Chapter 1387: The Celestial Phoenix’s Feather

“Dare you?” An enraged roar erupted from the blood dragon as a streak of crimson light shot from its body, slashing toward the emerald threads.

In desperation, Long Dong’s primordial spirit transformed a drop of its true spirit blood into a sword beam, making a final struggle.

If it were an ordinary attack, the crimson sword beam might have indeed severed it.

But the Void Heaven Cauldron was itself a supreme spiritual treasure, and the emerald threads it released were formless, capable of miraculous transformations.

With a mere thought from Han Li, a flash of cyan light appeared in the air. Most of the emerald threads vanished into the void, while the remaining threads suddenly solidified, intertwining with the crimson light in a fierce clash.

The next moment, space rippled a foot above the blood dragon, and a burst of emerald threads shot out from the void.

The threads scattered, instantly entangling the blood dragon and most of the blood phoenix within the five-colored flames. With a swift pull, they began dragging the creatures back into the Void Heaven Cauldron.

With a *pfft*, a mass of cyan light burst from the struggling blood dragon, flickering strangely before reappearing over ten zhang away. After a few more flashes, it had teleported thirty to forty zhang away.

A cold glint flashed in Han Li’s eyes as the third eye between his brows, the Annihilation Eye, erupted with dark light, releasing a black beam.

A muffled *thud* echoed through the void as the teleporting cyan light staggered into visibility, its glow noticeably dimmer.

But before Han Li could act again, the cyan light transformed into a phantom-like streak, flickering in and out of existence until it reached the horizon and vanished.

Han Li frowned as the black light in his third eye dissipated.

Though the Annihilation Eye could pierce through space, it was powerless at such a distance.

Meanwhile, with a *boom*, the blood dragon and phoenix, still wrapped in emerald threads, were sucked into the Void Heaven Cauldron. The lid slammed shut, sealing it tightly.

Unnoticed by anyone, two golden shadows flickered from Han Li’s sleeve, stealthily slipping into the cauldron.

Hundreds of zhang away, the four onlookers paled as they witnessed Han Li capturing the true spirit blood and Long Dong’s primordial spirit fleeing.

The two Long Family cultivators exchanged a glance before transforming into two streaks of light, fleeing without a word. The demonic creatures followed closely behind, heading in the same direction as Long Dong’s spirit.

Ye Chu and the white-robed maiden showed no intention of pursuit. Instead, they flew straight toward Han Li.

Moments later, the two women appeared a dozen zhang away from Han Li. Ye Chu’s eyes swept over Han Li and the towering Soul-Crying Beast nearby, her expression betraying shock.

The white-robed maiden smiled, but her gaze remained fixed on the cyan cauldron before Han Li.

Clearly, both women had grown wary now that the true spirit blood was in Han Li’s hands.

“Brother Han, we owe you our thanks for your timely intervention. Otherwise, the Long Family might have succeeded. Rest assured, we will honor our earlier agreement—your efforts won’t go unrewarded,” the white-robed maiden said with a charming smile.

“Indeed, with the Ye Family’s resources, there are few wishes in the human realm we cannot fulfill for you,” Ye Chu added, her tone laced with a subtle threat.

Han Li’s lips twitched slightly. Without a word, he slapped the cyan cauldron before him.

The cauldron hummed as its lid flew open once more. Wrapped in countless emerald threads, the blood dragon and the mostly intact blood phoenix emerged at the mouth of the cauldron.

The two women’s eyes lit up at the sight. The white-robed maiden’s face flushed briefly, a faint phantom of a small blood phoenix flickering across her features.

Han Li smiled faintly and flicked a finger toward the cauldron.

The threads binding the blood phoenix shattered, and the creature shot toward the maiden.

Overjoyed, the maiden let out a cry as another small blood phoenix flew from her body, merging seamlessly with the damaged one.

A brilliant crimson light erupted as the two fused into a foot-wide, blood-red sphere. The sphere pulsed like condensed essence before transforming back into a blood phoenix, circling the maiden playfully.

With a smile, she pointed a delicate finger at the phoenix.

A melodious cry rang out as the phoenix spread its wings, dissolving into a streak of crimson light that vanished into her body.

