"Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by these words?" Han Li merely glanced at the bone box without reaching out to take it, instead asking in an unperturbed tone.
Without knowing what was inside, how could he rashly accept it?
"There's no need for you to worry, Fellow Daoist. Inside is the crafting formula for one of my Heavenly Talisman Sect's three great spiritual talismans, the 'Spirit Descending Talisman.' Traditionally, only the Sect Master may learn it. I have no other intentions; I only hope that if it's possible, you might carry this talisman crafting method back to my sect on your way. I do not wish for the Heavenly Talisman Sect to lose this lost art." The red-faced elder sighed deeply, then opened the box lid himself, revealing several bone slips inscribed with dense, tiny characters.
"The Spirit Descending Talisman? Only the Sect Master can learn it... Does that mean you are the Sect Master of the Heavenly Talisman Sect?" A flicker of hesitation crossed Han Li's face.
"I am ashamed to admit it, but yes, this humble Yun is indeed the fifty-seventh generation Sect Master of the Heavenly Talisman Sect. Our sect is merely a minor, low-ranked sect in Huayun Province of the Great Jin Kingdom, so it is truly laughable that someone with my Foundation Establishment cultivation holds the position of Sect Master." The elder admitted with a faint blush on his face.
Upon hearing this, Han Li's look of surprise vanished quickly, but he frowned slightly. After a moment, he looked at the elder and spoke slowly:
"If this Spirit Descending Talisman crafting method can only be learned by the Sect Master, it must have its unique aspects. Fellow Daoist, by just handing it over to me like this, aren't you afraid that I, Han, might also learn the talisman crafting method from it? Moreover, although I have heard of the Great Jin Kingdom's reputation, I have never been there. Whether I will ever have the chance to go in the future, even I don't know. Isn't Fellow Daoist being a bit too rash?"
Hearing Han Li's doubts, the red-faced elder showed no surprise on his face. Instead, a look of appreciation appeared in his eyes as he said:
"Since I, Yun, am giving this item to Fellow Daoist, I am implicitly granting you permission to learn this talisman crafting method. Consider it an advance payment for Brother Han's reward. And to tell the truth, once you actually see the method for crafting this talisman, you probably won't have much interest in it. Although the Spirit Descending Talisman crafting method has been passed down through our sect generation after generation, apart from our sect's prosperous period, when two or three ancestor masters crafted a mere two or three slips, all the Sect Masters since have treated this merely as a legacy to preserve, never truly crafting this talisman. With our sect now so weak, it is even more of a fool's dream.
"As for whether Fellow Daoist will go to the Great Jin Kingdom to return this crafting formula... that is entirely up to you. I only wish to put my mind at ease. After all, this Spirit Descending Talisman is a talisman crafting art created solely by our sect's founding ancestor. If it were to be lost in the cultivation world, I truly would have no way to face anyone in the afterlife. Even if this crafting method cannot truly return to the Heavenly Talisman Sect, having it passed down in Fellow Daoist's hands is still better than it completely vanishing. When I, Yun, reach the Nine Springs and meet the sect's ancestors, I will at least have some explanation." The red-faced elder said with a bitter smile covering his face.
Hearing this, Han Li was somewhat speechless.
So this Heavenly Talisman Sect Master was merely seeking peace of mind. In that case, he really was only going to gain an advantage and wouldn't suffer any loss.
If he didn't go to that Great Jin Kingdom, there was naturally no need to return the bone box. If he truly did go to this rumored great empire, delivering something seemed like it would be a trivial matter.
Moreover, what exactly was this amazing Spirit Descending Talisman? It seemed difficult to craft, which greatly piqued Han Li's curiosity!
Based on his growing experience, besides those common Five Elements magic spells that could be crafted into talismans, the cultivation world indeed possessed some special talismans with inconceivable powers, collectively known as secret talismans.
These secret talismans were hard to categorize under the Five Elements Dao spells, and often, only each sect possessed its unique crafting method, making it extremely difficult for others to replicate.
For example, when he had been ambushed by an Elder of the Star Palace inside the inner hall of the Void Temple and nearly died, the Clone Talisman that appeared, and the specially crafted Teleportation Talisman of the Star Palace, were two different types of secret talismans. Of course, the value of the former far exceeded that of the latter.
After thinking briefly, Han Li no longer hesitated and reached out to accept the bone box, while making a solemn promise:
"What I can promise Fellow Daoist is only that I will do my utmost. Fellow Daoist Yun, please do not have overly high expectations."
"Hehe, that will do! With these words from Fellow Daoist Han, I, Yun, am endlessly grateful." Hearing Han Li's response, the red-faced elder actually seemed more at ease, his face showing gratitude as he thanked him repeatedly.
After exchanging a few more idle pleasantries with Han Li, he tactfully took his leave and departed.
Han Li stood at the doorway, watching the other's receding figure. He hefted the bone box in his hand; it was surprisingly light, showing no signs of any hidden mechanism.
At this moment, Mei Ning, who had been standing behind Han Li all this time without speaking, finally couldn't help asking:
"This Spirit Descending Talisman... this is the first time I've heard its name. Is it really a very powerful talisman?"
"I don't know, but it's probably not ordinary!" Han Li glanced at the woman's jade-like face and said with a light chuckle.
He then returned to the table, sat down, and picked up one of the bone slips to examine it with a sweep of his spiritual sense.
"Huh?" After just two glances, Han Li let out a soft exclamation of surprise.