Chapter 1735: Screen, Golden Cauldron

I see. But I am also acting under my master's orders and cannot concede on the Void Spirit Pill. How about we do this? Aside from the Void Spirit Pill, I will yield all other items to you, Fairy. Please don't dispute it with me. And afterwards, my master will surely provide Senior Cai with additional compensation..." Upon hearing Liu Shuier's words, Shi Kun chuckled, his voice turning somewhat grim.

"What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Shi? Are you not just reiterating my words? My master's orders are very clear: the Void Spirit Pill is absolutely essential. If you are willing to yield a step, I can decide on my master's behalf to gift you a bottle of Crystal Moon Liquid, the ancestral treasure of our Crystal Clan. I'm sure, Brother Shi, you're well aware of what this spirit liquid means to the Stone Cocoon Race. Even for the Saint-rank beings of your noble clan, this spirit liquid is exceedingly rare and sought after..." Liu Shuier's eyes turned cold, yet her tone grew increasingly amiable.

"The Crystal Moon Liquid!" The name alone made Shi Kun's expression shift slightly; it was somewhat beyond his expectations, and he instinctively felt a genuine pull of temptation. However, he immediately recalled the unfeeling instructions Duan Tianren had given him before their departure. A jolt went through his heart, and he instantly cast this notion aside. He immediately shook his head repeatedly, outright refusing: "No. Even though I deeply desire the Crystal Moon Liquid, without the Void Spirit Pill, how can I account for myself to my master once I leave? This is absolutely impossible."

"So, Fellow Daoist Shi, you have no intention of conceding?" Liu Shuier's tone, too, grew somewhat displeased.

This time, Shi Kun offered no reply. He merely stared at Liu Shuier with a cold expression. His meaning, naturally, was unmistakably clear.

Liu Shuier also remained silent. Her gaze, too, gradually grew icy.

The atmosphere between the two instantly grew exceptionally heavy.

Witnessing this scene, Han Li couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.

"Why are the two of you so insistent? Although I'm unaware of the Void Spirit Pill's astounding effects that lead both seniors to insist on obtaining it, you two are already at loggerheads before even seeing the pill. Don't you think it's a bit premature?" he suddenly remarked indifferently.

"Premature? Brother Han, are you suggesting...?" Shi Kun's expression shifted; he began.

Hearing this, a hint of surprise also flickered in Liu Shuier's beautiful eyes.

"Both seniors are so confident the Void Spirit Pill is in the hall, which I presume is a conclusion drawn from other clues. However, the true situation inside remains to be seen. Why don't you both enter first to confirm the treasure's presence, and then make your decisions? There's no rush..." Han Li stated casually.

Upon hearing Han Li's suggestion, both Shi Kun and Liu Shuier became contemplative.

To be frank, given their experience, it was unlikely that they hadn't considered this possibility. However, the moment the hall door was breached, both simultaneously worried about the other seizing the pill first, naturally momentarily overlooking this point. Now, with Han Li bringing it up, their minds regained clarity, and they naturally weighed the pros and cons of a confrontation.

They agreed it would indeed be more prudent to first ascertain the items within the hall before devising a way to obtain the spirit pill.

"Brother Han makes a valid point. Fellow Daoist Shi, let us first enter and confirm whether the Void Spirit Pill is indeed in the hall, and then discuss its rightful owner..." Liu Shuier slowly spoke first.

"Since the Fairy has put it that way, I have no objection..." Realizing Han Li's presence could significantly impact the spirit pill's ownership, Shi Kun managed a slight smile and readily agreed.

"Since neither of you has any objection, the three of us might as well enter together. There's no need to consider precedence any longer..." Han Li said with a slight smile, taking a few light steps to stand beside them.

Shi Kun and Liu Shuier naturally had no room to object and both nodded.

Thus, the three entered the hall, one after another, almost shoulder to shoulder, then stood side by side, surveying the entire grand hall.

It was indeed worthy of being the main hall!

The entire hall spanned nearly a thousand zhang, easily spacious enough to accommodate several thousand people simultaneously.

The first things that caught their eyes were the numerous purple-gold pillars throughout the hall. Each one was as thick as a person, and there were hundreds of them.

On the surrounding hall walls hung ancient-style weapons—long halberds or massive axes—each shimmering with silver light and radiating compelling spiritual energy.

A rough count indicated nearly a thousand such items.

Beneath the hall walls, at regular intervals, lay piles of multi-colored armors.

The armors were hollow, their surfaces etched with exceptionally intricate patterns, clearly indicating they were no ordinary sets of armor.

At the far end, opposite the hall entrance, stood a massive screen, seven to eight zhang tall.

The screen was shrouded in a hazy green light, and something appeared to be painted on it, though it was difficult to discern clearly from that distance. In front of the screen, a low, coffee table-like stand held an ancient golden cauldron.

Aside from these, the entire hall was empty, devoid of any other decorations, meaning the three had no need to search for any treasures.

Seeing the hall in this state, Liu Shuier, Shi Kun, and the others were naturally greatly surprised.

