Chapter 73: Using Both Magic and Martial Arts

Han Li's interest in the other two spells, the Spirit-Calming Talisman and the Object Manipulation Art, significantly increased after he mastered the Wind Control Art. He dedicated a vast amount of time and effort to them, hoping for a sudden breakthrough and complete understanding, much like his experience with the Wind Control Art.

However, after repeated research and experimentation, Han Li unexpectedly discovered that his inability to cast these two spells might not be due to his own shortcomings, but rather the lack of necessary external conditions for their execution.

The Spirit-Calming Talisman, according to the book, is a type of charm that requires pre-prepared magical talismans. Therefore, Han Li had previously used yellow paper purchased from the nearby town, carefully drawing what he believed were the magical talismans with a brush, following the symbols and patterns described in the book.

Although the book didn't specify what pigment to use for drawing the talisman patterns, Han Li recalled Doctor Mo's talisman with its silver symbols and naturally opted for silver powder, a costly luxury. Han Li didn't know if this pigment was effective, but at least outwardly, his self-made talismans looked exactly like the examples in the book.

Unfortunately, merely looking the same outwardly was not enough.

When Han Li chanted the incantation to activate these talismans, the symbols on them did not emit a dazzling silver light as they did when Doctor Mo used them, nor did any other strange phenomena occur. His attempt to cast the spell was a complete failure, leaving him in a dilemma. He couldn't determine whether the failure was due to an incorrect incantation, a wrong hand gesture, or an improperly made talisman.

However, things were different after this round of research.

Through in-depth research into various related materials and books on magical legends, Han Li finally discovered that the talismans used by immortal cultivators were certainly not drawn arbitrarily on ordinary paper with common pigments, as mortals understood. Instead, they must be crafted from specific materials unique to cultivators, perhaps even requiring special methods during their creation. Therefore, even if his incantations and hand gestures were flawless, casting the spells would still be impossible.

The same principle applied to the Object Manipulation Art.

Han Li had previously believed that the Object Manipulation Art could be cast on any random object as a target, so he had tried to manipulate common items like furniture or swords with his incantations and hand gestures. Naturally, there had been no effect whatsoever.

But now, reminded by the issue with talismans, he realized that the Object Manipulation Art surely did not manipulate ordinary objects, but rather specific items used by immortal cultivators.

Han Li then took all the peculiar items he had obtained from Doctor Mo, including the Soul-Summoning Bell and the seven silver blades used for the Seven Ghosts Soul Devouring Grand Art, and experimented with them as targets for the Object Manipulation Art. Unfortunately, none of them could be successfully manipulated. This left Han Li greatly disappointed, concluding that the Object Manipulation Art did not even manipulate these magical artifacts, but must require something else entirely.

Now that he understood the probable root of the problem, realizing that without the appropriate items, he couldn't cast the Spirit-Calming Talisman or the Object Manipulation Art, Han Li shifted his focus away from them. Instead, he conceived the idea of combining martial arts secret techniques with several spells, intending to quickly enhance his strength and elevate himself to a higher level in a short period.

With this unconventional idea in mind, Han Li embarked on another arduous journey of self-improvement and quickly achieved minor success.

After a series of attempts, he finally managed to integrate the Misty Smoke Steps and the Wind Control Art.

While called integration, it was actually a matter of first casting the Wind Control Art on himself and then employing the Misty Smoke Steps. However, the coordination and synergy between the two had to be meticulously controlled, otherwise, mistakes were highly likely. This required considerable mental effort and practice from Han Li.

By doing so, he gradually mitigated the Wind Control Art's weakness in agile maneuvering and the Misty Smoke Steps' high stamina consumption. This allowed him to move with lightning speed, becoming almost invisible as he shifted positions, making his movement technique even more elusive.

Soon after, Han Li also developed his own unique approach to using the Fireball Art.

Originally, after a small fireball appeared from the Fireball Art, the caster was supposed to propel it towards the target using their spiritual power to eliminate enemies. This was the spell's original intended use, but Han Li disagreed with it.

Han Li believed that fireballs propelled by spiritual power were too slow and could be easily dodged by any master of lightfoot technique. This made the spell quite limited and somewhat impractical in martial arts combat. Therefore, when using the Fireball Art, he would only cast it halfway. Once the fireball appeared, he would no longer launch it. Instead, leveraging its destructive property, he would control it in his hand as a short, divine weapon or sharp blade.

In this way, with his improved extreme movement technique and the high-temperature fireball in his hand, Han Li was now confident that he could easily defeat any master.

With these new capabilities, Han Li could finally breathe a sigh of relief, no longer needing to worry about his insufficient strength. He could now confidently head to Lanzhou to seek a cure for the poison.

At this time, Han Li's Evergreen Art, with him consuming spiritual medicine like snacks every day, had quietly advanced to the eighth level, significantly increasing his spiritual power once more.

In terms of the depth of his spiritual power alone, Han Li now surpassed Yu Zhitong from when he was still alive in his original body. However, when it came to the number of spells mastered and actual combat techniques, he still couldn't compare to the former Yu Zhitong. After all, Yu Zhitong had received guidance from elders in his clan while cultivating spells and had peers to spar with, making him far superior to someone like Han Li, who was largely self-taught.

Han Li was unaware of all these details, and even if he were, he wouldn't care. He wasn't arrogant enough to believe that learning a few rudimentary spells would allow him to contend with true immortal cultivators. His current adversaries were still primarily martial artists from the mundane world.

Consequently, Han Li was in high spirits. Just as he was brimming with confidence, preparing to find an excuse to leave the Seven Mysteries Sect and descend the mountain, the Wild Wolf Gang suddenly proposed peace talks with the Seven Mysteries Sect.

This news caused an uproar within the Seven Mysteries Sect. It was widely known that recently, the Wild Wolf Gang had been gaining the upper hand in conflicts, constantly suppressing the Seven Mysteries Sect. Under such advantageous circumstances for them, why would the Wild Wolf Gang suddenly seek peace talks? Could there be a trick involved? This led many to feel suspicious.

For a time, voices for and against peace talks resonated throughout the Seven Mysteries Sect. Various high-ranking members also held differing opinions, and Li Feiyu was among those vehemently opposed.

Since the proponents and opponents of peace talks had roughly equal influence and a clear resolution couldn't be debated, Sect Leader Wang ultimately made the final decision. They would first engage in discussions with the other side. If the terms weren't too excessive, they would shake hands and make peace; if they were too harsh, the conflict would continue.

This compromise solution, though it couldn't fully satisfy either party, was the only viable middle ground. There was no other choice.