Chapter 968: Li Junior

As his gaze naturally fell on Han Li, the Elder's expression shifted as he said, "This junior heard from his martial nephews that a distinguished master had graced our sect. I never imagined it would be a Nascent Soul cultivator like you, Senior. It was truly disrespectful of me not to come out and greet you."

The only Elder of the Heavenly Talisman Sect spoke with utmost respect.

Hearing Elder Wen's words, Yue Zhen and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators were deeply shaken. The last lingering trace of doubt they held completely vanished, and they now looked at Han Li with even greater awe.

A Nascent Soul cultivator was truly an unattainable existence for the current Heavenly Talisman Sect.

"I was merely entrusted by someone to deliver an item. There's no need to be so formal," Han Li said, his expression unchanged. He paused, then calmly continued, "This item has been in my possession for several years. As I happened to have business in Huayun Province today, I naturally came to return it. This item was specifically designated for your sect's Sect Master."

As he spoke, Han Li patted his waist with one hand, and a square bone box appeared. He casually placed it on the table in front of him.

Elder Wen was startled by his words, but quickly, with understanding, turned and said, "Yue Zhen, you heard Senior's words. Go and see what Senior has brought. If it truly is a lost item from our sect, we will naturally thank Senior profusely."

"Yes, Martial Uncle," Yue Zhen respectfully replied. He then stepped forward a few paces, took the bone box into his hands with both hands, and opened it curiously.

Inside the box, several bone fragments covered in tiny, ant-sized script were strikingly revealed.

"What is this?" Yue Zhen picked up a fragment in surprise and examined it closely.

Han Li merely smiled without speaking.

"The Spirit-Descent Talisman! This is the method for refining the Spirit-Descent Talisman! The handwriting on it belongs to Martial Uncle Yun!" After just a few glances, Yue Zhen exclaimed in joyful surprise.

"Martial Brother Yun? You're not mistaken, are you?" Elder Wen was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned solemn.

"Absolutely not," Yue Zhen replied without hesitation. "Martial Uncle Yun's calligraphy still hangs in the Sect Master's study. I face it day and night; how could I be mistaken?"

The other cultivators also looked astonished.

"Indeed, this item was entrusted to me by Fellow Daoist Yun for transfer. The Spirit-Descent Talisman is one of your sect's three secret talismans; there shouldn't be any mistake, should there?" Han Li said noncommittally.

"Of course there's no mistake," Elder Wen said with concern. "But when did Senior meet Martial Brother Yun? Decades ago, before I even formed my Golden Core, my martial brother disappeared without a trace while on a trip overseas. For decades, there's been no news of him. Martial Brother Yun isn't in trouble, is he?"

"He should be fine. Actually, my encounter with your Sect Master was purely coincidental," Han Li said. "Decades ago, I experienced a similar predicament to your Sect Master. At that time, I..." Han Li then briefly recounted the events concerning the Ghost Mist and the Netherworld Land, naturally glossing over sensitive details about himself and the Netherworld Beast Crystal without elaborating.

"To think such a perilous place exists in this world; it's truly unimaginable," Elder Wen said, gasping when he heard that one couldn't use spiritual power in the Netherworld Land. "No wonder cultivators have been mysteriously disappearing along the coast for many years. It turns out this Ghost Mist was behind it all."

"Indeed, I barely managed to escape with great difficulty," Han Li said, his eyes flickering as he smiled. "The contents of this box were entrusted to me by your Sect Master to deliver to your sect when I had the chance. However, I have some interest in the path of talisman crafting and have briefly studied the method for refining the Spirit-Descent Talisman. I hope you fellow daoists don't mind."

"Senior, your personally returning the talisman refining method to our sect is already an immense favor," Elder Wen said with a respectful expression. "How could we possibly be so ungrateful as to harbor such thoughts? Although it is said that only our sect master can master the Spirit-Descent Talisman, if Senior hadn't returned this item, the secret art would have been completely lost. Naturally, there's no talk of rules then."

Yue Zhen also repeatedly agreed from the side.

"Fellow Daoists, your magnanimity makes me feel a bit embarrassed," Han Li said, nodding in satisfaction. "However, the item has been delivered, and I've fulfilled a wish, so I shall take my leave now." He then immediately stood up.

"Senior, we haven't yet repaid your kindness for delivering this item," Elder Wen hastily said. Though secretly delighted about the recovery of the Spirit-Descent Talisman, he was more focused on trying to forge a connection with this powerful figure who had suddenly appeared. "Why not stay a few more days in our sect, allowing us to show a bit of our hospitality?"

To say nothing else, if word got out that their sect had befriended a Nascent Soul cultivator, the Heavenly Talisman Sect's standing among minor sects would likely skyrocket. Even a major problem they were currently facing might be peacefully resolved.

"Let's sit for a while longer," Han Li said, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Isn't Senior Han interested in the path of talisman crafting?" Yue Zhen's eyes darted, and he suddenly spoke. "Aside from other things, our sect does have some research in talisman refining. Our ancestors also collected many various ancient texts on talismans. If Senior doesn't mind, you could take a look and perhaps give us juniors some pointers."

