Chapter 393: Turning Back

Han Li merely nodded noncommittally at what Fellow Daoist Huyan said, without much surprise.

Although this was the True Immortal Realm, with numerous immortal domains standing side by side and high-level True Immortals everywhere, it was not much different from the Human Realm or the Spirit Realm. Conflicts and killings among cultivators never ceased, countless sects were destroyed every day, and the robbing of cultivation techniques was nothing new.

He turned over these thoughts in his mind but did not speak up, since Fellow Daoist Huyan had brought up this matter, it was clearly not just to explain the origin of the True Word Wheel Sutra; there should be more to come.

Sure enough, after a brief pause, Huyan continued:

"Of course, there's nothing much to say about that. What I want to say is that this True Word Wheel Sutra does not have only three layers. The complete sutra actually has nine layers."

"What!" Han Li's expression changed, and excitement appeared in his eyes.

Over the years, as his cultivation had continuously advanced, especially after reaching the late-stage True Immortal peak, he had indeed begun to consider cultivation techniques for advancing to Golden Immortal. He had also inquired about other time-attribute techniques through many channels, but to no avail. Who would have thought that the True Word Wheel Sutra actually had a continuation?

For him, this was undoubtedly a great blessing.

"If that's the case, why did Senior Baili only place the first three layers in the Candle Dragon Sect and claim that the True Word Wheel Sutra only had three layers?" Han Li took a light breath, calmed his mind, and then asked.

"Throughout the True Immortal Realm, time-attribute techniques are extremely rare. Those that can be cultivated to the Golden Immortal stage are already considered closely guarded secrets. The three-layer True Word Wheel Sutra was already regarded as one of the Candle Dragon Sect's signature techniques. If it were known that the technique actually had nine layers, who knows how much trouble it would cause?" Huyan sighed and said slowly.

"Indeed," Han Li nodded in agreement, fully concurring on this point.

"In fact, when Sect Master Baili obtained this technique back then, it was incomplete; he only got the first six layers. Now, this technique is in my hands," Huyan added.

"Senior, please speak frankly," Han Li said, his expression calm as before, but his heart stirred.

"As long as you are willing to enter the Minghan Immortal Mansion with us and help me obtain something, after we succeed, I can teach you the last three layers of the technique," Huyan said with a smile.

Han Li stroked his chin, his face full of contemplation.

Huyan stood with his hands behind his back, looking very composed, as if he were not worried at all that Han Li would refuse him this time.

"If what Senior Huyan says is true, I might consider your request. However, I need to confirm whether you really have the continuation of the True Word Wheel Sutra," Han Li said after a long while, raising his head.

Huyan was momentarily stunned, then nodded. He flipped his hand and took out a jade slip, waved his hand to form hand seals, tapped the jade slip a few times, and then tossed it to Han Li.

"It's correct, it's the continuation of the True Word Wheel Sutra," Han Li said, catching the jade slip and probing it with his divine sense. After a while, he nodded.

The content in the jade slip was not much, only a few lines of technique formulas. However, since he had already cultivated the True Word Wheel Sutra to the third layer, a brief identification was enough to tell whether this was the subsequent fourth-layer technique.

"Hehe, in that case, we have an agreement..." Huyan chuckled.

"Wait a moment. Before I agree, I have one more question I'd like to ask you two," Han Li suddenly interrupted Huyan.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please speak freely," Huyan said, not angry despite being taken aback.

"I am only a True Immortal cultivator, far inferior to you two in divine abilities and strength. Even if I enter, I probably won't be able to help much. Senior Huyan has gone to such great lengths to invite me along; there must be a reason. I need to know that reason clearly," Han Li said, gazing at Huyan.

"Even if you hadn't asked, I would have explained it later. As I just said, this trip into the Minghan Immortal Mansion is to retrieve something. In that process, if Fellow Daoist's True Word Wheel divine ability can assist, the success rate will greatly increase," Huyan said with a smile.

"Since it's about retrieving a treasure, conflict is inevitable. It will likely be very dangerous, won't it?" Han Li frowned.

"There will naturally be danger, but the True Word Wheel Sutra is extremely precious. If you want to obtain it, you naturally have to take some risks. Of course, within our power, the two of us will do our best to protect you," Huyan said, glancing at Yun Ni and then smiling lightly.

Hearing this, Han Li's frown did not relax; he still seemed hesitant.

"How about this: to show sincerity, as long as you enter the immortal mansion with me, I will give you the fourth-layer technique of the True Word Wheel Sutra. After we obtain that item, I will give you the next two layers," Huyan said.

Hearing this, Han Li showed a hint of surprise. After a moment's thought, he fell silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"So, Fellow Daoist Li, do you have any other questions?" Huyan asked with a smile.

"No," Han Li shook his head.

"Good, then our agreement is made. Rest assured, after the matter is accomplished, I will fulfill my promise," Huyan laughed heartily.

