"What kind of reason is that? Very well, let's suppose the spirit herb you want is on my person. But you should at least tell me its main effects and general uses. Otherwise, I have quite a few spirit herbs — how am I to know which one you're referring to?" Han Li narrowed his eyes slightly and asked in a low voice.
"I don't know its uses or effects either. But one thing is certain — this spirit herb was obtained before you entered the Holy Realm, and it is definitely something rare in this world. It may not even be something that originally belonged to the Spirit Realm." This time, Bao did not play coy. After a brief pause, she said with a serious expression.
"Something that doesn't belong to the Spirit Realm?" Upon hearing this, Han Li's expression shifted slightly. He immediately recalled the spirit herbs he had obtained in the Guanghan Realm.
Han Li's expression did not escape Bao's eyes. The smile on her face grew even more pronounced, and she clapped her hands lightly with a soft laugh: "It seems this lady has not guessed wrong. Daoist Han, you do indeed possess some spirit herbs that are rare in this world. If you are willing to hand over the one I want, this lady will allow you to leave here safely, and I guarantee that Daoist Yuan Yan beside me will no longer trouble you. Moreover, in addition to that, I will throw in one more person for you. Black Crocodile, bring the girl out."
These last words were directed by the white-robed woman as she turned her head toward the black-armored figure beside her.
"Yes, my lady!"
The black-armored giant immediately bowed in acknowledgment, then slapped a pale yellow leather pouch at his waist with one hand.
The mouth of the pouch loosened, and a swath of dark radiance swept out from within. After a flash, a beautiful young girl who appeared to be in her teens appeared in midair, unconscious.
The moment Han Li saw the girl's face, his pupils contracted slightly.
It was Zhu Guo'er!
"This girl has some connection to you, so I doubt you would simply abandon her. Now, as long as you hand over the spirit herb I want, I will deliver her to you." The white-robed woman said indifferently.
"She does indeed have some connection to me. However, since she has fallen into your hands, I imagine the Daoist Lin who was with her has likely perished as well." Han Li sighed and asked.
"That Body Integration cultivator who was with her — although his body contained some True Spirit bloodline — was of no use to me, so naturally I did not keep him around." Bao said frankly.
"Hmph. If I truly risked everything in a desperate fight, neither of you would come out of it unscathed. However, I am not willing to take such a great risk over a mere spirit herb. I'll bring out several spirit herbs, and we'll see if the one you want is among them." Han Li snorted coldly. After speaking a few harsh words, he actually agreed.
"This is the wise course of action, Daoist Han! Black Crocodile, give the girl to him first. I trust that Brother Han will not do anything unwise." Bao chuckled lightly and gave the giant another order.
Hearing this, Black Crocodile immediately grabbed the girl with one hand and tossed her. Zhu Guo'er shot straight toward Han Li.
Han Li's expression darkened slightly. One sleeve swept outward, and under a shimmer of green radiance, Zhu Guo'er was silently caught and brought to his side.
He sent a sweep of his spiritual sense over the girl and found that she had merely been restrained by a very simple restriction, with no other tampering done to her. He nodded slightly and brushed his sleeve once more.
After a flash of green light, the girl was stored inside a special treasure.
Then, he began to consider which spirit herbs to present to Bao for her inspection.
Ever since obtaining those spirit herbs from the Guanghan Realm, he had been researching them, trying to understand their origins and uses.
However, apart from a small portion whose uses he had managed to figure out, the majority remained a complete mystery to him. He could only keep them in his storage bracelet and wait for future opportunities.
The value of these spirit herbs from the Immortal Realm went without saying, but if he could truly get rid of the powerful enemy before him by parting with a single herb that was of no use to him, he would naturally be more than willing.
However, he estimated that the ordinary spirit herbs from the Guanghan Realm's secret realm would likely be beneath the notice of a being of her status as a Progenitor. He would probably need to use the few Immortal Realm spirit herbs he had obtained last and cultivated separately in order to pass. But before that, if he could get by with other herbs, that would naturally be the better outcome.
As these thoughts ran through Han Li's mind, he formed a hand seal with one hand, and the dark-green miniature sword on his arm flickered and vanished into thin air.
Then, with a flip of his five fingers, a flash of white light appeared in his hand and a white jade box materialized. Several restriction talismans of different colors were affixed to its surface, and he tossed it toward the other side.
The white-robed woman's beautiful eyes flashed. Her slender jade-like hand reached out, and the jade box was drawn toward her through the air with a whoosh.
One jade finger tapped lightly on the box's lid with an effortless grace. The talismans fell away silently, and the lid opened on its own.
Inside the box lay a spirit herb of entirely emerald green, giving off a faint, pleasant fragrance and emanating a soft white glow.
Upon seeing this spirit herb, the Precious Sage Ancestor's expression shifted subtly. But after a brief moment of contemplation, she shook her head with a blank expression. With a flash of pink radiance, the lid closed once more, and the restriction talismans reappeared on its surface as though they had never been removed.
The jade box itself then swayed and shot back toward Han Li.
Han Li was not surprised. His sleeve swept out to retrieve the jade box while a pale silver jade vial had already appeared in his other hand. With a flick of his finger, it flew toward the white-robed woman.
Bao caught the jade vial as well, opened the cap, and sent a sweep of her spiritual sense inside. Her dark brows furrowed as she shook her head, and she tossed it back just the same.