Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 488

Han Li remained unfazed by the strange sight and continued to channel blue energy from his palm into the cauldron. As a large amount of spiritual energy flowed in, the cauldron began to hum.

As he watched, dark blue, ancient characters appeared one by one on the cauldron, fluttering and forming a bizarre magic seal scripture in the air.

Observing this, Han Li reduced the flow of spiritual energy, and the characters in the air dimmed, looking as if they would vanish at any moment.

Surprised, he quickly increased the spiritual energy again, and the characters in the air stabilized and emitted light. However, there were only about a thousand characters. After examining them, Han Li briefly showed a happy expression before smiling wryly.

The reason for this was that the method to control the Void Sky Cauldron was contained within these characters. There were two conditions to control the Void Sky Cauldron:

First, one must refine the Azure Glacial Flames possessed by the Void Sky Cauldron. Second, one must master an ancient cultivation method called the ‘Universal Treasure Incantation (通寶訣)’.

This incantation was specifically designed to control treasures of the Heaven-Penetrating Spirit Treasure grade, and each treasure had its own unique Universal Treasure Incantation. In other words, only ancient treasures with a Universal Treasure Incantation could be called Heaven-Penetrating Spirit Treasures.

Only by cultivating this incantation could one seal the Heaven-Penetrating Spirit Treasure within their body and slowly refine it, allowing it to merge with one’s consciousness and be stored within the body like ordinary magic treasures.

When the consciousness of the Heaven-Penetrating Spirit Treasure and its owner were completely aligned, its terrifying power could be fully unleashed, but the cultivator’s consciousness would be in a supporting role.

Therefore, unlike natal magic treasures, it could be taken away by other cultivators. However, the cultivator who seized the Heaven-Penetrating Spirit Treasure had to master the Universal Treasure Incantation and go through a long process of refining the traces of its original spirituality before they could use it.

Han Li was greatly pleased with this information, but he frowned at the Universal Treasure Incantation itself.

It appeared simple, with only three levels, but cultivating the first level required the cultivation of a Nascent Soul middle stage cultivator. Cultivating the second and third levels required the cultivation of a Nascent Soul late stage and a Soul Transformation stage cultivator, respectively.

Only by cultivating the first level of the Universal Treasure Incantation could one borrow some of the power of the Heaven-Penetrating Spirit Treasure. When he withdrew his palm, the characters of the Void Sky Cauldron, which had finished receiving spiritual energy, collapsed and disappeared.

Han Li stared at the cauldron, his mouth tightly shut.

‘Could it be more powerful than the Great Geng Sword Formation and the Violet Aurora Extreme Transformation?’

Silently planning for the future, he decided to first cultivate the first level of the Universal Treasure Incantation. After that, he could seal it in his body and refine it while nurturing it.

He flicked his sleeve, sending out a blue light, and the huge cauldron shrank again and returned. Han Li sat cross-legged again, closed his eyes, and silently began to study the first level of the Universal Treasure Incantation.

The Universal Treasure Incantation itself was not complex, and it seemed like it would take about a month, but refining the spirituality of the Void Sky Cauldron was something he could not be sure of. It could take a year, or it could take more than ten years.

* * *

More than two months passed, and Han Li walked out of the secret chamber.

The Universal Treasure Incantation was mastered faster than expected, and he was able to seal the Void Sky Cauldron in his body in just about twenty days.

The remaining time was used to refine a Nascent Soul-level puppet using the materials that Elder Zheng had obtained and the puppet remains he had previously obtained from the Void Sky Palace. However, due to the limited amount of materials, he could only refine one.

Without needing to ask, the puppet that the Great Yan Divine Lord wanted to refine would be much more complex than these, so the success rate would be extremely low. It was already this difficult to obtain materials to refine one, so how many times more would he need to obtain!

Fortunately, when he discussed this issue, the Great Yan Divine Lord explained triumphantly.

Since he had created the refinement method, there was no need to worry about failure. If it failed, it was a problem with the refinement method itself, so there was no need to find materials again.

At those words, Han Li was truly relieved.

