Chapter 58: Trial of Poison

Yu Zidong was confident in his words. He didn't believe anyone could resist the temptation of becoming immortal and achieving eternal life.

He recalled how fiercely Dr. Mo had hated him, but under the same persuasion, he had still ended up cooperating obediently. Yu Zidong believed that with a little more incentive, this person would surely comply.

However, Yu Zidong was disappointed. After hearing his enticing words, Han Li showed no excitement, only a calm expression, as if those words had stirred no ripples in his heart.

"I will consider cooperation in the future, but right now, I have another question that I hope you can answer," Han Li said softly, his clear eyes fixed on the orb of light.

"If I answer this question, will you agree to cooperate?"

"That depends on whether your answer satisfies me."

"Alright, ask away!" Yu Zidong agreed straightforwardly. It seemed he deeply understood the principle that "when under someone's roof, one has no choice but to bow one's head."

Han Li did not speak immediately. Instead, he looked up at the ceiling and pondered for a moment, as if considering how to phrase his question appropriately.

Yu Zidong was startled by Han Li's serious demeanor. He kept muttering to himself, wondering what troubling question Han Li would ask.

"I want to know, after I reverse-devoured parts of Dr. Mo's and your primordial spirits, what adverse effects will there be? Why does my head feel a bit swollen and painful, as if there's a lot of extra stuff, but I can't access it? Is there something wrong?" Han Li finally voiced the concern that had been bothering him since he woke up.

Upon hearing this, Yu Zidong realized the other party was merely worrying about this minor issue, and his heart immediately settled. His voice became much lighter.

"Haha! So it's about that. My friend, you're overthinking it; there's no need to worry at all. You see, these things stuffed into your head will slowly dissipate on their own within one or two years. You don't need to fret about it at all."

"So, devouring these things was completely pointless, and I can't retain any of it? I find that hard to believe," Han Li said, looking at him with a hint of distrust.

"To say you can't retain any of it isn't entirely accurate. But it's true that not much can be retained," Yu Zidong quickly explained, afraid the other party might misunderstand.

"The memories, experiences, and emotions contained within are completely untouchable. If absorbed, at best you'll become an imbecile or develop a split personality. At worst, your mental energy will surge, and your brain will explode, leading to death."

"You must understand, the primordial spirit is the most delicate thing; how can it casually merge with other things? It's possible to temporarily store another's primordial spirit in your mind after devouring it, but trying to make it your own is a fantasy. Otherwise, anyone could just seize another's body and gain their experiences, memories, and cultivation techniques. Wouldn't that lead to utter chaos? Who would honestly practice cultivation or strive to comprehend different realms and mental methods if they could simply gain everything through body snatching?"

"Among the devoured primordial spirits, the only useful thing is a tiny bit of inherent primordial power. This can slightly strengthen your own primordial spirit, but it's only a minuscule amount because it's the fastest to dissipate. It will be completely gone from the devoured primordial spirit within a few days, making it unusable."

As Han Li listened to Yu Zidong's explanation, his last shred of worry dissipated.

He could tell that the other party wasn't lying. Yu Zidong was likely hoping to cooperate with him just as he had with Dr. Mo, and naturally wouldn't deceive him on an issue that would be easily proven false by time.

After explaining the last point, Yu Zidong saw Han Li nod, indicating he believed what was said. Yu Zidong's heart swelled with joy, and the orb of light that was his primordial spirit seemed to brighten. He eagerly asked:

"Brother Han, it seems you're satisfied with my explanation. Shall we now discuss our cooperation?"

"Of course, cooperating with an immortal cultivator is a delightful prospect I've been yearning for!" Han Li suddenly smiled brightly, his clean white teeth gleaming, appearing incredibly sincere.

"Really?" Yu Zidong was excited. He hadn't expected the other party to agree without much persuasion. He quickly spoke, wanting to confirm.

"Of course," Han Li replied swiftly and clearly.

Then, smiling, he took something out of his怀. He spoke to Yu Zidong in a friendly tone:

"Since we are now partners, before we discuss the specifics, I trust you won't refuse to cooperate with me for a small experiment."

"Experiment?" Yu Zidong was startled. He looked at the cylindrical object in Han Li's hand; it looked very familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before, and a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

"Exactly, a poison test."

Before Han Li finished speaking, his thumb on the cylinder moved, and a stream of black, foul-smelling liquid spurted out, heading straight for the target opposite him.

"Ah!"

A scream of agony erupted from the orb of light—Yu Zidong's primordial spirit. The black liquid had drenched it, and the green glow on it flickered and dimmed significantly. It seemed he had been severely wounded.

"You, you actually attacked me with poison, ambushing me?!" Yu Zidong shrieked hysterically, seemingly unable to accept what had just happened.

Han Li ignored the other party's rage. He reached for the buckle of his belt above his abdomen and, with a *swish*, pulled out a gleaming precious sword from the belt's hidden compartment.

This sword was about a finger's width and a foot and a half long. It was incredibly flexible throughout, a rare "Jade Belt Dagger."

This item was the last short sword Han Li had commissioned a blacksmith to forge at great expense, and also the most expensive. However, he wasn't skilled with such weapons, so he had never used it until now.

Han Li held the sharp weapon that had always been hidden on him but had almost never had a chance to be unsheathed. His expression turned incredibly grim, his previous smile completely gone.

He cast a hateful glance at the still trembling primordial spirit. Without another word, he lunged forward and began chopping at the orb of light, treating the soft sword as if it were a firewood axe.