“Can they be seized? Is that true! If I recall correctly, these two treasures seem to be fused with the Blood Light Sacred Ancestor through sacrificial refinement. How could they be forcibly taken?” Han Li was initially startled, but after a moment of contemplation, a look of disbelief appeared on his face.
“I never mentioned to you, Fellow Daoist, that the Violet Speech Cauldron among those two supreme treasures originally belonged to me,” the old man said meaningfully, stroking his beard.
“What? Such a thing exists?” Han Li blurted out in shock.
“Hmph, back then, I fell victim to Blood Light’s treachery and was forced to hide my primordial spirit within this Demon-Sealing Lock to evade his detection. However, the Violet Speech Cauldron, along with my physical body, fell into that villain’s hands. Though he spent over a century refining away the divine sense I left in the cauldron and re-refined it for his own use, the divine sense I left behind was actually twofold—one overt and one covert. As long as that scoundrel hasn’t discovered the second strand of divine sense, there’s still a chance to help you reclaim this treasure,” the old man said with a dark expression, stroking his beard.
“If Senior has such a trump card, then success is indeed possible. But how strong is the divine sense left in the treasure? How confident are you?” Han Li’s heart raced, but he remained cautious in his inquiry.
“That strand of divine sense was specially refined for such situations. As long as Blood Light hasn’t discovered it, I have over a fifty percent chance of wresting control of the cauldron from him. Moreover, even if we fail to reclaim it, my method will at least significantly weaken the cauldron’s power in your presence, rendering it no longer a threat,” Che Qigong declared with great confidence.
“Fifty percent odds are enough to take the risk. Since the Violet Speech Cauldron isn’t a concern, what about the Radiant Light Pagoda? Compared to the cauldron, its ability to capture living beings is even more formidable and troublesome,” Han Li nodded before suddenly asking another question.
“Though the Radiant Light Pagoda isn’t mine, it is a renowned Profound Heaven Relic in the Sacred Realm. I don’t know how that scoundrel Blood Light obtained it. I’ve seen it a few times, and its power is indeed terrifying. Even if I faced it directly, I wouldn’t be confident of breaking it,” Che Qigong said gravely after a moment of thought.
“So, there’s no way to counter it?” Han Li’s heart sank as he spoke slowly.
“While the Radiant Light Pagoda cannot be broken, there is a way to buy you some time. If you can seize the Violet Speech Cauldron during that interval and use it against the pagoda—since both are Profound Heaven Relics—it should be enough to protect yourself,” the old man said, his eyes glinting.
“If there’s a way to hold it off, that’s sufficient. I hope Senior can enlighten me on this method,” Han Li pondered for a moment before smiling and clasping his hands in respect.
“Heh, enlighten you? I dare not claim such a thing. Surely you don’t think I’d reveal the secret technique to activate my divine sense and the method to counter the Radiant Light Pagoda for free?” The old man rolled his eyes and spoke bluntly.
“Oh? Then what does Senior propose?” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this.
“Simple. Agree to the trade I proposed earlier, and I’ll truthfully disclose the secret technique and method!” Che Qigong declared without hesitation.
Han Li narrowed his eyes and, after a long silence, said indifferently, “In that case, Senior might as well restate your conditions. Last time, I left in a hurry and didn’t hear them clearly.”
“Rest assured, I’m not the greedy type. My conditions will also greatly benefit you,” Che Qigong said, his face showing joy for the first time as his tone softened.
“Then I’ll listen carefully,” Han Li replied inwardly with a cold laugh, though his expression remained neutral.
“The first condition is that after escaping, you must immediately travel to the nearby Netherworld Earthfire and use its yin flames to extract some of the Chaos Dual Qi from the Demon-Sealing Lock. I’ll teach you the extraction method, but one-third of the extracted Chaos Dual Qi must be given to me,” Che Qigong stated solemnly.
“Senior is currently trapped here. How will you receive the Chaos Qi?” Han Li asked curiously, his expression shifting slightly.
“That’s none of your concern. Though I’m imprisoned in the Demon-Sealing Lock, I have my own means. Just answer whether you agree or not,” the old man said, raising his eyebrows.
