“No, you’re not her!” Han Li exclaimed, but immediately realized his mistake, his face darkening as he spoke coldly.
“Fellow Daoist Han, you are actually the renowned human senior who recently advanced to the Body Integration stage. This truly surprises Su’er. It seems my Heart Illusion Art cannot affect Senior Han in the slightest.” The woman, whose appearance was identical to Nangong Wan, chuckled lightly before a layer of white mist suddenly enveloped her face.
When the mist dissipated, she had transformed into a completely different woman with an oval face and delicate features.
“You must be Qin Su’er. Was your earlier act an attempt to test me?” Han Li’s expression remained stern as he glared at the woman in white, his tone unfriendly.
“Senior Han jests. How would I dare test you? My Heart Illusion Art has only recently achieved success, and I still cannot control it at will. If I offended you earlier, I hope Senior Han will not take offense.” The woman in white paled slightly and hurriedly explained.
“Heart Illusion Art! I have heard of this divine ability. It is said to be a remarkable innate talent of the Heavenly Fox Clan, capable of transforming into the person most intimate to the target without their notice, making it impossible to guard against. So, you and your sister are from the Heavenly Fox Royal Family? What is your relation to the Fox King?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, his severity easing somewhat.
“My sister and I are indeed from the Heavenly Fox Clan. Though we share some distant lineage with the current Fox King, our connection is quite remote.” Qin Su’er curtsied respectfully to Han Li before inviting him to take a seat.
“Your Heart Illusion Art was able to shake my mind—likely due to the restrictions placed in this location as well.” Han Li swept his gaze around the hall before chuckling and seating himself in the main position.
“Senior has sharp eyes! This is a shop established by our Heavenly Fox Clan, and it is indeed fortified with several unique clan formations. While other divine abilities may not be affected, illusions and enchantments are greatly amplified here. Had we been outside, Senior would not have experienced even the slightest shock.” Qin Su’er studied Han Li, secretly impressed by his ability to discern the amplification effect of the formations.
Recognizing the presence of restrictions was unremarkable, but identifying their specific enhancement of the Heart Illusion Art required deep knowledge of formations.
Rumors suggested that Han Li had encountered a fortuitous opportunity in the wildlands, allowing him to advance to the Body Integration stage in mere centuries. How could he have had time to master formations as well?
With this realization, any lingering resentment or disdain in Qin Su’er’s heart vanished entirely.
“Very well. Since you agreed to meet my disciple here today, I assume you have prepared the materials I requested. Show them to me.” Though still irritated that she had taken Nangong Wan’s form, Han Li decided against pressing the matter and cut straight to the point.
“Of course. After returning to my clan, I employed various means to gather roughly seventy to eighty percent of the materials Senior requested. I believe you will be satisfied. Meiling, bring them out. Due to recent complications, I stored the items with my younger sister for safekeeping.” Qin Su’er nodded and instructed the young girl beside her.
“Yes, Sister Su’er!” The girl obediently opened her mouth and spat out a translucent, yellowish orb the size of an egg.
“This is…?”
Han Li was momentarily taken aback.
“Senior, the demon beast materials you requested are somewhat taboo for us demon cultivators. Rather than storing them in an ordinary spatial bracelet, I opted for this Miniature Sumeru Pearl. Though it is a failed semi-Sumeru artifact crafted by a clan elder, its capacity far exceeds that of typical spatial treasures. Moreover, it can be refined into the body for concealment.” Qin Su’er explained with a smile.
“A semi-Sumeru artifact! That is indeed rare.” Han Li’s interest was piqued as he reached out and summoned the orb into his hand.
With a solemn expression, he sent a strand of divine sense into the pearl.
Inside, piles of rare demon beast bones formed a small mountain, alongside boxes and jars containing more delicate and valuable materials—including high-grade demon cores.
With his formidable divine sense, Han Li swiftly inventoried everything, even penetrating the containers to verify their contents.
“Excellent. Most of the items on my list are here. Fellow Daoist Qin’s capabilities are truly impressive.” A faint smile finally appeared on Han Li’s face.
