Chapter 959

Han Li spent three days and three nights in the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s scripture hall, reading every text on talisman-making in the second and third floors; there were indeed many unique talisman-making secrets within. He made copies of all these without hesitation, to study them thoroughly when he had time later.

Moreover, from some of the texts, Han Li learned about the other two secret talismans of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, and he was secretly startled.

The Transformation Spirit Talisman is a talisman that is absorbed into the body and cultivated day and night within the dantian, yielding boundless benefits in the future. This talisman resembles a magic treasure; if cultivated to a sufficient level, it can produce countless transformations and even replicate the power of the demonic “Transformation of Tribulation,” without requiring the body to bear backlash.

The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman is a secret technique that uses talismanic power to gather nearby spiritual energy and form six layers of protective barriers. As long as spiritual energy remains available, the six layers regenerate endlessly—it is one of the rare spells capable of commanding spiritual energy without requiring Soul Transformation cultivation, and is truly astonishing.

Of the three secret talismans, the Transformation Spirit Talisman is manageable: once one reaches Core Formation, one can cultivate it using golden core fire, making it a required skill for every Core Formation cultivator of the Heavenly Talisman Sect. However, the talisman’s power depends not only on the cultivator’s level and duration of cultivation, but also on the materials and inherent rank used in its creation.

The Six Ding Heavenly Armor Talisman differs: once crafted, anyone can use it, and its effectiveness depends entirely on the density of surrounding spiritual energy.

The denser the spiritual energy, the more astonishing the talisman’s power.

According to records from a past Elder of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, the jade slip containing the Six Ding Heavenly Armor technique vanished without explanation after the Heavenly Talisman True Person’s death. This shocked the then-powerful sect, and for generations afterward, recovering this secret technique became the sect’s top priority—yet not a single clue was ever found.

After the Heavenly Talisman Sect declined, it naturally lost the ability to pursue the matter further, and the incident gradually faded from memory.

As for the Summoning Spirit Talisman, due to material constraints, few ever managed to craft it since its creation.

Thus, although the Heavenly Talisman Sect has always claimed three secret talismans, in truth, only the Transformation Spirit Talisman is genuinely usable.

After reading the relevant texts, Han Li became deeply interested in the other two talismans—each seemed to possess considerable power. Especially the Transformation Spirit Talisman, which could replicate the effect of the Transformation of Tribulation—a most valuable survival technique in certain situations.

Three days later, Han Li finished reading the last jade slip, rose from his cushion, stretched, and swept his spiritual sense down to the first floor, sensing Xiang Zhili waiting below.

Han Li frowned.

This Xiang brother, whom he had worried about for days, had been unusually quiet—merely sitting in meditation, doing nothing else, and never stepping outside the scripture hall.

Outside the hall, he found it amusing: since the day he began examining the texts, several Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Heavenly Talisman Sect had taken turns waiting outside, as if afraid he would slip away without notice.

After some thought, Han Li descended the hall.

“Elder, have you finished reading?” The old man immediately tucked away his jade slip and beamed with a smile.

“Mm. I’ve seen all I needed to. You may stay here as you please.” Han Li chuckled lightly, speaking with hidden meaning, then walked out of the hall on his own.

The old man stood motionless, watching Han Li’s back; a flash of sharp light passed through his eyes, then vanished, and his expression returned to normal.

Coincidentally, the cultivator waiting outside for Han Li was again the Yang cultivator who had brought him here.

Upon seeing Han Li emerge, he hurriedly bowed and greeted him, respectfully requesting Han Li return to the main hall once more.

Since he had studied their precious texts, Han Li naturally owed them this courtesy. He nodded and agreed.

The middle-aged cultivator joyfully sent out a transmission talisman and led Han Li straight to the main hall.

Waiting for Han Li in the hall, besides the several Heavenly Talisman Sect elders he had met before, were two unfamiliar Core Formation cultivators—a man and a woman, both in their forties.

After the Wen elder and the others paid their respects, the Heavenly Talisman Sect Elder immediately introduced them:

“These two are Elder Chang of Golden Cloud Mountain and Elder Xie of Mingyang Valley. Both heard of your arrival and came specially to pay their respects—they’ve been waiting here for a full day.”

“Oh? You’ve gone to such trouble. Han Mou has been studying some talisman-making secrets these past few days, keeping you waiting.” Han Li’s expression was calm, revealing no emotion.

“Not at all! To see your true face today is our great fortune.”

After a single glance at Han Li’s cultivation, both male and female cultivators were startled and bowed in unison. To be honest, when their respective Sect Masters reported that a Nascent Soul cultivator had arrived at the Heavenly Talisman Sect, they had been skeptical.

After all, they knew the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s condition well. Though the three sects were minor and had always stood together, the Heavenly Talisman Sect was the weakest among them—how could a Nascent Soul cultivator possibly come here? Yet forming a connection with a Nascent Soul cultivator carried undeniable benefits.

Unable to remain in their sects, they had traveled overnight to White Bamboo Mountain to confirm this for themselves.

Now, having witnessed Han Li’s unfathomable cultivation, they had not the slightest doubt left.

