“I am Canku, the one in charge of this pavilion. In truth, I already learned a bit about your purpose here through Shopkeeper Zhang’s message talisman. However, this is not the place for discussion. Would you follow me into the hall for a conversation?” The plump elder clasped his large hands together and spoke with exceptional politeness.
On his ten fingers, he wore rings of entirely different styles—some dazzlingly bright, others dull and unremarkable, an astonishing sight indeed.
“Certainly, no problem. But may I ask, Venerable, how should I address you?” Han Li glanced at the rings on the man’s hands, nodded, then shifted his gaze to a monk standing beside Canku and asked calmly.
The monk wore pale yellow robes, with delicate features resembling those of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth. Yet, judging by the terrifying spiritual pressure emanating from him, he was clearly an old monster from the Buddhist sects, at the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
“You flatter me. This humble monk is Yanzhu.” The young monk smiled faintly and pressed his palms together in a Buddhist salute.
“Yanzhu?” Han Li murmured, but the name left no impression in his mind.
This was not surprising. High-ranking monks from the four great Buddhist sects were rarely known to ordinary cultivators. Moreover, Han Li was not originally from the Great Jin, so it was hardly unusual for him to be unfamiliar with a Buddhist elder.
However, the plump elder beside them noticed Han Li’s indifferent reaction and couldn’t help but flash a strange look in his eyes. Though he concealed it skillfully, Han Li, ever vigilant, did not miss it. Outwardly, he showed no reaction, but inwardly, he pondered.
Could this monk be an exceptionally renowned Buddhist cultivator? Otherwise, why would the master of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion react this way?
Yet the young monk remained unperturbed by Han Li’s indifference, merely smiling faintly with an air of serene detachment befitting a high monk.
At this moment, the pale-faced middle-aged man and the cultivator surnamed Cao finally arrived at the hall’s entrance and hurried forward to greet the plump elder.
After a few words from Canku, the cultivator surnamed Cao was dismissed, leaving only the pale-faced middle-aged man behind.
With polite gestures, the group entered the Heavenly Secrets Hall and took their seats in a side chamber, with the host and guests clearly distinguished. Naturally, the pale-faced middle-aged man and the Core Formation cultivators could only stand to the sides.
“I heard that Fellow Daoist Han has come to purchase our pavilion’s secret technique for refining pocket dimensions. Is this true?” Canku wasted no time and got straight to the point.
“Indeed, I have come precisely for this matter,” Han Li admitted frankly, without any pretense.
“If Fellow Daoist wishes to obtain this technique, it is likely because you have discovered a spatial rift and wish to refine it into a pocket dimension, while keeping its exact location a secret from others,” the plump elder chuckled lightly.
As the master of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, with mid-Nascent Soul cultivation and leadership over a major faction, he treated Han Li with respect but remained composed, showing no signs of unease.
“You have seen right through my intentions,” Han Li said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“Since our pavilion developed the pocket dimension technique, we have had others like you come seeking the refinement method. Their purposes were similar—to turn their discovered spatial rifts into private spaces, unwilling to share the knowledge with others. Among them were even great cultivators of your rank,” Canku replied with a smile.
“Oh? Did you agree?” Han Li asked with genuine curiosity.
“No. Though each of them swore not to leak the method, if we had disclosed it, our Heavenly Secrets Houses and Heavenly Secrets Mansions would hardly remain unique to our sect,” the plump elder stated bluntly.
“Then you must have an alternative solution. Otherwise, your pavilion would not act so unwisely,” Han Li mused before speaking meaningfully.
“Fellow Daoist Han is quite right. A mere Heavenly Secrets Pavilion would not dare offend so many fellow cultivators. Though we do not hand over the refinement method, we do have a substitute that can satisfy their needs,” the elder replied with ease.
“A substitute?” This time, Han Li was genuinely surprised.
“Long ago, our pavilion developed a set of formation tools that can generate a restriction, temporarily transforming a space into something akin to a pocket dimension. While it may not be identical to a true pocket dimension, it achieves seventy to eighty percent of the effect,” Canku declared confidently.
“Such a thing exists? But if it relies on restrictions, this pocket dimension must have significant flaws,” Han Li frowned and shook his head.
