Chapter 137: Treasure Fragment

Regarding those spells, "Body Concealment Art" and "Sound Transmission Art" were auxiliary spells similar to "Heavenly Eye Art." Anyone with even a slight understanding of spiritual power could learn them, so Han Li picked them up easily.

The Sound Transmission Art, specifically, was a talisman art Han Li had seen used several times, which required the use of "Sound Transmission Talismans."

"Body Concealment Art," on the other hand, was a purely ordinary spell. It involved attaching spiritual energy to the entire body, transforming it into a protective color similar to the surroundings, making one difficult to detect. This spell was somewhat limited, however, as "Heavenly Eye Art" could easily break it, rendering it useless for deceiving other cultivators.

"Quicksand Art" and "Freezing Art" were both territorial spells. One could turn earth into sand wherever spiritual power reached, while the other could freeze water into ice.

The power of these two spells depended entirely on the depth of the caster's spiritual power. If wielded by someone with great divine abilities, transforming thousands of miles of fertile land into desert or solidifying vast rivers like the Yangtze into glaciers would not be impossible.

They were classified as low-level primary spells simply because they were relatively easy to learn. Even low-level cultivators in the Qi Condensation stage could easily master them, though their range would be pitifully small due to limited spiritual power.

Han Li initially struggled to learn these two spells. However, after he suddenly broke through to the ninth layer of spiritual power, which was twice as powerful as before, these two spells suddenly became easy to control. He could now effortlessly transform an area the size of a tabletop into sand or ice at will, which thrilled Han Li immensely.

Han Li couldn't immediately grasp the remaining spells. Reluctantly, he decided to slowly ponder and study them later. This was because the Tai Nan Gathering was nearing its end, and the young cultivators participating in the trade fair had finally reached their peak numbers during the last two days of the gathering.

At this time, the large trading square where Han Li was located was packed with over two thousand cultivators. The number of vendors had also increased severalfold compared to before. Most of them wanted to seize the last opportunity to sell off any items they hadn't yet traded. Many high-level cultivators, who had previously remained hidden, also began to appear. They, too, wanted to use this opportunity to observe potential rivals among their peers.

Han Li, meanwhile, gave a wry smile. He realized that even though he had reached the ninth layer, among so many cultivators, he was still only considered mediocre. There were still many people above the ninth layer!

Han Li currently had no spirit stones and very few pills. Thus, he had no intention of "digging for treasure." He simply followed the crowd, going from one stall to another. He went wherever there were many people, simply to listen to cultivators' comments and insights on the items being bought and sold, hoping to broaden his knowledge.

What he overheard along the way truly opened Han Li's eyes. He learned a lot about various magical artifacts and materials. For instance, there were dart-type magical artifacts that could automatically track enemies, gourds that could spew fire, long blades that could freeze anyone they struck, silver-winged ant eggs that could be used to make medicine, and century-old iron-thread snake scales that could be used to forge artifacts, among others.

The more Han Li listened, the more interesting he found it. Unconsciously, he arrived at the middle section of the square.

"No, I don't want this item of yours. Exchange it for something else!""This is a fragment of a magic treasure! Just the material alone is more than enough to trade for your bowl!""What good is this fragment to me? Am I supposed to find a Core Formation cultivator to refine it? Don't even think about exchanging it for my Returning Wind Bowl!"

A heated argument erupted from a stall ahead. "A magic treasure fragment?" This exclamation astonished everyone and immediately caused a stir among nearby cultivators. They swarmed the stall, surrounding it completely.

One must know that magic treasures were items low-level cultivators dared not even dream of. Yet now, one had appeared in Tai Nan Valley. Even if it was just a fragment, it was still a miracle, making these cultivators restless with anticipation, like cats smelling fish.

"Where is it?""Let me see!""Is this a magic treasure?""Tsk, tsk! How beautiful!""Just this tattered cloth?"

Because Han Li was relatively close to the stall, and his movements were already much more agile than ordinary cultivators, he managed to snatch a good spot in the inner circle, allowing him to see everything clearly.

In front of the stall stood a man in his late twenties. He had dark skin and large, calloused hands and feet. At first glance, one might have thought he was a farmer who had wandered into Tai Nan Valley. However, anyone who used Heavenly Eye Art to inspect his spiritual power couldn't help but gasp. This dark-skinned man was actually a great master of the tenth layer.

"Contending with someone like him, isn't that just seeking death?" Some cultivators secretly marveled and turned their gaze to the stall owner. The stall owner was an ordinary man in green robes, appearing to be only at the seventh or eighth layer of spiritual power. Yet, facing the man before him, his face showed no trace of fear.

Someone noticed a leaf-shaped pattern embroidered on the stall owner's collar. It was then that the cultivators suddenly realized this person was a disciple of the renowned cultivating family, the Ye family of Qinye Ridge. No wonder he was so confident and unafraid.

On the stall between the two men lay a yellow bowl with strange patterns and a small piece of translucent, cloth-like material.

The tattered cloth-like item was wrinkled and uneven around the edges, as if gnawed by a dog. The only striking feature was the intermittent flashing white light emanating from it, which was quite peculiar.

"This is a magic treasure fragment?" After seeing the actual item, many onlookers were greatly disappointed, as it vastly differed from the image they had in their minds.

"This fragment is remarkable!" the dark-skinned man explained loudly to the stall owner, his face stern. "Any object covered by it will instantly become invisible, and not a single trace of spiritual energy will leak out. It also won't hinder spiritual energy from entering from outside."

After speaking, he suddenly lowered his sleeve, and a small silver mouse scurried out.

"A first-tier demonic beast, the Gold-Devouring Mouse!" someone among the surrounding cultivators exclaimed, causing another small commotion.

"He truly is a master of the tenth layer! He can even capture a first-tier demonic beast!" many people couldn't help but think to themselves.

At that moment, the dark-skinned man picked up the "cloth" and draped it over the silver mouse!

As a result, a miracle occurred! The silver mouse and the "cloth" immediately vanished. Even many who used Heavenly Eye Art found nothing.

The man, seeing the onlookers' astonishment, was somewhat pleased. Then he suddenly reached into the original spot, and a piece of "cloth" appeared in his hand, and the white mouse immediately reappeared.

"And it's not just for living creatures," he added, "inanimate objects have the same effect."

After saying this, the man took out a small, inch-long knife exuding spiritual energy and placed it on the ground. He then covered it with the "cloth" again. As before, it vanished without a trace, and not a single wisp of spiritual energy was exposed.

"How marvelous!""It can turn invisible!""Tsk, tsk! Unbelievable!"

The onlookers began discussing animatedly.

"What do you say?" the man said to the stall owner, after removing the "cloth" and putting away the small knife. "Trading it for your bowl is absolutely worth it!"

"No deal!" the stall owner scoffed, shaking his head. "If I want to turn invisible, I can just buy a low-tier mid-level invisibility talisman. Besides, with something this small, will it conceal my head or my feet?"

"Haven't I told you?" the dark-skinned man said angrily. "This is a magic treasure fragment! It was refined by either a Core Formation cultivator or a Nascent Soul cultivator. Unless a cultivator is at a similar level, who could see through its concealment effect? How can an invisibility talisman compare to it!"

"No matter how much you talk it up," the stall owner said coldly, "I have no use for this item; what would I do with it? You still need to offer thirty spirit stones or other equivalent items to exchange for this bowl!"