Chapter 1804: Dael

“Not at all, I have only recently advanced to the Unity stage, and my mana and experience are still lacking. I still need City Lord Peng to offer some guidance,” Han Li replied with a humble demeanor.

“Brother Han, your advancement from the Deity Transformation stage to the Unity stage in just a few centuries is something few among both human and demonkind are unaware of. With your aptitude, further breakthroughs are highly possible. How could we old-timers compare?” Peng Jue said with a laugh.

“Brother Peng is too kind. But may I ask who this fairy is…?” Han Li chuckled and turned his gaze toward the black-robed woman standing nearby.

This woman possessed an astonishingly pure and profound mana, unmistakably a late-stage Unity Saint-rank cultivator. Han Li was inwardly startled and couldn’t help but speculate about her true identity.

As for the purple-robed woman, he inadvertently overlooked her for the moment.

“I am Xiao Guan. I wonder if Brother Han has heard of me?” The black-robed woman stared at Han Li with keen interest, smiling faintly.

“Black Phoenix King!” Though he had already suspected as much, hearing her openly declare it still caused Han Li’s expression to shift slightly.

“It seems Brother Han is not unfamiliar with me. Speaking of which, my junior, Xiao Hong, had some entanglements with you in the past,” the black-robed woman said with a light laugh.

“About that matter…” Han Li frowned, about to say something, but the woman waved her hand dismissively and spoke calmly, “Don’t misunderstand, Brother Han. That foolish girl Xiao Hong overstepped her bounds by daring to conspire for the Ye family’s True Phoenix Bloodline. She has already been punished with a thousand years of seclusion in the Flame Domain of Black Phoenix Palace. My earlier words were merely to thank you for intervening back then, preventing our Black Phoenix Clan from antagonizing the Ye family. You may not know, but the Ye family’s Grand Elder and I have been close friends for many years. If our relationship had soured because of this, it would have been most regrettable.”

Han Li was somewhat surprised by her words. Though unsure of their veracity, he smiled and replied, “Since Fellow Daoist Xiao has said so, I need not say more.”

Peng Jue, standing nearby, naturally knew nothing of the past grievances between Han Li and the Black Phoenix Clan. Seeing them resolve the matter so smoothly, he smiled approvingly and clasped his hands. “Fellow Daoist Xiao, Fellow Daoist Han, the auction is about to begin. Please proceed inside first. I must remain here to await other latecomers.”

“Very well, I should indeed enter now. Dai’er, let’s go.” The black-robed woman nodded and beckoned to the purple-robed woman behind her before gracefully following a maidservant into the hall.

“Dai’er!”

Hearing this name, Han Li froze momentarily before casting a peculiar glance at the purple-robed woman.

But the woman had already lowered her head slightly, avoiding his gaze as she followed the black-robed woman away without a word, never once looking back at Han Li.

As the purple-robed woman’s figure disappeared beyond the doors, Han Li’s expression darkened with uncertainty.

Could this Dai’er be the same child taken away by Xiao Hong all those years ago?

That Dai’er had been a mixed-blood of human and demonkind, with a mysterious background. Otherwise, Xiao Hong, a Deity Transformation-stage Black Phoenix demon, wouldn’t have infiltrated deep into human territory just to take her away.

If so, it wouldn’t be surprising for the purple-robed woman to appear beside the Black Phoenix King.

But for someone to advance from a powerless mortal to an early-stage Deity Transformation cultivator in just a few centuries seemed nearly impossible.

Even if the Black Phoenix Clan placed extraordinary importance on Dai’er and her bloodline was exceptionally profound, such rapid advancement was still shocking—no less astounding than Han Li’s own leap from Deity Transformation to Unity in a few centuries.

He remembered Dai’er’s appearance clearly.

Though age might have altered her, he saw no resemblance between the purple-robed woman and the child from his memories.

Moreover, if she truly were Dai’er, his own appearance hadn’t changed. Why hadn’t she acknowledged him?

That little girl had once been deeply attached to him.

Han Li’s thoughts raced, his confusion deepening.

Peng Jue, noticing Han Li’s strange expression, was puzzled but refrained from pressing him, merely smiling in silence.

“Brother Peng, is that Fellow Daoist Dai’er also of the Black Phoenix Clan? What is her relationship with Fellow Daoist Xiao?” Han Li finally asked.

