Chapter 376: Son of Reincarnation

Han Li's divine sense swept over the opening lines several times, then cautiously probed the restriction covering the subsequent content before quickly withdrawing his consciousness from the jade slip.

Although he did not know exactly what this restriction was, based on his many years of research into various restrictions, he could sense that it was by no means simple. If he attempted to forcibly break it, the jade slip would likely self-destruct before he could succeed, and his own divine sense would suffer considerable backlash and damage.

Han Li waved a hand, sending the gray jade slip back to Jiao San, and said, "Fellow Daoist Jiao San, since we are both clear-headed, please speak frankly. What conditions must I meet for you to share this technique?"

Jiao San seemed to smile beneath her mask. She placed the jade slip on the stone table beside her and asked, "Fellow Daoist Hao Shi, before we discuss this matter, I have another question I wish to ask you."

"Please, speak freely," Han Li said, slightly startled.

"How much do you know about the Divine Refining Art?" Jiao San asked calmly.

This question caught Han Li completely off guard. He paused, then after a moment's deliberation, said, "As far as I know, the Divine Refining Art is a forbidden technique of the Immortal Realm. Although it can enhance divine sense, most who cultivate it become mad and bloodthirsty, bringing calamity to the world and causing chaos in the Immortal Realm. Thus, it is rejected by all immortal domains, and every immortal palace strictly forbids its practice."

"Oh, is that all?" Jiao San asked slowly.

"That is roughly all I know. What, is there something wrong with what I said?" Han Li thought for a moment and asked.

"These are the most basic understandings of the Divine Refining Art. If I am not mistaken, Fellow Daoist Hao Shi has already cultivated the Divine Refining Art to the third layer. May I ask who taught you? Did that person not explain the details of the Divine Refining Art to you?" Jiao San shook her head and asked again.

"I obtained the first half of the Divine Refining Art's formula by chance many years ago. At the time, I did not know it had so many taboos, so I have been cultivating it on my own ever since," Han Li replied, the image of He Kang from the Spirit Realm flashing through his mind, though he naturally did not mention this.

He was not lying; back then, He Kang had indeed not told him anything about the Divine Refining Art, only teaching him the third-layer formula.

"You have cultivated the Divine Refining Art to its current level entirely on your own, without any guidance!" Jiao San seemed to tremble slightly, her eyes shooting out two beams of strange light.

"Is there a problem?" Han Li asked with a frown.

"No, you are truly a genius. I admire you," Jiao San said, looking Han Li up and down again before letting out a light breath and speaking deliberately.

"You flatter me. It was merely a stroke of luck," Han Li said indifferently.

"Since you know little about the Divine Refining Art, I will start from the beginning, or else it will be difficult to discuss the rest," Jiao San said.

"I am all ears," Han Li said, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

He was indeed very interested in the origins of the Divine Refining Art.

"What Fellow Daoist Hao Shi just said is essentially true. Although the Divine Refining Art has great drawbacks, its power is also immense, and it was once quite famous in the Immortal Realm. However, the reason it was classified as a forbidden art, aside from its difficulty in cultivation and the fact that most practitioners eventually go mad and bloodthirsty, is a more important reason: the Divine Refining Art is a technique that spread from the Reincarnation Hall," Jiao San said eloquently, emphasizing the words 'Reincarnation Hall.'

"Reincarnation Hall!" Han Li was startled.

"Oh, it seems Fellow Daoist Hao Shi knows of the Reincarnation Hall. That makes things easier," Jiao San said, a little surprised, then smiled.

"I dare not claim to know much; I have only heard some rumors about the Reincarnation Hall. Please continue, Fellow Daoist Jiao San," Han Li said, waving his hand.

"Since you have heard of the Reincarnation Hall, you should know that it is hostile to the various immortal palaces. Nowadays, anyone who cultivates the Divine Refining Art has some connection to the Reincarnation Hall, which is why they are so strictly hunted down," Jiao San nodded and continued.

"Yes, I have heard something to that effect," Han Li said, slowly nodding as the figures of the First Dao Master of the Candle Dragon Dao, Bai Liyan, and the old Daoist Hu Yan flashed through his mind.

"Legend has it that the Divine Refining Art was created by the founding patriarch of the Reincarnation Hall and has always been a hallmark of its members in the Immortal Realm. However, many tens of thousands of years ago, due to certain circumstances, the first half of the technique was leaked, while the second half remains only in the Reincarnation Hall. Moreover, because the first half was leaked, the Reincarnation Hall guards the second half extremely strictly, and it is never taught to anyone outside the Hall," Jiao San said slowly, her gaze meaningful as she looked at Han Li.

Han Li met Jiao San's eyes and asked, "Fellow Daoist Jiao San, since you possess the Divine Refining Art, are you also a member of the Reincarnation Hall?"

"Indeed," Jiao San nodded.

Han Li raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He knew Jiao San's identity well; she was an important figure in the Wuchang Alliance, but now she had transformed into a member of the Reincarnation Hall.

Although it was common for members of various sects to join the Wuchang Alliance, at most they became ordinary members like him.

