Chapter 1026: Subjugation

“Lifebound Spirit Tablet!” Han Li showed a look of surprise.

When he had obtained that blood-red wooden plaque, he hadn’t had time to examine it carefully, but it did seem unusual compared to ordinary treasures. Now that the ugly woman mentioned it, he began to believe her words.

Without saying anything, he patted the storage pouch at his waist, and a streak of blood-red light shot out, circling once before landing in his hand.

It was indeed that wooden plaque!

Blue light flickered in Han Li’s eyes as he finally got a clear look at the object.

It was palm-sized, covered in a layer of blood-red glow. On its surface floated a small, mist-like grayish-white substance that wriggled slightly within the blood light, almost as if it were alive.

Han Li quickly scanned it with his spiritual sense, his eyes flashing with blue light as a hint of joy appeared on his face. With a single-handed seal, he sent out a streak of azure light.

Immediately, the blood-red glow on the plaque intensified, and the small grayish-white mist dissipated, revealing a black-and-white spirit turtle pattern.

“Xuan Rock Turtle! So your true form is this spirit beast! No wonder your defense is so astonishing, able to endure the Arctic Aurora for so long!” Han Li stared at the plaque for a long while before withdrawing the blue light in his pupils and speaking calmly.

“You now know I haven’t lied to you. This Lifebound Spirit Tablet was personally crafted by the Three Elders of Kunwu back then. No one in the human realm today can create such a top-tier life tablet. As long as this tablet is in hand, our lives are at the mercy of its owner,” the ugly woman explained from within the Arctic Aurora, not daring to move, lest she provoke Han Li’s misunderstanding.

“Your words are true. However, the effectiveness of this Lifebound Spirit Tablet depends on who wields it. If a cultivator below the Nascent Soul stage attempts to refine it and command you, their cultivation would likely be insufficient, and they might suffer backlash from the tablet’s restrictions instead,” Han Li said calmly.

“What? Even with this tablet, you still don’t trust me?” The woman’s ugly face twisted further in displeasure.

“Of course not! Even if I refine this tablet and can restrain you at any time, your cultivation far surpasses mine. If you were willing to risk your life, you might break free and turn against me. I have no interest in living in constant fear—what use would you be to me then?” Han Li’s expression darkened abruptly, and the Yang Ring above his head buzzed ominously, causing the silver threads surrounding the ugly woman to stir restlessly.

“If you still don’t trust me, I’m willing to attach a portion of my soul to the Lifebound Tablet. If I harbor any ill intent, you’ll detect it immediately,” the ugly woman blurted out in panic.

“Oh? Splitting your soul? That method could work. Since you’ve suggested it, go ahead and split your soul,” Han Li said, his eyes flickering with an unreadable expression.

Hearing this, the ugly woman hesitated. But when she saw Han Li’s gaze turn cold again, a chill ran down her spine, and she no longer delayed. With a slap to the back of her head—

“Pfft!” A black-and-white light flashed at the crown of her head, and a naked, ugly Nascent Soul emerged above her.

The Nascent Soul opened its mouth and spat out a fist-sized green light.

As the ugly woman’s face twisted in pain, the green light trembled violently before splitting into two smaller orbs.

One orb circled briefly before retreating into the Nascent Soul’s nostrils and mouth, while the other hesitated before slowly floating toward Han Li.

Seeing this, Han Li unceremoniously waved the Lifebound Tablet at the approaching green light.

A burst of blood-red light sprayed out, enveloping the green light and pulling it into the wooden plaque. The plaque glowed intensely with blood light, accompanied by faint, clear chimes.

Han Li lowered his head to inspect it and found that the black-and-white spirit turtle on the surface had become much clearer, its head raised and tail flicking as if it had come to life.

Only then did Han Li truly relax. He opened his mouth and swallowed the tablet whole.

Witnessing this, the ugly woman felt her heart turn to ice. She knew that unless she advanced to the Deity Transformation stage, she would never escape his control.

After swallowing the tablet, Han Li felt greatly relieved. He raised a finger and pointed at the ring in the air.

Instantly, the Arctic Aurora surrounding the ugly woman dispersed in all directions.

Han Li’s figure blurred as he appeared before the ugly woman in an instant. After surveying her disheveled state—missing an arm—he frowned.

Casually flicking a finger at the protective barrier before him—

A dark, misty light flashed as the Yin Ring’s barrier expanded to envelop the ugly woman, shielding her from the remaining silver threads outside.

“Rest assured, I have no intention of binding you forever. Once I pass away or ascend to the Spirit Realm, I will grant you freedom. I have no interest in making you a guardian beast for my family or sect,” Han Li said lightly, stowing the other Yang Ring away.

“Are you serious?” The ugly woman’s dim expression brightened as she blurted out the question.

