“I wonder if I should address you as Senior Brother Xiang or Senior Brother Li?” After carefully examining the old man, Han Li suddenly smiled and spoke.
“What does Senior Han mean? This junior is a bit confused. Could it be that I resemble someone Senior knows?” The old man’s eyes flickered slightly, his earlier strange expression vanishing completely as he put on an ingratiating smile.
“At this point, Senior Brother Xiang, why bother hiding? Don’t forget that we cultivators never forget a face. Back in the Bloody Forbidden Land, only a few of us from the Yellow Maple Valley managed to emerge alive. Even after all these years, how could I possibly mistake someone?” Han Li raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes.
This old man was none other than Xiang Zhili, who had once tried to team up with Han Li before the Bloody Trial. At the time, he had only been at the tenth level of Qi Refinement, yet he had also survived the trial, astonishing many present. It was only because Han Li’s later feats were even more shocking that this man had been overlooked.
Though Han Li hadn’t interacted much with this Senior Brother Xiang back then, seeing him emerge alive from the Forbidden Land had made Han Li deeply wary, sensing that this man harbored some hidden secret.
Later, after Han Li successfully reached Foundation Establishment and was taken in as a disciple under Li Huayuan, he never saw the old man again and gradually forgot about him. After the Six Sects of the Devil’s Path invaded the State of Yue, he had no idea whether this man was alive or dead. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to see this face again in a minor sect of the Great Jin Empire after so many years. How could Han Li not be shocked?
After all, the old man had already looked this aged when he first appeared in the Yellow Maple Valley. So many years had passed—even if he were a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his lifespan should have long expired, reducing him to dust. Yet now, this Senior Brother Xiang looked almost identical to how he had over two hundred years ago. This sent a chill down Han Li’s spine.
At the very least, this man had clearly been playing the fool during the Bloody Trial. The question was, what had his true purpose been in infiltrating it?
Han Li stared unblinkingly at the old man, his mind racing with thoughts.
“The world is vast and full of wonders. It seems there truly is someone who looks exactly like this junior. However, Senior must have mistaken me for someone else. My surname is Li, not Xiang. If I truly had any connection to someone of Senior’s status, why would I deny it?” The old man firmly denied any relation, showing no sign of yielding.
Han Li’s expression darkened, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.
“If you say so, perhaps I truly have mistaken you for someone else. Never mind. Could you point me to some talisman-making manuals?” After a moment of silence, Han Li suddenly softened his tone and changed the subject.
“Of course, Senior. Please follow me. Since our sect is called the Heavenly Talisman Sect, we naturally have many manuals on talisman-making. However, the more advanced ones are stored on the second floor and above. Allow me to guide you.” The old man’s smile remained unchanged as he led Han Li to the second floor with the utmost deference, behaving exactly like an ordinary low-ranking disciple.
The second floor’s layout closely resembled the first, with shelves packed tightly together in a small space.
While Han Li scanned the surroundings, the old man swiftly moved about. Despite his age, his movements were agile. In moments, he had skillfully gathered a small pile of jade slips, which he then carried over to Han Li, panting slightly. With an ingratiating expression, he said, “Senior, these are the talisman manuals stored on this floor. There are more on the third floor—would you like me to fetch them for you, so you don’t have to search yourself?”
“No need to trouble yourself. These jade slips will keep me occupied for a day or two. I’ll retrieve the manuals on the third floor myself. You may return to your duties downstairs.” Han Li stroked his chin and spoke amiably.
“Then this junior won’t disturb Senior’s cultivation. If you need anything, just call for me—I’ll be waiting downstairs.” The old man smiled warmly, placed the jade slips on a nearby shelf, and then respectfully retreated from the second floor.
Watching the old man’s departing figure, Han Li’s smile gradually faded, replaced by a trace of solemnity.
“Well, Senior Great Derivation, can you discern this man’s cultivation level? I forcibly scanned his body with my spiritual sense earlier. Though I saw through the illusion masking his Qi Refinement cultivation, I couldn’t determine his true power. Beneath that false layer, his body seemed utterly empty—it was bizarre.”
