Chapter 1586: Crystal Clan

That evening, Xiang Zhili indeed arrived and spent the entire night chatting with Han Li.

From Xiang Zhili, Han Li learned much previously unknown information about Cloud City and the Thirteen Heavenly Cloud Races.

It wasn’t until dawn approached that Xiang Zhili, thoroughly satisfied, finally rose to take his leave.

However, as Han Li escorted him to the door, Xiang Zhili seemed to recall something. He suddenly turned back, a trace of hesitation on his face, and said, “Junior Brother Han, I can never return to the human race. But you might still have that chance. If one day you decide to leave Cloud City and journey elsewhere, come see me first, will you? I have some things to leave for you, and there’s also a favor I’d like to ask. But don’t worry—if you can return to the human race, this matter will be effortless for you and will bring great benefits.”

“Oh? Can’t you tell me now? I can’t say for certain. If something unexpected happens, I might not have the chance to bid you farewell,” Han Li replied, slightly startled, before asking after a brief pause.

“To be honest, it’s inconvenient to speak of it now, and I still need time to prepare some things. It’d be best if you came to see me then. Otherwise, missing this opportunity might bring deep regret for both of us,” Xiang Zhili shook his head, his words carrying profound meaning.

Hearing this, Han Li naturally gave a vague promise: “I’ll do my best.”

Xiang Zhili nodded and finally turned to leave.

Han Li watched as Xiang Zhili vanished beyond the door, a strange expression flickering across his face. Suddenly, he reached out toward the door, and with a powerful pull, the wooden door swung shut instantly.

At the same time, white light shimmered across the room’s walls as a restriction activated, enveloping the entire space.

Han Li calmly walked to a corner of the room and sat cross-legged on a cushion. A faint smile appeared on his face, though his eyes gleamed with a cold light, as if deep in thought.

The next day, Han Li remained in his room, meditating and resting, showing no intention of stepping out.

It wasn’t until the morning of the third day that the door quietly opened, and he leisurely emerged.

Instead of heading to the main hall to find Xiang Zhili, he directly exited through a passage on his floor, descending lightly onto the street outside the foreigner’s inn.

Han Li seemed to have already decided on his destination. He casually hailed a beast-drawn carriage, stated a location, and the carriage swiftly raced down the street.

Through the carriage window, Han Li observed everything on the street with keen interest.

When his gaze once again fell upon the massive spherical structures beyond the distant city walls, his heart stirred slightly.

After his conversation with Xiang Zhili the previous night, he now knew the true nature of these colossal objects—they were thirteen enormous war puppets, each said to possess power equivalent to an early-stage Body Integration cultivator.

Each of the Thirteen Heavenly Cloud Races was responsible for controlling one of these puppets.

With such terrifying war machines, the defensive strength of Cloud City was unimaginable. No wonder the Heavenly Cloud Races had designated this city as their central stronghold against the Horned Race—at the very least, they needn’t fear any surprise attacks.

Han Li soon withdrew his gaze from the distant spheres and closed his eyes.

His destination wasn’t far. After half an hour of swift travel, the carriage arrived at a somewhat secluded side street.

Han Li tossed out a few spirit stones, disembarked, and glanced around.

Though the street appeared unremarkable, it was far more crowded than the main thoroughfares.

The shops lining the street were small, yet bustling with customers, their business evidently thriving.

Han Li nodded, glanced at a nearby shop, and after reading its signboard, stepped inside without expression.

The shop was several dozen feet wide, lined with shelves packed with stone tablets, jade discs, silver plaques, and other assorted records—all shielded by shimmering barriers of light.

This was a shop specializing in the sale of records.

According to Xiang Zhili, while Cloud City had countless shops, those that might interest Han Li were mostly concentrated on this street.

And indeed, it seemed true.

Though the shop was small, its collection appeared extensive.

A few other foreign cultivators, all at the Core Formation level, browsed the shelves, absorbed in their selections.

None seemed to notice the arrival of a high-ranking upper-race cultivator like Han Li.

The shopkeeper, however, was a young female foreigner.

She appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen, with skin like polished snow, pointed ears, and a milky-white crystal embedded between her brows. Her deep, intelligent eyes exuded wisdom.

“Crystal Race!”

Han Li was slightly startled upon seeing her.

By now, he had learned much about the Heavenly Cloud Races.

The Crystal Race was one of the Thirteen Heavenly Cloud Races, yet it was unique—its population was astonishingly small, reportedly numbering only around a million. Their individual strength was also relatively weak compared to other races.

However, the Crystal Race possessed extraordinarily long lifespans, nearly three to four times that of humans. Moreover, every member of the race was exceptionally beautiful and highly intelligent, with innate talent in alchemy, formations, talismans, and other arts.

Thus, the Crystal Race was highly valued by others. Despite their disinterest in power struggles, their standing among the Thirteen Races was not low.

The young Crystal woman noticed Han Li. Her dark eyes swept over him, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face—as if she could discern his cultivation level.

She immediately rose, approached, and bowed gracefully.

“Welcome, esteemed upper-race senior. How may this junior assist you?”

Her speech was refined, and though her movements were unremarkable, they carried an air of natural elegance.

Just as the rumors said—this race was indeed unlike any other Han Li had encountered.

Though inwardly impressed, Han Li showed no outward reaction. He simply said, “No need for formalities. I’ll browse on my own first. Attend to your own matters.”

“Then please feel free to look around, senior,” the Crystal woman replied with neither humility nor arrogance, bowing once more before withdrawing.

However, her actions had drawn the attention of the other customers.

Their gazes snapped toward Han Li, and they collectively gasped.

Though they couldn’t discern his exact cultivation level, his unfathomable aura made it clear he was far beyond their comprehension.

Unease spread among them. Some quietly slipped away, while others hastily selected a few records before departing.

In moments, the shop was empty save for Han Li and the Crystal woman.

Han Li ignored this, calmly approaching a shelf to examine its contents.

At a glance, nothing stood out. He extended his spiritual sense, probing the light barrier around a stone tablet.

The barriers were peculiar—his spiritual sense could only skim introductory information. Attempting to delve deeper met resistance from embedded restrictions.

Of course, with his formidable spiritual power, he could easily break through these feeble barriers. But doing so would undoubtedly alert the shopkeeper. No respectable cultivator would stoop to such behavior.

After scanning a few items on the first shelf—mostly records on various races’ customs—Han Li moved on, quickening his pace to another shelf.

This time, he seemed to find what he sought. Within moments, a pleased expression crossed his face. He reached out, and a blue jade disc flew into his hand.

Thus, Han Li continued browsing, soon amassing over twenty records.

Satisfied, he approached the Crystal woman and placed his selections on the table before her.

“How much for all of these?” he asked calmly.

The woman eyed the pile with barely concealed surprise. After a moment, she smiled and said something unexpected:

“These items aren’t worth much, senior. Please take them as my gift.”

“What? Do you think I can’t afford them?” Han Li frowned, his tone cooling.

“Not at all, senior. It’s just that I have another item you might find interesting. If you’re willing to accept it, these records will be complimentary,” she replied with a charming smile.

“Oh? Show me this item, then,” Han Li said, his expression softening slightly.

“One moment, senior. It’s quite valuable, so I’ve kept it in the back,” she said before turning toward the inner chambers.

Han Li waited patiently.

Soon, she returned carrying a black metal box, its surface sealed with two crossed green talismans—a sign of its importance.

“Please examine the contents, senior. I believe you’ll find it extremely useful. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have offered it,” she said with a knowing smile.