The so-called "Spirit Sealing Pillar" was, in truth, an enormous magical artifact specifically designed by ancient cultivators to seal the ambient spiritual energy in the surrounding area, completely cutting off any outward leakage.
Such a rare artifact typically only saw use for one of two purposes.
The first was to seal an exceedingly precious spirit herb or spirit grass, preventing its spiritual energy from leaking out and causing it to lose its spiritual potency — a grand enough expenditure to justify such a massive undertaking.
The second was to suppress certain formidable ghost-type demons, using the pillar to prevent them from transforming and escaping.
Either purpose, without exception, meant that Han Li and his companions had stumbled upon something far from ordinary.
Setting aside the possibility of spirit herbs — even if what the Spirit Sealing Pillar was suppressing truly was some kind of powerful ghost, that ghost would be the finest material for subduing and binding inside a magical treasure to dramatically enhance its power.
Still, they all understood that whatever ghost or demon warranted a Spirit Sealing Pillar for suppression was bound to be no ordinary foe. There was also the chance that, once inside, they would fail to subdue it and instead suffer a devastating counterattack.
After exchanging several glances, the group members all wore expressions of pleasant surprise, yet none of them rashly volunteered to push the pillar over and see what lay beneath.
A long silence passed before Jin Qing gave a bitter laugh and muttered to himself.
"Well, this is quite the headache. But after all the effort we've put in, surely nobody's going to turn around and leave now?"
"You can leave if you want — I absolutely won't be going anywhere. Setting aside the fact that there may not even be a demon in there, even if there is, I intend to attempt its subduction." Cultivator Jian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, speaking coldly.
"Fellow Daoist Hu, what are your thoughts?" Jin Qing smiled faintly without commenting, then turned to look at Hu Yue.
"Fellow Daoist, you know how it is. We independent cultivators chose this path because we don't want to be bound by others. So while we enjoy a relatively free and unrestrained life, we're far more destitute than cultivators of the same rank in established sects. This is a rare opportunity, and I'm absolutely going to take my chance!" Hu Yue deliberated for a moment before steeling his resolve and declaring his intent.
Hearing this, Jin Qing showed no surprise, and shifted his gaze to Han Li.
"I don't mind either way. If the majority wish to investigate, I'll take a look as well," Han Li said lightly, his expression indifferent.
With his seventy-two Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords forged from Heavenly Lightning Bamboo, what need did he have to fear some ghost or demon?
"Don't bother asking me. Although I'm only at Foundation Establishment, I happen to possess a demon-warding treasure my father gave me. Even if I can't win, I'll have no trouble protecting myself," Shi Die answered proactively before Jin Qing could even pose the question, tilting her head slightly.
"Very well! Since none of our Fellow Daoists wishes to leave empty-handed, let's push the pillar over. But everyone must exercise extreme caution!" Jin Qing sighed softly, his expression cautious.
"Heh heh! No need for you to remind us, Fellow Daoist Jin. None of us are going to joke around with our own lives. But let me say this upfront — if there truly is some powerful ghost or demon in there, whoever subdues it keeps it. No fighting over it," Cultivator Jian said slowly, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
"Naturally. Should such a thing exist, each of us will rely on our own abilities to subdue it," Jin Qing agreed immediately without objection.
The others naturally had no differing opinions either.
Cultivator Jian's spirits visibly lifted at this, and he could not suppress a flash of delight.
"Oh my, Fellow Daoist Jian — could it be that you possess some special demon-subduing technique? You seem remarkably confident," Shi Die remarked, casting him a sidelong glance with a half-smile.
"Well… I won't keep it from my Fellow Daoists. The technique I cultivate does indeed include a certain divine ability specifically for dealing with ghosts and demons. I'd thought I would never have the chance to use it in this lifetime, yet it seems today may be the day I can put it to the test." Cultivator Jian hesitated briefly before nodding frankly in admission.
"Just now, the fiend Han Fellow Daoist dispatched seemed to be using a black skull that was a type of demon artifact, wasn't it? Fellow Daoist Jian appeared to struggle against it rather badly?" The fairy Shi Die wore an unconvinced expression once again.
"Ahem! I must apologize for the poor display. The divine ability I possess requires certain preparations before it can be deployed. I was caught off guard by that fiend, which is why I ended up in such a wretched state." Cultivator Jian scratched his head and explained with a touch of embarrassment.
Only then did Shi Die give a slight nod, ceasing her line of questioning, and turn her attention back to the Spirit Sealing Pillar.
"Since none of our Fellow Daoists wishes to abandon the pursuit, let's get to it! Tipping this Spirit Sealing Pillar is rather troublesome — you have to apply tremendous force to rotate it several turns before it can be laid down," Shi Die explained, a hint of excitement in her expression.
The others stared at one another in dismay upon hearing this.
They were cultivators, yes, but their physical strength was nothing remarkable. Even with a Giant Strength Talisman applied, they likely couldn't budge this stone pillar thick enough to require several people to encircle it.
Seeing this, Han Li frowned slightly and silently gave an order.
"Allow me. I happen to have some strength to spare." Qu Hun stepped forward in a deep voice, then strode toward the stone pillar.