Chapter 1071: Exchange Condition

There were nine items that appeared to be offerings, mostly spiritual materials, each emitting astonishing fluctuations of energy.

That black lotus is the Nether Water Immortal Lotus! One of the ten great immortal lotuses in the True Immortal Realm. Taking it not only greatly enhances cultivation but also transforms the physical body into a Nether Water Immortal Body, making the comprehension of water-attribute laws ten times easier than for ordinary cultivators.

That is Heavenly Gold Diamond! A legendary metal-attribute supreme treasure. Immortal artifacts refined from it can pierce through anything!

Am I seeing things? That blue vial contains True Profound Essence—so pure and abundant, enough for two people to advance to the Taiyi stage!

And that...

When the crowd saw the items on the stone table, they were first stunned, then fell into chaos. Those who recognized the items cried out in shock.

Han Li looked at the items on the stone table, a flicker of heat in his eyes, but then he glanced at the walls and floor around the table and frowned.

Jin Liu stared fixedly at the Nether Water Immortal Lotus and the Heavenly Gold Diamond beside it, his gaze burning with intensity as he strode forward.

Fellow Daoist Jin, hold on!” At that moment, a figure appeared before him, blocking his path—it was Han Li.

Fellow Daoist Shi, what are you doing?” Jin Liu, thinking Han Li wanted to seize the Nether Water Immortal Lotus, shouted with a dark expression. At the same time, he moved to dart forward and snatch the treasures.

Take a look at the surroundings of the stone table,” Han Li said calmly.

Jin Liu’s brow twitched. He halted suspiciously and looked around, his expression immediately changing.

On the walls around the stone table were seven dark red patterns, each about a foot in size. The lines were rough, and the edges showed signs of age, exuding a sense of desolation.

The seven patterns seemed to depict seven deities, but they did not appear to be righteous gods. They were grotesque—some with three heads and six arms, others with human bodies and beast heads—emanating a sense of evil and ferocity, likely evil gods.

The seven patterns were arranged on the surrounding walls and floor according to some pattern, but they were quite dim, and the wall material itself had a reddish tint, making them hard to spot.

Among the others, some had been eager to act, but upon hearing Han Li’s words, they stopped and looked around, soon discovering the seven patterns on the walls.

It looks like some kind of restriction formation,” Wen Zhong muttered after carefully examining the seven patterns.

The others exchanged glances, and for a moment no one spoke, apparently not recognizing it either.

I think rather than guessing blindly, we should just give it a try,” Jin Liu said, raising his hand.

Jin Liu, don’t be impulsive!” Su Qianxi tried to stop him, but it was too late.

A blue light flew out from Jin Liu’s sleeve and swept toward the stone table.

As soon as the blue light approached the stone table, the seven patterns blazed with light, emitting streaks of blood-red radiance that coalesced into a blood-colored light barrier.

At the same time, ripples appeared on the barrier, and a massive head suddenly emerged—one of the seven evil god patterns. It opened its mouth wide and swallowed the blue light.

After swallowing the blue light, the evil god head did not immediately vanish. It roared at Han Li and the others, as if trying to break free from the blood-colored barrier and devour them.

A violent and ferocious will erupted from the evil god head, transmitting into the minds of everyone present!

Their vision turned red, and in their minds arose scenes of mountains of skulls, rivers of blood, and barren lands stretching for thousands of miles. A boundless killing intent surged toward their souls!

Fortunately, everyone here had high cultivation and strong soul power, so they quickly dispelled the killing intent.

The evil god head roared a few more times but could not break free from the blood-colored barrier’s confinement. It faded back into the barrier, which flickered twice and then vanished.

Han Li’s eyes flickered slightly at the sight.

Although he did not recognize the blood-colored formation, he could discern some clues. It seemed to be a blood-path formation, somewhat similar to the Blood Weeping Grand Formation in the Scale Fish Wilderness, but with more killing and transformative variations.

As for how to break it, he was at a loss.

What a formidable sinister formation. It seems obtaining the treasures inside will require some effort,” Lei Yuce muttered.

Hmph! No matter how sinister the formation, with all of us here working together, I don’t believe we can’t break it,” Jin Liu snorted, his eyes fixed greedily on the treasures on the stone table, as if he wished to claim them all immediately.

Although Jin Liu’s proposed method of breaking the formation was crude, the others nodded in agreement.

This method was the simplest, and they didn’t have much time to waste here.

Han Li frowned slightly.

Although he hadn’t fully understood the blood-colored formation, he felt that using brute force to break it would not work.

If you want to obtain the treasures inside, you’d better not use brute force to break the formation,” a voice suddenly spoke up. It was Lan Yan, who had been silent until now.

The others were startled and looked at Lan Yan.

Fellow Daoist Lan, what do you mean? Do you recognize this formation?” Lei Yuce asked with a pleased expression.

