Shen Ping pondered for a moment before replying, "Such techniques do exist, but those with low cultivation difficulty are largely ineffective. The truly potent ones are exceedingly difficult to master—even I haven't fully grasped them."
"Generally, one can disrupt the Heavenly Secrets and reverse causality using special Spirit Talismans, such as the Karma Transfer Talisman. However, these talismans are prohibitively expensive, and their effectiveness varies greatly from person to person."
Hearing this, Han Yi's heart surged with excitement. He feared nothing more than high cultivation difficulty, as his Proficiency Panel was designed precisely to overcome such challenges.
"Senior Brother Shen," Han Yi replied, "what are the most advanced spells of this type? I'd like to give them a try."
"Very well," Shen Ping said, seeing Han Yi's unwavering determination. "These spells are recorded in the Black Tortoise Palace. You can visit the Scripture Pavilion there to access the corresponding Technique Transmission Jade Disks."
Han Yi thanked him and turned to leave, but Shen Ping called out, "Oh, one more thing, Junior Brother Han. Now that you've advanced to Foundation Establishment, you haven't yet claimed the standard Magic Artifacts—the Immortal Boat and magic robe—that the Sect provides to Elders. You can collect them from Junior Brother Lu Li."
A thought struck Han Yi. He had immediately secluded himself upon returning to the sect, nearly forgetting about this matter.
After expressing his gratitude, Han Yi first sought out Lu Li, a senior brother who had advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage less than a year ago and held administrative duties within the Azure Dragon Palace.
Moments later, Han Yi emerged from the Azure Dragon Palace, his heart brimming with joy. He now possessed four new treasures:
A top-grade magic artifact, the Fire Mist Sword. A Human Immortal-grade Immortal Boat. A storage ring superior to a storage pouch. A top-grade magic artifact-level magic robe.
Just as the sect provided standard provisions for Outer Sect disciples promoted to the Inner Sect, it also bestowed corresponding rewards upon those advancing to Elder status.
After stowing away his newly acquired items, Han Yi hurried to the Black Tortoise Palace and entered the Scripture Pavilion. As an Elder with high clearance, he could access all the spells archived within the Black Tortoise Palace. However, the number of spells he could cultivate remained limited.
"Junior Brother Han," Lu Li cautioned, "causal arts are no ordinary techniques. You must exercise extreme caution when practicing them."
"These arts pose two primary dangers. First, they are prone to backfiring on the practitioner. Second, excessive attempts to divine or conceal Heavenly Secrets invite Immortal Path tribulations."
"Sect regulations permit each Foundation Establishment Elder to cultivate only one causal art. I trust you understand."
The Chief Elder of the White Tiger Palace was Zhuang Xiuqi. Like Shen Ping, he was at the Late Foundation Establishment stage, but having lived for over two centuries, his chances of reaching Core Formation in this lifetime were essentially nonexistent.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhuang," Han Yi said, acknowledging the information.
Moments later, inside the Scripture Pavilion:
"Trace Eradication Art, Chaos Traces Art, Hidden Realm Art, Change Hexagram Art, Heavenly Secrets Divination Art."
"These five techniques best suit my needs," Han Yi concluded after carefully reviewing the descriptions of all the techniques available in the Scripture Pavilion.
The first two arts—Trace Eradication Art and Chaos Traces Art—primarily focused on eliminating traces of one's actions and concealing one's aura. While effective against causal tracing spirit talismans like the Soul-Tracking Talisman, they offered limited protection against more profound Heavenly Secrets Karma Arts.
The third technique, Hidden Realm Art, was an exceptionally advanced spell. However, its requirement for a rare and specialized medium led Han Yi to immediately dismiss it.
The fourth secret art, Change Hexagram Art, employed yin-yang hexagram calculations to determine causal connections and divine Heavenly Secrets, making it the most versatile of the five.
The fifth secret art, Heavenly Secrets Divination Art, resembled Change Hexagram Art in function. Though easier to master, its potential ceiling was significantly lower. Even Foundation Establishment Sects across the Cultivation World typically included this Immortal Dao Secret Art in their records.
Other cultivators aspiring to master profound causal arts would seek out the Hidden Realm Art, sparing no effort to acquire the necessary medium for this technique.
But Han Yi was different. On his Proficiency Panel, time was the only limitation—his proficiency cap existed solely to be broken.
