Chapter 254: Secret Meeting

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 3.

Han Li gazed at the alchemical formula presented by the esteemed expert, frowning slightly and feeling speechless.

It was now noon on Han Li's second day at Yanling Castle.

After a morning of enthusiastic discussion among the newly arrived members, the dozen or so cultivators from various sects in the room began exchanging desired items. Each person took turns stating what they needed and what they were willing to trade, checking if any of the other cultivators present were interested in a deal.

Surprisingly, a few cultivators at this small exchange session genuinely brought out some good items.

For instance, a woman named Fang from Tianque Fortress offered a piece of Sky Splendor Stone, an optimal material for refining top-tier earth-attribute magic tools. Even some less demanding earth-attribute magic treasures could utilize this material.

Another new participant, a cultivator from Spirit Beast Mountain, presented a grade-one high-level Wind Howl Eagle egg. Once hatched, such an eagle would be an excellent helper for a cultivator, extremely useful for both lookout duties and item retrieval.

While the items presented by others were not as remarkable as these two, they were still raw materials and similar goods that were generally hard to acquire in common marketplaces.

Among them, Han Li unexpectedly found an herb needed to refine a Spirit Gathering Pill. This excited him, and he promptly traded seven or eight low-tier high-grade talismans for it. Of course, the herb was not old enough and would require him to cultivate it further. Nevertheless, both he and the seller were delighted with the exchange.

When it was Han Li's turn to speak, he unhesitantly offered some low-tier high-grade talismans for exchange. He listed the two other alchemical ingredients he still lacked, then hesitated for a moment before adding that he was also interested in various alchemical formulas.

Since the materials were required for ancient formulas and Han Li had not been able to find them all in the marketplaces of Huangfeng Valley or Tianxing Sect, they were clearly not common items. Therefore, most other cultivators had never even heard of the materials Han Li mentioned. Even if one or two had, they didn't possess them. As for alchemical formulas, these cultivators certainly wouldn't trade them for talismans; they knew Han Li was just mentioning it offhand.

Han Li saw that after speaking for a long time, no one came forward to trade. Knowing there was little chance, he was about to sit back down in disappointment. However, someone unexpectedly spoke up:

"Do you accept any alchemical formula? I have one here, though it's a bit peculiar. How many talismans would you offer for it?"

Hearing this, Han Li's heart quickened, and he blurted out without hesitation:

"Certainly! As long as it's an alchemical formula, I am willing to trade."

Only after speaking did Han Li notice that the person offering the formula was none other than Wuyouzi, the somewhat reclusive Daoist.

Upon hearing Han Li's words, Wuyouzi uncharacteristically revealed a slight smile before tossing a green jade slip to Han Li. The other cultivators, seeing someone actually trade an alchemical formula for talismans, began to whisper incredulously.

Meanwhile, Wuyouzi's senior martial brother, Wuzi, ignored the commotion and simply closed his eyes to rest.

Han Li took the jade slip and quickly scanned it. He immediately understood why the other party was willing to trade it.

This was indeed an ancient formula, specifically for "Spirit Feeding Pills" used by ancient cultivators to raise spirit beasts. According to the formula, most demon beasts not only loved these pills but also, with prolonged consumption, they could miraculously accelerate a spirit beast's advancement to a higher tier. It was undoubtedly the best elixir for cultivating spirit beasts.

Seeing this, Han Li was startled! How could such a valuable alchemical formula be offered for trade by this Daoist? But when Han Li saw the ingredients required for its refinement, he suddenly understood and chuckled to himself, realizing why the other party didn't value it at all.

The materials needed to refine these "Spirit Feeding Pills" were truly astonishingly rare and precious for an ordinary cultivator, almost as rare and valuable as the ingredients for Han Li's Qi Condensing Powder.

Not only were the raw materials difficult to gather, but even if one could assemble these rare herbs, who would truly use them to concoct "Spirit Feeding Pills"? They would, of course, keep them for their own cultivation, as advancing one's own magical power was far more beneficial than using them on spirit beasts.

"Benefactor, you said any alchemical formula would do, surely you won't go back on your word now?" The scrawny Daoist's face suddenly revealed a hint of cunning, completely abandoning the dull and honest image he had previously presented to Han Li. Han Li could only offer a wry smile.

Thus, the opening scene transpired.

Although this formula was useless to others, its immense value to Han Li was undeniable, and he naturally wouldn't let such an opportunity slip away.

