Chapter 2301: Return Once More

Xue Ran, Hei Lin, and Mo Jianli each took the crystal cores, inspected them, and upon finding no issues, naturally stored them away with great satisfaction.

“Now that the payment has been settled, the transaction between our clan and fellow Daoists can be considered mutually beneficial. However, I wonder when you all plan to leave this realm. After all, this world is rather small and cannot accommodate too many Mahayana-level existences like us,” the Spider Matriarch suddenly asked, her eyes flickering with a subtle light.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Luo. We will depart on our own within a few days at most. However, the resources of this Minor Asura Realm differ significantly from those of our Spirit Realm, and we intend to gather a few more. Surely, you won’t hinder us in this regard?” Han Li chuckled lightly, speaking with an air of nonchalance.

“Giggle, if it’s merely collecting resources, our clan naturally won’t interfere in the slightest. However, aside from our clan, there are two or three other troublesome beings in this realm. I advise you all not to be too careless,” the woman replied with a bewitching smile, her words laden with hidden meaning.

“Oh? One of the beings you mentioned—could it be that Che Qizi?” Mo Jianli’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

“Fellow Daoist Mo knows of this ferocious beast? Have you already encountered it?” The woman was slightly startled and blurted out the question.

“Indeed, we crossed paths once. That creature truly lives up to its reputation as a legendary ancient beast. This old man nearly fell into its clutches,” Mo Jianli sighed after a moment of visible unease.

“This realm harbors such a beast? Fellow Daoist Luo, could you inform us of its lair’s location?” Xue Ran interjected eagerly, his face lighting up with excitement.

“As for Che Qizi’s lair, this concubine does know its location, but…” The Spider Matriarch’s eyes flickered as she feigned hesitation.

“Worry not. My brother and I won’t demand this information for free. If Fellow Daoist Luo is willing to share it, we will naturally offer generous compensation,” Xue Ran quickly composed himself, realizing his earlier eagerness might have been inappropriate, and spoke calmly.

With that, the Mahayana expert from another race flipped his palm, producing a small leather pouch, which he tossed toward the woman.

The woman beckoned with her jade-like hand, drawing the pouch toward her. After scanning it with her spiritual sense, a hint of surprise flashed across her face. She then looked deeply at Xue Ran before speaking slowly, “I have a map here marking the location of Che Qizi’s lair. Fellow Daoist may take a look.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she raised her hand, and a white jade slip flew out from her sleeve.

Xue Ran’s sleeve swept out, capturing the jade slip. He immediately pressed it to his forehead, his expression turning grave.

Beside him, Hei Lin also showed a peculiar expression, his gaze toward the jade slip betraying a faint eagerness.

At this moment, the blood-skirted girl suddenly smiled at Han Li and said, “Fellow Daoists are renowned figures in the outside world and must carry many rare treasures. How about this? Over the years, our clan has also collected some resources unique to this realm. Why not exchange some with us first before venturing out to gather materials? This could save you all considerable time.”

“Fellow Daoist Ying means to hold an impromptu small trade gathering here?” Han Li was momentarily taken aback but soon laughed.

“Precisely. To be frank, our clan likely possesses at least some of every resource this realm has to offer. As long as you can pay a sufficient price, our clan will undoubtedly satisfy you all,” the girl replied without changing her expression.

The Spider Matriarch did not object to the girl’s suggestion, tacitly approving it.

Mo Jianli and the others were visibly tempted by this proposal.

Given the limited time they had left in the Minor Asura Realm, gathering enough materials on their own would be nearly impossible. Exchanging with the Asura Spider Clan seemed an excellent alternative.

“Very well. This old man has some items to exchange with your esteemed clan,” Mo Jianli agreed after a brief consideration.

“My brother and I also have some belongings we’d like to trade,” Xue Ran said after a quick exchange with Hei Lin via voice transmission.

“Since all fellow Daoists are participating, Han naturally won’t be an exception,” Han Li stated calmly.

There was no reason for him to decline such a beneficial arrangement.

“Excellent. Let’s relocate nearby and begin the formal exchange,” the blood-skirted girl said with an enchanting smile.

Xue Ran and the others promptly agreed, and Han Li nodded as well, though his gaze subtly flickered toward the direction of the cold pond. This fleeting glance went unnoticed by the others.

Several hours later, above a small island not far from the cold pond’s location, the Asura Spider Clan members, led by the Matriarch and the blood-skirted girl, departed on their giant black eagle, their faces filled with satisfaction.

Only Han Li and the three other foreign Mahayana cultivators remained hovering above the island.

