He sat down on a mat cross-legged and he fiddled with a white jade badge and muttered to himself.
During the month, he spent day and night underneath the Bloodflame Palace and beside the huge puppet, assisting Di Xue through the daunting experience unharmed.
When the time came, Mu Qing arrived at the Bloodflame Palace and led him back.
Although his mind was greatly exhausted from pouring his Divine Devilbane Lightning into the talisman formation day in and day out, Han Li didn’t feel like he suffered a loss.
Let alone anything else, the set of spirit servant refinement methods and the narration of the talisman formation process had benefited him greatly.
And when he departed, Di Xue bestowed him a batch of puppet materials distinctive to the earth abyss and a few rare materials.
Although Han Li knew he had plans in him, he couldn't help but feel satisfied.
However, Han Li hadn’t put further thought into the matter. Instead, he was focused on the badly damaged outer page of the Golden Jade Tome.
The outer page recorded many powerful talismans. Among them, he already comprehended the High Zenith Invisibility Talisman and had several of them on hand.
As for the other three talismans, they were the enemy trapping Nine Palaces Heavenly Talisman, the offensive type Heavenly Halberd Talisman, and the puppet talisman Armor Origin Talisman.
The most powerful and profound of these talismans was the Heavenly Halberd Talisman. Even now, Han Li could only rack his head and leave to the side.
He studied both the Nine Palaces Heavenly Talisman and the Armor Origin Talisman meticulously over the past few years and have comprehended them mostly. There were only a few crucial points that evaded him.
But after the month of guidance from Di Xue, a master of puppets and spell formations, and several days of hard study on the spirit servant refinement methods, he resolved these problems and fully comprehended these two talismans. He was now confident he could refine them.
The materials of the two talismans were incredibly rare. But fortunately, they weren’t priceless or never sold. In Deep Heaven City, he was able to gather many ingredients of the two talismans and he could now make an attempt.
Originally, he would need much more experience before he would be comfortable refining these talismans using his rare and precious materials.
But with the several Body Integration-grade demon monarchs watching him covetously, he didn’t have time to waste.
Because of the matters regarding his Divine Devilbane Lightning, he had several more years of safety. But he had no idea if or when the demon monarchs would change their minds.
Since Han Li tread on the path of cultivation, relied on his own strength to ascend to the spirit realm, and achieved his current cultivation, he had never trusted his safety entirely to destiny.
Thus, he set his mind on refining these two talismans with utmost speed as several lifesaving measures.
Han Li’s expression varied for a long while and his expression became calm.
He slowly closed his eyes and his spiritual sense fused into the jade badge, reading through the talisman’s refinement process from start to end.
After confirming there were no problems, he opened his eyes once more.
He shook his wrist at the air and spirit light flashed. A ball of light flew out and whirled in the air.
It was Han Li’s storage bracelet. He quickly pointed at it.
A gust of wind blew out, carrying an azure mist. It laid out tens of bottles and jars as well as few jade and wood boxes all on the floor.
Among them, he took a white wooden box into his hand and flipped its lid, releasing a sparkling silver object.
Han Li drew back his fingers, causing it to flicker in front of him where it stopped. It was a delicate beast hide that seemed as smooth as silk.
Not only did the hide sparkle with silver light, but natural talisman designs of various sizes shined from its surface in a gorgeous display.
This was an optimal material for refining puppets, a beast hide of a rare ancient beast by the name of Windfire Beast.
This beast was not only proficient in wind and fire and had the Deity Transformation-stage strength, but it was also fond of Yin-cold and sleep. It would sleep yearlong in dark and moist swamps. It would only wake and leave tracks when it hunted.
Not only would using this beast hide increase the odds of success in refining a puppet talisman, but its might would increase as well. Its value was as high as one would imagine.
At the time, Han Li spent a good deal of effort to acquire many of these hides from various stores in Deep Heaven City in exchange for several myriad year medicine herbs.
