“Brother Lu, do you have another method of distribution in mind?” Han Li’s eyes flickered slightly as he spoke calmly.
“If the jade box and medicine bottles were also ancient treasures, there would be no issue with each of us taking two items. But as for the contents of the jade box and medicine bottles…”
“Since we don’t yet know what’s inside the jade box and medicine bottles, we should naturally open them first to assess their value before dividing them,” Marquis Nanlong suddenly interjected, his tone seemingly impartial.
Upon hearing this, the old man surnamed Lu frowned momentarily but then nodded repeatedly. “That is precisely what I meant. What does Fellow Daoist Han think?”
“I have no objections. Let’s proceed as you both suggest,” Han Li replied without hesitation.
“Fellow Daoist Han is quite decisive. Then, this Marquis shall see what lies within.” Pleased with Han Li’s swift agreement, Marquis Nanlong reached out first. The white jade box flew into his hand with a *whoosh*, and with a backhanded slap, he attempted to open it.
However, the moment his palm touched the lid, a flash of white light erupted, forming a barrier that repelled his hand. “Hmm? This box is actually sealed with a restriction,” Marquis Nanlong muttered in surprise. After a brief pause, his hand glowed with golden light as he reached for the lid again.
This time, white mist clashed with golden radiance, but after a moment, the mist was clearly overpowered. The golden hand slowly forced the lid open, and the white mist dissipated without a trace.
Han Li’s gaze sharpened as he saw the contents—an ancient, slightly yellowed jade slip.
Under the old man surnamed Lu’s astonished gaze, Marquis Nanlong hesitated briefly before pinching the jade slip between two fingers and pressing it to his forehead. In an instant, his divine sense swept through its contents, and his expression shifted to one of surprise.
“Fellow Daoists, take a look as well.” To avoid suspicion, Marquis Nanlong quickly removed the jade slip and tossed it to Han Li. Han Li’s expression flickered as he caught it and immersed his divine sense within. Moments later, his brow furrowed imperceptibly before he tossed it to the old man surnamed Lu, who also scanned it hastily.
“Sevenflame Fan? What kind of ancient treasure is this? I’ve never heard of it. Is it powerful?” the old man murmured before even finishing.
“That’s unclear. But given how meticulously its refining method is recorded here, and the fact that most of the materials required are spiritual ingredients, it must be formidable,” Marquis Nanlong replied uncertainly.
“Even if it is, it’s useless now. The spiritual ingredients needed are far too numerous. Though the slip includes methods for refining them, it requires the fusion of eighty-one fire-attribute spiritual ingredients, along with countless auxiliary materials—some of which seem to have long vanished from this realm. This jade slip is practically worthless now, only useful for research in artifact refinement,” the old man surnamed Lu shook his head before tossing the slip back to Marquis Nanlong.
Marquis Nanlong chuckled, his expression agreeing with the assessment, and carelessly returned the slip to the jade box.
“Sevenflame Fan? Master, does that jade slip truly contain its refining method?” Just as Han Li was dismissing the slip as useless, Silvermoon’s voice rang in his mind, brimming with excitement.
Han Li’s heart stirred, and he replied via voice transmission, “Indeed, that’s its name. Do you know of this ancient treasure?”
“Master, if I recall correctly, the Sevenflame Fan is also one of the Heavenconnecting Spiritual Treasures—though its ranking is among the lowest, nearly at the very bottom,” Silvermoon’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke rapidly.
“A Heavenconnecting Spiritual Treasure!” Han Li was stunned.
“What? The Sevenflame Fan is a Heavenconnecting Spiritual Treasure? Then we must obtain that jade slip. I’ve long wanted to study such treasures, and now we have its refining method—this is perfect!” Before Han Li could respond, the Great Divination Sage, who had been silent until now, suddenly exclaimed excitedly in his mind.
“You old monster, why are you butting in?” Silvermoon’s voice turned cold, her tone sharp.
“Haha! Little fox, still holding a grudge over that incident? I merely wanted to study an intelligent artifact spirit. Your master refused, didn’t he?” The Great Divination Sage laughed dismissively.