For Jiao San to hold a high position in the Wuchang Alliance and also be a member of the Reincarnation Hall was quite intriguing.

"Fellow Daoist Hao Shi, if you want the second half of the Divine Refining Art, it is indeed difficult, but it is also very easy," Jiao San continued.

"You mean..." Han Li was taken aback.

"That's right. As long as you are willing to join our Reincarnation Hall, I will present this jade slip to you immediately," Jiao San said directly.

Han Li tapped lightly on the tea table beside him and fell silent.

Jiao San did not urge him, sitting quietly by.

At that moment, footsteps approached. A servant entered, carrying a tray with two cups of spirit tea.

The teacups were crystal clear, made of an unknown material. The spirit tea within was also extraordinary. Though it gave off little fragrance, white mist occasionally seeped from the cups, condensing into the shapes of several immortal cranes that circled the cups before slowly dissipating.

"Hehe, it is rude of me not to have offered you tea after you have been here so long. This is a special White Mist Spirit Tea from our Reincarnation Hall, quite excellent. Please have a taste," Jiao San said with a smile, glancing at the tea on the tray.

The servant placed the cups beside them and quickly withdrew.

Han Li, preoccupied with his thoughts, had not paid attention to the tea. Hearing Jiao San's words, he looked at the cup beside him, a look of surprise on his face.

The white mist was no ordinary vapor; it was an extremely dense concentration of immortal spiritual energy, capable of automatically condensing into shapes. Such spirit tea was truly extraordinary.

Han Li's eyes flickered. The immortal spiritual energy contained in this single cup of tea was probably equivalent to a month of his cultivation.

Such spirit tea could be considered immortal grade.

However, he was not in the habit of casually drinking tea in unfamiliar places. Though tempted, he did not touch the cup.

Seeing Han Li's caution, Jiao San chuckled lightly and picked up her own cup to savor the tea.

Han Li sat silently, his face calm but his mind in turmoil.

The events at the Candle Dragon Dao had left a deep impression on him. The First Dao Master, Bai Liyan, whose cultivation had reached the half-step Tai Yi stage, enjoyed immense prestige and status in the Candle Dragon Dao. Yet, simply because he was a member of the Reincarnation Hall, he was immediately betrayed by most of the Golden Immortal Dao Masters and jointly attacked by the North Cold Immortal Palace.

The old Daoist Hu Yan was also clearly connected to the Reincarnation Hall. To protect Bai Liyan, his fate was now uncertain.

Han Li knew little about the mysterious organization known as the Reincarnation Hall, but he was well aware that the North Cold Immortal Palace and the so-called 'Heavenly Court' were extremely hostile to this force.

Although he was currently being hunted by the North Cold Immortal Palace due to the matter of Tao Yu, deep down he was unwilling to simply join the Reincarnation Hall and completely stand against the various immortal palaces.

For someone of his current, not particularly formidable strength, this would be nothing but asking for trouble.

But if he did not join the Reincarnation Hall, he would not obtain the subsequent techniques of the Divine Refining Art and would face the risk of descending into madness.

Han Li hesitated, remaining silent for a long time.

Seeing that Han Li had not spoken for a while, Jiao San's eyes flickered. She set down her teacup and said, "Are you worried that joining our Reincarnation Hall will directly put you at odds with the North Cold Immortal Palace?"

"Yes," Han Li admitted without evasion.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Hao Shi, you have likely lived in the Black Wind Sea for a long time and are not very familiar with the outside world. Although the North Cold Immortal Palace is powerful, it does not dominate the world. Our Reincarnation Hall is not the only force that can contend with it; others simply do not step forward until critical moments. Moreover, our Reincarnation Hall operates in the shadows while the North Cold Immortal Palace is in the light. Finding us is no easy task," Jiao San said with a chuckle.

"You have said much, but do you have any proof? I cannot simply take your word for it," Han Li asked seriously.

"Whether my words are true, you will learn in time. Besides, since you have cultivated the Divine Refining Art to the third layer, once the Immortal Palace discovers it, you will be treated as a member of the Reincarnation Hall anyway. Moreover, from what I can see, you likely just experienced a backlash crisis not long ago. If you cannot cultivate the subsequent Divine Refining Art in time, the next time..." Jiao San said with profound meaning.

Han Li's heart trembled upon hearing this.

He had been trying his utmost to suppress the divine sense in his mind, yet the other party had still detected the abnormality in his divine sense.

Han Li continued tapping his fingers on the tea table, his thoughts racing, his expression gradually firming.

Seeing this, Jiao San knew that Han Li was slowly being persuaded. She continued, "Fellow Daoist Hao Shi, I am not boasting, but our Reincarnation Hall has deep foundations. Not only is its power not inferior to the North Cold Immortal Palace, but it also possesses all kinds of elixirs, materials, secret techniques, and cultivation methods—everything you could need, which will definitely aid your cultivation. Moreover, when we invite you to join the Reincarnation Hall, we are not asking you to be an ordinary member. We are inviting you to serve as our Reincarnation Hall's 'Son of Reincarnation.'"