Chapter 691: Farewell Nanlong

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 5: Renowned Far and Wide, Chapter 1: The Seven Mysteries Sect in Flux.

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Upon hearing Han Li's words, the old Daoist's unrestrained expression vanished without a trace, and he calmly said, "It seems Fellow Daoist Han intends to use this to threaten me."

"Threaten? Immortal Master, you are mistaken. So far, I haven't asked you for anything substantial. Instead, I've already offered several rare Soul Stones. If you feel it's not a worthwhile exchange, then consider my second question unasked. I will not reclaim these Soul Stones." Han Li said, his expression unchanged.

Hearing this, Immortal Master Tianjing's face froze, then became unpredictable. Han Li was not in a hurry, standing opposite him without any intention of pressing.

"You can generally discern the authenticity of the puppet techniques I gave you. But regarding your mention of the Netherworld Beasts, how can I know if you're telling the truth?" After a while, the old Daoist spoke coldly.

"Honestly, even if you knew the location of the Netherworld Beasts, you wouldn't be able to enter. It's extremely dangerous there; even if you managed to get in by chance, you wouldn't return. I was lucky to escape with my life back then. However, even if you don't believe what I say, the Soul Stones are genuine. Trading a portion of them for the puppet refinement techniques you possess wouldn't be a loss for you. Otherwise, what good is having puppet refinement methods without Soul Stones?" Han Li said calmly and slowly.

Upon hearing these words, Immortal Master Tianjing frowned, a hesitant look appearing on his face.

"Alright! I don't care to ponder whether the origin of your Soul Stones is true or false. I only ask, Fellow Daoist, how many Soul Stones do you intend to exchange for the puppet refinement techniques? If the quantity is too small, I'd rather keep them for myself." The old Daoist, having weighed the pros and cons, finally spoke with a relaxed expression.

"That depends on the value of the ancient puppet techniques you offer. If they can only refine puppets like those seen during the day, I wouldn't be interested even if you showed them to me for free." Han Li rejoiced inwardly, but his expression remained calm.

"Those puppets used for exchanging goods during the day are merely defective items I found in a ruin. From your words, it seems the more powerful the puppets that can be refined, the more Soul Stones you're willing to give." The old Daoist said with a peculiar look on his face.

"Yes, that's what I mean. If the puppet technique can refine puppets capable of attacks with power exceeding the Nascent Soul stage, what's wrong with me giving you twenty or thirty Soul Stones?" Han Li pursed his lips and said calmly.

"Soul Stones of the same quality as those initially given?" Immortal Master Tianjing actually asked seriously. "Can ancient puppet techniques truly refine puppets equivalent to Nascent Soul cultivators?"

Han Li was first surprised, then overjoyed, and said without hesitation, "Since I've spoken, it's absolutely not a lie."

"Good. These are the jade slips for ancient puppet refinement. There's no need to borrow them; I'll give them directly to you, Fellow Daoist." The old Daoist quickly pulled out a white jade slip from his storage pouch and threw it directly to Han Li, then revealed a sly, foxy expression.

Han Li was startled by the other party's action. He subtly felt that something was amiss. But after thinking for a moment, he unhesusitatingly picked up the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense.

After a while, Han Li's face alternated between red and white. Once he retracted his divine sense, he stared silently at Immortal Master Tianjing.

"What's wrong? The most advanced puppets offered in these techniques can even rival the attacks of mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Does that not meet your requirements, Fellow Daoist?" The old Daoist said with a slight chuckle.

"Hmph! How can it not meet them? But the main materials required for these puppets are heaven-defying items like Ten-Thousand-Year Ironwood! And the other auxiliary materials... not only are they rare, but I haven't even heard of some of them. Where am I supposed to find them?" Han Li's face showed annoyance.

"Hehe! I'm afraid I can't help you with that. However, aren't there illustrations of various materials on it? Perhaps, Fellow Daoist, you have profound fortune and will have the opportunity to gather all the materials for the puppets?" Immortal Master Tianjing said slowly.

"Has Fellow Daoist Tianjing already gathered all the materials mentioned? Otherwise, why would you be collecting Soul Stones everywhere?" To the old Daoist's surprise, Han Li's anger quickly subsided, and he immediately retorted.

"When did I say I was going to personally refine puppets? I merely found two high-grade, semi-finished puppets in a ruin. By integrating those Soul Stones into them, they can be used. Why would I bother doing it myself?" Immortal Master Tianjing said without changing his expression.

"You..." Han Li was speechless for a moment. This old Daoist was truly difficult to deal with!

"Alright. I have already given the puppet refinement techniques to Fellow Daoist Han, so my..."

"Here!" Before the old Daoist could finish his insincere smile, Han Li impatiently swept his long sleeve across the table. After a flash of green light, a small pile of Soul Stones appeared out of thin air.

Immortal Master Tianjing was overjoyed but also felt a bit embarrassed. As he was about to say something, Han Li waved his hand and said,

"This time, I was careless and suffered a silent loss, but I have no complaints. Now that we've settled our exchange, I will take my leave." Han Li cupped his hands, a dejected expression on his face, and left the pavilion without looking back.

The old Daoist watched Han Li's departing figure, first shaking his head with narrowed eyes, then nodding, before calmly putting all the crystal stones into his storage pouch.

He was naturally extremely satisfied, having exchanged a puppet refinement technique he couldn't use for so many Soul Stones.

With this pile of Soul Stones, he could fully complete those few semi-finished puppets.

However, Han Li producing such a large quantity of Soul Stones at once genuinely surprised him, and he couldn't help but think a little more highly of Han Li.

What the old Daoist didn't know was that Han Li, who was now several streets away, had long since shed his dejected expression. Instead, he was playfully toying with the white jade slip in one hand, a strange smile on his face.

Ten-Thousand-Year Ironwood might be nearly impossible for others to acquire, but for him, it wasn't a problem, just a matter of spending a little more time.

As for the few unnamed materials, if he remembered correctly, they could apparently be found among the remnants of puppets in the Skyreach Palace.

If his luck held, he should be able to gather enough materials for several puppets. These puppets, when fully attacking, would be almost equivalent to Nascent Soul cultivators, and once refined, their power would naturally be immense. This could make puppet techniques, which he had already given up on, once again his trump card.

Furthermore, the jade slip also recorded several types of puppets with attack power equivalent to Core Formation cultivators. Although their materials were equally rare and difficult to obtain, they could still be purchased with a large sum of spirit stones.

While possessing only five or six of these "lower-tier" puppets wouldn't pose much of a threat to Nascent Soul cultivators, if he could refine hundreds of them as he had before, even Nascent Soul cultivators would have to retreat.

However, this was merely a thought for Han Li.

Even the lowest-tier puppets described in the jade slip would cost as much in materials as a common magic treasure. Let alone hundreds; Han Li couldn't even afford dozens.

Previously, refining hundreds of third-tier puppets for the Thousand Bamboo Sect nearly bankrupted him; he even sold most of his demon beast materials at the time just to gather enough money for the ingredients. But compared to these ancient puppets, those were mere child's play.

Han Li thought with a bitter smile, then, after discerning the direction, headed straight for the West Gate of Tiantian City.

Although it was already late, for him, there was no difference between day and night. He decided to find the owner of Gengjin first. The grand exchange would officially commence, and cultivators from all over Tiannan were pouring into this city of cultivators.

The city's auction house began auctioning various treasures to the public on the second day of the exchange.

Many rare items in the hall attracted numerous wealthy cultivators.

"Seventy-six thousand spirit stones! This piece of Gengjin goes to this Fellow Daoist," said a middle-aged cultivator standing at the front of the auction hall, a wide smile on his face.

On the mahogany table in front of him lay an emerald green tray containing a small, unassuming, pale golden ore, about the size of a walnut.

Subsequently, a silver-robed, indistinct-looking cultivator excitedly walked out from the audience, paid the spirit stones, and took the Gengjin.

Han Li, also seated in the audience, sighed softly. He then stood up abruptly and walked out of the auction hall. No matter how precious the items to be auctioned next were, they no longer concerned him.

That evening, he had easily located the owner of the Gengjin with his divine sense. However, what the owner wanted in exchange was either a Level Seven beast egg or the legendary treasure-refining material, "Divine Unifying Clay." Han Li possessed neither, so he could only return disappointed.

Nevertheless, Han Li had learned from the owner that the Gengjin was not large; even if he acquired it, it would only be enough to incorporate into seven or eight flying swords, which was still insufficient.

Despite this, Han Li still participated when the auction featuring Gengjin began today.

However, when the price exceeded five hundred thousand spirit stones, Han Li completely gave up on the item.

It seemed his Great Geng Sword Array would not be usable in the short term.

After leaving the auction house, Han Li did not return there but instead took another stroll through the market. He decided to first purchase all the auxiliary materials for puppet refinement that he could find.

Following that, he headed straight for a corner of Tiantian City.

Today was already the fourth day of the exchange. Remembering what Marquis Nanlong had told him, Han Li, filled with curiosity, followed the directions in the jade slip and found this place.

After a brief scan of the vicinity with his divine sense, Han Li stood before a seemingly ordinary stone house.

He walked over, and before he could knock, the wooden door opened on its own.

A long-bearded man in a purple robe and jade crown walked out.

"Fellow Daoist Han, you've finally arrived. Allow me to introduce you to a few fellow cultivators," Marquis Nanlong said, appearing very pleased.