When the old man’s gaze naturally fell upon Han Li, his facial muscles twitched involuntarily, and he hastily clasped his fists, saying, “This junior heard from my fellow disciples that a distinguished guest had arrived at our sect, but I never expected it to be a senior like you, a Nascent Soul cultivator! It was truly discourteous of me not to have come out to greet you properly.”
The sole elder of the Heavenly Talisman Sect wore an expression of utmost reverence.
Upon hearing the words of the elder surnamed Wen, Yue Zhen and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators were deeply shaken. The last trace of doubt in their minds vanished completely, and they looked at Han Li with even greater awe. A Nascent Soul cultivator was an existence far beyond the reach of the current Heavenly Talisman Sect.
“I am merely fulfilling a request to deliver something. There’s no need for such formality,” Han Li said, his expression unchanging. After a brief pause, he continued nonchalantly, “This item has been in my possession for some years. Now that I happen to be in Huayun Province on business, it was only natural to return it. This item was specifically entrusted to be handed over to your sect leader.”
With that, Han Li patted his waist with one hand, producing a square bone box, which he casually placed on the table before him.
The elder surnamed Wen was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed himself and said tactfully, “Junior Yue, you heard the senior’s words. Go and see what he has brought. If it truly is something lost by our sect, we must express our deepest gratitude to the senior.”
“Yes, Uncle,” Yue Zhen replied respectfully. He stepped forward, took the bone box with both hands, and curiously opened it.
Inside, several bone tablets covered in tiny characters immediately caught his eye. “What is this?” Yue Zhen exclaimed in surprise as he picked up one of the tablets and examined it closely.
Han Li merely smiled without speaking.
“Spirit Subduing Talismans! These are the methods for crafting Spirit Subduing Talismans! And the handwriting is that of Uncle Yun!” After just a few glances, Yue Zhen cried out in delight.
“Senior Brother Yun? Are you certain?” The elder surnamed Wen’s expression turned grave after a brief moment of shock.
“Absolutely not. The sect leader’s study still displays Uncle Yun’s calligraphy to this day. I see it every day—how could I mistake it?” Yue Zhen replied without hesitation.
The other cultivators also wore expressions of astonishment.
“Indeed, this item was entrusted to me by Fellow Daoist Yun. The Spirit Subduing Talisman is one of your sect’s three secret talismans, so there can be no mistake,” Han Li said ambiguously.
“Of course there’s no mistake. But when did you meet Senior Brother Yun, senior? Back then, I hadn’t even formed my Golden Core when he suddenly vanished without a trace during a trip overseas. Decades have passed without any news. Is Senior Brother Yun… unharmed?” The elder surnamed Wen asked with concern.
“He should be fine. In truth, my encounter with your sect leader was purely coincidental. Decades ago, I found myself in the same predicament as he did…” Han Li briefly recounted the events involving the ghostly mist and the Netherworld, naturally omitting details about himself and the Netherworld Beast Crystals that were best kept secret.
“Such a perilous place actually exists in this world? It’s truly unimaginable! No wonder so many cultivators have mysteriously disappeared along the coast over the years. It was all due to that ghostly mist,” the elder surnamed Wen gasped upon hearing about the Netherworld’s suppression of spiritual power.
“Indeed, it took me tremendous effort to escape. The items in this box were entrusted to me by your sect leader, with the request that I return them to your sect when the opportunity arose. However, I must admit I have some interest in talisman crafting and took the liberty of studying the Spirit Subduing Talisman methods. I hope you won’t take offense,” Han Li said with a faint smile, his eyes glinting.
“Senior, your act of returning our sect’s secret talisman methods is already an immense favor. How could we possibly begrudge you for studying them? While it’s true that the Spirit Subduing Talisman is traditionally reserved for the sect leader, without your intervention, this secret technique would have been lost forever. At this point, such formalities are meaningless,” the elder surnamed Wen said with deep respect.
Yue Zhen also nodded emphatically in agreement.
“Your magnanimity puts me to shame. But now that the item has been delivered, I’ve fulfilled my obligation. I shall take my leave,” Han Li said with a satisfied nod, rising to his feet.
“Senior, we have yet to repay you for returning this treasure. Why not stay with us for a few days so we may show our hospitality?” The elder surnamed Wen, though overjoyed at the recovery of the Spirit Subduing Talisman, was even more eager to establish a connection with this suddenly appearing powerhouse.
After all, if word got out that their sect had ties to a Nascent Soul cultivator, the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s standing among minor sects would skyrocket. Even the current crisis they faced might be resolved effortlessly.
“Stay a little longer,” Han Li said, his lips curling into a faint, enigmatic smile.
