Chapter 759: Definition

“Brother Han, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. This matter is not trivial, and perhaps we’ve overlooked some details or haven’t considered everything thoroughly.” Zi Ling felt a slight admiration, seeing how calmly Han Li reacted even after hearing about the Spirit Candle Fruit and the Creation Pill.

“Although I also went to the Mulan Grasslands, why did you seek me out? You should know that Marquis Nanlong is the most likely person to know how to enter the Devilfall Valley. Or do you know other ways to enter the valley?” Han Li asked, stroking his chin, his voice deep.

“We are naturally aware that Marquis Nanlong might possess a method to enter the valley. However, given his temperament and the rumors about him, how could we possibly entrust him with this secret? With Brother Han, Mei and I feel completely at ease. We know you’re not someone who would abandon principles for profit. As for the method of entry, we learned about it from a Ghost Spirit Gate disciple. It seems the Ghost Spirit Gate is researching a method to enter the valley, and it’s nearing completion. However, the specifics are still unknown to that person. But when the Devilfall Valley’s spatial rift stabilizes next time, the Ghost Spirit Gate will definitely make a move. At that point, it shouldn’t be difficult for us to ascertain their method and blend in. The place where the Spirit Candle Fruit is located is said to have an extremely harsh environment; without great divine abilities, it’s impossible to even get close to the fruit. If Brother Han feels his cultivation isn’t sufficient, then so be it. After all, even if one enters the valley safely, the Devilfall Valley itself is fraught with danger; the outcome of this trip is truly unpredictable.” Zi Ling's expression became hesitant towards the end of her speech.

“The Ghost Spirit Gate also has a way to enter the valley? This is the first I’ve heard of it. However, judging by your tone, everything is still quite vague, and you don’t have truly definite information. Here’s what we’ll do: there are still several years until the Devilfall Valley’s spatial rift stabilizes. By then, we’ll gather all the clear details and confirm that the Spirit Candle Fruit truly exists in the valley, not just mere rumors. Then, for the Creation Pill, I will certainly take the extraordinary risk. As for my cultivation, you don’t need to worry. If I can’t do it, then most other Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators wouldn’t stand a chance either.” Han Li finally let out a long breath after a moment of contemplation.

Han Li did not mention that Marquis Nanlong had contacted him. Facing the Devilfall Valley, the most perilous place in Tiannan, even with the allure of a spirit medicine like the Spirit Candle Fruit, Han Li had to carefully weigh his options. Perhaps the Ghost Spirit Gate's entry method would be safer. If that were the case, there would be no need to bring up Marquis Nanlong's matter in front of the three women.

Seeing that Han Li didn't immediately agree, Zi Ling wasn't disheartened; instead, she was delighted.

She knew that given Han Li's cautious nature, his words essentially constituted a commitment to the matter. Moreover, from Han Li's tone, it seemed the rumors were true, and his divine abilities were now truly extraordinary. This increased the hope of obtaining the Spirit Candle Fruit even further.

At this, the woman said with a smile:

“The reason we were so eager to find Brother Han was that we felt everything would be futile without a capable helper. We wouldn't have continued with futile efforts. But now that Brother Han has made this commitment, we are all relieved. We will gather all the precise details later. After all, my sisters and I also intend to enter the valley, and we wouldn't gamble with our own lives either.”

“What? You three also want to enter the valley?” Han Li was startled upon hearing this, his face filled with surprise.

“Brother Han, do you think we *want* to enter the valley? This is a desperate measure. Most ancient texts only record the wondrous properties of the Spirit Candle Fruit, but few mention this: once the Spirit Candle Fruit is plucked, it cannot be preserved at all. It must be immediately placed into a cauldron for refining within half a day of being picked. If it exceeds half a day, its efficacy will greatly diminish, and beyond three days, it will lose all potency. Worst of all, the Creation Pill refined from this spirit fruit has the same restriction. If it isn't consumed within a certain period after it's refined, it will also lose its efficacy. So, even though we know the Devilfall Valley is not a place we can easily enter, we have no choice but to take this gamble. After all, this is better than spending hundreds of years, or even longer, without being able to break through our current bottlenecks.” Zi Ling gave a bitter smile and spoke with resignation.

“The Spirit Candle Fruit has such restrictions? I've read quite a few ancient texts. How have I never heard of this?” Han Li said, his brows furrowed.

“Uncle-Master Han, this is an ancient secret text passed down through our Song family. I've made a copy of it. You'll understand once you take a look.”

To Han Li’s surprise, the woman with the surname Song suddenly took out a jade slip from her storage pouch and respectfully handed it to him.

A look of surprise flashed across Han Li's face. He glanced carefully at the woman, then nodded, took the jade slip, and immersed his divine sense into it.

This was an ancient book specifically detailing ancient spirit pills and spirit medicines. It contained many spirit medicines and pill recipes that Han Li had either heard of or never encountered before. It even mentioned the Nine-Curved Spirit Ginseng in detail, along with related pill recipes he had obtained from Old Devil Xuan Gu. This greatly stirred Han Li's heart.

With his current discerning eye, many of the pills described within were extremely useful for him in his Nascent Soul stage. Although the listed refining materials were almost all rare and sought-after ancient spirit medicines, it was always good to be prepared. Otherwise, if he acquired such spirit medicines in the future, he wouldn't even know their purpose.