Han Li thought for a moment, then retrieved ten low-tier high-grade talismans from his storage pouch and handed them over. These should satisfy the other party, as this formula was practically useless to most cultivators; otherwise, the Daoist would have traded it long ago and it wouldn't still be in his possession.

As expected, Wuyouzi took the talismans and said no more, clearly satisfied.

Next, as soon as Han Li sat down, another cultivator immediately stood up and eagerly stated:

"I have some centuries-old Ironwood, which I can..."

The exchange of items made the atmosphere in the room seem even more vibrant!

Meanwhile, a highly secretive clan meeting was underway in the deliberation hall of the Yan Family's Soaring Cloud Pavilion.

All the influential stewards and elders had gathered, sitting in two rows, listening to the Yan Family Patriarch speak from the main seat. Beside the Patriarch stood a woman of unparalleled beauty, appearing to be seventeen or eighteen years old, whose exquisite charm and radiant beauty resembled a celestial fairy.

"The terms proposed by the Ghost Spirit Sect for our Yan Family's return are exceptionally generous," the Yan Family Patriarch began, his face solemn. "Not only have they offered to lend us a sub-volume of the 'Myriad Spirit True Scripture' for perusal, but they are also willing for a member of our Yan Family to hold the position of Vice Sect Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect. Their sole condition is that we must marry Yan'er to their Young Sect Master, for them to cultivate the Blood Spirit together. Furthermore, the position of Yan Family Head in the future can only be held by a child of their Young Sect Master and Yan'er, and similarly for the Ghost Spirit Sect Master position." Although his voice was not loud, it was remarkably clear to everyone present, as if spoken directly into their ears.

"Everyone, please discuss what path our Yan Family should take. You should know that our Yan Family ancestors were originally cultivators from the Ghost Spirit Sect. It was only due to disagreements with other sect members that they came to Yue Country and established this foundation. By my reckoning, the current Ghost Spirit Sect Master is still my martial nephew. Therefore, emotionally, you should have no reservations. Our only consideration should be the gains and losses for our Yan Family's interests."

"Furthermore, the Ghost Spirit Young Master brought news: the Six Devilish Sects of Tianluo Nation will invade Yue Country in five days. Jiang Country and Cheqi Country have already fallen half a month ago, with most of their sects annihilated and a small portion surrendering to become subordinate factions of the Six Devilish Sects. Therefore, even if our Yan Family does not agree to the Ghost Spirit Sect's terms, we must consider how the Yan Family will survive and continue after the destruction of Yue Country's Seven Sects. This is our family's utmost priority."

The Yan Family Patriarch didn't wait for his kinsmen to process the first issue before revealing another, even more shocking piece of news, prompting everyone below to start discussing animatedly.

"What! The cultivation worlds of Jiang Country and Cheqi Country have been conquered? That's impossible!"

"Those two countries aren't weak! Haven't they been in a standoff with the Six Devilish Sects for years without incident? How could they fall so suddenly?"

"They were captured so quickly; could there be some hidden reason behind it?"

Clearly, the Yan Family's influential figures still found this news hard to believe.

"Enough! If anyone has questions, raise them one by one. What kind of decorum is this, chattering so loudly?" the Yan Family Patriarch said with a chilling expression upon seeing the commotion.

At his words, the previously noisy hall immediately fell silent. However, all eyes turned to a middle-aged scholar seated third to the right and below the red-haired old man.

The Yan Family Patriarch clearly observed this situation. After a slight frown, he spoke to the scholar with a pleasant expression:

"Xuanye, what are your thoughts on this matter? You are our Yan Family's strategist. This concerns the Yan Family's very survival, so please analyze it thoroughly."

"Yes, Patriarch!" The scholar dared not delay and quickly stood up.

"However, may this grandson first pose a few questions before discussing other matters?"

"Of course, you may! If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I will tell you everything I know," the Yan Family Patriarch assured him with a solemn expression.

After receiving the Yan Family Patriarch's assurance, the scholar nodded and then solemnly asked:

"First, how powerful is this Blood Spirit technique, and how much will niece Yan'er's Celestial Spirit Root aptitude affect this cultivation method if she dual cultivates with their Young Sect Master? Second, how did the other party find our Yan Family, and how did they know our ancestors originally came from the Ghost Spirit Sect? Finally, was the information about Jiang Country and Cheqi Country being occupied by the Six Devilish Sects obtained entirely from them? If true, what is the Righteous Dao Alliance of Fengdu Country currently preoccupied with?"