After Han Li sat down and gave a slight gesture, the three Core Formation cultivators and Yue Zhencai dared to sit as well; the Foundation Establishment cultivators remained standing respectfully at the side.

“Elder, did you find anything useful in the scripture hall? Though our valley is not skilled in talisman-making, we do possess some talisman texts. If Elder Han is interested, you may visit and examine them.” The Xie female cultivator’s face was ordinary, but her voice was pleasant.

“No need for such trouble. I have urgent business and will leave immediately for Linjiang Prefecture.” Han Li glanced at her and smiled faintly.

“Linjiang Prefecture? Are you heading there for those few ferocious dragons?” The Chang male cultivator exclaimed.

“How do you know that?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly.

“All cultivators going to Linjiang Prefecture lately are after those dragons. Your information is probably outdated,” the Chang cultivator hesitated.

“I received this information half a year ago at a marketplace and traveled ten thousand li to come. I heard these dragons were all around seventh level—surely they haven’t been wiped out already?” Han Li’s expression darkened.

“No, not yet. In fact, a recent ambush battle killed one dragon, but many dragon-hunters were swallowed instead. One Nascent Soul cultivator even suffered serious injuries,” the Wen elder quickly explained.

“A Nascent Soul cultivator was injured? What happened?” Han Li was surprised.

“A newly emerged eighth-level transformed blue dragon appeared among them. The ambushers, unprepared, suffered heavy losses. Later, several Elders from the Southern Sea Sect joined forces and drove the dragons back, but could not kill them. The dragons retreated to several coastal islands, constantly attacking lone cultivators and civilian ships. Whenever Nascent Soul cultivators arrive together, they dive into the deep sea and escape via water Dun . The situation has grown worse lately—extremely troublesome. It’s said the Southern Sea Sect has invited many high-level cultivators to Qiongying Island to hold a Dragon-Slaying Assembly. After all, an eighth-level dragon is exceedingly rare.” This time, the Wen elder led the explanation.

“Eighth-level dragon?” Han Li murmured, his expression unchanged, but his mind flashed back to the eighth-level venomous dragon he had once slain.

Though called an eighth-level beast, as a celestial spirit beast, an eighth-level dragon’s true power likely surpasses even a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator—and in the sea, it’s like a fish in water. No wonder so many high-level cultivators cannot touch it.

But he hadn’t come for any blue dragon. After a brief thought, he asked:

“I recall one of the dragons was red—a fire dragon, rumored to be the Crimson Fire Dragon. Has that beast also gone to the islands?”

“Crimson Fire Dragon… yes, there is indeed a red dragon that went to the coast. Whether it’s truly the Crimson Fire Dragon, we’re not certain,” the Chang male cultivator replied without hesitation, seeming well-informed.

“That’s enough!” Han Li nodded in satisfaction.

Seeing Han Li’s expression soften, the cultivators in the hall all breathed a slight sigh of relief.

At that moment, the Wen elder exchanged glances with the other two, then cautiously asked:

“Elder, your cultivation is so astonishing. Where have you cultivated in seclusion? Are you an Elder from some great sect?”

“Heh, Han Mou hails from an extremely remote place—I’m not an Elder of any sect in Great Jin!” Han Li’s gaze flickered as he glanced at the three, a half-smile on his lips.

Under Han Li’s penetrating gaze, the Wen elder and the others felt their hearts leap—but upon hearing his answer, they were suddenly delighted.

“Elder has studied our Summoning Spirit Talisman. What do you think of this talisman-making art? Is it worthy of your attention?” After a pause, the Wen elder asked cautiously.

“Wen Daofriend, just say what you mean directly. Don’t beat around the bush. Do you expect me to join your sect?” Han Li sighed, speaking bluntly.

“Elder, please don’t misunderstand! I would never dare such a bold wish! I only wish to ask—would you consider becoming our three sects’ joint Guest Elder?” The Wen elder, alarmed by Han Li’s tone, blurted it out without hesitation.

“Guest Elder?” Han Li paused, then narrowed his eyes slightly.

Han Li was familiar with the concept of Guest Elder. It was a special position unique to some mid- and small sects in Great Jin, created specifically for high-level hermits.

Though it sounded similar to a regular Elder, the two were worlds apart.

To these small sects, a Guest Elder was merely a nominal Elder—bound by no sect rules, subject to no one’s orders, and useful only when the sect faced trouble, allowing the Guest Elder to legitimately lend aid.

But this aid was entirely voluntary, dependent solely on the Guest Elder’s mood. In return, the Guest Elder received benefits equal to—or even exceeding—those of a formal Elder.

This arrangement arose because Great Jin had too many small sects, yet Nascent Soul cultivators were exceedingly rare. Even some mid-sized sects might go years without a Nascent Soul cultivator. Under such circumstances, they naturally sought to attract Nascent Soul hermits as protectors to ensure their sect’s stability.

Yet most high-level hermits scorned joining any sect and its constraints. Still, they sometimes found the offered benefits tempting—hence the existence of the Guest Elder position, something unknown in Tiannan.

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