"In two shichen, the yin energy will reach its peak for the day. That is when I will begin the Soul Return Technique. The entire casting process will take roughly two to three days. During that time, everything will fall to you, Brother Han." Yuan Yao glanced at the sky, then turned her pretty face back toward Han Li and spoke with genuine sincerity.
Han Li nodded. After surveying the valley on all sides, he furrowed his brow and asked a question.
"Besides an illusion formation, it doesn't look like any protective arrays have been set up here. If a powerful enemy shows up and I'm occupied, wouldn't you be in danger?"
"Yuan Yao is well aware of that! But I don't possess any particularly impressive formation tools, and there simply wasn't enough time to prepare properly. We'll just have to take the risk." Yuan Yao bit her crimson lip, a trace of helplessness surfacing on her jade-like features.
"In that case, leave the formations to me. I still have several decent sets of formation tools. They're not exactly earth-shattering in power, but they'll serve a purpose—certainly better than having no protection at all." Upon hearing Yuan Yao's words, Han Li folded his arms and rubbed his chin as he spoke.
He might as well see this good deed through to the end.
"Brother Han is also well-versed in the art of formations? If that's truly the case, Yuan Yao will naturally feel much more at ease during the casting. I'll be in your debt, Brother Han!" Yuan Yao's beautiful eyes flickered with surprise and delight.
Han Li offered no further comment, simply smiling faintly. He rose into the air, gaining a vantage point from which to study the terrain surrounding the valley.
After a short while, he had formed a plan and drifted slowly back down.
"There isn't much time left. I'll begin setting up the formations now."
With that said, Han Li swept both sleeves forward, and over a dozen towering giant ape puppets materialized on either side.
He retrieved several sets of formation tools from his storage pouch, distributing them among the puppets. Then he stood in place, using his spiritual sense to direct the apes as they began arranging the formations around the valley.
Yuan Yao watched the puppets' movements with some curiosity for a few moments, but soon looked away and turned to her own preparations.
The Soul Return Technique was no trivial matter. Several meticulous steps needed to be completed before the casting, and the massive formation beneath her feet had to be tested to ensure there were no mistakes.
On the other side, with the help of his dozen giant ape puppets, Han Li finished setting up four or five formidable formations in just over one shichen.
Though they wouldn't be enough to stop a Core Formation cultivator, a Foundation Establishment practitioner would find them nearly impossible to break through.
Yuan Yao, at the center of the valley, had also brought her preparations to a close.
Seeing that spirit stones had been placed around the formation, she struck a hand seal toward the formation's eye, activating the array.
The formation hummed faintly, and black light flickered across its surface. Eerie wisps of dark qi appeared around its perimeter, converging inward toward the Cold Jade Coffin at its heart.
Yuan Yao's face showed satisfaction at the sight. She quickly struck another seal, halting the formation.
"No problems. Everything is functioning normally." Yuan Yao stepped out from within the formation and called to Han Li with a pleased expression.
"Fellow Daoist Yuan! Have you truly made up your mind? Once you shatter your core, your path of immortal cultivation is effectively sealed off forever. There will be virtually no way to ever reach Core Formation again." Han Li regarded her smiling face and spoke slowly.
When Yuan Yao heard these words, the smile drained from her face, and she fell silent.
"If it's sealed, then so be it. My survival until now was already a gift I plucked by chance." Yuan Yao's voice was calm.
"You don't understand the bond between Senior Sister and me, Brother Han, or you wouldn't say such things. Senior Sister Yan Li and I grew up together, entered the sect together, and spent decades eating and living as one. Even blood sisters couldn't be closer. Back when the young master of the Qingyang Sect was killed, it was Senior Sister who shielded me from his retaliatory strike. Otherwise, the one who has been languishing inside that Soul Wood would be me. As long as Senior Sister Yan Li's Primordial Spirit can be preserved and given a new body, shattering my core is a small price." She lifted one slender hand and brushed a strand of dark hair from her forehead, her expression faint and detached.
A trace of something unreadable flickered across Han Li's face as he listened.
After a moment of contemplation, he gave a slight nod and said nothing more by way of persuasion.
Yuan Yao returned to the formation, seating herself before the Cold Jade Coffin in silence, awaiting the arrival of the optimal moment.
For a time neither spoke, but before long the woman checked the sky and slowly rose to her feet.
"The time has come. I will begin the casting now! Whether or not I successfully complete the Soul Return Technique this time, this humble woman will be forever grateful for your protection, Brother Han. Please accept my thanks." Yuan Yao performed a graceful bow toward Han Li, then wasted no time. Her hands formed seals as she channeled energy into the formation beneath her feet.
Han Li let out a sigh at the scene and began walking slowly toward the mouth of the valley.
In a short while, yin energy would gather here in great concentration, and even with his level of cultivation, he did not wish to remain too close.