Chapter 788

"This elder of the Yin Luo Sect knows only how to cast curses, not how to break them. According to the information I obtained through soul-searching, only the sect master and the grand elder of the Yin Luo Sect know the incantation to lift the Soul-Sealing Curse. All other elders, like the demon cultivator I eliminated, can only cast the curse but cannot remove it." Han Li sat on a wooden chair beside him, smiling bitterly.

"Can't break the curse?" The silver-haired elder frowned, sounding incredulous.

"That's right. It seems the incantation to lift the Soul-Sealing Curse is tied to a highly secretive technique of the Yin Luo Sect, known only to the sect master and grand elder throughout history. No one else is permitted to learn it." Han Li's expression darkened, showing no intention to conceal anything.

"If there's no way to break the curse, then Miss Nangong…?" The silver-haired elder's face grew grim.

"Although I lack the direct incantation to lift it, there are still other methods in this world to break the Soul-Sealing Curse. This demon cultivator was indeed worthy of being an elder of the Yin Luo Sect—I learned several techniques from his spiritual sense that use external objects to forcibly shatter the seal." Han Li's gaze flickered, then shifted tone.

"What items can break the Soul-Sealing Curse? Tell me, Brother Han." The elder perked up, asking eagerly.

"These items are all exceedingly rare in this realm. Under normal circumstances, you'd never find them." Han Li sighed and mentioned two casually; the silver-haired elder, upon hearing them, was stunned into silence.

"Not just in Tiannan—I doubt whether any of these still exist in this entire realm," the elder murmured.

"Not necessarily. I happen to know the whereabouts of one of them. But it's no easy thing to obtain. I must prepare thoroughly before I stand any chance." Han Li's lips twitched slightly as he replied calmly.

Upon hearing this, the elder's face showed surprise, but seeing Han Li seemed unwilling to elaborate further, he did not press further. Instead, he said earnestly:

"Should I and our sect lend you a hand? Brother, don't be shy!"

"No, thank you. This time, numbers won't help." Han Li fell silent for a moment, then shook his head firmly.

"Since you've got it figured out, I won't pry further. But remember my words—should you need anything, use the sect's resources without hesitation." The silver-haired elder did not insist, instead stroking his beard.

"I appreciate your kindness, Brother. I'll go see Wan'er now." Han Li forced a smile, then rose to take his leave.

After seeing Han Li out of the hall, the silver-haired elder stood at the doorway, pondered for a moment, sighed softly, and shot off as a streak of brilliant light toward his cave.

…

The chamber with the ice wall remained untouched, no unexpected events.

Han Li stood silently before the ice wall, gazing at the innocent, beautiful child trapped within, his expression distant.

He remained like this for a long while. Then, after a complex flicker crossed his eyes, he whispered softly:

"Wan'er, you've got guts. Taking advantage of a life-or-death opportunity to cultivate the **Wheel of Rebirth's** most perilous technique—the **Dai Nu Tian Yue Decree**. Don't you know this is a secret art that walks straight into death to find life? What if I lift the Soul-Sealing Mark, but you fail in the cultivation? Wouldn't that drive me to despair?"

Han Li murmured softly, his voice fading further. Finally, he stepped to the ice wall and, through its thick layer, gently touched Nangong Wan'er's childlike face with his fingertip.

"You probably don't know—the demon who cursed you doesn't even know the incantation to break it. But don't worry too much. I found another way to awaken you from his spiritual sense: using external objects to dissolve the seal. These items are rare in the world, but luckily, one of them exists in the Fallen Demon Valley. The ancient fire beast's core is nearly impossible to find under normal circumstances—but in the Fallen Demon Valley, there happens to be an ancient fire toad. The conditions match perfectly. So, my journey to the Fallen Demon Valley in a few years is no longer optional—it's inevitable. Even though this method has only a fifty percent chance of breaking the Soul-Sealing Mark, even if it fails, it will greatly weaken the curse's potency. With that extra time, I can safely travel to Jinguo. No matter what, by then I will obtain the incantation to lift the curse." By the end, Han Li's voice had turned icy.

After venting his frustrations to the ice-bound Nangong Wan'er, Han Li remained in the chamber for fifteen minutes, then stepped out. He transformed into a streak of azure light and flew back to his cave on the Mother-Son Peak.

In the cave's main hall, Han Li sat on the main seat, head slightly bowed, lost in thought. Yin Yue stood obediently beside him, her dark eyes darting constantly across his face, betraying a mischievous spark.

"What are you staring at? Did flowers bloom on my face?" Han Li didn't look up, but spoke calmly.