Han Li planned on refining the Armor Origin Talisman from the start.
This talisman was like other puppet talismans in that it would turn into a puppet projection when summoned. It would also be granted the cultivation and partial abilities of its user. Its efficacy depended on the talisman quality itself and the cultivation of its controller.
Normally, puppet projection talismans could use only a few abilities and could produce half a user’s strength at most. Rumors had it there were perfect puppet projection talismans that could replicate a user’s entire strength. It is said only the humans of the Heavenly Spirit Region could produce them, but it has yet to be seen.
Naturally, these puppet talismans couldn't be limitlessly duplicated, and only early Spatial Tempering cultivators and below could use them. These talismans also were consumed in a single use, and their projections would disappear once their power was consumed.
As Han Li’s Armor Origin talisman came from the Golden Jade Tome, its might wasn’t comparable to ordinary puppet talismans.
At the level of the Armor Origin Talisman, the puppet projection not only could produce eighty percent of the user’s strength and a majority of their abilities, but it also allowed use for cultivators at early Body Integration stage and below. Its qualities were clear to see.
As such, it would be equivalently more difficult and complex to create than ordinary talismans.
Were it not for the extreme heat and cold flames contained in his Spirit Engulfing flames, he wouldn’t be able to refine them.
Han Li gazed at the beast hide with muddle thoughts before he opened his mouth and spat out a ball of silver flames.
The Spirit Engulfing flames let out a clear cry and soon turned into a foot-long bird. It spread its wings and circled around the beast hide.
When Han Li saw this, he inwardly muttered an incantation. Suddenly, the bird fluttered in circles and rammed into the hide.
With a crackle, the silver flames roiled, wrapping around it.
Within the flames, the beast hide didn’t burn. Instead, the talisman designs seemed to squirm in the flames as if they were alive. It was truly a mysterious sight.
Chapter 1473: Lightningwield Technique
Six days later, Han Li emerged from seclusion.
Although he wore a tired face, he couldn't help but show a trace of joy.
Over the past few days of talisman refinement, he succeeded greatly.
As today wasn’t the day Mu Qing would be teaching him lightning control techniques, Han Li decided to take a walk and relax.
After all, he would be in his best state when he was properly rested.
Mu Qing’s cave wasn’t as small as the Bloodflame Palace. Han Li had to tread through the garden in front of his room before making his way to other areas of the cave.
An hour later, Han Li appeared in front of a gate. He looked at the endlessly flickering green light on the gate and couldn't help but lower his head and mutter to himself.
He’s already walked through most of the cave several times.
But there were some areas that were placed under restrictions and were kept concealed.
There were two areas in particular that were placed under heavy restrictions that caused Han Li to feel in awe of them, piquing his curiosity as a result.
One of the areas was a side courtyard named the Jade Song Garden.
After sensing the traces of the pure wood spiritual Qi leaking out of the dense restrictions, he guessed it was most likely a medicinal garden.
What medicines and spirit fruits would be viewed so importantly by a Body Integration-grade demon monarch?
As Han Li thought this, his curiosity grew even greater.
But when he thought of the casual warning Mu Qing gave him, Han Li wryly smiled in his mind and gave up on investigating these places.
Given their harsh restrictions, Mu Qing would definitely pay close attention to these areas.
Although it seemed there was no one nearby, it was likely he was already being observed, so he definitely couldn't do anything out of the ordinary.
Han Li inwardly shook his head and held his hands behind his backs as he walked forward.
Before he made it to the outside, he already walked for two hours. Then, he returned to his
...
In the following year, Han Li spent his days uneventfully.
Perhaps due to being superbly talented with the Dao of Lightning, he didn’t find his lessons with Mu Qing on controlling lightning very difficult.
In a short amount of time, Han Li had a good grasp of the technique and only needed to practice.
Mu Qing was happy to see this. When two years passed, Liu Zu and the others were issued an invitation to gather at the Wood Spirit Hall.
