"Your sect originates from Great Jin?" This time, Han Li was genuinely surprised and couldn't help but be stunned.
"That's right. But that was countless ages ago. Because the era is so distant, our Taihen Sect long ago lost that line of transmission. Apart from a few particularly ancient techniques, most of our current methods and inheritances have nothing to do with the Jizhen Sect anymore. If not for this matter, and had I not happened upon an ancient scripture hidden in the sect's secret grounds, this would probably never have come to light," Superior Zhiyang said with a sigh.
"Fellow Daoist Zhiyang, what did the scripture mention about the sealing formation? Did you find a way to dispel this calamity from within it?" Han Li asked thoughtfully.
"Although the records spoke of the sealing matter with extreme solemnity—declaring it our lineage's eternal duty—the relevant information was quite vague, with nothing particularly detailed. Fortunately, it did provide a general outline of the formation's structure. The three of us gathered several formation masters, and after years of research, we finally found a method to repair it," Superior Zhiyang said gravely.
"However, this method not only requires gathering a large number of high-ranking cultivators, but also demands that one person venture deep into the demonic qi to bury a formation disk at the seabed location we designate. That is precisely why we invited you here, Fellow Daoist Han. Only your Evil-Warding Divine Lightning can truly counteract the demonic corruption from qi infiltration, enabling a deep investigation into the source of the problem," Wei Wuya continued calmly.
Hearing this, Han Li's brow furrowed slightly.
"It seems you fellow daoists have had this method figured out for some time. I only recently returned to the Luoyun Sect. Before that, what method did you intend to use to send the formation disk into the depths of the demonic qi?" Han Li asked composedly after relaxing his brow.
Wei Wuya and Superior Zhiyang were momentarily taken aback and couldn't help exchanging a glance.
"It seems nothing escapes Fellow Daoist Han's notice. We did indeed have another method prepared. Originally, we planned to bring out several devil-repelling treasures from our respective forces and concentrate them on a single cultivator who practices evil-warding techniques, then send that person into the demonic qi for a trial. But the demonic qi down there is truly fearsome—this method would only have a forty to fifty percent chance of success, with a high probability of failure. But Fellow Daoist Han's Evil-Warding Divine Lightning is a different matter entirely. Its evil-warding power is specifically designed to counter demonic qi. Having you do this would be almost effortless," Superior Zhiyang said with a smile.
"So that's how it is! That does sound like a reasonable approach," Han Li chuckled lightly.
"Logically speaking, since this concerns all of Tian Nan, I should naturally agree without hesitation. However, before I commit, might I first go and see just how formidable this boundless demonic qi truly is? I'd rather not do anything I'm not confident about," Han Li said, his gaze flickering.
"That is entirely natural. Old Devil Hehuan is currently monitoring the demonic qi changes at the Great Vortex. Why not go take a look now? After all, the sooner we reseal the demonic qi, the sooner we can all rest easy," Superior Zhiyang agreed without a moment's hesitation. Wei Wuya also nodded, showing no objection.
Seeing this reaction from the two of them, Han Li felt somewhat relieved. It seemed this matter held no trap—there was likely nothing amiss.
The three of them immediately left Superior Zhiyang's cave abode and headed straight for the massive spiritual source Han Li had sensed.
Once they left Spirit Turtle Island, the three transformed into three streaks of brilliant light and flew westward.
After traveling roughly a hundred li, they finally spotted a white, hazy sphere of light shimmering on the distant sea. Massive swathes of five-colored aurora gathered and swirled high overhead, resembling an enormous inverted funnel, with one end faintly connected to the sphere of light below, creating a truly extraordinary sight.
When Han Li saw this, a trace of surprise crossed his face.
Under the sweep of his spiritual sense, both the white sphere of light and the five-colored aurora contained astonishingly pure spiritual energy—even surpassing the finest top-grade spirit veins.
"This is the Great Vortex," Han Li murmured to himself.
"That's right, this is the place. Old Devil Hehuan is meditating on those reef rocks over there. Let's go meet up with him first," Superior Zhiyang said, pointing toward a certain direction in the distance.
Following the direction of his gesture with a sweep of spiritual sense, Han Li indeed found a large man in black robes sitting cross-legged on a reef some ten-odd li from the sphere of light.
It was Old Devil Hehuan!
The moment Han Li's spiritual sense brushed past him, Old Devil Hehuan's tightly shut eyes snapped open. A pair of cold, piercing eyes shot toward Han Li's position, and he suddenly rose to his feet.
Then his figure flickered, and the old devil appeared high in the sky.
By this time, the light trails carrying Han Li and the others were already streaking toward him.
"Hehuan! Fellow Daoist Han has arrived. It seems we'll be able to repair the formation before long," Superior Zhiyang called out with a smile after halting his light near Old Devil Hehuan. Han Li and Wei Wuya materialized one after another.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist Han is willing to lend his aid—that's certainly good news. With a divine ability like the Evil-Warding Divine Lightning, success is all but guaranteed." Old Devil Hehuan didn't crack a smile, merely regarding Han Li with a detached look as he spoke, his manner rather cold.
Seeing this, Han Li was somewhat surprised at first, but after a moment's thought, he understood the reason and couldn't help but smile faintly.