Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Lü Luo, standing nearby, wore a thoughtful expression, as if he had vaguely guessed something.
“What materials? Fellow Daoist Han, please speak plainly,” Long Han asked slowly.
“I need some Geng Essence to refine a magic treasure, and the more, the better. However, fellow Daoists need not worry—I will exchange these Geng Essences for items of equal value. I won’t take them for free. I merely wish to leverage the alliance’s resources to help me gather them or locate their whereabouts.” Han Li spoke calmly. The inability to obtain large quantities of Geng Essence to refine the Great Geng Sword Formation had long been a source of great frustration for him. Now that this opportunity had arisen, he naturally intended to make full use of it.
“Geng Essence!” The moment this material was mentioned, the gathered cultivators could not hide their astonishment. The famed “Sharp Metal Treasure” was well-known to them all. Even though they had anticipated something extraordinary, Han Li’s request for such a rare and coveted treasure left most of them momentarily stunned.
“Fellow Daoist Han, what kind of magic treasure are you refining that requires such an excessive amount of Geng Essence? Surely you know that even a small amount of this material can significantly enhance the power of an ordinary treasure? Adding too much won’t necessarily yield greater effects,” the old man surnamed Kuang frowned, his tone laced with doubt.
“Rest assured, I am well aware of that. I merely wish to know whether the alliance can gather a certain quantity of this material,” Han Li replied coolly, his expression unchanged.
“Since Fellow Daoist Han is willing to exchange for it fairly, helping you gather this material and inquire about its whereabouts isn’t impossible. However, most people who obtain such a treasure use it immediately. From the sound of it, you require a considerable amount, which will be quite difficult to procure. Even if we find leads, the owners will likely guard it jealously and refuse to disclose its location. Otherwise, only a small piece wouldn’t have appeared at the recent auction,” Long Han sighed, shaking his head.
Hearing this, Han Li’s heart sank. He had already considered these obstacles, but he had no other options. If he truly couldn’t find enough Geng Essence in the South Sky, would he have to venture to the legendary Great Jin Empire or other distant lands like the Heavenly Sand Continent? On the other hand, since the Great Jin Empire was over ten times larger than the South Sky, there might indeed be a chance to find sufficient Geng Essence there. Moreover, he still carried a bone box retrieved from the Netherworld, which contained the method for crafting Spirit Subduing Talismans. If he went to the Great Jin Empire, he would naturally return it to the Heavenly Talisman Sect.
Lost in thought, Han Li felt a wave of frustration. Seeing his hesitation, Lü Luo couldn’t help but advise, “Junior Brother Han, perhaps you should consider another condition. Geng Essence is something that can only be encountered by chance, not sought after.”
Han Li frowned slightly at these words but ultimately shook his head. “Regardless, Geng Essence is of utmost importance to me. Even if the chances are slim, I still hope the alliance will agree to this request.” His expression was resolute.
“Since Fellow Daoist Han insists, we will have the alliance’s disciples do their best to fulfill this task. However, there may be no Geng Essence found at all—don’t regret it later,” Long Han said, recognizing Han Li’s determination. He nodded in agreement, as this was hardly a difficult request for an organization as vast as the Heavenly Dao Alliance. The other cultivators, including the old man surnamed Kuang, naturally had no objections.
However, Long Han and the others seemed to feel that such compensation was too meager. They promptly produced a bag of mid-grade spirit stones—over a hundred in total—as additional compensation. Han Li smiled and accepted it without hesitation.
With this, the atmosphere in the hall became harmonious once more.
The Heavenly Dao Alliance members chatted for a while longer in the side hall, with Long Han and others inquiring in detail about the battle at Yellow Dragon Mountain, particularly the abilities of the black-robed man and the sudden appearance of the Mulan Divine Master.
Han Li recounted the events without concealment, though he naturally glossed over details concerning his own techniques and treasures. Long Han and the others, well-versed in cultivator etiquette, did not pry into such matters.