A bloody aura enveloped her, and a phoenix phantom flickered behind her, gradually stabilizing.

After a moment, the phantom dispersed, and the maiden opened her eyes, her face alight with excitement.

“Most of the True Phoenix Blood has been recovered—about seventy to eighty percent. A small portion was forcibly absorbed by this True Dragon, making separation difficult. But at least the blood is now in our hands. Brother Han, toss the True Dragon Blood over as well. This essence must be stored properly—ordinary containers would severely damage its spirituality.”

She smiled sweetly at Han Li, producing an exquisite violet-gold gourd from her sleeve.

Han Li chuckled softly.

“Fairy Ye, if I recall correctly, I only agreed to help you reclaim *your* true spirit blood. Now that the Heavenly Phoenix Blood is recovered, demanding the remaining True Dragon Blood seems rather greedy, don’t you think?” he said leisurely.

“Brother Han, what do you mean? Are you trying to claim the True Spirit Blood for yourself?” Ye Chu’s voice turned icy, her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Even as an ascendant cultivator, I’m aware of the taboos surrounding True Spirit Blood. I wouldn’t dare entertain such thoughts. Even if I fused with it, I’d only invite the wrath of every noble family,” Han Li replied with a smile.

“Then what *do* you want?” the white-robed maiden asked, relaxing slightly.

“Nothing much. The True Dragon Blood is surely no less valuable than your Heavenly Phoenix Blood. Since the Ye Family covets it, I wonder what you’d offer in exchange,” Han Li said calmly.

“Ah, so Brother Han seeks compensation. That’s simple—name your price, and I won’t haggle,” the maiden said brightly.

“True Spirit Blood is beyond mere spirit stones. Unless, of course, you have a hundred or so top-grade spirit stones to spare,” Han Li said lightly.

“Brother Han jests. Even the Ye Family couldn’t produce so many top-grade stones at once. A few, perhaps, but no more,” the maiden replied stiffly after exchanging a glance with Ye Chu.

“If it were just a few, I wouldn’t trouble you. I could acquire those myself with some effort,” Han Li said impassively.

“Then state your terms plainly,” Ye Chu cut in coldly.

“Simple. I’d like one of Senior Ye’s Heavenly Phoenix Plumes,” Han Li said, his gaze steady on Ye Chu.

“What Heavenly Phoenix Plume? Do you truly believe that Black Phoenix demoness’s words?” Ye Chu’s pupils contracted briefly, but her voice remained calm.

The white-robed maiden, however, stiffened in surprise.

“Does Senior Ye think I’d take her word for it? If you insist this is nonsense, I wouldn’t mind using a soul-searching technique on Fellow Daoist Xiao. One plume in exchange for True Dragon Blood—it’s *you* who’d be getting the better deal,” Han Li said coolly.

Ye Chu’s brow furrowed as she glanced at Ye Ying.

The maiden hesitated before speaking cautiously, “What use do you have for a Heavenly Phoenix Plume? It’s invaluable to our family. Perhaps another trade? The two Dragonfruit Berries we obtained earlier?”

“I have a treasure that requires a top-tier phoenix plume for refinement. While the berries are tempting, the plume takes precedence,” Han Li said smoothly.

“Is there truly no room for negotiation?” the maiden pressed, her eyes fixed on the blood dragon in the cauldron.

“Unless you have ‘Ascension Pills’ or ‘Nine-Hearted Spirit Fungus,’ I’m afraid not,” Han Li chuckled.

“With such divine treasures, why would I need True Dragon Blood? Fine, I agree. One Heavenly Phoenix Plume for the blood,” the maiden said through gritted teeth.

Ye Chu’s expression darkened, but she remained silent.

Han Li’s spirits lifted. “A wise decision, Fairy Ye. Once I verify the plume, the True Dragon Blood is yours. Surely you don’t fear I’d abscond with it?”

“Sister Chu, give him one,” the maiden sighed.

Ye Chu hesitated before nodding. With a wave over her storage bracelet, a fiery red jade box appeared in her hand.

The box was intricately carved with flame patterns and radiated intense heat, raising the temperature around them instantly.

“Flame Jade!” Han Li’s eyes widened in recognition.