Chapter 1752: Everyone Finds Their Proper Place

Upon hearing this, Han Li’s expression remained unchanged.

Although he had already harvested all the medicinal plants from the garden, the sheer scale of the garden allowed one to estimate the approximate quantity of spiritual herbs it once held. Thus, Qian Jizi’s question was not unexpected.

“I do indeed have some spiritual herbs yet to be presented, but shouldn’t the three seniors also show some sincerity to this junior?” Han Li blinked and replied with a smile.

At his words, Qian Jizi’s eyes flickered, and his expression darkened. “What? Does Fellow Daoist Han distrust us?”

“This junior wouldn’t dare think so. However, I’ve already presented all the spiritual herbs I gathered from the Cold Moon Realm. What remains in my possession are merely duplicates of the same types. Now, wouldn’t it be reasonable for this junior to examine the spiritual pills held by the three seniors?” Han Li spoke unhurriedly, showing no intention of backing down.

“Fellow Daoist Qian Jizi, since Fellow Daoist Han has spoken thus, why not show him the pills in your possession? That way, he can see that we are indeed sincere in this trade,” Duan Tianren interjected, holding a thumb-sized crimson exotic fruit in his palm. After exchanging a few covert transmissions with Cai Liu Ying, his eyes gleamed with an unusual light.

“Many of the spiritual herbs Fellow Daoist Han has presented are precisely what we need, making him fully qualified to engage in this trade with us. In that case, I shall take the lead and let Fellow Daoist Han see the pills I’ve prepared for exchange,” Cai Liu Ying said with a charming smile, her eyes shimmering.

Hearing the other two speak thus, Qian Jizi was momentarily stunned. But after a few flickers of his gaze, he suddenly burst into laughter. “Since neither of you two object, why should I play the villain? Very well, let it be as Fellow Daoist Han suggests.”

“Many thanks to the three seniors for your generosity!” Han Li clasped his hands in a respectful salute.

Immediately, Cai Liu Ying flipped her hand, and with a flash of spiritual light, three small vials appeared in her palm, which she then tossed toward Han Li.

“These three types of pills are all renowned for aiding in breaking through bottlenecks. I presume Fellow Daoist Han has heard of them: Silver Silk Pills, Myriad Wonders Pills, and Bitter Green Powder. I expended countless efforts to obtain these, and half have already been consumed. However, the remaining half should suffice for your needs. Particularly the three Myriad Wonders Pills—their efficacy in overcoming bottlenecks is truly extraordinary.”

As Han Li caught the vials and examined them closely, Cai Liu Ying provided detailed explanations.

With Han Li’s expertise in alchemy, discerning the authenticity of these pills was effortless. After a thorough inspection, he nodded slightly.

At this point, Duan Tianren also produced two vials and two small boxes, while Qian Jizi retrieved two palm-sized gourds—one red and one blue.

After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Han Li had appraised all the items.

The pills and herbs presented by Duan Tianren were in no way inferior to Cai Liu Ying’s offerings. Meanwhile, Qian Jizi’s gourds contained two rare spiritual liquids unique to the Thunder Continent. Though ineffective when consumed directly, they were primary ingredients for refining several types of spiritual pills—equally priceless treasures in the Spirit Realm.

With a satisfied expression, Han Li flicked his wrist, and his storage bracelet hummed once more. A multitude of jade boxes materialized amidst flashes of azure light.

“The pills and herbs presented by the three seniors are indeed invaluable treasures. Any one of them would surely cause a stir if revealed to the outside world. However, these alone are insufficient to exchange for all my spiritual herbs,” Han Li remarked calmly, sweeping his gaze over the densely packed boxes floating midair.

“Haha! No matter how many spiritual herbs you have, do you think the three of us lack the means to satisfy you? Fellow Daoist Han, speak plainly—what else do you wish to exchange for?” Duan Tianren exclaimed without hesitation, overjoyed at the sight of Han Li producing several times more herbs than before.

“Indeed! We shall take all these herbs. Fellow Daoist, feel free to state your conditions,” Qian Jizi added, equally delighted, though he had not expected Han Li to produce such a vast quantity so readily.

“Magical treasures and artifacts are unnecessary. This junior still lacks some rare materials. Here is a list—please see if the three seniors can gather the specified types and quantities. I’ve long heard of the Crystal Moon Elixir of the Crystal Race, a supreme body-refining medicine. I would like to request a vial from Senior Cai. Additionally, I am deeply interested in the formula for the Myriad Wonders Pills and the crafting method for sentient puppets. I hope the three seniors can accommodate these requests as well.” Han Li stated his demands without reservation.

Upon hearing this, Qian Jizi and the other two exchanged glances.

“Fellow Daoist Han, aren’t you being overly demanding? Setting aside the materials, the formula for Myriad Wonders Pills is known only to our Crystal Race’s grand alchemists. As for the Crystal Moon Elixir, even many Saint-stage existences have sought it in vain,” Cai Liu Ying frowned, visibly displeased.

