A Name Shakes the World — Making a Move

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Chapter 707: A Name Shakes the World — Making a Move

"Go."

The old woman pointed a finger at the faint blur of light in the air, her tone solemn as she uttered the command.

In an instant, a flash of red and white light flared. The Lightning Fire Drill vanished and reappeared in front of the blue crystalline wall before the old woman, striking without the slightest hesitation.

A dull "thump" echoed as arcs of electricity and raging flames exploded violently, engulfing the wall's surface in an instant and temporarily obscuring everything within, making it impossible to discern what was happening.

Seeing this, Han Li's pupils constricted slightly.

Though he had not personally felt the power of the Lightning Fire Drill, judging solely by the fluctuations of spiritual energy present, this treasure was no ordinary artifact.

No wonder Lady Tai had been so confident when she proposed the test.

But if this is all the power this treasure has against a Supreme Miao Divine Restriction...

Before Han Li could finish his thought, the thunder and fire on the wall had already dissipated.

The Lightning Fire Drill floated gently a few inches from the wall's surface, but the crystalline wall remained completely unscathed, not even a single crack visible.

A trace of disappointment flickered across Nan Long Marquis's face, but he still spoke with a smile: "While this treasure's power is not insignificant, it still falls short of breaking a Supreme Miao Divine Restriction. My thanks for your efforts, Fellow Daoist Tai. Shall we see if any other fellow Daoist possesses an ability that can break this restriction?"

"Hmph! When did I ever say that was the full power of this treasure? I was merely probing with a test strike. It seems I truly cannot hold back if I want to succeed." The old woman seemed somewhat embarrassed by the loss of face and snorted.

"Oh! If Fellow Daoist Tai has other means, please, by all means, display them!" Nan Long Marquis' eyes lit up, a pleased expression on his face.

Hearing this, the old woman said nothing more. She immediately formed a hand seal, and the Lightning Fire Drill, which had been hovering motionlessly, transformed into a streak of refined light and flew back above her head. Under the impetus of her spell, it began to spin in place, faster and faster. Arcs of lightning and fiery flames gradually intertwined, emitting a low, eerie whine.

Seeing this, the others perked up, watching without blinking.

Moments later, the Lightning Fire Drill's own electric arcs and red flames seemed to truly merge into one, transforming into a strange crimson lightning that flickered and danced across the surface of the drill, now a mere blurry shadow. It looked exceedingly bizarre.

Seeing this, Han Li's heart stirred. He vaguely associated this with something, a contemplative look appearing on his face.

The others were equally astonished, their estimations of the Lightning Fire Drill's power rising considerably in their minds.

At that moment, the old woman uttered a single word: "Break!"

A sharp tearing sound cut through the air.

The Lightning Fire Drill, spinning so fast it was nearly invisible and wreathed in bizarre crimson arcs, vanished from sight and struck the same crystalline wall once more.

This time, there was no explosion of thunder and fire. Instead, a soft "puff" sounded.

The Lightning Fire Drill, aided by its high-speed rotation and crimson arcs of electricity, was briefly resisted by the wall's surface before plunging straight into the crystal wall.

Once it had drilled into the wall, its speed drastically decreased. Yet, under the manipulation of the old woman's spell, it continued to spin furiously, advancing slowly.

At this sight, the white-robed elder and Nan Long Marquis both revealed expressions of delighted surprise.

Wang Tiangu and the cultivator named You, among others, had sharp glints flashing in their eyes, a tension clear in their demeanor.

It was impossible to tell whether they hoped the old woman would break the restriction or preferred to see her fail.

Seeing this, Han Li gave a cold, internal laugh. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of ridicule on his face.

No one noticed Han Li's expression, but Yan Ruyan caught it in an inadvertent glance.

Startled, her bright eyes flickered with a hint of confusion.

The Lightning Fire Drill, having burrowed about a foot into the crystalline wall, finally met its doom.

The previously calm, unchanging crystal wall suddenly erupted in a dazzling blue light. Then, to the shock of all present, countless fine, white-hot light threads appeared within the wall. They wrapped around the advancing Lightning Fire Drill in layers. A moment later, the threads flashed violently and tightened with savage force.

A thunderous "BOOM" echoed as the Lightning Fire Drill instantly exploded. Then, the light flickered and vanished, and the crystalline wall returned to its placid state.

The old woman's face turned pale in an instant, a mixture of shock and fury twisting her features.

This Lightning Fire Drill was an ancient treasure she had acquired through immense effort. To have it destroyed so easily caused her pain and regret beyond measure.