“Whether you believe me or not, you’ll find out in time. But compared to your lifespan as a heaven-earth spirit beast, our human lifespans are negligible. As long as you serve me wholeheartedly during this time, I won’t treat you poorly. Besides, you’re not my only spirit beast. Soon, you’ll realize that being my spirit beast might not be so bad!” Han Li smiled faintly, unbothered by her refusal to address him with deference.

“What choice do I have? But if you truly keep your word, serving you for a while isn’t unbearable,” the ugly woman said with a bitter laugh.

“Enough. You’ll come to understand what kind of person I am in time. For now, take this and restore your spiritual power and injuries.” Han Li’s expression turned stern as he tossed her a small vial.

“Restore spiritual power? Wait, is this…?” The ugly woman took the vial skeptically, uncorking it to be met with an overwhelming surge of pure spiritual energy. She gasped in shock.

“That’s a drop of Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Nectar. It should be enough to restore your expended spiritual power. I’ll need your assistance soon,” Han Li said leisurely, clasping his hands behind his back.

“Thank you!” The ugly woman didn’t hesitate, immediately swallowing the drop of nectar.

As the nectar circulated through her body, it transformed into an incredibly pure spiritual force, quickly replenishing her reserves.

Delighted, the ugly woman formed a single-handed seal, her body radiating black-and-white spiritual light. She then turned her head to focus on her severed arm, chanting under her breath.

What happened next startled Han Li.

Black-and-white spiritual light intertwined at the wound as countless flesh tendrils grew wildly under its influence. In moments, the outline of a new arm began to take shape.

“Indestructible Body!” Han Li’s expression shifted.

This rare ability among demonic beasts was something he’d only seen once before—on the Fire Toad in the Fallen Devil Valley. But the ugly woman’s version was far superior. In mere breaths, her arm had fully regenerated.

This left Han Li deeply unsettled.

Capturing her had been sheer luck.

Had it not been for the Arctic Aurora draining her spiritual power, her formidable abilities would have made subduing her no easy task.

Unbeknownst to Han Li, the ugly woman had already exhausted much of her power breaking through the Golden Magnetic Spiritwood’s restrictions earlier. Otherwise, she might have lasted even longer against the Arctic Aurora.

After all, as a tenth-grade demonic beast, her cultivation far exceeded Han Li’s expectations.

“Done. The Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Nectar lives up to its name. Without it, restoring my spiritual power and body would have taken days of meditation,” the ugly woman said, ceasing her chant and flexing her new arm, her complexion much improved.

“I don’t yet know how to address you, but since you were with that Silver-Winged Nightfiend, you must have heard something about me,” Han Li said slowly.

“This one is named Gui Ling. I have indeed heard a few things about you, Han Li, though mostly regarding your abilities,” the ugly woman replied cautiously.

“In due time, I’ll share more about myself with you, Fellow Daoist Gui. Given your cultivation and abilities, even though I control your Lifebound Tablet, I won’t treat you as a lowly beast. Under normal circumstances, we can interact as equals,” Han Li said with a light laugh.

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist. Regarding the matter you mentioned earlier—what exactly do you need me to do?” The ugly woman’s expression turned serious as she recalled Han Li’s earlier words.

She was somewhat worried he might ask her to turn on the Silver-Winged Nightfiend and the Lion Hawk Beast. While not close friends, she did have some rapport with them.

“When the Elder Devil Qian passes through the Arctic Aurora later, I want you to help me kill him,” Han Li said coolly, though a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

“Elder Devil Qian? That late-Nascent Soul-stage cultivator who uses demonic arts?” The ugly woman relaxed slightly but remained cautious.

“Exactly. Originally, I hadn’t planned to act here. His demonic arts are formidable, and his evasion techniques are extraordinary. Even with control over the Arctic Aurora, my chances of stopping him were slim. But with your help, the situation changes entirely,” Han Li said with a cold smile.

“Since you’ve asked, I’ll assist you to the best of my ability,” the ugly woman agreed readily, knowing she had no choice.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Fellow Daoist. But when we strike, leave his Nascent Soul intact—I have questions for him.”

“Understood. But forgive my bluntness—even with the terrain advantage and my help, while severely injuring Elder Devil Qian would be easy, actually killing him is another matter. I’ve seen him use demonic arts to withstand the Arctic Aurora’s piercing rays. If he flees with all his might, stopping him would be difficult for just the two of us.” The ugly woman glanced in the direction Han Li had come from, hesitating before voicing her concern.

“True, the two of us alone might not be enough. But what if we add another late-Nascent Soul-stage cultivator?” Han Li’s lips curled into a strange smile.

“Another late-Nascent Soul-stage cultivator?” The ugly woman was taken aback, instinctively scanning their surroundings. Finding no one hidden nearby, she turned back to Han Li with a puzzled expression.