“This junior does not consider it excessive. These herbs represent nearly all the immortal-grade spiritual medicines I obtained from the Cold Moon Realm. Any single one, if auctioned outside, would incite fierce competition among countless Saint-stage seniors. Here, there are hundreds of them, many of which are extinct in the Spirit Realm, with ages far surpassing ordinary ‘ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs.’ Frankly, after this exchange, this junior still feels at a considerable disadvantage,” Han Li replied impassively.

“The formula for Myriad Wonders Pills is absolutely out of the question. It is a foundational secret of our Tian Yun races and cannot be divulged to outsiders. The same applies to the crafting method for sentient puppets,” Qian Jizi declared firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

“As for the Crystal Moon Elixir, though equally rare and difficult to obtain, I might be able to spare a single vial. For the rest, Fellow Daoist should consider alternative requests,” Cai Liu Ying said with evident reluctance.

Though, by conventional standards, a single vial of Crystal Moon Elixir held greater value to an individual than sentient puppets or the Myriad Wonders Pills, it was ultimately a consumable item.

Duan Tianren’s expression also darkened slightly.

Han Li, however, remained unfazed. His earlier demands had been a test. Since compromise was impossible, securing a vial of Crystal Moon Elixir was already a significant gain.

After a brief contemplation, Han Li calmly responded:

“If the three seniors deem the formulas and puppet techniques non-negotiable, this junior will not insist. In that case, please supplement the remaining half of the top-grade spirit stones required for my teleportation. Surely, this condition is far simpler?”

“Spirit stones? No problem. It’s settled then,” Cai Liu Ying chuckled in agreement after a momentary pause.

After brief consideration, Qian Jizi and Duan Tianren also relaxed their expressions and consented.

With the terms agreed upon, Han Li clapped his hands together and then parted them. Amidst a flash of white light, a cyan jade slip appeared.

He flicked a finger, sending the slip flying toward Cai Liu Ying.

The woman arched an eyebrow and deftly caught it with slender fingers.

A sweep of her divine sense revealed a densely packed list of materials, many of which were legendary even to her.

With a knowing smile, she tossed the slip to Duan Tianren and began inspecting Han Li’s newly presented jade boxes.

Shortly after, the trio finished examining the additional herbs and, finding no issues, began retrieving various containers—wooden boxes, jade vials, and more—from their storage bracelets. Astonishingly, they managed to gather over two-thirds of the materials listed on Han Li’s slip in mere moments.

Though Han Li maintained a composed demeanor, inwardly, he was astounded.

The list he provided was no random compilation—it included many of the materials Qing Yuanzi had tasked him to collect but had yet to find.

While not the rarest on the list, each item was still extraordinary. That Qian Jizi and the others could produce so many without hesitation left Han Li deeply impressed.

This also indicated that the three Body Integration-stage experts had come prepared, fully intending to complete this trade. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have carried such a trove on their persons.

After meticulously verifying each item, Han Li stored them all away with a satisfied wave of his storage bracelet.

Duan Tianren then spoke:

“Aside from a few truly unavailable materials, we will have the rest delivered within ten days. Does Fellow Daoist Han have any objections?”

“None at all. This junior naturally trusts the three seniors,” Han Li replied with a smile.

“Here are the spirit stones you requested, along with the Crystal Moon Elixir. Fellow Daoist, please accept them. This trade has truly emptied much of our coffers—we may even owe favors to old friends upon our return,” Cai Liu Ying said with a radiant smile, flicking her sleeve.

A black leather pouch and a small azure vial, enveloped in multicolored light, drifted slowly toward Han Li.

“Senior flatters me,” Han Li chuckled, a glint of joy flashing in his eyes as he reached out and seized both items.

He gave the spirit stones in the pouch a cursory scan with his divine sense before stowing them away. The blue vial, however, received far more scrutiny—he opened it, repeatedly scanned it with his divine sense, and even sniffed it lightly before carefully storing it, satisfied of its authenticity.

With the trade concluded, Han Li saw no reason to linger. After bowing to Qian Jizi and the others, he took his leave.

The three old monsters, evidently eager to see him gone, dismissed him with a few perfunctory words.

The teleportation array flashed, and Han Li vanished instantly.

“You two may leave as well,” Cai Liu Ying commanded abruptly, her gaze sweeping over Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun.

“Yes!”

“As you command!”

Liu Shui’er complied respectfully, while Shi Kun glanced at Duan Tianren, who gave a slight nod before he too acquiesced.

The two then stepped onto the teleportation array and disappeared from the hall in a flash.

By the time Shi Kun and Liu Shui’er arrived in the first-floor hall of the pavilion, Han Li was already nowhere to be found.

Exchanging a glance, the two could only smile wryly.