“Without the right to choose, I might as well take the spiritual medicine to the next round of exchange,” Han Li frowned and replied upon hearing this.
“If the fellow Daoist wishes to take the spiritual medicine to the next exchange, that is naturally acceptable. However… I must remind you that the materials required for the next few treasures will be adjusted and expanded. After all, these treasures were contributed by different elders of our Black Domain, and each has their own specific demands. Moreover, even with your spiritual medicine, you won’t be able to exchange for two items in the next round. At the very least, this Heaven-Reaching Gong will certainly slip past you,” the golden-masked man said with a meaningful glance.
“Unable to exchange for two items? Are the treasures below even rarer than this Heaven-Reaching Gong?” Han Li’s heart stirred upon hearing this.
“Heh, that depends on one’s perspective!” The golden-masked man remained tight-lipped about the other treasures of the Black Domain, revealing nothing further.
Han Li’s facial muscles twitched slightly, but inwardly, he sneered. *Does he really think I must have this Heaven-Reaching Gong? My true interest lies only in the foreign body-refining technique attached to it. The gong itself is dispensable.*
With this in mind, Han Li spoke indifferently, “How do I know the second treasure you bring out will truly be one of your prized items? What if you produce something random? I’d be at a severe disadvantage.”
“Haha, rest assured on that point. With your discerning eye, you’ll surely recognize the grade of the treasure. If you find it unsatisfactory, you can simply refuse the exchange!” The golden-masked man spoke with absolute confidence, his tone brimming with pride.
After a brief consideration, Han Li nodded slightly. “Since you’ve said so, show me this second treasure first. If it proves useful to me, I’ll proceed with the exchange.”
Seeing the other’s confidence, he couldn’t help but grow curious about the second item.
“Very well. Please wait a moment.” The golden-masked man chuckled as a golden pouch materialized in his hand with a flash of spiritual light. He tossed it into the air.
A white streak shot down—the hovering white serpent—swiftly swallowing the pouch before darting out of the light barrier straight toward Han Li.
Han Li raised his arm, palm outstretched.
The golden pouch landed squarely in his grasp.
His brow arched slightly as he loosened the pouch’s opening and swept it with his divine sense.
“This is—” Han Li’s expression abruptly shifted, revealing shock.
At that moment, a brilliant green light erupted from the pouch, accompanied by an eerie hum. The glow swirled as if something within was about to burst free.
Reacting instantly, Han Li slapped his palm onto the pouch.
A layer of golden spiritual light flared, completely enveloping the pouch.
Both the green radiance and the strange hum vanished within the golden light.
“What exactly is the meaning of this?” Han Li stared at the pouch for a long moment before finally raising his head and transmitting his voice coldly.
“Simple. We offer this item, along with the Heaven-Reaching Gong, in exchange for your Yin Phoenix Herb,” the golden-masked man replied with a confident smile.
“Hmph. If this item were fully refined, it would indeed be an extraordinary treasure. But offering just an embryo in exchange for my Yin Phoenix Herb? Your domain certainly has grand ambitions,” Han Li snorted, his eyes glinting.
“If this item were already completed, do you think anyone would offer it for exchange? Even if they did, it alone could fetch seven or eight Yin Phoenix Herbs like yours—let alone paired with the Heaven-Reaching Gong,” the golden-masked man retorted nonchalantly.
“That may be true. Once completed, no cultivator would willingly part with it. But an embryo is just an embryo—it’s a far cry from being fully refined. Moreover, with the calamity approaching, trading such a rare herb for something useless during the crisis—who knows if it’s truly worth it?” Han Li sighed after some thought.
“Heh, that depends on your fortune. If you survive the calamity and find a way to refine this item, the benefits will be boundless. I won’t hide it from you—this treasure was originally crafted by one of our Black Domain’s elders. Realizing he could never complete it, he chose to offer it here for exchange,” the golden-masked man chuckled, withholding nothing.
Han Li stroked his chin, falling into deep contemplation.
