It had already been over half a year since Han Li left the Falling Cloud Sect.
On the day he departed from the Southern Sky, he directly entered the Heavenly Grasslands. Concealing his cultivation and identity with great caution, his journey initially proceeded very smoothly. He even disguised himself as a wandering immortal and ventured deep into several Urtu tribes, exchanging cultivation insights with some Urtu cultivators without encountering any trouble.
However, when he crossed most of the grasslands and reached the southern region, disaster struck unexpectedly. In a remote wilderness far from any Urtu tribe, while he was routinely releasing all his Gold Devouring Beetles to nurture the strongest among them, he coincidentally encountered a mid-Nascent Soul elder of the Urtu people, who was hunting an unknown demonic bird. To his shock, the elder was controlling a fully mature Gold Devouring Beetle.
Since the Rainbow Spirit Grass could be easily matured on the coral he carried, and he had done so many times without incident, Han Li had grown careless and neglected to set up a high-level concealment formation. The moment the elder and his beetle encountered Han Li and his swarm, the outcome was predictable.
The Urtu elder was nearly petrified upon seeing the dense swarm of over ten thousand Gold Devouring Beetles above Han Li’s head. Immediately abandoning the demonic bird, he demanded that Han Li accompany him to meet their so-called “Holy Maiden.”
Under such circumstances, Han Li naturally refused and swiftly resolved to kill the elder. He unleashed several powerful techniques in succession, even resorting to his Second Nascent Soul, reducing the elder’s physical body to ashes.
Yet, to Han Li’s dismay, the elder’s cultivation technique was bizarrely unique—his Nascent Soul could split into seven separate entities, each proficient in wood-escape techniques. In a moment of carelessness, Han Li allowed one of them to escape.
Realizing he had stirred a hornet’s nest, Han Li immediately fled southward without delay.
But the Urtu cultivators seemed to have an uncanny method of communication. Within days of his escape, numerous high-level Nascent Soul cultivators appeared to block and pursue him. Eventually, even one of the Urtu’s Four Great Immortals joined the hunt.
After several fierce battles, though Han Li managed to kill a few high-level cultivators, he was severely wounded by the Great Immortal due to a momentary distraction. Had it not been for the Life-Extending Spirit Liquid enabling him to repeatedly use the Blood Shadow Escape, he would have perished then and there.
Though he escaped with his life and temporarily shook off his pursuers with some tricks, Han Li soon realized his real troubles had only just begun. Whether due to the toll of the battles or sheer misfortune, the baleful aura that should have taken much longer to flare up began to backlash far earlier than expected. Fortunately, his powerful spiritual sense and quick reflexes allowed him to suppress it temporarily with a secret technique.
Now, his situation had worsened. Left with no choice, he sought advice from the Great Divination Sage.
The sage, a ten-thousand-year-old monster, immediately taught him the “Five Ghosts Locking Divine Technique,” claiming it could temporarily seal the baleful aura. However, the consequences were severe—nearly all his cultivation would be sealed within his body until a method to dispel the baleful aura was found. Otherwise, recklessly using his magic power would provoke a simultaneous backlash from both the baleful aura and the five ghosts, leaving him in a dire predicament.
Fully aware of the risks, Han Li hesitated to use the technique. But as he fled to this area, the baleful aura surged again, even more violently than before. Unable to suppress it with his own power, he had no choice but to land hastily in the shrubbery and perform the Five Ghosts Locking Divine Technique as a last resort, without even setting up a protective formation.
By the time the Heron Tribe’s group arrived, Han Li was in the final stages of the technique. When the young man named Tumeng parted the shrubs, Han Li’s face was transforming into one of the five ghosts as he completed the technique. The ghastly visage naturally terrified the youth, who likely still believed it was Han Li’s true appearance.
Thinking of this, Han Li couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
“Though the baleful aura is temporarily under control, my cultivation is heavily sealed. Things are still far from ideal. For now, blending into this tribute procession heading to the Heavenly Grasslands Holy Temple should keep me safe for a while,” Han Li murmured to himself.
“Tsk. Even with your cultivation sealed and your flying swords and ancient treasures unusable, you still have the Gold Devouring Beetles and the Second Nascent Soul. Neither is affected, and they’re more than enough to deal with ordinary cultivators. If you hadn’t left the newly refined Nascent Soul puppet with your Senior Brother Lü and most of the Core Formation puppets with your concubine before leaving the Falling Cloud Sect, your situation would be better. Mechanical puppets are perfect for self-defense in your current state,” the Great Divination Sage remarked coldly.
“I don’t know when I’ll return to the Southern Sky after this departure, so I had to leave some safeguards for the sect and Wan’er. Even if Senior Brother Cheng passes soon, with the Nascent Soul puppet’s help, Senior Brother Lü should be able to handle things alone. Add in Mu Peiling’s giant turtle puppets, and it’s even more secure. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to focus on reaching the Great Jin,” Han Li replied calmly.
“If that’s how you see it, then don’t complain about the dangers,” the sage retorted dismissively.
Han Li fell silent for a moment before asking, “Is there no way to temporarily lift the Five Ghosts Locking Divine Technique? The Second Nascent Soul and the Gold Devouring Beetles can handle Core Formation opponents, but against Nascent Soul foes, it’s too risky. And who knows how long it’ll take to find a way to dispel the baleful aura?”
“A temporary lift? For others, no. But with the treasures you possess, it’s possible—though the cost is steep,” the sage said slowly, as if pondering.
“What cost? As long as it doesn’t affect my future cultivation, I’ll accept it. Better than dying at a critical moment,” Han Li replied without hesitation.
“Very well. Each unsealing requires two drops of your Life-Extending Spirit Liquid. I’ll teach you another secret technique to divert the five ghosts and temporarily neutralize the baleful aura. Depending on the situation, you’ll regain your full power for about an hour. Once the time’s up, the ghosts will consume the spirit liquid’s energy and reseal your cultivation. But each unsealing allows the baleful aura to further invade your mind. After a certain number of times, even the five ghosts won’t be able to control the backlash,” the sage explained frankly.
“The Life-Extending Spirit Liquid is precious, but survival comes first. The worsening backlash is troublesome—will it make dispelling the baleful aura harder later?” Han Li asked grimly.
“Undoubtedly. Given your condition, I estimate you can unseal five or six times at most before the ghosts go berserk. Weigh the pros and cons carefully.”
“No need to think. If my life’s at stake, I’ll take the risk. Please teach me the technique now,” Han Li said decisively.
“I’ll say it once. Remember it well!” The sage transmitted the technique without further ado. Han Li closed his eyes, committing every word to memory.
“Good. It doesn’t seem too difficult. I should master it in a few days,” Han Li said calmly upon opening his eyes.
“Of course. It’s just a simple unsealing technique, nothing complex. But, boy, do you really plan to follow this group to the Heavenly Grasslands Holy Temple? Such a grand event will surely gather many Urtu cultivators,” the sage asked curiously.
“You’ve heard the saying—the most dangerous place is the safest. If I wanted to hide, I could easily find a secluded spot in the wilds and stay undetected for a while. But with the baleful aura plaguing me, I must hurry to the Great Jin. My pursuers are likely scouring the grasslands for me alone. Moving solo would be unwise. Blending into the crowd near their Holy Temple is smarter—too many cultivators there for them to inspect everyone. After months in the grasslands, I’m confident I can pass as a low-level immortal without raising suspicion. The rest, I’ll adapt to as needed. The Holy Temple’s direction also aligns with the path to the Great Jin,” Han Li explained casually.
“Seems you’ve made up your mind. I won’t interfere,” the sage chuckled before falling silent.
Han Li sighed, then remembered something. “Silvermoon, how are you? You were badly injured in the recent battles.”
“Thank you for your concern, Master. As a tool spirit, I’m fundamentally unharmed. But my fox form suffered heavy damage. I’m afraid I won’t be of much help for some time,” came Silvermoon’s faint voice.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be cautious and won’t need your assistance. Focus on recovering,” Han Li said gently, relieved.
“Yes, Master!” Silvermoon replied weakly before lapsing into silence.
Han Li frowned, his heart heavy with frustration.
After meditating quietly in the carriage for a while, he suddenly reached into his storage pouch and retrieved a half-foot-long jade box sealed with shimmering talismans, as if containing something forbidden.
Gently tracing the talismans with his fingers, Han Li’s expression darkened with uncertainty.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage