“Fellow Daoist Han, why so cold? Regardless, we’ve met several times and share some camaraderie. However, this time, I stopped you for another matter. I wish to propose another transaction with you. Would Fellow Daoist Han be interested?” Baohua spoke with a smile at the corner of her lips.
“A transaction? I’ll hear it out first,” Han Li replied with a chuckle, his expression noncommittal.
“Shall we discuss this privately over there?” Baohua glanced at Crab Daoist and Yin Yue before suddenly sweeping her gaze toward a nearby empty space.
“Fine, no problem,” Han Li agreed without changing his expression. He then turned and whispered a few words to Yin Yue and the others before flying off with Baohua.
Moments later, Baohua and Han Li stood atop a small sand dune, separated by no more than fifteen to twenty feet.
Baohua lightly tapped the surrounding air with a finger, sending out several pink streaks that vanished instantly. A faint ripple spread around the dune as an invisible barrier enveloped the area.
Seeing this, Han Li remarked coolly, “Fellow Daoist, you may speak now.”
“No need to rush, Fellow Daoist Han. I recently acquired a rare sandalwood fruit and would like to share it with you. Please, take a seat.” Baohua smiled charmingly and flicked her sleeve toward the ground.
The sand dune trembled as countless grains surged and condensed into two earthen-yellow stone stools and a long stone table. A pink glow swept over the table, revealing two pale purple spirit fruits, a bottle of spirit wine, and two crystalline jade cups.
Han Li swept his spiritual sense over the fruits, his expression flickering slightly. After a brief pause, he sat down without another word. Baohua gracefully took the seat opposite him.
The spirit wine was clear as water, and the purple fruit was sweet and crisp like a pear.
As Han Li set down his cup, Baohua’s expression turned serious. “The transaction I propose is simple: at a certain time in the near future, I ask you to intervene once and hold off a certain individual, giving me time to carry out a long-planned task.”
“Hold off someone? Shouldn’t you elaborate? If even Fellow Daoist Baohua is wary of this person, they can’t be ordinary,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, unsurprised.
“You’re astute. This is indeed someone I’d rather not confront directly. But I only ask you to delay them temporarily, not engage in a life-or-death battle. I believe this shouldn’t be too difficult for you. If you agree, I’ll owe you a great favor. In the future, should you need my assistance, I won’t refuse within my means. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Han?” Baohua gazed steadily at Han Li, speaking unhurriedly.
“A promise from Fellow Daoist Baohua is no small matter. But who exactly do you want me to deal with? At least give me a name,” Han Li said, his eyes glinting.
“This person is no stranger to you—” Baohua’s face bloomed into a smile, but instead of speaking aloud, she transmitted her words directly.
“Him? Are you joking? I’ve only recently advanced to the Mahayana realm. How could I possibly hold him off? You’d best find someone else,” Han Li frowned and refused outright.
“Don’t reject so hastily. Take a look at this first.” Baohua smiled and flicked her hand, sending a white streak toward Han Li—a palm-sized crystalline jade vial.
Han Li caught it and examined it briefly before narrowing his eyes. “Fellow Daoist Baohua, what is this?”
“My promise, plus this, in exchange for your assistance,” Baohua replied firmly.
Han Li snorted but said nothing more. He opened the vial and swept it with his spiritual sense.
“Soul Nourishment Pill!” he exclaimed, his expression shifting.
“I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Han to recognize it at a glance. You’re truly well-informed,” Baohua remarked, surprised.
“This pill is one of the few in the world that nourishes the soul energy of Mahayana cultivators, especially beneficial to recent ascendants. But its refining method has long been lost. Where did you obtain it?” Han Li’s face darkened as he held the vial.
“I found it in an ancient cultivator’s cave long ago. There were seven initially, but only this one remains. Now, do you see my sincerity?” Baohua said slowly.
“It seems you’ve set your sights on me. Do you truly believe I can hold him off? Aren’t you afraid I’ll fail and ruin your plans?” Han Li exhaled lightly.
“To be honest, before this gathering, I had someone else in mind. But their chances of success were less than half. You, however, are different. Even before your ascension, you could contend with ordinary Mahayana cultivators. Now, your power has multiplied. In earnest, even I might not be your match. This plan is crucial, so I’d rather pay a higher price for someone reliable,” Baohua said with a light laugh, a hint of charm in her brows.
“If you hold me in such high regard, refusing would be ungrateful. Very well, I’ll intervene once. But besides this pill and your promise, I have one more condition. Agree to it, and I’ll guarantee to hold him off for a full day and night, giving you ample time,” Han Li said after a moment’s thought.
“Oh? Do tell,” Baohua’s smile faded slightly.
“If you regain control of the Demon Realm, I want you to vow that during your lifetime, the demons will not invade the Spirit Realm during the convergence of our worlds,” Han Li stated firmly.
“Impossible! Fellow Daoist Han, isn’t that demand excessive? For a single favor, you dare ask this?” Baohua’s expression turned cold.
“I may not know the specifics of your plan, but if you need me to hold him off, this is undoubtedly a rare opportunity. And I doubt anyone else in the Demon Realm can help you now. Unless you plan to seek the Bronze Crow Elder? Even if he agrees, his price would be far steeper. Not everyone would willingly make such an enemy for these terms,” Han Li replied calmly.
“Hmph! Aren’t you afraid of offending him?” Baohua retorted sharply.
“Why ask what you already know? I’ve crossed him before. Doing so again changes little,” Han Li replied indifferently.
“There’s some truth to that. But canceling the Sacred Sacrifice during the convergence is out of the question. However, if I regain control, I can vow that my people will not enter the territories of your human race during the event,” Baohua conceded after a long pause.
“Extend that to the demon race as well. Humans and demons in the Spirit Realm stand together. If your people invade their lands, we cannot ignore it,” Han Li added decisively.
“Very well, if it’s limited to humans and demons, I agree,” Baohua said after brief consideration.
“Good. I’ll take this pill. Let us both swear a demonic oath, then discuss the details,” Han Li said with a faint smile.
Baohua agreed readily.
An hour later, Han Li departed with Crab Daoist and Yin Yue. By dusk, they reached the desert’s edge and descended upon a hilly area.
Ten days later, above an earthen city, dark clouds roiled as tens of thousands of elite high-ranking demons gathered—none below the Void Refinement stage. Among them floated hundreds of massive demonic ships, carrying Han Li and dozens of other Mahayana cultivators.
At an unseen command, the demonic army surged forward, escorting the ships toward their destination.
Three months later, above a desolate valley in the Demon Realm, radiant lights flashed and war drums thundered. Millions of demonic soldiers filled the valley, some riding artifacts, others floating atop demonic mist.
At the center, aboard a colossal ship resembling an island, Han Li and the other Mahayana cultivators gathered in a hall, listening to Baohua’s cold voice: “I’ll divide the army to sweep the periphery of the Origin Seal Land, drawing out the insect tide and high-ranking parasites. Then, under the escort of tens of thousands of elites, we’ll charge directly into the Origin Seal Land. Once inside, I’ll activate the remaining restrictions to block the parasites. After that, we proceed as planned.”
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