Seeing Han Li’s actions, Marquis Nanlong and the old man didn’t hesitate either, each carefully storing one of the medicine bottles into their storage pouches. Then, the trio’s gazes naturally fell upon the remaining two ancient treasures. With two treasures and three people, the division was indeed problematic.
Just as Marquis Nanlong and the old man hesitated, Han Li blinked and suddenly chuckled lightly.
“How about this? I’m not lacking in ancient treasures. If you two have brought enough spirit stones, you can take these two treasures. Just compensate me with an equivalent amount of spirit stones,” Han Li said leisurely.
“Since Fellow Daoist Han is so accommodating, we won’t stand on ceremony. This old man happens to have brought plenty of spirit stones,” the old man surnamed Lu replied with delight, immediately agreeing. After all, ancient treasures were practically priceless and rarely available in the market in the southern cultivation world.
Marquis Nanlong, who was particularly lacking in ancient treasures, naturally agreed with a smile as well. After the two scraped together nearly all the spirit stones they had, they finally managed to gather enough to hand over to Han Li. Thus, both sides were quite satisfied.
Seeing Marquis Nanlong and the old man store the remaining two ancient treasures, Han Li casually waved his hand, summoning the green silkworm robe that Marquis Nanlong had discarded earlier. He then boldly stored it away.
Marquis Nanlong and the old man were momentarily stunned, but since Han Li had just yielded the two ancient treasures to them, they couldn’t very well object over such a minor matter. Though the robe was rare, its practical use was limited, so they let Han Li take it without comment.
After dividing the treasures, the trio greedily picked the spiritual herbs growing by the lava lake, each obtaining several plants.
These herbs, able to survive in such an environment, were no ordinary items. They were a fire-attribute spiritual herb called “Golden Sun Mushroom,” a top-tier material for refining fire-attribute elixirs.
Once certain there was nothing else of interest, the three regrouped at the stone platform to discuss their next steps.
“Now that we’ve obtained the treasures, I don’t plan to linger in the inner valley. I intend to return the way we came and head straight back to the outer valley. Why don’t you two join me?” Han Li said unhurriedly.
“Fellow Daoist Han must be joking. Brother Lu and I went to great lengths to enter the inner valley and naturally won’t leave so soon. But why are you in such a hurry to leave?” Marquis Nanlong asked with a chuckle.
“Nothing much. I’ve already gained something and don’t wish to take further risks. The path of cultivation is long, and I have no interest in staying in such a dangerous place,” Han Li replied casually.
“Haha! I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Han to be so cautious about self-preservation. Pity we can’t accompany you. You may leave the valley alone,” the old man surnamed Lu said with a smile.
“Alone? But if I take the Two-Polar Ring, how will you two handle the Northern Extreme Divine Light in the passage?” Han Li asked with a hint of strangeness.
“We’ve already considered that, Fellow Daoist Han. Rest assured! Frost Li the Transcendent long ago discovered a teleportation formation in the inner valley that can take us directly back to the outer valley. It’s just a bit farther than the original route, so we didn’t mention it earlier,” Marquis Nanlong replied confidently.
Han Li was momentarily surprised but quickly nodded. “I see. Then I’ll take my leave. May you two reap great rewards.”
“Thank you for your kind words!” “I won’t see you off,” Marquis Nanlong and the old man surnamed Lu said, pleased to see Han Li depart.
Han Li smiled faintly, casting a fleeting glance at the crystalline skeleton before transforming into a green streak of light and shooting toward the exit, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
The old man, who had been smiling all along, watched Han Li’s departing light with a suddenly solemn expression. Marquis Nanlong, however, expressionlessly patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist, releasing several golden birds—his tamed “Thousand-Mile Orioles.” With a flick of his sleeve toward the exit, the birds shot out as golden streaks, disappearing into the passage.
Marquis Nanlong then closed his eyes, as if sensing something. Lu Weiying watched quietly, saying nothing.