After leaving the secret chamber, he went to the forbidden area to check on Nangong Wan, and then spent a few more days refining a large number of pills that would be helpful to Core Formation cultivators and gave them to Mo Peiling. Then, he said goodbye to Senior Brother Zheng and Lǚ Luo and set off to keep his promise with Merchant Zhiyang.

Senior Brother Zheng and Lǚ Luo were still busy with the newly acquired spirit stone mine and other trivial matters, but they personally saw him off as he left.

* * *

Han Li left the Falling Cloud Sect and flew north.

The Seven Spirit Sea was located in the Boundless Sea north of the State of Ji, so once he reached the coast, it was only a day’s journey to the vortex and the seven islands.

Seven days later, Han Li appeared above the sea and sensed the changes here.

The murky sea was no longer murky, but had returned to a deep dark blue, and instead of ferocious sea monsters, small fish and crustaceans were appearing and active.

In particular, the spiritual energy in the vicinity was vastly different from when he had come before.

After flying for another half a day, a huge source of spiritual energy appeared.

Around the huge source of spiritual energy, seven waves of spiritual energy could be felt, which must be the Seven Spirit Islands. Han Li felt curious and increased his speed.

At that moment, black dots appeared in the distance, and six or seven cultivators approached. They were Foundation Establishment cultivators led by a Core Formation cultivator, who was a beautiful woman dressed in palace attire.

Since Han Li did not hide his cultivation, their attitude was extremely respectful.

“The disciples of the Joyful Union Sect greet Senior. We are under orders from other seniors to seal off the surrounding sea area. May we ask what brings you here?”

“A blockade? It seems there is a problem, just as Merchant Zhiyang said.”

Han Li did not answer her and narrowed his brows, muttering to himself.

“Could it be that you are Senior Han Li of the Falling Cloud Sect?”

The palace-dressed woman looked at him again, surprised, and asked respectfully.

“That’s right. I came here at the request of Merchant Zhiyang, so inform him.”

At those words, the cultivators became noisy.

Currently, there was hardly anyone in the Tiannan cultivation world who did not know Han Li.

“If it is Senior Han, there is no need to report. Senior Zhiyang is already waiting, so we will escort you directly to Spirit Turtle Island.”

The palace-dressed woman immediately replied. Han Li nodded, and the palace-dressed woman gave a few instructions to the other cultivators and then led him back the way they had come.

Soon, a small island that was not very large appeared.

“This is Spirit Peak Island, which is occupied by our Joyful Union Sect, and it faces Spirit Turtle Island, where the Taiyi Sect is located.”

Han Li looked in the direction the woman had indicated, but it was too far away to see anything. However, he could feel a huge wave of spiritual energy from another direction, which was clearly where the huge vortex was located.

After flying for a long time, they arrived at Spirit Turtle Island, which she had mentioned. This island was slightly larger than Spirit Peak Island, where the Joyful Union Sect was located, and when viewed from above, it really looked like a turtle.

Upon reaching the vicinity, the palace-dressed woman sent a voice transmission talisman, and when the two arrived on the island, a white light came to greet them.

“Is that Merchant Zhiyang? I am truly overwhelmed that you have come out to greet me in person.”

Han Li stopped at the familiar light and sent a voice transmission towards the light in the distance.

“It is only natural for this humble one to come out to greet you since Fellow Daoist Han has kept his promise.”

Zhiyang was in a good mood when he saw Han Li and raised his voice. After that, he withdrew the light of spiritual energy in front of Han Li and revealed his appearance.

Han Li cupped his fist towards him.

“Let’s go to my residence first. I have already contacted Fellow Daoist Wei Wuya, and the old monster of the Joyful Union Sect seems to be unable to come for a while due to some business.”

Zhiyang told the palace-dressed woman to return and smiled at Han Li.

“Yes, I will do as you say.”

Han Li followed him to the island. While going, he scanned the island with his consciousness and unknowingly narrowed his brows.

* * *

Not long after, Han Li entered a cave that seemed to have been made recently. It was a cave dug into an unremarkable rocky mountain, but it was huge and the interior was very clean.

