Blood Burn, Black Scale, and Mo Jianli each accepted a spirit core. After inspecting them and finding no issues, they naturally put them away in delight.
"Since the payment has been settled, our clan's transactions with you esteemed fellow Daoists can be considered mutually satisfactory. But I wonder — when do you plan to leave this world? After all, this world is rather small and cannot accommodate too many Mahayana-stage existences like yourselves." The Asura Spider Matriarch's gaze suddenly flickered as she posed the question.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, rest easy. We will depart of our own accord within a few days at most. However, the resources and materials of this small Asura Realm differ considerably from those of our Spirit Realm, so we intend to collect a bit more before leaving. Surely you won't obstruct us in that regard as well?" Han Li smiled lightly, entirely unconcerned.
"Hehe, as long as you are merely gathering resources, our clan will absolutely not interfere in the slightest. That said, besides our own clan, this world still holds two or three rather troublesome presences. I would advise you all not to be too careless." The woman's alluring smile carried a deep, meaningful weight.
"Oh? Could one of the beings Fellow Daoist Luo speaks of be that Che Qizi?" Mo Jianli's expression shifted upon hearing this.
"Fellow Daoist Mo is aware of this beast's existence as well? Could it be that you have already encountered it?" The woman was inwardly startled and blurted out the question.
"I did run into it once. This creature truly deserves its reputation as an ancient legendary beast — I very nearly fell to its claws." Mo Jianli's expression flickered several times before he let out a sigh.
"This world still has such a beast? Fellow Daoist Luo, could you tell us where its lair is?" Blood Burn perked up upon hearing the conversation between the woman and Mo Jianli, and before he could contain himself, he eagerly interjected.
"I do know where the Che Qizi's lair is, but..." The Asura Spider Matriarch's eyes flashed, and a contemplative look settled over her features.
"Rest assured, my brother and I will not ask for the information for free. If Fellow Daoist Luo deigns to tell us, we will naturally offer a handsome reward." Blood Burn realized his eagerness had shown through, and after quickly composing himself, he spoke in a measured tone.
The foreign Mahayana flipped his palm, producing a small leather pouch, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed it over.
The woman extended a delicate hand and drew the pouch toward her. After sweeping it with her spiritual sense, a trace of surprise surfaced on her face. She raised her head and gave Blood Burn a long, appraising look before slowly speaking:
"I happen to have a map here that marks the location of the Che Qizi's lair. You are welcome to take a look."
The moment her words fell, she raised her hand, and a white jade slip flew out from her sleeve.
Blood Burn swept the jade slip into his sleeve with a roll of his wrist, then immediately pressed it against his forehead. A grave expression settled onto his face.
Beside him, Black Scale's expression had also turned somewhat unusual, and there was a barely concealed hint of eager anticipation in the way he stared at the jade slip.
Just then, the blood-skirted girl turned toward Han Li with a smile and said:
"Several of you Fellow Daoists are figures of renown in the outside world, so you must carry all manner of rare and precious treasures with you. How about this — over the years, our clan has also collected certain resources that cannot be found outside. Why not first trade with us for some, and then go search for more on your own afterward? This way, you would save yourselves a great deal of time."
"Fellow Daoist Ying means to hold a small impromptu trading session right here?" Han Li blinked, then promptly broke into a smile.
"That's right. To be perfectly honest, our clan should have at least some of every resource and material found in this world. As long as you can offer sufficient compensation, our clan will absolutely ensure your satisfaction." The girl spoke without the slightest change in her expression.
The Asura Spider Matriarch heard the girl's proposal but did not offer any objection — an implicit endorsement of the suggestion.
Mo Jianli and the others, upon hearing this, were thoroughly intrigued. With the limited time they had left in the small Asura Realm, collecting a sufficient quantity of materials on their own was indeed unlikely. Trading with the Asura Spider clan for some would not be a bad solution at all.
"Very well. I happen to have some things on me. I'll trade with your clan, then." After a moment's thought, Mo Jianli was the first to agree.
"My brother and I have some assets as well. We'll trade as well." After a brief private exchange with Black Scale via voice transmission, Blood Burn gave his assent as well.
"Since all the other Fellow Daoists are participating, I naturally won't be the exception." Han Li's expression remained unchanged as he offered a single sentence. For something that promised benefit with no downside, there was obviously no reason for him to decline.
"Excellent. Let us find another spot nearby, and then we can begin the formal trading session." The blood-skirted girl smiled radiantly, her bearing utterly charming.
Blood Burn and the others agreed at once, and Han Li nodded as well — though his gaze drifted almost imperceptibly toward the direction of the cold pool for just a moment longer.
The movement was exceedingly subtle and did not draw anyone else's attention in the least.
…
Several hours later, high above a small island not far from the one where the cold pool lay, the Asura Spider clan members — led by the woman and the blood-skirted girl — boarded the same black giant eagle from before. Wearing expressions of satisfaction, they gradually flew off into the distance.
High above the small island, only Han Li and the other three foreign Mahayana cultivators remained, standing in silence.