Chapter 1333: Sky Abyss Market

As soon as the blue-eyed man landed near the Magnetic Mountain, he lightly shook the gourd in his hand toward the transparent beast below.

Instantly, a silver mist sprayed out from the gourd, swirling around the base of the giant mountain before suddenly transforming into several massive silver runes that vanished into the beast’s body in a flash.

The transparent beast immediately emitted a layer of silver light, and its body shrank rapidly, soon becoming no larger than a fist.

Strangely, the Magnetic Mountain also shrank along with the beast, ensuring it had no chance to escape.

At that moment, the gourd sprayed another stream of silver mist, enveloping the now-tiny beast.

Simultaneously, Han Li pointed from a distance, and the small black mountain slowly rose, causing the beast to transform into a ball of white light and be sucked into the gourd.

The blue-eyed man hurriedly sealed the gourd and slapped a golden talisman onto it.

Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

The others had already retrieved their magic treasures and landed on the ground, but their expressions were filled with deep respect when facing Han Li.

Having witnessed Han Li’s earlier display of power, everyone understood that this new captain possessed unfathomable abilities, far beyond those of an ordinary early-stage Spirit Transformation cultivator.

This realization filled them with joy and genuine awe toward Han Li.

“Rest a while longer, then we’ll continue,” Han Li said as he stored the Magnetic Mountain in his sleeve.

With that, he walked to the side, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes.

Naturally, no one objected. They dispersed to rest and recover their depleted spiritual energy.

However, the female cultivator surnamed Xu remained standing in place.

After hesitating for a moment, she approached Han Li, bowed slightly, and said softly, “Thank you, Senior, for saving my Frost Crystal Sword earlier. Otherwise, it would have been destroyed.”

“Frost Crystal Sword! Your flying sword is forged from Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Jade, isn’t it?” Han Li opened his eyes, glanced at her, and asked calmly.

“Senior’s insight is unparalleled. Indeed, most of my flying sword is made from Profound Jade,” Xu replied, inwardly startled.

“Since you wield such an icy sword, your cultivation must be ice-based. There’s someone I’d like to ask if you know,” Han Li said, his eyes flickering.

“Please speak, Senior,” Xu said after a brief pause.

“An ancient cultivator named Frost Fairy, who also practiced extreme ice techniques and ascended from the lower realm—do you know of her?” Han Li stared into her radiant star-like eyes and transmitted his voice directly.

When he first saw her, she had seemed familiar. Upon reflection, he realized her eyes were identical to those of the Frost Fairy’s projection summoned by the disciples of the Small Extreme Palace in the human realm when opening the Void Spirit Hall.

Though it had only been a projection, the Frost Fairy’s shimmering, star-bright eyes were unforgettable.

Now, seeing this woman also wield ice-based techniques and a sword forged from Profound Jade, he decided to ask on a whim.

“Frost Fairy? She is an ancestor of our Xu family from long ago! How does Senior know of her? Could it be… you and my ancestor came from the same lower realm?” Xu was stunned and replied via voice transmission.

“Haha, I wouldn’t say we were acquainted. But I owe much of my current achievements to some legacies your ancestor left behind in the lower realm. Hmm… why didn’t you forge your sword entirely from Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Jade? Its power could have increased by at least half,” Han Li chuckled lightly before abruptly changing the subject.

“Senior jests. Though Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Jade isn’t among the rarest materials in the wildlands, gathering enough of it is extremely difficult. The amount already infused into my sword was only possible after I spared no expense to acquire it over time,” Xu explained, surprised by Han Li’s connection to her ancestor but answering honestly.

“I see. Coincidentally, I have some Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Jade on hand—enough to reforge your sword. Since you are indeed connected to the Frost Fairy, I’ll gift it to you as repayment for that favor,” Han Li said after a brief contemplation.

He flicked his storage bracelet, and a foot-long crystalline jade box appeared in his hand, which he handed to her.

“Thank you, Senior, for your generosity!” The woman’s face lit up with joy as she accepted the box and opened it.

She gasped.

Inside were four fist-sized white crystals, radiating a milky-white cold light.

This amount of Profound Jade was enough not only to reforge her sword but also to craft another ice-based treasure.

Her eyes burning with excitement, she stored the box and bowed deeply to Han Li once more.

Han Li waved dismissively, appearing indifferent, and closed his eyes again.

The Void Heaven Cauldron, Cold Essence, and Extreme Cold Flame—all these treasures were closely tied to the Frost Fairy. Having benefited from her legacy, he saw no harm in aiding her descendant to settle this karmic debt, ensuring fewer vulnerabilities in his heart during future tribulations.

Xu, now in possession of such a treasure, tactfully withdrew without disturbing Han Li further.

The blue-eyed man and others noticed the exchange from afar.

Seeing the woman’s elation after receiving the jade box—a stark contrast to her usual aloof demeanor—they were intensely curious but knew better than to pry.

After resting for several hours, Han Li ordered, “Let’s move out,” and the group resumed their journey.

The rest of the patrol passed without encountering any other foreign races. Completing their route, they arrived at a predetermined location, where a golden transport ship awaited them.

Divided into two groups, they boarded the ship and teleported back to Sky Abyss City.

Since they had encountered foreign beings and captured a tamed beast, handing the transparent beast over to the “Exotic Creatures Hall” earned them a substantial reward.

By regulation, each patrol was followed by six months of rest, and after a decade of rotations, their assigned region would be randomly reassigned.

Having completed his first patrol, Han Li received a “Dust-Cleansing Pill,” which he consumed immediately.

The team disbanded in the hall, with the blue-eyed man and others bidding Han Li farewell before departing.

As Xu took her leave, she suddenly shared news that piqued Han Li’s interest:

“Senior, in two days, the city’s auction house will hold its triennial Wildlands Auction. Will you be attending?”

“Wildlands items? Are you interested as well?” Han Li raised an eyebrow.

“Senior flatters me. Only Spirit Transformation cultivators like yourself qualify to attend. As a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, I have no such privilege. Moreover, every Wildlands item fetches astronomical prices—far beyond my means. But perhaps Senior might find something worthwhile,” she replied with a wry smile.

“Thank you for the information. I may take a look,” Han Li said noncommittally.

Satisfied that her goodwill had been acknowledged, Xu bowed and left.

Han Li watched her retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Even without her mention, he had no intention of leaving the city immediately.

Since arriving in the Spirit Realm, he had yet to gather suitable pill formulas and spiritual medicines. The Wildlands Auction presented a perfect opportunity to explore.

After all, the legends surrounding Wildlands treasures had long intrigued him.

With this in mind, Han Li leisurely left the stone tower and flew toward the marked marketplace on his map.

Sky Abyss City’s marketplace was vast, offering rare materials from all three human territories and seven demon lands.

The occasional appearance of Wildlands items only added to its bustling activity, drawing constant streams of guards and outsiders alike.

Remarkably, the colossal barrier separating humans and demons bisected the marketplace, yet at its center stood a grand hall connecting both sides, facilitating trade between the two races.

After all, some materials useless to one race might be invaluable to the other.

The auction house occupied a side hall within this grand structure.

Han Li’s light landed on a street, and he casually entered a nearby herb shop.

“Welcome, Senior! Though our shop is modest, our selection of spiritual herbs is comprehensive,” greeted the middle-aged Core Formation shopkeeper, rising eagerly with two Foundation Establishment assistants.

“Do you have pill formulas or herbs to refine a Spirit Transformation cultivator’s cultivation?” Han Li asked directly.

“Spirit Transformation? We have two pill formulas, but the required materials are too rare for us to provide in full,” the shopkeeper replied, perking up at the prospect of a major sale.

“Show me the formulas first,” Han Li said with a faint frown.

“Of course! Please wait a moment, Senior.” The shopkeeper bowed, instructed an assistant to serve tea, and hurried to the back.