Chapter 1822: Yin Feng Grass

Not only Han Li, but also others who saw the ancient script on the light screen were equally stirred.

For quite a while, no one spoke.

Each of these materials was something exceedingly rare in the Spirit Realm, and even the people of the Black Domain couldn’t be entirely certain that the participants had what they wanted. They even offered an alternative—exchanging the treasure for a large quantity of spirit stones or spiritual medicines.

Of course, it was more likely that those who possessed such rare materials were unwilling to trade them for this somewhat impractical treasure.

The Sky-Reaching Gong, generally speaking, was only useful to those with a certain level of influence.

Han Li sat in his chair, staring at one of the names on the light screen, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

“I don’t have a three-zhang-long Snow Spirit Wood, but I wonder if a one-zhang-long section, along with some spirit stones, would suffice to exchange for this Sky-Reaching Gong?” The same cold, clear voice spoke again, clearly indicating the female cultivator’s desire for the treasure.

“I’m afraid not. The size of the Snow Spirit Wood is crucial for us. Even a slight reduction would render it useless,” the golden-masked man replied without hesitation, shaking his head.

“That’s a shame. Although I truly wanted this Sky-Reaching Gong, I have no choice but to give up,” the woman sighed and fell silent.

“If we don’t have the materials your domain specifically requested, can we still exchange with other items?” Another voice, devoid of any emotion, came from a secluded flying pavilion.

“In principle, yes. However, we only accept materials we need, and they must be of the same grade as the ones we listed. Common items need not be presented,” the golden-masked man replied with a light chuckle.

Upon hearing this, the speaker seemed to hesitate briefly before speaking again, “Since you say so, why not take a look at this item I have and see if it meets your standards?”

As soon as the words fell, a melodious crane cry echoed from the stone pavilion. A snow-white crane, holding a pitch-black wooden box in its beak, flew out gracefully and flapped its wings, arriving at the white light barrier.

Whether the golden-masked man on the platform had done something or not, the crane passed through the barrier without any hindrance.

The golden-masked man raised his hand, and the crane opened its beak, dropping the wooden box neatly into his grasp. The crane itself hovered above the platform, neither landing nor returning immediately.

The golden-masked man opened the black wooden box, revealing a faint emerald glow inside.

Upon seeing the contents, his pupils contracted, and his expression behind the mask grew solemn. Without any visible movement, his eyes shimmered with an unusual light as he stared intently at the object inside for a long while, saying nothing.

The crane’s owner, knowing the man was carefully appraising the item, did not rush him.

The others in the flying pavilions were naturally curious about the contents of the box, stirring slightly before quickly settling down.

If this item couldn’t secure the Sky-Reaching Gong, they still had their chance, so there was no need to rush.

After a while, the golden-masked man finally withdrew his gaze and let out a regretful sigh.

“What? Does my item not meet your standards?” the crane’s owner asked, seemingly surprised.

“To be honest, under normal circumstances, the value of your item would indeed match the materials I listed. However, to make use of it would require at least ten thousand years of cultivation. Given that the great calamity will erupt within a millennium, our domain would rather exchange for spirit stones and materials that are more immediately practical,” the golden-masked man explained tactfully.

He then closed the box and tossed it back into the air.

The crane let out a sharp cry, diving down to catch the box in its beak before swiftly turning and flying back through the barrier toward its owner’s pavilion.

“What a pity,” the crane’s owner murmured after a brief silence before falling quiet again.

“Are there any other fellow Daoists willing to exchange items? If not, I will announce the auction of this treasure for top-grade spirit stones and spiritual medicines over a thousand years old,” the golden-masked man said, frowning slightly as he sensed no further interest in exchanges.

Using spirit stones and medicines to auction the Sky-Reaching Gong was clearly a last resort.

Yet the surrounding void remained silent, with no one responding.

“Very well, then I declare—” the golden-masked man began with a bitter smile, but before he could finish, a hoarse male voice suddenly rang out in the void.

“Hold on. I happen to have something your domain desires—no, something even more valuable. Would you care to see it?”

The eleventh maidservant standing behind Han Li, gently massaging his shoulders, paused in surprise.