“Demanding only one-third is indeed not excessive. Very well, I accept this condition,” Han Li said after a moment of hesitation, nodding in agreement.
“Since you’ve agreed to the first condition, the second is even simpler and concerns a far-off future. I see you possess remarkable abilities and may one day advance to the Mahayana stage. Thus, I merely ask for a promise: if you ever gain the power to do so, help me kill that scoundrel Blood Light,” the old man said lightly, his words making Han Li’s facial muscles twitch.
“Senior must be joking! How could I possibly slay a Mahayana-level being? Even if that day comes, Blood Light Sacred Ancestor will likely be in the Demon Realm. How could I dare cross realms to hunt him?” Han Li shook his head vehemently, outright refusing.
“Don’t reject so hastily! I’m not forcing you to fulfill this condition, nor will I demand you enter the Sacred Realm. I merely seek a glimmer of hope. If you truly cannot achieve it, the condition becomes void,” Che Qigong said with a bitter smile, his gaze darkening.
“If that’s the case, I can make this promise. I swear by my inner demons that if I ever attain great power and can easily kill Blood Light Sacred Ancestor, I will help you…”
After a long internal struggle, Han Li finally agreed and immediately made the demonic oath. Such oaths held greater binding power for higher-level cultivators, as none wished to suffer backlash during critical breakthroughs.
The old man looked pleased but soon grew serious again. “I’ll first teach you the divine sense activation technique and the method to counter the Radiant Light Pagoda. However, the extraction method for the Chaos Dual Qi will only be revealed once you reach the Netherworld Earthfire. And only after I receive my share will I disclose how to refine the Chaos Dual Qi. Do you have any objections?”
“What? Is refining the Chaos Dual Qi so special?” Han Li asked warily.
“The Chaos Dual Qi in the Demon-Sealing Lock is no ordinary spiritual substance. Ordinary refinement methods are useless. Without boasting, even among the Sacred Ancestors of the Demon Realm, fewer than three know the technique to refine it,” Che Qigong said proudly, shaking his head.
After a long silence, Han Li reluctantly nodded. “Very well, I’ll follow your terms. Blood Light Sacred Ancestor’s avatar isn’t far from me. Once I deal with him, I’ll take you to the Netherworld Earthfire immediately.”
“Wise choice, Fellow Daoist Han. Here’s a replicated jade slip containing the secret technique and method. It cannot leave the Demon-Sealing Lock, so memorize it here,” Che Qigong said with a faint smile, flicking his sleeve to send a black jade slip flying toward Han Li.
“Thank you, Senior.”
Han Li caught the jade slip and pressed it to his forehead, his expression solemn. The old man stood silently as Han Li absorbed the information.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Han Li exhaled and removed the jade slip, crushing it with a flash of spiritual light.
“I’ve memorized the technique and method. So, countering the Radiant Light Pagoda requires a spatial-type treasure. Such treasures are rare, and though I have a few obtained from others, are there any grade requirements? Would similar talismans work?” Han Li asked thoughtfully.
“The Radiant Light Pagoda is a Profound Heaven Relic. The stronger the spatial treasure used to disrupt it, the better. But since the goal is merely to buy time, any grade will suffice if detonated—it will still affect the pagoda’s function. Spatial-disrupting talismans would also work,” Che Qigong chuckled.
“Good. Then I’ll return and repel Blood Light’s avatar. Ah, one more thing—this avatar is unlike ordinary possession avatars. Not only does it enhance his power, but it also maximizes the treasures’ capabilities. Ordinary divine sense projections shouldn’t achieve this. Moreover, it can split into three. Do you know what kind of ability this is?” Han Li asked.
“What? That’s impossible! Cross-realm divine sense projections cannot achieve such feats!” Che Qigong’s smile vanished, replaced by disbelief.
“I also find it strange. Blood Light already has an avatar leading the demon army nearby. How can he project another with such power? If all Sacred Ancestors had such abilities, our neighboring races would have fallen long ago,” Han Li sighed, equally puzzled.
“Hmph, no other Sacred Ancestor possesses such techniques. Let me think… I may have heard of something similar, but it’s been too long to recall immediately,” Che Qigong murmured, his eyes narrowing to slits.
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