Although Feng Laoguai still harbored some resentment toward Han Li, he naturally wouldn’t lie when questioned by the old demon. After a brief hesitation, he transmitted his reply via voice transmission: “That kid not only has Immortal-Slaying Pearls, but it seems he has more than one. If Brother Hu truly intends to act against him, it might prove quite troublesome.”
Upon hearing this, Hu Laomo’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he felt a chill.
The fact that the other party possessed Immortal-Slaying Pearls already made him somewhat wary. If there were multiple, they could pose a genuine threat. But that wasn’t what unsettled him the most!
With this thought, the old demon suddenly switched his voice transmission target to Xiang Zhili: “Brother Xiang, the spatial node this kid provided might be incomplete. Are you aware of this?”
“Whether I know or not makes no difference. If it were me, I wouldn’t hand everything over either. What matters is that he’s willing to cooperate with us. Given time, he’ll reveal everything bit by bit. I don’t care about the rest, but if you can’t guarantee capturing him alive, you are absolutely forbidden from taking his life.” Xiang Zhili didn’t even lift his eyelids, but his lips moved slightly as he transmitted his reply.
“Hmph! But now this kid is acting so arrogantly. If I back down, wouldn’t it make people think I fear a mere late-Nascent Soul cultivator?” Hu Laomo snorted coldly, clearly displeased.
“Fellow Daoist Hu, I think you’ve stayed in the Demon Palace too long—you’ve grown muddled. At our level of cultivation, what does mere reputation matter? Though this woman is peerlessly beautiful, would you truly abandon the chance at eternal life for a mere concubine? However, if your anger truly cannot be quelled, as long as you don’t take his life and ensure he doesn’t turn against us, you can teach him a small lesson. I’ll pretend I didn’t see it.” Xiang Zhili replied indifferently.
“It seems I’ll have to play the villain here. Let’s see what he can offer in exchange for Zi Ling.” After a moment of silence, Hu Laomo ended the voice transmission.
He then turned his gaze back to Han Li, who stood not far away, and spoke coldly: “Out of respect for Fellow Daoists Xiang and Feng, if you retract your earlier words now, I can pretend nothing happened and spare you this once for your insolence.”
The old demon’s threat was unmistakable, yet his words also left Han Li a way out.
Hearing this, the blue-robed scholar and the elderly Ku Zhu among the Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall were inwardly startled. They could tell that this Heavenly Demon Sect’s Grand Elder seemed genuinely wary of Han Li. Otherwise, given his earlier fury, he would never have spoken so leniently.
Curious gazes converged on Han Li as the cultivators tried to discern what ability he possessed to force the wooden-crowned elder to change his stance.
“Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Hu! Unfortunately, I have no habit of casually retracting my words. Perhaps you should reconsider what I said earlier.” Han Li replied without hesitation.
At this, the wooden-crowned elder’s rage flared. His face darkened, and he spat out three consecutive “Good!” His piercing gaze swept over Zi Ling and Han Li as an overwhelming aura erupted from him. In an instant, his body became a massive vortex, drawing in all the spiritual energy in the hall like a whirlwind.
Every cultivator who sensed the old demon’s unfathomable spiritual pressure felt a chill in their hearts, and a single thought flashed through their minds:
*This old demon has truly been provoked by Han Li. It seems he’s about to strike.*
Thinking this, two cultivators near Han Li exchanged glances and silently stood up, retreating a few steps to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Though Zi Ling had successfully condensed her Nascent Soul, she was no match for the overwhelming spiritual pressure of a Deity Transformation cultivator. Her face paled, and she staggered back two steps, reaching the table where Han Li had been standing earlier.
A warm hand silently appeared on her delicate shoulder.
A surge of pure spiritual power instantly flowed into her body.
Zi Ling felt warmth spread through her, and the once razor-sharp pressure now felt like a gentle spring breeze.
Instinctively, she turned her head to see Han Li’s large hand resting on her shoulder, his lips curving into a faint smile.
Though she didn’t understand why Han Li remained so composed, his smile inexplicably calmed her restless heart.
Her pearly teeth lightly pressed against her lips as she returned his smile with a faint blush.
“*Heh*, since you’re so determined to have this woman, fine—I’ll grant your wish. Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Since you claimed anything in this world can be exchanged, use the two spirit treasures in your possession to buy Zi Ling’s freedom.” Hu Laomo, now furious beyond measure, let out a cold laugh before reining in his aura and making an outrageous demand.
The other cultivators exchanged knowing glances.
To them, it was clear the old demon had no intention of letting Zi Ling go—otherwise, why would he propose such an impossible condition?
Heavenly Spirit Treasures were peerless artifacts, each capable of stirring bloody upheavals in the cultivation world upon their appearance. Even the great sects’ top cultivators would envy those who possessed one or two imitation treasures. For Hu Laomo to demand two genuine spirit treasures in exchange was clearly a sign of zero sincerity.
That said, the fact that he hadn’t immediately attacked was already a considerable concession. And the fact that this Han kid possessed two spirit treasures was equally shocking. No wonder he alone had thrown the Yin Luo Sect into chaos. The death of their sect master at his hands must indeed be true.
As the others silently mused, Zi Ling’s face turned deathly pale upon hearing the condition. She knew full well the value of spirit treasures and that no one would agree to such an impossible demand.
“Exchanging spirit treasures is far too unreasonable. I must decline.” Han Li sighed softly, refusing outright.
“Then use your Immortal-Slaying Pearls instead,” Hu Laomo sneered.
“I cannot agree to that either. Even if I were willing, I’d fear that without them, you’d find an excuse to turn on me and strike me down.” Han Li frowned but still shook his head slowly.
“*Heh*, at least you have some self-awareness. But aside from spirit treasures and Immortal-Slaying Pearls, what else could you possibly possess that would catch my eye? I’ve lived over a thousand years—even if there’s something in this world that could move me, it wouldn’t be in your hands.” Hu Laomo mocked.
“Is that so? Not necessarily. Tell me, Fellow Daoist Hu, how much lifespan do you have left?” Han Li suddenly chuckled.
“Though my lifespan isn’t endless, I still have three to four hundred years ahead of me. Why do you ask?” Hu Laomo was taken aback.
Hearing this, Han Li’s expression turned mysterious. His lips moved soundlessly as he initiated another voice transmission.
The wooden-crowned elder’s ears rang with Han Li’s words:
“If I could offer you a chance to extend your lifespan by another four to five hundred years, would you be willing to let Zi Ling leave the Demon Palace?”
“Four to five hundred years? Are you speaking of the Elixir of Rejuvenation?” The previously sneering elder abruptly straightened, his expression shifting dramatically.
Feng Laoguai, who had been watching the spectacle, couldn’t hear the transmission but noticed the old demon’s sudden change. Bewildered, he glanced over.
Xiang Zhili also opened his eyes, casting a suspicious look at Hu Laomo.
Realizing his lapse, the old demon quickly composed himself. But Han Li soon heard his eager voice transmission:
“In the human world, the only medicine capable of extending lifespan to that degree is the legendary Elixir of Rejuvenation. Do you truly possess such a sacred medicine? If so, I would naturally release this girl—and even offer you additional benefits.”
His tone had grown fervent, as if he were an entirely different person.
“I don’t have the Elixir of Rejuvenation, but I do possess a portion of its primary ingredient—Cold Essence.” Han Li didn’t drag it out, replying calmly.
“Just Cold Essence?” Disappointment laced the old demon’s voice, his emotions now wildly fluctuating.
“If I truly had the finished Elixir, why would I bargain with you? Presenting it to Senior Brother Xiang and Fellow Daoist Feng would ensure their immediate assistance in taking Zi Ling by force—something you couldn’t stop. You surely know the Elixir’s recipe. Though Solar Essence Fire is rare, with Cold Essence and the Heavenly Demon Sect’s resources, refining the Elixir is highly plausible. So, is this exchange fair?” Han Li spoke with confidence.
For Deity Transformation cultivators, lifespan-extending medicines were undoubtedly more coveted than spirit treasures. Han Li had no doubt the old demon would be tempted. Without this bargaining chip, rescuing Zi Ling from the Demon Palace would have been far more troublesome. Of course, he dared to offer it only because the old demon already held some wariness toward him—otherwise, provoking a Deity Transformation cultivator would be suicidal.
Silence followed from the other side as the old demon’s eyes flickered, deep in thought.
Feng Laoguai and Xiang Zhili exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in the other’s eyes. Neither knew what Han Li had said to quell the old demon’s fury so abruptly.
The other Nascent Soul cultivators were equally curious, but none dared to voice their questions.
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