Chapter 2053: 异魔金

This scene easily reminded him of his past experiences frequenting market towns in the human realm.

Based on Han Li's experience, while most of the stalls offered low-grade materials and magic tools, rare items were often found among them. After all, not every demon was willing to sell their items cheaply directly to the shops. Especially with so many demons forced to remain in the city, many would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to sell some of their rare personal collections, hoping to fetch a high price.

Han Li walked slowly along the street, his spiritual sense swiftly sweeping over the stalls on both sides. Many of the materials on these stalls resembled those found in the Spirit Realm, though many that should have contained abundant spiritual energy were instead imbued with extremely pure demonic energy. Naturally, some materials contained pure spiritual energy, but their quantity was clearly far less than those imbued with demonic energy.

Han Li barely glanced at these common materials and tools, instead focusing most of his attention on strange and peculiar items he had never encountered. These items were likely materials unique to the Demon Realm. As for the magic tool-type treasures, his spiritual sense merely swept past them. With his current discerning eye, ordinary top-tier treasures no longer held his interest. As for magic tools of the Spirit Treasure rank, the probability of them appearing in such a place was virtually nil. Han Li wouldn't devote much attention to them.

The street wasn't very long, with only two or three hundred stalls lining both sides. In the time it takes for a meal, he had scanned through most of the stalls, yet very few items caught his attention. Even if a few pieces made him stop and examine them, he eventually shook his head and put them back.

Though the demons manning the stalls looked fierce and menacing, once they sensed Han Li's Void Refinement stage cultivation, they were greatly awed. Each of them wore an obsequious smile, not daring to show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.

Han Li continued to advance slowly, a hint of disappointment creeping into his thoughts. Although he had found several materials not present in the Spirit Realm, they were of little use to someone of his cultivation level. Just as he was wondering if he should leave the street and check out some nearby large shops, a strong aura suddenly erupted from a stall ahead, accompanied by an enraged shout.

“I'm taking this item. It's settled. Here are the demon stones you originally asked for; hand it over quickly!”

“Don't be so bothersome. Haven't I already told you? The price of this item has gone up. If you want it, you'll need either a top-tier demonic artifact or ten pieces of supreme demon stone. Otherwise, forget about it!” another unusually sinister voice replied coldly.

“I already paid the deposit yesterday, and now that I've finally gathered the amount you asked for, you're raising the price on me today? Are you toying with me?!” The first voice grew even more furious, appearing unwilling to let the matter go.

“Hehe, the item is mine, and I set the price whenever I please. Take your deposit back from yesterday and leave quickly. If you don't have supreme demon corpses or top-tier demon artifacts, then get lost!” The sinister voice let out a cold laugh, its words exceptionally harsh.

“Nonsense! Haven't you inquired about who I, Niu, am? Am I someone to be trifled with? If you don't sell that item to me today, I'll tear your bones to pieces!” The first man was clearly no ordinary character; in his extreme rage, his words became incredibly vicious.

“Tear my bones apart? Haha, I don't know how many years it's been since I last heard someone say that. If you have such ability, feel free to try!” The sinister voice replied mockingly, showing not the slightest bit of concern.

Simultaneously, another spiritual pressure, no weaker than the previous aura, surged up from the stall. Such a commotion naturally drew the gaze of many nearby demons, and some bolder ones walked over, intrigued to observe.

“Tsk, isn't that Hai Fei of the Bluefin Clan and Niu Li of the Bird-Hoof Clan? How did they end up clashing?!”

“Hehe, this is going to be quite a show. Their cultivation isn't weak; once they start fighting, it'll be hard to say who wins or loses!”

Low whispers of discussion immediately spread through the surroundings. These two demons seemed to have quite a reputation in Blood Crow City, as most of the nearby demons recognized them.

With a faint blue gleam in his eyes, Han Li swept a glance and got a general idea of the situation in front of the stall. Within a circle of over a dozen demons, a ferocious demon, three zhang tall with several curved horns on his head, was locked in a furious deadlock with the stall owner. The stall owner, however, was a short, stout demon with deep blue skin and noticeably swollen eyelids. The two auras from earlier had indeed erupted from them, and both appeared to be at the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation. One was in the mid-stage, the other in the early-stage. Although the tall demon's cultivation was slightly lower, his sturdy physique suggested considerable mastery in body refinement. If they truly fought, it would be difficult to say who would gain the upper hand.