Somewhat. I have dabbled a bit in formations and once read about this formation in an ancient text. It is called the Seven Kill Blood God Grand Formation, a blood-path formation that harnesses the power of the seven blood-path evil gods. If one tries to break it with brute force without understanding its principles, the power of the seven evil gods within will collide and self-destruct. I don’t know how powerful the explosion would be, but it would certainly destroy the treasures inside,” Lan Yan said calmly.

Han Li raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

The others’ expressions shifted upon hearing this.

Jin Liu’s face darkened. His impulsiveness had nearly caused a disaster.

In truth, it wasn’t entirely his fault. The Nether Water Immortal Lotus was highly compatible with his cultivation technique; obtaining it would allow him to break through his current bottleneck.

The Heavenly Gold Diamond was also something he had coveted for years and was of great use to him. Earlier, when Han Li and the others had entered the golden gate first, the metal-attribute spiritual energy inside was extremely dense, likely to have produced one or two Heavenly Gold Diamonds.

His later targeting of Han Li in the second layer was because he suspected Han Li possessed such a treasure. He never expected to encounter it here.

Since Fellow Daoist Lan recognizes this formation, you must also know how to break it. Please enlighten us,” Lei Yuce said sincerely, looking at Lan Yan.

Fellow Daoist Lei wants me to help for free?” Lan Yan smiled lightly.

Fellow Daoist Lan wants some compensation? How about this: after we break the formation, you may choose one of these treasures first as payment for your assistance?” Lei Yuce was taken aback but quickly said.

The others were also determined to obtain the treasures, and though their expressions changed slightly, they said nothing.

I can help you all break the Seven Kill Blood God Grand Formation, but I don’t want these treasures. Instead, I want to exchange for a different condition,” Lan Yan said, glancing at Han Li.

Han Li noticed Lan Yan’s action but his expression remained unchanged.

Oh? What condition does Fellow Daoist Lan want?” Lei Yuce was startled again and asked.

My senior apprentice brother is currently in Fellow Daoist Shi’s hands. I want Fellow Daoist Shi to release him,” Lan Yan said, looking at Han Li slowly.

Your senior apprentice brother…” Lei Yuce’s expression shifted as the image of Lan Yuanzi came to mind, and he looked at Han Li.

The others also turned to Han Li upon hearing Lan Yan’s words.

Han Li immediately understood Lan Yan’s intention: she was using this opportunity to pressure him through the group to release Lan Yuanzi. She certainly knew how to seize the moment.

He sneered inwardly but said nothing, standing with his hands behind his back. He was somewhat puzzled: how did Lan Yan know that he hadn’t killed Lan Yuanzi but had imprisoned him?

Fellow Daoist Shi, is Fellow Daoist Lan’s senior apprentice brother in your hands?” Lei Yuce turned to Han Li and asked.

That’s right. This Fellow Daoist Lan and her senior apprentice brother joined forces to attack me, and I captured and imprisoned him,” Han Li said with narrowed eyes, his tone flat.

Su Qianxi had guessed that Lan Yan might have clashed with Han Li earlier, and upon hearing Han Li’s words, she thought, “Just as I suspected.”

Then her gaze wandered between Han Li and Lan Yan, as if pondering something.

Although Lei Yuce had guessed there was some conflict among the three, he hadn’t expected it to be so intense. His heart sank.

I don’t know what grievances exist among you three, but now we are all in danger and need to work together to move forward. Fellow Daoist Shi, could you release Fellow Daoist Lan’s senior apprentice brother?” He muttered inwardly but spoke earnestly to Han Li, playing the peacemaker.

Fellow Daoist Lei, I have a deep enmity with these two—it’s a fight to the death. If I release her senior apprentice brother, what’s to stop them from coming after me?” Han Li replied coldly.

Fellow Daoist Lan, what do you say?” Lei Yuce felt Han Li had a point and turned to Lan Yan with a frown.

As long as Fellow Daoist Shi releases my senior apprentice brother, I can swear that I will not attack Fellow Daoist Shi within this secret realm. Besides, Fellow Daoist Shi’s strength far surpasses mine and my senior apprentice brother’s; we would not do something so unwise,” Lan Yan said immediately.

I have never believed in oaths. Even heart demons’ oaths can be broken. I will never place my safety in others’ hands. Drop this matter,” Han Li shook his head.

Although he had defeated Lan Yuanzi and Lan Yan, he felt that the Nine Yuan Temple’s pursuit of him was not over, and a vague unease lingered in his heart. That was why he had captured Lan Yuanzi instead of killing him outright.

With Lan Yuanzi as a hostage, Lan Yan would be cautious and dare not act against him. Why would he give that up?

Fellow Daoist Shi, Fellow Daoist Lan has shown sincerity in her words. To cling to past grievances is rather petty for a man. Moreover, we have agreed to set aside our differences and work together. Your refusal now is openly opposing us and shows disregard for our earlier agreement,” Jin Liu, eager to break the formation and already harboring resentment toward Han Li, naturally sided with Lan Yan, applying pressure on Han Li.

Han Li frowned, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He had saved Jin Liu before, yet the man showed no gratitude and was so quick to forget loyalty for gain—truly despicable.