Chapter 868: Return to Luoyun

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality

"I have no interest in becoming a monster that looks like an ancient devil in the end," Han Li said coldly.

Grandmaster Dayan fell silent for a moment, his tone becoming somewhat strange. "Han boy, you don't really think all ancient devils are grotesquely shaped, do you?"

"What do you mean by that, Senior? Don't they become otherworldly demons after transforming into ancient devils? Can they still maintain human form?" Han Li was taken aback and retorted.

"You've got that wrong. According to the ancient texts I've seen, demonic cultivators who ascend from the Human Realm to the Demonic Realm, even if they become a part of the ancient devils, will not have their appearance altered. Of course, if they use demonic arts to transform, that's another matter. When ancient cultivators and ancient devils fought to the very end, a small number of cultivators were enticed by high-level ancient devils. They directly became members of the ancient devils through a demonic energy infusion method, which made the final conflict even more intense. It is said that after these individuals were demonized, they still retained their human appearance and consciousness, yet willingly served those high-level ancient devils. I don't know what hidden trickery was involved. It was only after that incident that the rumor spread: that human cultivators, upon perfecting ancient demonic arts, would automatically ascend to the Ancient Demonic Realm."

"As for ancient devils whose original forms are grotesque, they are divided into two types. One type consists of the primordial fiends from the Ancient Demonic Realm. These are the highest-tier existences in the Ancient Demonic Realm, seemingly referred to as beings like Saint Ancestors. These fiends are rare, yet demonic cultivators incessantly invoke their names to borrow demonic energy and successfully cast spells. The other type comprises members of our Human Realm's demon race who, after cultivating demonic arts, voluntarily ascended to the Ancient Demonic Realm. The demon race's original form isn't human, so it's natural for them to appear similarly grotesque after becoming ancient devils."

"The demon race? How is that possible? How could they..." Han Li began.

"How could they cultivate ancient demonic arts, right? Don't ask me about that; I'm just as puzzled. That ancient text didn't elaborate on it, it only mentioned that the ancient demon race seems to have had contact with ancient devils much earlier than humans. I don't know the specifics. However, some high-level demon cultivators I encountered in the past don't cultivate any demonic arts now, nor do they possess any demonic energy. Perhaps you'll find the answer to that when you reach Great Jin. After all, that's where some of the oldest texts of our Human Realm are preserved," Grandmaster Dayan answered languidly.

Han Li's expression was unsettled as he thought of the Sanskrit Holy Tablet fragment in his storage pouch, which was supposedly a treasure passed down by the demon race. The three heads and six arms depicted on it looked strikingly similar to the two heads and four arms displayed by that ancient devil back then. Could there truly be some unknown connection between them?

After pondering in silence for a while, Han Li suddenly let out a wry chuckle. Even if there was some secret unknown to others between the demon race and ancient devils, it wasn't his concern. He wasn't the type to meddle or seek to understand everything. For some matters, it was better to remain a little confused.

Moreover, the Sanskrit Holy Tablet in his possession was merely a fragment. Even if he had the complete set of the demon race's arts, he wouldn't idly pursue it. He didn't know when he would even master the Azure Essence Sword Art. Furthermore, since it was linked to ancient devils and the demon race, it likely wasn't suitable for humans.

Han Li shook his head, casting aside thoughts of the demon race and the Sanskrit Holy Tablet. He then brought up another matter he was more concerned about.

"You don't need to worry about the puppet. Whether or not I go to Great Jin, I'll naturally help you gather the materials. However, two years ago, you mentioned that you had almost perfected the refining method for the Seven Flames Fan. It should be completely resolved by now, right? If the refining method is complete, why don't you hand it over to me so I can start refining it? I'm short two flying swords and can't set up a sword formation, so I desperately need a powerful artifact," Han Li said directly, without beating around the bush.

After more than twenty years of interaction, he and Grandmaster Dayan understood each other quite well, and their relationship had become much more relaxed than before, even resembling that of half-master, half-friend at times.

"In the refining method for the Seven Flames Fan, I reduced the materials that are currently unobtainable and replaced those that could be. I have indeed devised a method for you. I can't say I have absolute confidence it will succeed, but the fan refined using this method won't actually be called a Seven Flames Fan; it would be more appropriate to call it a Three Flames Fan. This is because the original artifact required eighty-one types of fire-attributed spiritual materials to refine, which I've reduced to thirty-one. Naturally, its power will also be reduced by more than half," Grandmaster Dayan explained the details directly, without any pretense.

"That's fine, even if the power is somewhat reduced, it doesn't matter. If a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure is truly as powerful as the legends claim, then even this imitation Three Flames Fan is definitely not something ordinary cultivators can withstand," Han Li said without hesitation.

"I've copied the refining method into this jade slip; take a good look at it yourself. However, even for this imitation, there are still a few materials that are difficult to acquire. I estimate that refining this fan will probably still require considerable effort," Grandmaster Dayan said calmly.

Then, the lid of the bamboo tube on Han Li's back opened, and a white light shot out. As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Han Li casually grabbed it with a backhand, revealing a white jade slip.