“I encountered the same. Though my spiritual sense is far stronger than yours, the result was identical,” the voice of Great Derivation replied.
“How is this possible? Could his spiritual sense be far stronger than yours?” Han Li was stunned.
“Why not? Even if there are cultivators in this world with spiritual sense surpassing mine, none could be so powerful as to completely block my probing with mere will. This situation can only mean one of three things: he’s cultivating some unique secret technique, possesses a treasure that alters his body’s appearance, or…” Great Derivation hesitated.
“Or what?” Han Li pressed.
“Or he’s already reached the Deity Transformation stage, where spiritual power can disperse entirely into the flesh, and even the Nascent Soul can briefly vanish. Naturally, you wouldn’t detect anything.”
“A Deity Transformation cultivator? Senior, you must be joking!” Even Han Li, usually unflappable, paled at this.
“Though I never reached that stage myself, I’ve studied related matters. This ability is fundamental for Deity Transformation cultivators,” Great Derivation said calmly.
“It’s not about whether they possess such abilities—but why would a Deity Transformation cultivator still linger in this realm? Isn’t it said that once one reaches that stage, they can ascend to the Spirit Realm?” Han Li took a deep breath, steadying himself.
“Though I never encountered any during my travels, I’m certain some Deity Transformation cultivators remain in this world—and not just one or two. Having the ability to ascend and actually doing so are two different matters. I’m not entirely clear on the specifics, but it seems that once they reach that stage, they can no longer appear openly like ordinary cultivators, lest they invite calamity.” Great Derivation sounded equally puzzled.
“Such a thing exists? Senior, you’ve never mentioned this before!” Han Li was stunned.
“Hmph, you haven’t even reached late Nascent Soul stage. What use would telling you serve? Once you reach Deity Transformation, you’ll understand naturally. Otherwise, why would all such cultivators throughout history vanish from the world as if by agreement?” Great Derivation retorted irritably.
“Fair enough. So, however unlikely, the man downstairs might truly be a Deity Transformation cultivator.” Han Li smiled wryly.
“It’s possible. Even if he isn’t, he gives me an ominous feeling. Best not provoke him.”
“So you sense his danger too? I thought it was just my imagination. That’s why I changed my tone earlier. Since he’s appeared in both the Heavenly South and the Great Jin, always as a low-ranking disciple, he must have his own agenda. Let’s pretend we know nothing.”
“That’s all we can do. Still, if possible, leave the Heavenly Talisman Sect as soon as you can. If he truly is a Deity Transformation cultivator and decides to silence you, your life hangs by a thread.”
“I understand the stakes. But leaving abruptly now might provoke hostility, backfiring. Let’s stick to the original plan and stay a few more days. If he’s hiding his identity here, even as a Deity Transformation cultivator, he must be under some restriction, as you said. Otherwise, why skulk around? At his level, he could go anywhere openly.”
“You make a fair point. I hadn’t considered that,” Great Derivation conceded with a dry chuckle.
“By the way, you’ve nearly recovered from the essence depletion caused by the Bloodshadow Escape. It’s time to start crafting my puppet,” Great Derivation changed the subject eagerly.
“Indeed. I planned to begin right after slaying those Flood Dragons. Securing the Crimsonflame Dragon’s scales takes priority. As for the Black Phoenix feathers, those can wait until after the puppet is complete.” Han Li seemed to have already mapped things out.
“Excellent! At least I’ll see this puppet before my end. No regrets left,” Great Derivation laughed heartily.
Han Li smiled but said nothing more. With a flick of his sleeve, several formation flags shot out, dispersing around the room. A faint cyan barrier materialized, enveloping the entire floor.
Though he doubted the man would attack him, caution dictated setting up a protective barrier first.
Once done, Han Li stepped forward and picked up one of the jade slips Xiang Zhili had left behind, immersing his spiritual sense into its contents.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage