“I see. However, I too have my master’s orders to follow and cannot yield the Void Spirit Pill. How about this—aside from the Void Spirit Pill, I will relinquish all other items to you, Fairy. Please do not compete with me for it, and afterward, my master will surely compensate Senior Cai in some other way.” Upon hearing Liu Shui’er’s words, Shi Kun let out a low chuckle, though his tone grew even more somber.
“Brother Shi, what do you mean by this? Are you merely echoing my words? My master’s command is clear—the Void Spirit Pill is non-negotiable. If you are willing to step back, I can make the decision on behalf of my master to gift you a vial of our Crystal Clan’s treasure, the ‘Lunar Essence Liquid.’ The significance of this spiritual liquid to your Stone Cocoon Clan, Brother Shi, should be obvious. Even your clan’s Saint-tier elders would go to great lengths to obtain it.” Liu Shui’er’s gaze turned icy, yet her tone remained gentle.
At the mention of “Lunar Essence Liquid,” Shi Kun’s expression shifted slightly, clearly caught off guard, and for a moment, he seemed genuinely tempted.
But he quickly recalled the stern instructions Duan Tianren had given him before departure. With a shudder, he dismissed the thought entirely and firmly shook his head. “No. As much as I desire the Lunar Essence Liquid, without the Void Spirit Pill, how could I possibly explain myself to my master? This is absolutely impossible.”
“So, Brother Shi refuses to yield even slightly?” Liu Shui’er’s tone now carried a hint of displeasure.
This time, Shi Kun did not respond, merely fixing her with a cold stare—his stance unmistakable.
Liu Shui’er fell silent as well, her gaze growing equally frosty. The atmosphere between them grew tense.
Han Li, observing this, frowned slightly.
“Why must the two of you act this way? Though I do not know the exact miraculous effects of the Void Spirit Pill that have led your masters to demand it, isn’t it premature to be at each other’s throats before even confirming its presence?” he interjected calmly.
“Premature? Brother Han, what do you mean?” Shi Kun’s expression shifted as he spoke.
Liu Shui’er’s eyes also flickered with curiosity.
“Your masters’ certainty about the pill’s presence in the hall must stem from other clues. But the actual situation inside remains uncertain. Why not first confirm the treasures within before making any decisions?” Han Li said nonchalantly.
Hearing this, both Shi Kun and Liu Shui’er fell into contemplation.
Truthfully, given their experience, they had naturally considered this possibility. But the moment the hall’s doors were breached, their immediate concern had been the other seizing the pill first, leaving no room for such thoughts.
Now, reminded by Han Li, their minds cleared. They weighed the pros and cons of confrontation now and agreed it would be wiser to verify the pill’s presence before acting.
“Brother Han makes a valid point. Brother Shi, let us first confirm whether the Void Spirit Pill is truly inside before discussing its ownership,” Liu Shui’er said slowly.
“If Fairy Liu says so, I have no objections,” Shi Kun replied, forcing a smile as he realized Han Li’s presence could significantly influence the pill’s fate.
“Since neither of you objects, let us enter together without any order of precedence,” Han Li suggested, stepping forward lightly to stand beside them.
Shi Kun and Liu Shui’er nodded in agreement. The three then entered the hall side by side, scanning the vast space within.
The main hall was indeed grand, spanning nearly a thousand zhang in width, easily accommodating thousands. The first things to catch their eyes were the dozens of purple-gold pillars, each as thick as a person. The walls were adorned with ancient weapons—spears and axes—each gleaming silver and radiating spiritual energy, numbering nearly a thousand.
Beneath the walls, colorful suits of armor were arranged at intervals, empty but exquisitely engraved, clearly not ordinary gear.
At the far end opposite the entrance stood a massive screen, about seven to eight zhang tall, shrouded in a faint blue glow. Its surface bore an indistinct painting, too distant to discern clearly.
Before the screen rested a low table with a golden ancient cauldron.
Apart from these, the hall was empty, devoid of any other decorations or treasures.
Surprised by the hall’s sparseness, Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun exchanged glances before following Han Li toward the screen and cauldron.
Han Li stopped about ten zhang away, scrutinizing the two objects. The others halted as well, their expressions varied.
Han Li’s eyes emitted a faint blue glow as he gazed through the luminous screen, revealing a massive black door adorned with intertwined silver and gold inscriptions—silver tadpole script and gold seal script, the writing systems of the Immortal Realm.
A strand of his divine sense probed the door’s image, only to be abruptly sucked into the screen, severing the connection. Startled, Han Li grew wary of the screen.
Shi Kun grunted, stumbling half a step back before steadying himself, evidently suffering a greater backlash.
Liu Shui’er, hidden under her cloak, swayed slightly, clearly sensing the screen’s strangeness.
Undeterred, Han Li turned his attention to the golden cauldron. Its surface was intricately engraved with spiral patterns that induced dizziness upon closer inspection. His divine sense circled the cauldron but could not penetrate it, finding it impervious.
Noticing two square indentations on either side of the cauldron, Han Li glanced at the others and saw them fixated on the cauldron—or more precisely, the indentations. Shi Kun’s face even lit up with excitement.
“Do you two recognize this cauldron?” Han Li asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Brother Han jokes. This is my first time here—how could I recognize it?” Shi Kun replied, though his lingering delight betrayed him.
“Then why are you both so fixated on it?” Han Li pressed.
“Perhaps Fairy Liu can explain. She knows more than I do,” Shi Kun deflected, dragging Liu Shui’er into the conversation.
Annoyed but cornered, Liu Shui’er sighed. “Brother Han, this cauldron likely contains the Void Spirit Pill and other items our masters seek. Shi Kun and I each carry an item required to open it. Brother Shi, shall we show them to Brother Han?”
“Now I’m truly curious,” Han Li remarked lightly.
Shi Kun hesitated, irritated by Liu Shui’er’s maneuver. “Is there a problem, Brother Shi?” Han Li asked mildly.
Realizing Han Li’s composure masked his resolve, Shi Kun forced a laugh. “Of course not. These items are necessary to retrieve the treasures anyway.” With that, he produced a golden object from his palm.
Han Li examined it closely.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage