Chapter 922: Ming Wang Technique

Volume 3, Chapter 6: Heavenly Spirit TreasureA Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 6: Heavenly Spirit Treasure

“Tiger Subduing Art, Wheel-Turning Scripture… Bright King Formula…” Han Li quickly scanned it, identifying the names of the cultivation techniques. Just from their names, it was clear that the jade slip contained Buddhist cultivation techniques.

“Bright King Formula! I’ve heard of this cultivation technique. It’s a rare technique specifically cultivated by the Vajra Dharma Protectors of Buddhism. It seems to be very difficult to master. How did this ancestor of the Feng family come to possess this formula? Let me see the jade slip. Can this technique be used to remove the baleful aura?” However, when the words “Bright King Formula” were uttered, Great Daoist Master Dai Yan spoke up in surprise.

Han Li felt a surge of joy upon hearing this. He didn't care how the Feng family ancestor had acquired the technique; all that mattered was if it could help him remove the baleful aura. Without a moment's hesitation, he tossed the jade slip from his hand into the bamboo tube on his back.

For the next period, Great Daoist Master Dai Yan focused on studying the cultivation technique within the jade slip. Meanwhile, Han Li unceremoniously began to pick out the most valuable items from the Feng family's secret cave and load them into his storage pouch. Naturally, Han Li wanted to take everything, but his storage pouch was unfortunately limited. Apart from some spirit stones, he could only pick and choose the rest of the items. He naturally took all the magic treasures. As for materials and talismans, he only took a small portion of those he found useful. Regarding the magic tools, Han Li left most of them on the shelves, untouched, except for two or three with unique effects.

After he was done collecting items, Han Li turned to a large pile of jade slips, searching for a cultivation technique that had caught his interest when he first scanned them with his spiritual sense. He then sat cross-legged in the hall, meditating in silence.

Time passed slowly. After an unknown duration, Great Daoist Master Dai Yan's voice finally echoed in the empty hall, immediately drawing Han Li's attention away from the cultivation technique in his hand.

“This Bright King Formula has something special about it! Although it’s said to be a Buddhist cultivation technique, its cultivation method is incredibly overbearing. It even has tendencies towards demonic arts,” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan said slowly.

“Demonic arts! What do you mean? Can this technique really remove the baleful aura from me?” Han Li asked calmly, his heart sinking slightly.

“Don't be anxious. Regarding the baleful aura, I have good news for you: this cultivation technique can indeed resolve your big problem. However, this formula doesn't dispel or dissipate the baleful aura. Instead, it's a method somewhat similar to demonic paths, where the baleful aura is refined for one's own use. But from its cultivation method, it appears that this technique can be somewhat dangerous to practice. After all, baleful aura is not something easily controlled. Whether you want to find another technique is up to you; consider the pros and cons yourself!” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan pondered for a moment, then articulated his thoughts one by one before tossing the jade slip out of the bamboo tube.

“Refine baleful aura for my own use? What if, at higher levels, I accidentally step into the ancient demonic path?!” Han Li caught the jade slip, his heart tightening, and asked cautiously.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Since this Bright King Formula is a cultivation technique practiced by Buddhist Dharma Protectors, it certainly won’t truly become involved with demonic paths. Although its cultivation methods are somewhat extreme, they are vastly different from ordinary demonic cultivation techniques that utilize baleful aura. It merely uses baleful aura as an auxiliary tool, not directly driving it to attack enemies or harm people. This way, it preserves the overbearing nature of the baleful aura while eliminating most of its negative effects. Tsk, tsk! There truly are powerful individuals in Buddhism to have created such a technique that transitions from demonic to Buddhist. I estimate their intellect is only superior to, not inferior to, my own. This cultivation technique is also a great divine ability comparable to the Great Daoist Master Technique,” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan said with a hint of admiration.

Hearing Great Daoist Master Dai Yan compare this technique to the Great Daoist Master Technique, Han Li couldn't help but feel both skeptical and convinced. He immediately immersed his spiritual sense into the jade slip again, carefully examining the Bright King Formula. However, after only a moment, he let out a surprised cry.

“Huh! This formula feels very familiar… where have I seen something like this before?!”

“You’ve seen it?” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan was also somewhat surprised.

“That’s right… I remember now! This formula is very similar to the demon race cultivation technique on that item!” After pondering for a short while, Han Li suddenly recalled something. He reached into his storage pouch, and a palm-sized bronze piece appeared in his hand. It was precisely the True Vimalakirti Tablet, which he had long since put out of his mind!

Without a word, Han Li began to meticulously compare it with the demon script on the bronze piece, carefully discerning its characters. A moment later, he discovered that while the content of the so-called Bright King Formula and the demon script technique differed, they clearly originated from the same source. Furthermore, the Bright King Formula was significantly shallower in content than the technique on the bronze piece. However, both had a resemblance that was "similar yet not quite," leaving Han Li completely bewildered and confused.

“What exactly is this bronze piece?” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan asked, unable to resist, seeing Han Li alternately looking at the jade slip and then gazing at the bronze piece, his expression extremely peculiar.

“Senior, please take a look. My aptitude is limited; I truly cannot discern the connection. Perhaps Senior can enlighten me a little.” Han Li hesitated slightly, then, with a sigh, tossed the bronze piece into the bamboo tube on his back, simultaneously crossing his arms and falling into contemplation.

“This is demon script. If so, this technique should be extraordinary among the demon race. Let me see…” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan muttered a few sentences, and then his voice faded into silence. Evidently, he had begun examining the formula on the bronze piece.

This time, Great Daoist Master Dai Yan didn't take long. After just fifteen minutes, he gave Han Li a clear answer.

“I’ve finally gotten a lead. It’s clear that the Buddhist ‘Bright King Formula’ was adapted from this set of demon race cultivation techniques. Moreover, it was adapted from the missing fundamental part on the bronze piece,” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan stated with absolute certainty.

“I see. But the final part of this Bright King Formula still doesn’t seem to connect with the technique on the bronze piece. There should still be another missing part,” Han Li said, having just finished his own contemplation and raising his head to voice his opinion.

“Unexpectedly, little Han, you also noticed this point. That’s right. The complete set of demon race cultivation techniques should indeed be divided into three parts. The Bright King Formula is based on the most fundamental body-refining portion. The bronze piece records the final divine ability application formula, and the middle part, concerning form transformation, is missing. This set of techniques is truly extraordinary and quite interesting! Three heads and six arms! Isn’t that similar to the divine ability displayed by that ancient demon? I’ve long heard it said that the demon race was among the first to come into contact with the Ancient Demonic Realm. It seems this statement is indeed true.” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan chuckled softly, seemingly greatly amused.

“So, this technique must have been taught by the demonic race to the demon race, and then the Buddhist sect obtained its foundational part and adapted it into the current Bright King Formula. For a single technique to be valued by demons, the demon race, and Buddhists simultaneously, it truly must have a profound origin and unique aspects. However, regardless of how powerful this technique is, the Five Fiends in my body might fail to seal the baleful aura at any moment. I can't afford to hesitate any longer. I must cultivate this Bright King Formula first to resolve the immediate crisis,” Han Li deliberated for a long time before sighing and stating.

“Hmm, that's true. Spending more time searching for other cultivation techniques might be too risky now. Moreover, while this Bright King Formula might be difficult for others, you already possess such a potent baleful aura that can be utilized, so its cultivation should presumably be smoother for you,” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan said, agreeing after a moment of thought.

“I hope so. However, this set of formulas seems to require a Vajra sarira to cultivate. Will I run into problems if I cultivate it directly without one?” Han Li recalled something else and asked hesitantly.

“A Vajra sarira. Haven’t you just acquired one? That counts as a fortunate coincidence for you; otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily recommend you cultivate this formula. While other sariras can barely be used, their effects would definitely be much inferior to a Vajra sarira. After your spirit beast absorbs all the corpse fire from the Vajra Shield, you will complete the final refining of that shield. I will then teach you a set of formulas to refine this item into a Natal Magic Treasure. This way, there will be no problem. Back when I was traveling, I was greatly interested in sariras. I even disguised myself and joined a major Buddhist sect for over ten years, specifically to research related matters, so there’s no need to worry about this. In fact, even if you don't cultivate this Bright King Formula, other Buddhist cultivation techniques for resolving baleful aura also require a sarira. However, in a place like Great Jin, where Buddhism flourishes, finding a sarira is not a difficult task,” Great Daoist Master Dai Yan said confidently, as if he had long since calculated all this.

“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved! Since the formula is truly suitable, let’s leave this place quickly. Ever since entering this mountain range, I’ve felt a subtle unease. This isn’t a good sign. We must find another location with a spirit vein to cultivate.” After Han Li meticulously considered everything, feeling that cultivating the Bright King Formula genuinely posed no problems, he immediately spoke with a sense of relief.

Then he cast a final glance around the hall. Convinced there was nothing left behind, he walked towards the teleportation array in one corner. His figure vanished in a flash of white light.

After the time it takes to eat a meal, Han Li transformed into a streak of green light, shooting directly out of the Snowy Ridge Mountain Range. As he flew, he discussed with Great Daoist Master Dai Yan where would be a good place to find a spirit vein for a period of secluded cultivation.

However, after flying for several hundred li, a thunderous, earth-shattering roar suddenly erupted from a certain direction. The entire mountain range vibrated with a buzzing sound, as if the heavens were collapsing. Caught off guard, Han Li felt his ears ring loudly, and his body swayed. His expression drastically changed. He quickly glanced towards the source of the immense sound. Han Li's face darkened. Without a word, he doubled the speed of his escape light. The green streak changed direction, shooting sharply away from the direction of the colossal sound.

However, after Han Li had flown barely twenty li, his spiritual sense detected astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations behind him. Following that, a cloud of gray mist, a dark shadow, and a white hurricane shot through the air from behind, one in front and two behind. Their speed, compared to Han Li's current Foundation Establishment cultivation, was naturally incomparable. In almost the blink of an eye, they were only a few li away from Han Li!

(First update!)