And so, under the astonished gazes of those demon guards, Han Li followed Zi Ling into the same beast-drawn carriage.
"Return to the city."
The curtains on either side of the carriage closed, and a cool, detached voice issued from within.
The coachman immediately acknowledged the order and urged the several jet-black beast creatures—resembling oxen but not quite oxen—into motion, sending the carriage speeding away under the escort of the guards.
At that moment, a faint crimson glow flickered around the carriage as several mysterious restrictions were activated.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Han Li spoke to Zi Ling in a grave tone: "Zi Ling, there are certain matters I cannot directly ask Lan Ying about. However, I know you also have some influence in Blue Cascade Lake. I need you to investigate the background of a local demon called 'Wuyou'—the sooner the better. This person may be…"
As Zi Ling listened to Han Li's words inside the carriage, a look of surprise gradually spread across her face.
…
Several hours later, Han Li appeared alone in front of his inn and strode in without the slightest pretense.
Although he had drawn considerable attention in Blue Cascade City through his large-scale purchases of Foreign Devil Gold, anyone who knew he was a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator would hardly dare send people to shadow or spy on him.
After all, to monitor or tail someone at that level of cultivation, the operatives dispatched would themselves need to be no weaker. And any demon cultivator who had truly reached the Void Refinement realm would never be willing to undertake such a task.
As a result, Han Li returned to the inn and shut himself away behind closed doors, not emerging until the next day—in fine spirits and ready to go out again.
This time, of course, he was heading to fulfill his appointment with Wuyou.
He had already placed great importance on the crystal beads within the Foreign Devil Gold. Now that the matter also involved the Yin-Yang Grand Five Elements True Light, obtaining them had become an absolute necessity.
Although the Foreign Devil Gold that Wuyou had offered was not guaranteed to contain the crystal beads, the sheer quantity on offer still left Han Li rather eager in anticipation.
Arriving once more at the hall where they had met the previous day, a familiar-looking demon man and woman were standing guard outside the door. The moment they saw Han Li had actually come to keep the appointment, they were overjoyed and hurried forward to greet him.
"Senior Han, please come in. Brother Wuyou is inside, waiting for your arrival!"
"Very well, I know." Han Li gave a faint nod, then let his figure drift forward as he flickered through the hall's entrance.
The demon man and woman outside hurriedly closed the large doors once more, then resumed their positions, looking every bit as cautious as before.
Inside the hall, Han Li found Wuyou along with several other demon men and women.
"Brother Han, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting quite some time." The moment Wuyou saw Han Li, he made no effort to hide the pleasure on his face and gestured for Han Li to take a seat.
"I didn't arrive late—it's simply that Fellow Daoist Wuyou came a bit early. Well, no sense dragging things out! Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to the trade. I do hope what you have can satisfy me." Han Li had no interest in small talk. The moment he sat down, he got straight to the point.
Had anyone else heard such words, their expression would naturally not have been pleasant.
"Brother Han is indeed straightforward! Very well, let's begin the trade!"
Across from him, Wuyou was rather pleased by Han Li's directness. Without a moment's hesitation, he shook his sleeve, and several token afterimages flashed and vanished into the surrounding void. A barrier of light unfurled at once, enveloping the two of them completely.
The demon man then flipped his hand, and a pale-blue storage bracelet appeared in his palm. Wearing a broad smile, he spoke once more: "The Foreign Devil Gold you requested is all inside here. Please check whether the quantity and quality are satisfactory, Brother Han!"
The words had barely left his lips when Wuyou tossed the storage bracelet over, seemingly without the slightest hesitation.
Han Li felt a mild flicker of surprise at this, but after a brief thought, he found himself somewhat impressed by the man's composure.
Still, this demon had almost certainly made certain preparations behind the scenes—he was clearly not worried that Han Li might actually refuse to pay in demon stones.
"Then I'll verify the contents first," Han Li replied evenly, raising his arm to catch the blue storage bracelet. He pressed it gently against his forehead, and an enormous wave of spiritual sense instantly surged into it, splitting into countless fine threads that probed within.
Wuyou remained perfectly still, his gaze fixed squarely on Han Li without a word, waiting patiently for the result.
After a full quarter of an hour, Han Li's eyelids shifted slightly, and he finally opened his eyes. His expression, however, was utterly blank—revealing not the slightest hint of joy or displeasure.
Wuyou's body stiffened ever so slightly at the sight, but fortunately, the words that followed from Han Li caused every muscle in his frame to relax once more.