The speaker was none other than Han Li himself.

With a flip of his hand, a yellow jade box slowly materialized in his palm.

“If you truly have something valuable, please present it. I assure you, you won’t be at a disadvantage,” the golden-masked man said eagerly, his spirits lifted.

Han Li chuckled but said nothing. With a flick of his sleeve, a translucent white serpent shot out, swallowed the jade box in one gulp, and transformed into a streak of crystalline light, darting forward.

“Hmm?”

As the serpent flew into the light barrier and landed before the golden-masked man, his eyes flickered with surprise as he scanned it, noticing something unusual about this puppet compared to ordinary ones.

However, the serpent’s eyes gleamed coldly as it spat out the yellow jade box.

More interested in the box’s contents, the golden-masked man caught it and carefully opened the lid.

Inside floated a faint black orb of light, within which lay a radiant silver herb several inches tall.

“Yin Phoenix Grass!” the golden-masked man exclaimed in a low voice, his eyes brimming with excitement.

At that moment, Han Li’s faint voice transmitted into his ears:

“Indeed, it is Yin Phoenix Grass. Moreover, this specimen has grown for hundreds of thousands of years, far exceeding the seventy-thousand-year requirement your domain specified.”

“Hundreds of thousands of years?!” The golden-masked man gasped before even finishing his appraisal.

Without bothering to reply, he immediately released his divine sense, enveloping the silver herb to scrutinize it thoroughly.

Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly.

This herb was one of several he had obtained from the restricted ruins of the Moon Palace’s medicinal garden.

Most had already been traded to the high-ranking cultivators of the Thunder Continent, leaving only this one, kept as a seed specimen.

Fortunately, the seeds of this herb were grain-like, allowing him to extract and preserve them using a special technique upon returning to Sky Abyss City.

Now, he still had this slightly damaged Yin Phoenix Grass, which was of little immediate use.

Similarly, he had processed a few other rare herbs of comparable value.

Had the golden-masked man not listed Yin Phoenix Grass as an exchange item, Han Li wouldn’t have considered trading for the Sky-Reaching Gong.

But since it was explicitly requested, the situation changed—this herb’s value could be maximized.

Moreover, the foreign body-refining technique accompanying the Sky-Reaching Gong genuinely piqued his interest.

After careful deliberation, Han Li finally spoke up.

This appraisal took noticeably longer and was far more meticulous than the previous one.

After what felt like an eternity, the golden-masked man exhaled deeply, concluding his examination. Without a word, his lips moved silently as he transmitted a message to Han Li:

“Where did you obtain this Yin Phoenix Grass? Though I cannot measure it precisely, its medicinal potency suggests it is at least two hundred thousand years old. Can you confirm its exact age?” Despite his controlled tone, excitement seeped through.

“I lack such ability. Only by refining it into pills could its age be verified. However, I can assure you it far exceeds two hundred thousand years. Is your domain interested?” Han Li replied, shaking his head.

“The herb’s age is undoubtedly sufficient. However, it appears slightly damaged, which diminishes its value somewhat,” the golden-masked man said slowly, his eyes glinting.

“I removed its seeds for other purposes. But you know well that Yin Phoenix Grass seeds hold little value. Given its age, exchanging it solely for the Sky-Reaching Gong is unacceptable. If you truly wish to trade, show sincerity. Doesn’t the Black Domain have other finale treasures prepared for this exchange? Otherwise, I’d rather keep it to trade with others,” Han Li retorted coldly, narrowing his eyes.

“This matter is significant. Allow me to consult with others before responding,” the golden-masked man replied gravely after a brief hesitation.

“Of course,” Han Li agreed readily.

The golden-masked man raised his head, his lips moving silently as he communicated with unseen figures.

The others in the hall watched with varied expressions.

The discussion was brief, concluding in mere moments.

Soon, Han Li received another transmission:

“Listen carefully. In addition to the Sky-Reaching Gong, we are willing to offer one more finale treasure. However, you will have no choice in the second item. If dissatisfied, you may decline and receive a substantial compensation in spirit stones instead.”