The item inside the golden pouch was a legendary treasure among humans and demons. Once refined, it could greatly aid a cultivator’s progress. It was said that only a handful in either race possessed such an artifact. Though currently a semi-finished product, its value under normal circumstances would far exceed that of the Yin Phoenix Herb—let alone paired with the Heaven-Reaching Gong.
However, this treasure was a natural-born wonder of heaven and earth. Not only was its embryonic formation incredibly rare and beyond human effort, but its subsequent refinement was also fraught with immense difficulties—nearly impossible. Otherwise, given its value, there wouldn’t be so few in existence.
Even so, the thought of its miraculous effects once completed set Han Li’s heart racing.
No wonder the other party was so confident he’d agree. But this also revealed their determination to obtain the Yin Phoenix Herb.
The other figures in nearby stone pavilions, observing the exchange, surmised it was highly likely to succeed. Many grew curious about the contents of Han Li’s jade box and the golden-masked man’s pouch.
But with their divine senses severely restricted, they could glean nothing.
“Fine. I accept the exchange!” Han Li didn’t deliberate much longer before formally agreeing.
“A most wise decision,” the golden-masked man said, pleased, a flicker of joy in his eyes.
With a flick of his sleeve, a golden light swept over the massive black gong before him.
The gong rapidly shrank under the glow, soon becoming palm-sized and hovering steadily in mid-air.
The purple mallet likewise thinned to the width of a finger, transforming into a violet streak that landed in his hand.
What followed was straightforward. The golden-masked man placed both items into a wooden box, formed a hand seal, and summoned a giant black crow above the stone platform. The bird seized the box in its beak and delivered it to Han Li.
Meanwhile, he carefully stored the jade box containing the Yin Phoenix Herb.
Han Li, too, stowed away the Heaven-Reaching Gong and the golden pouch before leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.
Thus, the exchange was concluded.
The attendant behind him, Number Eleven, promptly resumed her gentle massaging.
“Excellent. The first featured treasure has been successfully exchanged. Next, our domain has prepared a large batch of rare alchemy and artifact-forging materials—items seldom seen in the markets today. While not exceptionally precious, they are highly practical and in great demand. Given the sheer quantity, we’ve divided them into three batches for exchange. Take note, fellow Daoists, of the newly added and adjusted items. If multiple parties desire the same batch, I will decide the final allocation,” the golden-masked man announced clearly.
Two additional jade slips appeared in his hands, which he waved toward the air. The ancient script on the original light screen began shifting—some names vanishing while nearly half as many new ones appeared.
Simultaneously, another light screen materialized nearby, listing the three batches of materials the Black Domain was offering, along with their staggering quantities.
Evidently, these materials were highly sought-after. Almost immediately after the golden-masked man finished speaking, numerous voices called out their offers, igniting a fervent atmosphere in the exchange hall.
Han Li observed coldly, showing no further interest in participating.
The three batches were swiftly exchanged. Next, the golden-masked man presented something that widened Han Li’s horizons—
Seven exquisitely beautiful human women, each at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, all possessing physiques ideally suited for dual cultivation or as cauldrons.
Young and promising, with minimal nurturing, they would make exceptional companions or concubines.
Unsurprisingly, many showed interest. After a round of bidding, a mysterious figure in purple robes secured them with a single piece of “Profound Light Iron”—a material specified on the light screen—displaying both wealth and extravagance.
Following this, the Black Domain unveiled its second featured treasure—an ancient yellow banner of peculiar design.
This was a relic from the era when humans first established themselves in the Spirit Realm, left behind by a legendary figure whose name still resonated today. Rumored to possess heaven-altering powers, it could serve as the core of a supreme formation or as a standalone weapon of unparalleled might.
Even Han Li felt his heart stir at the sight. Unfortunately, the golden-masked man demanded three other treasures of comparable value in exchange, leaving many to swallow their envy.
Yet, against expectations, one individual actually possessed one of the three required items. After some haggling, they secured the banner, with the golden-masked man even throwing in a substantial sum of spirit stones to sweeten the deal.
Han Li couldn’t help but cast a few extra glances at this mysterious figure shrouded in bloody mist.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage