Chapter 1488: Two Types of Talismans

Infusing the Evil-Ward's Divine Lightning directly into a pre-existing magic formation is vastly different from doing so during the process of inscribing it.

The former is effortless, while the latter requires precise coordination with every step of the inscription, demanding an immense expenditure of mental energy. Han Li wondered if this was the reason for the elder's benevolent gesture. Although he wasn't entirely sure, he maintained a placid expression and readily agreed. Seeing Han Li's respectful demeanor, Old Man Blood-Earth nodded in satisfaction.

Old Man Blood-Earth then moved swiftly, floating a few steps diagonally until he was suddenly in front of the puppet's chest. With a shake of his sleeve, a small crimson bottle flew out. He raised a hand and gently tapped the bottle. Instantly, the stopper detached on its own, and a stream of purple liquid shot out, swirling once before hovering in the air nearby, shimmering with a faint spiritual glow.

Old Man Blood-Earth, cloaked entirely in blood-red robes, had a solemn look in his eyes as his hands continuously shifted through profound incantations.

"Fellow Daoist Han, pay close attention! This set of inscription techniques can imbue a puppet with various wondrous abilities. I will briefly explain it in a moment. How much profundity you grasp will depend entirely on your own comprehension. The more you understand, the easier it will be to coordinate with my magic formation later." A strange voice suddenly echoed behind Han Li.

Han Li was startled. Turning around, he discovered another blood-robed figure standing behind him, seemingly unnoticed until now, as if he had been there all along.

"Thank you, Senior, for imparting the Way of Formations. This junior will diligently observe," Han Li respectfully said, cupping his fists. The blood-robed figure waved a hand, signaling Han Li to focus on the other blood-robed person's actions.

Han Li looked forward again. He saw the other blood-robed figure forming a hand seal with one hand, while the other hand made several strokes in the void with the purple liquid. With a "bang," a small piece of the purple liquid split off, then burst into fist-sized runes that shot towards the massive armored puppet.

With a flash of spiritual light, the runes disappeared into the armor, only to reappear on its surface with a series of low hums. As the blood-robed figure's fingers, heavy as a thousand catties, moved, these runes began to deform and reassemble, instantly forming the rudimentary shape of a ten-foot-tall purple magic formation. Some of the characters within it shifted indistinctly, as if still incomplete.

As Han Li watched, spellbound, the blood-robed figure beside him began to explain: "This formation is called 'Golden Inscription.' It has no other use than to make armor incredibly tough, capable of withstanding attacks from ordinary magic treasures without any damage. The formation is divided into three layers. The first layer is..."

Han Li's own attainments in puppetry and formation arts were not low. He observed the blood-robed figure's inscription process while listening to the other's brief explanations, his eyes shimmering with insight. Such an opportunity to hear a Body Integration stage cultivator personally teach and demonstrate was naturally extremely rare. Even though the explanation was superficial, it suddenly enlightened Han Li on many problems that had long perplexed him in formation and puppetry.

In merely the time it takes to eat a meal, the blood-robed figure had completed most of the formation, which was now beginning to solidify. "Junior, now is the time. Inject the Evil-Ward's Divine Lightning into the final layer's core of the formation," the blood-robed figure with Han Li urged in a low voice. The sound was not loud, but upon reaching Han Li's ears, it immediately roused him from his contemplation. Without a word, he flew over.

Rubbing his hands together, thunder boomed, and golden electric arcs shot out, illuminating the vicinity with dazzling golden light. The blood-robed figure standing beside Han Li watched the golden electric arcs in Han Li's hands, a fleeting look of surprise in his eyes that vanished just as quickly.

A month and a half later, Han Li reappeared in the quiet room of the Wood Spirit Cave. He sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, toying with a white jade token in his hands, lost in thought. For over a month, he had spent almost every day and night by the giant puppet beneath the Bloodflame Palace, finally helping Old Man Blood-Earth complete the refining process without major incident. When the time came, Mu Qing indeed arrived at the Bloodflame Palace on the dot to escort him back.

While he had indeed expended considerable mental energy constantly infusing the Evil-Ward's Divine Lightning into the formations during this period, Han Li did not feel disadvantaged. Besides, the spiritual servant refining technique and Old Man Blood-Earth's subsequent explanations on formation arts alone had benefited him greatly. Moreover, before he left, Old Man Blood-Earth even gifted him a batch of unique puppet materials from the Abyss and some rare herbs. Though he knew the elder might have other motives, Han Li was still satisfied.

However, what Han Li was pondering now was not this, but the incomplete page of the Golden Jade Book in his hand. This outer page recorded several extremely powerful talismans. He had already comprehended the "Grand Unity Cleansing Talisman," and even carried a few with him. The other three were the "Nine Palaces Heaven-Dry Talisman" for trapping enemies, the offensive "Heavenly Halberd Talisman," and the "A-Yuan Talisman" for shadow puppets.

Among these, the "Heavenly Halberd Talisman" was too profound, and Han Li had yet to grasp its essence, so he had set it aside. As for the "Nine Palaces Heaven-Dry Talisman" and the "A-Yuan Talisman," after years of dedicated study, he had already comprehended almost all of them, with only a few key points remaining obscure. However, after over a month of guidance from Old Man Blood-Earth, a master in puppetry and formation arts, coupled with his diligent study of the spiritual servant refining technique in the quiet room over the past few days, these remaining problems suddenly became clear, allowing him to seamlessly integrate his understanding and finally refine these two types of talismans.

The materials required for these two talismans were naturally extremely rare, but fortunately, they were not unobtainable. While in Tianyuan City, he had collected multiple sets of materials for both talismans. Now, he could directly attempt their refinement. Originally, the refinement of these talismans would require more contemplation and some practical experience before using the precious materials for formal refining. However, with several Body Integration stage demon kings eyeing him, he simply did not have the luxury of time.

Although it seemed he was safe for now due to the Evil-Ward's Divine Lightning, who knew if these demon kings might suddenly change their minds for other reasons? Since embarking on his cultivation journey, Han Li had relied solely on his own efforts to ascend to the Spirit Realm and achieve his current cultivation. He naturally would not entrust his entire survival to others. Refining these two talismans as quickly as possible would undoubtedly provide him with additional means of self-preservation.

Han Li's expression shifted for a while before returning to calm. He slowly closed his eyes, his spiritual sense permeating the jade token, meticulously re-examining the secret arts for both talismans from beginning to end. After a moment, confirming that there were no issues, he reopened his eyes.

His wrist suddenly flicked upward. With a flash of spiritual light, a ball of green light shot out, spinning continuously in the air. It was Han Li's storage bracelet. Han Li quickly pointed a finger at it. With a "hiss," a wave of green mist swept out, and dozens of bottles, jars, wooden boxes, and jade cases appeared on the ground. He casually grabbed one of the white wooden boxes. As the lid flipped open, a shimmering silver object flew out. Han Li curled his five fingers again, and the object flashed, hovering before him. It was a piece of exquisite beast hide, smooth as silk.

This hide was not only shimmering silver but also covered with evenly sized, natural patterns resembling runes, making it extremely beautiful. This was the best material for refining shadow puppet talismans: the hide of a rare ancient beast known as the Windfire Beast. This ancient beast was not only adept at wind and fire abilities, with strength comparable to a Soul Transformation stage cultivator, but also, due to its preference for cold and sleep, it would slumber for extended periods in dark, damp swamps. Only when it ventured out to hunt for food would its traces occasionally be discovered. Shadow puppet talismans refined from this beast hide could not only increase the success rate but also enhance the talisman's power, making its value immeasurable. Han Li had gone to great lengths to acquire a few pieces of this hide from a rather large material shop in Tianyuan City, trading them for ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs.

Han Li's initial plan was to refine the A-Yuan Talisman. This talisman, like other shadow puppet talismans, once activated, could conjure a shadow puppet that replicates a portion of the user's divine abilities and cultivation. The specific efficacy depends on the talisman's refining quality and the user's cultivation. However, typical shadow puppet talismans only replicate 20% to 50% of the user's strength and very few divine abilities. It is rumored that perfect shadow puppet talismans, capable of replicating full strength, only exist in the Heavenly Spirit Realm of the human race, but no one has ever seen one. Of course, the replication by these shadow puppet talismans is not limitless; they only work for early Void Refinement stage cultivators and below, and are single-use. Once their power is exhausted, the shadow puppet disappears.

However, Han Li's A-Yuan Talisman originated entirely from the outer page of the Golden Jade Book, so its power was naturally incomparable to those ordinary shadow puppet talismans. Depending on the refiner's skill, the A-Yuan Talisman's shadow puppet could easily assist the user with over 70-80% of their strength and most of their divine abilities, and could even replicate cultivators up to the early Body Integration stage. This made the A-Yuan Talisman exceptionally valuable. Consequently, this type of talisman also required far more expensive materials and complex refining techniques than ordinary shadow puppet talismans. Had he not possessed the Extreme Cold and Extreme Heat True Fire of the Spirit-Devouring Heavenly Bull, even with a thorough understanding of the refining method, it would still be difficult to refine.

Han Li gazed at the beast hide before him, collecting his thoughts. With a soft "poof," a ball of shimmering silver flame spewed from his mouth. It was none other than the sentient Spirit-Devouring Heavenly Fire. A clear bird-like cry emanated from the silver flame, which then transformed into a one-foot-sized firebird. With a spread of its wings, it began to circle the beast hide. Seeing this, Han Li silently formed a hand seal. The silver firebird circled a few times before diving into the beast hide. With a "sizzle," the fierce silver flames enveloped the beast hide.

The beast hide, engulfed in flames, was not burned. Instead, the rune-like patterns on its surface began to writhe in the silver light, as if coming alive. The scene was exceptionally mysterious!