Chapter 861

Han Li sighed in his heart. Although he had obtained many spiritual herbs in the ruins of the Spirit Miao Garden, none could extend life. He was powerless against this.

"Senior Martial Brother, there is no need to be overly dejected; perhaps you will have another opportunity in the coming years!" Han Li could only offer comfort.

The elder shook his head, his expression indifferent; it seemed he had truly seen through the matter of life and death.

Han Li naturally did not mention this matter again, but instead flipped his palm, and a white jade slip appeared in his hand:

"Since the two Senior Martial Brothers are here, I happen to recall a matter. I have some materials that I need sect disciples to collect from various markets. Because there are many types needed, just collect as many as you can. As long as you try your best, no matter how many spirit stones it costs, as long as it's not too outrageous, let the sect disciples buy them, and they can come to me later to claim the expenses." Han Li handed over the jade slip and said casually.

"Let me see!" Lu Luo was somewhat interested, took the jade slip, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and a strange expression gradually appeared on his face.

"Junior Martial Brother, it's no wonder you only said to try your best; most of these things are hard to find. Some seem to be legendary items, and it's estimated that they don't exist in our Heaven South." Lu Luo said blankly.

"Oh, what kind of materials are they? Let me take a look too!" Upon hearing this, Senior Martial Brother Cheng showed curiosity, reached out to ask for the jade slip, read it through, and was similarly surprised.

"Indeed, these are all hard-to-find items. Is Junior Martial Brother planning to refine some magic treasure again?"

"A magic treasure? Well, you could say that!" Han Li smiled slightly, not intending to explain in detail.

Seeing this, Senior Martial Brother Cheng did not ask further, agreed readily, and said he would immediately arrange for sect disciples to collect these materials from all over Heaven South.

When he said this, the elder and Lu Luo looked at each other, and Lu Luo suddenly took off a bulging storage bag from his waist and handed it to Han Li.

"This is?" Han Li was a bit surprised, subconsciously took the item, and looked at the two with some confusion.

"Junior Martial Brother, have you forgotten? Years ago, you asked sect disciples to help you collect some strange materials and Geng Essence. Over these years, except for receiving one small piece of Geng Essence, everything else has been collected. I originally wanted to give you a surprise, but I didn't expect you to need more materials. It seems your attainments in artifact refining are also extraordinary." Lu Luo said with a smile.

"Found another piece of Geng Essence?" Upon hearing this, Han Li was overjoyed and hurriedly opened the storage bag to take a look.

Among the various materials, there was indeed a small, walnut-sized piece of golden Geng Essence lying inside.

As for the other materials, they were exactly the ones he was missing to refine the Ancient Nascent Soul Puppet. Otherwise, he would have refined a Nascent Soul-level puppet before entering the Fallen Devil Valley.

"These are exactly what I need. Thank you both for your trouble. These items are valuable and must have cost many spirit stones, I..." Han Li showed joy on his face, but when he mentioned the expenses, he was interrupted by the elder's hearty laugh and wave of his hand.

"Junior Martial Brother, what are you saying? Although these items are worth some spirit stones, when the Mu Lan people invaded, you fought two battles on behalf of our sect. It is only right for the sect to pay for some spirit stones for you. Just take them and use them."

"Since Senior Martial Brother says so, then I won't be polite." Han Li was stunned, but after thinking about it, he smiled and freely put away the storage bag.

Seeing that Han Li did not decline again, the elder also showed a satisfied expression.

"By the way, Senior Martial Brother Cheng. When I was sucked into the spatial rift, I had two flying swords that I didn't have time to retrieve. Did you see them that day?" Han Li recalled another matter and asked without hesitation.

When he was sucked into the spatial rift, he didn't know their whereabouts. The elder had stayed outside the whole time and should know the fate of the flying swords.

"Regarding this matter, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have told you. The two flying swords you left outside, I didn't have time to help you retrieve before that demon rushed over, grabbed them, and they fell into its hands. But later, during the encirclement of the demon, I heard that no one saw it use these flying swords to fight. It seems that facing your natal magic treasure, it couldn't use them even with its demonic arts. The only trouble is that the demon's whereabouts are currently unknown, and I'm afraid it won't be easy to find the flying swords." The elder seemed to have expected this and said apologetically.

"In the hands of the Ancient Demon? That is a bit troublesome. But it doesn't matter; they are just external objects. I'll just refine two more." Han Li's expression changed slightly, but he soon returned to normal.

"I think so too. You have many natal flying swords, so losing two is nothing. It's not worth taking the risk to find that demon whose life or death is unknown." The elder's expression relaxed, and he said with relief.

Speaking of fear toward that demon, this Senior Martial Brother Cheng was even more so than Han Li. Naturally, he didn't want Han Li, an Elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, to have any more accidents. He was the key to whether the Falling Cloud Sect could shine in the cultivation world in the future.

Afterward, Senior Martial Brother Cheng and Lu Luo chatted with Han Li for a while longer about sect matters before bidding farewell together.

