When Han Li heard the Heavenly Talisman Sect cautiously put forward this proposal, the corner of his mouth twitched, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You want me to serve as a guest elder for all three of your sects? Do you honestly think I'd agree?"
"This junior understands that such a minor sect as ours is in no position to host an expert of your standing. But all we need is for you to deal with the immediate trouble — afterward, you'd only hold a nominal title. We would never dare impose on you further." Elder Wen had been nervous, but seeing that Han Li showed no signs of anger, he relaxed and hurriedly added, "What I mean is—"
"You're saying I only need to act once, and after that Han won't need to worry about anything?" Han Li's eyes glinted.
"That is precisely our intention. Of course, our three sects won't let you act for nothing. Since you are interested in talisman-crafting, our Heavenly Talisman Sect is willing to present you with the secret technique of the Spirit Transformation Talisman. Jinxia Mountain and Mingyang Valley each possess a transmitted secret technique as well, which they would gladly share for your contemplation. Additionally, we have prepared tens of thousands of spirit stones, and we hope you might graciously accept them."
Having come this far, Elder Wen simply laid out all the conditions in one breath. He knew full well that further scheming could only anger the other party — better to be upfront.
"Tens of thousands of spirit stones?" A faint smile played across Han Li's lips.
"Indeed, the amount is rather small. However, each year the three sects will continue to offer you spirit stones as tribute. Moreover, our sect is willing to gift you the Spirit Transformation Talisman personally crafted by our founding ancestor. Surely, with your power, you would be able to refine and use it." Elder Wen gritted his teeth and played his final card.
"Your founding ancestor — you mean the Perfected Tianfu?" Han Li's expression finally shifted.
"That is correct — this very treasure. To be honest, although this spirit talisman once displayed great power in our founding ancestor's hands, we of the later generations have been utterly useless. Not a single one among us has ever managed to refine it. So this talisman has been passed down through our sect for untold years, and all we can do is watch as its spiritual nature gradually fades, powerless to stop it. If you could take it for your own use, it would be a solution that benefits everyone." This time, it was Yue Zhen who spoke up.
"Your sect still has such a treasure? I'd quite like to see it!" Han Li's interest was piqued.
"Disciple Yue, show the talisman to Senior." When Elder Wen saw Han Li growing interested, his heart surged with joy, and he quickly gave the order. Though he was the highest-ranking cultivator in the Heavenly Talisman Sect, the talisman left by the Perfected Tianfu could only be held by successive sect masters — hence why he deferred to Yue Zhen.
"Yes, Grand-Uncle!"
Yue Zhen was quick on the uptake. He immediately tapped his storage pouch, and with a flash of green light, a pale yellow wooden box appeared in his hands. He offered it to Han Li with both palms.
Han Li raised an eyebrow but didn't stand on ceremony. With a casual beckoning motion, he drew the box into his hand and lowered his head to examine it.
The box's surface was unremarkable — ancient and weathered, with a golden talisman seal pasted across the lid.
Han Li raised an eyebrow again. With a single sweep of his hand over the lid, spirit light flickered, and the talisman drifted soundlessly to the ground.
The other cultivators watching didn't think much of it, but Elder Wen and the two other Core Formation elders were simultaneously startled.
Such skill — using spiritual power to casually remove a restriction talisman — was no ordinary feat. It required not only cultivation of considerable power, but also control of magical energy refined to an inconceivably subtle level. They had only ever heard of such techniques in legends. Now, watching Han Li accomplish it so effortlessly, their awe deepened even further.
The moment the lid came off, a mass of hazy green radiance bloomed within the box, and a wave of pure wood-attribute spiritual energy washed over his face.
Han Li felt a jolt of surprise.
According to Elder Wen, after so many years the talisman's spiritual nature should have greatly diminished — yet it still displayed such power. Truly not an ordinary item. But what delighted Han Li even more was that this Spirit Transformation Talisman was a wood-attribute talisman, which would perfectly complement his cultivation techniques. Refining it would be far easier.
Thinking this, Han Li studied the talisman within the green light in full detail.
It was a palm-sized talisman, vivid jade green in color, with alternating gold and silver runes shimmering faintly along its borders, lending it a deeply mysterious aura. But what truly caught Han Li's attention was a small wisp of pale violet light at the talisman's center, slowly revolving and pulsing with intermittent flashes.
Han Li raised his right hand. His entire palm was instantly enveloped in a layer of green light as his five fingers reached down toward the talisman in the box.
With a flash, the talisman trembled and suddenly transformed into a streak of green radiance, shooting out of the box.
Han Li's expression darkened as he reversed his hand to catch it.