His first spell, the Spirit Void Finger, had followed this exact pattern.
After some hesitation, Han Yi chose the Yi Yao Secret Technique.
This Immortal Dao Secret Art resonated most deeply with him.
Moments later, back in his meditation chamber at Azure Dragon Palace, Han Yi added a Technique Transmission Jade Disk to his Storage Pouch.
Seating himself cross-legged, he pressed the jade disk against his forehead. Instantly, a causal divination technique flooded his mind:
The Yi Yao Secret Technique.
Half an hour later, Han Yi opened his eyes, a sudden clarity washing over him.
Simultaneously, a new technique flashed on his Proficiency Panel:
Change Hexagram Art (Novice 1/100)
Mastering this technique was simple: ceaselessly calculate yin and yang, divine Heavenly Secrets, and discern causality.
There were two primary methods for divining causality and Heavenly Secrets: traceless divination and trace-following divination.
Traceless divination, in its simplest form, meant divining from thin air—an immensely difficult feat.
Trace-following divination, on the other hand, involved using the aura or personal belongings of the person or object being divined as a catalyst to trace causal connections.
The Soul-Tracking Talisman was a spirit talisman used to trace targets through causal calculations. When applied to the death aura of a corpse, it would transform into black smoke, leading back to the murderer.
Inside the meditation chamber, Han Yi closed his eyes, the image of True Monarch Heavenly Heart forming in his mind. He began to use the Change Hexagram Art for divination. The moment he initiated the hexagram, his eyes snapped open, and he violently vomited blood. In an instant, his face turned deathly pale, his eyes wide with horror.
"I was careless," he muttered. "How could I, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, possibly divine the fate of a Nascent Soul True Monarch?"
Han Yi had only intended to test the effectiveness of the Change Hexagram Art, never expecting such a severe backlash.
He suddenly recalled Zhuang Xiuqi's words in the Black Tortoise Palace, his heart now filled with profound reverence for Heavenly Secrets Divination.
A wave of relief washed over him. He was grateful he hadn't targeted the Great Qian Emperor for his causal divination. As a Divine Transformation Great Power, attempting to unravel the emperor's karmic threads might have resulted in more than just injury and blood loss. It could have shattered his very Divine Soul, leading to instant death and Dao Extinction.
"Causality, causality... No wonder the Sect manages these causal arts so strictly, allowing only Elders to cultivate them," he mused.
Han Yi still felt shaken by the backlash.
It had primarily targeted his Divine Soul, and he was fortunate it was strong; otherwise, that single surge would have left him severely injured.
Even so, it took him three full days to recover as his Divine Soul slowly absorbed the grayish-white energy from his Sea of Consciousness Space.
Once he had regained his strength, Han Yi thought of Zheng Hai and left his Meditation Chamber to investigate at Little Spirit Void Peak. He discovered that Zheng Hai had been missing for many years, but his Soul Tablet within the Sect remained intact, indicating he was still alive.
After exchanging greetings with the Peak Lord of Little Spirit Void Peak, Han Yi entered Zheng Hai's courtyard and took a piece of his sleeve.
Back at Azure Dragon Palace, Han Yi used the Change Hexagram Art to divine Zheng Hai's whereabouts. This time, there was no backlash.
However, he found the Heavenly Secrets obscured and inconclusive, so he abandoned the divination. Such ambiguity could arise from various reasons: his own nascent mastery of the art, the distance hindering a clear reading, or interference from other cultivators obscuring the Heavenly Secrets.
Having no other choice, Han Yi abandoned his search for now. He resolved to wait until he had further mastered the technique before venturing down the mountain to find Zheng Hai.
Next, he set aside the technique and focused on advancing his Cultivation Realm.
He retrieved a nail-sized piece of Spirit Jade Gui from his Storage Pouch. Daoist Tianxin had explained its uses, and Han Yi had later confirmed with Jiang Bo, Cui Xingchen, and others that the Daoist had indeed been truthful.
This type of spirit jade had wide applications. Direct consumption was its most basic and least valuable use; its true potential lay in Pill Refinement or Artifact Refinement.
However, for Han Yi, direct consumption to enhance his Cultivation Realm was the most suitable method.
He broke off a small, nail-sized fragment of the Spirit Jade Gui, placed it in his mouth, and swallowed it.