Three days later, Han Li arrived in the hall, facing the several demon monarchs.
This time, Yuan Yao and the beautiful women weren’t present. This left Han Li somewhat disappointed as it proved some of his impressions false.
Di Xue’s two crimson-robed men gathered there as well.
The white-haired beauty wore an expression of doubt and said with a surprised tone, “What? Has Fellow Daoist Han already grasped the lightningwield technique with his Divine Devilbane Lightning? Little Sister Mu, are you telling the truth?”
At that moment, she was the only one sitting at the side of the hall.
Mu Qing chuckled within the black light and said, “I wouldn’t lie about something this important. To tell the truth, I was also shocked by how quickly Han Li grasped the most important part of the lightning control method, the lightningwield technique. It was then I realized that Fellow Daoist Han used Golden Lightning Bamboo to forge his personal magic treasures. As such, it is no wonder he was able to quickly control the Divine Devilbane Lightning.”
“He used Golden Lightning Bamboo as his personal magic treasure?” The white-haired woman turned to look at Han Li and deeply said, “Fellow Daoist Han, you’re awfully courageous. Could it be you didn’t know how easily the divine lightning can backlash? It is a miracle you’re still alive today.”
Han Li was startled when he heard this, “Divine lightning backlash? I’ve never heard of that before? Could Senior tell me about it?”
“Did Little Sister Mu not tell you about it?” the white-haired woman asked with a frown.
Mu Qing casually answered, “I’ve already looked into it. Fellow Daoist Han is deeply fortunate. The Divine Devilbane Lightning he controls is incredibly stable and shows no signs of backlash. As such, I hadn’t mentioned the matter.”
“Hmph, those are only your words. I’ve yet to see it for myself!” The white-haired woman said with a cold tone and examined Han Li once more.
Mu Qing smiled and thought to say something else when Liu Zu suddenly said, “Enough rubbish. We were invited here by Fairy Mu, but not to idly chat. We’ll have to personally see if Fellow Daoist Han truly learned the lightningwield technique.”
Liu Zu’s words were calm and emotionless. However, when Mu Qing and the white-haired woman heard this, their hearts trembled.
The one of the two blood-robed smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Han, since you’ve learned the offering technique for the Divine Devilbane Lightning, please present it to us.”
When he heard the two, he forced down his puzzlement over the mention of this backlash and bowed, “Seniors, I will immediately follow your command. It’s only that the technique is very powerful, this place...”
When Han Li said that, he looked around him.
“Fellow Daoist Han, our Wood Spirit Hall has some restrictions in place, but it won’t be able to bear the true might of the Divine Devilbane Lightning. Let’s head outside.” Mu Qing nodded and went out first.
When the other demon monarchs saw this, they exchanged a glance and followed after them.
The demon guards standing at the hall gates were stunned to see so many demon monarchs present.
Naturally, none of them dared to speak.
A short moment later, the party arrived in an empty area in front of Wood Spirit Hall and focused their sights on Han Li.
Han Li wryly laughed in his mind when the many high-grade existences looked at him. But with a calm face, azure light flashed from his body and he shot up sixty meters in the air where he floated motionlessly.
He formed an incantation gesture with his hands and loud explosions sounded as countless golden sparks leaped out and wrapped around his body.
The golden sparks gradually turned dense and began to wildly spread in every direction.
In a short moment, under the immense light, a huge net of lightning began to gradually condense.
At that same moment, as Han Li formed an incantation gesture, strange golden talisman characters began to rush out from his hands and repeatedly vanish into the surrounding lightning.
As the talisman characters entered the dense net of lightning, the net seemed to silently disappear like a popped bubble, turning into a glowing golden halo that was ten meters wide.
Within the halo, Han Li’s image became vague, but his voice spoke as it chanted a cryptic incantation.