For a moment, a heat rushed to her heart, and she nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

The others stared in stunned silence, their hearts pounding.

Yan Ruyan, in particular, cast another glance at Han Li, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, her expression turning thoughtful.

Fortunately, the old woman was not an ordinary person. The wrinkles on her face flushed white and red several times before she took a deep breath and calmed the churning in her chest.

"This has truly been a laughable display for you all. This Supreme Miao Divine Restriction is worthy of its reputation as one of the Ten Great Ancient Restrictions. This old woman has no way to break it. But perhaps some of you other fellow Daoists, with your vast divine abilities, may have another method to break the restriction." She turned her head and spoke with a bitter smile.

Having said this, the old woman retreated a few steps, signaling her withdrawal.

The joy on Nan Long Marquis's face had long since vanished. Hearing her words, he could only sigh. "Fellow Daoist Tai came so close. It's truly a pity. Is there any other fellow Daoist willing to give it a try?" As he said this, Nan Long Marquis cast a significant glance at Wang Tiangu and the others.

After all, Wang Tiangu's reputation as a formation master was quite notable in the cultivation world.

But seeing the fate of the old woman's treasure, the faint desire that others might have had to test themselves was completely extinguished.

Ridiculous. They had a living example right in front of them. Who would risk their own treasures on such a dangerous endeavor?

Wang Tiangu, standing in a corner of the hall, remained silent.

He knew full well that while he had some understanding of ancient formations, he had never encountered a restriction of the level of the Ten Great Ancient Restrictions, let alone knew how to dispel one.

Thus, he naturally would not step forward and make a fool of himself.

It was at this moment that Han Li, who had been silent all along, calmly spoke up.

"Han is not a man of great talent, but I would like to give it a try. What do you two fellow Daoists think?" Han Li said, sounding completely at ease.

This declaration caught Wang Tiangu and the white-robed elder by surprise. Nan Long Marquis showed obvious astonishment, but he readily agreed: "Of course! Please, Fellow Daoist Han, go right ahead."

Han Li did not stand on ceremony. He stepped forward and walked up to the crystalline wall that the old woman had failed to breach.

Wang Chan, standing behind Wang Tiangu, saw this. His eyes behind his mask flickered with cold mockery and a sneer, and he suddenly moved his lips slightly, transmitting a few words to Yan Ruyan beside him.

Yan Ruyan heard his words, but her expression remained faint and indifferent, as if she did not take them to heart.

As for Wang Tiangu, though his expression was normal, he had no faith that Han Li could break this restriction.

Han Li stood before the crystalline wall. He did not act immediately. Instead, he raised a hand and extended a finger. Channeling a slight amount of spiritual power, a few-inch-long azure light blade materialized from his fingertip.

With a flash of light, the azure blade swept across the wall's surface. It had no effect whatsoever, leaving the sapphire-like wall completely intact.

Han Li was not discouraged. He instead enveloped his entire palm in a layer of azure spiritual energy. Parting his fingers, he pressed his palm against the crystalline wall.

Then, he remained completely motionless, as if sensing something.

Han Li's peculiar actions puzzled the cultivators watching intently from behind, stirring their curiosity. But no one stepped forward to disturb him.

What these people did not know was that, with his back to them, faint blue light flickered deep within Han Li's pupils. He was staring into the depths of the crystalline wall, laboriously examining something.

This inspection lasted a full quarter of an hour. The others showed no sign of impatience on their faces, nor did anyone urge him on.

But then, Han Li let out a long breath. The blue light in his eyes vanished in a flash.

Without hesitation, he slapped his storage pouch with one hand and flipped it over, producing a large pile of items.

Everyone stared, taken aback. It was over a dozen pole banners of various colors.

What was he planning?

"So, Fellow Daoist Han is also well-versed in formations. Are you planning to break this restriction with another formation? Have you studied the mysteries of this Supreme Miao Divine Restriction before?" The white-robed elder asked with a start, his expression shifting.

"I wouldn't say I know its mysteries. I've merely studied some similar ancient formations in the past. I'll give it a try, that's all." Han Li replied nonchalantly.

Then, he opened his mouth and breathed a jet of azure essence energy onto the banners in his hand.

With a flash of light, all the banners rose from Han Li's hand. Urged on by his spiritual sense, they aligned their tips with the crystalline wall's surface, hovering motionlessly in mid-air.