“Haha, I thought Brother Han hadn’t noticed her! From what I know, this Dai’er is a direct descendant of Fellow Daoist Xiao and quite renowned among the younger generation of demonkind. It’s said she possesses astonishing cultivation talent and peerless beauty, earning her the title ‘Phoenix Spirit Fairy.’ Countless young elites among the demons are infatuated with her, pursuing her relentlessly to no avail,” Peng Jue replied with a chuckle.

“Her true appearance?” Han Li’s eyes flickered.

“No wonder Brother Han wouldn’t know! Her current face is concealed by a primordial feather transformed by Fellow Daoist Xiao. Unless the feather is withdrawn, no amount of divine ability can reveal her true visage. According to Fellow Daoist Black Phoenix, this is to avoid unnecessary trouble during the Myriad Treasures Convention, preventing unwanted attention. What, does Brother Han also have an interest in this Phoenix Spirit Fairy? Though you’ve reached the Unity stage, you’re still relatively young. If you wished to take her as a companion, it might not be entirely impossible. I’ve heard she isn’t a pure Black Phoenix but a hybrid of human and demon bloodlines,” Peng Jue teased, clearly joking.

Though he spoke lightly, Peng Jue didn’t take his own words seriously.

“Brother Peng is jesting. I merely found her aura unique and not ordinary, hence my question. Well, time is short. I shall enter now,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, the corners of his lips quirking slightly.

“I must await other guests, so I won’t escort you further,” Peng Jue said, clasping his hands.

Another maidservant stepped forward to guide Han Li and his companions inside.

As he turned, a pensive look flashed across Han Li’s face.

After passing through a white jade corridor, they arrived in a grand hall divided into multiple tiers.

The circular hall, spanning thousands of feet, housed a white jade platform over ten zhang high.

The platform was empty, but at its four corners, glowing orbs of spiritual light hovered, each containing a three-foot-long silver flying sword suspended midair.

Around the platform stood eight golden-armored warriors, their faces hidden behind silver masks, their bodies wreathed in swirling black killing intent, exuding an eerie aura.

Han Li’s eyes gleamed with blue light as he observed the four swords and the warriors, his expression shifting slightly.

The four swords were all spirit treasure-grade artifacts, subtly interconnected, clearly forming a set.

A single sword was already a spirit treasure—combining all four would unleash unimaginable power.

As for the golden-armored warriors, though no mana fluctuations emanated from them, their armor and the black-gold killing intent surrounding them spoke volumes of their lethality.

Han Li mused silently as he followed the maidservant to the highest level of the hall—the third tier—where they entered an exquisitely arranged room.

Though small, spanning only seven or eight zhang, the room was furnished with tables and chairs, with spiritual flowers blooming in each corner.

A square window faced the platform, its surface veiled in faint mist yet offering a clear, unobstructed view outside.

“Senior, is this VIP room to your liking? If not, I can arrange another,” the maidservant asked respectfully.

“No need, this will suffice,” Han Li replied indifferently after a glance.

“Then I shall take my leave. Senior Han, should you require anything, simply call for me. I will be waiting outside,” the maidservant said, bowing.

Han Li nodded and waved dismissively.

The maidservant tactfully exited, closing the door softly behind her.

Meanwhile, Hai Tianshao and Qi Lingzi curiously examined the room before their gazes settled on the window.

Han Li stepped forward calmly and sat in a chair before the window.

A green wooden table stood before him, holding a bidding plate.

After a brief glance, Han Li turned his attention outside.

From the window, he could see most of the hall below, where tens of thousands of humans and demons had already filled the first and second tiers, mostly Deity Transformation and Void Refinement cultivators.

As for Unity-stage powerhouses like Han Li, they naturally occupied private rooms on the third tier.

Seeing nothing of particular interest, Han Li closed his eyes to rest.

Hai Tianshao and Qi Lingzi stood obediently behind him.

After an indeterminate time, the clamor below abruptly ceased, plunging the grand hall into silence.

Han Li opened his eyes and looked down at the platform.

Two peculiar figures now stood side by side upon it.

One was a towering man, his body shrouded in swirling black light, his face obscured despite the faint outline of a bearded visage.

The other was even taller, with a crimson horn protruding from his forehead, enormous emerald-green eyes, and shimmering crystalline scales along his cheeks—a fully transformed demon.

Han Li’s pupils contracted briefly before returning to normal.

The black-cloaked man on the platform spoke:

“Most present likely recognize this emperor and Fellow Daoist Li Huo beside me, so I shall skip introductions. I now declare the first auction of the Myriad Treasures Convention officially open!”