Chapter 956: An Unexpected Gain

“Take a look at this Dazzling Crystal, Fellow Daoist. Does it suit your needs?” The cultivator within the white mist didn’t open the jade box, instead handing the entire container directly to Han Li.

Han Li accepted it without hesitation and immediately lifted the lid.

Inside lay a milky-yellow crystal, but it emitted faint purple halos that shimmered in concentric circles. A mere glance at it sent a wave of dizziness through his mind.

Yet, Han Li felt a surge of joy in his heart. A flash of blue light flickered in his pupils, instantly dispelling the vertigo. He then pinched the yellow crystal between two fingers and held it up to his eyes for closer inspection.

The figure in the white mist was inwardly astonished when he saw Han Li merely sway slightly before steadying himself. Even he dared not look at the Dazzling Crystal for too long—yet this unknown cultivator before him could examine it so intently without any visible discomfort.

“Excellent, this is indeed a top-grade Dazzling Crystal. Fellow Daoist, you may take this Demon Marrow Diamond.” Han Li nodded in satisfaction, returning the crystal to the jade box before casually storing it in his pouch.

“Heh, then this old man won’t stand on ceremony. Since no one else has come forward to claim the remaining diamond, it seems no one else has the materials you seek. Would you be willing to sell the last one to me at a high price? Or perhaps exchange it for other rare materials? Either way, I guarantee your satisfaction.” The white-mist cultivator carefully pocketed the diamond, then greedily eyed the remaining one.

“Who says there are no materials? I happen to have a piece of Five Elements Jade.”

“Hold it! No one is to snatch this from me—I’ve claimed it!”

The moment the white-mist cultivator finished speaking, two voices—one deep and thunderous, the other melodious and feminine—rang out simultaneously from the surrounding crowd.

A figure wreathed in dark mist and another enveloped in dazzling silver light shot forth from their seats, landing before Han Li one after the other.

This spectacle drew hushed murmurs from the other cultivators.

Unlike the obscure Dazzling Crystal, Five Elements Jade was renowned throughout the cultivation world as a supreme material for crafting jade-based treasures. However, it was exceedingly rare—its last appearance had been five or six centuries ago.

Now that someone had produced it again, many were both shocked and envious. It seemed that many of the cultivators present were hoarding rare treasures, unwilling to reveal them lightly.

The white-mist figure paled upon hearing the male voice, his expression shifting beneath the mist.

“What’s this, Ye Lao’er? Are you trying to break the exchange rules and monopolize the Demon Marrow Diamond?” The dark-mist cultivator ignored the slender silver-mist figure, instead glaring at the white mist with undisguised hostility.

Though his features were obscured, his towering stature and icy voice were unmistakable.

“Brother Kun, you worry too much. How could I possibly do such a thing? I merely made a suggestion—whether this fellow agrees is entirely up to him. Now that two others have stepped forward, I naturally withdraw.” The exchange host clearly recognized the dark-mist cultivator as a demonic practitioner and offered a resigned salute before retreating.

“Wise decision.” The demonic cultivator snorted, crossing his arms arrogantly.

The silver-mist female cultivator stood frozen in place, seemingly stunned.

Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd.

“Kun? Could that be Kun Wuji, the elder of the Blood Wailing Sect? His build and voice do match.”

“Who else but a late-Nascent Soul cultivator would dare act so boldly?”

Han Li’s expression darkened slightly. This demonic cultivator was actually at the late-Nascent Soul stage—and the Blood Wailing Sect was one of the ten great demonic sects.

“So it’s the grand elder of the Blood Wailing Sect. This humble one pays her respects. If you also possess the materials this fellow seeks, I shall withdraw at once.” The female cultivator exhaled softly, clearly unwilling to back down despite the other’s formidable status.

“Kun may not have Five Elements Jade or Dazzling Crystal, but I have plenty of comparable materials. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave now.” Kun Wuji’s face darkened, his tone dripping with menace.

“That does complicate things. This diamond is something I deeply desire. How about this—if this fellow truly prefers your materials over my jade, I shall concede without protest.”

“Fine. I’m not unreasonable—agreed.” To everyone’s surprise, Kun Wuji accepted without hesitation, brimming with confidence.

Han Li watched coldly as the two negotiated over the diamond as if he weren’t present. Though irritated, the appearance of Five Elements Jade—the last material he needed—eased his mind.

Without a word, he observed the pair in silence.

The female cultivator raised a hand, sending a green wooden box flying from the silver mist to land steadily on the table, sealed with a pale silver talisman.

“You may verify the authenticity of my Five Elements Jade first,” she said with a charming smile.

“Take a good look at what I’ve brought—some of these materials surpass even the jade in value.” Kun Wuji sneered, flicking his sleeve to release seven jade boxes of varying sizes and colors onto the table.

Han Li wordlessly summoned the wooden box into his hand with a wave. A flash of cyan light removed the talisman, and the lid opened effortlessly.

Inside lay a flat, five-colored jade disc, devoid of dazzling brilliance but exuding a rich spiritual aura.

After a brief inspection, Han Li suppressed his excitement and nodded. “Indeed, this is genuine Five Elements Jade.” He returned it to the box and turned his gaze to the other containers.

Though he preferred to take the jade and leave, offending a late-Nascent Soul cultivator was unwise. Moreover, Kun Wuji’s confidence piqued his curiosity.

Kun Wuji pointed at the boxes, and their lids flew open, revealing their contents.

“Phoenix Perch Wood, Soul-Condensing Stone, Ten Thousand Cycle Flower…”

Before Han Li could identify them, sharp-eyed spectators gasped and recited the names, many inhaling sharply in awe.

The female cultivator’s heart sank as she glanced at the treasures—each rarer than Five Elements Jade, with the Ten Thousand Cycle Flower rivaling even the Demon Marrow Diamond in value.

Her unease grew as she noticed Han Li’s gaze fixed not on the flower but on a large chunk of pale golden ore in one box.

Sure enough, Han Li reached out and lifted the golden ore for closer inspection.

Kun Wuji laughed heartily. “Ah, so you’ve taken a liking to my Skygold Essence? Excellent eye. If you’re a sword cultivator, this will greatly enhance your abilities. A piece this large is something only I could offer in the entire Great Jin.”

“I’ll take this Skygold Essence,” Han Li stated flatly.

“Wait! What about the Five Elements Jade—”

“Silence! Do you truly wish to provoke me?” Kun Wuji’s initial delight turned to fury as an overwhelming pressure bore down on the female cultivator, forcing her back several steps.

Meanwhile, Kun Wuji snatched the Demon Marrow Diamond from Han Li’s table, examining it with glee.

“Genuine Demon Marrow Diamond! My trip was worth it. The likes of Old Demon Jia will regret missing this!” With a wild laugh, he swept up the remaining boxes and vanished toward the exit without a backward glance.

“Brother Kun, a final treasure is yet to be unveiled. Won’t you stay?” the white-mist host called after him.

“What treasure? I’ve no interest. With the diamond in hand, I must return to refine its pure demonic energy.” With that, Kun Wuji triggered the exit formation and disappeared.

“Refine demonic energy?” Han Li mused, realizing the diamond’s origin in the abyssal demonic depths made it a potent source for demonic cultivators. No wonder Kun Wuji had left so hastily.

The silver-mist female cultivator, frustrated by the loss, reached for her jade box—only for Han Li’s hand to block her.

“Hold on. I’ll be taking that as well.”