No need for Yin Yue to draw attention, Han Li already had a general sense of the map's outline. Yet the rest of the map was drawn with great roughness, becoming detailed only at the marked locations—where not only the specific valley sections were depicted, but also the surrounding terrain was clearly annotated. After a brief calculation, Han Li realized the marked areas were far removed from his current position, and he had no idea what kind of perils he might encounter along the way. After a moment's thought, he shook his head and folded the map, knowing that the marked sections must conceal some significant secret. However, before resolving the matter of the Ling Zhu Guo, he had no intention of starting any new endeavors. Whether or not he would eventually visit those marked spots would naturally be decided once he secured the Ling Zhu Guo. Yin Yue seemed to have already guessed Han Li's thoughts and remained silent. Yet, Han Li lifted his hand again, retrieved the new jade box, and casually placed it into the bamboo cylinder behind him, then calmly addressed the Great Yanshan Divine Sovereign: "The materials required for the Seven-Flame Fan have long since gone extinct, or are simply difficult to find. However, perhaps with your extraordinary talent, alternative substitutes might be discovered. If, in today's immortal realm, you can truly replicate such a spiritually attuned treasure, then I truly hold you in the highest regard." "Young man," the Great Yanshan Divine Sovereign replied, with a slight smile, "do you think I'm a fool? I have always been deeply interested in spiritually attuned treasures—yet why, without any reason, have I devoted myself to studying and refining the methods for crafting them? Is it merely because of your simple words of admiration?" After a brief silence, the Divine Sovereign chuckled. "Such spiritually attuned treasures are far from easy to replicate. Though your talent is indeed extraordinary—something I have never seen before in my life—my confidence in your ability to develop a successful replication method remains modest. Nevertheless, if you truly achieve this..." At my disposal, I can fulfill any request you have, as long as it falls within my capacity—what do you think? Han Li did not show any surprise, but spoke calmly. Upon hearing this, the Great Yanshan Sovereign remained silent for a moment before coldly exhaling, then said with pride: "I first learned of the Heavenly-Transcendent Sacred Treasures during my early years, when I obtained some records from an ancient cultivation site. It was only then that I became aware of such extraordinary, nature-defying artifacts. Naturally, I have always been curious about these treasures that even ancient cultivators hold in deep reverence. Since then, I have paid close attention to them. Unfortunately, information about these Heavenly-Transcendent Treasures is extremely scarce, and I have yet to achieve any significant breakthrough. Now, having transformed into a being neither fully human nor fully ghost, with my very soul fading away within just a few decades, I no longer wish to leave behind any regrets. Even knowing that you are employing the tactic of flattery and pressure, I have accepted. Moreover, all I need is to find suitable alternative materials—there is no need to reinvent the method for crafting such sacred treasures." What could be difficult? Just don't forget to make me one request when the time comes." "Very well. Then it's settled." Han Li smiled pleasantly and confirmed the matter with a composed expression. With such a remarkable figure—someone capable of founding the Daxian Decision—Han Li certainly wouldn't waste his time. Though he already possessed the Xitian Ding, a heavenly spiritual treasure, he still had no clear idea when he would finally open and use it. Moreover, heavenly-grade treasures like this only grow better with time. Below, the voice of the Daxian Sovereign had faded entirely—likely already opening the jade box and studying the method of its crafting. Han Li, on the other hand, radiated even stronger spiritual light, his speed increasing noticeably as he moved forward. ...Half a day later, when Han Li approached once again the mountain peak where the Seat Purple-Wrinkled Scorpion's lair lay, Nan Long and the elderly Lu were walking through an unfamiliar underground passage. The place was astonishingly dark, and damp throughout; with their current levels of cultivation, they could only see a few zhang ahead. "Nan Long brother." It's truly surprising that, in such a land of molten lava, there exists a place so damp and cool. Now, I've come to believe the tale of the Blood Incantation Gate to about seven or eight parts. Lu Weiying walked a few paces behind Nan Longhou, speaking slowly. "Lu brother, you've always been skeptical all along! As you know, when our lord and the Cloud-thief first discovered the遗书 of Cangkun Master, neither of us mentioned the matter of the Blood Incantation Gate. Otherwise, the Ghost-Ling Sect would never have let this place go untouched. The Blood Incantation Gate has been a secret passed down through generations by my ancestors." Nan Longhou smiled gently in reply. "But if it hadn't been for the need of two Yuan-Infant cultivators to jointly open the gate, perhaps South Land brother wouldn't have invited me along." The elder named Lu glanced at his eyes, then smiled suddenly. "Lu brother is being too kind. We've known each other for so many years. With such an advantage, how could we have kept this matter hidden from the young Han boy?" "Nanlong侯 chuckled, vaguely brushing off the matter." "That Lu sir is most grateful for Nanlong brother's kind intention," said the elderly man with the Lu surname, after a brief试探, promptly dropping the subject. With only the two of them exploring the treasure, a gentle hint was sufficient. It was enough to let Nanlong侯 know that he held a certain reserve—no need for him to later betray the trust or turn against him outright. He certainly didn't want to end