“There are naturally some flaws, but for cultivators like you, Fellow Daoist Han, they are negligible,” Canku said dismissively.
“Brother Canku, you have piqued my interest. Could you elaborate?” Han Li finally showed a hint of curiosity.
“Essentially, our previous pavilion master had several formation masters collaborate to design a pocket dimension formation based on the principles of the technique. This formation was then replicated almost perfectly using formation tools. As long as the space is not too large, these tools can be applied. The flaws are merely two: First, since it relies on formation tools and creates such a vast pocket dimension, the cost in spirit stones is naturally immense—maintaining it for a year requires roughly ten thousand spirit stones. Of course, if the space itself has a spiritual vein, the cost can be reduced. Second, once the formation tools are deployed, this temporary pocket dimension can last at most two to three thousand years before the tools lose efficacy and the space collapses, becoming unusable. The first flaw is trivial for someone of your means, and the second is irrelevant unless you intend to use it as a legacy site for your family or sect. After all, even if one reaches the Deity Transformation stage, our lifespan barely exceeds two thousand years,” Canku explained with a trace of pride.
Han Li stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“So, Fellow Daoist Han, are you interested in our formation tools? If so, our pavilion would be happy to offer you a set at a favorable price,” the elder said with a smile, though a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes, as if certain Han Li would agree.
But the next moment, Canku’s smile froze.
“I still wish to obtain the pocket dimension refinement method,” Han Li said after a long pause, shaking his head.
This response caused the pale-faced middle-aged man standing nearby to stiffen slightly, and even the monk Yanzhu, who had been silently standing with bowed head, looked up in surprise.
“Since you insist, Fellow Daoist, you must have your reasons. But surely you can give me a convincing explanation,” the plump elder sighed, tapping the jade armrest of his chair rhythmically with one hand.
Han Li noticed the gesture but ignored it, speaking calmly, “It’s simple. The space I discovered shows signs of instability. I do not believe a mere set of formation tools can prevent its collapse. I must obtain the refinement method—it is non-negotiable.” He fixed his gaze on the plump elder, his tone unyielding.
Canku frowned, clearly taken aback by Han Li’s response, and for the first time, hesitation flickered across his face.
“If you want the pocket dimension refinement method, you must first spar with this old monk.” Suddenly, a hoarse voice echoed from nowhere. A streak of silver light shot into the hall from outside, and in a flash, an elderly monk in silver robes materialized.
At the sight of him, Canku and Yanzhu immediately rose to greet him, the plump elder unable to conceal his joy.
“Venerable Yuanzhi, you’ve arrived!”
“Greetings, Senior Brother Yuanzhi!”
Han Li, however, remained seated, studying the monk with interest.
Unlike Yanzhu, this monk appeared to be in his thirties, with a refined and scholarly demeanor that clashed with the aged voice.
Yet the name Yuanzhi was not unfamiliar to Han Li. This monk was one of the three late-Nascent Soul elders of the Thunderclap Sect, one of the four great Buddhist sects. Unlike other Buddhist great cultivators, Yuanzhi was renowned throughout the Great Jin and held the rare position of a Vajra Protector within the Buddhist order. He was also known to be less than friendly toward Daoist and Confucian factions. Beyond that, Han Li knew little.
“So it is Venerable Yuanzhi of the Thunderclap Sect. I had no idea you were also a guest elder of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. My apologies for the oversight,” Han Li said with a faint smile, still seated as he cupped his hands in greeting.
“May I ask which sect Fellow Daoist Han belongs to? This humble monk does not recall ever hearing of you,” Yuanzhi said bluntly, his eyes sharp as he scrutinized Han Li.
“It’s no surprise Venerable Yuanzhi does not recognize me. This is my first time meeting a high monk of the Thunderclap Sect,” Han Li replied lazily.
“Senior Brother Yuanzhi, this may be your first time meeting Fellow Daoist Han, but his reputation is certainly not unfamiliar to you,” Yanzhu suddenly interjected with a light laugh, surprising everyone present.
Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, and he turned to stare at the young monk.
Canku, too, was taken aback but soon wore a thoughtful look.
“Oh? What do you mean, Junior Brother Yanzhu?” Yuanzhi asked, equally puzzled.
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