Since learning the “Wind Riding Art,” Han Li had grown even more fascinated by the other two spells: the “Spirit Quelling Talisman” and the “Object Controlling Art.” He devoted a great deal of time and effort to mastering them, hoping that one day, like with the “Wind Riding Art,” he would suddenly grasp their essence and achieve a breakthrough.
However, after repeated attempts, Han Li unexpectedly discovered that his inability to perform these two spells might not be due to his own shortcomings but rather the lack of necessary external conditions for spellcasting.
According to the book, the “Spirit Quelling Talisman” was a type of charm that required the use of pre-prepared talismanic paper. Previously, Han Li had used yellow paper bought from a nearby town, meticulously copying the symbols and patterns from the book with a brush to create what he believed were the required talismans.
Although the book did not specify what kind of ink or pigment should be used to draw the talismanic symbols, Han Li recalled the silver symbols on Dr. Mo’s talisman and naturally opted for silver powder—a costly luxury. Whether this pigment was effective or not, Han Li did not know, but at the very least, the self-made talismans looked exactly like the examples in the book.
Unfortunately, appearance alone was not enough.
When Han Li attempted to activate these talismans with the incantation, the symbols did not emit the dazzling silver light as they had when Dr. Mo used them, nor did any other miraculous phenomena occur. It was a complete failure, leaving him in a dilemma. He could not determine whether the failure was due to errors in the incantation or hand gestures, or if the talismans themselves were improperly made.
But after further research, things became clearer. By delving into various related materials and books on spells and legends, Han Li finally realized that the talismans used by cultivators were definitely not made from ordinary paper and pigments as mortals knew them. Instead, they were crafted from specific materials unique to cultivators, and their creation might even require special methods. Therefore, even if his incantations and gestures were flawless, the spells would still not succeed.
The same logic applied to the “Object Controlling Art.” Han Li had previously assumed that any object could serve as a target for this spell, so he tried controlling common items like furniture or swords with the incantations and hand gestures, but to no effect.
Now, reminded by the issue with the talismanic paper, he understood that the “Object Controlling Art” was meant to control not ordinary objects but specific items used by cultivators.
Thus, Han Li tested all the strange items he had obtained from Dr. Mo, including the “Soul Guiding Bell” and the seven silver blades used in the “Seven Ghosts Soul Devouring Art,” as targets for the “Object Controlling Art.” Unfortunately, none of them responded to the spell. This greatly disappointed Han Li, as it seemed the “Object Controlling Art” was not meant to control these magical tools but something else entirely.
Having identified the root of the problem and realizing that without the appropriate items, he could not perform the “Spirit Quelling Talisman” or the “Object Controlling Art,” Han Li shifted his focus away from them. Instead, he began exploring ways to combine martial arts secrets with the few spells he could use, hoping to quickly enhance his strength and reach a higher level in a short time.
With this unconventional idea in mind, Han Li embarked on another arduous journey of self-training and soon achieved minor successes.
After some experimentation, he managed to integrate the “Smoke Cloud Steps” with the “Wind Riding Art.”
This integration essentially involved first casting the “Wind Riding Art” on himself and then executing the “Smoke Cloud Steps.” However, the coordination and balance between the two had to be carefully controlled, or errors would easily occur. This demanded considerable mental effort and practice from Han Li.
But through this process, he gradually overcame the weaknesses of both techniques: the “Wind Riding Art” lacked agility in quick turns, while the “Smoke Cloud Steps” consumed too much stamina. Now, his movements became as swift as lightning, leaving only afterimages and making his footwork even more elusive and unpredictable.
Not long after, Han Li also developed an innovative approach to using the “Fireball Art.”
Originally, after the small fireball appeared, the caster was supposed to propel it toward the target using their own spiritual power to kill the enemy. This was the intended use of the spell, but Han Li found it unsatisfactory.
He believed that relying on spiritual power to shoot the fireball made it too slow, allowing any skilled martial artist to easily dodge it. This limited its practicality in combat, making it seem flashy but impractical. Therefore, he decided to cast only half of the “Fireball Art,” summoning the fireball but not launching it. Instead, he harnessed its destructive properties, controlling it in his hand like a short but divine weapon.
With his improved extreme footwork and the high-temperature fireball in hand, Han Li now felt confident that he could easily defeat any master.
With these newfound capabilities, Han Li could finally relax, no longer worried about his lack of strength. He now felt fully prepared to travel to Lanzhou to detoxify the poison.
Around this time, Han Li’s “Evergreen Art” quietly advanced to the eighth layer, thanks to his daily consumption of spiritual medicine as if it were snacks. His spiritual power grew significantly.
In terms of pure spiritual power, Han Li now surpassed Yu Zitong’s level when he was still in his original body. However, when it came to the number of spells mastered and actual combat skills, Han Li was still far behind the former Yu Zitong. After all, Yu Zitong had received guidance from elders and sparred with peers while training with his family, which was far superior to Han Li’s haphazard self-study.
Han Li was unaware of these comparisons, and even if he had known, he would not have cared. He never arrogantly believed that learning a few rudimentary spells would allow him to compete with true cultivators. His enemies were still primarily martial artists in the mortal world.
Thus, Han Li was in high spirits. Just as he was brimming with confidence and preparing to find an excuse to leave the Seven Mysteries Sect and descend the mountain, the Wild Wolf Gang suddenly proposed peace talks with the Seven Mysteries Sect.
This news caused an uproar within the Seven Mysteries Sect. Recently, the Wild Wolf Gang had been gaining the upper hand in conflicts, consistently suppressing the Seven Mysteries Sect. Under such favorable conditions, why would they suddenly seek peace? Could there be some trickery involved? Many were suspicious.
For a time, voices both for and against the peace talks emerged within the Seven Mysteries Sect, and various high-ranking members held differing opinions. Li Feiyu was among those who firmly opposed the talks.
Since both sides were equally vocal and no consensus could be reached, Sect Master Wang ultimately made the decision: they would engage in talks first. If the terms were reasonable, they would shake hands and make peace; if the conditions were too harsh, they would continue the fight.
This compromise did not satisfy either faction, but it was the only middle ground available, and they had no choice but to proceed.
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