“It was merely a trivial effort! Since you’re out of danger, I shall take my leave,” Han Li said calmly after glancing at the woman a few times, then turned and walked away without the slightest intention of lingering.
This move caused Yuan Yao, who had just barely recovered from her fright, to pale in alarm. Without regard for propriety, she blurted out, “Brother Han, what do you mean by this? I haven’t yet properly thanked you for saving my life!” As the stunningly beautiful woman spoke these words, her delicate and vulnerable appearance evoked a strong sense of pity in anyone who saw her.
But Han Li didn’t even look back, only delivering an icy reply:
“There’s no need for thanks. I can save someone momentarily, but I won’t help them forever. Miss Yuan, you’d do well to look after yourself.” With these words, Han Li had already strode more than ten zhang away, moving with remarkable speed.
Hearing this response, Yuan Yao’s pale face grew even more panicked. In her current state, let alone encountering more Ironfire Ants, even resisting the scorching heat was nearly beyond her strength. She couldn’t possibly let go of Han Li, her lifeline!
Thus, she called out to him several more times in a pleading tone, but Han Li acted as if he hadn’t heard or seen her, gradually moving farther away.
Seeing that her entreaties seemed useless against Han Li’s heart of stone, her anxious expression finally forced her to say the words Han Li had been anticipating.
“Wait! If you’re willing to protect me along the remaining path, I’m prepared to offer you a precious treasure in return. I won’t let you expend your magic power for nothing,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Precious treasure?” Upon hearing this, Han Li’s figure halted as if he were somewhat hesitant.
“I still have several Cyanfire Thunder pellets, and I’m willing to give them all to you,” the woman added hastily, seeing that Han Li seemed slightly interested.
“Those green pellets from earlier? They are indeed unusual,” Han Li slowly turned around, a trace of amusement on his face.
Having already saved her, he had never truly intended to abandon her. Moreover, his reasons for saving her involved some ulterior motives. His earlier act of leaving was merely a strategic retreat. Now that she had taken the initiative to plead with him, his goal had been achieved. From here on out, even if he made exorbitant demands, she would likely have no choice but to accept them reluctantly.
The great beauty Yuan Yao clearly understood this as well!
But whether it was due to Han Li’s earlier act of saving her or her need for his continued protection, she had no other choice. With a helpless expression, she continued to explain to Han Li:
“Cyanfire Thunder is a secret thunder art of the Devil Dao’s Qingyang Sect. Each pellet requires not only a large amount of rare materials but also an extremely long time to refine. Its power is comparable to the Primordial Flame of a Nascent Soul cultivator. I still have three left, and I’ll give them all to you.” As she spoke, her expression slightly steadied, and she extended a fair, delicate hand. Resting in her jade-like palm were three crystalline, warm green pellets.
By then, Han Li had unhurriedly walked back. After glancing at the three pellets, he said expressionlessly, “These Cyanfire Thunder pellets are indeed rare treasures, but they alone aren’t enough for me to take such a risk. Bringing along a burden in this place will at least double my magic power consumption. If you were in my position, would you take such a risk?” Han Li’s words carried a hint of sarcasm.
Hearing this, Yuan Yao’s jade-like countenance shifted slightly. After her expression fluctuated for a moment, she suddenly smiled enchantingly.
“Brother Han, just state your conditions directly. This little woman doesn’t wish to beat around the bush any longer. Could it be that you want me to offer myself to you?” As she spoke, Yuan Yao swayed her waist, her full chest slightly raised, making it appear exceptionally voluptuous. Her bright eyes took on an unusual haze, becoming utterly captivating.
Seeing her delectable appearance, Han Li showed a hint of surprise. But then his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her curvaceous body unabashedly. His brazen gaze made the beautiful woman blush, yet her eyes grew increasingly bright and intoxicating, as if they could mesmerize one to the depths of their soul.
“With Miss Yuan’s peerless beauty, your charm technique is indeed extraordinary! But it’s useless against me. You’d be better off saving your remaining magic power for survival,” Han Li said composedly, stroking his chin as a gleam of sharp light flashed in his eyes.
“Hmph! You really are a boorish brute with no appreciation for romance, utterly lacking in tenderness toward women.” Having shed her pretense, the great beauty’s seductive expression vanished completely, replaced by one of flustered exasperation.
