Chapter 2093: Reverse Calculation

On a certain day two months later, Han Li, along with Patriarch Long and Saintess Qianqiu, gathered again at a temporary cave dwelling outside the city.

They looked at the dishevelled man who had just managed to arrive before the agreed deadline, their expressions varied.

This cultivator from the Lin family, a Body Integration expert, now had grey hair and withered skin. His face, which should have been that of a middle-aged man in his prime, had become completely old and decrepit, like that of an elderly person of seventy or eighty.

More critically, one of the dishevelled man's eyeballs was missing.

His eye socket was empty, as if the entire eyeball had been forcibly gouged out.

Furthermore, this Lin family Body Integration cultivator's aura was less than a third of what it had been at his peak, and it subtly gave off a strange, severely weakened impression.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, how did you end up like this!" After everyone's surprise subsided, Patriarch Lin finally spoke with a heavy heart.

"It's a shameful story. I encountered a group of Soul-Devouring Beasts in the wasteland and was careless, allowing them to absorb most of my vital energy. Fortunately, I managed to detonate several supreme treasures I carried, which allowed me to barely escape," the Lin family man said with a bitter expression, coughing a few times. His voice had become unusually hoarse and extremely unpleasant to hear.

"Soul-Devouring Beasts? Their rank isn't particularly high; how could they force Brother Lin into such a state?" Saintess Qianqiu asked in surprise.

"If they were ordinary Soul-Devouring Beasts, why would I fear them? But it's a different story if it's a mutated, Body Integration-level Soul-Devouring Beast," the Lin family man replied slowly, his eye twitching twice.

"Mutated Soul-Devouring Beast!" Everyone's expression subtly changed upon hearing this.

"That's right. The beast initially hid among the pack, disguising itself to look exactly like an ordinary Soul-Devouring Beast. That's why I was caught off guard and ambushed successfully. Otherwise, no matter how bad I am, I wouldn't have ended up in this state."

The Lin family man's expression grew even uglier as he recalled the events of that day.

"It's truly unfortunate that Fellow Daoist Lin encountered such a calamity. But what are your plans now?" Patriarch Long asked, his expression settling after a period of changing moods.

"My vital energy has been depleted too much, and my magic power is less than two or three-tenths of what it was. Entering the Mirage Roar Desert again is unrealistic. I must return to the Spirit Realm immediately and cultivate in seclusion for several centuries to recover my cultivation. Therefore, I no longer intend to pursue those two Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures. After resting here for a bit, I will use a spell to unleash my potential and return to the Spirit Realm the way I came." The dishevelled man said with reluctance, his eyes flickering for a long time.

"That's fine. Given Fellow Daoist Lin's current condition, continuing the adventure indeed carries the risk of falling. How about this: the few of us will stay here for another month to allow you more time to recuperate before we proceed with the next plan," Patriarch Long said, showing no surprise, as if he had expected this.

"It can only be this way. We of the Spirit Race have no objection. Fellow Daoist Lin, please feel at ease and recuperate here first." Saintess Qianqiu nodded after a moment of silence.

However, Daoist Priest Hui and the Feathered Robe Maiden couldn't help but exchange a glance, subtly revealing a sense of shared misfortune, like a fox grieving for a fallen rabbit.

After all, among the human cultivators present, one was already injured, and the other's cultivation was far inferior to Han Li's and Patriarch Long's. It was possible that one of them would be the next to be forced to withdraw.

Nevertheless, both of them were Body Integration experts who had cultivated for many years, so such thoughts merely flashed through their minds before their expressions returned to normal.

After listening, Han Li's expression subtly shifted, as if he had thought of something, and he suddenly spoke to the dishevelled man:

"I have a medicinal pill that might be beneficial for your current condition, Fellow Daoist Lin. You might as well take it."

As soon as he finished speaking, he shook his sleeve towards the dishevelled man, and a several-inch-tall white jade bottle immediately flew out.

The Lin family Body Integration cultivator was stunned by the words. After subconsciously raising his hand to catch the small bottle, he looked at Han Li with an expression full of doubt.

And no wonder!

Although Han Li had traveled with them for a period, there hadn't been much interaction between them, let alone any close friendship. Now, he was suddenly offering a bottle of medicinal pills, which naturally filled the dishevelled man with surprise and suspicion.

The Lin family cultivator pondered for a moment, then opened the lid of the small bottle in his hand. A rich medicinal fragrance instantly filled the entire room.

Everyone felt their spirits lift upon smelling it!

The dishevelled man quickly brought the bottle opening to his nose and sniffed a few times, immediately revealing a hint of joy on his face. Then, he inverted the small bottle, pouring its contents into his palm.

As a result, a pill with emerald spirit patterns covering its surface rolled out and settled steadily in his palm.

"Essence Tempering Pill, this is an Essence Tempering Pill!" The dishevelled man, upon seeing the pill's appearance, no longer had any hesitation. He immediately exclaimed aloud, his face filled with wild joy.

Not only was this pill extremely rare, but more importantly, it was precisely what he needed for his current situation. It could replenish a significant portion of his lost vital energy, alleviating his concern that his cultivation might still be greatly reduced even after his injuries healed.

Patriarch Long, Saintess Qianqiu, and the others were also moved upon seeing the Essence Tempering Pill.

