While manipulating the gray light in actual combat, Han Li discovered that although the gray radiance transformed from the talisman was incredibly sharp—capable of cutting through almost anything—and could be directed to attack enemies with a mere gesture through the “Object Control Technique,” it still had some significant limitations.
First of all, controlling this gray light consumed an enormous amount of magical power!
Someone like Han Li, who had cultivated the Evergreen Art to the eighth layer, could continuously cast the full version of the Fireball Technique over a hundred times. But when driving the gray light, his magical power would be completely depleted after just a short quarter of an hour.
Thinking back, it seemed that the Golden Light Transcendent hadn’t been unwilling to use the gray light from the start; rather, his magical power was too limited, and the time he could sustain the talisman was pitifully short.
This also explained why the resistance Han Li encountered when seizing the item had been so weak. It was likely that the dwarf had already expended most of his magical power controlling the gray light earlier. When he then faced Han Li, whose magical power far surpassed his own, he was naturally overwhelmed and easily defeated.
Apart from this, another drawback of the gray light was its limited range for attacking. The gray radiance could only be controlled freely within a twenty-zhang radius centered on Han Li. Beyond this range, it would become sluggish and occasionally unresponsive. When it flew beyond thirty zhang, the gray light would completely revert to its talisman form and fall to the ground.
Han Li believed that the first two drawbacks would gradually improve as his magical power advanced. However, the last issue was a fatal flaw inherent to the talisman itself.
After using the talisman a few times, Han Li noticed that the cold glow emitted by the gray small sword drawn on the talisman paper was gradually weakening with each use, as if its lifespan was slowly diminishing. In other words, the talisman had a limited number of uses and a finite duration. Once its uses were exhausted, the talisman would lose all its spiritual nature and come to the end of its life.
This was one of the reasons Han Li stopped practicing with the gray light as soon as he had learned to control it somewhat. After all, he wanted to save such a powerful tool for critical moments, hoping it might save his life in a future crisis.
By the same token, Han Li assumed that the golden talisman capable of forming a golden light barrier had similar limitations. However, since he did not yet know the incantation to activate it, he could only store it carefully for future use.
As for the triangular token and the Qin clan genealogy, Han Li had studied them during his rest periods but unfortunately made no significant discoveries.
On the fifth day, just as Han Li had taken down the “Do Not Disturb” sign, Li Feiyu came bustling in. The moment he saw Han Li, he eagerly shared the rumors that had been circulating about him.
These rumors left Han Li both amused and exasperated. He could only put on a stern face and glare at Li Feiyu, who was openly laughing at him.
Eventually, Li Feiyu stopped laughing and slowly composed himself. Adopting a serious tone, he said to Han Li, “You can probably guess why I’m here, right?”
“Mm. Those higher-ups are worried about me and sent you to sound me out, didn’t they?” Han Li replied indifferently.
“Heh, as long as you know,” Li Feiyu said, breathing a sigh of relief as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
“But how do you expect me, your good friend, to report back to them? You should know they’ve already promised to promote me to full hall master of the External Blade Hall to win me over,” Li Feiyu added with a cheeky grin.
Han Li frowned, thought for a moment, and then murmured softly to himself, “It seems if I don’t meet with Sect Leader Wang and the others to clarify things, they won’t feel at ease.”
“Alright then. Go back and tell Sect Leader Wang that I will personally visit Sunset Peak at noon tomorrow to see him. Tell him not to worry,” Han Li said with a smile.
“Good! With your word, I can report back now,” Li Feiyu shrugged, appearing noncommittal.
Afterward, Han Li and Li Feiyu chatted idly for a while. Han Li even demonstrated the Fireball Technique up close, greatly impressing his friend and leaving him envious for quite some time.
Not long after, Li Feiyu bid farewell and left the valley to report back to Wang Juechu and the others.
Han Li stood at the door of his house, gazing at Li Feiyu’s retreating figure for a long while. Suddenly, a mysterious smile crossed his face, and he looked quite pleased as he entered his house and closed the door.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Han Li stealthily made his way to Sunset Peak and quietly slipped into Sect Leader Wang’s room.
When Wang Juechu woke up and saw the figure standing rigidly by his bed, his face turned ashen. Nevertheless, he forced a smile and asked somewhat awkwardly, “Dr. Han, what brings you here? I apologize for not welcoming you properly! But didn’t we agree to meet at noon? Why have you come so early?”
Han Li cast a cold glance at Sect Leader Wang, sending chills down his spine and making his face feel as if it were being cut by blades.
Noticing a trace of fear in the other’s expression, Han Li felt a sense of satisfaction. The intimidating effect of his gaze was a new application of the “Heavenly Eye Technique” he had recently discovered during his research. It could psychologically intimidate ordinary people, causing them to become flustered—somewhat similar to the legendary “Soul Captivation Technique” known in the martial world.
“Nothing much. I just thought that meeting in the morning might allow us to think more clearly and avoid doing anything that would make either of us unhappy,” Han Li said, his face expressionless but his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
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