Chapter 2123: Silver Peng Reappears

“Demon Refining Grass!”

“Impossible!”

Baohua and Yuanyan’s voices rang out, one after the other. Baohua, though somewhat shocked, remained perfectly still. The black-robed youth beside them, after a loud cry, suddenly shot forward, his form blurring as he vanished from his spot.

Han Li only saw a flash of black light before Patriarch Yuanyan suddenly appeared before him, carried by a gust of wind. One of his hands swelled, and his five fingers, like iron hooks, lunged directly at the pale silver spirit grass. His entire motion was fluid, and his grab was as swift as lightning!

The black-robed youth’s face was slightly contorted at this moment, his eyes bloodshot as he fixated on the pale silver spirit grass. It seemed as though his eyes could hold nothing else.

Han Li’s expression darkened. With a sudden flick of his sleeve, the five-colored ice blocks vanished in a flash. He let out a furious roar as a massive, scale-armored fist, enveloped in golden light, thrust forward.

A thunderous “boom” erupted. Golden light and black energy intertwined, sending a hurricane surging skyward and rolling waves of energy sweeping in all directions. The entire sky shook with an earth-shattering tremor. Countless slender white streaks mysteriously appeared in the nearby void, only to twist and vanish in a flash.

At the center of the explosion, two figures flickered, blasted backward in opposite directions. After a few stumbles, they each regained their balance dozens of meters away. It was Han Li and Patriarch Yuanyan! The two appeared to be perfectly evenly matched in that last strike.

Han Li slowly raised his demonized face, his gaze toward the black-robed youth turning bone-chilling. After a flash of fierce intent, he sharply declared: “So, honored sir, are you planning to take it by force? If that’s the case, I, Han, wouldn’t mind joining in.”

No sooner had he spoken than a golden shadow of a demonized head shimmered into existence on one of his shoulders. At the same time, fluctuations appeared from his ribs, and two more golden demonic arms, covered in whale-like scales, materialized out of thin air.

Han Li, transformed into a two-headed, four-armed demon god, clenched all four fists simultaneously. A terrifying aura, several times more powerful than before, immediately surged from his body.

“Second Nirvana Transformation! You truly have cultivated the Nirvana Sacred Body to an advanced stage.” From a distance, Baohua’s face flashed with surprise upon seeing this, and she murmured to herself.

As for Patriarch Yuanyan, once he stabilized himself at a distance, his expression changed upon seeing Han Li’s monstrous transformation, and a deep sense of dread flashed in his eyes. However, the “Demon Refining Grass” was simply too crucial for him. Thus, after taking a deep breath, Patriarch Yuanyan loudly addressed Han Li:

“Human boy, this Demon Refining Grass is useless to you. If you’re willing to hand it over, I’ll turn and leave immediately, and I won’t meddle in your affairs with Baohua a single bit.”

“Demon Refining Grass? This is the first time I’ve heard that name! Since both seniors recognize this item, perhaps you could first give me a detailed introduction before we discuss anything else.” Han Li completely disregarded the black-robed youth’s question and replied coldly.

“The Demon Refining Grass, like the Celestial Sound Thunder Core, is a spiritual herb found only in the Upper Realm. As for its effects, as Fellow Daoist Yuanyan mentioned, it is of great use only to our Holy Race. However, for certain reasons, Fellow Daoist Yuanyan values this item much more than I do. Whether Fellow Daoist Yuanyan can take that final step in the future is likely closely related to whether he obtains this spirit grass. Furthermore, let me add that a long time ago, Fellow Daoist Yuan had a sudden idea to use several other similar spirit grasses to cultivate a true Demon Refining Grass. But even now, it’s still…”

“Silence, Baohua, you’ve said too much!”

Just as Baohua, with a slight chuckle, had, for reasons unknown, revealed most of the Demon Refining Grass’s importance to Patriarch Yuanyan, the black-robed youth’s face turned extremely grim. He suddenly roared, interrupting the white-robed woman’s words.

Baohua’s beautiful eyes briefly darted to Patriarch Yuanyan, the corner of her mouth curling slightly, and she ceased speaking.

“I see!” Han Li mused, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Boy Han, since Baohua has already spoken, I’ll be blunt! I *must* have the Demon Refining Grass. If you refuse, I will risk my main primordial spirit to ensure you remain here forever.” The black-robed youth’s face twisted into a faint snarl, as if he had truly made up his mind.

“Since it’s useless to me, I don’t necessarily need to keep it. However, for senior to simply take it away so easily, don’t you think that’s a bit too simple?” Han Li replied calmly after a moment of thought.

“As long as you’re willing to hand over the Demon Refining Grass, anything can be discussed. Although I am a Holy Ancestor of the Demon Realm, I possess many treasures that are absolutely coveted by you human cultivators.” The black-robed youth instantly brightened upon hearing the hint of concession in Han Li’s words. After witnessing Han Li’s Second Nirvana Transformation, he conceded that he had no certainty of capturing his opponent. He was naturally content to obtain the silver spirit grass through peaceful means.

“Hehe, let’s discuss the Demon Refining Grass later. My transaction with Senior Baohua isn’t complete yet.” Han Li chuckled, giving a noncommittal reply.

“Very well. I shall wait for Fellow Daoist Han to conclude his other matters first.” Patriarch Yuanyan hesitated briefly, then nodded and agreed.

“Senior Baohua, I presented so many spirit medicines earlier, and none caught your eye. This junior genuinely doesn’t have many more things to offer. If there’s nothing else you like, then you can’t blame me.” Han Li’s gaze swept over the white-robed woman as he spoke in a deep voice.

“First, bring out your other spiritual items. It’s not too late to discuss other things if you truly have nothing else.” Baohua raised an eyebrow, speaking nonchalantly.

Han Li snorted, then, without further ado, flicked his sleeve. A flash of blue light shimmered, and a pale blue jade bottle appeared out of thin air. He tossed the small bottle in his hand into the empty space before him. With continuous flicks of his ten fingers, a series of incantations shot out, vanishing into the bottle in a flash.

The jade bottle trembled, and a colorful light swirled from its mouth. With a “bang,” a rich surge of water spiritual energy dispersed, and a stream of milky white spiritual spring water actually gushed out. This spiritual spring was only as thick as a bowl’s mouth, yet as the central water parted, a fist-sized silver lotus pod and a section of silver lotus root, as thick as a child’s arm, appeared within. The lotus pod was firmly attached to the silver lotus root by a slender stem, its surface shimmering with silver light and exceptionally smooth. As it gently swayed above the spring water, it exuded a sense of pristine etherealness.

After releasing these two spiritual items from the bottle, Han Li’s gaze swept over the white-robed woman opposite him again. The composure on Holy Ancestor Baohua’s face had long vanished. Her star-like eyes, fixated on the silver lotus pod, openly revealed unrestrained ecstasy.

Although the white-robed woman said nothing, Han Li naturally understood upon witnessing the scene. His heart stirred, and he cast a quick glance at Patriarch Yuanyan on the other side. Although Patriarch Yuanyan was also looking at the silver lotus pod and silver lotus root, his expression was slightly dubious, clearly not recognizing their origin.

After a quick deliberation, Han Li let out a soft breath and said to Baohua: “It seems this is the item senior desires. Could you please introduce its name and origin, to resolve a long-standing confusion for this junior?”

“Since you don’t even know its name, why ask so many questions? My guess was indeed correct; you do possess what I want. However, judging by your demeanor, it seems you don’t intend to simply hand it over to me.” Baohua gracefully brushed back her hair, finally shifting her gaze from the silver lotus pod and speaking coolly to Han Li.

“If it were the spiritual medicines I presented initially, that would be one thing. But these few spiritual medicines I obtained afterward, each one should be a spiritual medicine passed down from the Immortal Realm. Although I don’t know their exact origins, they are absolutely unique in both the Spirit Realm and the Demon Realm. If you were in my shoes, senior, would you hand them over so easily? Furthermore, from the beginning, I only said I would take out some spiritual medicines for senior to see; I never promised to hand them over directly like this.” Han Li did not answer directly but spoke calmly.

“If I were in your position, I would also seek greater benefits. Very well, whatever conditions you wish to propose, feel free to state them. I possess treasures and cultivation techniques I exchanged from some old fellows in the Spirit Realm long ago, and even some true spirit essence blood and various pills greatly useful to Integration Stage cultivators. Had our cultivation methods not differed, I could even impart to you some of my experiences and insights from when I advanced to the Grand Ascension Stage.” Baohua did not seem surprised upon hearing this; instead, she smiled faintly, displaying a confident demeanor.

“True Spirit Essence Blood!” Han Li hadn’t paid much attention to the other items, but upon hearing this, his heart immediately stirred.

“That’s right, I’ve dealt with some True Spirits in the past, and I do possess some True Spirit Essence Blood. I can tell that your Nirvana Body relies on activating several True Spirit bloodlines for its forceful transformations. This true blood should be quite useful to you.” The white-robed woman said with a charming smile.

“I do need True Spirit Essence Blood, but not all of it is useful to me. Senior, perhaps you could first tell me which True Spirit Essence Blood you possess. This junior will listen first.” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly but quickly became calm again as he spoke.

“Very well.”

“The true blood I possess includes Dark Phoenix, Six-winged Bone Dove…” The white-robed woman listed six types in one breath, all of which were rarely heard-of True Spirits.

After listening, a trace of surprise flashed across Han Li’s face, but he refused without hesitation: “If it’s these, I’m afraid they would be useless to me. Does senior possess any other True Spirit Essence Blood?”

“I do have some essence blood of the Colorful Phoenix here, but you already possess it, so I imagine you wouldn’t need it again. As for the others, I used them all up long ago, so there are no more left. Or perhaps, Fellow Daoist, you would like to see if any of the pills I have are suitable?” Holy Ancestor Baohua’s smile finally froze for a moment, and she slowly shook her head.

“No need. This junior ventured into the Demon Realm precisely for two items found here. As long as senior grants my wish, I, Han, will unreservedly present the spiritual medicine with both hands!”