“Two pieces of information? Fellow Daoist, please elaborate,” Han Li replied noncommittally.
“In three months, the Yunxiang Auction House, one of the auction houses in Cloud City, will be auctioning a demon core from a Saint-rank Thorn Demon Beast. As far as I know, this core is extremely rare, and even some Saint Tribe members in the city have already set their sights on it, intending to bid for it,” the woman said slowly.
“Saint Tribe!” Han Li frowned.
No matter how wealthy he considered himself, he had no confidence in outbidding beings at the Body Integration stage. Those old monsters had lived for tens of thousands of years, and the treasures and spirit stones they had accumulated were undoubtedly beyond imagination.
Of course, if he had no reservations, he could exchange all the spiritual medicines and materials he carried for spirit stones and compete with these Saint Tribe members.
But Han Li was in foreign territory—how could he recklessly reveal his wealth? Otherwise, before he could even secure the demon core, he might attract unwanted attention.
He had no intention of inviting trouble.
Han Li’s thoughts raced, and after a moment, he shook his head.
“Since Saint Tribe members are participating in the auction, I certainly won’t be able to secure it. This method won’t work.”
“Oh? Since Senior feels that way, then let’s move to the second piece of information. Senior has recently arrived in Tianyun, correct? Have you heard of the ‘Demon Gold Mountain Range’?” The girl smiled, appearing unbothered.
“Demon Gold Mountain Range! I’ve only heard of the name, but I’m not familiar with the specifics,” Han Li said, his interest piqued.
“It’s not surprising that Senior isn’t familiar with it. This place only appeared within the last ten thousand years, and few outside this region know of it. Allow me to explain in detail,” the woman said with a charming smile, her bright eyes gleaming.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Fellow Daoist,” Han Li nodded expressionlessly, recalling the regional map near Cloud City in his mind—the Demon Gold Mountain Range was indeed marked.
“About ten thousand years ago, in a wasteland about a month’s journey from Cloud City, a spatial storm suddenly erupted. For unknown reasons, after the storm subsided, a black mountain range appeared. This range was shrouded in dense demonic energy, and the space above it was extremely unstable, with numerous spatial rifts forming. From these rifts poured vast amounts of demonic energy, along with hordes of high-rank demon beasts, including Saint-rank demon beasts. In a short time, the area spanning millions of miles around the mountain range became a demonic domain, and it continued to expand outward. This alarmed the highest-tier Saint Tribe members of our Tianyun race. Several Saint Tribe members of the sixth and seventh ranks joined forces to enter the region, slaughtering most of the Saint-rank demon beasts before advancing to the heart of the mountain range to resolve the issue permanently,” the Crystal Race woman said gravely.
When she mentioned spatial rifts and demonic energy, Han Li was momentarily stunned, instantly recalling the Netherworld River Land from his time in the Feiling Race.
But the Crystal Race woman exhaled deeply and continued, “For some reason, those Saint Tribe members lingered at the heart of the mountain range for half a year before returning. Upon their return, they immediately ordered the area to be sealed off with restrictions, leaving only one entrance. They then informed all races that the issue had been resolved—no more demonic energy or Saint-rank demon beasts would emerge from the rifts, and the area would remain as it was. However, from then on, no beings above the Saint Tribe rank were permitted to enter. Those below the Saint Tribe rank could enter to hunt demon beasts for their cores and rare materials. But entry was restricted to one fixed month per year, and regardless of their gains, they could only stay for a month before being forced to leave. After that, the entrance would close. The demonic energy there is so thick that even demonic cultivators can’t endure it for long—prolonged exposure would turn them into demonic creatures. With so many demon beasts inside, it’s indeed a prime location for obtaining rare materials to exchange for spirit stones. In the first few years, every time the entrance opened, large numbers of mid-to-high-rank cultivators would flood in. But over time, the numbers dwindled. Nowadays, few dare to enter.”
At this, the Crystal Race woman sighed.
“Why is that?” Han Li asked curiously.
“The casualty rate is staggering. While those who emerge from the demonic domain return laden with spoils, those who don’t make it out account for one or two out of every ten entrants. Such a high mortality rate is tolerable for a few trips, but year after year, with no apparent decrease in high-rank demon beasts, it’s naturally terrifying. Besides countless high-rank demon beasts, the domain still harbors a few surviving Saint-rank demon beasts from back then. Though they mostly dwell in the heart of the range, encountering one by chance is a death sentence. Frankly, it’s unclear whether cultivators hunt demon beasts there or if the demon beasts feast on them. Fortunately, the higher the rank of the demon beast, the deeper they reside, rarely venturing to the edges. Otherwise, no one would dare enter. Nowadays, those who dare venture in and emerge alive can become overnight tycoons. Hence, this demonic domain has gradually been called the ‘Demon Gold Mountain Range,’ reflecting our love-hate relationship with it,” the Crystal Race woman explained with a smile.
