Chapter 1597: The Four Clans Auction

After making up his mind, Han Li flicked his wrist, and a flash of white light later, the jade box disappeared.

He then sat cross-legged on the bed and entered a meditative state.

For three consecutive days, Han Li remained in his new residence without stepping outside.

But on this day, as he was cultivating with golden light shimmering across his body, his expression suddenly shifted, and he opened his eyes.

With a flip of his hand, the Wanli Talisman given to him by Qian Jizi appeared in his palm.

On the misty white surface of the talisman, a row of small characters had appeared.

After reading it, Han Li’s expression remained unchanged. He immediately stored the talisman and walked out of the room.

Half a day later, he found himself inside a cave dwelling on ‘Cloud Dream Mountain’ within the Eight Cloud Mountains, inspecting every corner of the dwelling with a satisfied expression.

The spiritual energy here was no less dense than that of Cloud Mist Mountain, and the cave dwelling was fully equipped with facilities such as an alchemy room, a forging chamber, and a medicinal garden. The garden even had a batch of common spiritual herbs already planted.

He was extremely pleased with this place.

However, Han Li did not rush to begin cultivation immediately. Instead, he used his spiritual sense to thoroughly inspect every inch of the cave dwelling before setting up over a dozen layers of various restrictions both inside and outside.

With this, even a Body Integration-level existence would find it impossible to breach the dwelling in a short time.

Next, he transplanted some of the spiritual herbs he needed into the cave dwelling and spent the following days secluded, refining pills.

He planned to first refine a certain quantity of Soaring Dragon Pills, keeping most for his own use while setting aside a small portion to trade for top-grade spirit stones in the market.

After all, whether for driving the sentient puppets or for the future super teleportation array, the number of top-grade spirit stones required was an unimaginable amount. Relying solely on selling spiritual herbs would not suffice, even if they were ten-thousand-year-old herbs. Moreover, selling too many such herbs would attract unwanted attention.

Thus, he decided to trade the finished Soaring Dragon Pills directly.

Given the potent efficacy of these pills, he was confident they would spark fierce competition among the upper races in Cloud City, fetching an astonishing price.

Of course, he wouldn’t sell too many and would take care to conceal his identity. Selling them only two or three times shouldn’t draw the attention of the Saint Race beings. If even this wasn’t enough, he would have to consider selling the Golden Lightning Bamboo.

Given its rarity in the Spirit Realm, selling an entire stalk would undoubtedly be more than sufficient.

As Han Li began refining pills, he also finalized his plan for collecting top-grade spirit stones.

Qian Jizi probably never imagined that what he considered an impossible task for Han Li in a short time was merely a minor inconvenience for him.

However, when Qian Jizi brought Han Li here, he also informed him that the matter of borrowing the teleportation array had gained the approval of the other races.

As for the conditions, they weren’t overly harsh.

Most simply required him to pay an additional usage fee. Only the Stone Cocoon Race posed a slight complication, demanding that he collect a unique forging material exclusive to the Cold Moon Realm when he entered it.

They provided a map with the material’s location clearly marked.

All he had to do was make a trip for them once inside the Cold Moon Realm.

This condition naturally carried some risk, but the material seemed extremely important to the Stone Cocoon Race, and they were adamant about it, leaving no room for negotiation.

After brief consideration, Han Li agreed.

If it was just a simple errand, he was willing to take the risk.

With this, Han Li formally reached an agreement with the races of Tian Yun. Once the Cold Moon Realm matter concluded, he would be free to use the super teleportation array under their joint custody.

Han Li remained in the cave dwelling for over a year.

During this time, he refined pills, consumed the Soaring Dragon Pills, and continuously cultivated the Vajra Devilish Arts.

Though the period wasn’t long, the Vajra Devilish Phantom he summoned during cultivation had grown slightly more condensed, a testament to the astonishing efficacy of the Soaring Dragon Pills.

However, Han Li found it odd that the crystal race woman named “Xianxian” had not contacted him via the Wanli Talisman during this time, as if she had completely forgotten about him.

Though puzzled, Han Li had no intention of seeking her out.

On this day, Han Li finally left the cave dwelling. After a brief glance around, he transformed into a streak of light and shot down the mountain.

