"This Yinluo Sect Elder only knew the method of casting curses and had no knowledge of how to undo them. According to the information I obtained through the Soul Search technique, the incantation needed to dispel the Soul Seal Curse is known only to the Yinluo Sect Master and the Grand Elder. All the other Elders were no different from the devil cultivator I destroyed — they could place curses, but they had no power to lift them." Han Li sat in a wooden chair off to the side, a bitter smile on his face.
"He doesn't know the dispelling incantation?" The silver-haired Elder's brow furrowed tightly, and he spoke with an air of disbelief.
"That's right. It seems the method for dispelling the Soul Seal Curse is tied to an extremely powerful secret art belonging to the Yinluo Sect, one that has historically been known only to the Sect Master and Grand Elder. No one else has permission to cultivate it." Han Li's expression turned grim as he spoke without holding anything back.
"Without the dispelling incantation, then what about Sister Nangong..." The silver-haired Elder's face grew solemn.
"Although I don't have the direct incantation for lifting the curse, there are other methods in this world that can break the Soul Seal Curse. This devil cultivator was worthy of his rank as a Yinluo Sect Elder — I found several methods in his divine sense for forcibly breaking the seal using external objects." Han Li's eyes flickered as he shifted the topic.
"What kinds of things can dispel the Soul Seal Curse? Tell me, Junior Brother Han." The Elder's spirits lifted, and he asked eagerly.
"These items are all exceedingly rare treasures that are nearly impossible to find in this world. Under normal circumstances, you probably couldn't locate them at all." Han Li sighed and casually named two of them. After hearing them, the silver-haired Elder was so startled he fell into a blank silence.
"Forget about our Heavenly South — I doubt these things even still exist anywhere in this world," the Elder murmured.
"That's not necessarily true. I happen to know the whereabouts of one of them. However, it won't be easy to obtain, either. I'll need to prepare thoroughly before I have even a slim chance." The corner of Han Li's mouth twitched slightly as he replied calmly.
Hearing Han Li say this, the Elder revealed a look of surprise. But since Han Li clearly did not wish to elaborate further, he refrained from pressing the matter. Instead, he spoke with considerable sincerity.
"Should my brother or the sect assist with this? Please don't hesitate to ask, Junior Brother!"
"I'll pass. This isn't something that can be accomplished simply by throwing more people at it." Han Li was silent for a moment before shaking his head in refusal.
"Since you have your own plans, Junior Brother, I won't press further. However, I'll say again what I've always said — whatever you need, feel free to call upon the sect's resources." The silver-haired Elder did not insist, stroking his beard as he spoke.
"Your kind offer is appreciated, Senior Brother. I'd like to go see Wan'er once more." Han Li forced a smile, then rose to take his leave.
After escorting Han Li out of the great hall, the silver-haired Elder stood at the doorway for a moment, lost in thought. He let out a soft sigh, then transformed into a streak of brilliant light that shot off toward his own cave dwelling.
…
The secret chamber housing the ice wall was undisturbed. Nothing was amiss.
Han Li stood silently before the ice wall, gazing at the delicate, innocent face of the young girl frozen within, his expression somewhat dazed.
He did not know how long he stood there. After a complex flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, he suddenly muttered to himself in a low voice: "Wan'er, you really were bold. You seized a fleeting moment between life and death to cultivate the 'Charming Woman Heavenly Moon Art' — the most dangerous technique of the Plain Nü Reincarnation Art. Did you not know that it's a secret art of desperate gamble, forcing new life from the jaws of death? If I managed to break the Soul Seal Curse, but you ran into trouble with the technique — how worried would that make me!"
Han Li continued murmuring under his breath, his voice growing softer and softer. In the end, he walked up to the ice wall and reached out a finger, gently tracing Nangong Wan's childlike face through the thick layer of ice.
"Perhaps you don't know this, but the devil cultivator who placed the curse on you actually didn't know the dispelling incantation. Still, there's no need to worry too much. I found another way to awaken you buried in his divine sense. By using certain external objects, the seal can be dissolved. These items are rare in the wider world, but as it happens, one of them is exactly what can be found within Devilfall Valley. The inner core of an ancient fire-type beast — under ordinary circumstances, it would be virtually impossible to locate. But Devilfall Valley happens to contain an Ancient Fire Toad, and the conditions are a perfect match. It seems I won't need to hesitate any longer regarding my trip to Devilfall Valley in a few years' time — it's now a certainty. Though the method using external objects offers only a fifty-percent chance of dispelling the Soul Seal Curse, even in the worst case it should greatly weaken the curse's hold. With the time that buys me, I can then make the trip to the State of Jin with peace of mind. No matter what it takes, by then I will obtain that dispelling incantation." As Han Li reached the end of his words, his voice had turned ice-cold.