Only after listening to Shopkeeper Tian's explanation did Han Li gain a proper understanding of the talisman. He couldn't help but examine the treasure in the brocade box once more.
"This Gold Light Brick Talisman was purchased by our establishment at great expense from a minor clan. It's a completely unused, brand-new talisman. It's more than enough to trade for Brother Li's thousand-year spirit grass!" Shopkeeper Tian concluded, speaking in a tone that made it sound as if he were taking a huge loss.
Han Li chuckled inwardly, not believing a word of the man's claims about being at a disadvantage. It was probably just a case of each getting what they wanted. In the shopkeeper's eyes, his spirit grass was undoubtedly worth no less than this talisman.
"Well then, Brother Li, which item do you wish to trade for?" Shopkeeper Tian finally asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Han Li hesitated, unable to make up his mind. He had originally wanted to visit a few more shops to see if there were better magical tools, but the items before him were indeed quite good and very much to his liking. Giving up any of them made him extremely reluctant. That Gold Light Brick Talisman, in particular, would be of great help later; he was determined to get it.
"I rather like all these items. I plan to take them all!" After a moment of deliberation, Han Li made up his mind.
He felt that buying everything from just this one Treasure Gathering Hall might not be a bad thing. At the very least, it would draw less attention from others, limiting the impact of the thousand-year spirit grass to this establishment alone.
"Take them all? Brother Li, are you joking?" Shopkeeper Tian's face darkened upon hearing Han Li's words. He thought Han Li was making an outrageous demand, fantasizing about using a single spirit grass to exchange for all the treasures in the brocade boxes.
Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly without offering any explanation. Instead, he took out an identical box from his storage pouch and placed it on the table.
"With two thousand-year spirit grasses, I'll exchange for all the treasures inside your brocade boxes," Han Li said slowly, adopting a determined posture.
Shopkeeper Tian was both shocked and delighted. Ignoring Han Li's offer for the moment, he hurriedly examined the newly produced spirit medicine. Only after confirming that this new grass was indeed the same type of thousand-year spirit herb as the first did he regard Han Li with a different kind of gaze. After all, someone capable of producing two rare spirit herbs at once was certainly worthy of his Treasure Gathering Hall's attention.
With Han Li wearing a conical hat, the shopkeeper couldn't see his expression, which only made him seem more mysterious. After a moment's hesitation, Shopkeeper Tian decisively said:
"Alright, since Brother Li has put it this way, I can make a small concession and agree. However, I have one minor additional request: if Brother Li comes across any more spirit herbs or similar items in the future, I hope you will consider our establishment first. My offer will surely satisfy you."
Han Li let out a few dry chuckles and gave a noncommittal nod. But internally, he sighed, realizing the shopkeeper was still suspicious. It seemed he should avoid trading spirit grasses for treasures as much as possible in the future, lest it bring about his own demise.
Unaware of Han Li's true thoughts, Shopkeeper Tian was overjoyed when he saw him nod in agreement. If this person surnamed Li could really procure more thousand-year spirit herbs for him, then the small loss he was taking now and the minor concession he was making were completely worthwhile!
Thus, Shopkeeper Tian and Han Li exchanged their respective items. After putting everything away, both parties were highly satisfied.
Han Li then took his leave of the Treasure Gathering Hall. Not daring to stay in the market area for even a moment longer, he quickly walked out of the flight-restricted zone and immediately flew away.
Fearing that the Treasure Gathering Hall might send experts to secretly follow him, he didn't fly directly toward Yellow Maple Valley. Instead, he flew straight out of the Taiyue Mountain Range. After traveling for a full three or four days, he finally felt at ease enough to make a wide detour and head back toward Yellow Maple Valley.
Three days later, at dusk, Han Li entered the outskirts of the Taiyue Mountain Range. As night was about to fall, for the sake of safety, he found a secluded stone cave to rest for the night, planning to continue his journey back to Yellow Maple Valley the next day.
The cave was located halfway up a mountain slope, with several piles of scattered rocks blocking the entrance, making it difficult to spot from the outside. Han Li had stumbled upon it by chance.
After eating a little something, he sat clothed against the stone wall, circulating his energy to rest his mind. Unknowingly, it was well past midnight. Just as Han Li was drifting between sleep and wakefulness, he suddenly heard the sound of fabric rustling through the wind, followed by a soft thud, as if someone had landed on the ground outside the cave from the air. A jolt of shock ran through Han Li, instantly banishing all trace of sleep.
"Could it be people from the Treasure Gathering Hall coming after me?" Han Li couldn't help but jump to the worst conclusion.
"Junior Sister, this place is quite nice, and it's secluded and deserted. I think we'll stay here!" a somewhat familiar male voice sounded from outside the cave.