Chapter 1842: Contents in the Bag

"If I don't have the right to choose, then I might as well take this spiritual medicine to the next round of exchange," Han Li replied, frowning immediately upon hearing this.

"Of course, you may take the spiritual medicine to the next exchange if you wish. However, I must remind you that the materials required for the upcoming treasures will increase and vary. After all, these treasures were contributed by different elders of our Black Domain, and each elder has different exchange requirements. Furthermore, even with your spiritual medicine, you won't be able to exchange for two items in the next round. At the very least, you will certainly miss out on this Heaven-Reaching Gong," the golden-masked man warned, his eyes glinting.

"Unable to exchange for two items? Are the upcoming treasures even rarer than this Heaven-Reaching Gong?" Han Li's heart stirred upon hearing this.

"Hehe, that's for each person to decide based on their own wisdom!" The golden-masked man remained exceptionally tight-lipped about information regarding other treasures in the Black Domain, revealing nothing to Han Li.

Han Li's facial muscles twitched as he listened, and he secretly scoffed three times. *Did the other party truly believe he absolutely needed this Heaven-Reaching Gong? His real interest lay solely in the alien body-refining technique that came with the gong. The Heaven-Reaching Gong itself was merely incidental to him.* With these thoughts in mind, Han Li calmly stated, "How do I know that the second item you bring out will definitely be one of your most valuable treasures? What if you just pick something random? Wouldn't I suffer a great loss then?"

"Haha, you can rest assured on that point, fellow Daoist. With your discernment, can you not recognize the grade of a treasure? If you are not satisfied, you are free not to exchange," the golden-masked man said proudly, clearly very confident about the second treasure he was about to present.

After a brief thought upon hearing this, Han Li nodded slightly in agreement. "Since you put it that way, please show me this second treasured item first. If it truly proves useful to me, I will make the exchange." Seeing the other party's confidence, Han Li was indeed somewhat curious about this second item.

"Very well, fellow Daoist, please wait a moment," the golden-masked man said with a smile. With a flash of spiritual light in his hand, a golden cloth bag appeared and was tossed into the air. A white light flashed. The white snake coiling in the air darted down like lightning, swallowing the cloth bag whole. Then, it turned and flew out of the light barrier, shooting straight towards Han Li. Han Li raised an arm, extending his palm. The golden cloth bag descended and was caught in his hand.

Han Li's brow subtly lifted. He immediately loosened the bag's opening and scanned it with his divine sense. "This is..." Han Li's expression suddenly changed, revealing a look of great surprise. Just then, a brilliant green light suddenly erupted from the bag, accompanied by a strange humming sound. The light then swirled, as if something was about to fly out of it. Seeing this, Han Li, almost without thinking, slapped the bag with his palm. Immediately, a layer of golden spiritual light burst forth, completely enveloping the bag. Both the green light and the strange humming sound vanished instantly within the golden glow.

"What is the meaning of bringing out this item, Senior?" Han Li stared blankly at the cloth bag in his hand for a while before abruptly looking up and transmitting his voice.

"It's simple: I intend to exchange this item and the Heaven-Reaching Gong for your Dark Phoenix Grass!" the golden-masked man replied with a slight, confident smile.

"Hmph, if this item were fully refined, it would indeed be an extraordinary treasure. But you wish to exchange it for my Dark Phoenix Grass using only an embryo? Your domain certainly has a clever plan," Han Li snorted, his eyes glinting.

"Fellow Daoist, if this item were already complete, do you think anyone would put it up for exchange? Even if it were, not to mention the Heaven-Reaching Gong, this item alone could fetch seven or eight stalks of Dark Phoenix Grass, similar to the one you possess," the golden-masked man replied, completely unconcerned.

"That's true. If this item were complete, no cultivator would be willing to part with it. However, an embryo is still an embryo; it's a long, long way from being fully refined. And with the great tribulation approaching, exchanging such a rare spiritual herb for something utterly useless during the tribulation... who knows if it's truly worth it?" Han Li sighed after a moment of thought.

"Hehe, that depends on your fortune and destiny, fellow Daoist. If you can survive the great tribulation unscathed and then find a way to refine this item, you will undoubtedly benefit immensely in the future. I won't hide it from you, this treasure was originally being refined by one of our Black Domain elders, but he felt he no longer had the ability to complete it, which is why it's being offered for exchange here," the golden-masked man chuckled, revealing this without reservation. Han Li stroked his chin, falling into silent contemplation for a moment.

