Violet Spirit didn't refuse Han Li's offerings, but her expression instantly changed slightly after she inspected the contents of the jade slips with her spiritual sense.

Her cultivation base wasn't particularly advanced, but she had accumulated some knowledge and experience during her time in the Black River Water Palace and Puppet City, so she could tell that these were all extremely precious cultivation arts.

"I can tell that you've already made good progress in the Puppet Heart Technique, but when it comes to honing spiritual sense, no cultivation art can match the Spirit Refinement Technique. If you can master the Spirit Refinement Technique, your puppet manipulation abilities will be sure to benefit immensely.

“However, there are very severe risks involved in pursuing this cultivation art, and I've laid out those risks in detail in the jade slip, and it's up to you whether you would like to cultivate it or not. Make sure to cultivate the Heavenly Baleful Purgatory Arts diligently as well. Once you've opened a profound acupoint, the corresponding immortal acupoint will be far easier to open," Han Li said.

"I understand," Violet Spirit replied with a nod, then stowed the jade slips away.

"As for the other two cultivation arts, I obtained both of them from a Great Encompassment Stage devilish cultivator. You won't be able to cultivate them for now, but they fit quite well with your physical constitution, so you can save them for the future.

“However, you can begin cultivating the Heavenly Baleful Purgatory Arts and the Spirit Refinement Technique right away. You can stay here to cultivate while I keep a lookout for Brother Xie. That way, I'll be able to give you some instruction in your cultivation," Han Li continued.

"There's no need for that. I plan to return to City Lord Sha's side. My puppet manipulation techniques still have much room for improvement, and I'll make sure to put these cultivation arts to good use as well. I'll be sure to look after myself, so there's no need to worry about me," Violet Spirit replied as she averted her gaze.

"In that case, take this with you as well. I obtained this puppet from one of the Puppet City cultivators, and it's quite powerful, so keep it for your own protection. Even if Sha Xin finds out about it, she won't say anything if you tell her that it's from me," Han Li said he offered her the golden ball that was the Gold-Winged Falcon puppet.

"That's a Gold-Winged Falcon!" Violet Spirit exclaimed at the sight of golden ball, and she hesitated momentarily, but still accepted it in the end.

"You've given me so many things, but all I can give you in return is this," she said as she handed a translucent green jade pendant to Han Li.

However, the jade pendant wasn't complete, and it seemed to be only half a pendant. Furthermore, its edge was rather jagged and uneven, seemingly indicating that someone had forcibly snapped the jade pendant into two.

There was a glowing image in the center of the jade pendant, depicting a humanoid figure.

Han Li's expression changed slightly as he looked up at Violet Spirit, and the latter said in a determined voice, "There's no need for you to do anything about this, I'll take care of it myself. I just wanted to tell you about it."

After that, she turned to depart.

Han Li took a step forward and reflexively reached out to stop her, but ultimately refrained from doing so as he heaved a faint sigh.

Before long, Violet Spirit emerged from the underground space, where she was greeted by the sight of a small gathering of people, consisting of Sha Xin, Mistress Liu Hua's trio, Zhuo Fa, Hei Da, and Hei Er.

"City Lord Sha," Violet Spirit greeted as she extended a respectful curtsey.

"Why did you come out, Violet Spirit? How is my master?" Sha Xin hurriedly asked with a surprised expression.

"That senior is still recovering at the moment, and I've come out after speaking briefly with Fellow Daoist Li," Violet Spirit replied.

Sha Xin nodded in response, then latched onto Violet Spirit's hand as she said in an apologetic manner, "Forgive me for placing that seal on your soul. I did it for the sake of Puppet City, but it must've been very hard on you."

"It's fine, City Lord Sha, I understand why you did it," Violet Spirit assured.

Sha Xin was quite relieved to hear this, and she asked, "What are your plans from here onward?"

"I want to continue serving you, City Lord Sha," Violet Spirit replied in a determined manner.

......

Following Violet Spirit's departure, a vortex suddenly appeared on the surface of the lake of blood in the underground cave, and the crimson crystal slab was sucked into the depths along with Han Li.

Immediately thereafter, Han Li and Daoist Xie appeared in a large crystal palace together.

The walls of the palace were completely transparent and crimson in color, and there were all types of runes engraved upon it, giving it the appearance of a larger version of the crystal coffin from before.

The crystal slab that was carrying Daoist Xie's holy remains slotted perfectly into a stone platform on the ground, and it was as if they had been one to begin with.

There were three ring-shaped troughs on the ground in the crystal palace, and they were also etched with complex runes.

It seemed that the entire hall was a giant star array.

As Han Li swept his gaze over the area, he discovered that E Kuai's body was laying in one of the nearby troughs.

"I've fused as one with this set of remains, but I'm still far from completing a full resurrection. Hence, I'm going to need to rest and recuperate here for some time, and I'll need you to protect me during this time, Fellow Daoist Han," E Kuai suddenly said.

"Why do you want me here as opposed to Sha Xin? Isn't she your subordinate? And she seems to be very loyal to you," Han Li asked with a puzzled expression.

"E Kuai was also one of my closest subordinates, and I even tasked him with protecting this place, but how did that work out? In the end, he colluded with the Devilish Monarch and almost destroyed this entire Scalptia Spatial Domain. Right now, you're the only one I can trust," Daoist Xie replied with a shake of his head.

"How exactly are you related to the Devilish Monarch? Why did he plot against you?" Han Li asked.

"That's... a long story. I'll tell you about it after I'm fully recovered. There are two sides palaces in this Starfall Crystal Palace, one one the left, and one on the right. One of them was where I used to research bodily refinement puppetry, and all of the scriptures I left behind should still be in there. You can browse those materials as you please.

“As for the other side palace, that was where I cultivated in the past, and you can use that place for your own cultivation for now," Daoist Xie said.

Han Li nodded in response, choosing not to ask any further questions.

Moments later, a circular array appeared above the crystal palace, and a burst of bright starlight quickly illuminated the entire array.

At the same time, the walls and ground of the crystal palace also began to glow radiantly, and immense starpower was converging from all directions.

The patterns on the crimson crystal slab and the stone platform beneath it lit up in unison, forming a crimson light barrier that encompassed Daoist Xie's body within it.

At the same time, the sound of flowing water rang out from within the troughs on the ground, and the blood from the lake began to pour in, filling all three ring-shaped troughs before flowing collectively toward the crimson stone platform at the very center of the palace.

Han Li could clearly sense the tremendous bloodline power within the blood slowly fusing into Daoist Xie's body.

Right at this moment, a dull thump rang out, and Han Li turned to discover that E Kuai's body had abruptly exploded without any warning, and his flesh and bones were all pressed tightly against the wall of the trough by some type of invisible force.

As his remains were submerged by the blood from the lake, his flesh and bones began to slowly melt away, disintegrating into pure bloodline power that injected itself into the array.

Right at this moment, Han Li felt his own heart shudder violently, following which a deep, unnatural flush appeared on his face.

He was slightly alarmed by this as he began channeling the starpower within his own body while making his way toward the side palace on the right.

Upon entering the side palace, he immediately sat down with his legs crossed.

At this moment, all of the blood in his body was pumping forcefully through his veins, and it was as if it had been brought to a boil. Plumes of pink mist were also pouring incessantly out of his pores, as if his skin had been set alight.

All of his true spirit bloodlines also began to churn violently, threatening to erupt out of his body, and he was struggling to keep them under control.

He immediately channeled his Heavenly Baleful Purgatory Arts and all of the starpower in his body to try and suppress the true spirit bloodlines, but that only lent them more power, making them even more violent, to the point that even his bones had begun creaking and groaning.

What's happening?

All of a sudden, he recalled how his true spirit bloodlines had become far more powerful when used in conjunction with his Heavenly Baleful Purgatory Arts.

Given that his true spirit bloodlines were currently working against him, it was naturally not a good idea to enhance them.

With that in mind, Han Li hurriedly stopped channeling his Heavenly Baleful Purgatory Arts, only using the starpower in his body instead to soothe the raging true spirit bloodlines.

Only after a full four hours had passed did the unrest in his true spirit bloodlines gradually begin to subside, but his cheeks were still looking slightly flushed.

He opened his eyes as he exhaled, then heaved a faint sigh as he murmured to himself, "This could prove to be troublesome..."

After that, he rose to his feet and took a glance at his surroundings.

There were eight white jade bookshelves that were around ten feet in height in the side palace that he was in, and they were all laden with scriptures of different descriptions.

At the very center of the palace was an octagonal crystal pagoda that was also around ten feet tall, and it had nine levels in total, with spiritual light swirling around it, presenting a beautiful sight to behold.