Chapter 134: Yan Family

"I'll also continue with the group," Rogue Immortal Hong Lian stated forthrightly.

"Excellent, excellent! Brother Han, have you made up your mind?" The Taoist asked Han Li, looking very pleased.

Han Li hesitated upon hearing this.

Logically, for a newcomer like himself, staying with this small group seemed like the best option. Yet, for some reason, he felt an uneasy sense that he would surely regret it if he went along with it.

"I'll wait until the end of the trade fair to make my decision. There's no need to rush!" Han Li said with a faint smile, resolving to put off the commitment for now.

"Oh!" Han Li's words clearly took everyone by surprise, leaving Qing Wen and the others somewhat stunned.

"Brother Han, what is there to hesitate about? As rogue cultivators, we can only avoid being bullied if we stick together. Besides, I'm still very intrigued by your ability to discern my stealth techniques, and I'd like to spar with you more in the future!" Wu Jiuzhi said, sounding a bit displeased.

Han Li listened to the young man's words without anger, merely smiling in silence.

"Haha, Brother Han didn't say he definitely wouldn't travel with us. He merely said he wanted to think it over, which is perfectly understandable!" Taoist Qing Wen quickly interjected, trying to mediate.

"Indeed, Daoist Qing Wen, your words resonate deeply with me. I do have some unspeakable difficulties, which is why I need to be cautious," Han Li said, appearing genuinely grateful to Taoist Qing Wen, as if his true feelings had been perfectly articulated.

"Ah, I see. Then I've been too nosy!" The young man muttered, feeling like he was caught in an awkward position and growing quite displeased.

Taoist Qing Wen gave a helpless smile and, with an expression akin to an older brother tolerating a mischievous sibling, subtly offered an apology to Han Li.

Han Li, of course, didn't take it to heart.

With the matter settled, everyone rose and bid their farewells. Han Li also found an empty room on the second floor and settled in for the night.

The following day, everyone except the monk and Han Li left the pavilion together to set up their stalls.

At that moment, the monk continued his meditation in the first-floor hall, while Han Li, in his room, gently ran his fingers over a stack of talisman paper, deep in thought.

"This so-called low-grade beginner talisman paper, with its faint spiritual light, is indeed vastly different from ordinary mundane paper," Han Li mused. "It seems either the raw materials are special, or it requires some kind of magical enchantment."

Han Li took out the talisman paper, intending to practice the "Spirit Stabilizing Technique" he had learned. However, he suddenly realized that drawing a Spirit Stabilizing Talisman probably couldn't be done with just the paper; a brush and cinnabar were likely also required. He recalled seeing both items for sale at immortal cultivators' stalls. Could it be that these, too, couldn't be ordinary mundane items, but had to be specially crafted by cultivators?

With this thought, Han Li couldn't remain seated in his room. He decided to seek out the monk. Since his status as a new cultivator couldn't be hidden anyway, he figured it was better to simply ask directly and openly.

"Your thoughts are correct, Patron. To successfully draw a spiritual talisman, in addition to using talisman paper crafted from special materials, you must also use cinnabar prepared with the spiritual blood of demon beasts. As for the brush, that depends on the situation," Monk Ku Sang stated calmly after hearing Han Li's questions.

"Master Ku Sang, what do you mean by 'it depends on the situation'?" Han Li asked earnestly, sitting cross-legged opposite the monk, showing no hint of embarrassment.

"The brushes we cultivators use for drawing spiritual talismans can be crafted from the spiritual fur of demon beasts, or they can be charcoal pens made from certain rare heavenly treasures. Both types can increase the success rate of drawing talismans and enhance their power. However, if conditions don't permit, even ordinary mundane pens can be used, though the success rate with them is pitifully low." The monk gently shook his head, clearly disapproving of Han Li using the last method.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master. I'll go out now and see if I can acquire a suitable talisman brush!" Han Li said, standing up and clasping his fist towards the monk.

"Go well, Patron!" The monk closed his eyes once more, resuming his profound meditation.

It seemed he couldn't avoid going out today. He remembered that both the brush and cinnabar weren't cheap, likely costing around six or seven low-grade spirit stones. Would he truly have to sell the "Flight Talisman" he had just obtained?

Han Li walked out of the pavilion towards the trading ground, deep in thought.

It was morning, and though immortal cultivators on the path were scattered in small groups, the road wasn't deserted. Most seemed to be heading towards the trading ground, likely those, like the Taoist, who were setting up stalls.

"Look, what a huge bird!" a male cultivator suddenly exclaimed.

Immediately, a vast black shadow swept over the heads of Han Li and the other cultivators on the path.

Han Li was startled and quickly looked up.

Above them, a two-headed monstrous bird, the size of a small ox, flew past.

The bird, not quite an eagle, was covered in gray feathers. Its wings stretched several yards wide, and beneath its body were a pair of sharp, scythe-like talons. Its two bald, fierce heads had four small eyes that gleamed with a faint green light.

What a ferocious demon bird!

"So ugly!"

"So big!"

"Quick, catch it! It'd make a perfect mount!"

The cultivators below stopped in their tracks, murmuring amongst themselves, some even looking eager to attempt its capture.

"Are you insane? That's a 'Twin-Headed Vulture,' a spiritual beast raised by the Yan family of Guyu Mountain, the foremost cultivation clan! There are certainly Yan family members aboard. Are you trying to court death?"

A few cold words promptly shattered some people's fanciful notions.

"The Yan family? The only cultivation clan outside the major sects to possess Core Formation stage cultivators?" someone gasped.

"Which Yan family could it be if not this one? I arrived earlier than you, so I've seen this 'Twin-Headed Vulture' once before. I also know that this time, the Yan family has sent a brother and sister pair to participate in the Ascent to Immortality Convention's arena tournament!" another cultivator proudly boasted.

"No way! The Yan family is participating in the Ascent to Immortality Convention? They never sent anyone in previous years! Doesn't this mean two fewer spots for us?"

"Exactly! What if we're unlucky enough to face either of the Yan family members in the arena?"

The cultivators' expressions all soured, and some even began to sigh.

Han Li, however, stared silently at the departing monstrous bird with a cool gaze. Its appearance unmistakably matched the strange eagle Xi Tieniu had described, which meant the divine-looking man and woman aboard were likely the Yan family siblings.

As Han Li pondered, the nearby cultivators, after the brief commotion, resumed their activities.

Finally, he smiled faintly and walked away with an easy stride.

The square was now quite populated. While not as bustling as he had seen the previous night, it was still lively enough.

Han Li felt the several bottles of elixirs still tucked away in his spatial pouch and decided to see if he could trade them for other items.

This time, instead of entering through the usual entrance, he approached from the other end of the square, planning to browse from that side.

Along the way, Han Li's gaze constantly darted left and right, taking in the myriad materials, talismans, and peculiar magical artifacts on display at the stalls, leaving him mesmerized.

Suddenly, Han Li stopped before a particular stall. He gazed, somewhat entranced, at a thin book displayed there.

A price tag in front of the book read: "Evergreen Arts," a foundational wood-attribute cultivation method, valued at two low-grade spirit stones.

"I'll take this book!" Han Li said calmly to the stall owner, slowly bending down, picking up the book, and quickly flipping through its pages before looking up.