Instantly, the small piece of purple Spirit Jade Gui dissolved in his abdomen, transforming into a tiny warm current. This current flowed through his body's meridians before converging into his Spirit Sea.
Whoosh...
A light rain seemed to fall across the vast Spirit Sea. The Mana Sea within rippled gently, but compared to the sea's immensity, the drizzle was almost imperceptible.
"Not enough," Han Yi murmured. "Again."
Sensing the changes within his Spirit Sea, Han Yi's eyes brightened. He swallowed the entire finger-sized piece of Spirit Jade Gui in one gulp.
This time, the warm current converging within his Spirit Sea felt like a torrential downpour. The sea level visibly rose, albeit slightly, but the impact on his Cultivation Realm was undeniable.
As the Spirit Sea expanded, Han Yi also sensed it growing larger. Though the increase in surface area was minimal compared to the rising sea level, his Divine Soul felt the change unmistakably.
Han Yi withdrew his focus from the Spirit Sea and turned his attention to the Proficiency Panel before him.
Cultivation Realm: Early Foundation Establishment Stage (73/100)
A single finger-sized piece of Spirit Jade Gui had increased his Proficiency from 72/100 to 73/100, with no apparent side effects.
Han Yi's eyes widened, a flicker of shock and wild joy flashing within.
Based on the volume of Spirit Jade Gui remaining in his Storage Pouch—over six hundred times the size of his thumb—and factoring in the increasing difficulty of advancement, Han Yi calculated that reaching the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage would be no problem at all.
This calculation fueled his wild elation.
No wonder this spiritual object had been featured at the Emperor Monarch's grand two-thousandth birthday celebration in the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven. Such a treasure could rightly be called a marvel, perhaps even more precious in some ways than the Rare Flower Blood Bone Spirit Flower Han Yi had obtained previously.
"More," he demanded.
With a flick of his wrists, dozens of Spirit Jade Gui tumbled into his palms. He opened his mouth and swallowed them all in one gulp.
Half a month later, in his meditation chamber, Han Yi opened his eyes. His aura fluctuated wildly, unstable and trembling, but a flicker of delight danced in his gaze.
"Finally, Mid-Foundation Establishment."
"This cultivation speed rivals even those with Heavenly Spirit Roots."
"No wonder Nascent Soul True Monarchs covet this treasure. Thanks to the Spirit Jade Gui, my breakthrough time has shrunk from a year and a half to less than half a month."
"And without a single side effect."
"Truly a miracle of the Immortal Path, terrifyingly powerful," Han Yi thought.
He felt even more justified in his decisive actions at the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven.
Over the next month, he diligently stabilized his Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation realm.
Then, he attempted to consume another piece of Spirit Jade Gui. This time, however, the effect was shockingly poor. Even a fist-sized piece yielded only a negligible improvement to his cultivation.
Han Yi suddenly understood. This was precisely what Daoist Tianxin had warned him about: Spirit Jade Gui could elevate a Foundation Establishment cultivator by one minor realm—from Early to Mid-Stage, or from Mid-Stage to Late-Stage. But once a cultivator reached a new realm through the jade's aid, further consumption would yield no additional benefits.
This was the inherent limitation of this spiritual object.
After all, if such a precious treasure remained effective indefinitely, cultivators could endlessly advance to the Golden Core Stage, or even the Nascent Soul Stage. Great Qian, the empire that controlled the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, could then mass-produce Nascent Soul cultivators through an endless supply of Spirit Jade Gui.
Such a loophole in the Dao would never exist in the Cultivation World.
Han Yi carefully stored the remaining Spirit Jade Gui in a jade box. This precious resource had countless uses—at the very least, he could sell it for Spirit Stones.
Having reached the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage and stabilized his cultivation realm, Han Yi leisurely emerged from seclusion.
He walked out of Azure Dragon Palace to the edge of Azure Dragon Cliff, gazing at the Sea of Clouds with a sudden surge of boldness. Then, he mounted his sword and soared past several Inner Peaks, arriving at Combat Peak.
It had been three years since the Nine Bells tolled, marking the Profound Pill Tribulation, and he hadn't visited Combat Peak since.
The last time he was here, he was at the Peak Qi Refining Stage. Now, he stood at Mid-Foundation Establishment. Though the time had been brief, the trials he had endured were far from simple. Several near-death experiences had paved the way for his current Immortal Opportunity and cultivation realm.
