Without needing Silvermoon’s reminder, Han Li could already discern the general outline of the map—it indeed matched the terrain of the Fallen Devil Valley perfectly. However, the rest of the map was drawn extremely crudely, with only the marked area depicted in great detail. Not only was the location of the mark within the inner valley clearly indicated, but even the surrounding topography was meticulously labeled.
Han Li quickly calculated the distance between the marked location and his current position. It was extremely far, and he had no idea what dangers he might encounter along the way.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Han Li shook his head and stored the map away. He knew the marked location must hold some significant secret, but before resolving the matter of the Spirit Candle Fruit, he had no intention of stirring up further trouble. Whether he would explore it later would naturally depend on whether he obtained the Spirit Candle Fruit first.
Silvermoon seemed to have guessed Han Li’s thoughts and remained silent. Meanwhile, Han Li flipped his hand and retrieved the new jade box, casually stuffing it into the bamboo tube on his back. He then spoke calmly to Great Divination Sage, “Many of the materials required for the Sevenflame Fan have long gone extinct or are nearly impossible to find. But with your unparalleled genius, perhaps you could find substitutes. If you could truly replicate a spirit treasure in today’s cultivation world, I would be utterly awed.”
“Boy, do you take me for a fool?” Great Divination Sage sneered after a moment of silence. “Though I am indeed interested in spirit treasures, why would I research a refining method for you out of nowhere? Just because of your flippant words of admiration?”
“Spirit treasures are not so easily replicated,” Han Li replied calmly, unfazed. “Though your genius is unmatched in my experience, I have little confidence you could actually devise a method. However, if you truly succeed, I am willing to fulfill any request within my power as compensation. What do you think?”
Hearing this, Great Divination Sage fell silent again before finally snorting arrogantly. “I first learned of these heaven-defying treasures from ancient records I stumbled upon in a ruin. Naturally, I was curious about artifacts even ancient cultivators revered. Unfortunately, information on them is scarce, and I’ve had no breakthroughs. Now, reduced to this half-human, half-ghost state with only decades left before my soul scatters, I don’t wish to die with regrets. So, even knowing you’re provoking me, I’ll accept. Besides, merely finding substitute materials is hardly difficult—it’s not as if I’m reinventing the refining method from scratch. Just don’t forget your promise.”
“Good, it’s settled then,” Han Li said with a smile, sealing the agreement.
With such a prodigy—one who had even created the Great Divination Art—at hand, Han Li had no intention of wasting the opportunity. Though he already possessed the Void Heaven Cauldron, a genuine spirit treasure, he had no idea when he’d be able to unlock its use. And when it came to heaven-defying artifacts like these, the more, the better.
Great Divination Sage’s voice fell silent, likely having opened the jade box to study its contents. Meanwhile, Han Li’s spiritual light intensified as he accelerated his flight.
—
As Han Li passed the mountain where the Purple-striped Scorpion nest lay, Marquis Nanlong and Old Man Lu were traversing an unfamiliar underground passage. The tunnel was pitch-black and damp, and even with their cultivation, they could only see a few feet ahead.
“Brother Nanlong, I never expected such a damp place in this lava-filled region. I’m now seventy to eighty percent convinced about the Blood Curse Gate,” Old Man Lu said slowly, walking a few paces behind Marquis Nanlong.
“So you’ve been skeptical all along?” Marquis Nanlong chuckled. “Even when I found the late Frost Li the Transcendent’s will with that traitor Yun, the Blood Curse Gate wasn’t mentioned. Otherwise, the Ghost Spirit Sect would’ve long seized this place. This secret has been passed down orally through my ancestors.”
“Still, if opening the gate didn’t require two Nascent Soul cultivators, I doubt you’d have invited me,” Old Man Lu remarked with a sly smile.
“Brother Lu, we’ve been friends for years. Why wouldn’t I share such benefits with you? That’s why I kept it hidden from that brat Han Li,” Marquis Nanlong replied evasively.
“Then I thank you for your generosity,” Old Man Lu said, dropping the subject after his subtle probe.
In a two-man treasure hunt, a gentle reminder of caution sufficed. He wanted Marquis Nanlong to know he was wary, lest the latter try to discard him midway. He had no intention of provoking a fight in such a place.
Marquis Nanlong understood the old man’s intent and inwardly sneered, though his expression remained neutral.
After a stretch of silence, a faint light appeared ahead. Both men brightened and quickened their pace, soon entering a sizable stalactite cavern.
The cavern spanned over thirty zhang, its ceiling and floor covered in conical stalactites. The walls shimmered with white light, but the most striking feature was a ten-zhang-wide emerald-green pool at the center. Apart from its vivid hue, the water seemed ordinary.
“Is the Blood Curse Gate really here?” Old Man Lu asked skeptically after scanning the area and finding no restrictions.
Marquis Nanlong shot him a sidelong glance, his lips quirking. “It’s here, without a doubt. But such a crucial place would naturally be concealed by restrictions left by Frost Li. We just need to undo them.” His gaze settled on the pool.
Old Man Lu blinked in realization and also studied the water.
With a flick of his sleeve, Marquis Nanlong sent a small blue flag flying into the pool. It vanished with a soft splash. He then formed hand seals and began chanting.
The tranquil pool’s surface rippled, the water swirling faster until a massive whirlpool formed. A faint hum emanated from its center.
“A Water-parting Flag? I didn’t expect you to possess such a rare treasure,” Old Man Lu remarked in surprise.
“It’s nothing special. Aside from parting water, it’s useless,” Marquis Nanlong replied dismissively.
With a low shout, he fired two more spells into the vortex. The water surged and split apart, revealing a passage.
Without hesitation, Marquis Nanlong transformed into a golden streak and plunged downward. Old Man Lu hesitated briefly before following as a white beam.
Moments later, Old Man Lu’s face paled. The pool was deep—unfathomably so. After descending two to three hundred zhang, there was still no end in sight. Glancing up at the distant speck of light marking the entrance, he grew uneasy, a stifling pressure weighing on him.
Finally, after another hundred zhang, Marquis Nanlong’s light slowed as he reached the bottom. Relieved, Old Man Lu descended beside him.
The circular bottom was over ten zhang wide—larger than the entrance—with smooth, wet stone tiles. The Water-parting Flag stood embedded in the center, its blue glow illuminating the towering green water walls around them.
“If the Blood Curse Gate is hidden here, it’s indeed well-concealed. Who would dive hundreds of zhang into a pool? Still, how did Frost Li discover this place?” Old Man Lu mused, frowning.
“Perhaps… his divine sense was powerful enough to probe this deep,” Marquis Nanlong ventured uncertainly, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind for the first time.
“Maybe,” Old Man Lu murmured, stroking his chin.
Shaking off his unease, Marquis Nanlong retrieved a white jade pendant—the same one used at the inner valley’s entrance—and sent it spinning into the air. He fired a series of spells into it, which the pendant absorbed greedily.
With a brilliant flash, the pendant halted before one water wall, emitting a phoenix-like chime. Marquis Nanlong pointed sharply at it, and a vast white mist erupted, sweeping forward.
The water wall twisted and tore like a shredded painting, dissolving into the mist. In its place emerged a three-zhang-tall arched stone gate, pulsing with bloody light. Its surface bore a colossal, lifelike one-horned demon head, its visage ferocious.
“So this is the Blood Curse Gate?” Old Man Lu muttered, his eyelid twitching. For some reason, the sight of the gate filled him with dread.
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