Han Li gazed at the distant screen and golden cauldron for a moment, then, after a brief consideration, walked towards them without a word.

Witnessing Han Li's action, Liu Shuier and Shi Kun exchanged a glance, then immediately looked away and followed closely without a word.

After all, besides this direction, there was truly nothing else of interest to search in the entire hall.

Thus, in a peculiar atmosphere, the three approached to about ten zhang in front of the screen and the large golden cauldron.

Stopping abruptly, Han Li paused and meticulously examined the two objects before him.

Seeing this, the two behind him instinctively halted, also gazing at the two objects with differing expressions.

Han Li stood with his hands clasped behind his back, seemingly calm, yet blue light flickered deep within his pupils. Even if the screen's surface was obscured by green light, it could hardly impede his spiritual eye ability.

In an instant, he clearly discerned what was depicted on the screen.

A hint of surprise flickered. The screen strikingly depicted a colossal, bizarre gate adorned with shimmering gold and silver runes.

This gate was ancient and massive in design, entirely black, yet the two types of runes intertwining and flashing on its surface lent it an extraordinary air of mystery.

These gold and silver runes bore a resemblance; they were precisely the Silver Tadpole Script and Gold Seal Script, two forms of spiritual script from the True Immortal Realm.

Han Li's eyebrow twitched imperceptibly. A wisp of his divine sense instantly extended, probing the colossal gate depicted on the screen.

The moment his divine sense touched the image of the colossal gate, an immense force suddenly erupted from the screen. Before that wisp of divine sense could react, it was instantly pulled into the screen, severing all contact with Han Li's main body.

Han Li's expression shifted, and he instantly felt a heightened sense of caution towards the screen.

Shi Kun let out a silent, low grunt, his body recoiling half a step before he swiftly regained his balance.

Evidently, he, too, had suffered a subtle setback, one that seemed even more significant than Han Li's.

As Liu Shuier was obscured by her cloak, her expression couldn't be discerned, but from the unconscious swaying of her figure, it was evident she too had perceived the screen's peculiar nature.

Although he lost a wisp of divine sense, it naturally had no impact whatsoever on his robust spiritual consciousness.

Han Li temporarily ceased his observation of the screen, lowering his gaze to the ancient golden cauldron.

This cauldron, entirely resplendent in gold, was nevertheless adorned with patterns resembling swirling clouds and mist.

These patterns were exceptionally intricate and mostly spiral-shaped, covering the entire ancient cauldron. A closer inspection actually left him feeling quite dizzy.

Han Li secretly felt a chill. He calmly released his divine sense, and after circling the golden cauldron a few times, found it utterly impossible to penetrate it even slightly.

It was unclear what material this cauldron was forged from, as it completely repelled the power of divine sense.

However, he also noticed a recessed square groove on each side of the cauldron, seemingly designed for inlaying two distinct items.

Han Li pondered briefly, then suddenly sensing something, he raised his head and glanced at the other two, his heart stirring.

He saw that Liu Shuier and Shi Kun were now fixated on the golden ancient cauldron, not blinking even once.

No, more precisely, they were staring at the grooves on either side of the cauldron.

Shi Kun's face, moreover, revealed an expression of unbridled joy.

"What, do both of you Fellow Daoists recognize this golden cauldron?" Han Li narrowed his eyes, asking slowly.

"Brother Han, you jest. This is my first time entering this place; how could I possibly recognize such an item?" Upon hearing this, the joy on Shi Kun's face diminished slightly, but he repeatedly shook his head, saying.

"Oh, that's curious then. If you don't recognize it, why are both of you so interested in this cauldron?" Han Li asked with a faint smile.

"Well, Brother Han, you might as well ask Fairy Liu. She knows considerably more than I do." Seeing Han Li's persistent questioning, the burly man's eyes flickered, and he simply drew Liu Shuier into the discussion.

Hearing Shi Kun's words, the cloaked woman naturally felt inwardly displeased, but seeing Han Li indeed turn his gaze to her, she could only manage a wry smile.

"Brother Han, there's no need for undue suspicion. This cauldron should be the artifact containing the Void Spirit Pill and a few other items desired by my master and Senior Duan. The reason Fellow Daoist Shi and I know this is because we both brought a specific item with us. Fellow Daoist Shi, why don't we both reveal our items and let Brother Han take a look?" Liu Shuier stated quite plainly.

"Haha, hearing the Fairy put it that way, I am indeed rather curious..." Han Li chuckled softly.

"This..." Shi Kun couldn't help but show hesitation, and simultaneously felt quite frustrated by Liu Shuier's counter-move.

"What, Fellow Daoist Shi, do you find it inconvenient?" Han Li asked with a seemingly casual air, his voice exceedingly gentle. Seeing Han Li's composed demeanor, the burly man's heart stiffened, and he immediately chuckled in response: "Even if Brother Han hadn't mentioned it, I would still bring this out for use. After all, to extract the treasures from the cauldron, these two items are indispensable..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the burly man flipped his hand, and with a flash of golden light, an item appeared in his palm.

Upon seeing this, Han Li naturally focused his gaze unreservedly, taking a clear look at the item.