Chapter 1618: Nine Fragrant Spirit Wine

Han Li had originally planned to discreetly sell some of his spirit herbs and elixirs here after disguising himself, in order to gather some spirit stones. However, due to the eccentric old man's interference just now, this was no longer possible under everyone's watchful eyes. Therefore, after a brief consideration, he immediately abandoned this plan.

Han Li calmly walked out of the side hall and arrived at the small open space in front of the auction hall, where beast-drawn carriages were parked. His expression clouded as he glanced across the way.

When he arrived earlier, he hadn't noticed anything like "Chunxiang Pavilion." Now, looking closely, he indeed saw such a place.

The pavilion wasn't very large, but it stood directly opposite the auction hall, three stories high, with an elegantly calligraphed plaque hanging above its entrance.

However, Han Li noticed that, unlike the bustling atmosphere of other nearby buildings, this pavilion's entrance was exceptionally quiet; no one had been seen entering or leaving for a long time. He mused that the eccentric old man, Duan Tianren, must be inside this pavilion.

Han Li pondered in silence, feeling a sense of indecision. The auction seemed to be a while away from starting. And until he understood the true intentions of this Stone Cocoon elder who had sought him out, he likely wouldn't be able to focus on it.

Suddenly, he flicked his sleeve, and a hand emerged, which he regarded expressionlessly. The skin was as black as ink; this was the hand into which he had integrated the Primordial Magnetic Divine Mountain. Han Li's brows furrowed.

Although Duan Tianren had tried his best to conceal it, Han Li, with his spirit eye ability, still sensed that many of the other party's glances had fallen on that particular sleeve.

He wondered if it was the hand itself, or the entire arm, that had caught his attention.

If it was the former, he was likely interested in the Primordial Magnetic Divine Mountain. But if it was the latter...

Han Li's heart sank slightly!

At the thought of his arm, Han Li suddenly raised his other hand and, through his sleeve, touched a certain spot on his arm.

Although he felt nothing unusual, the long sword transformed from a Profound-Heaven Treasure was indeed sealed within it. Could the other party have sensed the sword's presence? The more Han Li considered this, the more uneasy he became.

Although he still didn't know that the Human Race, Flying Spirit Race, and other clans had been affected by this Profound-Heaven Treasure, with some minor clans even suffering greatly and being blood-sacrificed because of it, he had personally experienced the sword's immense power. He naturally understood that if he could one day truly wield this treasure, it would allow him to traverse the Spirit Realm without worry.

Therefore, even though he had only used this sword once, it had naturally become the greatest secret in his heart, second only to the mysterious small bottle, its importance even surpassing that of the adult Golden Devouring Beetles.

However, the chances of this Stone Cocoon elder truly discerning that he possessed a Profound-Heaven Treasure were not high; otherwise, Qian Jizi should have seen through it at a glance. When the Profound-Heaven Treasure was not activated, even within his arm, he couldn't detect it himself. Of course, this didn't rule out the possibility that the other party had cultivated some heaven-defying technique that allowed them to sense such things.

Regardless, he was currently no match for a late-stage Integration cultivator. Even if the other party hadn't injected that stream of spiritual power into his body just now, it would be almost impossible to escape from the heavily guarded Cloud City. Whether it was misfortune or blessing, he could only go and find out.

Han Li stood there, his expression flickering between uncertainty and resolve for a long while. Finally, he stomped his foot and strode towards Chunxiang Pavilion. Fortunately, even if the other party was interested in the Profound-Heaven Treasure, his life wasn't immediately in danger.

As Han Li reluctantly stepped through the entrance of Chunxiang Pavilion, he found a handsome Crystal Race youth standing just inside the door. Seeing Han Li enter, this alien cultivator, who appeared to be at the Core Formation stage, immediately greeted him with a smile. "Senior Li? Elder Duan has been waiting for you in Vip Room Four for a long time. Please follow me, Senior." The youth said this. "Lead the way," Han Li replied, a hint of surprise appearing on his face as he swept his gaze across the pavilion's first floor.

The hall before him was empty, devoid of any furnishings, with only walls made of some unknown material, shimmering with a faint blue light. The Crystal Race youth affirmed and immediately walked towards a staircase on one side, with Han Li following close behind.

A moment later, Han Li found himself on the third floor of the pavilion, led to a room enveloped in a faint golden glow.

The Crystal Race youth stopped, formed a hand seal with one hand, and then waved towards the room's door.

Instantly, a silver light shot out from his cuff. The youth then stepped aside respectfully. After a moment, a voice emerged from inside the room: "Since you're here, come in." Han Li was taken aback, a look of surprise and uncertainty on his face. The voice was calm and light, unmistakably a woman's. Just then, the golden light in front of him parted, and the room's door slowly swung open. After a brief hesitation, Han Li let out a small breath and stepped inside. The door closed behind him, and the golden light sealed back up. "Greetings, Seniors!" Han Li swept his gaze across the room, then clasped his hands together in a settled manner and bowed.