It seemed that some cultivation families possessed treasures that even major cultivation sects did not.

With Han Li's powerful divine sense, although the jade slip contained a significant amount of information, he quickly found the section detailing the Spirit Candle Fruit.

It indeed listed the various restrictions of the Spirit Candle Fruit and the Creation Pill.

After reading for a while, Han Li's brows furrowed tightly.

A moment later, he withdrew his divine sense, not speaking immediately. Instead, he ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the jade slip, lost in thought.

“I heard from Sister Zi Ling that Uncle-Master Han also has great attainments in alchemy. This ancient text is essentially useless to our Song family; although it contains many ancient pill recipes, none of the primary ingredients are things our Song family can obtain. If Uncle-Master doesn't mind, please take this jade slip. Consider it compensation for niece asking for your assistance this time!” The woman with the surname Song said, very compliantly.

Han Li was momentarily stunned by her words, but then he looked at the woman with a meaningful gaze and smiled. After a moment's thought, he calmly said:

“Han has never taken advantage of others in his life. If the Spirit Candle Fruit truly exists in the Devilfall Valley, I would also benefit considerably. I wouldn't require any compensation and would likely go anyway. However, this ancient book of yours does have some use for me, so I'll exchange it for a bottle of cultivation-advancing pills. This bottle of pills is perfectly suited for your current cultivation stage.”

After saying this, Han Li reached into his storage pouch with one hand, pulled out a small green bottle, and directly tossed it to the woman with the surname Song.

The woman instinctively caught the bottle, but a hesitant look appeared on her face, and she seemed a bit flustered.

Seeing this from the side, Zi Ling let out a charming yet not seductive chuckle.

“Since he's given it to you, Sister Song, just take it. Brother Han's alchemy skills are extraordinary; the pills in that bottle are likely spirit pills refined from high-grade demon cores. They will definitely help sister's cultivation advance a step further. This is certainly a worthwhile deal.” Zi Ling said with a clever, expectant smile.

Upon hearing Zi Ling's explanation, the woman with the surname Song's face lit up with pleasant surprise. After thanking Han Li once more, she carefully put away the medicine bottle.

Han Li smiled slightly, and after putting away the jade slip himself, he leisurely said:

“Since neither the Spirit Candle Fruit nor the Creation Pill can be preserved, it seems you truly have no choice but to enter the valley. If you only go for this spirit fruit and don't venture elsewhere, your chances of returning safely are still considerable. However, for now, you few should first gather the auxiliary ingredients for refining the Creation Pill. While these spirit medicines aren't as rare as the Spirit Candle Fruit, some of them are still not easy to find. As for other detailed matters, we can only make a final decision once everything is clear. After all, this matter is still somewhat distant. Perhaps by then, we'll have suffered a great defeat against the Mulan, and the Devilfall Valley matter will be completely out of the question. Whether we cultivators can even remain in Tiannan will be another matter entirely.” Han Li sighed, speaking solemnly.

“What? Senior Han, you don't seem optimistic about this battle against the Spell Warriors?” Upon hearing Han Li's words, Zi Ling and the others were startled, and Mei Ning couldn't help but ask with restrained curiosity. “It's hard to say. On the surface, with our various Tiannan forces united and fighting on home ground, we should have a slight advantage over the Mulan allied army. Even Tiannan's three great cultivators and our Heavenly Dao Alliance's couple, Long Han and his wife, can suppress the Mulan Divine Masters. However, the origins of those black-robed individuals are unknown, clearly indicating that external forces are interfering in our war with the Mulan people. If there are any unforeseen changes, they will certainly come from these people.” Han Li said noncommittally.

“So, you're saying the outcome of this battle is a fifty-fifty chance?” Zi Ling's expression also grew solemn.

“One could say that. However, the greatest possibility is still…” Han Li's eyes flickered a few times as he mumbled, his voice suddenly becoming too low to be heard.

This made the three women pause in surprise.

“Alright, let's not discuss this matter further. Before the actual war begins, who can truly say how things will turn out? You just need to prepare for the Devilfall Valley matter for now. When the time comes, we'll see what fate brings. Some things cannot always be forced.” Han Li shook his head and finally said calmly.

Afterward, Han Li did not mention the Devilfall Valley again but instead curiously inquired about the two women's experiences over the past few years. At the same time, Zi Ling and the others were also very curious about how Han Li had escaped from the Mulan Divine Masters, and naturally, they eagerly questioned him.

Smelling the alluring, faint fragrance and looking at the three charming and beautiful faces was naturally a delightful experience. Time flew by quickly!

When Han Li saw that it was getting late, he rose to take his leave. The woman with the surname Song also intended to depart with him.

Zi Ling and Mei Ning naturally rose to see the two off to the valley entrance.

As they were leaving, Han Li noticed that Mei Ning seemed to want to say something several times, but after some hesitation, she finally bit her red lip and said nothing.

Seeing the woman's charming, flushed face, Han Li's heart stirred. Then, he noticed Zi Ling beside them, watching him and Mei Ning with a faint, knowing smile, and he couldn't help but feel a little awkward. Not daring to linger any longer, after a brief greeting, Han Li transformed into a streak of green light, sweeping the woman with the surname Song with him, and flew back towards Tianyi City.