Chapter 362: Dare to Think, Dare to Act

"Lu Xiangxiang?" Cang Li's expression was surprised, "What is a dead spirit?"

Ying Wuji's expression was slightly cold, "A dead spirit is the soul extracted from a living being after death. Generally, a living being's soul can only be extracted within seven days after its death. This technique is also one of the ancient forbidden techniques."

The reason this technique is classified as a forbidden technique is that many Cultivators once extracted dead spirits to cultivate, and gradually began hunting living beings, even humans.

Cang Li said gravely, "Lu Xiangxiang indeed practiced a forbidden technique. Depending on the situation, there is more than just one kind of forbidden technique."

After a brief pause, he looked up at Ying Wuji: "You said, where exactly did Lu Xiangxiang obtain that forbidden technique?"

Ying Wuji lowered his eyes, concealing the chill in his gaze.

"I don't know either."

Cang Li analyzed, "I guess Lu Xiangxiang is alone now; she probably wouldn't dare use this forbidden technique in front of the members of Heaven One Sect. If she does come, we need not hold back."

Ying Wuji hummed, then shifted his gaze to Yuan Yao, who was fully concentrating on locating that mysterious seal barrier.

Another half a minute passed.

The passage again manifested that white speck of light.

Ying Wuji eliminated it outright.

During the next three hours, no white speck appeared at the passage again.

During that time, Ying Wuji and Cang Li remained here to guard Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao focused her spiritual power, repeatedly trying to enshroud and cover this area.

Yet after prolonged probing, she still could not detect that hidden seal barrier.

Yue Liu's voice echoed in Yuan Yao's sea of perception: "Yuan little friend, if you cannot sense that seal barrier, perhaps wait until your cultivation reaches the Spirit Transformation Realm, then try again?"

"I want to try a bit longer," Yuan Yao replied after a pause, "Senior Yue Liu, could you tell me about the sealing techniques?"

Yue Liu sounded a bit surprised upon hearing that.

"You haven't studied any sealing techniques?"

Yuan Yao said, "I have only practiced formation arts before, never touched any sealing technique. But I know there is some connection, so I used my formation knowledge to locate the formation eye of that external seal barrier."

Yue Liu fell into a rather long silence.

Because he thought Yuan Yao had studied a sealing technique.

He even thought her innate talent for sealing techniques was a bit lacking.

He didn't expect that Yuan Yao had never touched it before, yet through her insight she reached the threshold of sealing techniques.

Yue Liu cleared his throat lightly, then began: "A seal is a rule‑based magical structure built by the practitioner using divine thought, talismans, or incantations; once formed, it can operate continuously."

"Seals are divided into low, high, saint, and immortal tiers. The seal barrier you seek is at the pinnacle of the saint tier."

"Low‑tier seals are usually temporary, built with talismans, incantations, and basic techniques; such seals are not much different from formations."

"High‑tier seals require continuous infusion of divine consciousness, even engraving multiple layers onto one's life‑bound treasure."

"Saint‑tier seals involve divine consciousness overlay, locking the seal's core like a formation eye, achieving precise control or breakthrough."

"Regardless of which seal you wish to cast, you need the power of your divine consciousness. Your spiritual power is currently very strong; you must learn to convert spiritual power into divine consciousness, then lock onto an object or a region to lay a seal barrier."

Yuan Yao listened attentively.

She couldn't help asking, "What is the difference between spiritual power and divine consciousness?"

Yue Liu said, "Unconverted spiritual power has weaker spiritual pressure when projected. When you convert spiritual power into divine consciousness, you can sense more precisely, and in combat you can silently crush the opponent's spiritual power, divine consciousness, and thoughts, slowing their mind and actions."

"That is the deterrent power of divine consciousness. In short, divine consciousness is roughly equivalent to enhanced spiritual power."

He paused, then added, "Your spiritual power is the strongest I've seen among young prodigies. With such power, whether you wish to practice formations, seals, alchemy, talismans, artifact forging, sound arts, etc., it will be as easy as flipping your hand."

Yuan Yao fell slightly silent and said, "I am a sword cultivator."

Yue Liu: "…so what if you're a sword cultivator? That year, no one on the Heavenly Pride List could defeat me, a formation master. I was the top of the Heavenly Pride List."

Yuan Yao: "My master is a sword cultivator, and he is also the top of the Heavenly Pride List."

Yue Liu choked slightly, replying irritably, "So you treat the formation master as a secondary role?"

He had thought the young girl regarded formations as her primary study.

After all, her formation talent is unparalleled in the world, truly one in ten thousand!

Yue Liu sighed, "You should think this over carefully; I believe your future is brighter if you focus on formations."

Yuan Yao said firmly, "I will become a sword cultivator stronger than my master!"

Yue Liu: "…then why don't you aim to become a formation master stronger than me?"

Yuan Yao smiled, "Senior Yue Liu, what if I someday become a formation master stronger than you? I would be not only the foremost sword cultivator, but also the foremost formation master!"

Yue Liu fell silent after listening.

He hadn't considered that.

Yue Liu gave a helpless smile, "You little girl, you're quite imaginative."

Yuan Yao raised an eyebrow, "Senior Yue Liu, you previously asked me whether I wanted to be the top of the Heavenly Pride List. From the moment I answered you, I have had no reservations. So I let my thoughts run free."

Yue Liu was amused.

"Life, indeed, requires daring thought and action, but the premise is not to contemplate falling into demonic or heretical paths."

Yuan Yao also smiled and replied, "Alright."

Immediately after, Yue Liu continued to impart some key points on casting or breaking seal barriers.

Time passed bit by bit.

And then, at this moment—

From a distant passage came noisy footsteps.

Ying Wuji and Cang Li exchanged a glance, their hearts full of vigilance.

They stepped forward, shielding Yuan Yao behind them.

Sure enough, they saw some familiar faces.

The newcomers are indeed the members of the Heaven One Sect.

Lu Xiangxiang stands between the Second Elder and the Seventh Elder of the Heaven One Sect; her complexion has improved considerably, and she no longer looks so weak.

Lu Xiangxiang narrows her eyes, staring at Ying Wuji and Cang Li standing far ahead, while Yuan Yao, with her back to the two, makes it impossible to see what she is doing now.

The members of the Heaven One Sect press forward toward them.

The Second Elder lets out a cold laugh, "So you really haven't left."

"Hand over the Heavenly Pride Token!"

"Otherwise, don't blame our subordinates for being ruthless."

Cang Li sneers, "You think we'd be afraid of you? You really don't know—"

His words hadn't even finished.

A few people emerged from another passage.

They were precisely Bian Chen, Nie Bai, and a few others.

Nie Bai glanced left and right, the corner of his lips lifting slightly, "What a coincidence."