Han Li unhurriedly immersed his spiritual sense into it, quickly scanning the contents. He unconsciously furrowed his brow.

"The other items are manageable. As long as you spend some time gathering them and refining them into spiritual materials, it'll be fine. But the long feathers of the Hao Yang Bird and the scales of the Scarlet Fire Flood Dragon are incredibly rare, things one might only encounter by chance. Where would one even begin to look for them? At the very least, we haven't heard of any easy-to-find substitutes in Tiannan. As for the other items, there's even less hope. Regarding the Hao Yang Bird's long feathers, I once saw a young female cultivator from Yueyang Palace keeping one as a spirit beast during my travels in Great Jin. So many years have passed since then; even if the original Hao Yang Bird is gone, there should be descendants remaining. You could go and try to ask for one. As for the Scarlet Fire Flood Dragon, that depends on your luck. However, if you go to Great Jin, it shouldn't be too difficult to resolve that issue either," Grandmaster Dayan said leisurely.

"Hmph! After all that talk, you still want me to make a trip to Great Jin," Han Li scoffed, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Heh heh! My suggestion for you to go to Great Jin is for your own good. Only by traveling there once can you truly understand what a sacred land is. Great Jin is undoubtedly the undisputed center of all known cultivation worlds," Grandmaster Dayan said indifferently.

"I hope so. But before leaving Dongyu Kingdom, there's one more thing I must do: I need to go and take another look outside Demonfall Valley," Han Li said calmly, putting away the jade slip.

"To Demonfall Valley? What do you mean by that?" Grandmaster Dayan was startled, somewhat surprised.

"Don't worry. I'm not trying to trespass into the valley. Do you remember my Heaven-Defying Demonic Corpse? As soon as I came out of the rift earlier, I immediately sensed the corpse through a secret art. I naturally have to go and see if it's still trapped in Demonfall Valley and if I can summon it out."

Having said that, Han Li stopped speaking. His escape speed suddenly accelerated, transforming into a streak of green light that vanished into the air.

Upon entering Changzhou, Han Li immediately re-entered Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain, returning to the entrance of Demonfall Valley.

After lingering there for two days, Han Li finally confirmed that the Heaven-Defying Demonic Corpse was indeed still alive within the valley. However, the demonic corpse seemed to be trapped somewhere. No matter how Han Li urged it with incantations, it couldn't leave the valley to meet him.

After deliberating for most of the day, Han Li could only leave the place with some frustration. It seemed he would have to wait until Demonfall Valley opened again. If the corpse hadn't been destroyed by then, he would try to rescue it.

Two months later, Han Li's figure finally appeared near Yunmeng Mountain. As soon as he approached the Falling Cloud Sect's mountain gate, he encountered several disciples on patrol. Upon seeing Han Li, they naturally caused a commotion.

They joyfully paid their respects to Han Li while hastily sending out transmission talismans to the two elders of the sect.

Before long, all the prominent figures of the Falling Cloud Sect flew out from within the sect to welcome their renowned Ancestral Elder, Han Li.

Leading them were the old man surnamed Cheng and Lu Luo.

When these two saw Han Li, their expressions were naturally a mix of surprise and joy.

Without much ado, they hastily welcomed Han Li into the main hall of the sect and settled down.

In the main hall of the Falling Cloud Sect, after the senior brother surnamed Cheng and the other two had taken their seats, he said with a hint of complaint amidst his joy, "Junior Brother Han, I knew with your divine abilities, nothing would happen to you. But since you're fine, why didn't you return to the sect sooner? You needlessly made your two senior brothers worry so much!"

"That's right, Junior Brother. If you had returned earlier, we would have worried much less!" Lu Luo said with a face full of smiles, his happiness emanating from the bottom of his heart.

"You two senior brothers misunderstood me. I've been trapped in a spatial rift and couldn't escape; I just got out. As soon as I was free, I rushed back immediately," Han Li said, pursing his lips, a look of helplessness on his face.

"No matter what, it's enough that Junior Brother Han is back alive. Speaking of which, I, your senior brother, haven't yet thanked you for saving me. If not for your rescue in the valley, I would have long turned into a pile of bones," the old man said, rising from his chair and bowing deeply to Han Li.

"It was nothing. Ever since I joined the Falling Cloud Sect, Senior Brother Cheng has always taken good care of me. I've always kept that in mind. How could I not lend a hand when I saw Senior Brother Cheng in danger?" Han Li smiled faintly, speaking with equal sincerity.

"Such minor matters cannot compare to the grace of saving a life. Junior Brother, you're probably concerned about Fellow Daoist Nangong, aren't you? Rest assured, Junior Sister Nangong is still safe and sound in the ice." The elder clearly knew what Han Li was most concerned about and revealed this news first.

Han Li naturally sighed in great relief upon hearing this. At that moment, Lu Luo suddenly scrutinized Han Li for a few moments, a look of disbelief appearing on his face.

"Junior Brother, you've actually advanced to the Mid Nascent Soul stage! When did this happen? It's incredible! Could it be that Junior Brother had some extraordinary..."