Chapter 1739: Nine-Flame Grass

With a sharp sound of tearing through the air, Han Li’s figure flashed out from the nearby void, casting a satisfied glance at the Vajra Flesh.

With a flick of his sleeve, a “bang” sounded as the golden body dissipated into specks of golden light, vanishing without a trace.

The Second Nascent Soul transformed into a wisp of black mist and shot toward him, disappearing in an instant.

Although he had released the Second Nascent Soul to inhabit the golden body, due to the Nascent Soul’s unstable mental state, it couldn’t utilize any demonic techniques during the earlier battle. It had merely controlled the golden body with divine sense to engage the enemy.

By doing so, the Second Nascent Soul avoided the risk of demonic backlash, but the golden body couldn’t unleash its full power either.

However, after Han Li advanced to the late Void Refinement stage, the Vajra Demon Subduing Scripture had also reached its final phase. The golden body’s power was now incomparable to what it had been during the early Void Refinement stage, and it could even unleash several long-awaited new abilities.

The Vortex Golden Light was the most formidable and bizarre among them. Even an ordinary Body Integration cultivator, if caught off guard by this golden light and lacking powerful techniques or treasures for protection, might perish within it.

Thus, even though the Second Nascent Soul hadn’t employed demonic techniques, by merely controlling the golden body, Han Li effortlessly annihilated that Rong tribesman.

From Han Li’s initial strike to the deployment of the golden body to eliminate four Rong tribesmen of the same level, it had taken only a few moments. Even Fairy Yue and the old man surnamed Xu, still hesitating in the distance about whether to return and assist Han Li, were stunned to see the four formidable enemies who had pursued them so relentlessly wiped out in one fell swoop.

Their expressions were a mix of shock, unease, and a sliver of pleasant surprise.

Han Li paid no heed to their reactions. With a flicker, he appeared above “Qu’er.”

The little girl had remained motionless since Han Li’s appearance. Now, as he approached, she blinked and exchanged a few silent words with him before transforming into a ball of white light and vanishing into his sleeve.

Han Li pondered for a moment before lifting his head to glance at the distant woman and old man.

After exchanging uncertain looks, the two seemed to murmur a few words to each other before finally flying toward him at a moderate pace.

Within moments, they arrived before Han Li, stopping about ten zhang away.

“Many thanks for your timely assistance, Fellow Daoist Han. Without you, Fairy Yue and I would have had no escape from those Rong tribesmen. Your abilities are truly awe-inspiring,” the old man said with a bow, his face wreathed in smiles.

“Brother Xu speaks the truth. Those Rong tribesmen were exceptionally skilled in pursuit. Had we not encountered you, Brother Han, the risk of perishing would have been great. I, too, am deeply grateful,” Fairy Yue added, her jade-like features calm but her voice tinged with a sigh.

“So your spiritual power was depleted. That explains why you couldn’t shake them off. No need for thanks—after all, we entered this realm together from Cloud City. Since we crossed paths, I naturally couldn’t stand by and watch,” Han Li replied with a modest smile.

“Brother Han’s insight is peerless! Fairy Yue and I fell into a trap set by the Rong tribesmen and suffered significant spiritual damage during our escape. Your kindness in rescuing us is something I will never forget, and I must repay you handsomely,” the old man said, visibly relieved by Han Li’s amiable demeanor.

Han Li merely smiled without responding.

Fairy Yue’s eyes flickered before she produced a jade box and addressed Han Li, “This is a Nineflame Spirit Grass, long extinct in the Spirit Realm and a crucial ingredient for several elixirs. The Rong tribesmen pursued us relentlessly, in part because of this herb. As thanks for your rescue, we offer it to you.”

With that, she tossed the box toward him.

The old man’s face briefly registered surprise before he masked it with a practiced smile.

Han Li, caught off guard, caught the box with a flick of his hand.

He examined it closely: the box glowed faintly red, sealed with several pale blue talismans, indicating extreme caution toward its contents.

With a flash of his eyes, Han Li exhaled a stream of azure mist. The talismans flickered wildly before peeling away on their own.

The lid flew open, and a radiant, sentient ball of light shot out.

But Han Li was prepared. With a wave of his arm, he reached out and grasped the air.

A sharp tearing sound echoed as an invisible force enveloped the glowing mass.

His fingers flexed slightly, and the light was drawn effortlessly into his palm.

“Be careful, Fellow Daoist Han!” Fairy Yue exclaimed, her face paling slightly.

“No matter,” Han Li replied with a chuckle. His palm shimmered with golden light, and the swirling radiance settled gently into his hand, revealing a flame-shaped herb emitting nine distinct hues.

The plant was no taller than a few inches, but its nine-colored flames distorted the surrounding space, waves of scorching heat radiating outward.

Yet Han Li’s golden hand remained unaffected, as if the intense heat were nothing.

The old man’s eyes flashed with astonishment before he laughed. “Fairy Yue worries too much! With Brother Han’s prowess, such heat is trivial.”

“Indeed! The Nineflame Grass’s radiance can melt metal and crumble stone, yet it has no effect on you. Your abilities are truly unfathomable,” Fairy Yue admitted with a wry smile.

“My skills are hardly as exaggerated as you claim. I’ve merely practiced some specialized fire-warding techniques. This Nineflame Grass is indeed a rare treasure, and it will serve me well. In that case, I’ll accept it gratefully,” Han Li said, carefully returning the herb to the box and resealing it with fresh talismans before storing it away.

Fairy Yue’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Though inwardly reluctant, the old man masked his feelings, recalling Han Li’s earlier display of power. Instead, he chuckled and prepared to speak further.

But Han Li suddenly flicked his sleeve, sending two pale jade vials flying toward them.

Startled, they caught the vials reflexively.

“Brother Han, what is this?” the old man asked hesitantly.

Fairy Yue, equally surprised, looked at Han Li questioningly.

“Nothing much. The Nineflame Grass is exceedingly rare, and I happened to possess some elixirs that can enhance the cultivation of upper-race ninth-tier beings. They might aid you in overcoming bottlenecks. Consider them compensation for the herb,” Han Li said casually.

“What? Elixirs that can boost upper-race ninth-tier cultivation?” The old man gasped, hastily uncorking the vial to inspect and sniff its contents, his face alight with joy.

Fairy Yue’s eyes gleamed with intrigue.

“These will indeed benefit my current cultivation. But having just been saved by you, how can we accept such gifts?” the old man said, though his hesitation was evident.

“My intervention was a trivial matter. If a fire-attribute Saint cultivator saw the Nineflame Grass, these elixirs would pale in comparison. I dislike taking advantage, so please accept them,” Han Li replied calmly.

“Since you insist, Brother Han, Brother Xu and I thank you,” the old man said, tucking the vial away after a brief consideration.

Fairy Yue, after examining her vial, also expressed gratitude and stored it away.

With this exchange, the old man’s wariness diminished. Glancing around, he asked, “Brother Han, are you alone here? Or are there others nearby?”

“I originally traveled with two others, but we were separated after encountering some danger,” Han Li admitted without concealment.

“I see. That’s unfortunate,” the old man said, disappointment flickering across his face.

Fairy Yue’s eyes also betrayed a hint of regret.

“Brother Xu, your words seem laden with meaning. Do you and Fairy Yue require additional assistance for some endeavor?” Han Li asked with a knowing smile.

The old man glanced at Fairy Yue, who, after a brief pause, said, “Brother Xu, that place is already occupied by the Rong tribesmen. With our strength, reclaiming it is impossible. But Brother Han’s abilities might suffice. If he succeeds, we ask only for a copy of the Golden Seal Script technique.”