Originally, Han Li had planned to disguise himself and quietly sell some of his spiritual herbs and medicines here to gather a portion of spirit stones.
However, due to the commotion caused by the eccentric man just now, it was naturally impossible to proceed with this under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
After a brief consideration, he immediately abandoned the idea.
Han Li walked out of the side hall with apparent calmness and arrived at the small open area in front of the auction hall where beast-drawn carriages were parked. His expression darkened as he glanced across the way.
When he had arrived earlier, he hadn’t noticed anything like the “Fragrance Pavilion.” But upon closer inspection, there indeed was such a place.
The pavilion wasn’t particularly large, but it stood almost directly opposite the auction hall, with three floors and a flamboyant plaque hanging above its entrance.
However, Han Li noticed that unlike the bustling activity around other nearby buildings, the pavilion’s entrance was eerily quiet, with no one entering or exiting for quite some time.
That eccentric man, Duan Tianren, must be inside this pavilion!
Han Li pondered silently, feeling somewhat hesitant. The auction wouldn’t start for a while yet, and without understanding the true intentions of this Stone Cocoon elder, he likely wouldn’t be able to focus on it anyway.
Suddenly, he flicked his sleeve, revealing a pitch-black hand—the one that had absorbed the Magnetic Divine Mountain.
Han Li frowned.
Although Duan Tianren had tried to conceal it earlier, under the effects of Han Li’s spiritual vision, he could still sense that many of the man’s glances had lingered on this very sleeve.
He wasn’t sure whether it was the hand or the entire arm that had drawn attention.
If it was the former, it might indicate interest in the Magnetic Divine Mountain. If it was the latter…
Han Li’s heart sank slightly!
At the thought of his arm, Han Li suddenly raised his other hand and lightly touched a spot on his sleeve-covered forearm.
Though he couldn’t sense anything unusual, the sword transformed from the Profound Heavenly Treasure was indeed sealed within.
Could the other party have detected the presence of this sword?
The more Han Li thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
Though he still didn’t know that the human race and the Flying Spirit Clan, among others, had been affected by this Profound Heavenly Treasure—with some smaller clans even suffering disastrous blood sacrifices—he had personally witnessed the sword’s power. He knew that if he could one day fully wield it, he would be able to roam the Spirit Realm without fear.
Thus, though he had only used the sword once, it had already become his second greatest secret, surpassed only by the mysterious small vial—even more important than his mature Gold Devouring Beetles.
However, the likelihood of this Stone Cocoon elder discerning his possession of the Profound Heavenly Treasure was slim. Otherwise, that Thousand Machines Sage would have surely noticed it earlier.
Unless activated, the Profound Heavenly Treasure remained undetectable even to him while sealed in his arm.
Of course, it wasn’t impossible that the elder had cultivated some extraordinary technique that allowed him to sense it.
Regardless, Han Li was currently in no position to resist a top-tier Body Integration cultivator. Even if the elder hadn’t infused that strand of spiritual power into him earlier, escaping the heavily guarded Cloud City now would be nearly impossible. Whether this encounter was a blessing or a curse, he had no choice but to proceed and see.
After standing still with a fluctuating expression for a long while, Han Li finally stomped his foot and strode toward the Fragrance Pavilion.
At least, even if the other party truly coveted the Profound Heavenly Treasure, his life wasn’t in immediate danger.
When Han Li reluctantly stepped through the pavilion’s entrance, he was met by a handsome Crystal Clan youth standing just inside.
Upon seeing Han Li enter, this foreigner, who was around the Core Formation stage, immediately approached with a smile.
“Senior Li, correct? Elder Duan has been waiting in VIP Room No. 4 for some time. Please follow me,” the youth said.
“Lead the way,” Han Li replied, scanning the first floor of the pavilion with a hint of surprise before nodding.
The hall was completely empty, devoid of any furnishings, with only walls made of an unknown material emitting a faint blue glow.
The Crystal Clan youth complied and headed toward a staircase, with Han Li following behind.
Moments later, Han Li found himself on the third floor, standing before a room enveloped in a faint golden light.
The youth stopped, formed a hand seal, and flicked his wrist toward the door.
A streak of silver light shot from his sleeve, and the youth stepped aside respectfully.