During the earlier exchange, Han Li, Mo Jianli, Xue Ran, and Hei Lin had all reaped significant rewards, obtaining many rare resources unique to the Asura Realm. Though the cost had been substantial, the overall outcome was mutually satisfactory.

“Brother Han, are we truly letting these Asura Spiders leave just like that? It’s not too late to change our minds,” Xue Ran suddenly remarked as he watched the departing figures.

“Why change our minds? If this clan were so easily subdued, why would we have bothered with negotiations? We could have simply eliminated them in their lair,” Han Li replied impassively.

“Earlier, we didn’t realize how wealthy these Asura Spiders were. What they exchanged with us might only be a fraction of their hoard. More importantly, aren’t you tempted by that Spatial Stone? The spatial laws it contains are unparalleled—even I’ve never seen anything like it. If we could obtain it, taking turns to study it might allow us to comprehend and master true spatial laws,” Xue Ran said, his voice dripping with temptation.

Mo Jianli’s expression also flickered slightly at these words.

“Heh, unfortunately, Han has no interest in spatial powers and thus no desire to take further risks. If the two of you are truly interested, you could negotiate with the Asura Spider Clan directly. Perhaps they’d be willing to trade it for a high enough price. But count me out,” Han Li chuckled noncommittally.

Xue Ran’s expression darkened briefly, but he quickly laughed it off. “You jest! Given how fiercely those Asura Spiders guard that stone, even if my brother and I emptied our coffers, they’d never part with it. Since Brother Han is unwilling, consider my earlier words unsaid. My brother and I have other matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave here.”

With that, the foreign Mahayana clasped his hands toward Han Li and Mo Jianli in farewell. Hei Lin followed suit with a nod.

“Safe travels, fellow Daoists,” Han Li said lightly, returning the gesture.

Mo Jianli also offered a few polite words of farewell.

Xue Ran and Hei Lin then summoned their escape lights, transforming into two streaks of rainbow light that vanished into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

“Brother Han, what are your plans now? Will you continue searching for rare materials?” Mo Jianli asked with a smile once the duo had truly disappeared.

“That’s the idea. With a few days left before we must depart, I’ll see if I can stumble upon any other opportunities. What about you, Brother Mo?” Han Li replied with a faint smile.

“Obtaining three crystal cores on this trip was already a stroke of immense luck for me. I’ve no intention of taking further risks. I’ll find a secluded spot to meditate and await the day of departure. Though your abilities are extraordinary, Brother Han, you should still be wary of the Asura Spiders’ retaliation in the coming days,” Mo Jianli cautioned solemnly.

“Your approach is prudent, Brother Mo. As for those Asura Spiders, while I may not be able to eliminate them alone, they pose no threat to me either,” Han Li laughed heartily, exuding confidence.

“If you’re so assured, I’ll rest easy. Time is of the essence, so I’ll take my leave now. We’ll meet again in the Spirit Realm in a few days,” Mo Jianli said, his expression relaxing as he bid Han Li farewell.

Han Li made no further attempts to persuade him to stay. With a few courteous words of farewell, he watched as Mo Jianli summoned a small boat, stepped aboard, and disappeared into the distance as a streak of light.

Han Li remained motionless for a long while before finally withdrawing his gaze from afar. He turned his head toward the massive island where the cold pond lay, a peculiar expression flickering across his face.

With a flick of his sleeve, his body transformed into a streak of azure light, soaring into the sky and streaking toward the giant island.

In less time than it takes to finish a meal, Han Li reappeared above the valley where the cold pond was located.

Hovering in mid-air, he cast a indifferent glance downward.

The valley’s frigid aura seemed slightly weaker than before, but the void around the cold pond—now devoid of the earlier array—remained frozen into a massive block of translucent black ice, once again sealing the pond’s entrance.

Han Li silently observed the enormous ice below for a moment before suddenly opening his mouth and spitting out a ball of silver flames. With a flicker, the flames morphed into a silver firebird.

Muttering an incantation, Han Li formed a single-handed seal and pointed at the firebird.

With a “puff,” the silver firebird raised its head and let out a cry. Its silver plumage ignited, and its body rapidly expanded.

In the blink of an eye, the firebird grew to over a dozen zhang in size, its body wreathed in raging silver flames, though its demeanor appeared noticeably listless.

Clearly, its earlier battle with the purple peacock summoned by the ancient lamp had taken a significant toll.

Han Li frowned slightly at this but immediately assumed an impassive expression. He opened his mouth again and spat out several balls of azure essence, which vanished into the giant firebird’s body after a few flashes.