“Fellow Daoist has said so much—are you suggesting I enter to hunt Saint-rank demon beasts?” Han Li stroked his chin before speaking calmly.
His face remained impassive, but inwardly, he had already made up his mind. If this woman was mad enough to propose such a thing, he would end the conversation immediately and leave.
Even if this Sky Devil Armor was valuable to him, it wasn’t worth risking his life for.
“The heart of the Demon Gold Mountain Range is far too dangerous—how could I propose such a thing? But what I do want Senior to consider is indeed the demon core of a Saint-rank demon beast from the Black Gold Mountain Range,” the Crystal Race woman chuckled lightly, shaking her head.
“What do you mean?” Han Li’s eyes flashed as if he had guessed something.
“From what I know, over a hundred years ago, an unknown Saint-rank demon beast, for reasons unknown, forcibly broke out of the Demon Gold Mountain Range and attacked several nearby towns. However, it was severely wounded by other Saint Tribe members who rushed to the scene and fled. By chance, I happen to know where this demon beast is hiding,” the woman said mysteriously, startling Han Li.
“Are you serious?” Han Li took a deep breath, his expression turning grave.
“Absolutely! Moreover, the beast was so heavily injured that it secretly returned to a hidden spot at the edge of the Black Gold Mountain Range, where it now lies dormant, its power less than a tenth of its peak. The only trouble is that it has created a demonic energy barrier around its resting place. Unless one is a high-rank demonic cultivator capable of manipulating demonic energy, touching the barrier would immediately awaken it. This is why I’ve known of its whereabouts but have been powerless to act. My price for repairing Senior’s armor is all the materials from this beast, except for its core. If Senior agrees, I’ll disclose its location truthfully,” the Crystal Race woman stated solemnly after laying out her terms.
“This beast is truly dormant at the edge of the Black Gold Mountain Range, with less than a tenth of its power? How can you be so certain?” Han Li pondered for a long while before asking.
Her words had piqued his interest, but given the stakes, he needed to clarify everything first.
“I swear on my life. Since Senior still has doubts, let me show you something that should dispel them.” Seeing Han Li’s caution, the woman smiled inwardly and raised a hand. A wisp of black smoke shot from her sleeve, coalescing into a strange bird hovering above her head.
It was a fist-sized, pitch-black bird with a fiery red beak and golden eyes.
“A Demon Smoke Bird!” Han Li recognized it instantly, first in surprise, then in realization.
“Correct! This spirit beast is one of the extremely rare demonic creatures in the Spirit Realm that can be tamed. Though it has no offensive power, it excels in tracking and stealth. Its master can even attach a strand of divine sense to it for direct control. After learning of that Saint-rank demon beast’s whereabouts, I used this bird to infiltrate its lair multiple times and observe it firsthand,” the Crystal Race woman said with a radiant smile.
“With this demon bird as proof, I believe your words. But I must ask—this Saint-rank demon beast escaped from multiple Saint Tribe members. It can’t be a low-tier Saint-rank, can it? And different types of demon beasts vary greatly in ability even at the same rank. Can’t you identify its species?” Han Li nodded but pressed further.
“Though I didn’t witness its battle with the Saint Tribe members, I’ve heard it was equivalent to a second or third-rank Saint Tribe member. Of course, this is based on hearsay and not absolute. As for its species, it’s hard to say, but it somewhat resembles the legendary true spirit ‘Mountain Giant Ape’—perhaps it carries a trace of its bloodline,” the woman replied without hesitation.
“Mountain Giant Ape!” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly.
“Ah, I have an image of the beast. Senior can take a look.” The woman seemed to remember something and tossed him a prepared stone slab.
Han Li caught it without ceremony, pressed it to his forehead, and immersed his divine sense within.
“It does bear some resemblance,” he said after a while, lowering his arm thoughtfully.
“I’ve said so much. Has Senior made a decision?” The Crystal Race woman gazed at Han Li, a hint of expectation in her eyes.
“Might I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?” Han Li suddenly asked an unrelated question with a faint smile.
“Senior may call me ‘Xianxian,'” the Crystal Race woman replied after a brief pause, smiling lightly.
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