"Whether Daoist Friend Gu has heard of something called Thousand Leaf Dew," Han Li asked, forgoing any pretense and cutting straight to the point.
"Thousand Leaf Dew?" Gu Yu's expression froze for a moment, but after a brief pause he quickly replied: "This item rings a bell with me. As it happens, if you had asked about it a few years ago, I truly would have known nothing. But a couple of years ago I came across an ancient text that mentioned Thousand Leaf Dew. I've already copied that text onto a jade slip — would you like to examine it yourself, Senior?" After finishing these words, Gu Yu wore a carefully deferential look.
Han Li, meanwhile, was elated inside, and a flash of excitement crossed his eyes.
"A text would be even better. If it truly is the thing I'm looking for, I, Qu, will certainly repay you handsomely," Han Li said with a smile, suppressing the agitation in his heart.
Upon hearing this, Gu Yu was equally overjoyed. A promise from a Core Formation cultivator — this was no small fortune indeed!
He immediately stopped hesitating and fumbled around his body before producing a pale-yellow jade slip, which he offered to Han Li with both hands.
"This is the jade slip. Please take a careful look, Senior," Gu Yu said respectfully.
Han Li said nothing more. He took the jade slip directly and swiftly scanned it with his spiritual sense.
In just a brief moment, Han Li's expression shifted from excitement to confusion, and then sank into deep thought.
Li Xun, observing from the side, watched Han Li's every move carefully. Seeing such rapid changes in his expression, an unrecognizable glint of surprise flickered in his own eyes.
Gu Yu grew even more anxious, fearing that the Thousand Leaf Dew in his jade slip was not what this Senior Qu was after.
"That's right. This is the thing," Han Li finally withdrew his spiritual sense from the jade slip and spoke slowly. But the excitement in his eyes had diminished considerably.
"What's wrong? Is there some difficulty with this Thousand Leaf Dew?" The old man rolled his eyes slightly and probed with a question.
"I never expected this thing to be so troublesome — to actually be connected to an eighth-level demon beast," Han Li said with a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth.
"An eighth-level demon beast?" Li Xun was shocked, staring at Han Li with disbelief.
"That's right. So-called Thousand Leaf Dew is actually the juice of 'Demon Companion Grass,' but this grass must be growing beside an eighth-level demon beast to be effective," Han Li sighed lightly, speaking with a note of helplessness.
Once Li Xun heard this clearly, he was rendered speechless.
"Demon Companion Grass" — he naturally knew what it was. It was simply a type of spirit grass that grew near certain demon beasts' lairs, nurtured over years by the influence of their demonic energy.
In principle, such Demon Companion Grass could be found just about anywhere. But the Demon Companion Grass beside an eighth-level demon beast was an entirely different matter.
Although the Outer Star Sea was said to be home to even ninth-level or even tenth-level demon beasts that people had witnessed, those were all just hearsay in the end.
At minimum, seventh-level demon beasts were the highest-grade ones he had ever seen in Black Stone City — to say nothing of an eighth-level demon beast.
The gaze Li Xun directed at Han Li now carried a hint of astonishment.
He had no idea what invaluable pill this man intended to refine that required such a heaven-defying ingredient.
"Some of what's recorded in this jade slip may require further careful study on my part later on. I wonder whether Daoist Friend Gu might part with the jade slip and give it to me," Han Li toyed with the slip in his hand for a moment, hesitated briefly, and then abruptly said something unexpected to Gu Yu.
"If it's useful to you, Senior, please take it!" Gu Yu blinked, but then agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Seeing the other party so cooperative, Han Li gave a slight nod. He turned his palm over, and a small bottle and a talisman inscribed with a tiny yellow sword appeared in his hand.
"As your senior, naturally I cannot take your things for nothing. Here is a bottle of pills that can modestly boost one's cultivation, along with a talisman treasure. Take them and use them," Han Li gently tossed the two items over.
"Thank you for bestowing your treasures, Senior!" Gu Yu caught the two items and was beside himself with joy, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
For a Qi Condensation cultivator like himself, these things were incomparably precious.
"Since Daoist Friend Qu has already bestowed his gifts, Gu Yu, you may withdraw for now." Li Xun felt a mild surprise at Han Li's generosity, but he maintained a calm expression as he dismissed Gu Yu from the room.
In the blink of an eye, only the two of them remained inside.