"Brother Han, I heard from Grandfather that you have a way to weaken the Heart-Severing Art's influence, but that I would need to stay by your side for a time. Is this true?" The smile on Silver Moon's face faded, and she suddenly asked with a serious expression.
"Ao Xiao has already told you about this? Hmm, yes, that's correct. He possesses a secret spiritual sense technique that can restrain the Heart-Severing Art to some extent, allowing you to continue cultivating. However, this technique only works if I'm the one who cultivates it. So for the time being, you will need to stay by my side." Han Li didn't find this surprising and explained with a smile.
"My Grandfather really has such a technique? I've never heard him mention it before! And why is it that only you cultivating it would help me?" Silver Moon asked, her elegant brows furrowing.
"You should be able to guess the reason. As your Grandfather said, the one who tied the bell must untie it. Since your Heart Demon arose because of me, my cultivating the technique is what will benefit you most. This secret spiritual sense technique was specially created by your Grandfather over the span of more than a hundred years, before he passed the Heart-Severing Art to you — originally as a precautionary measure. Once I've cultivated it to some degree, simply staying in my presence will allow the technique to gradually exert an invisible influence on your mind." Han Li pondered for a moment, then sighed.
"It's really that simple? Once I continue cultivating the Heart-Severing Art, its influence on me will only grow stronger. Can a technique created on short notice really suppress it?" Silver Moon looked somewhat skeptical.
"As for that, I haven't begun cultivating it yet, so I can't say for certain. But since it was painstakingly created by Ao Xiao himself, it should be genuine. Moreover, this secret spiritual sense technique should work like the Heart-Severing Art — as cultivation deepens, the restraining effect will only grow stronger." Han Li thought for a moment before replying.
"Fine, even if the secret technique really works, how long will I need to stay by your side? If I can't shake off the Heart-Severing Art in a single day, does that mean you'll have to keep me with you for that long?" Silver Moon's eyes flickered with a strange light as she asked in a measured tone.
"Not necessarily. According to Ao Xiao, once you advance to the Mahayana stage, you'll be able to break free of the Heart-Severing Art's restrictions." Han Li answered without hesitation.
"Advance to Mahayana? That's far too distant a prospect! It seems Silver Moon really will need to follow Brother Han around for quite a long time." A strange light flashed in Silver Moon's eyes, and the corner of her lips curved upward.
"You possess the Seven-Star Lunar Body. Compared to ordinary cultivators, your chances of advancing to Mahayana are far from insignificant — there's no need for discouragement. Besides, during this process, Elder Ao Xiao and I may well have found another solution long before you actually need to reach Mahayana to resolve the Heart-Severing Art." Han Li said with a smile.
"That's true as well. But at the very least, for the next several hundred years, I'll be sticking with you, Brother Han!" Silver Moon flashed a sweet smile.
After that, the two of them chatted about other matters, even exchanging a few insights on cultivation.
Time passed imperceptibly.
"All right, it's getting late. The Heart-Severing Art is about to act up again. I should go back and meditate for a while. If I say or do anything rude to you under the Heart-Severing Art's influence, please forgive me, Brother Han." Silver Moon turned to glance at the sky outside the window, rose to her feet, and spoke her farewell.
"Of course. How could I hold that against you?" Han Li smiled faintly and stood as well.
Silver Moon gave a slight curtsy, then said nothing more and walked out of the room.
The door flashed with white light and silently closed on its own.
Han Li sat back down cross-legged, his smile fading as a contemplative expression settled on his face.
...
At the same time, Silver Moon, having already left the room, turned a few corners in the corridor and arrived at a secluded nook. She suddenly halted and said coolly: "Liao Ying, come out. I have something to ask you."
Before her words had faded, the surrounding air shimmered, and a nearly transparent phantom flickered into existence. Its form gradually solidified and clarified, finally resolving into a slender woman clad in a form-fitting black robe.
The woman wore a bronze-colored wolf-head mask, her hands covered by black gloves. Not a single inch of skin was visible on her entire body. Her feet hovered a foot above the ground, floating weightlessly in the air.
"What are your orders, Miss?" the masked woman asked in a cold, clear voice.
"Liao Ying, I know that when Brother Han and Grandfather were speaking privately that day, you must have been in the hall as well. Besides the secret spiritual sense technique, did Grandfather make any other requests of Brother Han? Don't hide anything from me." Silver Moon turned to fix her gaze on the masked woman and asked in a firm voice.
The masked woman's eyes flickered slightly. After what seemed like a smile, she said: "Since Lord Ao Xiao transferred the contract to you, Miss, I am now your Shadow Guard alone. Naturally, I won't conceal anything. That day, Lord Ao Xiao didn't initially bring up the secret spiritual sense technique. He wanted to marry you off to Fellow Daoist Han. He promised that if Fellow Daoist Han agreed to the marriage, he would not only share his experience and insights on advancing to Mahayana, but would also offer most of the treasures he had accumulated over his lifetime as a dowry. However, Fellow Daoist Han refused, and only agreed to the later matter of using the secret spiritual sense technique to help you."
"So Grandfather really did try that. He probably thought that if he could arrange my marriage with Brother Han, once my wish was fulfilled, the flaw in my mental state would repair itself to a great extent. But this time, he miscalculated. With Brother Han's temperament, there was no way he would agree! If he had actually agreed to the marriage, I might have been somewhat disappointed. Grandfather must not have looked very pleased after being refused, though." Silver Moon said softly.
"Fellow Daoist Han is no ordinary late-stage Body Integration cultivator. After Lord Ao Xiao was refused, though displeased, he didn't press the matter." The masked woman said flatly.
"Of course. Brother Han is now the most likely cultivator to advance to Mahayana after Grandfather and Senior Mo Jianli — the greatest hope for both the human and demon races to maintain their foothold in the Spirit Realm. However displeased Grandfather might be, he wouldn't do anything to harm Fellow Daoist Han. That's for the best! Liao Ying, you may leave." Silver Moon stood dazed in place for a moment before issuing the command.