“Xianxian!” Han Li murmured the name and nodded before continuing,
“Since I don’t need to venture deep into the Black Gold Mountain Range, and that Sacred Demon Beast’s powers are greatly diminished, the risk is worth taking. But let me be clear—if I find the situation isn’t as you described, or if I sense any undue danger, I’ll abandon this matter immediately. Moreover, when the Black Gold Mountain Range opens, I expect you to accompany me and guide me personally. Lastly, if that Sacred Demon Beast truly possesses the bloodline of the Mountain Giant Ape, I demand half of its True Spirit Blood. If any of these conditions are unacceptable, we need not proceed with this deal.”
By the end, Han Li’s expression had turned solemn.
“No problem, I agree to all these conditions,” Xianxian replied after a brief moment of consideration.
Seeing her swift agreement, a faint smile appeared on Han Li’s face. Without further words, he flicked his wrist, and a storage bracelet flew out in a spiral.
With a single tap of his finger, a burst of azure light swept forth, revealing over a dozen bottles, wooden boxes, and cases of varying sizes floating midair.
Additionally, dozens of dazzling top-grade spirit stones of various hues shimmered into view.
“These elixirs are suitable for your current cultivation level up to the mid-tier of the Upper Clan, and some may even help you break through bottlenecks—though their efficacy varies by individual. As for the materials, I’ve spent considerable effort collecting them. Do you find them satisfactory?” Han Li said coolly.
Many of these elixirs were ones Han Li had once used himself, including the last two vials of “True Toad Liquid.” He had no fear of her dissatisfaction.
The materials, though slightly inferior, were still rare treasures harvested from two Void Refinement-level demon beasts he had slain in the Fire Coral Archipelago.
The top-grade spirit stones, however, had been painstakingly gathered, and parting with so many at once pained him.
True to his expectations, after inspecting the elixirs and materials one by one, the woman’s face lit up with delight.
“These items are extraordinary, and combined with these top-grade spirit stones, they more than match the value of the Demonized Battle Armor,” the Crystal Race woman said with a smile, swiftly storing everything away.
“If you’re satisfied, then the matter is settled. I’ll leave you a Long-Range Communication Talisman. I won’t be leaving Cloud City for now—notify me with this when the Demon Gold Mountain Range is about to open,” Han Li said with a faint smile.
With a thought, the storage bracelet shimmered once more, releasing a palm-sized jade plaque before flying back to his wrist in a streak of azure light.
“Understood!” the Crystal Race woman nodded cheerfully, snatching the jade plaque into her hand.
Han Li said no more. He formed hand seals and murmured an incantation.
Instantly, the golden Dharma Form atop his head and the purple battle armor on his body flickered and vanished simultaneously.
Meanwhile, within his dantian, his Nascent Soul smirked, its plump, naked body now clad in a set of violet-red battle armor.
The rest was straightforward.
After the woman named “Xianxian” used a teleportation disk to return them to the original shop, Han Li wasted no time and departed immediately.
Over the following days, Han Li visited numerous shops—specializing in materials, magical tools, talismans, and more—though none yielded treasures comparable to the Celestial Demon Armor he had acquired.
He spent an entire day and night on the streets, only calling a beast-drawn carriage to return to his residence as dusk fell again.
For over ten days, Han Li did nothing but wander Cloud City’s streets and hundreds of shops, gradually familiarizing himself with the city’s layout.
Occasionally, Xiang Zhili would visit in the evenings for brief conversations.
Despite the tense external situation, life in Cloud City remained normal, with no signs of impending war.
It was unclear whether the Tianyun races were accustomed to the Horned Demon Tribe’s attacks or simply believed they would never reach Cloud City.
One day, Han Li emerged from his inn but skipped the shops, instructing a carriage driver, “Cloud Mist Mountain!” before boarding without another word.
The carriage raced through the streets, eventually stopping at the foot of a towering “mountain.”
Han Li stepped out, squinting at the colossal structure before him.
This was indeed a “mountain”—over 3,000 zhang tall, lush with greenery, and exuding an aura of pure spiritual energy. It even seemed to house a top-grade spiritual vein.
Glancing around, Han Li spotted seven similar mountains nearby, all of comparable size.
These were Cloud City’s famed “Eight Cloud Mountains.”
Legend held that eons ago, mighty cultivators had uprooted eight mountains from the earth and transplanted them into the city, embedding them with top-grade spiritual veins to create these unique spiritual peaks.
The Eight Cloud Mountains were the only places in Cloud City where long-term residence and cultivation were permitted, housing numerous cave dwellings available for rent—though the leases spanned centuries and came at exorbitant prices.
Despite this, demand often outstripped supply.
Jia Tianmu’s temporary cave dwelling was located on this very “Cloud Mist Mountain.”
Following the address, Han Li enveloped himself in azure light and soared toward the mountain.
The Eight Cloud Mountains were among the few places in Cloud City where flight was permitted, so Han Li faced no restrictions.
His purpose here? The so-called “Sentient Puppet” Jia Tianmu had promised.
During his time in the city, Han Li had learned much about the Wangu Clan. Though middling in rank among the Tianyun Thirteen Clans, their mastery of puppetry was unparalleled, ranking among the top three on the Thunder Continent.
After consulting texts and Xiang Zhili’s accounts, Han Li finally understood what a “Sentient Puppet” was.
These puppets possessed at least Nascent Soul-level power and a degree of sentience, capable of executing simple commands without direct control. Rumor had it their intelligence could even evolve, though the Wangu Clan neither confirmed nor denied this.
Such puppets were exceedingly rare, seldom sold publicly, and when they were, they fetched astronomical prices.
Intrigued—both as a puppeteer himself and for other reasons—Han Li had come to see for himself.
His azure streak flickered several times before landing in a secluded spot on the mountainside.
Before him stood an unremarkable cliff face, embedded with a stone gate several zhang tall.
Instead of knocking, Han Li flicked his sleeve, sending a streak of flame into the gate.
Moments later, white light shimmered across the stone, and the door swung open.
Jia Tianmu emerged, beaming.
“Haha, so it is Fellow Daoist Han! But why the delay? I’ve been waiting for days.”
“I had matters to attend to. I hope Fellow Daoist Jia isn’t offended,” Han Li replied with a smile, noting the man’s improved demeanor.
“Of course not. This is no place to talk—please, come inside,” Jia Tianmu said warmly, ushering him in.
“Then I’ll gladly accept your hospitality,” Han Li said, striding forward without hesitation.
The cave dwelling was modest. A short passage led to a hall about thirty zhang wide, elegantly furnished with glowing orbs embedded in the ceiling, a table, two tea stands, and a few chairs. The walls were plain stone.
“Please, take a seat,” Jia Tianmu said, settling into the host’s chair.
Han Li nodded and sat to one side.
*Clap! Clap!*
Without preamble, Jia Tianmu lightly clapped twice.
Han Li’s gaze sharpened as he turned toward a side door.
Footsteps approached.
Soon, a beautiful woman in her twenties, dressed in yellow palace robes, emerged gracefully, carrying a long wooden box.
She placed the box on the tea stand before Han Li and stepped aside silently.
Something odd happened.
After a brief glance at the box, Han Li looked up, narrowing his eyes at the woman with a peculiar expression.
“What’s this? Has Fellow Daoist taken a liking to my maid? If so, I’d be happy to gift her to you,” Jia Tianmu chuckled.
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