up in a heated confrontation, confused and unprepared, at this very spot. Nanlong侯 likewise understood the elder's intent; his outward demeanor remained calm, though a quiet smile of amusement played at the corners of his mind. As they walked in silence, they covered a short distance, when a faint glow emerged ahead. Both of them were delighted, quickening their pace and entering a spacious cavern. The cavern was over thirty zhang wide, with conical stalactites of several feet in diameter scattered across the ceiling and walls gleaming with a soft white light. Yet what truly caught the eye was a jade-green water pool at the center of the cavern, stretching over ten zhang in diameter. The pond, aside from its water being slightly emerald-green, appeared otherwise unremarkable. "Is the Gate of the Blood Spell truly located here?" the elder named Lu surveyed the surroundings carefully, finding no visible seals or restrictions, and finally asked with growing doubt. Glancing at the elder who had previously expressed strong confidence—now questioning his judgment—Nan Longhou gave a half-smiling, slightly skeptical look. "It is indeed here—there's no doubt about it! However, such an important site as the Gate of the Blood Spell would naturally have its seals re-established by Master Ang Kuang when he departed. All that needs to be done is to remove those seals." Nan Longhou replied calmly, his gaze shifting to the pond at the center of the cavern. Lu paused, now beginning to understand, and likewise examined the pond with renewed attention. At that moment, Nan Longhou swept his sleeve back, and a small blue banner shot forth from his sleeve, vanishing with a soft 'plop' into the pond. Then Nanlong Hou pressed his palms together in a series of gestures, murmuring incantations. At first, the once calm surface of the water pond began to ripple, and the pond water gradually started to swirl, spinning faster and faster until a massive vortex formed. A low, resonant hum could be faintly heard at the center of the vortex. "Dividing Water Banner? I didn't expect Nanlong brother to still possess such a rare treasure," remarked the elder with the Lu surname, now somewhat astonished. "Nothing special," Nanlong Hou shook his head gently. "This banner is useful only for separating the water surface." Then, with a low command, he raised both hands and channeled two more sets of gestures into the vortex. The pond water surged several zhang higher, then suddenly parted, revealing a clear path before them. Without hesitation, Nanlong Hou transformed into a beam of golden light and plunged directly into the channel. Lu Weiying paused briefly, then turned into a streak of white light and followed closely behind. A short while later, the elder with the Lu surname grew pale. The pond was deep—no, actually, extremely deep. He had descended over two or three hundred zhang, yet still hadn't reached the bottom. This made him raise his head, gazing at the pond's opening now reduced to a mere dot within his flowing light, and begin to feel a bit puzzled, with a growing sense of pressure. Fortunately, after flying another hundred zhang, he finally saw the southern lord, Nan Long Hou, suddenly flash his light and gently descend, eventually reaching the pond's bottom. The old man felt a sudden relief, and likewise drew his light, drifting down gracefully. The bottom of the pond was nearly fifteen zhang in diameter, circular, and even larger than the opening itself. The ground was damp, covered with a vast expanse of smooth, dark green stone flooring. At the center, the dividing banner was planted firmly into the ground, half-submerged, yet radiating a soft, bluish luminous glow. Around it, towering, emerald-green water curtains rose straight up to the pond's lofty opening. "If this Blood Cursing Gate is hidden right here, it truly is remarkably concealed." Ordinary people would hardly dive hundreds of zhang down into the depths. Yet, how did Master Angkun originally discover this place? That does seem rather strange. After surveying the surroundings carefully, the elder with the Lu surname furrowed his brows and said. "Ah, perhaps Master Angkun possesses exceptional spiritual awareness and, by sending a portion of his consciousness deep into the lake, directly detected this location." The Nanlong Marquis was momentarily taken aback, not entirely certain. Never having considered this before, he now found himself somewhat puzzled. "That may very well be so!" The elder stroked his chin, his eyes flashing several times. After a brief pause, the Nanlong Marquis shook his head, setting aside his doubts, and then suddenly struck his storage sack at the waist. A beam of white light shot out from the opening, and the white jade pendant used previously at the entrance of the inner valley rose into the air, spinning continuously. With both hands forming gestures, the Marquis launched a series of colorful spells toward the pendant, which soon absorbed them all. Then a brilliant white light shone, and the jade pendant suddenly faced a flowing water curtain, stopping its rotation and emitting a clear, phoenix-like sound. Nanlong Marquis raised his hand silently and gently tapped the jade pendant with his finger. The pendant trembled, and at once, vast streams of white mist burst forth from its surface, sweeping forward in a powerful surge. A strange phenomenon unfolded. Wherever the white light mist passed, the water curtain twisted and tore like a broken scroll, eventually fragmenting and dissipating. In its place, a grand arched stone gate, about three zhang high, emerged, glowing with a vibrant crimson light. Carved upon its surface was a massive, single-horned ghost-headed creature, occupying nearly half of the gate’s surface, lifelike and fierce in appearance. "Is this the Gate of the Blood Curse?" murmured the elderly man with the Lu surname, his eyes twitching slightly. For some inexplicable reason, upon seeing this gate, he suddenly felt a surge of unease, his heart growing uneasy.