Coincidentally, another streak of white light descended from the mountaintop at the same time, arriving at the foot of the mountain just before Han Li.

As the light faded, Han Li and a bald, burly man appeared simultaneously.

The man had a fierce appearance, with skin of an ashen-gray hue.

Both were slightly surprised to see each other.

“I am Tie Jian of the Stone Cocoon Race. Your face seems unfamiliar—are you a new resident of this mountain?” Despite his intimidating appearance, the man spoke with surprising politeness.

“I recently moved here,” Han Li replied with a smile, though inwardly startled to find the man was at the peak of the Void Refinement stage.

“So you are Fellow Daoist Han. Hmm, I heard last year an outsider surnamed Han activated a Cold Moon Token. Could that be you?” The man was remarkably well-informed, immediately guessing Han Li’s identity upon hearing his surname.

A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li’s eyes, but he smiled and replied, “Indeed, I am the one who activated the Cold Moon Token. I didn’t realize my reputation had spread so far.”

“Haha, in all these years, Brother Han is the first outsider to activate a Cold Moon Token. Your fame is only natural. Are you heading out now to attend the Four Races Auction, drawn by the rare treasures on offer?”

“Four Races Auction?” Han Li was taken aback.

“You weren’t aware? Ah, understandable, given your recent arrival. The Four Races Auction is held every decade by four of the thirteen races to boost Cloud City’s vitality. The items auctioned are usually treasures the races would never part with, attracting many high-level cultivators. This time, due to the Horned Race’s attacks and our recent losses, they’ve brought out even rarer treasures to bolster morale. Among them is the ‘Myriad Miraculous Pill,’ an exceptional aid for Void Refinement cultivators breaking through bottlenecks. It’s crafted only by the crystal race’s master alchemists and has never appeared in previous auctions.” Tie Jian explained in one breath.

“Myriad Miraculous Pill! I’ve heard of it.” Han Li’s interest was piqued.

Back in Green Water City, some outsiders had mentioned this pill, valuing it even higher than sentient puppets.

If it truly aided Void Refinement breakthroughs, obtaining it or its formula would be immensely beneficial for his future cultivation.

“Since such an event is happening, I must attend,” Han Li said, his eyes gleaming with interest.

“If you’re interested, why not join me? To be honest, I may also join the Cold Moon Realm expedition and could end up in your group. I’d appreciate your guidance then.” The bald man laughed heartily.

“You flatter me. Fellow Daoist Tie’s upper ninth-tier cultivation far surpasses mine. But since I’m unfamiliar with Cloud City, I’ll gladly follow your lead.” Han Li chuckled vaguely.

Tie Jian grinned but said nothing more, summoning a beast-drawn carriage parked at the mountain’s base and gesturing for Han Li to board.

Han Li stepped in without hesitation.

“To the Cloud Intent Auction House!” Tie Jian instructed the driver.

The driver acknowledged and spurred the spirit beast forward.

During the ride, Han Li inquired further about the auction. He learned it had begun days ago, but the true treasures were being auctioned today. Tie Jian had even borrowed a large sum of spirit stones from friends to bid for the Myriad Miraculous Pill.

Hearing that two sentient puppets from the Ancient Race were also up for auction, Han Li’s interest grew.

After over an hour, the carriage turned onto an unusually wide street.

Here, carriages became numerous, and many cultivators of notable strength walked along the sidewalks toward the same destination.

Finally, the carriage stopped near the street’s end, joining dozens of others.

Han Li and Tie Jian alighted, surveying their surroundings.

Ahead stood a massive square structure, about a hundred zhang tall and nearly a thousand zhang in length and width. At its pinnacle was a cylindrical altar supporting a yellow ring over ten zhang in diameter, neither metallic nor wooden, emitting a chilling glow that enveloped the entire hall.

Around the hall stood rows of motionless armored guards—high-tier puppets.

Three entrances—one large and two small—were guarded by over twenty blue-robed sentinels, all at least Void Refinement cultivators.

The main entrance saw little traffic, while the smaller ones bustled with activity.

“Fellow Daoist Han, I have some items to sell at the side hall to gather more spirit stones. Would you like to join me?” Tie Jian asked as Han Li observed the scene.