"The celestial phenomena from the other day, when Senior broke through, we all witnessed them. We have come expressly to congratulate Senior on the great advancement of his powers!" The bull-headed beast finally recovered from its shock at seeing two "Han Lis" and hurriedly bowed, its face full of respect.
It naturally understood now that the "
"Oh? How do you know I succeeded in my advancement? Perhaps I failed," Han Li said with a chuckle, neither confirming nor denying anything.
"Senior jests. Others might fail, but with Senior's extraordinary powers, how could such a thing possibly happen?" The middle head of the three-headed giant serpent swayed and chimed in with flattery.
Han Li let out a hearty laugh, then swept his gaze across the four demons. His expression suddenly darkened.
"Enough. Stop beating around the bush. I already know a thing or two about why you're here. You claim to be offering treasures? If you have some agenda, just say it outright. I don't have much time to waste here."
With Han Li's current cultivation, his power exceeded that of an ordinary early-stage Void Refining cultivator by more than half. Although he hadn't deliberately released any aura, the moment his voice turned cold, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth in the great hall was affected and began to churn violently.
The four demons felt the air around them compress instantly, as though a weight of ten thousand jin had crashed down upon their bodies. They swayed on their feet, nearly collapsing to the ground.
"Please calm your anger, Senior! We truly came to offer treasures — we harbor absolutely no ill intent!" The bull-headed beast's face changed drastically. It frantically circulated the Magical Power within its body to resist the pressure bearing down on it while shouting toward Han Li in a panic.
"What treasures would you offer out of nowhere? Very well — let me see these treasures first. If I find them genuinely interesting, then I'll hear what you have to say next. If they're of no use at all, you can leave immediately." Han Li spoke flatly.
As his words fell, the inexplicable pressure in the great hall abruptly dissipated and vanished, allowing the four demons below to breathe a collective sigh of relief and straighten their bodies once more.
The bull-headed beast no longer dared to beat around the bush. It hurriedly shot a meaningful glance toward the golden ape nearby.
After a brief moment of hesitation, the ape reached into its own body and produced a jet-black wooden box. It then stepped forward a few paces and respectfully presented the box with both hands.
Han Li said nothing. With a single gesture of his hand, the wooden box whooshed through the air and was drawn into his palm.
He swept his sleeve over the lid, and a flash of azure light shimmered across the box's surface before it opened by itself, revealing the item inside.
A fist-sized, vivid red fruit, its surface covered in a network of silver threads that shimmered with shifting light.
Han Li looked somewhat surprised. Without waiting for any explanation from the four demons, he extended two fingers and lightly touched the fruit, channeling his spiritual sense into it.
In barely a moment, Han Li's expression shifted several times — from initial surprise, to curiosity, and finally to a furrowed brow tinged with wary uncertainty.
The four demons exchanged glances upon seeing his expression, but none dared say a word.
A full quarter of an hour passed before Han Li exhaled and withdrew his fingers from the box.
"This is a Blood Apricot. You've really outdone yourselves — to think you could actually find such a thing." Han Li casually placed the lid back on the box and regarded the four demons with an ambiguous half-smile.
"Senior's insight is truly extraordinary — you recognized the origin of this item at a single glance. The four of us found it in a ruined ancient site deep within the Black Concealment Mountains. We have come specifically to offer it to Senior!" The bull-headed beast was secretly astonished that Han Li had truly identified the fruit, but it replied with exaggerated deference.
"Mm. If I'm not mistaken, this fruit possesses the miraculous effect of blood renewal and body refinement. It's a rare auxiliary spiritual medicine for demon beasts during their advancement — a treasure seen perhaps once in a thousand years. For you to be willing to part with it, the favor you're asking must be quite significant. This item is genuinely useful to me, so go ahead and tell me what you want." Han Li narrowed his eyes and spoke at an unhurried pace.
Seeing Han Li's composed demeanor, the four demons exchanged glances once more before the bull-headed beast gave a light cough and spoke up.
"Since Senior has seen through all of our little schemes, there is no point in hiding anything. The four of us have come here this time because our very lives are at stake — we had no choice!" The beast's expression turned somber, carrying a note of pleading.
Han Li, however, remained expressionless, simply regarding the creature with an indifferent gaze.
The beast could manage only a strained smile before continuing cautiously.
"The fact that we must pay tribute to the Skywing Clan probably hasn't escaped Senior's notice. But the spiritual resources in our mountains are dwindling. In another thousand years or so, there will be nothing left to offer. That is why we have come this time — to ask Senior to help us remove the 'Slave Marks' from our bodies, so that we may regain our freedom and no longer be trapped on this island. If Senior agrees to this, we are willing to not only present this Blood Apricot, but also offer up all the other rare treasures we have gathered over the years. Although our cultivation and powers are negligible in Senior's eyes, we do have a certain talent for finding treasures, and we will not disappoint Senior."
"Slave Marks? So that's why you've been so obedient and never fled far — the Skywing Clan really did place restrictions on you. Let me have a look first." Han Li's expression flickered. He suddenly raised a hand and made a grasping motion in the air.
A sheet of golden crystalline light surged forth from his fingertips.
Before the little beast could react, it felt its body tighten as an invisible suction seized it, wrenching it off the ground and sending it flying toward Han Li.
The creature let out a cry of alarm. Its body was already extremely small to begin with, and after being drawn in, it arrived within a few feet of Han Li in the blink of an eye, suspended in midair and utterly unable to move a single muscle.
The other three beasts jumped in fright and retreated several steps, wariness etched across their faces.
But Han Li didn't so much as lift an eyelid. He simply went about his business, his eyes flashing with blue light as his spiritual sense pierced through the creature's body in an instant, examining it and the soul within for any irregularities.
The giant serpent, the golden ape, and the third demon finally understood what Han Li was doing. Their hearts relaxed with relief, and they held their breath in eager anticipation, watching his every move.
Suddenly, Han Li's expression took on a peculiar look. He let out a soft laugh and raised both arms.
His ten fingers danced in rapid succession, producing sharp, hissing sounds as they cut through the air. Thin, translucent azure threads shot forth from his fingertips, vanishing in a flash as they plunged into the little beast's body.