Combat Peak had more than tripled in size since his last visit, now boasting twelve Combat Arenas. The arenas buzzed with boisterous crowds, the air thick with excitement.
Han Yi's gaze sharpened as he spotted a familiar figure: Yan Ru.
Her figure remained as stunning as he remembered, her curves still explosive and peerless.
She wielded a silver longsword, locked in fierce combat with an Advanced Ninth Layer cultivator. Yan Ru's Mana was clearly weaker than her opponent's, though her Sword Technique held a slight edge. Recognizing this disparity, her opponent fought cautiously, ignoring several deliberate openings she offered.
"She's going to lose," Han Yi thought to himself.
As if on cue, Yan Ru's sword was blasted from her hand by an opponent's Dao Technique. A Magic Artifact then struck her chest, knocking her off the Combat Arena.
"My respects," the Ninth-Layer cultivator standing on the arena said, cupping his fists toward Yan Ru. Undeterred, she returned the gesture, retrieved her sword, and stepped aside to meditate and recover.
"Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement! Senior Sister Yan's cultivation realm is progressing swiftly. Congratulations! With continued diligence, Foundation Establishment should be within reach soon."
Han Yi suddenly remembered the Foundation Establishment Pill in his Storage Pouch. Originally intended for Zheng Hai, it would still be put to good use if given to Yan Ru, should Zheng Hai ultimately fail to obtain it.
Yan Ru turned to look at Han Yi, her face lighting up with joy at seeing him again after so many years.
"Senior Han... no, I should call you Elder Han now," she said with a radiant smile, which quickly turned into a cough as it tugged at her bruised chest.
"Senior Sister Yan, please don't tease me," Han Yi said gently, smiling warmly. "I'd feel much more comfortable if you still called me Junior Brother."
Within the Profound Pill Sect, seniority wasn't rigidly enforced. Among acquaintances, regardless of their cultivation realm, familiar forms of address often persisted. Han Yi still felt it was more appropriate for Yan Ru to call him "Junior Brother."
Some habits he simply didn't want to change.
For Inner Sect Disciples unfamiliar with him, addressing him as "Elder" was more fitting.
Now clad in the Profound Robe signifying his Elder status, Han Yi stood beside Yan Ru. The cultivators around them, previously seated or standing, respectfully moved aside, clearing a wide space around them.
"Alright," Yan Ru said with a smile in her eyes. From Han Yi's tone, she could tell that even after his Foundation Establishment Advancement, his essential nature remained unchanged, which pleased her.
"Junior Brother Han, I know what happened to you."
"Over two years ago, remnants of the Blood God Sect ambushed the Immortal Boat returning from the Profound Blood Branch Sect. Five Elders and forty-three disciples perished. When I inquired, I was told you had disappeared, but your Soul Tablet in the sect hadn't shattered. Though worried, I knew my limited strength meant searching for you would be futile."
"Seeing you return safely now finally puts my mind at ease."
Yan Ru's gaze held complex emotions as she met Han Yi's eyes briefly before looking away.
"Yes, returning alive from this mission was truly no easy feat," Han Yi sighed.
"By the way, Junior Brother Han, I assume you've benefited from the Sect's Reconstruction Policy by now?" Han Yi changed the subject.
Yan Ru's eyes lit up, sparkling like distant stars. "You wouldn't believe it, Junior Brother Han. The Reconstruction Policy is old news from two years ago. It's now called the New Rise Policy."
"New Rise Policy?" Han Yi asked, puzzled.
Yan Ru nodded, her eyes filled with longing. "That's right. With the Sect Leader's advancement to the Nascent Soul Stage, our Profound Pill Sect has become a Nascent Soul Great Sect. In Shu Prefecture, we now rank second only to Great Qian, on par with the Southern Dipper Divine Palace, Heaven's Will Sect, and Ten Thousand Methods Sect."
"The New Rise Policy isn't just the original nine articles of the Reconstruction Policy anymore. It's been expanded to eighteen, encompassing all cultivators in the Sect. Over a year ago, the Profound Blood Branch Sect divided its spirit veins, causing our resources to skyrocket. Now, whether you're an Inner Sect or Outer Sect Disciple, anyone willing to take risks can access far more resources."
"Oh, and did you know that even the Elders' stipends have doubled? How could you not know, Junior Brother Han?" Yan Ru asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Han Yi flushed with embarrassment. Since returning to the Sect, he had largely secluded himself for cultivation, rarely participating in Sect affairs. The only time he had ventured out was to the White Tiger Palace to study causal arts.