"Master, you're teasing. I was just wondering what your plans are after this. The time until we enter the Fallen Demon Valley isn't long, but it's not short either. And both Zi Ling and the Marquis of Lord Nanlong have invited you. Which side will you ally with to enter the valley? And Master, have you truly decided? The Fallen Demon Valley is called the most dangerous place in Tiannan. Even with your great powers, entering it remains perilous. If you want to save Miss Nangong, you could seek other items instead. Going to the Fallen Demon Valley is far too risky." Yin Yue smiled faintly, then hesitated to speak.

"Other items? You mean the eggshell of the ten-thousand-year Xuanjin Bird or the fruit of the Bodhi Flower? These are almost certainly extinct in this realm. Even if they exist, they're hidden in some remote, uninhabited corner—impossible to find. Only the ancient fire toad's core is easiest to obtain. If I follow the route map of Master Cangkun Shangren and don't greedily rush in blindly, I won't get lost inside. As for which side to ally with—that can wait." Han Li shook his head calmly.

"If Master has decided, then your humble servant has nothing to say." Yin Yue lowered her head, speaking obediently.

Han Li smiled slightly, stroked his chin, then spoke again:

"Before entering the Fallen Demon Valley, I plan to travel to the Far West. I need to obtain the final two layers of the Great Expansion Decree, and also visit the Thousand Bamboo Sect to see if I can acquire advanced mechanical doll crafting methods. The several ancient doll techniques I exchanged last time—though some unknown materials can be found in old doll fragments—some auxiliary materials are too scarce to gather quickly. Moreover, the main material, ten-thousand-year ironwood, requires vast quantities of green fluid to ripen, and cannot be prepared before the Fallen Demon Valley trip. The cultivation base techniques for the dolls recorded there also use strange materials, mostly unobtainable in today's cultivation world. The Thousand Bamboo Sect, founded on dollcraft, surely has two or three such Foundation Establishment-level doll techniques. Seeking those methods there is more practical. If I gain a large number of Foundation Establishment-level dolls, my strength can be significantly enhanced before entering the Fallen Demon Valley. Otherwise, relying solely on cultivation and artifact cultivation, what progress can I make in just a few years? And these dolls are perfect scouts in the perilous environment of the Fallen Demon Valley."

As Han Li spoke, his eyes gleamed with confidence.

"What you say does make sense. I'll follow your decision." Yin Yue smiled, her expression suddenly enchanting.

"But although the Far West borders Tiannan, getting there is still troublesome. You must first pass through the lands of the Righteous Alliance, then cross a desert stretching for countless miles." Han Li suddenly remembered something, frowning slightly.

"Desert?" Yin Yue blinked, her mouth slightly open in surprise.

"Correct. And this desert is peculiar. For reasons unknown, violent gales blow constantly across its skies. Cultivators wishing to cross must walk on foot—otherwise, before flying even a short distance, your spiritual power will be drained by the winds. Thus, although all sects in Tiannan know of the Far West's existence, they consider it insignificant—only the size of two medium-sized Tiannan nations—with scarce resources, and separated by this desert, making travel inconvenient. Neither the orthodox nor demonic sects have ever shown interest. The entire Far West has long been controlled by the Thousand Bamboo Sect." Han Li explained.

"If we can't fly across the desert, won't it take forever?" Yin Yue frowned, looking worried.

"It will take a long time. Even if everything goes smoothly, I estimate the round trip will take nearly a year. So before leaving for the Far West, I must finish several matters first. During this time, Yin Yue, help me. Take this." Han Li reached into his storage bag and pulled out a jade box, handing it to Yin Yue.

"Xuantian Immortal Vine! Master, you're really entrusting this to me?" Yin Yue recognized the item at once, surprised.

"Heh, if this can't be revived, it's just a material for forging. Nothing special. While I'm at it, I'll deal with the Zhi Mu Spirit Infant first—plant the second spirit infant. Then I'll handle the Corpse Ghoul. I found a cultivation method for animating demonic corpses in that Yin Luo elder's storage bag. Perfect opportunity to make use of it. That Corpse Ghoul has been trapped in the belly of Mount Yunmeng Mountain all along—it's a constant threat. With so much to do, I have no time to spare. All matters in the cave must be left to you." Han Li gave Yin Yue a half-smile, speaking slowly.

"Fine. Who else am I to serve but my master? I'll do as you say." Yin Yue pursed her lips, took the jade box, and replied with reluctant resignation.

Han Li smiled slightly, spoke two more words to Yin Yue, and turned to leave the hall. But at that moment, Yin Yue hesitated, then suddenly called out to him.

"Master, I've held something back for a long time. May I ask you something?" Yin Yue blinked her bright eyes, suddenly serious.

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