As the golden halo began to turn, the golden talisman characters roiled without end. Furthermore, a faint buzzing sounded from it, growing louder and more frequent as time passed.
Suddenly, thunder clapped.
For an instant, golden light brightly shined within the halo, only to disappear in the next.
Han Li’s image reappeared with one hand forming an incantation gesture. He spread out his other hand above him, seemingly holding up a fist-sized orb a foot above in the air.
The orb appeared unremarkable apart from the uneven talisman markings on its surface. It also shined with a dim light and didn’t emit a spiritual pressure as if it were a mundane object.
When the demon monarchs saw this, they watched with wonder.
At that moment, Han Li wore a solemn face and flicked in the direction of the golden orb with a single finger.
Zap. The golden orb shot into the sky in a golden streak.
With a few blinks, it vanished from sight.
At nearly the same moment, a zap sounded from his other hand. In a flicker of lightning, a massive golden talisman character shot high into the air.
A rumble sounded.
The nearby sky was suddenly swept up in a windstorm and dark clouds formed up above where a golden sun can be faintly seen. An astonishing aura capable of worldly destruction suddenly burst out from the golden sun.
Countless arcs of electricity wildly flashed from the surface of the sun, followed by a repeated chain of deafening thunder.
When the others saw this, their expressions changed.
Liu Zu called out, “Stop! Cease your casting. There is no need to release the true power of the Divine Devilbane Lightning.”
When Han Li heard this, he could only force a smile and say, “You were a bit too late. My control over the technique is still lacking. I cannot stop it.”
With those short words, the golden sun repeatedly boomed with thunder and blinked, suddenly releasing a barrel-sized golden light beam downward.
Fortunately, the attack landed in an empty area.
The area the beam struck was a stone area reinforced with restrictions. But now, the area had turned to ash
and there was a ten-meter-wide black hole heading deep down.
The golden beam had only lasted the span of several breaths. Following that, the golden sun had strangely vanished.
After releasing this strike, Han Li’s face turned pale and he gently drifted down with his wings.
At that moment, the black clouds scattered and the sky returned to normal.
With a blur, one of the crimson-robed men and the white-haired woman appeared at the large hole and they looked downward.
They only saw an endless black along with the smell of scorched earth.
With an odd expression, the white-haired woman muttered, “It really is the lightningwield technique. The fearsomeness of the Divine Devilbane Lightning is as legend says! We can neither block this attack nor dare to receive it.”
The crimson-robed man was shifting his gaze as he looked at the whole as if lost in thought. Liu Zu and Mu Qing remained in their original places.
The two glanced at each other, clearly knowing how powerful Han Li’s lightningwield technique was. Mu Qing had already seen Han Li use it several times and was no longer excited by its appearance.
Mu Qing smiled and said, “Fellow Daoists, I hope Fellow Daoist Han’s display was to your satisfaction.
Chapter 1474: The Infernal River Region
Liu Zu nodded and asked, “Although he still isn’t very proficient, his might is unquestionable. He’ll be able to destroy the Infernal River restriction. However, when I saw his casting, I also saw how he was able to avoid divine lightning backlash. When Fellow Daoist Han originally refined the Golden Lightning Bamboo magic treasure, was your magic power also several times greater than your peers?”
Already landed on the ground, Han Li said with an amazed tone, “That’s right. I’ve long ago cultivated a strange technique. Although my cultivation speed was a bit slower, my cultivation was deeper than my peers. Could it be because of this that I don’t suffer divine lightning backlash?”
Liu Zu calmly explained, “Although it isn’t solely due to this, it is the most important factor. After all, magic power is the basis of all abilities. When similar abilities are displayed by those of differing cultivations, the ability’s power is different as well. With magic power far exceeding your realm, you were able to control your Divine Devilbane Lightning and suppress your lightning backlash. In addition, Fellow Daoist Han previously learned a different lightning controlling technique, reducing the odds of backlash even further.”
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248 Page 828