After entering the main hall and the two cultivators took their seats, two cultivators brought in spirit tea. Han Li took a sip of tea and chatted with Merchant Zhiyang.

Perhaps he did not want to reveal the reason for urgently summoning him now, the main topics were the changes in the vicinity and the situation of the sects occupying the Seven Spirit Islands.

It seemed that he did not intend to reveal any information before Wei Wuya arrived. Although he was slightly displeased, Han Li pretended not to notice and listened to his story.

After half an hour, Wei Wuya arrived outside the cave and entered the main hall with a Daoist to greet him.

He also chatted with Han Li for a while, and his fair skin and rosy face seemed to have almost recovered from the great damage to his vitality at Chuma Ridge.

At this, Han Li became slightly curious.

He knew that his vitality had been greatly damaged in the last battle, but to recover his vitality in such a short time, he must have taken a large amount of pills.

Wei Wuya did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

“Brother Zhiyang, have you explained the situation?”

“No. It is easier to talk about such an important matter when at least two of the three of us are gathered. Now that Brother Wei has arrived, please tell Fellow Daoist Han the story. This humble one will just add a few words from the side.”

“Very well! We cannot delay any longer, as it could leave behind future troubles.”

‘Future troubles?’

Han Li paid attention to those words.

“Fellow Daoist Han, it is a complicated story, but I will put it simply. This matter is related to that ancient demon.”

Wei Wuya surprised Han Li from the start.

“Wasn’t that ancient demon seriously injured and fled far away?”

“That is true, but… don’t you think the timing of the vortex’s appearance is too coincidental? The ancient demon disappeared, strange phenomena occurred in the Boundless Sea, and through investigation, we have found some evidence.

Before the ancient demon was defeated, it slaughtered several cultivation families and small sects. It turns out that they all possessed demonic energy or treasures rumored to have demonic energy. The ancient demon found and took three demonic energies from them.

However, the remains of one of them were found near the vortex. Therefore, we are assuming that the ancient demon came to the Boundless Sea to do something, was lured by the subjugation force, was seriously injured, and left Tiannan.”

“Is there a problem with the vortex? Otherwise, the three of you would not be moving so cautiously.”

“Fellow Daoist Han is right. If it was just a matter of spiritual energy being released and an island with spiritual veins appearing, we would not have gathered like this. The key is that through investigation, we have discovered that the huge vortex is surprisingly the eye of a huge sealing barrier that was set up a long time ago. Moreover, if the seven islands are only a part of that barrier, you can understand the importance of the matter.”

“What is the sealing barrier sealing? It must be something that needs to be sealed with such a huge barrier…”

As Wei Wuya continued to speak, Han Li’s expression changed greatly.

If the huge vortex was the seal and the barrier encompassed the seven islands, one could imagine how huge its scale was.

“We also want to know that. We have not found any clues yet, but it is certain that it is related to the ancient demon realm and the ancient demon. Merchant Zhiyang, please tell us about this. After all, you went into the vortex to investigate the situation.”

Wei Wuya looked at Merchant Zhiyang.

“What is there to say? Haven’t the other two of you already confirmed it? The lower part of the huge vortex was filled with pitch-black demonic energy of unknown depth. Although I could not determine the depth, it seemed that pure spiritual energy was pressing down within the vortex, preventing it from escaping.

If it explodes and the demonic energy escapes, our Tiannan will fall into great chaos, and the spiritual energy of the Tiannan region will also change. Even the terrifying appearance of the Boundless Sea in the past may be due to the demonic energy deep within the seabed.”

Merchant Zhiyang explained calmly.

“As Fellow Daoist Han has seen, the spiritual eye of the sealing barrier is already broken. Spiritual energy is already leaking out, and the day is not far off when it will not be able to suppress the demonic energy it is holding back. If the demonic energy escapes, half of the Tiannan region will become a barren land where cultivators cannot cultivate. And isn’t the Falling Cloud Sect, where Fellow Daoist Han is, right near the Boundless Sea?”

Wei Wuya said as if it was something that could not be helped.

“The fact that you have called me here means that the three of you have already found a solution.”