After an indeterminate amount of time, Han Li’s expression flickered slightly as he reopened his eyes.
From the direction of the Long Family’s colossal city, a golden light soared boldly into the sky, arriving near Han Li in no time.
Within the shimmering radiance stood the figure of a middle-aged man—none other than the Long Family’s Ancestor, whom Han Li had not seen in years.
At this moment, the Ancestor gazed down at Han Li with an impassive expression.
“Greetings, Brother Long!” Han Li rose to his feet, cupping his hands slightly in a composed manner.
“I had heard rumors that Fellow Daoist Han had advanced to the mid-stage of the Body Integration realm, but I dismissed them as mere gossip. Now that I see you in person, I realize it’s true. The speed of your cultivation is unparalleled—perhaps not unprecedented, but certainly unmatched among the human race,” the Long Family Ancestor remarked, his eyes gleaming with astonishment.
“Brother Long flatters me. But I doubt you came here just to discuss my cultivation speed,” Han Li replied coolly.
“Of course not. Though I suppose there’s no need for me to ask—since you’ve reached the mid-stage, you must have decided to join the expedition to the Demon Realm,” the Ancestor said, his lips twitching slightly as a peculiar expression crossed his face.
“Indeed, I have decided to participate. However, that’s not my main purpose today. I have another matter—a trade I’d like to propose to you,” Han Li said calmly, folding his arms.
“What kind of trade?” The Long Family Ancestor was momentarily taken aback, his curiosity piqued.
“I’ve heard that the Long Family can refine a pill called ‘Dragon Spirit Pill’ using true dragon blood as the main ingredient. It’s said to be quite useful for Body Integration cultivators like us in breaking through bottlenecks. Additionally, I understand your family has successfully replicated the legendary Sky-Supporting Ark,” Han Li said, his eyes glinting as he posed the question indirectly.
“That is correct. Are you interested in these two items? Unfortunately, I will never trade either of them,” the Ancestor replied with a cold sneer.
“Never trade? Brother Long speaks too absolutely. Everything in this world can be traded—it’s just a matter of whether the offer is tempting enough,” Han Li chuckled, exuding confidence.
“Oh? From your tone, it seems you believe you possess something that can sway me,” the Ancestor mused, though his expression remained indifferent.
“I’ve heard that you’ve been stuck at the late-stage bottleneck for tens of thousands of years. Would you be interested in something that could help you break through?” Han Li asked with a low laugh.
“A pill to break through the late stage? If you truly possess such a thing, I’d need to know its efficacy. If it’s only marginally effective, it would be useless to me,” the Ancestor said, momentarily startled but quickly regaining his composure.
“Take a look at this first.” Han Li flicked his sleeve, sending a thumb-sized jade vial flying toward the Ancestor.
The Ancestor narrowed his eyes, summoning the vial into his grasp with a wave of his hand.
“This is…”
He scanned the vial with his divine sense, his expression shifting slightly as if he had discovered something unbelievable. Hastily, he uncorked the vial and inhaled deeply.
“Silver Milk of the Heavenly River? No, not quite. The medicinal properties seem stronger—almost like the Supreme Clear Immortal Elixir, yet the color is entirely different.” The Ancestor’s previously stoic face now brimmed with excitement.
“Well? This Netherworld River Spirit Milk should be useful to you, shouldn’t it?” Han Li said, unsurprised by the reaction.
“Netherworld River Spirit Milk? I’ve never heard of it. But its effects are indeed potent—it could help me break through my bottleneck. However, you surely don’t have just this single drop? If so, it would still be useless to me,” the Ancestor said, his expression quickly returning to normal as he probed further.
“Of course not. I have an entire bottle. But in exchange, I want an equivalent amount of Dragon Spirit Pills and one Sky-Supporting Ark,” Han Li said with a faint smile, producing another small green vial and weighing it in his hand.
“You’re asking for too much! Our Dragon Spirit Pills may be slightly less effective than your Spirit Milk, but the difference isn’t vast. And now you’re demanding a Sky-Supporting Ark as well? That’s excessive!” The Ancestor’s face darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
“I’m well aware of that. But there’s one crucial difference—my Netherworld River Spirit Milk is the only bottle left in the entire human race. I’ve consumed all the rest, which is why I’ve reached my current cultivation level. It’s even uncertain whether a second bottle exists in the entire Wind Yuan Continent. Meanwhile, your Dragon Spirit Pills can be continuously refined. If you miss this opportunity, I guarantee you’ll never see another drop in your lifetime. As for the Dragon Spirit Pills, though your family rarely trades them, they occasionally surface. With time, I could still acquire them,” Han Li said with a knowing smile.
“Hmph! You’re quite the negotiator. But if you think such tactics will work on me, you’re mistaken. No matter how persuasive your words, I won’t agree to this trade unless the exchange is of equal value,” the Ancestor retorted, refusing to yield.
Han Li frowned slightly but quickly regained his composure.
“If Brother Long isn’t interested in the Spirit Milk, then consider our discussion void. You may keep those few drops as a gift from me.”
With that, Han Li clasped his hands, his body glowing as he turned to leave.
“Wait!” The Ancestor’s expression shifted, and he instinctively called out.
“Oh? Changed your mind?” Han Li paused, turning back with a faint smirk.
“Hmph! With our status, there’s no need for such petty games. Your Spirit Milk is indeed valuable to me, but your initial demand was outrageous. If you want my Dragon Spirit Pills and a Sky-Supporting Ark, you’ll need to add something else—either another item or a substantial amount of spirit stones. Its value can be slightly less than that of the Ark,” the Ancestor said coldly.
“Very well. That’s a condition I can consider. How about this—in addition to the Spirit Milk, I’ll offer materials worth over a hundred million spirit stones in exchange for the Ark?” Han Li stroked his chin, proposing a figure close to the Ancestor’s bottom line.
“Materials worth a hundred million? What kind?” The Ancestor’s face twitched as he pressed for details.
“I have a list here. Take a look.” Han Li flicked his sleeve, sending a white streak of light—a translucent jade slip—toward the Ancestor.
“You’ve prepared quite thoroughly,” the Ancestor muttered, exasperated but resigned. He caught the slip and scanned it with his divine sense.
“These materials…” His expression shifted in surprise.
“Are they to your satisfaction? I believe these are precisely what the Long Family currently needs,” Han Li said meaningfully.
“You’ve done your homework. It’s impressive that you managed to gather these highly sought-after resources. You must have been eyeing our Sky-Supporting Ark for a long time—otherwise, you couldn’t have amassed these materials so quickly. These are things even spirit stones can’t buy easily now. Very well, the trade stands as we agreed,” the Ancestor said after a moment of contemplation, his tone tinged with reluctant admiration.
“A mutually beneficial arrangement. Brother Long has made a wise decision.” Han Li’s smile widened as he clapped his hands lightly, producing a green ring and a white jade vial.
However, he didn’t immediately hand them over, instead fixing his gaze on the Ancestor.
Understanding the unspoken request, the Ancestor flicked his sleeve, sending forth a golden and a black streak of light—a golden vial and a miniature black warship.
The golden vial was unremarkable, adorned only with leaf-like patterns. But the pitch-black warship, no more than a few inches long, was exquisitely crafted.
It was a three-masted vessel with five decks, its surface etched with countless intricate formations invisible to the naked eye, each glowing with vibrant hues, exuding an aura of profound mystery.
The Ancestor tossed both items toward Han Li, who in turn threw the jade vial and storage ring his way. With a deft motion, Han Li caught the two objects.
After opening the golden vial and confirming its contents—a full bottle of blood-red pills—Han Li nodded in satisfaction.
With these renowned pills, his chances of breaking through the late-stage bottleneck would increase by another half. His gaze then shifted to the miniature black ark.
“So this is the Sky-Supporting Ark. It looks extraordinary, but its true power remains to be tested.”
With that thought, Han Li tossed the tiny ark into the air and pointed at it with a finger.
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