“You—”
“Enough, Silvermoon! That matter is long past. But I’m surprised you also know of Heavenconnecting Spiritual Treasures, Senior. However, now is not the time for detailed discussion. We’ll talk later.” Han Li’s voice was icy as he shifted his gaze back to the jade box on the ground.
Marquis Nanlong had already taken the two black medicine bottles and was opening their lids.
Silvermoon immediately fell silent, while the Great Divination Sage, though displeased, could only mutter a few words before quieting down, knowing he was at Han Li’s mercy.
As soon as the first bottle was opened, a refreshing fragrance wafted out. With just one whiff, Han Li felt invigorated, his spirits lifting.
“This doesn’t resemble any of the common ancient spiritual pills. I’m uncertain what it is, but it’s definitely not poison. We’ll need to consult the ancient texts carefully for further investigation,” Marquis Nanlong murmured as he poured out a vibrant green pill into his palm.
“How many are in the bottle?” the old man surnamed Lu asked, his eyes fixed on the pill.
“Just one. It must be a rare ancient spiritual pill,” Marquis Nanlong replied after shaking the empty bottle a few times in front of Han Li and the old man.
“Check the other bottle!” Lu Weiying urged impatiently.
Nodding, Marquis Nanlong returned the pill to its bottle and opened the second one, revealing an identical green pill. The two exchanged bewildered glances.
“It seems our harvest is quite good—three ancient treasures, two unknown pills, and a refining method for an ancient treasure. How do you two propose we divide them?” Han Li smiled faintly as he posed the question.
“Though we don’t know what these pills are, Fellow Daoist Han must understand that our primary purpose in entering the valley was to seek spiritual medicine. These two pills will go to Marquis Nanlong and me, one each, counting as one treasure apiece. Fellow Daoist Han may then choose first from the remaining ancient treasures. I trust you have no objections?” Marquis Nanlong spoke calmly, his gaze steady.
Han Li’s brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at the treasures on the ground.
“The value of ancient spiritual pills needs no explanation. To be honest, I’d rather forgo the ancient treasures and take one of these pills. It might significantly boost my cultivation,” Han Li said lightly, stroking his chin.
At these words, Marquis Nanlong and Lu Weiying tensed visibly. After a moment of internal struggle, Marquis Nanlong forced a smile. “Fellow Daoist Han is still young. Why compete with two men nearing the end of their lifespans for these pills? With your talent, advancing further will be effortless in time.”
“Youth and the desire for these pills are unrelated. With an opportunity before me, I must strive for it. I’m willing to relinquish all other treasures for these two pills. Frankly, ordinary ancient treasures hold little appeal to me,” Han Li replied evenly.
“Brother Han jests. How could we simply give up these pills? How about this: if you forgo them, you may choose two additional treasures first, and we’ll split the rest. Does that suit you, Marquis Nanlong?” The old man surnamed Lu, seeing Han Li’s determination, gritted his teeth and made the offer.
Marquis Nanlong’s expression darkened momentarily before he sighed. “If Fellow Daoist Han is willing to relinquish the pills, he may select two treasures first.”
A flicker of reluctance crossed Marquis Nanlong’s face. After the ordeal in the Mulan Grasslands, most of his ancient treasures had been destroyed in the battle against the Ghost Spirit Sect. Though parting with these treasures pained him, the value of the ancient pills was undeniable.
Han Li hesitated briefly, as if tempted by the proposal.
Seizing the moment, the old man surnamed Lu pressed on, “With your remaining lifespan, you’ll have ample time to seek spiritual pills. Ancient treasures, however, are far more practical for you now. In future battles, an extra treasure could save your life.” His tone was earnest.
Han Li chuckled softly. “It seems refusing these pills would complicate matters. Very well, since you both are so sincere, I’ll concede the pills. I don’t need two treasures—just this mirror and the refining method and materials in the jade box. I’ve always had an interest in artifact refinement.” With a wave of his hand, the purple mirror flew into his grasp.
“No problem. We agree,” Marquis Nanlong and the old man exchanged glances before nodding. Though puzzled by Han Li’s choices, their focus on the pills overrode further scrutiny.
Han Li acknowledged their agreement with a nod. With a flash of light, the mirror vanished into his storage. A sweep of his sleeve later, the materials and jade box disappeared as well.
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