“Miss Yuan, you can’t say that. If we weren’t in a dangerous place like the Void Palace, I certainly wouldn’t refuse if you tried to seduce me. But now… hehe…” Han Li replied with a hollow laugh.
“Wishful thinking! If it weren’t for this place and time, someone like you would never have a chance with me.” Yuan Yao’s almond-shaped eyes widened as she glared hatefully at Han Li.
“It seems I really saved the wrong person. In that case, I don’t want you to offer yourself, nor do I want any thanks for saving your life. I’ll take my leave now.” As if deliberately trying to provoke her, Han Li cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell.
“Brother Han, don’t be angry. It was my fault. Just tell me what it will take for you to help me through this Lava Path, and I’ll absolutely comply! Can’t you help me for the sake of our acquaintance over a century ago and our shared experience braving the Ghost Mist? As for treasures, aside from these Cyanfire Thunder pellets, I really have nothing else worthy of offering.” Seeing this, Yuan Yao immediately softened her tone, once again adopting a pitiable demeanor.
Though Han Li still wore a faint smile, inwardly he was somewhat astonished.
This Yuan Yao was truly adaptable, with ever-changing appearances! Her current soft, pleading vulnerability, her earlier seductive maturity, and the cold, haughty impression she had initially given him—each left him with distinctly different feelings. It was rather peculiar! It seemed this female cultivator’s ability to advance from Qi Refining to Core Formation in just over a century was truly unusual.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Han Li adopted a contemplative expression. Yuan Yao’s bright eyes watched him nervously, filled with anticipation.
After a long while, he finally looked up and spoke as if reluctantly: “Since Miss Yuan mentioned our encounter over a century ago, it would indeed seem heartless if I didn’t offer you protection. However, my principle is to never work for free. If you truly wish to follow me out of the Lava Path alive, how about giving me that Weeping Soul Beast? I’m very curious about its ability to absorb souls and transform ghosts.”
After all this circumlocution, Han Li had finally revealed what he most desired from her—the very thing he had been scheming about from the start. With this exotic beast, he would have more leverage in his cooperation with that old ghost Xuan Gu. Moreover, from a long-term perspective, the Weeping Soul Beast’s potential was extraordinary.
“You want the Weeping Soul?” Yuan Yao’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
“What, is that not acceptable?” Han Li’s expression darkened, his tone turning cold.
“If I give you the Weeping Soul, you’ll take me through the Lava Path?” Yuan Yao asked, staring intently at Han Li as she enunciated each word, her expression somewhat peculiar.
“Correct!” Han Li frowned slightly but affirmed nonetheless. He had a vague sense that her reaction was somewhat off.
“Then it’s settled. The Weeping Soul Beast is yours.” Almost as soon as Han Li confirmed, she immediately detached a spirit beast pouch from her waist and handed it to him without the slightest hesitation.
This scene made Han Li blink, feeling somewhat uneasy. No matter how he looked at it, she seemed all too eager to give him the Weeping Soul Beast. Could there be some hidden trouble with it?
Despite his misgivings, after a moment’s thought, Han Li accepted the pouch without changing expression. A brief scan with his spiritual sense confirmed that the Weeping Soul Beast was inside, fast asleep.
Nodding, Han Li attached the spirit beast pouch to his waist. Just as he was about to speak again, Yuan Yao opened her mouth and spat out a gray-black pearl into her palm.
“This is the Crying Soul Pearl, the item used to control the Weeping Soul Beast. Just refine it as you would a normal magic treasure, and the Weeping Soul Beast will be yours forever. I haven’t had it for long and haven’t fully refined it yet. All you need to do is forcibly erase my spiritual imprint on it.” Yuan Yao explained with a smile, offering it to Han Li.
Han Li glanced at the Crying Soul Pearl, his eyes flickering slightly, but he didn’t reach out to take it. He naturally knew about this pearl. While passing through the Ghost Mist, he had discreetly inquired about the Weeping Soul Beast from her and Purple Spirit, and the Crying Soul Pearl was among the details discussed.
He had later deduced that she couldn’t command the Weeping Soul Beast freely because she hadn’t successfully refined the pearl, which was why he had set his sights on the exotic beast.
But now, she was handing him the pearl as if discarding a plague, with a hint of concealed delight in her eyes. This raised Han Li’s suspicions, and he felt no urgency to accept the pearl.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage