Chapter 798: Extreme Western Lands

**Volume 5: Achieving Renown**

"This Elder of the Yin Luo Sect only knew how to cast curses, not how to break them. According to the information I extracted through Soul-Searching, the incantation to remove the Soul Sealing Curse is known only to the Yin Luo Sect Master and the sect's Grand Elder. The other elders, like the demonic cultivator I eliminated, can only cast curses and cannot undo them," Han Li explained with a wry smile, seated on a wooden chair to one side.

"They don't know the incantation to break the curse?" the silver-haired old man asked, his brows tightly furrowed in disbelief.

"That's right! It seems the incantation for removing the Soul Sealing Curse is linked to an extremely potent secret art of the Yin Luo Sect, known traditionally only to the Sect Master and the Grand Elder. No one else is permitted to cultivate it," Han Li said, his expression darkening, showing no intention of concealing anything.

"Without the incantation to remove the curse, then what about Sister Nangong..." The silver-haired old man's expression grew solemn.

"Although there isn't a direct incantation to remove the curse, there are indeed other methods in this world to break the Soul Sealing Curse. This demonic cultivator truly lived up to his title as a Yin Luo Sect Elder; from his spiritual consciousness, I learned of several ways to forcibly break the seal using external objects," Han Li said, his gaze flickering as he shifted the topic.

"What can lift the Soul Sealing Curse? Disciple Han, please tell me," the old man asked, his spirits noticeably lifted.

"These items are rare and exceedingly difficult to find in this realm. Under normal circumstances, they would likely be impossible to locate," Han Li said with a sigh, casually listing two. The silver-haired old man was visibly startled upon hearing them and remained silent, appearing somewhat dazed.

"Not to mention in our Heavenly South, I even doubt if such things still exist in this realm," the old man mumbled.

"That's not necessarily true. I happen to know the whereabouts of one of those items. However, it won't be easy to acquire either. I'll need to prepare thoroughly to have any certainty," Han Li replied calmly, his lips twitching slightly.

The old man looked surprised at Han Li's words, but seeing that Han Li seemed unwilling to elaborate, he didn't press further. Instead, he spoke with considerable sincerity.

"Do you need my help, or the sect's, with this matter? Disciple, please don't hesitate!"

"No, thank you. This time, it's not something that can be achieved simply by having more people," Han Li said after a moment of silence, shaking his head in refusal.

"Since you have a plan, Disciple, I won't press you further. However, I repeat: if you need anything at all, Disciple, feel free to command the sect's resources." The silver-haired old man said, stroking his beard, without insisting.

"I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother," Han Li said with a forced smile. "I'll go check on Wan'er now." He then stood up and took his leave.

After seeing Han Li out of the main hall, the silver-haired old man stood at the entrance, pondering for a moment. He let out a soft sigh, then transformed into a dazzling rainbow and soared towards his own cave abode.

The secret chamber containing the ice wall was safe and sound; nothing unexpected had occurred. Han Li stood quietly before the ice wall, gazing at the beautiful and innocent girl encased within. His expression was somewhat dazed.

This posture lasted for an unknown duration. After a complex expression flickered in Han Li's eyes, he suddenly murmured to himself in a low voice:

"Wan'er, you truly are bold. To actually seize a life-and-death opportunity to cultivate the 'Heavenly Moon Maiden Incantation,' the most perilous part of the Reincarnation Cultivation. Don't you know this is a secret art that demands being pushed to the brink of death for rebirth? What if I remove your Soul Sealing Mark, but then something goes wrong with your cultivation technique? Wouldn't that cause me extreme worry!"

Han Li mumbled, his voice growing softer and softer. Finally, he walked to the ice wall and, with his fingers, gently touched Nangong Wan's remarkably childish face through the thick layer of ice.

"You probably don't know this, but the demonic cultivator who cursed you actually doesn't know the incantation to break it. However, you don't need to worry too much. I found another method to awaken you from his spiritual consciousness: using certain external objects to dispel the seal. While these items are hard to find in the world, coincidentally, one of them is located in the Fallen Devil Valley. The inner core of an ancient fire demonic beast is indeed extremely difficult to find in normal times, but in the Fallen Devil Valley, there happens to be an ancient Fire Toad Beast whose conditions are exactly suitable. It seems my trip to the Fallen Devil Valley in a few years is no longer something I can hesitate about; it's imperative. Although this method of using external objects only has a fifty percent chance of dispelling the Soul Sealing Mark, even if it doesn't succeed, it can greatly weaken the power of this poisonous curse. With the time gained, I can safely make a trip to Jin State. No matter the method, by then I will definitely get hold of that curse-breaking incantation." As Han Li finished speaking, his voice turned chilling.

After briefly venting his frustration to Nangong Wan encased in the ice wall, Han Li remained in the secret chamber for a quarter of an hour. He finally walked out, then transformed into a green rainbow and flew back to his cave abode on Mother-Child Peak.

In the main hall of the cave abode, Han Li sat on the main seat, his head slightly bowed, his face thoughtful as he pondered something. Meanwhile, Silvermoon stood obediently to the side, her dark eyes playfully darting across Han Li's face, revealing a mischievous streak.

"What are you looking at? Did flowers bloom on my face?" Han Li said blandly, without lifting his head.

"You jest, Master. I was merely wondering what your plans are for the future. The time until we enter the Fallen Devil Valley is neither long nor short. Moreover, both that girl Ziling and Marquis Nanlong have extended invitations to you. Which group do you intend to ally with to enter the valley? And Master, have you truly thought this through? The Fallen Devil Valley is known as the most dangerous place in the Heavenly South, and even though you possess considerable power, it will still be extremely perilous inside. Even if it's to save Miss Nangong, you could find other ways or look for other items. Going to the Fallen Devil Valley is truly too risky," Silvermoon said, first pursing her lips and chuckling softly, then speaking with some hesitation.

"Other items? Are you referring to the eggshell of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Gold Bird, or the fruit of the Bodhi Flower? These items have most likely long been extinct in this realm. Even if they still exist, who knows what remote, uninhabited corner they're hidden in; they'd be impossible to find. Only the demonic core of this ancient Fire Toad Beast is the easiest to acquire. As long as I follow Daoist Master Cang Kun's map and don't recklessly rush in due to greed, I won't get lost inside. As for which side to ally with, that can wait," Han Li said calmly, shaking his head.

"Master's decision is made. Then this humble servant naturally has nothing more to say," Silvermoon replied honestly, lowering her head without further argument.

Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly, stroked his chin, and then spoke again:

"Before entering the Fallen Devil Valley, I plan to make a trip to the Far West. I'll acquire the final two layers of the Grand Evolution Art, and while I'm there, I'll visit the Thousand Bamboo Sect to see if I can obtain some advanced automaton puppet refining methods. The ancient puppet refining methods I exchanged for last time in Tiancheng require materials that are too rare to gather in a short amount of time. Furthermore, their main material, Ten-Thousand-Year Ironwood, requires a large amount of green liquid to ripen, so they cannot be refined before the trip to the Fallen Devil Valley. The Thousand Bamboo Sect, however, rose to prominence through puppet techniques, so they should possess one or two methods for refining Core Formation stage puppets. With these puppets, my strength can be further enhanced before entering the Fallen Devil Valley. Otherwise, relying solely on cultivating techniques and nurturing magical treasures, what significant effect could a mere few years have?"

As Han Li spoke, a sharp glint flickered in his eyes, showing his confidence. "What Master says certainly makes sense. Everything will be as Master wishes," Silvermoon replied after a moment's thought, her radiant smile making her expression momentarily captivating.

"However, although the Far West borders our Heavenly South, getting there is actually quite troublesome. One must first pass through the various nations of the Orthodox Alliance, and then cross a vast desert stretching for untold thousands of miles, before reaching it," Han Li said slowly, a slight frown appearing on his brow as he suddenly recalled something.

"A desert?" Silvermoon paused, her mouth slightly agape in surprise.

"Yes, and this desert is quite strange. For some unknown reason, fierce hurricanes rage above the entire desert year-round. If we cultivators wish to cross it, we can only do so on foot. Otherwise, our magical power would be exhausted by the strong winds before we could even fly very far. Because of this, although the various sects of Heavenly South know of the Far West's existence, they don't consider it very large—only the size of two medium-sized nations in Heavenly South—and its resources are relatively scarce. Coupled with the desert separating it from Heavenly South, travel is extremely inconvenient. Thus, neither the righteous nor demonic paths, nor other sects, have ever paid much attention to this place. The entire Far West has always been occupied by the Thousand Bamboo Sect," Han Li explained.

"If flying is impossible over the desert, won't it take a very long time to travel?" Silvermoon asked, her delicate brows furrowed with a hint of worry.

"It will indeed take a long time. The entire round trip, even if everything goes smoothly, I estimate will take about a year. Therefore, before I leave for the Far West, I have some matters to attend to first, and only then can I depart with peace of mind. During this time, Silvermoon, please help me with some things. I'll give this item to you to handle first. Daily, at regular intervals, infuse it with that green liquid for a period, and see if it shows any signs of recovery." As Han Li spoke, he reached into his storage pouch, pulled out a jade box, and handed it to Silvermoon.

"The Profound Heavenly Immortal Vine! Master, are you really entrusting this to me?" Silvermoon recognized the item in the jade box at a glance, speaking with some surprise.

"Hehe, if this thing can't be revived, it's just a material for refining artifacts, nothing special," Han Li said, glancing at Silvermoon with a half-smile. "I'll take this opportunity to first deal with the Wooden Spirit Infant and plant the Second Nascent Soul. Then I'll go and deal with that Corpse Yaksha. I obtained a method for refining demonic corpses from the Yin Luo Sect Elder's storage pouch, and it's a good opportunity to make full use of it. After all, that Corpse Yaksha has been trapped in the belly of Mount Yunmeng, always a potential menace. With so many things to do, I simply can't spare the attention. Naturally, all matters within the cave abode will be entrusted to your care."

"Alright. Since you are the Master, I will certainly do as you instruct," Silvermoon said with a helpless sigh, pursing her red lips as she took the jade box.

Han Li smiled faintly, and after exchanging a few more words with Silvermoon, he prepared to leave the hall. But just then, Silvermoon hesitated, then suddenly called out to him.

"Master, there's something that has been on my mind for a long time. May I ask you about it?" Silvermoon asked seriously, blinking her bright eyes.