The item in the golden cloth bag was a wondrous treasure rumored among both human and demonic races. Once successfully refined, it could aid a cultivator's cultivation. It was said that only a handful of individuals in both races currently possessed such an item. Although it was merely a semi-finished product at present, its value, if not for the imminent demonic tribulation, would certainly be enough to acquire his Dark Phoenix Grass. What's more, the Heaven-Reaching Gong was also part of the exchange. However, this treasure was a spiritual entity born of heaven and earth; not only was its embryonic formation exceedingly difficult and beyond human capability, but its subsequent refinement was fraught with even greater challenges, an almost impossible task. Otherwise, given its value, such a small number would not exist among the two races. Despite all this, the thought of the item's miraculous effects upon successful refinement still made Han Li's heart pound. It was no wonder the other party was so confident he would agree to this exchange. However, it also showed that the other party was determined to obtain the Dark Phoenix Grass.

The entities in the other stone pavilions nearby, observing Han Li and the golden-masked man, understood that this exchange had a high chance of completion. Many immediately grew curious about what treasures were in the jade box Han Li presented and the golden-masked man's cloth bag. However, with their divine senses heavily restricted, they were naturally unable to discern anything.

"Very well! I agree to this exchange!" Han Li did not deliberate for long before formally agreeing to the exchange.

"Your decision is absolutely wise, fellow Daoist," the golden-masked man said with a flicker of joy in his eyes, equally pleased. With a shake of his broad black robe, a sheet of golden light unfurled from the giant gong. The gong rapidly shrank within the golden light, instantly becoming palm-sized and floating steadily in mid-air. The purple copper hammer also transformed, becoming finger-thick and descending into his hand as a streak of purple light. The subsequent steps were exceptionally simple. The golden-masked man placed both items into a wooden box. With a single-handed incantation, a giant black raven materialized out of thin air above the stone platform, snatched the wooden box in its beak, and delivered it to Han Li. Afterward, he carefully put away the jade box containing the Dark Phoenix Grass. Han Li, in turn, collected the Heaven-Reaching Gong and the golden cloth bag. He then leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. With that, the exchange was complete.

The attendant, number eleven, behind him immediately resumed gently massaging his shoulders.

"Excellent! The first grand finale treasure has been successfully exchanged. Next, our domain has prepared a large batch of refining and alchemy materials that are rarely seen in the current market. I believe many fellow Daoists will be interested in them. Although these materials are not considered rare, they are extremely practical and in high demand. Due to their immense quantity, these materials will be exchanged in three separate batches. All fellow Daoists, please pay close attention to the newly added and altered exchange items from our domain. If multiple individuals are interested in the same batch of items, I will make the final decision," the golden-masked man announced in a clear voice.

Simultaneously, two different jade slips suddenly appeared and flickered in the air. Immediately, the ancient script on the original light screen began to change. Not only did some item names mysteriously disappear, but nearly half as many new item names were added. At the same time, another light screen materialized out of thin air near the first. This one displayed the names and astonishing quantities of the three batches of materials the Black Domain was offering for exchange. Clearly, these materials were very popular among the many attendees. Almost as soon as the golden-masked man finished speaking, many individuals began to call out their offers, and the entire exchange instantly became exceptionally lively.

Han Li, naturally, observed everything dispassionately, with no intention of making a move. The three batches of materials were quickly exchanged. The next items the golden-masked man presented, however, opened Han Li's eyes. It was a group of seven exquisite human women. Each possessed cultivation above the Foundation Establishment stage, and all had special physiques highly suitable for dual cultivation cauldrons or similar purposes. These women were all young and, with a little cultivation, would naturally be excellent candidates for cauldrons or concubines. Evidently, there were many interested in these beautiful female cultivators. After a period of bidding, they were exchanged by a mysterious figure in a purple robe, who used a large amount of "Mysterious Light Iron" specified on the light screen—a truly lavish expenditure.

Next, the Black Domain brought out its second grand finale treasure for exchange: a peculiarly styled yellow ancient banner. It turned out to be a supreme treasure left behind by a mighty cultivator from the time when humans first established themselves in the Spirit Realm—a figure whose name was still widely revered. It was said to possess incredible effects, such as altering the heavens and earth. Whether used as the core of a super-formation or wielded independently against an enemy, it was profoundly wondrous. Even Han Li couldn't help but be tempted by such a treasure. Unfortunately, this time, the golden-masked man specified only three other treasures of comparable or greater value as exchange. This left many people only able to swallow dryly, their eyes filled with envy. Surprisingly, one person actually possessed one of those three treasures. This individual not only produced it but, after some negotiation, also made the golden-masked man add a substantial amount of spirit stones before being satisfied with the exchange for the banner. This caused Han Li to cast a few extra glances at the mysterious individual shrouded in a blood mist.