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Reading Guide Decoding

The Folly of Brute Force and the Art of the Puzzle

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

The Logic of the 'Restriction' (禁制)

In RMJI, a "restriction" is not just a very strong force field. It is a type of ancient formation or spiritual trap that is often 'doctrinally' different from modern barriers. The Supreme Miao Divine Restriction is described as one of the "Ten Great Ancient Restrictions." Think of it less like a castle wall and more like an intricate, self-aware logic system. Raw power (like the Lightning Fire Drill) triggers a violent response because the restriction is designed to treat any hostile spiritual intrusion as a cancer. Meanwhile, delicate observation and formation-based counter-measures represent a "hack" against the system's own design flaws.

The Prestige of the 'Formation Master' (阵法大师)

The text notes that Wang Tiangu has a reputation as a "Formation Master." In a cultivation world dominated by brute force, a true master of formations is a rare and respected breed. A formation master can turn an army's movement into a trap, turn the spiritual energy of a mountain into a weapon, and even counter treasures without needing a superior treasury. Han Li's decision to break out the banners is a reputation play. He isn't just trying to pass a test; he is publicly advertising that he is not just a brute with a flying sword, but a scholar of deep mysteries.

Chapter Overview

Alright, buckle up, fellow Daoists, because this chapter is a masterclass in how a true Mortal Stream powerhouse operates. The curtain rises on a gallery of Nascent Soul heavyweights, all trying to brute-force an ancient restriction called the Supreme Miao Divine Restriction. They throw their best toys at it. One of them—a prideful old woman with a nasty temper—brings out her prized Lightning Fire Drill, a genuine ancient treasure. And the wall just... eats it. The treasure is obliterated in a single flash of counter-force. The mood plummets. No one dares try again. And then, Han Li, who has been quietly observing this whole circus, steps forward. Not with a bigger hammer. Not with a flashier treasure. He steps up, touches the wall, looks at it for a long time with his special spirit-eyes, and then pulls out a set of formation banners. He isn't going to break it with raw force. He's going to solve it like a puzzle. This is the moment Han Li shifts from "rising Core Formation cultivator" to "unpredictable Nascent Soul peer with hidden, terrifying layers." He doesn't try to overpower the system; he tries to understand it.

Key Plot Points

The Prideful Test: The old woman, filled with confidence, unleashes the full power of her Lightning Fire Drill. The first strike does nothing, forcing her to push the treasure to its absolute limit. The result is a shocking, explosive failure as the restriction reflects the attack with devastating force, completely destroying the ancient treasure. Her face turns pale; she nearly spits blood.
The Collective Fear: The destruction of the Lightning Fire Drill creates a psychological wall thicker than the one of blue crystal. Everyone—Nan Long Marquis, the white-robed elder, Wang Tiangu—immediately backs down. No one is willing to risk their own precious life-bound treasures on a wall that might eat them alive. The test of strength transforms into a silent standoff of embarrassment.
Han Li's Unfathomable Approach: While everyone else is thinking about "force" and "power," Han Li is thinking about "information." He approaches the wall and does not attack it. Instead, he examines it. He touches it. He uses his Bright Essence Spirit Pupils (that trick we know he has) to peer into its very structure for a full fifteen minutes. He is collecting data.
The Tactical Pivot: After his long observation, Han Li does not pull out a 'super weapon.' He pulls out an array of formation banners. He is not going to break the wall with a blast; he is going to solve the puzzle that the wall represents. His plan is to use formations—a technique of knowledge and finesse—to counter the formation-based restriction. This immediately changes everyone's perception of him.
The Observer's Glance: A key small moment: Yan Ruyan catches Han Li's faint, smug smile during the old woman's failure. She files this information away, realizing Han Li already knew what would happen.

Reading Guide

This chapter is absolutely brilliant because it perfectly inverts the standard xianxia trope of "power levels." We just watched a peer-level Nascent Soul cultivator lose her treasured artifact against a wall, reinforcing the universe's harsh "force doesn't always work" lesson. Then, Han Li walks up and, without flexing any raw cultivation power at all, demonstrates that he possesses a different class of knowledge entirely.

Watch how Han Li handles the spotlight. When he steps forward, he doesn't boast. He doesn't say "watch this, I'm a genius." He just... does it. He uses his Bright Essence Spirit Pupils. He feels the structure of the spell. He then pulls out tools specifically for countering formations. This is the Mortal Stream way: preparation, information, and applied logic are more valuable than a higher power level.

Note also the social dynamics. The room full of Nascent Soul elders just got humbled by a wall. They are afraid and embarrassed. Han Li offering a solution is a massive social credit play. Whether he succeeds or fails, he has already established himself as someone who dares where they do not. This is how you build a reputation that makes enemies hesitate before engaging you.