However, when Han Li mentioned his suspicion that the black-robed men were not demonic entities but rather demonic cultivators practicing a certain dark art, Long Han’s eyebrows twitched noticeably.
After spending nearly half a day there, Han Li finally took his leave.
As Lü Luo and Han Li stepped out of the hall, a transmission talisman flew into Lü Luo’s hand.
After reading it, Lü Luo gave Han Li a helpless smile. “I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave. Junior Brother Han, feel free to explore Tianyi City on your own. We can catch up properly tonight.”
“Senior Brother Lü, don’t let me delay you. I was just thinking of touring the city alone,” Han Li replied with a friendly smile.
Relieved, Lü Luo clasped his fists and swiftly departed in a streak of light, clearly in a hurry.
Watching Lü Luo’s retreating figure, Han Li shook his head but then chuckled softly. Glancing at the sky, he considered his next move before heading toward the city center. However, after only a few steps, his gaze flickered, and he halted.
He turned slowly toward a nearby alley, where the white-robed woman from White Phoenix Peak stood hesitantly, biting her lip.
Han Li blinked and beckoned to her. After a moment’s hesitation, the woman approached gracefully.
“Greetings, Uncle Han,” the beautiful woman from Falling Cloud Sect said respectfully, her voice melodious.
“How long have you been waiting here?” Han Li asked calmly, his hands behind his back as he studied her delicate features.
“About an hour,” she replied softly, lowering her head slightly.
“It seems you truly have something to discuss. But this isn’t the place. Follow me.” Han Li glanced around before leading the way without waiting for her response.
The woman hesitated briefly before following.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Han Li turned and asked composedly, “What is it?”
“Someone asked me to deliver a letter to you and wishes to meet,” the woman said after a pause, retrieving a jade slip from her robes and handing it to Han Li.
“A letter?” Han Li’s eyes flashed with surprise. He scanned it with his spiritual sense before accepting it but did not immediately read it. Instead, he fixed his gaze on her. “Who gave this to you? You must know.”
“A close friend of mine. She claimed to know you, so she entrusted me with this,” the woman replied, her demeanor calm now that the jade slip had been delivered.
“Knows me?” Han Li narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment before pressing the jade slip to his forehead. His expression remained blank, but soon a peculiar look crossed his face.
Lowering the jade slip, he asked in a gentler tone, “Where is she? Take me to her.”
“You truly know my friend?” The woman blinked in astonishment.
“Yes, we have some history. I didn’t expect you to know her,” Han Li replied neutrally.
“I only met her in the past two years. I thought her claim of knowing you was a jest, but it seems genuine. She’s waiting outside the city in a secluded spot. I’ll take you there now.” The woman brightened, her smile suddenly radiant.
With that, Han Li followed her out of the city. Once beyond the gates, they flew southward for dozens of miles before landing before a small, uninhabited valley.
A milky-white mist shrouded the valley entrance, concealing it with a minor illusion. The woman raised a token, sending a red beam into the mist, which parted to reveal a verdant path.
“Uncle Han, please,” she said deferentially.
Han Li’s spiritual sense had already scanned the valley’s interior before they entered. A faint smile touched his lips as he strode forward.
The valley was small, barely a hundred zhang across, with only a few stone huts—clearly a temporary dwelling. Yet the area was meticulously maintained, free of weeds or debris.
The disturbance at the entrance had alerted the occupants. A graceful figure emerged from one of the huts—a beautiful woman in a yellow robe.
Her eyes locked onto Han Li, and a complex expression flickered across her face before she stepped forward gracefully and bowed.
“Mei Ning greets Senior Han. Congratulations on your advancement to the Nascent Soul stage,” she said softly, her voice sweet yet tinged with an inexplicable melancholy.
Han Li’s smile turned slightly awkward. After a moment, he replied, “Miss Mei, it’s been years. You remain as radiant as ever. And your cultivation—you’re nearing the peak of Foundation Establishment, soon to enter the False Core stage.”
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