Fan Paozi smiled faintly and flicked his sleeve, from which a fiery-red jade box the size of a palm flew out. The box was covered with golden talismans, obscuring most of its surface.
As soon as the jade box emerged, it shot toward Han Li in a flash.
Han Li’s eyes flickered as his arm blurred, swiftly catching the box. With a tap of his finger, all the talismans floated off, and the lid silently opened.
Inside lay seven scales of varying colors, each exuding an astonishingly oppressive aura.
“This is…”
Han Li was visibly surprised.
“Fellow Daoist Han will understand upon closer inspection,” Fan Paozi said, spreading his hands in a gesture of invitation.
Though wary, Han Li was unafraid of any tricks. With a slight flick of his wrist, a pale blue scale leaped from the box and landed precisely in his other palm.
The moment his finger touched the scale, Han Li’s expression changed. He seemed to sense something and swiftly pressed the scale to his forehead, closing his eyes.
Time passed slowly.
Han Li’s face shifted rapidly—sometimes surprised, sometimes shocked, and finally even showing a trace of fear.
After a full tea’s time, he coughed lightly and removed the scale, reopening his eyes.
“So these scales are actually…”
“Fellow Daoist Han understands now. These items may be useless to most, but for those seeking ascension and tribulation transcendence, their value is immeasurable. After all, not everyone gets to experience another’s ascension tribulation firsthand,” the golden-robed elder said calmly.
“But the ascension tribulation of your clan must differ somewhat from that of ordinary beings,” Han Li ventured cautiously after a moment of contemplation.
“There are slight differences, but the essence remains similar. Moreover, as far as I know, aside from our True Dragon Clan, few are willing to let others witness their tribulation, let alone observe its full power. This True Scale Reflection Art is a unique divine ability of our dragon lineage—others attempting the same would fail under the force of the heavenly tribulation. These scales contain records of both successful and failed ascensions. I believe their worth to you, Fellow Daoist Han, is no less than that of the True Soul Pill,” Elder Jin said confidently, stroking his beard.
“These seem to be consumable items, impossible to replicate. Otherwise, Senior wouldn’t have offered them so readily,” Han Li remarked after another inspection.
“Haha, Fellow Daoist Han truly lives up to his reputation as a slayer of immortals. Indeed, these scales cannot be used indefinitely—each can only be activated three times before self-destructing. As for replication, only I know the method in our clan. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare trade such treasures for mere external goods,” the golden-robed elder admitted frankly.
“If they can only be used three times, their practicality diminishes greatly. Trading them for a True Soul Pill seems unbalanced,” Han Li said coolly.
“If these aren’t enough, I can add a vial of Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Mulberry Sap. This spiritual liquid is not only miraculous in itself but also a crucial ingredient for several legendary elixirs. Even on Dragon Island, we possess only a few vials,” the elder added without hesitation.
“Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Mulberry Sap? With that included, the trade is fair. Very well, I accept,” Han Li agreed immediately upon hearing the name.
Though the True Soul Pill could greatly enhance one’s soul power and solidify its essence, its utility paled in comparison to these scales documenting dragon ascension tribulations. Moreover, their multiple uses meant they could benefit his close allies as well—far surpassing the value of a single pill. Of course, having two True Soul Pills in reserve also made the decision easier.
The elder was slightly surprised by Han Li’s swift agreement. After a brief pause, he smiled. “Fellow Daoist is truly decisive. No wonder Fan Paozi entrusted you with an invitation upon your first meeting. I trust you’ll gain much at the Dao Fruit Conference.”
With that, he flipped his palm, producing a small golden vial, which he slid silently toward Han Li.
Han Li swept it up with his sleeve, opened the lid, and gave it a cursory scan with his divine sense before nodding and storing it away.
Then, with a flick of his other arm, a palm-sized wooden box materialized before him. With a tap of his finger, it shot toward the elder.
The golden-robed elder raised a hand, and the box halted steadily before him. Without further action, the lid opened, revealing a golden pill.
The elder narrowed his eyes, sniffed lightly, and smiled in satisfaction.
“Haha, a True Soul Pill indeed. Now I can fulfill my promise to that old friend.”
Han Li exchanged no further pleasantries with the elder and soon took his leave, escorted out by Fan Paozi.
“Though I sensed your extraordinary strength during our first meeting, I never imagined you’d achieve such fame in so short a time—slaying the infamous Mother of Silkworms and even a descended immortal from the Upper Realm. Pity I missed such excitement,” Fan Paozi remarked jokingly yet earnestly as they floated a hundred miles from the golden ship.
“I relied on many external factors and sheer luck to accomplish those feats. A repeat performance would be impossible. I had no idea the Dao Fruit Conference held such significance. Consider the invitation a favor I owe you,” Han Li replied with a smile.
“Haha, think nothing of it! I took a liking to you back then. Had it been anyone else, I wouldn’t have bothered,” Fan Paozi laughed.
“Regardless, this conference has been immensely beneficial, even without obtaining a Dao Fruit,” Han Li said seriously.
“Oh? You must have high hopes for the upcoming competition. Though many powerful figures have gathered, few can rival you. And I hear Tian Fei’er owes you a debt and is one of the conference’s stewards,” Fan Paozi said slyly.
“Cough… You exaggerate. With so many formidable attendees, who dares claim certainty? As for Fairy Tian, we’ve met only twice,” Han Li deflected vaguely.
Fan Paozi smirked, clearly unconvinced, but changed the subject, inquiring eagerly about the Mother of Silkworms and the immortal Ma Liang.
Han Li answered most questions without concealment, much to Fan Paozi’s delight.
Half an hour later, Fan Paozi returned alone to the golden ship, while Han Li vanished without a trace.
—
Half a month later, in a hidden cave, Han Li pressed a white jade slip to his forehead, his eyes flickering.
“True Monarch Fengyue, ascended to Mahayana 50,000 years ago, native of Yandu Realm, master of the Five Peaks Profound Art…”
“Sky Sparrow, ascended to Mahayana 30,000 years ago, native of Xuanwei Realm, practitioner of thirty-six venomous arts, capable of slaying peers unseen—keep beyond a hundred zhang…”
“Buddhist Wanderer, ascended to Mahayana 60,000 years ago, native of Lingluo Realm, master of three great Buddhist divine abilities, perfected Arhat Golden Body, once slew three Mahayana demonic cultivators single-handedly in a day…”
These details flashed through Han Li’s mind, yet his expression remained impassive.
—
Three months later, the Dao Fruit Conference commenced as scheduled. After an elaborate ceremony by the True Dragon Clan, the competition for the Dao Fruits began within a vast space sealed by their unique restrictions.
—
Amid towering ancient trees, Han Li glided forward three feet above the ground.
Suddenly, several trees blurred, transforming into hundred-zhang-tall, ferocious giants—bald, bare, and radiating killing intent. With a sweep of their dozens of arms, countless emerald thunderbolts and flames rained down.
Simultaneously, deafening booms erupted as dense fist phantoms, glowing with piercing green light, descended like a crushing tide.
“Perfect timing!”
Unfazed, Han Li smirked and stomped downward.
**Boom!**
First, countless azure sword beams erupted, shredding most fist phantoms and thunderflames. Then, golden light flashed as a three-headed, six-armed, thousand-zhang demonic god surged from the forest. Swinging its arms like a wheel, it unleashed a golden halo that obliterated the remaining attacks.
“Eh?!”
A startled cry came from a giant tree several miles away. The demonic god’s six eyes locked onto the source, and its central head spat out a dark-green orb containing a tiny green vial.
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