Chapter 939: An Unanticipated Encounter

After a full meal’s time, Han Li’s figure reappeared before the cave entrance, floating lightly up the slope, his expression utterly calm, revealing no sign of anomaly. WM.com

Elder Wang furrowed his brows, then relaxed them, and as soon as Han Li landed on the stone slope, he smiled and asked.

“What do you think of this treasure, Daoist friend? Are you satisfied?”

“The cave is small, but the alchemy chamber, beast pen, and all other facilities are fully equipped. There is nothing lacking, yet I have one question that requires your clarification first.”

“As long as it concerns the Tianji Mansion, ask freely—I will not conceal anything,” Elder Wang replied cheerfully.

“Then I won’t be polite. I know the Tianji Mansion’s greatest advantage is its ability to expand or shrink at will for easy carrying, but can it, like a storage bag, allow items to be placed inside or retrieved while shrunk? Does it function like a beast bag—can the beasts in the pen shrink and expand with the mansion without harm?” Han Li fixed his gaze on the silver-robed cultivator and asked slowly.

“This treasure can alter the house and any inanimate objects within it—tables, chairs—that have been infused with its essence, but it cannot affect living beings such as beasts. Even if your beast possesses transformation arts, it cannot withstand the immense spatial pressure of the Tianji Mansion’s changes—it would instantly be annihilated. Moreover, even if a beast could endure such pressure, once the mansion shrinks or expands, it immediately seals itself off, unable to absorb any spiritual energy from outside. Over time, the beasts inside would inevitably perish.”

Elder Wang had no intention of concealing anything; he explained clearly and thoroughly. After all, any attempt to deceive would be instantly exposed.

“So, every time you retrieve the mansion, you must first transplant the spiritual herbs from the herb garden, or they won’t survive,” Han Li mused, pressing further.

“You are absolutely correct. These are all unsolvable flaws of the Tianji Mansion. Yet even so, a cave that naturally carries sealing arts and can be summoned at will holds value far beyond ordinary treasures,” Elder Wang frowned, then spoke seriously.

“Indeed, this is precisely why I am interested in the Tianji Mansion. If it truly possesses all these functions, I doubt I could ever hope to possess it,” Han Li chuckled lightly.

“So you intend to exchange for it!” Elder Wang’s eyes lit up with delight.

“I still have some rare materials I don’t need. First, give me a list of what your guild requires—I’ll see what I can offer. Then we can discuss how much material is needed to acquire this treasure,” Han Li said with a calm, casual smile.

“Naturally. All the materials our guild needs are recorded in this jade slip. Please take a look,” the silver-robed cultivator smiled broadly, flicking his sleeve to send a streak of white light flying toward Han Li.

Han Li caught it in his hand—it was a white jade slip.

He immediately examined it, holding it in his palms on the stone slope.

…

An hour later, Han Li appeared at the entrance of the Tianji Pavilion, Elder Wang smiling as he escorted him out.

Han Li turned, bowed slightly, exchanged a few farewell words, then floated away gracefully.

Elder Wang only returned to the Tianji Pavilion after watching Han Li’s figure vanish into the distance, his expression thoroughly satisfied.

Meanwhile, Han Li touched the bulging storage bag at his waist, his eyes flickered twice, and a faint smile curled his lips.

After spending a large quantity of useless rare materials to acquire the Tianji Mansion, he had also sold some demon cores and spiritual herbs directly to the Tianji Pavilion, receiving an astonishing amount of spirit stones.

Recalling the shock on Elder Wang’s face when he produced so many materials, Han Li found it slightly amusing—but his vigilance rose sharply.

The saying “Men die for wealth, birds die for food” remains eternally true. As long as the reward is great, he did not believe his Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivation alone would deter others from targeting him.

Even though the Tianji Pavilion was renowned for its reputation, and should be trustworthy, he had revealed his wealth and posed as a wandering cultivator from beyond the seas—he must remain utterly cautious, lest Elder Wang entertain ill intentions.

Thus, as soon as he stepped out of the Tianji Pavilion, Han Li released a portion of his spiritual sense to envelop the surrounding area, checking for any hidden observers.

After a long while, once certain no one was following him, he walked to a blind corner behind another pavilion, his body flickered, suddenly rising an inch in height, his face and robes transforming in a flash of blue light.

When he emerged again from behind the pavilion, he had become a middle-aged Confucian scholar in blue robes, with three long beards and an unusually refined appearance.

With his current cultivation, unless he encountered a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator, no one could see through his disguise.

Only then did Han Li feel at ease and walk toward other merchant pavilions.

