied the three, his smile enigmatic.
Under Han Li’s penetrating gaze, the Wen-family elder and the others felt a jolt of unease, but his answer also filled them with delight.
“Senior, having studied our Descending Spirit Talisman, what do you think of it? Does it meet your standards?” After a pause, the Wen-family elder cautiously inquired.
“Fellow Daoist Wen, speak plainly. Are you hoping I’ll join your sect?” Han Li sighed and cut straight to the point.
“Senior, don’t misunderstand! I wouldn’t dare entertain such hopes. I merely wish to ask if you’d consider becoming an honorary elder for our three sects!” Flustered by Han Li’s tone, the Wen-family elder blurted out the request.
“Honorary elder?” Han Li was momentarily taken aback before narrowing his eyes slightly.
He was familiar with the concept of honorary elders—a practice unique to small and mid-sized sects in the Great Jin, designed to accommodate high-ranking rogue cultivators. Though the title resembled that of a regular elder, the roles were vastly different.
For these sects, honorary elders were merely nominal figures, unbound by sect rules or orders. Their sole purpose was to lend legitimacy to the sect’s requests for aid in times of trouble. However, such assistance was entirely voluntary, depending on the honorary elder’s whim. In return, honorary elders enjoyed privileges on par with—or even exceeding—those of regular elders.
This arrangement arose from the sheer number of small and mid-sized sects in the Great Jin and the relative scarcity of Nascent Soul cultivators. Some sects, even mid-sized ones, might go periods without a Nascent Soul cultivator among their ranks. Thus, they sought to secure the backing of rogue Nascent Soul cultivators to ensure stability.
Most high-ranking rogue cultivators disdained joining sects and submitting to their rules, but the benefits offered sometimes tempted them—hence the emergence of honorary elders, a concept unheard of in the Heavenly South.
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