“Oh, Fellow Daoist, could you elaborate a bit?” Han Li glanced at the respectful-looking youth and appeared somewhat surprised.
“Of course. To be honest, my descendants are not many, and Xiang’er is the only one among them worthy of cultivation. Not to boast, but this descendant’s aptitude for cultivation is exceptional even among the entire Yun Clan. In less than a hundred years, he should be able to advance to the Upper Clan realm.” The man surnamed Xu gazed at the youth with deep affection, clearly holding him in high regard.
“Grandfather’s words are too generous. Xiang’er’s aptitude is merely average, nothing to boast about.” The youth waved his hands repeatedly, appearing extremely bashful.
“Haha, you’ve reached this level in just over a decade, far surpassing my own aptitude at your age. There’s no need for such modesty.” Old Monster Xu laughed heartily.
“From what Fellow Daoist Xu has said, your esteemed nephew’s talent is indeed astonishing.” Han Li nodded with a faint smile.
The youth’s face flushed slightly, and he said nothing more.
“By all logic, this descendant’s future achievements might even surpass mine. Unfortunately, he has a flaw that makes this prospect uncertain.” Old Monster Xu’s proud expression faded, replaced by a somber tone.
Han Li’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent, knowing the other would explain further.
Sure enough, after a brief pause, Old Monster Xu continued, “Though his aptitude is excellent, he has encountered an issue with his Lifebound Cloud Beast. It has been stuck at the final step of manifestation, unable to fully materialize. According to past experience, the earlier one cultivates their Lifebound Cloud Beast, the better—otherwise, it hinders future advancements and overall strength. My inquiry about the Heaven and Earth Qi was essentially for this matter.”
“How so?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, as if puzzled.
“It’s somewhat complicated. Simply put, I discovered that the Heaven and Earth Qi gathered from the last celestial phenomenon actually aids my descendant in manifesting his Lifebound Cloud Beast. However, most of the Qi I collected was inadvertently used up, and the remainder is insufficient for his needs. Thus, I had no choice but to seek your assistance.” Old Monster Xu finally revealed his true purpose.
“If Heaven and Earth Qi is useful for your nephew, with your abilities, gathering some should be effortless. Why seek me out specifically?” Han Li replied calmly.
“I’ve tried several times, but ordinary Heaven and Earth Qi has no effect on his Lifebound Cloud Beast. It seems the Qi you gathered during the celestial phenomenon contained something special—something undetectable—that is crucial for Xiang’er.” Old Monster Xu looked somewhat frustrated.
“I see.” Han Li wore a thoughtful expression.
He knew full well that the so-called celestial phenomenon was actually the dispersal of True Kirin Origin Crystals, which naturally differed from ordinary Heaven and Earth Qi. However, he hadn’t expected it to be useful for the Yun Clan’s Lifebound Cloud Beasts.
“I came here hoping you could gather the same Heaven and Earth Qi once more. In return, I will surely repay you handsomely.” Old Monster Xu spoke with earnest hope.
“It’s not that I don’t wish to help, but this matter isn’t so simple.” Han Li hesitated, his lips twitching slightly.
The True Kirin Origin was an exceedingly rare treasure. Even if he couldn’t refine it himself, it was still a potent elixir for the Soul Devouring Beast. He couldn’t bear to extract it needlessly. Even if the beast had many True Kirin Crystals, lacking just one or two might prevent it from advancing further.
Han Li had no intention of sacrificing his spirit beast for a stranger he’d just met.
“What is it, Fellow Daoist Han? Is there some difficulty? This concerns my descendant’s future. If you’re willing to help, I can offer any amount of spirit stones.” Old Monster Xu’s heart sank slightly, but he made the offer without hesitation.
“This isn’t a matter of spirit stones. To be frank, the celestial phenomenon wasn’t produced by any secret technique or art of mine. It required the use of a consumable treasure. I can’t disclose specifics, but the value of such an item is surely clear to you. Moreover, I have very few left.” Han Li deliberated before speaking reluctantly.
“A consumable treasure?” Old Monster Xu’s expression changed.
“Indeed. And this item is of great importance to me, reserved for another purpose. No amount of spirit stones would convince me to part with it.” Han Li declined with a hint of apology.
“If it truly is a consumable treasure, I wouldn’t expend or trade it lightly either. But all treasures have their worth. I may not be much, but I have some assets. I can offer an equivalent exchange.” Old Monster Xu, having prepared his arguments, showed no sign of giving up.
“An exchange?” Han Li’s expression shifted, as if genuinely tempted.
Seeing this, Old Monster Xu knew the other wasn’t entirely opposed and rejoiced inwardly. Without another word, he flicked his sleeve, and a red mist swept over the table, revealing seven or eight jade boxes of varying sizes.
“These are treasures I’ve collected over the years. Two of them nearly cost me my life. Fellow Daoist Han, take a look. Whatever catches your eye, you may take. And I’ll owe you a significant favor.” Old Monster Xu spoke with grand generosity.
Han Li smiled mildly, his gaze sweeping over the boxes as his mind raced.
Old Monster Xu was a peak Void Refining cultivator and a member of the Yun Clan, with considerable abilities. His treasures were surely exceptional.
But Han Li himself possessed rare treasures, including two Heavenborn Artifacts even Body Integration cultivators would covet. He doubted these boxes contained anything that would tempt him. Without something he truly needed, he wouldn’t relent.
Thinking this, Han Li smiled and said, “Since Fellow Daoist Xu is so generous, I’ll take a look at your collection and broaden my horizons.”
With that, he reached out, and a fiery-red jade box trembled before flying into his hand.
Sensing the faint heat emanating from the box, Han Li’s brow rose. He enveloped his hand in spiritual light and flicked the lid open with a finger.
A scorching wave burst forth, raising the temperature of the entire hall.
Han Li’s pupils flashed blue as he examined the contents: a pale egg, the size of a chicken’s, covered in red patterns and pulsing with radiant light.
“What is this?” Han Li asked curiously.
Though the egg’s aura was strong, he couldn’t identify it at a glance.
“Fellow Daoist Han has a keen eye, picking the only spirit egg among these treasures. This is an egg I obtained after slaying a rare Primordial Flame Butterfly deep within a volcanic rift. That butterfly possessed fire-attribute abilities rivaling my own. It took me a year of traps to finally kill it. If hatched and nurtured, this egg would yield an exceptional spirit beast. Had I not already bound my Lifebound Beast, I might have hatched it myself.” Old Monster Xu chuckled.
“A creature with abilities matching yours is indeed astonishing. Unfortunately, I too have spirit beasts, or I’d be sorely tempted.” Han Li marveled before returning the egg.
Old Monster Xu blinked, then laughed. “My oversight. At your level, of course you’d have your own nurtured beasts. No matter—please examine the other treasures.”
Han Li nodded, closed the box, and tossed it back. A green light from his sleeve caught it and placed it gently on the table before retrieving another box.
Time passed, and after the time it took to drink tea, Han Li had examined most of the boxes.
The remaining items were rare materials, a couple of formidable artifacts, and even a pill that could slightly enhance a Void Refining cultivator’s power.
Each was undeniably precious, some even rivaling auction items from the Four Clans.
Yet none caught Han Li’s eye. He remained silent, smiling faintly throughout.
When he finished examining the last box and returned it, Old Monster Xu’s expression darkened.
“None of these meet your standards?” Old Monster Xu finally asked.
“To be honest, Fellow Daoist Xu, each of these is a treasure. That Flame Butterfly egg alone could fetch any price from a fire-attribute cultivator or millions at auction. But for me…” Han Li shook his head regretfully.
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