Han Yi truly knew nothing about any of this.
Of course, with his newfound wealth skyrocketing, the Elder's stipend from the Profound Pill Sect held little significance for him.
Seeing Han Yi's expression, Yan Ru understood the situation immediately. This junior brother had always been an ascetic cultivator, and it seemed that even his advancement to the Foundation Establishment Stage hadn't altered his disposition or cultivation habits.
"Oh, by the way, Senior Sister Chu returned to the sect a year ago, didn't she?" Yan Ru suddenly mentioned.
"Senior Sister Chu is back?" Han Yi's face lit up with delight.
"But she only returned briefly before leaving again," Yan Ru said with a sigh. "And she's also reached the Foundation Establishment Stage."
Yan Ru's sigh carried a weight of reflection, a recognition of how much things had changed.
Back in the Immortal Chess Pavilion, five of them had once sat together. Now, their paths had diverged starkly.
Han Yi and Chu Jinmo had both reached the Foundation Establishment Stage. Luo Yunzhou was dead. Yan Ru herself had just reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement. And Qi Hong had perished in the Profound Pill Tribulation two years prior.
The Immortal Path was merciless, and life's twists were unpredictable.
Hearing of Chu Jinmo's departure, Han Yi fell silent again. But his thoughts lingered not on her, but on Yan Ru.
Truth be told, he wasn't an unfeeling man. Of all the female cultivators he had known in this life, Yan Ru was the one he had spent the most time with.
Through years of shared experiences, a wisp of affection had naturally blossomed between them. Yet a bitter smile kept this sentiment suppressed, preventing it from taking root and flourishing.
As for Chu Jinmo, after their experience in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, a fleeting understanding had passed between them. However, that connection had long since faded after Chu Jinmo's departure.
When Han Yi had heard Chu Jinmo's name earlier, his face lit up with the joy of remembering an old friend, a sentiment devoid of any romantic feelings.
After chatting for another half-hour, Han Yi prepared to leave. Just before departing, his expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Senior Sister Yan," he said, "when you reach the peak of Qi Refining, come find me. I have a Foundation Establishment Pill I'll give you then."
With those words, Han Yi left.
Yan Ru, left behind, couldn't hide the delight in her eyes.
A Foundation Establishment Pill was no easy prize for her to obtain. Even though the Sect had acquired a wealth of cultivation resources by dividing and establishing branch sects along spirit veins, only five such strategic pills were distributed annually. Given her mediocre talent, she stood virtually no chance of receiving one through official channels.
Since Han Yi had offered to give her one, she wouldn't stand on ceremony. This was a competition on the Immortal Path, where misplaced pride could cost one dearly.
Meanwhile, after leaving, Han Yi followed a familiar path to the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild. Stepping inside, he paused in surprise.
"Shopkeeper He?"
The man before him, He Fangwei, looked over a decade older than when Han Yi had last seen him over two years ago. He now appeared to be in his twilight years.
He Fangwei recognized the familiar voice and abruptly looked up, his eyes flashing with a keenness that belied his age.
"Fellow Daoist Han—no, I should call you Elder Han now," he said, his tone noticeably more respectful.
This time, Han Yi didn't correct him. He simply nodded and sat down.
"Shopkeeper He," Han Yi said gravely, "I've come to ask if Martial Uncle Fu left any instructions."
Fu Canghai had fallen in battle over two years ago, and Han Yi still owed his martial uncle a debt of gratitude. Upon returning from Nanhua City, Fu Canghai had gifted him a set of top-tier High-Grade daggers: the Heavenly Capital Daggers.
The Heavenly Capital Daggers had been completely destroyed during his life-and-death struggle with Yuan Changtian, and Fu Canghai was no longer alive to receive repayment. Yet Han Yi remained determined to honor this obligation.
His purpose in visiting was to explore ways to repay this debt, likely through the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild or Fu Canghai's descendants.
To repay kindness with kindness and settle grudges with justice—this was Han Yi's fundamental nature.
Hearing Han Yi's words, He Fangwei paused slightly. He saw the sincerity in Han Yi's eyes and couldn't help but sigh softly.
"The Ancestral Master truly saw the truth in you," he murmured. "Elder Han, your dedication is truly commendable."