After a long pause, a voice sounded from inside:
“Since our guest has arrived, let him in.”
Hearing this, Han Li froze, his expression flickering with uncertainty.
The voice was gentle and light—clearly a woman’s.
At that moment, the golden light parted, and the door slowly swung open.
After a brief hesitation, Han Li exhaled softly and stepped inside.
The door closed behind him, and the golden light resealed.
“Greetings to the two Seniors!” Han Li scanned the room calmly before clasping his fists in salute.
Inside the elegantly decorated room, spanning about ten zhang, two individuals sat facing each other at a table.
One was Duan Tianren, and the other was a beautiful Crystal Clan woman in her thirties, also at the early Body Integration stage.
Clearly, it was she who had just addressed him.
“Fellow Daoist Li, no need for formalities. Please, take a seat,” the woman said with a smile.
Meanwhile, Duan Tianren was guzzling wine from a pink jug, barely sparing Han Li a glance as he continued drinking.
Whatever spirit wine was in that jug, its rich and intoxicating aroma was unmistakable—even to Han Li, who rarely drank.
Since the woman had invited him, Han Li didn’t stand on ceremony. After another slight bow, he took a seat nearby.
The woman’s exceptionally clear eyes swept over Han Li.
He noticed that her gaze paused almost imperceptibly at his sleeve before quickly moving on.
It seemed Duan Tianren had shared something with her.
Han Li frowned inwardly, realizing this trouble might be bigger than he’d thought. The Crystal Clan were known for their intelligence, and those who reached the Body Integration stage were practically prodigies.
Deceiving them wouldn’t be easy.
“Alright, our guest is here, and I’ve told you everything. What happens next is up to you, Fairy Cai. I’m no thinker—just make sure I get the lion’s share of whatever we find,” Duan Tianren finally declared after draining the jug and wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
“Brother Duan, no need to rush. I’ve only heard your account—verification is still needed,” the Crystal Clan woman replied with a charming smile.
“Suit yourself. I’ve tested it myself, and it’s the real deal. By the way, your Nine Fragrance Wine is even more exquisite than before. Pour me another jug,” Duan Tianren said nonchalantly before eyeing the empty jug greedily.
“Brother Duan treats my Fragrance Pavilion like a tavern. This Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine takes a century to brew just a dozen jars, and you’ve already downed three jugs today. Next time you visit, I’ll have to serve you ordinary spirit wine,” Fairy Cai retorted with a glare, though she still produced an emerald-green wine jar and refilled Duan Tianren’s jug.
“Haha, that’s because you’re the only one in Cloud City who can brew it. I’ve asked for the recipe countless times, but you’re too stingy. It’s strange—you don’t even drink, yet you make the finest spirit wine in the city,” Duan Tianren chuckled after taking a hearty swig.
“The finest wine in Cloud City is merely flattery from fellow Daoists. And it’s not that I’m stingy—the brewing method is tied to my cultivation technique. Even if I gave you the recipe, you couldn’t replicate the Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine,” Fairy Cai replied with a light laugh, covering her lips with a delicate hand.
Duan Tianren merely grinned and continued drinking without another word.
Fairy Cai then took out a golden wine cup the size of a fist, filled it from the jar, and gently pushed it toward Han Li.
The cup floated over, enveloped in a green glow.
“Since Fellow Daoist Li has come, consider it fate. Try the Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine,” Fairy Cai said with a smile once Han Li had taken the cup.
“Thank you for the honor, Senior,” Han Li said, though he didn’t drink immediately. Instead, he peered into the golden cup.
The so-called “Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine” was translucent and viscous, tinged with a hint of pink. Against the golden cup, it resembled a lake of agate—stunningly beautiful.
Moreover, the wine’s aroma shifted subtly with each sniff, changing several times in an instant. Truly miraculous!
“My spirit wine isn’t just fragrant—it sharpens the senses, lightens the body, and each sip saves a month of arduous cultivation,” Fairy Cai remarked leisurely, her bright eyes gleaming.
“Such a wondrous wine—I’m truly fortunate,” Han Li said, now certain the wine was safe. Without further hesitation, he took a sip.
It was like swallowing a piece of ice, which then melted into warmth, turning smooth and intensely fragrant.
The aroma slid down his throat effortlessly, reaching his stomach without him needing to swallow.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage