Chapter 222

At this time, the marketplace was not crowded. Han Li had seen only twenty to thirty cultivators on the outskirts, making it seem decidedly desolate.

"Could everyone have gone to the Star Dust Pavilion in the center?" Han Li mused to himself.

Still, he had no immediate intention of heading there.

Because that alchemy shop's boasts were too bold! (The talisman shop had promised to return spirit stones equal to the material cost if a crafting attempt failed!) This piqued his curiosity. So after circling the entire market, he couldn't help but walk inside.

The shop was not large—seemingly only three rooms and a backyard.

When Han Li entered the front hall, a middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar was already speaking with an elderly man whose hair was white but face glowing ruddy. Beside them stood a muscular man with dark skin and an expression of deep respect.

The scholar and the elder were deep in conversation; though they noticed Han Li's entrance, they paid him no mind and continued talking. But the muscular man, ever diligent, stepped forward courteously and asked:

"Sir, are you here to purchase a magic treasure, or to commission one?"

"First, let me see what magic treasures you have, then I'll decide whether to commission one," Han Li said calmly.

"Of course. Would you like to see mid-tier or high-tier magic treasures?" The muscular man, seeing real business approaching, asked with a pleased smile.

"Top-tier magic treasures—and the finest among them."

Han Li's voice was quiet, but these words instantly stunned the muscular man. The two men mid-conversation also fell silent at once, turning to stare at Han Li in shock.

"You wish to see top-tier magic treasures—and the finest?" The muscular man, recovering, could not help but confirm: "Did I hear correctly?"

Top-tier magic treasures were not something ordinary cultivators could afford—often costing hundreds of low-tier spirit stones. Most cultivators, even after saving their entire lives, could never afford one. And yet Han Li demanded to see the finest among them. No wonder the man was so flustered!

"Xiao Hei, come back! Don't be disrespectful to this elder!" The white-haired elder finally recognized Han Li's Foundation Establishment realm. His expression changed instantly; he hurried over and rebuked the muscular man.

"I am the owner of this shop. Elder, please give your orders."

Clearly, both the elder and the scholar were still Qi Refining cultivators. Seeing this "master" arrive at their humble shop, they were now deeply uneasy.

"Nothing much. Do you have any fine magic treasures? If there's something suitable, I'll buy one or two," Han Li said. The elder breathed a sigh of relief, though his face still showed embarrassment.

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Elder. We do have two or three top-tier magic treasures, but they're merely for display—not true masterpieces."

Han Li felt disappointed upon hearing this. Yet he couldn't help scolding himself silently: Even if the shop's sign boasted loudly, it was just a sales tactic. How could he have taken it seriously?

Han Li shook his head and turned to leave. But as he neared the door, he glanced back and muttered with dissatisfaction:

"So the claim outside that you can forge top-tier magic treasures is just empty talk?"

"No! Elder, you misunderstand. Our shop operates with integrity. Every word on our sign is true—no falsehoods! With the right materials, I can indeed forge top-tier magic treasures," the white-haired elder quickly defended, concerned for his shop's reputation.

"You can forge top-tier magic treasures?" Han Li was greatly surprised. A flicker of doubt passed through his eyes, his tone heavy with skepticism.

He had assumed another artisan handled the forging—never imagining it was this old man.

No wonder Han Li doubted it. Forging top-tier magic treasures was unlike forging mid- or high-tier ones, which could be done with ordinary fire. Top-tier ones required primordial true fire or earth fire—just like refining Foundation Establishment pills—to succeed.

But this elder was only a Qi Refining cultivator. He had no primordial true fire, and this place showed no signs of earth fire. How could he possibly forge top-tier magic treasures?

"Elder, you've never been to Brother Xu's shop before—your ignorance is natural!" The silent scholar suddenly spoke up. "Brother Xu's forging skills are inherited through generations. His ability rivals that of any master from the great sects. For centuries, the Xu family has kept a second-rank, low-tier fire crow, whose demonic fire is even stronger than primordial true fire—more than enough to forge top-tier magic treasures without worry." His explanation only deepened Han Li's confusion.

"Demonic fire? I've only heard true fire and earth fire can be used for forging and pill refining. I've never heard demonic fire works!" Han Li frowned, still finding it hard to believe.

"Haha! Elder, you're unaware! Using demonic fire for forging or pill refining requires special techniques, not officially recognized by the major sects. It's considered a heretical minor art, rarely passed down. Our family only began studying it after accidentally acquiring this fire crow," the elder added, clarifying further.

"I see," Han Li said. Though he heard the explanation, he had never witnessed it himself and remained half-skeptical.

"Are you also here to commission a top-tier magic treasure?" the elder asked curiously, seeing Han Li sink into thought.

"If I provide sufficient materials, what's your success rate for forging a top-tier magic treasure?" Han Li looked up, noncommittal.

"It depends on material quality and your requirements. If materials are average and your demands are modest, I have a one-in-three chance. But if the forging fails, we won't compensate for the materials—failure rates are too high. Double compensation only applies to mid- and high-tier items. Otherwise, I'd have gone bankrupt long ago!" The elder, thrilled by Han Li's question, replied solemnly.

As a master forger like him, the greatest lack was high-grade materials. Forging top-tier magic treasures would significantly elevate his skill.

And this man, though his voice sounded young, was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator! Whatever he offered would surely be exceptional. The elder's anticipation soared.

"I do have some materials you can attempt to forge. But I must observe the entire process. Don't worry—I won't interfere. And if you succeed, I'll give you part of the materials as payment. I won't let you work for nothing!" Han Li paused, then made his decision.

For Han Li, exchanging his precious ink-jiao materials for spirit stones was less practical than forging them into a suitable magic treasure.

He already owned many top-tier magic treasures compared to Qi Refining disciples—but compared to other Foundation Establishment cultivators, he felt uncertain. He suspected others likely had more.

"Of course! Will you begin forging now? I'm ready at any moment!" The elder, thrilled Han Li truly intended to commission a top-tier item, immediately agreed, his voice brimming with eagerness.

"I still have other things to buy. I'll return here once I'm done," Han Li said, shaking his head.

"Then I shall await your return, Elder!" The elder, disappointed Han Li wouldn't start immediately, quickly regained his composure and bowed respectfully.

With everything settled, Han Li had no desire to linger. He gave a casual farewell and stepped out of the shop.

But before he had even left the building, walking only a few zhang away, the scholar's voice called out behind him:

"Elder, please wait a moment!"

Han Li halted, hesitated briefly, then turned. The scholar had followed him out and now stood before him, beaming with a smile.

"What is it?" Han Li frowned, his voice cool.

He disliked being interrupted without cause.

"I wonder, Elder, what are you seeking in the marketplace? I am Wang Zhao Ziling—I live here permanently. Perhaps I can assist you and save you considerable time!"

Han Li glanced at the scholar with mild surprise, then let out a soft laugh.

"Are you Feng Xingzi?"

Though the scholar's hood concealed his face, he clearly heard the amusement in Han Li's tone. His tension eased instantly. "You guessed right, Elder. I only do this occasionally—I'm not employed by any shop. So please, don't worry!"

Han Li nodded indifferently, then said coolly:

"I don't care whether you're employed by a shop or not. But I'm here to buy array flags and array discs—only the Star Dust Pavilion offers those. I won't need your help."

Although I don't mind whether you're specially hired by the shop, I'm here to buy array flags, array discs, and similar items—Star Dust Pavilion is clearly the best choice, and I seem to need no help!

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