Chapter 427 322: Choice

"Daoist, what does this mean?"

Han Yuan asked quizzically, seeing the two kinds of Spiritual Light emerging from the talisman.

"This cyan Spiritual Light represents the Soul Spirit... Its weakness indicates that your friend's Soul Spirit is insufficient, which is why he keeps falling into a deep sleep."

"The red light represents his vitality. Its intensity signifies a powerful physique."

Ling Yunzi explained.

Han Yuan could understand why the Fat Thief's red light was so intense.

After all, once the fellow transformed, he was equivalent to an Innate Powerhouse.

But why was his Soul Spirit so weak?

The Fat Thief had followed him this whole way, and whenever they encountered a battle, he basically just slacked off.

If they ran into a dangerous opponent, he would hide immediately.

So Han Yuan couldn't help but ask, "Daoist, the Fat Thief has never been injured... what could possibly have caused his Soul Spirit to weaken?"

Hearing this, Daoist Ling Yun pondered for a moment. "That might not be the reason. It could be because he was born with an Innate deficiency... or rather, his soul itself is missing a part."

"That's why he slept from the Chaotic Ancient Era until now, only waking when you roused him."

"But as he awakened and his power gradually recovered, his soul remained incomplete. This has caused him to sleep for longer and longer periods."

Han Yuan mostly understood what Ling Yunzi was saying.

'The gist of it is that the Fat Thief's soul isn't complete.'

'The guy is exceptionally gifted, able to increase his strength without any Cultivation.'

'But the Fat Thief's fragmented soul can't control such immense power, causing it to be constantly depleted. He has to rely on sleep to recover each time.'

"So, if I want the Fat Thief to wake up, I have to find the missing fragment of his soul," Han Yuan said thoughtfully.

"Correct."

"Otherwise, your friend will likely fall into a deep sleep again."

"He may have some sort of self-preservation mechanism; he might even turn into a stone statue," Ling Yunzi said.

"That's going to be a problem."

"So many years have passed. How could I possibly find the fragment of the Fat Thief's soul now?"

Han Yuan couldn't help but scratch his head.

"I do have one other method."

"However, it could be very dangerous for you," Ling Yunzi said softly.

"What is it?" Han Yuan asked.

"I know a Magic Technique that will allow your Primordial Spirit to emerge and enter your friend's Sea of Consciousness."

"Once inside his Sea of Consciousness, you will need to find the reason his soul is incomplete."

"But you may encounter some terrifying scenes... which could affect your Primordial Spirit."

"You should consider carefully whether you want to try this or not," Ling Yunzi said seriously.

After all, the Orange Cat was a being that had survived since the Chaotic Ancient Era.

Someone like him must have participated in some terrifying, great war.

The Chaotic Ancient Era was filled with countless horrific wars, though most have been eroded by the sands of time.

"Just seeing those images will affect me?" Han Yuan said in surprise.

Ling Yunzi nodded. "That's right... The power of some Source Evil Seeds is very strange. It can corrupt one's spirit."

"If your friend has ever entered an Immortal Sect... and seen a Source Seed... I can't predict whether your spirit can withstand the corruption from a Source Seed."

Han Yuan frowned. "Not even a single glance?"

Ling Yunzi replied softly, "I don't know... I can't give you a definitive answer."

"I can only say that this risk exists. You must think it through for yourself."

Han Yuan's eyes flickered before he said in a low voice, "Daoist, I'm willing to take the risk."

"Alright!" Ling Yunzi said nothing more.

To reach Han Yuan's level of Cultivation, one needed not only astonishing talent but also an extremely strong will.

Since Han Yuan had already made his decision, there was no point in him saying anything else.

"Then I'll be troubling you, Daoist." Han Yuan cupped his fist.

"It's no trouble... However, this is not a suitable place."

"We need to return to the Great Li Imperial Palace first," Ling Yunzi said.

There were too many people in the inn. If anything went wrong, it could very well lead to the deaths of many innocent people and even cause a panic.

"Alright... I'll let the people from the Celestial Net Department know."

Han Yuan took out the Jade Pendant used to contact Dong Fangqu and infused a sliver of Five Emperors Great Demon True Qi into it.

「Soon.」

Dong Fangqu hurried over.

After exchanging a few words with him, Han Yuan took the Fat Thief and followed Ling Yunzi back into the Great Li Imperial Palace.

With Ling Yunzi leading the way, their passage was unimpeded, and they soon arrived at the place where he usually practiced his Daoist arts.

Ling Yunzi first took some Cinnabar and drew a complex and arcane Array Pattern in an empty space, then placed the Orange Cat in the very center of it.

Next, he had Han Yuan sit cross-legged nearby and began to chant a Spell, activating his Daoist Skill.

「Soon.」

Han Yuan experienced a very strange sensation.

He felt as if an invisible thread had appeared on his body.

This thread stretched out and connected to the Orange Cat.

It made him feel as though a magical connection had been established between him and the Orange Cat.

"Palace Master Han, this is a Primordial Spirit Talisman."

"In a moment, I want you to clench it in your palm and infuse a sliver of True Qi into it."

"By doing so, your Primordial Spirit will enter his Sea of Consciousness."

"If I sense that something is wrong with you, I will immediately sever the soul thread."

"I will do my best to minimize any corruption you might suffer," Ling Yunzi said softly.

"Alright... then I'm counting on you, Daoist."

Han Yuan nodded.

He adjusted his breathing and calmed his Heart Spirit.

The moment he entered a state of deep meditation, he channeled a sliver of Five Emperors Great Demon True Qi into the Primordial Spirit Talisman in his hand.

HUMMM—

In that instant, he felt his soul leave his body.