Chapter 613: Green-Trail Swamp

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 5: Gaining Renown

Seeing Han Li had truly agreed to help, Kui Huan was naturally overjoyed. He immediately set a time and place with Han Li and then departed, beaming with joy.

After one night, early the next morning, Han Li activated his cave dwelling's protective spell, left the medicine garden, and headed straight for the agreed-upon location.

He rode a flying sword artifact, maintaining a steady, unhurried pace.

It was quite amusing. He hadn't used an artifact like this for many years, ever since forming his Core. This particular high-grade artifact was the most inconspicuous item Han Li managed to dig out of his storage pouch. As for any lower-grade artifacts, he truly couldn't find any.

After flying for about fifteen minutes, Han Li landed on a relatively tall small hill. This was the exact meeting point he had arranged with Kui Huan and the others.

The place was still deserted, but Han Li showed no signs of impatience. He had, in fact, arrived a little earlier than the agreed time. Without ceremony, Han Li immediately found a clean rock on the hilltop, settled himself on it, and began cultivating, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

An hour later, as the fiery red morning sun faintly appeared on the horizon, several dark specks emerged from another direction, slowly moving towards them. Observing their flight speed, Han Li rubbed his nose and couldn't help but inwardly smile wryly. After yet another period, these individuals, moving at what seemed to Han Li like a snail's pace, finally flew onto the small hill.

"Junior Brother Han, you've arrived even earlier than us. How thoughtful of you!" Kui Huan cheerfully called out to Han Li from the air. He was standing on a disc-shaped artifact, a low-grade flying artifact uniformly provided by the Misty Cloud Sect to its disciples. No wonder their speed was so slow.

As he spoke, Kui Huan led the others down to land.

"It's nothing, I just arrived myself. Are these Senior Brothers the complete team for this trip?" Han Li stood up from the rock, his gaze sweeping over the other three individuals.

"Heh heh. To catch the Snow Cloud Fox, five people are just right to set up the Five Elements Maze Formation. If there were more people, the spiritual stones would be significantly less. These three are Senior Brother Ma, Senior Brother Xi, and Senior Brother Wang." Kui Huan, his face beaming, pointed to the other three, introducing them to Han Li one by one.

None of the three were very old. The oldest was Senior Brother Wang, around thirty-five or thirty-six, with a refined appearance. Dressed in flowing white robes, he had quite a dashing demeanor. Among the group, he also had the highest cultivation, estimated to be around the eleventh layer of the Qi Condensation stage. The other two young men included one who was shorter and stout, and another with a pale golden complexion. Both were around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, cultivating at the tenth layer of the Qi Condensation stage.

"Junior Brother Han's matter... my two junior brothers and I have heard about it. This time, we really owe you for your generous assistance. Otherwise, we would have been completely helpless against that demonic fox." Senior Brother Wang, indeed, had an extraordinary demeanor. As soon as Kui Huan finished the introductions, he spoke to Han Li with a gentle smile, giving off a pleasant, refreshing impression.

The other two also looked at Han Li with goodwill, apparently very impressed by his willingness to lend spiritual stones earlier.

"Senior Brother, you're too kind. I merely wish to earn some more spiritual stones," Han Li replied courteously.

"These spiritual stones might not be much to Foundation Establishment cultivators, but for us Qi Condensation disciples, they're not something one easily lends to strangers. From this alone, Junior Brother Han is truly someone worth befriending! I, Wang, consider you a friend," the white-robed cultivator, surnamed Wang, said, shaking his head with a sincere expression.

Upon hearing this, Han Li secretly nodded. He couldn't help but take another look at the man. This Senior Brother Wang was extraordinary in his bearing, cultivation, and conduct. It seemed he was the leader of this group.

Han Li then smiled, and just as he was about to say something more, Kui Huan glanced at the sky and suddenly interjected:

"Senior Brother Wang, Junior Brother Han. Whatever we have to say, let's discuss it on the way. At our speed, if we delay any longer, we might not have much time left to catch the Snow Cloud Fox once we reach Green Trace Marsh. After all, we can't be away from the sect for too long."

"Junior Brother Kui, you make a good point. Indeed, we mustn't waste any more time. Let's set off now. We'll have a good talk with Junior Brother Han later when there's another opportunity." Senior Brother Wang nodded in agreement.

The group immediately released their artifacts and soared into the sky.

"Huh, Junior Brother is actually using an artifact he bought himself? That's at least a mid-grade artifact or higher. Could Junior Brother also be from some influential family?" As soon as they ascended, Kui Huan spotted the flying sword beneath Han Li's feet and exclaimed in surprise while controlling his own artifact.

After all, even a mid-grade artifact represented a considerable sum of spiritual stones for them, as outer disciples in the Qi Condensation stage. Seeing this, Senior Brother Wang also showed a hint of surprise and doubt on his face. Though he said nothing, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes. As for the short, stout cultivator and the one with the pale golden complexion, they too revealed expressions of astonishment.

"I, Han, am a lone individual; I don't come from any family. It's just that some years ago, I learned some basic skills in crafting talismans. So, when I was a rogue cultivator, I managed to earn some spiritual stones. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so generous as to lend Senior Brother Kui so many spiritual stones all at once." Han Li had anticipated this situation before coming, so he smiled faintly and then explained with a grin.

Upon hearing Han Li's explanation, the others first showed expressions of realization, then became exceptionally envious.

"Talisman crafting? I never thought Junior Brother Han possessed such skill! Since you can earn spiritual stones through it, your crafting level must be quite good. I wonder what grade of talismans you can craft now?" Senior Brother Ma, the short and stout one, suppressed his surprised expression and asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Mainly, I craft low-grade primary spiritual talismans. I can also craft two types of mid-grade primary talismans, but the success rate isn't very high," Han Li said noncommittally.

"Junior Brother Han can craft mid-grade talismans?" Even Senior Brother Wang was moved by this, and he couldn't help but look at Han Li twice.

"Yes. I can craft Lightning Fire Talismans and Vajra Talismans. But unfortunately, I only succeed once every five or six attempts, and after accounting for material costs, I don't earn much spiritual stone at all," Han Li said, his expression unchanged.

"Junior Brother Han, you're too humble. To my knowledge, among the outer disciples who can craft mid-grade talismans, even on Fire Cloud Peak, which specializes in talisman crafting, there are only a few who can do it. With this skill alone, Junior Brother, you'll have a continuous supply of spiritual stones in the future. Unlike us, who have to rack our brains daily just to earn spiritual stones," Senior Brother Wang sighed, speaking with a hint of emotion.

The others' expressions darkened upon hearing this. Clearly, Senior Brother Wang's words had hit a sore spot.

"Senior Brothers, you overestimate me. After all, the talismans I craft aren't high-grade, and I can't spend all day in the market selling these low-grade talismans that might not even sell quickly. So, my earnings aren't as much as you imagine. On the contrary, I think your business of catching Snow Cloud Foxes seems quite successful, doesn't it?" Han Li's eyes flickered as he subtly changed the topic and asked.

Upon hearing this, Kui Huan and the others exchanged glances, then all broke into wry smiles. Senior Brother Wang spoke up:

"Junior Brother, you don't know, but we won't be doing this Snow Cloud Fox business much longer. After we catch that demonic fox this time, we probably won't go back to Green Trace Marsh."

"Why is that?" Han Li asked, surprised, after a moment of silence.

"Firstly, because we've caught most of the Snow Cloud Foxes there, and it's getting difficult to find the remaining ones. Secondly, Snow Cloud Foxes aren't selling as well anymore. After all, ordinary Snow Cloud Foxes aren't true spirit beasts, and only a small fraction of female disciples are willing to buy them. Senior Sisters with slightly higher cultivation still prefer to capture a true spirit beast as their spiritual companion," Kui Huan explained from the side.

"So that's how it is. It seems you Senior Brothers will indeed have to find other ways to earn a living in the future," Han Li said, showing a sympathetic gaze.

Senior Brother Wang shook his head upon hearing this, saying nothing more.

Just like that, the five of them flew out of the Misty Cloud Sect's forbidden zone, then changed direction and headed straight for the central part of Cloud Dream Mountain.

"Junior Brother Han, Green Trace Marsh is located in a very peculiar place, right at the border between our Misty Cloud Sect and the Ancient Sword Sect's territories. However, because it's so remote and constantly filled with miasma throughout the year, very few other disciples go there. That's why we've been able to monopolize the Snow Cloud Fox business. Here's a bottle of pills to ward off miasma. Once we fly in there, Junior Brother, make sure you take one regularly every so often. Otherwise, you'll surely be vomiting and having diarrhea non-stop," Senior Brother Wang suddenly tossed Han Li a small green bottle midway through their journey, offering a reminder.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother," Han Li said, accepting the small bottle without hesitation and putting it into his storage pouch. However, with his cultivation, he naturally wouldn't fear any miasma. Heaven knows if he would actually take the medicine.

The five flew for several hours. After crossing a tall mountain peak, their vision suddenly brightened, revealing a vast, intensely green basin. It was mostly filled with various trees of different heights and dense bushes. Amidst the verdant greenery, a faint pinkish mist subtly floated.

"We've arrived. Let's descend. Everyone, be careful!" Senior Brother Wang warned, then pressed down on his artifact and led the way, charging into the mist below.