Naturally, two mere Nascent Soul stage demons couldn't draw much attention from Han Li. After a casual glance at them, he intended to withdraw his gaze, no longer paying attention. But when his gaze swept over an item clutched in the plump stall owner's hand, his expression shifted, and he suddenly strode towards the crowd. In just a few flashes, Han Li's figure silently slipped among the demons, his eyes unblinking, fixed on the item in the plump demon's hand.

The item was a strange black-and-white ore, fist-sized, yet shimmering with a cold, crystalline light. After Han Li's spiritual sense quietly probed into the item, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a hint of joy flickered across his face.

At this moment, the two demons, surrounded by curious onlookers, not only escalated their verbal dispute but also released increasingly alarming auras from their bodies… Yet, for some unknown reason, neither truly made a move.

“Hehe, I think you two should stop arguing. It's just a piece of Exotic Demon Gold; are you really planning to go to the Demon Arena for a life-and-death struggle over it? If so, both your lives would be a bit too cheap,” an observer who seemed to know both demons suddenly advised with a faint smile.

“Oh, it's Brother Tan. It's not that I'm deliberately raising the price to avoid selling it. This piece of Exotic Demon Gold I possess contains a special Exotic Demon energy that far surpasses other materials of its kind, and the price I quoted yesterday was indeed a bit low. Otherwise, why would he insist on buying this specific piece from me? Although this material is extremely rare, other shops do sell it, you know.” The plump demon's expression softened. After cupping his fist slightly towards the persuader, he still showed no intention of yielding.

“Nonsense! If I hadn't seen that your piece of Exotic Demon Gold was quite good, would I have paid a deposit and offered ten pieces of supreme demon stone in one go? You're clearly seeing that I'm eager for this item and deliberately raising the price. Such a breach of trust is something only your Bluefin Clan members could do!” The tall demon, hearing this, furiously retorted.

“You dare insult our Bluefin Clan? Then leave an arm behind first!” Upon hearing this, the plump demon's face flushed an unnatural crimson, and a look of madness appeared in his eyes as he spoke...

Following this, the demon flicked his sleeve, and a cold glint shot out, slashing directly at the tall demon's arm with lightning speed! The tall demon, however, had already been wary. With a cold snort, he flipped his palm, and a white bone shield silently appeared before him. Just as the cold light flashed and was about to strike the shield, a figure blurred and strangely appeared right in front of the tall demon's fist. With a movement of its arm, a golden palm with five fingers grasped the cold light.

“Are you two truly planning to alarm the city's enforcement guards? I'm also quite interested in this piece of Exotic Demon Gold. Hand it over; let me take a look.”

This figure was none other than Han Li. At this moment, he released the powerful aura of the Void Refinement stage, causing the nearby demons to change their expressions upon sensing it.

“Senior, do you mean...?” The tall demon was startled by the words but seemed somewhat reluctant to give up and wanted to say more.

“What, do you want to contend with me for this demon gold?” Han Li said lightly without turning his head, but with a surge of spiritual pressure from his body, he heavily pressed down on the tall demon behind him.

With several 'thud-thud' sounds, the Bird-Hoof Clan demon was forced to retreat several steps, his face turning purplish-red like a pig's liver. In great alarm, he repeatedly muttered, “I wouldn't dare,” then immediately turned and left dejectedly. The other demons nearby who had been watching the show, startled by Han Li's sharp gaze, silently dispersed in alarm, not daring to linger any longer.

“Senior, do you also need this demon gold? If so, then just take it at the price of ten demon stones,” the plump demon said. Upon seeing the situation, his fierce expression had long vanished. Secretly cursing his luck, he could only offer the item in his hand with a forced smile.

“Hmph, what are you afraid of? If it's truly something I can use, do you think I wouldn't give you a satisfactory price?” Han Li snorted coldly. With a flick of his sleeve, the black-and-white metal was drawn into his hand, and he lowered his head to examine it.

“I wouldn't dare, this junior would never think such a thing!” The plump demon felt slightly relieved but remained timid and dared not say more. This was understandable; given Han Li's terrifying display just now, killing him would be a trivial matter. He would rather give up this Exotic Demon Gold than offend such a powerful Void Refinement stage cultivator.

At this point, Han Li no longer paid any attention to the plump demon. He continuously turned the black-and-white ore in his hand over and over, but aside from a faint flicker of light in his eyes, his face showed no expression.

After a full fifteen minutes, Han Li looked up. With a flash of green light in his hand, the ore vanished without a trace, replaced by a small black sword. He then tossed it to the plump demon opposite him and asked coldly, “Don't say I'm bullying you with my power. This flying sword is considered a top-tier demon artifact, more than enough to exchange for this piece of Exotic Demon Gold. But you must tell me, where did you obtain this demon gold?”