“Senior overestimates me. This was not my doing alone. I enlisted the help of close friends from other clans, expending tremendous effort to gather these materials.” Qin Su’er shook her head with a wry smile.
“Regardless of how it was accomplished, since you have delivered so many materials, I will honor our agreement. Fellow Daoist Qin, are these ten-thousand-year spirit herbs sufficient in exchange?” Han Li nodded in satisfaction before flipping his hand to produce a pale-red spatial bracelet, which he tossed to the woman in white.
Qin Su’er’s eyes brightened as she caught the bracelet and probed it with her divine sense.
Meanwhile, Han Li unceremoniously began transferring the demon beast materials from the orb into his own black spatial bracelet.
The young girl watched with wide, darting eyes, her lips pursed in silent displeasure. She found it domineering that Han Li had already claimed their items before they had finished inspecting the spirit herbs. However, as a demon cultivator in a world where the strong ruled, she dared not voice her objections to a Body Integration-stage expert.
Fortunately, Qin Su’er completed her inspection just as swiftly.
After a moment, she exhaled deeply, her face alight with joy—and a trace of bewilderment.
“Thank you for your generosity, Senior! However, the quantity of ten-thousand-year spirit herbs exceeds our original agreement. May I ask why…?” She hesitated.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, are you aware of the great calamity that will befall our two races within the next millennium?” Han Li regarded her calmly.
“Senior… are you referring to the Devil Calamity?” Qin Su’er’s expression shifted dramatically before she murmured in realization.
“So you already know. Yes, the Devil Calamity approaches. To survive, any faction with even a hint of this news will surely amass resources in the coming centuries. Soon, the most sought-after spirit herbs and materials of our two races will become scarce. As a precaution, I propose continuing our trade until the calamity arrives. We can exchange items our respective races lack—though next time, it may not be demon beast materials but other unique treasures of the demon race.” Han Li’s eyes gleamed with calculation.
“I only learned of the Devil Calamity recently. As for continuing our trade, nothing would please me more. In the future, Senior may leave word at any Heavenly Fox Clan shop in Skydeep City. I will gratefully accept these additional spirit herbs.” Qin Su’er agreed without hesitation.
For her, no amount of ten-thousand-year spirit herbs would ever be enough. Her rapid cultivation progress owed much to Han Li’s previous provisions.
She could hardly contain her eagerness for this trade to continue indefinitely.
“Then I shall take my leave. May Fellow Daoist Qin reap great rewards at the Myriad Treasure Convention.”
With his business concluded, Han Li rose without delay and departed.
The Qin sisters respectfully escorted him to the shop’s entrance before returning inside.
“Sister Su’er, why didn’t you bring out that item? We went to such lengths to obtain it—wasn’t the point to exchange for more spirit herbs?” The girl asked petulantly as soon as they were alone.
“Had this been a few days ago, I would have. But yesterday, I received an invitation to the Black Domain Exchange from a senior of our race. I wish to see if that item can fetch something even better there. If not, we can always trade it to Han Li later. After all, he has already expressed interest in continuing our dealings. There is no rush.” Qin Su’er replied confidently.
“If Sister has already decided, then so be it. But that item, though useless to demon cultivators, is a dangerous liability in our hands. If word leaks, it could bring disaster. We should dispose of it as soon as possible!” The girl nodded, though her face remained troubled.
“Do not worry, I am well aware. That is why I avoided smaller exchanges and plan to reveal it only at the Black Domain.” Qin Su’er’s gaze hardened with resolve.
Meanwhile, Han Li was already on his way back to his residence.
Unbeknownst to him, his offer to continue trading had inadvertently cost him the immediate acquisition of a rare treasure.
Pleased with the haul of demon beast materials, he mused that only two or three items remained to forge his second Extreme Mountain. With the Myriad Treasure Convention just beginning, completing the set would be no issue.
Yet when he arrived home in high spirits, he was met with an unexpected guest.
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