Chapter 563: Soul-Returning Art

"That's right. I obtained a jade slip from the Young Master of the Profound Yang Sect that recorded that Soul-Nourishing Wood is hidden within the Profound Heaven Palace. That is why, after some preparation, I specifically went to the Profound Heaven Palace to retrieve this divine wood. However, I never expected this palace to be far more dangerous than the rumors suggested. If not for Daoist Han saving me several times, with my cultivation base as someone who had only just reached Core Formation, I fear I truly would have been buried within the palace. Now, after years of nourishment from the Soul-Nourishing Wood, Senior Sister Yan Li's Primordial Spirit has finally recovered more than half of its soul power. Although she still cannot actively perform possession, she can now use the 'Soul-Returning Art' to allow Senior Sister to possess a physical body once again." When Yuan Yao said this, a look of hope appeared on her face once more.

"Soul-Returning Art? That is the secret art that allows a soul to enter a newly deceased body and return to the world of the living," Han Li's expression changed slightly.

"That is correct, it is that very art."

"Daoist Yuan, do you know what you are doing? I won't even mention the dangers of this art. The price of performing this secret art alone is something no ordinary cultivator can bear. Not only must one have a cultivation base of Core Formation or higher to perform it, but because this art is too heaven-defying, after performing it, the practitioner's cultivation base will suffer losses to an unbearable degree. Basically, any Core Formation cultivator will drop by an entire realm. With your current cultivation base, Daoist Yuan, once you perform this art, there is a nine-in-ten chance your core will shatter immediately, and you will fall back to the Foundation Establishment stage." Han Li stared at her face, his voice turning cold and solemn.

"Yuan Yao is naturally aware of this point. This art is different from possession. When performing possession, one is taking over a living body, and as long as one does not violate the three iron rules, one can basically remain safe and sound. But the Soul-Returning Art is an art that allows the body of a newly deceased person to be resurrected. Naturally, one must pay a price." Hearing Han Li mention this, Yuan Yao remained silent for a moment, but then spoke in a light, indifferent tone.

It seemed this woman had long since come to terms with the result of her core shattering.

"With the Soul-Nourishing Wood's assistance, is your Senior Sister truly unable to perform possession actively? Or, Miss Yuan, you could wait until you reach the mid-stage of Core Formation before beginning to perform the Soul-Returning Art for Miss Yan Li. That way, you wouldn't necessarily end up with a shattered core. You must know that shattering a core and then reforming it is incredibly difficult. It is even several times harder than the first time one forms a core. Basically, one could say there is no hope for this lifetime." A sharp glint flashed in Han Li's eyes as he gave a solemn warning.

"Senior Sister suffered too much damage previously, and her Primordial Spirit has existed in the form of a soul for too long; she has already begun to lose her sanity intermittently. This is not something the Soul-Nourishing Wood can block. At most, in another year or two, she will completely lose her true nature. By then, even if the Soul-Returning Art is performed, Senior Sister will have become mentally impaired. Moreover, I recently happened to find a very suitable body, and I have already spent a great deal of effort setting up the Soul-Returning Art array. If no one disturbs me, I had originally planned to begin performing this art in a month or two," Yuan Yao said calmly. Although there was a faint trace of sorrow between her brows, her determination was already set.

Hearing this, a strange look flashed in Han Li's eyes.

"Miss Yuan, you suddenly tell me these things—are you hoping for Han Mou to step in and help?" After a long while, he exhaled and asked.

"Brother Han just granted Yuan Yao the grace of his assistance; I truly should not be asking for more. However, the Soul-Returning Art must be performed in a place of Profound Yin, and it is highly taboo to be disturbed. The commotion before and after performing this art is quite large; even with an array to conceal it, it is easy to attract the prying eyes of other cultivators. Because I am wanted by the Profound Yang Sect, other than Brother Han, I do not know any other high-tier cultivators. Therefore, I dare not hope for Brother Han to help with other matters; I only hope Brother Han can spare a few days to act as a guardian while this young woman performs the art. This matter concerns Senior Sister Yan Li's life and death. As long as you can agree to this, Brother Han, feel free to propose any conditions. Anything Yuan Yao can do, I will absolutely fulfill." The woman raised her delicate brows, her jade-carved face filled with determination.

Han Li remained silent, a look of contemplation appearing on his face.

Based on his past conduct, he naturally did not wish to waste any time here. After all, he himself was burdened with a pile of troubles; it was better to avoid extra complications.

However, Yuan Yao's intention to save her close friend at the cost of shattering her own core touched a faint, inexplicable something hidden deep in his heart.

After weighing the pros and cons, he felt that with his current cultivation base, as long as he did not run into a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, there would basically be no danger. If ordinary cultivators came to pry, he could naturally eliminate them easily. Helping this woman guard for a few days did not seem to be much of an inconvenience.

Thinking of this, Han Li made up his mind. He rubbed his nose and gave a bitter smile:

"It seems Han Mou is not cold-hearted after all; I truly cannot bring myself to refuse. Since Miss Yuan is willing to shatter her core to help Miss Yan Li return her soul, then I will act as your guardian this once! Han Mou will not propose any other conditions to you. Just tell me the peculiarities of that Soul-Calling Bead. I have my reservations, and I have yet to refine this treasure. Also, the place of Profound Yin you mentioned—it wouldn't be on this island, would it? This place has already been exposed; it would be better to find another place to perform the art!"

Hearing Han Li's words, Yuan Yao's face blossomed with joy, and a look of gratitude appeared in her eyes.

"I am truly grateful for Brother Han's assistance! However, please rest assured. That place of Profound Yin is not here, but on another small island. Although it is only a few days' journey from here, it is enough to avoid the Profound Yang Sect's pursuit for a time, allowing me to perform the art in peace. As for the matter of the Soul-Calling Bead, it is even simpler. This Soul-Devouring Beast was also an item of that Profound Yang Young Master. In fact, it had not been fully refined; only half was completed. Therefore, the Soul-Calling Bead used to control it also has some flaws, causing the person who refines this bead to suffer from unbearable headaches at regular intervals. Moreover, as the refinement deepens, these headaches become increasingly difficult to suppress. I only refined a small portion of this bead initially to deal with the Ghost Mist in the Profound Heaven Palace. But even so, it left this young woman unable to eat or sleep in peace, day or night. I also have the refinement technique for the Soul-Devouring Beast here. Although I feel it is unlikely Brother Han could complete it alone, I will still gift it to you, Daoist." Yuan Yao took out a green jade slip, tossed it to Han Li, and explained.

Han Li felt a sudden realization in his heart.

No wonder this beast could devour souls and ghosts, yet its power seemed somewhat unworthy of its reputation compared to the rumors. It turned out to be an unfinished product.

Han Li took the jade slip with some disappointment, glanced at it casually, and tossed it into his storage pouch.

"Miss Yuan, this place has already been exposed. To prevent any accidents, we should leave this cave dwelling immediately and head to that place of Profound Yin. It is better to avoid any changes due to delay." Han Li said in a deep, solemn voice.

"Very well! If Brother Han hadn't mentioned it, I had intended to propose this as well. Once I tidy up the cave dwelling slightly, we shall depart without delay." Hearing this, Yuan Yao was startled for a moment, but then she understood and agreed.

Three days later, on another relatively desolate small island, Han Li stood high in the sky, gazing downward with focused attention.

"The Yin energy on this island is indeed quite dense. It is truly not easy for Miss Yuan to have found this place. Perhaps with the help of the vast Yin energy here, you can avoid some of the losses, Daoist Yuan." Han Li rubbed his chin and suddenly turned his head to say to the beauty beside him.

"That is a matter of course. I once checked the data on the nearby sea area and only then learned that this nameless small island was known as a graveyard for demon beasts long ago. Before humans had established a foothold in the Chaotic Star Sea, low-tier demon beasts would automatically come to the vicinity of this island when their lifespans were nearing an end, waiting for their demise. It was only later, after we human cultivators came and completely ruled the Inner Sea, that the low-tier demon beasts were killed off, and this naturally stopped happening. But even so, after so many years of dissipation, the density of Yin energy on this island is still shocking. However, this island is too small, and its location is far from the normal island routes, so it is rarely known." Yuan Yao glanced at the island and said with a faint smile.

After saying this, the woman did not hesitate and drifted down, while Han Li followed closely behind, unhurried.

After landing in a corner of the small island, Yuan Yao led Han Li to a desolate little valley, surrounded by black, fist-sized rocks.

Upon arriving here, Yuan Yao pinched a magic seal with both hands, raised her jade hand, and a red light was emitted.

After the red light rippled in front of the valley, the scenery changed abruptly, revealing a complex magic array about ten feet in size.

This magic array looked extremely complex, with arrays within arrays and profound runes; one look was enough to tell it was no small matter.

But what caught Han Li's attention was that in the middle of the magic array lay a crystal-clear, exquisite white jade coffin. It was about seven feet long and three feet high, its entire body wreathed in wisps of white light; it was actually made of exceptionally rare cold jade. It was absolutely worth a fortune!

A strange look flashed in Han Li's eyes!

Without a doubt, inside this cold jade coffin was the body Yuan Yao had found for Yan Li.

According to what Han Li knew, the conditions for the body required by the Soul-Returning Art were extremely numerous. It not only involved spiritual root attributes and the time of birth, but even the day the original owner of the body died, whether they had died unjustly, and whether they were stained with resentment or evil energy, all had to be calculated with absolute precision.

Only under these circumstances could one even begin to speak of performing the Soul-Returning Art!

Just as Han Li was carefully examining the jade coffin, Yuan Yao took out a black wooden box from her bosom with a solemn expression and placed it on the lid of the jade coffin. She immediately stepped back a few paces.

... ===== CHAPTER 564 =====