Chapter 1404: Heavenly Phoenix Feather

"How dare you?" the Blood Dragon roared furiously, a blood-red light shooting from its body directly towards the green silk thread.

In desperation, the Longdong Nascent Soul transformed a drop of its True Spirit blood into a sword-light, unleashing it as a final struggle.

If it were an ordinary attack, this crimson sword-light might indeed have prevented the green silk from falling.

However, the Heavenly Cauldron itself was a heaven-reaching spirit treasure, and the green silk it released was an ethereal substance, possessing countless subtle variations.

With a mere thought from Han Li, a green light flashed in the air. Most of the green silk vanished from thin air, while the remaining portion suddenly solidified, transforming into a green light that intertwined and battled with the crimson light. The next moment, about a foot above the Blood Dragon, space rippled, and a shower of green silk threads shot forth from the void.

The green silk threads scattered, instantly coiling tightly around the Blood Dragon and most of the Blood Phoenix within the five-colored flames. Then, they rolled back, intending to draw the creatures into the Heavenly Cauldron.

With a "whoosh," a burst of green light shot out from the fiercely struggling Blood Dragon's body. After a flash, it strangely appeared over ten zhang away, then teleported three or four more times, covering a distance of thirty to forty zhang.

Han Li's eyes flickered with cold light. Suddenly, the Ominous Sight of Destruction between his eyebrows erupted with dark light, sending a black ray flying forth.

After a muffled thud in the void, the teleporting green light stumbled and materialized, its glow seemingly much dimmer.

But before Han Li could cast another spell, the green light abruptly transformed into a phantom image and shot out, flickering in and out of existence, mysteriously reaching the edge of the sky. With another flicker, it vanished. Han Li frowned, and the black light that had just illuminated his third demonic eye faded.

Even though the Ominous Sight of Destruction possessed the ability to pierce through space, it was naturally powerless over such a long distance.

Meanwhile, enveloped by the green silk, the Blood Dragon and Blood Phoenix were drawn into the Heavenly Cauldron with a "boom."

The cauldron lid immediately closed, sealing the cauldron tightly once more.

No one noticed that in that instant, two golden shadows subtly flashed within one of Han Li's sleeves, secretly flying into the cauldron.

At this moment, the four individuals hundreds of zhang away saw Han Li claim the True Spirit blood and the Longdong Nascent Soul flee, their expressions changing dramatically.

The two cultivators of the Long family exchanged glances, then suddenly transformed into two streaks of dazzling light and flew away, without even a word of farewell. The fiendish ghosts and demonic creatures also followed in their escape. Their escape direction was precisely where the Longdong Nascent Soul had fled.

Ye Chu and the white-robed maiden showed no intention of pursuit. Instead, their escape lights flared, and they flew directly towards Han Li.

Moments later, the two women materialized about ten zhang from Han Li. Ye Chu's gaze swept over Han Li and the dozens-of-zhang-tall Soul Herding Beast nearby, an undeniable look of surprise in her eyes.

The white-robed maiden smiled, but her bright eyes were fixed intently on the green cauldron in front of Han Li.

Clearly, as soon as the two women saw the True Spirit blood fall into Han Li's hands, they became extremely wary of him.

"Brother Han, we owe you a great debt for your assistance this time. Otherwise, the Long family might truly have succeeded. Rest assured, Brother Han, the conditions we previously agreed upon will not change; we will not let you expend your efforts in vain," the white-robed maiden said with a charming smile, her bright eyes shifting. "Indeed, with the power of our Ye family, there are few desires among humans that we cannot help fellow Daoist fulfill," Ye Chu slowly added, her words subtly hinting at a threat.

Han Li's mouth twitched. Without a word, he suddenly clapped his hand on the green cauldron in front of him.

The cauldron hummed, and its lid once again flew into the air. Wrapped densely by countless green silk threads, the Blood Dragon, along with most of the incomplete Blood Phoenix, slowly emerged at the cauldron's opening.

Upon seeing the Blood Dragon and Blood Phoenix, the two women's eyes lit up. A flash of blood-red light even appeared on the white-robed maiden's face, a faint, tiny phantom image of a blood phoenix flickering into existence and then vanishing.

Han Li smiled faintly and flicked his finger at the green cauldron.

Immediately, all the green silk wrapping the Blood Phoenix vibrated, snapping into pieces. The creature it had contained instantly shot towards the maiden opposite him.

The white-robed maiden was overjoyed. With a sweet cry, another small blood phoenix flew out from her body and collided with the incomplete Blood Phoenix.

A brilliant crimson light erupted. The two creatures merged without any hindrance, forming a blood-red spherical ball about a foot in size. This ball was so vibrant crimson that it seemed to be condensed from pure blood. However, after a spin, it suddenly transformed into a foot-sized Blood Phoenix, circling and dancing around the maiden.

The maiden smiled slightly, extended a jade finger, and pointed solemnly at the Blood Phoenix.

After a pleasant, clear cry, the Blood Phoenix spread its wings, transformed into a streak of crimson light, and plunged into the maiden's body, vanishing in a flash.

Immediately, a layer of crimson covered Ye Ying's entire body. At the same time, a phantom image of a blood phoenix flickered indistinctly behind her, but gradually became clearer and more stable.

After a while longer, the Blood Phoenix phantom dissipated, and the maiden opened her eyes, her face filled with excitement.

"The True Phoenix blood is finally mostly recovered, about seventy to eighty percent. There's still a small part. It seems to have been forcibly swallowed by that True Dragon and probably can't be easily separated anymore. Fortunately, this true blood has also fallen into our Ye family's hands. Brother Han, please throw over the True Dragon blood as well. This true blood must be properly preserved. Ordinary swallowing might severely damage its spiritual essence."

The maiden smiled sweetly at Han Li. At the same time, she flipped her hand, and a small, exquisite purple-gold gourd suddenly appeared in her palm.

Han Li chuckled softly.

"Fairy Ye, if I recall correctly, I only agreed to help you retrieve your True Spirit blood. Now that the Heavenly Phoenix blood has been obtained, asking for the remaining True Dragon blood, aren't you being a bit too greedy?" Han Li said unhurriedly.

"Fellow Daoist Han, what is the meaning of this? Do you also wish to lay claim to the True Spirit blood?" Ye Chu's voice turned cold, her gaze like a knife, flashing with a chilling light.

"Even if I am an ascendant cultivator, I know some taboos of the True Spirit families. How could I harbor such a delusion? Even if I were to truly fuse with spirit blood, I would undoubtedly end up being hunted down by all the aristocratic families," Han Li said with a smile, shaking his head.

"Then what is Brother Han's intention?" Hearing that Han Li had no intention of keeping the True Dragon blood for himself, the white-robed maiden's expression relaxed, and she asked again.

"Hehe, nothing much. This True Dragon blood is surely no less valuable than your Heavenly Phoenix blood. Your Ye family must be determined to acquire it. If I were to offer this item to you with both hands, what would the two of you be willing to exchange for it?" Han Li said in a deep voice.

"Heh heh, so Brother Han wants benefits. That's easy to say. As long as you are willing to hand over the True Spirit blood, Brother Han can name any price. This junior sister will not haggle," the white-robed maiden said, her face full of smiles upon hearing this.

"How can a spiritual item like True Spirit blood be exchanged for mere spirit stones? Of course, if fellow Daoist truly has a hundred or so top-grade spirit stones, that would be another matter," Han Li said casually.

"Brother Han is joking. Even our Ye family couldn't produce that many top-grade spirit stones at once. If it's just a few, this junior sister might be able to try and find a way," the white-robed maiden's expression subtly changed. After twisting and exchanging glances with Ye Chu, she replied with a forced smile.

"If it's just a few top-grade spirit stones, why would I trouble the two fellow Daoists? I could spend some effort and still acquire them myself," Han Li replied calmly.

"What do you want? Just say it directly," Ye Chu seemed a bit impatient, asking coldly and directly.

"It's simple. I wish to exchange it for a Heavenly Phoenix feather from Senior Ye," Han Li said slowly, his gaze sweeping over Ye Chu.

"What Heavenly Phoenix feather? Do you truly believe the words of that Black Phoenix tribe demoness?" Ye Chu's pupils contracted slightly, then her expression became unusually calm.

However, the white-robed maiden was startled upon hearing this.

"Does Senior Ye think this junior would believe such words? If the two of you truly believe I'm talking nonsense, I wouldn't mind using Soul-searching on Fellow Daoist Xiao. I only want one. If I were to exchange it for the True Dragon blood, the two fellow Daoists would certainly be getting the better deal," Han Li said, looking unperturbed.

Hearing Han Li's words, Ye Chu's delicate brows furrowed, and her gaze swept towards Ye Ying.

The white-robed maiden pursed her lips a few times before her beautiful eyes flickered as she said, "Why does fellow Daoist need a Heavenly Phoenix feather? This item is also of great use to our Ye family. How about I use other items to exchange for it? For example, the two Ganoderma Dragon Fruits we obtained earlier?"

"I have a treasure that coincidentally requires a top-grade phoenix feather for re-refinement. As for the Ganoderma Dragon Fruits, although I desire them, compared to this Heavenly Phoenix feather, I would naturally prefer the latter," Han Li said calmly.

"Does Brother Han truly only want the Heavenly Phoenix feather? Is there nothing else that can be discussed?" Ye Ying asked again, her expression flickering between light and shadow, as she stared at the Blood Dragon on the green cauldron for a long time.

"Heh heh, if the two fellow Daoists have spiritual items like 'Immortal Seeking Pills' or 'Nine-Hearted Spirit Ganoderma,' I wouldn't mind exchanging for them," Han Li chuckled softly.

"Hmph, if I had such heaven-defying spiritual items, why would I need True Dragon blood? I could just consume them directly, and cultivation to the Void Refinement and Body Integration stages would be within reach. Fine, this maiden agrees. I will use one Heavenly Phoenix feather to exchange for this item," the white-robed maiden gritted her teeth, finally agreeing to Han Li's condition.

Ye Chu's expression changed. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. Han Li's spirits lifted upon hearing this.

"Haha, Miss Ye's decision is truly wise. As long as you allow me to examine the phoenix feather, I will immediately hand over the True Dragon blood to the two of you. Surely, the two fellow Daoists aren't afraid that I'll take the treasure and leave, are you?" Han Li said with a smile.

"Sister Chu, give him a phoenix feather," the maiden sighed, turning to instruct Ye Chu.

"Yes, Young Master!" Ye Chu hesitated for a moment, but still agreed. With a flick of her hand over her storage bracelet, a red jade plate appeared in her grasp.

This jade box was not only vividly crimson but also adorned with flame-like patterns on its surface. The moment it was produced, a wave of heat immediately assailed them, and the surrounding temperature instantly rose considerably.

"Flame Jade," Han Li was startled when he saw the jade box.