After visiting several more, Han Li was greatly disappointed—he found nothing.

It wasn’t that these major merchants lacked treasures; some shopkeepers had actively recommended ancient artifacts and materials that deeply intrigued him. But unfortunately, none were suitable for crafting puppets or the Three Flame Fan, and he had no shortage of ordinary ancient treasures. After careful consideration, he purchased nothing.

“It seems I must wait for the auction,” Han Li murmured, standing at the end of the street, gazing at the imposing stone hall before him.

This ancient, massive hall was the “Baoguang Hall.” It looked distinctly different from ordinary halls—divided into three stories, each over twenty zhang tall, resembling a colossal multi-tiered pavilion.

Only a structure of this scale, capable of accommodating a thousand cultivators, could host an auction.

At the hall’s entrance, several Foundation Establishment cultivators guarded the gate, barring ordinary cultivators from entering—clearly preparing for the auction.

Besides Han Li, other cultivators also pointed and whispered at the stone hall, clearly aware it would serve as the auction venue.

Han Li studied the Baoguang Hall for several long moments, then turned to leave.

But at that moment, four male and female cultivators walked directly out of the hall.

Han Li glanced casually—and his expression changed. He quickly feigned calmness, turned, and walked back the way he came.

“Wait, Daoist friend, please stop,” came a melodious voice from behind.

Han Li’s heart sank; his facial muscles twitched, yet he halted instantly.

“What do you want?” He turned, his voice calm.

Six or seven zhang behind him stood a white-robed woman, her face veiled in white gauze, her skin like snow, her beautiful eyes studying him intently.

Beside her, two other women and one man stared at Han Li in shock.

A quick spiritual sense sweep revealed all were Nascent Soul cultivators—especially the white-robed woman and the black-robed man beside her, both Nascent Soul mid-stage, like him.

Han Li’s heart sank slightly.

“Nothing much. I noticed your cultivation is exceptional and wished to make your acquaintance. You don’t mind, do you?” The white-robed woman scanned Han Li from head to toe, her gaze lingering briefly on the long, cylindrical bundle on his back, then smiled sweetly.

Though her face was hidden, her tall figure and every movement were alluring. Yet Han Li felt no honor at her invitation—only an urgent desire to turn and flee.

For this woman was the Tianlan Holy Maiden, who had once fought him fiercely on the grasslands.

“Acquaintance? Daoist friend, you jest. With your cultivation and demeanor, I would be honored. But I am currently occupied and cannot linger here,” Han Li muttered inwardly, yet bowed coldly and turned to leave again.

“Why the haste, Daoist friend? I have a few questions I’d like to ask. Could you answer me?” The woman’s white form flickered, stepping ahead to block his path, her brows slightly furrowed.

“Are you interrogating me, then?” Han Li’s expression darkened, his tone turning harsh.

“Lady Lin, do you have some grievance with this Daoist?” The black-robed man finally spoke. His face was veiled in faint black mist—a sign of deep cultivation in demonic arts.

“No. Though I’ve never met him before, for some reason, he reminds me of the man I’ve been searching for in Da Jin. Brother Ge knows—I’ve lingered in Da Jin for years seeking him. I merely wish to determine whether this is merely a fleeting illusion,” the Tianlan Holy Maiden brushed her dark hair, her gaze toward Han Li turning cold.

“What? You mean this man is the one who possesses our sect’s Ghost Luo Banner!” The black-robed man’s once-fair face darkened instantly; he glared at Han Li with murderous intent.

“I can’t be certain. His appearance and build differ somewhat, but his aura feels similar—and that man also carried a bamboo tube of nearly the same shape,” the Tianlan Holy Maiden said calmly, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Bamboo tube!” The black-robed demon cultivator froze, his gaze snapping to Han Li’s cylindrical bundle—it did indeed resemble a thick bamboo tube.

Yet when he attempted to probe the bundle with his spiritual sense, it was harshly repelled by a powerful counter-sense.

He startled, swiftly retracting his spiritual sense, his face growing colder than ice.

“Daoist friend, I am Ge Tianhao of the Yin Luo Sect. Could you please open your bundle so we may see its contents? If it is not what we suspect, we shall trouble you no further,” Ge Tianhao said slowly, his expression now wary.

Not only he, but the other man and woman, dressed similarly, exchanged glances, then stepped forward, flanking Han Li, forming a threatening circle.

Han Li stood motionless, hands clasped behind his back, silent.

Though none had cast spells or drawn magic treasures, a deadly aura surged upward—the atmosphere turned instantly tense.

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