After his earlier attempts, he no longer harbored any doubts about the records in the ancient texts and could only allow the True Kirin essence to be slowly absorbed by the Soul-Crying Beast.
Since the Soul-Crying Beast was his spiritual pet, its significant advancement in cultivation after absorbing the essence would naturally be a joyous occasion.
This outcome was far better than the alternative—waiting hundreds of years for the True Spirit essence to emerge again, only for it to fall into unknown hands.
After this line of reasoning, Han Li’s initial elation followed by deep disappointment gradually faded, allowing his mind to regain its usual calm.
With a wave of his hand, he released the spirit beast ring and recalled the Soul-Crying Beast.
After a brief moment of contemplation, his expression turned solemn as he flipped his palm, revealing an unremarkable-looking green jade vial.
Though seemingly ordinary, the vial emitted a faint green glow, and its mouth was tightly sealed with several restriction talismans.
Han Li raised an eyebrow and tossed the vial into the air. With a flick of his sleeve, over a dozen shimmering formation flags flew out.
Muttering an incantation, he pointed at the flags, which instantly transformed into streaks of multicolored light before vanishing into the void.
A pale yellow light barrier materialized within the chamber, its surface adorned with drifting runes of varying sizes.
Han Li had set up a small formation, enveloping himself within its protective power.
Only after completing these preparations did he confidently blow a gentle breeze toward the green jade vial.
With a few soft *pops*, the restriction talismans on the vial’s mouth detached on their own, revealing an opening from which faint light flickered.
Without hesitation, Han Li raised his arm and made a grasping motion toward the vial.
The green jade vial spun and tilted, releasing a multicolored radiance as a bizarre, doll-like object, several inches tall and motionless, was expelled from its mouth.
Despite its appearance, Han Li did not underestimate the doll. He muttered an incantation and sent several spell seals toward it.
The doll’s surface shimmered with spiritual light, rapidly expanding in size. After a few flashes, it revealed its true form—a massive, two-zhang-tall humanoid monster with an emerald-green face and pale purple tentacle-like limbs.
This was none other than the “Spirit Mushroom Immortal” Han Li had unexpectedly captured in the Demon Mountain Range.
Now, its body was covered in glowing runes, completely restrained, with its eyes tightly shut as if in deep slumber.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, examining the Spirit Mushroom Immortal with great interest.
His fascination was understandable. While he had encountered spiritual medicines capable of transformation before—such as his own Nine-Turn Spirit Ginseng, which could manifest a lifelike white rabbit—this Spirit Mushroom Immortal had transformed its entire body into human form, far surpassing the likes of the Nine-Turn Spirit Ginseng in rarity and power.
Nevertheless, he had no intention of awakening it immediately. Instead, he flicked a finger hidden within his sleeve.
A sharp *whoosh* sounded as a slender sword light flashed out, circling one of the Spirit Mushroom Immortal’s purple tentacles. With a green glint, a small wound appeared, oozing a few drops of milky-white liquid. A rich medicinal aroma instantly filled the chamber.
Han Li’s eyes gleamed coldly as he raised his other hand, summoning a thumb-sized vial. He exhaled a stream of radiant light, which coiled around the white liquid and neatly deposited it into the vial without a single drop wasted.
Meanwhile, the wound on the tentacle shimmered with faint purple light and healed instantly, as if it had never existed.
Han Li showed no surprise at this, as if he had anticipated it. With a wave of his hand, an invisible force pulled the vial of milky-white liquid toward him.
He caught it and brought it to his nose for a sniff.
“Such pure spiritual energy!” he murmured, though his expression remained largely indifferent.
With his other hand, he summoned a silver glow, which condensed into a half-chi-wide silver bowl adorned with exquisite patterns—clearly no ordinary object.
Without hesitation, he poured the contents of the vial into the bowl, watching as a single drop of the milky-white liquid fell inside.
Next, he flicked his sleeve toward the ground, releasing his storage bracelet. A swirling radiance emerged, revealing rows of variously shaped boxes and containers.
Han Li’s gaze swept over them before he reached for a jade box.
The lid flew open on its own, and a stream of blue spiritual liquid soared out, forming a thin line that landed in the silver bowl.
Another bottle then rose into the air, heading straight for the bowl…
After nearly three to four hours, the chamber was saturated with a thick medicinal fragrance. Han Li’s eyes glowed with blue light as he stared intently at the contents of the silver bowl, utterly absorbed.
After a long while, a bitter chuckle echoed through the chamber. The silver bowl vanished in a flash of light.
“It seems that while the Spirit Mushroom Immortal’s essence has remarkable properties for alchemy, it alone wouldn’t warrant such fervent pursuit from Body Unity-stage beings. There must be other extraordinary uses for it,” Han Li mused aloud, straightening his posture.
As he spoke, his gaze drifted back to the motionless Spirit Mushroom Immortal floating before him.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Han Li suddenly flicked his fingers, sending dozens of silver threads shooting into the creature’s body.
Once the threads vanished, he withdrew his hands into his sleeves and observed the Spirit Mushroom Immortal without further action.
Moments later, the previously still Spirit Mushroom Immortal shimmered with a faint purple glow.
Its eyelids twitched, slowly opening to reveal pale green eyes with eerie silver pupils that flickered like sharp needles.
“So, I’ve fallen into your hands after all. May I ask where this is?” To Han Li’s surprise, the Spirit Mushroom Immortal spoke calmly, without a trace of anger, as if conversing with a passerby.
Han Li’s eyebrows rose slightly, and a faint smile played on his lips. “This is Cloud City, not far from the Demon Mountain Range. It seems your intelligence awakened long ago—to remain so composed under these circumstances.”
“What good would panic do me? Would begging for mercy make you release me?” the Spirit Mushroom Immortal replied coolly after a pause.
“Fair point. A sentient spiritual medicine like you, capable of human transformation, is a rarity even in the Spirit Realm. Letting you go is out of the question,” Han Li agreed with a nod.
Noticing Han Li’s composed demeanor, the Spirit Mushroom Immortal showed a flicker of surprise before glancing at the tentacle Han Li had wounded earlier. It snorted and closed its eyes, refusing to speak further.
“Still, I’m curious—aside from being used in alchemy, do you possess other unique properties? Otherwise, why would so many high-ranking beings pursue you relentlessly?” Han Li pressed, undeterred.
A mocking smile tugged at the Spirit Mushroom Immortal’s lips, but it remained silent.
“Since your intelligence has awakened, you possess your own soul and spirit. Surely you wouldn’t force me to resort to soul-searching techniques?” Han Li sighed.
“Soul-searching? If you think that will yield anything, by all means, try,” the Spirit Mushroom Immortal retorted with a cold laugh.
Han Li frowned slightly.
In the Spirit Realm, techniques similar to his Demon Sage True Devil Art’s soul-compression method were rare but not unheard of. It wasn’t surprising that this ancient Spirit Mushroom Immortal knew of them.
His mind raced, though his expression remained unreadable.
“Your silence changes nothing. I can still refine top-tier pills using your body. However, I’ve heard that the transformed souls of spiritual beings like you hold great value for cultivators practicing certain esoteric arts. The spiritual essence you’ve painstakingly cultivated over centuries could be wiped away in an instant if you fall into their hands,” Han Li remarked pointedly.
“You’re threatening me!” The Spirit Mushroom Immortal trembled slightly, its eyes snapping open with a dark glare.
“Not a threat—just stating facts. I took great risks entering the Demon Mountain Range. If I don’t gain sufficient compensation, I’ll have to make the most of what I have,” Han Li replied lightly, though his eyes were devoid of warmth.
“And if I speak, will you truly honor your word and release my soul? How can I trust you?” the Spirit Mushroom Immortal demanded, its silver pupils flashing coldly.
“Releasing your soul outright is impossible—I can’t risk you possessing another body or being captured and revealing secrets. But I can grant you a swift end, sending you directly into the cycle of reincarnation. As for trust… do you have any other choice?” Han Li chuckled.
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