“What does Fellow Daoist Han mean by that?” The white-robed elder was momentarily taken aback, speaking with a hint of surprise.
“If Fellow Daoist had no intention of looking down on us, why bother sending only a mere avatar to deceive us?” Han Li replied, his expression unchanged.
“An avatar?”
This time, it was Mo Jianli’s turn to be startled. He hurriedly scanned the elder with his spiritual sense but still found the other’s aura unfathomable, with no trace of abnormality. His face couldn’t help but flicker with uncertainty.
The white-robed elder showed a trace of surprise, staring at Han Li for a moment before chuckling softly:
“Fellow Daoist Han truly has sharp eyes, able to see through this Harmonious Heart Avatar at a glance. This king must admit admiration. However, to accuse me of looking down on you would be a grave misunderstanding. Fellow Daoist Mo and Han must have heard of my seclusion before arriving. To be frank, this is no lie. My true form is indeed in seclusion somewhere and cannot easily emerge to meet guests, so I had no choice but to send this avatar here. In fact, it’s not just the two of you—even Fellow Daoists Xueran and Heilin were meant to be met by this avatar.”
The white-robed elder openly admitted it.
Upon hearing this, Mo Jianli’s expression shifted slightly, and he opened his mouth as if to speak. But before he could, a cold snort echoed from outside the hall, followed by a booming, unfamiliar male voice:
“Brother Ling actually planned to receive us brothers with an avatar? That’s hardly sincere. Unless your true form is in a life-or-death seclusion, with our status, isn’t it worth your true form emerging once?”
As the voice faded, two figures strode into the hall—two dark-skinned, rough-featured strangers with faint scaly patches covering half their bodies.
One of them exuded a rolling murderous aura, enveloped in a bloody glow.
The other radiated a chilling, gloomy energy, with faint black mist swirling around his body, forming countless tiny vortices that ceaselessly drew in the surrounding spiritual energy.
From a distance, the two looked utterly bizarre!
“So, Fellow Daoists Xueran and Heilin have arrived. Ling apologizes for not greeting you properly. Though I’m not in a life-or-death seclusion, this retreat is crucial. If I emerge now, all my efforts will be wasted. I can only ask for your understanding.” The white-robed elder’s eyes brightened at the sight of the two new Great Ascension beings, but he still offered a light-hearted explanation.
“Hmph, if not for this trade…” One of the dark-skinned men glared, but before he could finish his harsh words, the other cut him off: “Enough, Brother Hei. We’re not here for idle chatter. Whether it’s an avatar or not makes no difference, as long as he can produce what we need. Let’s get to business. By the way, Brother Ling, who are these two? You never mentioned inviting others to this trade.”
As he spoke the last two sentences, his cold gaze swept over Han Li and Mo Jianli.
Despite Mo Jianli’s Great Ascension cultivation, a chill ran through his skin under that gaze, and his expression shifted slightly.
Clearly, the other party practiced some formidable soul technique that could threaten even Great Ascension beings—otherwise, a mere glance wouldn’t have such an effect.
As for Han Li, after meeting the gaze, his pupils merely contracted slightly, showing no other reaction.
The two dark-skinned men exchanged a glance, their initial disdain fading slightly at Han Li’s composure.
“Fellow Daoist Xueran misunderstands me. Originally, the first person I sought for this trade wasn’t you two but Fellow Daoist Shixin. Though Shixin has fallen, Fellow Daoists Mo and Han brought his token. How could I refuse them? Fortunately, the item I possess isn’t singular—there’s enough for all. The question is whether you can produce what I want.” The white-robed elder replied calmly.
“Old Monster Ling, we brothers are determined to obtain the Thundercloud Talisman. The moment we heard you were trading it, we rushed here, emptying almost our entire island treasury. Just name what you want. If we have it, we won’t hold back.” Xueran said solemnly.
“Brother Mo and I feel the same. As long as Brother Ling agrees, I’d spare no expense to obtain the Three Purities Thundercloud Talisman.” Mo Jianli added earnestly after a light cough.
“Heh, no rush. Why don’t you first taste the spirit tea I brewed before discussing business?” The elder waved a hand dismissively.
The two foreign Great Ascension beings frowned but exchanged a few silent words. Xueran then nodded: “Very well. I’ve heard your spirit tea is exceptional. We’ll indulge first.”
With that, the two took seats nearby.
The snow-white monkeys, incredibly perceptive, skipped over without being told and served them tea before finally leaving the hall.
Han Li and Mo Jianli had no choice but to wait silently in their seats.
Only after Xueran and Heilin had each taken a few sips and set their cups down did the white-robed elder speak again: “Though I know all four of you are here for the Thundercloud Talisman, before finalizing the trade, I must ask once more: besides the Three Purities Thundercloud Talismans, I possess rare materials and treasures from across realms. Would you like to review the catalog before deciding? Once the trade is sealed, no changes can be made.”
“No need. We came all this way solely for the Thundercloud Talisman. No matter how precious other treasures are, if they can’t help us survive the next heavenly tribulation, they’re useless.” Xueran replied without hesitation, his bloody aura flickering.
Beside him, Heilin sneered, as if the question wasn’t worth answering.
“Mo feels the same. Fellow Daoist Han, what about you?” Mo Jianli took a deep breath and echoed.
“I’m actually quite curious about what Brother Ling can offer.” Unlike the others, Han Li smiled ambiguously.
“Since Fellow Daoist Han is interested, take a look at the catalog first.” The elder wasted no words, flicking his sleeve to send out a ball of green light.
Han Li caught it, revealing a jade slip. He pressed it to his forehead, sending a thread of spiritual sense inside.
The others watched intently.
After a moment, Han Li’s expression flickered briefly before he sighed and removed the slip, tossing it back.
“Well? None of my items caught your eye?” The elder retrieved the slip with a flash of white light, his tone neutral.
“Every item in your catalog is exceedingly rare—some materials are likely unobtainable even in other realms. Unfortunately, they don’t suit my needs. The Three Purities Thundercloud Talisman remains far more appealing.” Han Li admitted frankly after a pause.
“A pity. I, too, value the Thundercloud Talisman highly and hoped substitutes might suffice. It seems that won’t be possible.” The elder showed no surprise.
“Enough. Since none of us have changed our minds, Brother Ling, state your terms. Given your demeanor, what you seek must be extraordinary.” Heilin grew impatient.
“Heh, the value of the Three Purities Thundercloud Talisman speaks for itself. What I seek in exchange won’t be far off. But it’s something none of you possess—otherwise, I’d have named it outright in my invitation.” The elder glanced at Heilin, his expression odd.
“Hmph, your letter didn’t specify what you wanted, only hinting at some perilous task in exchange for the talisman. But don’t underestimate the wealth of us oceanic Great Ascension beings. The deep sea holds treasures beyond what your remote clans can imagine. My brothers alone have discovered seven or eight ancient underwater ruins, some containing artifacts rivaling the Thundercloud Talisman. If I produced them, I’m sure you’d reconsider.” Xueran retorted.
“Mo has also encountered great fortunes in his cultivation journey and possesses items worthy of the talisman. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come.” Mo Jianli’s eyes gleamed with confidence.
Han Li merely smiled faintly.
“I don’t doubt the value of what you offer matches my talisman. But just as you need it to survive heavenly tribulations, the task I ask of you concerns my own life and death. Beyond that, I won’t trade the talisman for anything else.” The white-robed elder stated bluntly.
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