“Devil-Refining Grass!”
“Impossible!”
The voices of Baohua and Yuanyan came one after another. Baohua remained composed, though visibly shocked, standing firmly in place.
The black-robed youth beside her, however, let out a cry and vanished in a blur, reappearing before Han Li in a gust of wind. His fingers, like iron hooks, shot toward the faint silver herb with lightning speed.
His face was slightly contorted, his eyes bloodshot, fixated solely on the herb as if nothing else existed.
Han Li’s expression darkened. With a flick of his sleeve, a five-colored ice block vanished. He roared, and a massive scaled fist, wreathed in golden light, shot forward.
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Golden light and black qi intertwined, sending a hurricane skyward as shockwaves rippled outward. The heavens trembled, and countless white streaks flickered in the void before vanishing.
At the epicenter, two figures were flung backward, each staggering to a halt dozens of feet apart.
Han Li and Yuanyan the Venerable!
The clash had ended in a draw.
Han Li slowly raised his demonized face, his gaze icy as he glared at the black-robed youth. With a flash of killing intent, he barked, “Do you intend to take it by force? If so, I’ll gladly oblige.”
As he spoke, a second demonic head shimmered into existence on his shoulder, and two more scaled golden arms sprouted from his sides. Now in a two-headed, four-armed demonic form, Han Li clenched his fists, unleashing an aura several times more terrifying than before.
“Second Nirvana Transformation! So you’ve truly mastered the high-tier Nirvana Sacred Body,” Baohua murmured from afar, her expression flickering with surprise.
Yuanyan, having steadied himself, paled at the sight of Han Li’s monstrous transformation, his eyes filled with deep wariness.
Yet the Devil-Refining Grass was too crucial for him. Taking a deep breath, he shouted, “Human brat, that herb is useless to you! Hand it over, and I’ll leave immediately, never interfering in your affairs with Baohua again.”
“Devil-Refining Grass? This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Han Li replied coldly. “Since you recognize it, why not enlighten me before we proceed?”
“Like the Heavenly Sound Thunder Core, the Devil-Refining Grass is a spiritual herb native to the upper realms,” Baohua interjected lightly. “Its effects, as Yuanyan said, are primarily beneficial to our kind. However, due to certain reasons, he values it far more than I do. His future ascension hinges on obtaining it. Oh, and I might add—he once attempted to cultivate it using substitutes, but to no avail—”
“Enough, Baohua!” Yuanyan snarled, his face darkening as he cut her off.
Baohua smirked but fell silent.
“I see,” Han Li mused.
“Since she’s spilled the truth, I’ll be blunt,” Yuanyan growled, his expression turning savage. “I must have that herb. Refuse, and I’ll risk my primary soul to ensure you never leave.”
Han Li’s mind raced. “If it’s truly useless to me, I’ve no reason to cling to it. But for you to take it so easily seems… childish.”
“Name your price! As a Sacred Ancestor, I possess treasures your human cultivators would kill for,” Yuanyan pressed eagerly, sensing an opening.
After witnessing Han Li’s transformation, he knew force was futile—negotiation was his only path.
Han Li chuckled. “Let’s table this for now. My transaction with Lady Baohua isn’t finished.”
Yuanyan hesitated, then nodded. “Very well. I’ll wait.”
Turning to Baohua, Han Li said gravely, “I’ve shown you many herbs, yet none caught your eye. If the next few fail to impress, don’t blame me.”
“Show me the rest first. We’ll discuss alternatives if needed,” Baohua replied airily.
With a snort, Han Li flicked his sleeve, summoning a blue jade vial. He tossed it into the air, firing a series of incantations into it.
The vial quivered, its rim shimmering before unleashing a surge of dense water-attributed spiritual energy. A milky spring erupted, unveiling a silver lotus pod the size of a fist and a section of silver lotus root as thick as a child’s arm.
The pod, attached to a slender stem atop the root, gleamed brilliantly, swaying ethereally above the spring.
Baohua’s composure shattered. Her starry eyes blazed with undisguised delight as she stared at the pod.
Han Li noted her reaction, then glanced at Yuanyan, who wore only puzzlement.
“It seems this is what you seek,” Han Li said to Baohua. “Care to share its name and origin?”
Baohua tore her gaze away, smoothing her hair. “If you don’t even know its name, why ask? But you’re right—this is what I want. Though I doubt you’ll hand it over freely.”
Han Li smiled faintly. “The earlier herbs were one thing. But these—each hails from the immortal realm, unique to both our worlds. Would you surrender them lightly? Besides, I only agreed to show them, not gift them.”
“Were our positions reversed, I’d demand more too,” Baohua conceded. “State your terms. I possess treasures, techniques, even True Spirit blood and pills invaluable to Body Integration cultivators. Were our cultivation methods compatible, I might even share my insights into the Mahayana realm.”
“True Spirit blood?” Han Li’s interest sparked.
“Indeed. I’ve dealt with True Spirits before and kept some of their essence. Your Nirvana Body relies on such bloodlines—these would serve you well,” she said, smiling.
“I do need it, but not just any blood. What varieties do you hold?” Han Li asked, masking his eagerness.
Baohua listed six rare True Spirits, but Han Li shook his head. “Useless to me. Any others?”
“Some Phoenix blood, but you already possess that. The rest were consumed long ago. Perhaps my pills would suit you?”
“No need. I ventured into the demon realm for two things. Grant me those, and the herbs are yours without hesitation.”
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