Han Li stood up, saw them off until they were outside the barrier array, and then returned to his cave dwelling.

"Master, now that you have obtained another piece of Geng Essence, couldn't you refine two more flying swords and re-arrange the Great Geng Sword Array?" Just as he walked into the hall, silver light flickered on the wall, and Silver Moon appeared silently, smiling.

"It's not that easy. The Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords are a set of magic treasures; this piece of Geng Essence is not enough to refine another set of twelve flying swords. And even if I supplement the missing two with other flying swords, they won't be able to coordinate and be controlled as easily. Even if I forcibly activate the Great Geng Sword Array, it won't be able to trap the opponent. Those two lost flying swords must be found." Hearing Silver Moon mention this, Han Li's expression suddenly turned gloomy.

"But those two flying swords fell into the hands of the Ancient Demon. Although Master's cultivation has greatly advanced, if the Ancient Demon is not dead, you are still no match for it." Silver Moon said with some worry.

"You don't need to tell me that; I know. I won't act rashly until I have absolute certainty. I will only go to find the demon after I open the Void Heaven Cauldron or refine the imitation Seven-Flame Fan." Han Li's eyes flickered, and he sat back in the main seat, saying solemnly.

"Han brat, how could you forget the puppet I developed? Although that Ancient Demon is powerful, if you can gather the materials to refine this puppet, while I can't say you will win steadily, you will have more than enough to protect yourself." The voice of Da Yan Elder Dayan Shenjun suddenly came from Han Li's spiritual sense, as if he were dissatisfied that Han Li hadn't mentioned his puppet.

The corners of Han Li's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"Senior has spent so much effort on this puppet, so I naturally believe it is extraordinary. Moreover, one can tell from the rarity of the materials that this puppet must be extremely powerful. However, Senior has always kept the refining method and effects of the puppet a secret. How can I have much confidence?"

"Hmph! You don't need to use reverse psychology on me. Before you gather all the materials, I won't reveal a single bit of information about the puppet. I can only tell you that once this puppet is refined, its power will not even be inferior to mine in my prime. You should have an idea now, right?" Da Yan Elder Dayan Shenjun said proudly.

"Not inferior to Senior in your prime?" This time, Han Li was truly startled, an expression of disbelief flashing across his face.

"What, you don't believe me?" Da Yan Elder Dayan Shenjun's voice suddenly turned cold, as if he were somewhat displeased.

"It's not a matter of believing or not! This kind of puppet is something Senior just developed. I'm afraid even Senior is just guessing about its power after it's refined." Han Li's expression returned to calm, and he said indifferently.

"Haha! There is some truth to that. But how could I, with my wisdom, miscalculate the power of a puppet I developed myself? You can rest assured about that!" Da Yan Elder Dayan Shenjun was truly temperamental, laughing again in the blink of an eye.

Han Li smiled slightly, ignored him, stood up, and walked out of the secret room.

Although he had to go to the so-called observation ceremony tomorrow, it was better to refine the last trace of the Azure Blue Ice Flame sooner. However, after refining the Azure Blue Ice Flame, it seemed he would still need to spend some time refining two Nascent Soul-level ancient puppets with the newly obtained materials.

Thinking of this, he touched the new storage bag at his waist.

Previously in the Fallen Devil Valley, he had seen the evil ghost puppet driven by Tian Jing Shangren. Although it didn't last long under the Ancient Demon, its strength was indeed quite good, not inferior to an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

Thinking this way, Han Li entered the secret room.

Early the next morning, Han Li and Senior Martial Brother Cheng met up and headed straight for the Hundred Arts Academy.

Because the three sects shared the same mountain range, it naturally didn't take long to reach the other end of the Mount Yunmeng Mountain Range, where the Hundred Arts Academy was located.

Come to think of it, Han Li had once come here to participate in the Three Sects' Sword Trial Assembly as a low-tier disciple; thinking about it now, it was truly a bit funny.

Just as the three of them flew near the barrier array of the Falling Cloud Sect, three Core Formation cultivators had already been waiting there for a long time.

Seeing the three of them flying over, these three immediately transformed into three streaks of light and welcomed them.

"Greetings to the three Seniors; this junior has been ordered by several Senior Martial Uncles to welcome you here." The leader, an old man, saw his light fade, immediately appeared in front of the three, and bowed deeply. The other two middle-aged cultivators behind him also bowed in greeting.

"Three Junior Martial Nephews, no need to be polite; just lead the way." Senior Martial Brother Cheng smiled indifferently and said peacefully.

Han Li's gaze shifted to the old man's face, a half-smile appearing on his face.

It was a coincidence that this old man was the Fu-surnamed elder who presided over the Sword Trial Assembly that day. With a cultivator's super memory, it was impossible for him not to recognize Han Li, but there wasn't the slightest strange expression on his face.

It seems that although his cultivation was a bit low, his scheming was exceptionally deep.

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