In this room, over ten zhang wide and decorated in an antique style, two people were seated face-to-face at a table.

One was indeed Duan Tianren, while the other was a beautiful Crystal Race woman, appearing to be in her early thirties, also at the early Integration stage. It seemed that she was the one who had just spoken to Han Li. "Fellow Daoist Li, no need for formalities, please sit," the woman said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Duan Tianren was clutching a pink wine pot on the table, pouring generous gulps of fine wine into his mouth. He merely glanced at Han Li, showing no intention of stopping his actions.

Han Li, though not a frequent drinker, could feel a rich, potent, and strangely captivating aroma wafting from the wine pot. He wondered what kind of spirit wine it contained.

Since the woman had spoken, Han Li didn't stand on ceremony. After another bow, he took a seat on a nearby chair. At this moment, the beautiful woman's unusually clear eyes swept over Han Li.

Han Li noticed that as her gaze swept over his cuff, it paused almost imperceptibly before immediately moving away. It seemed Duan Tianren must have revealed something to her.

Han Li secretly frowned, realizing that this trouble was indeed not small. Crystal Race individuals were exceptionally intelligent, and high-level Crystal Race cultivators who could reach the Integration stage were like monstrous talents. Trying to fool them would be truly difficult.

"Alright, he's here. I've told you everything that needs to be said. How to proceed now is entirely up to you, Fairy Cai. I, Duan, am a rough man; I'm too lazy to use my brain. But whatever we gain in the end, I must take the lion's share," Duan Tianren finally said, finishing the spirit wine in the pot in one go, placing the empty pot down, and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Why the rush, Brother Duan? I've only heard your words; whether they are true still needs some verification," the beautiful Crystal Race woman said with a charming smile.

"Whatever suits you, Fairy. Anyway, I, Old Duan, have personally tested it; that thing is indeed real. By the way, your Nine Fragrance Wine is getting more fragrant and potent. Pour me another pot, please." Duan Tianren first replied noncommittally, but then he shook the wine pot, revealing a drooling, eager expression.

"Brother Duan, you truly treat my Chunxiang Pavilion like a tavern. Only about ten jars of this Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine can be brewed every hundred years, and you've already drunk three pots today. Next time you visit, I'll only be able to offer you ordinary spirit wine," the beautiful woman, Fairy Cai, said, giving Duan Tianren a glance. However, with a flash of spiritual light, a vibrant green wine jar appeared in her hand, and she stood up to refill his pot.

"Haha, that's because you're the only one in all of Cloud City who knows how to brew this wine! I, Duan, have asked you for the recipe countless times. It's a pity you're so secretive about it. Everyone finds it strange that you don't even drink yourself, yet you can brew this spirit wine, widely regarded as the best in Cloud City," Duan Tianren said with a chuckle, after taking another large gulp from the wine pot.

"Cloud City's best spirit wine is merely the kind praise of fellow daoists, and it's not that I'm stingy. Rather, the brewing method for this wine is connected to the cultivation technique I practice. Even if I were to give it to you, Fellow Daoist, you would absolutely not be able to brew the 'Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine'," the beautiful woman replied with a light chuckle, covering her cherry-red lips with her slender hand. Hearing this, Duan Tianren chuckled and continued to drink heartily, no longer pressing the matter.

With a flick of her hand, the beautiful woman produced a fist-sized golden wine cup, filled it from the wine jar, and gently pushed it towards Han Li. Immediately, the wine cup, enveloped in a ball of green light, slowly floated over. "Fellow Daoist Li, since you've come to my Chunxiang Pavilion by chance, why not try some Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine?" the beautiful woman said with a smile, waiting for Han Li to subconsciously catch the cup.

"Thank you for the wine, Senior!" Han Li thanked her, but instead of immediately downing it, he lowered his gaze and peered into the golden wine cup.

The so-called "Nine Fragrance Spirit Wine" was crystal clear and viscous, with a faint pink tint. Against the backdrop of the golden wine cup, it looked as vibrant as an agate lake.

Furthermore, the peculiar aroma emanating from the wine cup changed several times in an instant with just a light sniff. It was truly extraordinary! "Not only is my spirit wine exceptionally fragrant, but drinking it also clarifies one's sight and lightens the body. Each mouthful can save more than a month's worth of diligent cultivation," the beautiful woman said leisurely, her bright eyes twinkling. "Such a miraculous wine, this junior is indeed quite fortunate to taste it," Han Li replied. By now, he had confirmed there were no issues with the wine. Without further hesitation, he raised his hand and took a sip.

It felt like a piece of ice entering his mouth, but then it instantly melted and warmed, becoming incredibly smooth and intensely fragrant. The peculiar aroma then slid down his throat, reaching his core, without Han Li needing to swallow even a bit.