“Senior Han, didn’t you express interest in talisman crafting? Our sect may not excel in much, but we do have some expertise in talisman-making. Our ancestors have collected numerous texts on the subject. If you wouldn’t mind, perhaps you could peruse them and offer us some guidance,” Yue Zhen suddenly interjected, his eyes gleaming with cunning.
“Talisman texts?” Han Li paused, considering the offer. The idea intrigued him.
The elder surnamed Wen, momentarily stunned, quickly nodded in agreement.
“Very well. I do have some interest in talisman crafting. I’ll stay for a few days,” Han Li said after a moment’s thought. Having learned the Spirit Subduing Talisman technique, he was genuinely curious about the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s other secrets.
“Wonderful! It’s an honor to have you stay, senior. Would you like to rest first, or…” the elder surnamed Wen asked cautiously, unable to hide his delight.
“No need. Take me to your scripture repository now,” Han Li declined. At his level of cultivation, even a brief meditation while reading would restore any expended energy.
“Of course. Disciple Yang, escort Senior Han to our scripture repository. Fulfill any request he may have without question,” the elder surnamed Wen instructed a middle-aged cultivator eagerly.
“As you command, Uncle Wen. Senior Han, please follow me,” the middle-aged cultivator replied with utmost deference. Han Li nodded and followed him out of the hall.
“Who would have thought Senior Brother Yun was trapped in such a place? No wonder his disappearance was so bizarre. Recovering our sect’s Spirit Subduing Talisman technique is truly a blessing,” the elder surnamed Wen sighed after Han Li had left the hall for some time.
“But if we can leverage this opportunity to befriend Senior Han and spread the word, it would greatly benefit our sect. At the very least, our current troubles with the market would be resolved effortlessly,” another cultivator, who had remained silent until now, said slowly.
“With a Nascent Soul cultivator as our backer, the Spirit Wind Sect would surely retreat, and even the Fiery Sun Sect wouldn’t risk offending a Nascent Soul cultivator over a minor market. But from Senior Han’s tone, it seems his relationship with Senior Brother Yun in the Netherworld was merely cordial. Given his status, why would he help us without reason? Even if we wanted to offer treasures or force a connection, we have nothing that would catch his eye. Yet missing this opportunity would be a terrible waste,” Yue Zhen muttered bitterly.
“It is indeed a dilemma,” the elder surnamed Wen agreed, frowning.
The other cultivators exchanged glances, their faces clouded with worry.
Meanwhile, Han Li had followed the middle-aged cultivator to an unassuming three-story pavilion enveloped in a faint blue restriction. Upon entering the first floor, they found an elderly man seated on a meditation mat, holding a jade slip as if studying its contents.
“Disciple Li, come and greet Senior Han,” the middle-aged cultivator ordered upon seeing the old man. Turning to Han Li, he explained respectfully, “This Disciple Li is in charge of the scripture repository and is intimately familiar with all its texts.”
The old man, seemingly startled from his reading, hastily stowed the jade slip and scrambled to his feet.
“Ah, Uncle Yang! Forgive this junior for not greeting you properly. And this is… Senior Han?” The wrinkled old man, with small, shrewd eyes, initially smiled obsequiously at the middle-aged cultivator. But when his gaze flickered to Han Li, his voice trembled, and his face froze.
“Disciple Li?” Han Li’s eyes widened in astonishment as he took in the old man’s features, his expression turning peculiar.
“Does the senior know this disciple?” the middle-aged cultivator asked in surprise.
“It’s nothing. This fellow simply resembles an old acquaintance of mine, but upon closer inspection, it’s not him. My mistake,” Han Li said, his odd expression vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
“I see. Then I’ll leave the senior to his studies. Disciple Li, your presence here is no longer required. Come with me,” the middle-aged cultivator said, though he clearly didn’t believe Han Li’s explanation. Still, he dared not press further.
“Understood, this junior—”
“No need. Since this fellow is so knowledgeable about the repository’s contents, I may require his assistance. Let him stay with me for a few days,” Han Li interjected with a light chuckle, his gaze lingering meaningfully on the old man.
“Ahem… As the senior commands. Disciple Li, this is your opportunity. Be sure to follow Senior Han’s instructions,” the middle-aged cultivator said, though he couldn’t help but feel suspicious about their earlier exchange. Still, the chance for a lowly disciple like “Disciple Li” to spend time alone with a Nascent Soul cultivator was enviable. Even a few casual pointers could prove invaluable.
However, Han Li’s tone made it clear he wished to be left alone. Bowing respectfully, the middle-aged cultivator retreated, though not without lingering doubts.
Once the man’s figure had disappeared from the pavilion, Han Li turned to the old man with a knowing smile.
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