"That's right. I obtained a jade slip from the young master of the Qingyang Sect, which recorded that the Wood of Soul Nurturing was hidden within the Void Sky Palace. After making preparations, I went there specifically to retrieve this divine wood. I never imagined the palace would be far more dangerous than the rumors suggested. If not for Fellow Daoist Han saving me several times, with my cultivation—having only recently formed my Golden Core—I would surely have perished inside. Thanks to the Wood of Soul Nurturing nourishing Senior Sister Yan Li's Primordial Spirit these past years, her soul force has finally recovered a great deal. Although she still cannot actively seize a body, we can now use the 'Soul Return Technique' to allow Senior Sister to regain a physical form." As Yuan Yao spoke, a hopeful gleam returned to her face.
"The Soul Return Technique? The forbidden art that allows a soul to enter a recently deceased body and return to life?" Han Li's expression shifted slightly.
"Exactly, it is this technique."
"Fellow Daoist Yuan, do you understand what you're doing? Setting aside the danger of the technique itself, the price for casting it is something an ordinary cultivator cannot bear. Not only must one possess at least Core Formation cultivation to use it, but because this technique defies the natural order, the caster's cultivation will plummet to an unbearable degree afterward. For a cultivator at the Core Formation stage, they would typically fall by an entire major realm. With your current cultivation, Fellow Daoist Yuan, once you cast this technique, there is a nine in ten chance you will immediately shatter your Golden Core and be reduced back to Foundation Establishment." Han Li stared at the woman's face, his voice turning cold and chilling.
"Of course, Yuan Yao is aware of this. This technique is different from Body Seizing. When seizing a body, you are taking over a living person's physical form, so as long as you don't violate the three cardinal rules, you can generally remain unharmed. But the Soul Return Technique is a spell that revives the corpse of someone who has recently died. Naturally, one must pay a corresponding price." Upon hearing Han Li mention this, Yuan Yao fell silent for a moment, but then continued in a light, understated tone.
It seemed the woman had long since made peace with the possibility of shattering her Golden Core.
"Your Senior Sister has the aid of the Wood of Soul Nurturing. Is it still impossible for her to actively seize a body? Or perhaps, Miss Yuan, you could wait until you reach the mid-stage of Core Formation before attempting the Soul Return Technique for Miss Yan Li. That way, you wouldn't necessarily shatter your Golden Core. You should know that forming a Golden Core again after shattering it is extraordinarily difficult—many times harder than forming it the first time. One could practically say it would mean no hope for the rest of your life." A sharp light flashed in Han Li's eyes as he issued this solemn warning.
"Senior Sister suffered too great a damage beforehand, and her Primordial Spirit has existed in a soul form for far too long. Her consciousness has already begun to intermittently lapse into confusion. This is something even the Wood of Soul Nurturing cannot prevent. At most, in another year or two, she will completely lose her sanity. By then, even if the Soul Return Technique is cast, Senior Sister will become an imbecile. Moreover, I have recently found a very suitable body and have painstakingly completed the preparation of the Soul Return Formation. If undisturbed, I had originally planned to begin casting the technique in another month or two." Yuan Yao spoke calmly; though a faint trace of sorrow lingered between her brows, her determination was clear.
Hearing this, a peculiar light flickered in Han Li's eyes.
"Miss Yuan suddenly confiding all this to me—are you hoping that I, Han, will lend a hand?" he asked after a long moment, letting out a soft breath.
"Brother Han has already shown Yuan Yao a great kindness in coming to my aid. I shouldn't ask for more. However, the Soul Return Technique can only be performed in a place of Extreme Yin energy, and it is absolutely crucial that there be no disturbances. The process, both before and after casting, generates considerable commotion. Even with a concealment formation, it is still easy to attract the attention of other cultivators. Because Yuan Yao is wanted by the Qingyang Sect, aside from Brother Han, I know no other high-ranking cultivators. Therefore, I dare not ask for much else. I only hope Brother Han will spare a few days to stand guard while this lowly woman casts the technique. This matter concerns Senior Sister Yan Li's very survival. As long as you agree, Brother Han, you may name any conditions you wish. Whatever Yuan Yao can do, I will absolutely comply." The woman raised her delicate eyebrows, her jade-like features filled with resolute determination.
Han Li remained silent, a contemplative look crossing his face.
Based on his usual behavior, he naturally wouldn't want to waste any time here. After all, he had plenty of troubles of his own, and avoiding unnecessary matters was always preferable.
However, Yuan Yao's willingness to shatter her own Golden Core to save her friend stirred something deep within him.
After briefly weighing the pros and cons, he felt that with his current cultivation, as long as he didn't encounter a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, there shouldn't be any significant danger. If ordinary cultivators came to spy, he could easily eliminate them. Guarding this woman for a few days didn't seem to present any particular inconvenience.
With this thought in mind, Han Li made his decision. He rubbed his nose and said with a bitter smile: "It seems I'm not entirely made of stone after all; I simply cannot bring myself to refuse. Since Miss Yuan is willing to shatter your Golden Core to help Miss Yan Li return to life, then I, Han, will help stand guard for you this once. I won't ask for any other conditions. Just tell me the peculiarities of that Soul-Calling Pearl. I've had reservations about it and have yet to refine the treasure. Also, you mentioned the place of Extreme Yin energy—it wouldn't happen to be on this island, would it? This location is already exposed. It would be better to find another place to perform the technique!"
Upon hearing Han Li's words, Yuan Yao's face blossomed with relief, followed by a look of genuine gratitude.
"Brother Han, your assistance means the world to Yuan Yao! But please rest assured. The place of Extreme Yin is not here, but on another small island. It's only a few days' journey from here, which should be enough to temporarily evade the Qingyang Sect's pursuit, allowing me to complete the casting undisturbed. As for the Soul-Calling Pearl, it's simple enough. That Cry-Soul Beast also belonged to the Qingyang young master. The refinement wasn't actually completed; only half was finished. Therefore, the Soul-Calling Pearl used to control it also has flaws. It causes the refiner to suffer severe headaches at regular intervals. Moreover, as the refinement progresses deeper, these headaches become increasingly impossible to suppress. To deal with the ghost fog trial in the Void Sky Palace, I only refined this pearl to a small extent. But even that left me unable to eat or sleep peacefully, night and day. I also possess the subsequent refinement techniques for the Cry-Soul Beast. Though I feel it would be highly unlikely for Brother Han to complete it alone, I will give them to you nonetheless." Yuan Yao produced a green jade slip and tossed it to Han Li, explaining as she did so.
Han Li felt a sudden realization dawn within him.