After a while, Marquis Nanlong’s eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. “He’s truly gone, at least not nearby. The orioles searched within a ten-mile radius and found no trace of him,” he said calmly.
“You mentioned his spiritual sense is exceptionally strong. Could he be hiding from your detection?” the old man surnamed Lu asked with a slight frown.
“Don’t worry. If he were hiding nearby, he couldn’t evade me. I won’t elaborate on the reason,” Marquis Nanlong said mysteriously, stroking his chin.
Lu Weiying looked somewhat skeptical but, after a moment’s thought, formed hand seals and cast several spells around them, creating a small white soundproof barrier.
Marquis Nanlong smiled but seemed unimpressed.
“Caution never hurts. This Fellow Daoist Han’s background has always been a mystery. His cultivation isn’t high, yet he gives off an unfathomable aura. That last glance at the skeleton—did he notice something?” Lu Weiying said, still uneasy.
“Brother Lu, you’re overthinking it. Han Li may have some skills, but how could he know the skeleton’s secret? It was likely just a casual look. The skeleton does appear unusual, after all,” Marquis Nanlong said, shaking his head.
“Whether he noticed anything or not, he clearly didn’t want to stay with us. Perhaps he believes his abilities are enough to explore the inner valley alone,” the old man mused.
“Enough! As long as he doesn’t interfere, it doesn’t matter whether he left or not. We’ll just stay alert. Time is short; let’s move.”
“According to Frost Li the Transcendent’s testament, these ancient cultivator remains are the key to breaking the Blood Curse Gate. Such a powerful seal suggests something extraordinary lies beyond. In ancient times, blood curse gates were used to guard great treasures. This skeleton’s transparency is a mark of the curse. Frost Li the Transcendent retreated back then, leaving the opportunity for us,” Marquis Nanlong said with a sigh.
“Indeed, compared to what lies beyond the Blood Curse Gate, the treasures we’ve obtained so far are insignificant. Let’s set off. The gate isn’t far, but we should retrieve the treasures as soon as possible,” the old man surnamed Lu said after a pause.
“Agreed. I’m eager to see what’s behind the gate. If Frost Li the Transcendent hadn’t stumbled upon this skeleton near the gate, we’d have no way to open it. Strange that the one who cast the curse died so close to the gate without leaving. There must be more to the story.”
“Stories don’t interest me. Let’s go, Marquis Nanlong.” Soon, two streaks of light shot from the cave beneath the giant peak, heading toward an unknown destination.
Meanwhile, Han Li was already far away, flying back the way he came, now hundreds of miles distant. In his mind, Silvermoon was asking questions.
“Master, did you really leave just like that? Those two were clearly hiding something. That skeleton seemed off,” Silvermoon said, puzzled.
“Of course I noticed. It likely involves other treasures. While I’m tempted, the Spirit Candle Fruit is my priority. Nothing else in the valley is more valuable to me. We’re already behind the Ghost Spirit Sect. Whatever those two are plotting, I don’t want to get involved,” Han Li replied calmly as he flew.
“I see. Compared to the Spirit Candle Fruit, nothing else in the Fallen Demon Valley holds greater value for you. But why did you take that green silkworm robe at the end? I don’t think you truly coveted it,” Silvermoon asked curiously.
“Heh! This is where those two old fools were blind,” Han Li said with a mocking smile. “Master, what do you mean?” Silvermoon was confused.
Instead of answering, Han Li slapped his storage pouch, and the green silkworm robe appeared in his hand. With a tearing sound, he ripped open a corner of the robe.
“Ah!” Silvermoon exclaimed in surprise. From the robe’s lining, Han Li extracted a small piece of material that was neither cloth nor silk, with rough lines drawn in charcoal. Han Li stored the torn robe and examined the thin, soft fragment closely.
“It’s a map—a map of the Fallen Demon Valley,” Silvermoon gasped after a few glances.
Han Li remained silent, his eyes fixed on a prominent mark on the map, his gaze narrowing slightly.
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