Chapter 94: Defect

When Han Li practically manipulated the flying grey light, he discovered that while using the "Object Control Spell" to drive the grey light formed by the talisman, it was incredibly sharp, able to cut through almost anything, and could fly to attack enemies according to his hand gestures. However, its use still had some considerable limitations.

First, controlling this grey light consumed an immense amount of spiritual power!

Someone like Han Li, who had cultivated the Evergreen Arts to the eighth level, could continuously cast the full version of the Fireball Spell over a hundred times. But when controlling the grey light, his spiritual power would be completely depleted in just fifteen minutes.

Thinking back, it now seemed that Reverend Golden Light hadn't initially refrained from using the grey light because he didn't want to, but rather because his spiritual power was too limited, allowing him to control the talisman for a pitifully short duration.

This also explained why the resistance Han Li encountered when he first acquired the item was so weak. The opponent had likely exhausted most of his spiritual power controlling the grey light beforehand. When he then faced Han Li, a fresh force with vastly superior spiritual power, the dwarf naturally crumbled and was easily defeated.

Moreover, another drawback of the grey light was its limited range for inflicting harm. The grey light could only be freely manipulated within twenty *zhang* of Han Li. Beyond this range, it would become sluggish and stiff, occasionally malfunctioning. Once it flew beyond thirty *zhang*, the grey light would completely revert to its original talisman form and fall to the ground.

While Han Li believed the first two drawbacks would gradually improve as his spiritual power advanced, the final issue was a fatal flaw inherent to the talisman itself.

After using the talisman a few times, Han Li noticed that the cold light emanating from the grey miniature sword drawn on the paper was slowly weakening with each use, as if its lifespan was gradually diminishing. This meant the talisman had a finite number of uses and a time limit; once its uses were exhausted, the talisman would lose its spiritual efficacy and become completely inert.

This was one of the reasons Han Li immediately stopped practicing with the grey light once he had somewhat mastered its control. After all, he wanted to save such a formidable item for a critical moment. Perhaps this object could save his life in a future crisis.

Similarly, Han Li believed the golden talisman that could transform into a golden light shield likely had the same limitations. Since he didn't know the activation incantation yet, he carefully hid it away for future use.

During his rest periods, Han Li also researched the triangular token and the Qin family genealogy, but unfortunately, he found nothing of value.

On the fifth day, just as Han Li took down his "closed for business" sign, Li Feiyu burst in excitedly. Upon seeing Han Li, he immediately recounted the rumors about Han Li being demonized.

These rumors left Han Li speechless and amused. He could only maintain a poker face, glaring at Li Feiyu with annoyance, as the latter brazenly teased him.

Li Feiyu finally stopped laughing. Slowly, he composed himself and began to speak to Han Li in a solemn tone, "You've probably guessed why I'm here, haven't you?"

"Indeed! Those important figures are just worried about me and sent you to sound me out, right?" Han Li said nonchalantly.

"Heh heh! Good that you know." Li Feiyu let out a long sigh of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.

"But how do you expect me, your friend, to report back to those guys?" Li Feiyu then resumed his playful grin. "You know, to win me over, they've already promised to promote me from deputy head of the Outer Blade Hall to a full head."

Han Li frowned and pondered for a moment, then murmured to himself, "It seems if I don't meet with Sect Leader Wang and the others to clarify things, they won't be at ease."

"Alright then! Go back and tell Sect Leader Wang that I'll personally go to Sunset Peak to meet him tomorrow at noon. Tell him not to worry." Han Li said with a smile.

"Alright! With your word, I can report back now." Li Feiyu shrugged, a noncommittal expression on his face.

Next, Han Li and Li Feiyu chatted aimlessly for a while. Han Li even gave his friend a close-up demonstration of the "Fireball Spell," greatly impressing him and leaving him envious for quite some time.

Soon after, Li Feiyu bid farewell and left the valley to report back to Wang Juechu and the others.

Han Li stood by the doorway, gazing absently at Li Feiyu's retreating back for a long time. Suddenly, he smiled mysteriously, then entered the house, seemingly very pleased, and closed the door.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Li Feiyu ascended Sunset Peak unnoticed and quietly infiltrated Sect Leader Wang's room.

When Wang Juechu awoke and saw the figure standing upright by his bed, his face turned extremely grim. Still, he forced out a smile and asked somewhat unnaturally:

"Doctor Han, why are you here? Please forgive me for not greeting you properly! But, didn't we agree to meet at noon? Why have you come so early?"

Han Li gave Sect Leader Wang a cold glance. That look made Wang Juechu's hair stand on end and his face feel as if it were being cut by knives.

Seeing a hint of fear in the other man's eyes, Han Li felt a surge of quiet satisfaction. The look he had given Sect Leader Wang was a special effect achieved by employing the "Heavenly Eye Spell." This was a new application of the spell he had discovered just days prior during his research: using the Heavenly Eye to mentally intimidate ordinary people, causing them to panic and become disoriented, somewhat similar to the legendary "Soul-Seizing Art" circulated in the martial arts world.

"Nothing much," Han Li replied, his face devoid of any expression, but his tone seemed rather unfriendly. "I just suddenly felt that if I came in the morning, everyone might be more clear-headed and less likely to do anything unpleasant."