"I have known you for many years, Senior, so naturally I have no doubts about that," Han Li said with a slight smile.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please board the flying boat. After all, we are still in the Desolate Wind, and we cannot stay long," Huyan said, smiling.

Han Li looked at the yellow flying boat twice, then leaped onto it.

Huyan waved his hand and cast a spell. Bright spiritual patterns appeared around the yellow flying boat, especially the three yellow crystals, which shone brightly, emitting three bright rays of light that once again condensed into a yellow light mass enveloping the boat.

The light mass spun rapidly and shot forward at incredible speed.

The yellow light mass emitted a special aura fluctuation that seemed to suppress the Desolate Wind. Wherever it passed, the surrounding yin winds and black qi automatically retreated to both sides, unable to penetrate the yellow light mass at all.

Sitting on the flying boat, Han Li could not hear the howling of the yin wind outside at all, which surprised him.

This flying boat was some kind of treasure. It seemed similar in function to his Wind-Calming Pearl, but ten times more powerful. Presumably, Huyan and Yun Ni had crossed the Desolate Wind with this boat.

With this thought, he carefully examined the yellow flying boat, especially the three yellow crystals on it.

"These crystals are transformed from the bones of a Bixie beast," Yun Ni, who was nearby, noticed Han Li's gaze and explained.

"Bixie beast? Is that the legendary auspicious beast that can ward off evil?" Han Li asked in surprise.

He had seen the name Bixie beast in ancient texts. This beast was a legendary creature, naturally adept at countering all yin spirits and ghosts, and was quite famous in the True Immortal Realm.

There was also a rumor about this beast: it was said that having one nearby could drive away bad luck and bring peace, so it was called an auspicious beast. Long ago, there was a craze in the immortal realm for hunting this beast, after which the Bixie beast became increasingly rare and is now almost extinct.

"I don't know if the Bixie beast can ward off evil, but it is a pure yang beast. Huyan used the power of its bones to refine this flying boat for crossing the Desolate Wind," Yun Ni said with a slight smile.

"I see. Senior Huyan is truly generous. By the way, Senior Yun, how is Bai Suyuan now?" Han Li nodded and then asked.

"Yuan'er left the Candle Dragon Sect before the lecture conference. She is now cultivating in a safe place. Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Li," Yun Ni said.

"That's good," Han Li nodded.

Mentioning Bai Suyuan, he couldn't help but think of Meng Qianqian and others who had once followed him. To avoid exposing his identity, he had not contacted them all these years.

But everyone has their own path to walk. Perhaps by leaving his protection, Meng Qianqian and the others could find their own way.

Han Li shook his head inwardly, stopped dwelling on these thoughts, and closed his eyes to cultivate.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The distance that had taken Han Li over ten days to fly was covered in just three days on this yellow flying boat.

"So this is the Black Wind Sea..." The three stood in midair, looking at the sea ahead. Huyan breathed in the salty sea breeze, a hint of wonder in his eyes.

"The Black Wind Sea is a border region of the Northern Cold Immortal Domain, with thin spiritual energy, naturally far inferior to other places. We are currently at the northwestern border of the Black Wind Sea. This is a map of the entire Black Wind Sea," Han Li said with a smile, taking out two map jade slips and handing them to the two.

Huyan took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, raised his white eyebrows slightly, and said, "This Black Wind Sea is quite large."

"Although the Black Wind Sea is remote, in terms of area, it is not smaller than an average continent," Han Li nodded.

Huyan frowned slightly, put away the jade slip, then flipped his hand, and a blue light flashed, revealing an object—a blue scroll painting of mountains and rivers, which seemed to be a spiritual treasure.

"Eh, is this... the Minghan Mountains and Rivers Map!" Han Li exclaimed softly, staring intently at the blue scroll.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Li recognizes this?" This time it was Huyan's turn to be surprised.

"I once saw someone auction this item at a secret auction before the Candle Dragon Sect's lecture conference. But it was a fragment at the time, and someone bought it at a high price. Could it be that Senior Huyan was the one who bought it?" Han Li thought of something and asked.

"The Minghan Mountains and Rivers Map appeared at the auction before the lecture conference? This is the first I've heard of it. However, I obtained this map from elsewhere, so it's definitely not the one you saw," Huyan said with a surprised expression.

"Oh, so there are two Minghan Mountains and Rivers Maps? By its name, is this map related to the Minghan Immortal Mansion?" Han Li stroked his chin and asked.

"Correct. To enter the Minghan Immortal Mansion, one must have this Minghan Mountains and Rivers Map; it can be said to be the key. As far as I know, there are eight such maps in total. The Northern Cold Immortal Palace, the Fuling Sect, the Cangliu Palace, and the Candle Dragon Sect each have one. The other four have been lost and their whereabouts are unknown. The one you saw at the auction was probably one of them," Huyan said thoughtfully.