Such a pill was equally rare and sought after even for late-stage Body Integration old monsters like them! Had it not been for the present circumstances, both of them might have harbored other intentions.

"Fellow Daoist Han, this pill is indeed very useful to me. However, I cannot accept such a gift without merit. Brother Han, what is your true intention in doing this? Please just tell me directly." Although the dishevelled man was extremely excited, he quickly calmed down and transmitted his voice to Han Li with a slight movement of his lips.

Han Li's lips curved slightly into a faint smile, and he also transmitted his voice in return:

"Since Fellow Daoist Lin has put it that way, I'll be direct. I indeed have a small matter I'd like to ask for your help with, Brother Lin. Are you willing to assist?"

"Since Brother Han has offered an Essence Tempering Pill, would I still be able to refuse? Please speak your mind. As long as it is within my capability, I will certainly not decline," the dishevelled man replied, making a firm decision after a brief consideration.

"Brother Lin, there's no need to speak with such gritted teeth. The favor I'm asking is merely a small one, going with the flow. I recently rescued a young girl from our human race in the city. This girl has some connection to me, and I hope that when you return to the Spirit Realm, you can take her with you and look after her for a period until I return to the Spirit Realm to retrieve her. After all, the journey ahead is far too dangerous, and I cannot possibly bring her along. This matter should be easy for you to accomplish, shouldn't it?" Han Li transmitted his voice calmly.

"It's just that simple? If that's the case, then there's certainly no problem. I can assure you, as long as I return safely to the Spirit Realm, the person Brother Han entrusted to me will also be safe and sound." The dishevelled man was somewhat surprised but agreed without hesitation.

"Good, then I can rest assured." Han Li nodded faintly and said nothing more.

With the burden lifted from his mind, the dishevelled man hesitated only briefly before immediately tossing the pill into his mouth and swallowing it.

Given his current condition, the sooner he consumed the Essence Tempering Pill, the more he would reduce the possibility of a drastic drop in his cultivation, so he naturally did not wish to delay for even a moment.

Patriarch Long and the others nearby had long since realized that the two were discussing something via voice transmission, but everyone discreetly refrained from disturbing them.

They knew well that Han Li would not offer such a valuable pill for no reason; he must have been asking for something from the Lin family cultivator.

However, this was a matter between the two of them, and it was naturally inappropriate for others to inquire.

With the dishevelled man's issue resolved, the discussion naturally shifted to the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards.

Patriarch Long, with a composed expression, then gave a brief overview of his interactions with the Zhao family during this period.

Saintess Qianqiu, the Feathered Robe Maiden, and the others couldn't help but frown upon hearing this.

"So, the Zhao family truly has a lion's appetite! They dared to demand such an exorbitant price for one Eight-Legged Demonic Lizard. Ten-thousand-year Purple Blood Ganoderma and the Heart of Ice Crystal are materials incredibly difficult to find in any realm; how dare they propose such terms to Brother Long? I think the Zhao family probably has no sincerity in trading!" Saintess Qianqiu's beautiful face instantly turned as cold as frost.

"I think the Zhao family doesn't just lack the intention to trade!" Han Li interjected calmly.

"Oh, what do you mean by that, Brother Han?" The Feathered Robe Maiden's expression shifted.

Han Li, however, simply smiled without speaking.

"It seems the Zhao family not only had no intention of giving me an Eight-Legged Demonic Lizard, but they also coveted my humble possessions. After all, my previous offer was tempting enough to sway the two Demon Lords of the Zhao family," Patriarch Long chimed in this time, a cold sneer on his face.

"It seems Brother Long already had a plan," Saintess Qianqiu said with a light chuckle upon hearing this.

"Exactly. Since the Zhao family isn't willing to trade the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards, the other three families likely won't either. So, we might as well turn their scheme against them. While the two Demon Lords of the Zhao family are plotting against me, I will draw them away. The rest of you will infiltrate the Zhao family compound, steal the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards directly, and then enter the Mirage Roar Desert overnight," Patriarch Long stated with a hint of menace.

"Brilliant! If the Zhao family has no Demon Lords guarding it, no one else can stop us. But, Brother Long, have you already located where the Zhao family keeps the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards?" the Feathered Robe Maiden asked delightedly.

"Heh heh, I haven't been idle in the city these past few days; I've naturally confirmed it. The Zhao family keeps the Eight-Legged Demonic Lizards in two locations. One is the Zhao family's forbidden ground, which is heavily protected by spell formations and restrictions, making it difficult to act even without a Demon Lord present. The other location is a temporary holding area for the demonic lizards. I've discovered that in half a month, several demonic lizards will return from outside and, as is customary, will temporarily stay there for several days. This will be our opportune moment to strike. Brother Han already has two demonic lizards; if we seize these, it should be enough. However, there's one point, fellow Daoists, that you must pay attention to.

You may act, but try your best not to cause widespread slaughter or reveal your true cultivation and identity. Otherwise, if we attract the attention of other powerful Demon Race members in nearby regions, we will be in trouble. After all, we need to cross the entire Mirage Roar Desert, but those powerful Demon Race members can use teleportation arrays from other places to directly ambush us on the other side of the desert," Patriarch Long explained shrewdly.