"Talisman crafting texts!" Han Li was slightly startled by these words. He pondered for a moment, feeling somewhat tempted. Elder Wen was stunned for a moment, then repeatedly nodded in agreement.

"Alright," Han Li said. "I am indeed quite interested in talisman crafting, so I'll stay in your sect for a few days." Ever since learning the Spirit-Descent Talisman, Han Li had been very curious about the Heavenly Talisman Sect's secret talisman arts. After some thought, he finally nodded.

"Excellent! It is an honor for our sect that Senior will stay," Elder Wen said cautiously, his face lighting up with joy. "Would Senior like to rest for a while first, and then tomorrow..."

"No need," Han Li said, shaking his head. "Just take me to the Scripture Pavilion now." With his current cultivation, he could recover any spiritual power consumed on the way simply by meditating briefly while reading.

"Alright then, Nephew Yang, please take Senior Han to our sect's Scripture Pavilion," Elder Wen said, his face lighting up with joy as he hastily instructed a middle-aged cultivator. "Whatever Senior commands, ensure it is fully met."

"Understood, Martial Uncle Wen," the middle-aged cultivator replied with extreme respect. "Senior Han, please follow me."

Han Li nodded and followed the man out of the main hall.

"I truly didn't expect Martial Brother Yun to be trapped in such a dreadful place," Elder Wen said, sighing only after Han Li had left the main hall for some time. "No wonder his disappearance back then was so strange. The recovery of our sect's Spirit-Descent Talisman secret art is indeed a fortunate event for us."

"However, if we can seize this opportunity to befriend Senior Han and let word spread, it will definitely be greatly beneficial to our sect," another cultivator, who had remained silent throughout, slowly spoke. "To say nothing else, the current market issue can at least be easily resolved."

"With a Nascent Soul cultivator as backing, the Spiritwind Sect would naturally retreat three paces," Yue Zhen murmured with a bitter smile. "Even the Fiery Sun Sect wouldn't risk displeasing a Nascent Soul cultivator over a small market. However, from Senior Han's tone just now, it seems his relationship with Martial Brother Yun in the Netherworld Land was only ordinary. Given his status, why would he help us for no reason? Even if we wanted to offer treasures to force a connection, our sect simply has nothing that would catch Senior Han's eye. But if we miss this opportunity, it would truly be a great pity."

"This is indeed a bit tricky," Elder Wen said, his brows furrowed.

The other cultivators in the hall exchanged glances, and all showed troubled expressions.

Meanwhile, Han Li had already followed the middle-aged cultivator to a rather unremarkable pavilion.

This pavilion had three levels and was entirely enveloped by a faint blue restriction. As Han Li followed the middle-aged cultivator into the first level, they saw an old man seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion, holding a jade slip in his hand as if examining its contents.

"Nephew Li, come and greet Senior Han," the middle-aged cultivator instructed without ceremony as soon as he saw the old man. He then turned and respectfully explained to Han Li, "This Nephew Li is specifically in charge of managing the Scripture Pavilion and knows all the various ancient texts within the pavilion like the back of his hand."

At this moment, the old man seemed to have just been startled awake from his study by the middle-aged cultivator's voice. He hastily put away the jade slip, quickly jumped up, and hurried over.

"So it's Martial Uncle Yang," the old man said, his face full of wrinkles and his small eyes hinting at shrewdness as he fawningly smiled at the middle-aged cultivator. "This nephew apologizes for not coming out to greet you. This is Senior Han... Senior Han!" But when he furtively glanced at Han Li, his voice instantly trembled, and his expression suddenly froze.

"Nephew Li?" After Han Li clearly saw the old man's face, his eyes widened in surprise, and his expression was full of strangeness.

"Does Senior recognize this disciple?" the middle-aged cultivator asked, surprised.

"It's nothing," Han Li said with a faint smile, the strange look on his face quickly vanishing. "This fellow daoist simply resembles an old acquaintance of mine from years past, but upon closer inspection, he is not. It seems I've mistaken him for someone else."

"Heh heh, I see," the middle-aged cultivator said. He naturally didn't believe Han Li's words but dared not ask further. "Then Senior can cultivate peacefully here alone. Nephew Li, you're not needed here anymore. Come out with me." He then turned and instructed 'Nephew Li'.

"Yes, this nephew will..."

"No need," Han Li suddenly said with a light chuckle, casting a meaningful glance at the old man. "Since this fellow daoist knows so much about the texts in this pavilion, I could still use his assistance. Let him stay and accompany me for a few days."

"Cough... Since Senior commands it, this junior will naturally comply," the middle-aged cultivator said. "Nephew Li, your good fortune has arrived; you must obey Senior Han's commands." Although he harbored some suspicion about the two's recent behavior, the fact that 'Nephew Li' could spend a few days alone with a Nascent Soul cultivator truly made him exceptionally envious. To say nothing else, even a casual pointer might benefit low-level cultivators like them immensely. However, Han Li's words clearly hinted at dismissal, so he dared not linger. After giving the old man a couple more instructions, he backed out, a hint of confusion in his heart.

Han Li watched the middle-aged cultivator's back disappear from the pavilion, then turned to look at the old man and let out a meaningful chuckle.