Chapter 319 News

At the same time that Elder Changhe spoke, Han Li sensed another eager gaze fixed on him—it was Shu Tiansheng.

Seeing Han Li look his way, Shu Tiansheng forced a somewhat ingratiating smile onto his face.

"Sorry, this Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal is only for exchange with the materials I just mentioned." Han Li withdrew his gaze, shaking his head with a resolute expression.

"Fellow Daoist Li, is there really no room for negotiation?" Elder Changhe's face changed color, still unwilling to give up.

"This piece of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal is out of the question, but I still have some smaller fire crystals. If any of you can provide information on the whereabouts of one of the nine materials I mentioned, you can also obtain a piece." Han Li pondered for a moment, then said.

As he spoke, he swept his hand across the table again, and two fist-sized pieces of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal appeared on the surface.

Elder Changhe looked at the two fire crystals with a burning gaze, fell silent for a long while, and finally sat down dejectedly.

Shu Tiansheng also sat back down, lowering his eyelids; clearly, he had no news on that front either.

Seeing this, Han Li sighed, waved his hand, and put away the three pieces of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal from the table.

The exchange continued, but after the Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal, the items brought out were all unremarkable, and the atmosphere became沉闷.

Half an hour later, the exchange meeting ended hastily in this atmosphere.

Han Li did not stay long; he immediately rose and left with Qi Liang.

Elder Changhe was still unwilling to give up and asked again before Han Li left whether he could exchange for a piece of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal.

This time, Elder Changhe aimed for the two smaller pieces and brought out many rare treasures.

But Han Li had no need for these things and refused again, leaving Elder Changhe deeply disappointed.

However, he took out a communication array disk and handed it to Elder Changhe, asking him to send a message if he obtained those materials or news in the future.

Elder Changhe perked up a bit at this, repeatedly assuring that he would do his utmost to search and begged Han Li to keep one or two pieces of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal for him no matter what.

Han Li was slightly surprised by the man's eagerness to obtain the fire crystals but nodded in agreement, and soon left the Scorpion Pavilion with Qi Liang.

"Where does Brother Li plan to go next?" Qi Liang asked.

"I'll look around elsewhere, hoping to take this opportunity to acquire some more materials, after all, an exchange of this scale is rare." Han Li said, looking ahead down the street.

"I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't accompany you, Brother Li. Take care." Qi Liang nodded and took his leave.

"Alright, see you at the lecture assembly." Han Li said with a smile, then took his leave and walked ahead down the street.

Qi Liang watched Han Li's retreating figure, sighed softly for some reason, then turned and walked in the other direction.

After walking two streets, Han Li suddenly stopped, turned around, and said coldly, "You've been following me for a while. What do you want?"

Not far behind Han Li stood a portly man—it was Shu Tiansheng.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Li Feiyu. I am Shu Tiansheng of Tiansheng Peak. I was out of line at the exchange earlier; please forgive me." Shu Tiansheng cupped his hands in apology, his attitude quite sincere.

"It's nothing worth mentioning. But why are you following me?" Han Li said, his expression softening slightly.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Fellow Daoist Li. I followed to ask if you plan to continue searching for the materials you mentioned at the auction?" Shu Tiansheng cupped his hands again, then changed the subject.

"I don't like beating around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it." Han Li said indifferently.

"Yes, yes. Actually, I know the whereabouts of one of those materials, but with so many people around, I didn't speak up publicly." Shu Tiansheng gave an apologetic smile, then said seriously.

"Oh? Which material?" Han Li's eyes lit up.

Shu Tiansheng opened his mouth to speak, but then swallowed his words back, looking hesitant.

"Don't worry, what I said earlier still holds. If you can provide information on one material, you'll get a piece of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal." Han Li said, seeing Shu Tiansheng's expression.

"No... I do know the whereabouts of something you need, but it's not one of those nine materials—it's Blood Crystal Lotus." Shu Tiansheng glanced at Han Li and said.

"Blood Crystal Lotus... indeed, that is something I want. What do you want in exchange for this information? Speak plainly." Han Li was taken aback, then looked deeply at Shu Tiansheng and said.

"Since Brother Li is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. I hope to exchange this information for a piece of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal." Shu Tiansheng smiled.

Han Li just looked at him without speaking.

"I know Blood Crystal Lotus isn't among the nine materials you mentioned, and its value is somewhat lower. How about this: I'll add a sum of immortal spirit stones to exchange for a small piece of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal?" Shu Tiansheng took a deep breath and said.

"That won't be necessary. Blood Crystal Lotus is also something I want. Just tell me its whereabouts; no need for immortal spirit stones." Han Li shook his head, his expression calm.

His face remained unchanged, but inwardly he was pleased. In fact, compared to the nine materials for the Dao Pill, he wanted Blood Crystal Lotus more. With it, he could immediately begin refining the Ten Thousand Wheels Pill.

"Thank you for your generosity, Fellow Daoist Li. Actually, there are many cultivators gathered in White Jade City now, including many True Immortals. Exchange meetings and auctions like the one just now are quite common. To be honest, I happen to know of a secret high-end auction three days from now. The requirements for participants are extremely strict—they must be at least mid-stage True Immortal. I found out by chance that Blood Crystal Lotus is said to appear at this auction." Shu Tiansheng moved his lips and transmitted his voice.

"Secret auction!" Han Li's heart stirred, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Requiring mid-stage True Immortal cultivation to participate meant that even most of the True Immortal elders of the Candle Dragon Sect couldn't attend. This auction was indeed extraordinary.

"Since Fellow Daoist Li easily broke my illusion, your cultivation level is definitely no issue." Shu Tiansheng had now resumed his casual demeanor and said with a grin.

Han Li ignored the man's probing. After a moment's thought, he nodded and said, "Alright, I will definitely attend this auction. If Blood Crystal Lotus really appears, I will give you a piece of Vermilion Cloud Fire Crystal as agreed."

"Then it's settled. We'll meet here again at noon three days from now." A hint of joy flashed in Shu Tiansheng's eyes, and he soon took his leave.

Han Li watched him disappear into the distance, then turned and continued forward.

Time flew by, and night soon fell.

Large crescent-shaped gems emerged in various parts of White Jade City, emitting bright white light that illuminated the entire city as if it were daytime.

The shops and buildings in the city also lit up with bright lights. Against the backdrop of night, White Jade City looked even more enchanting than during the day.

Han Li walked out of a shop in the city.

He had visited all the remaining material shops in the city with a hopeful mindset, but still couldn't find the materials he needed.

Although he had mentally prepared for this, he couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated. Now he could only rely on private exchange meetings and auctions.

However, the half-day of browsing was not without gains.

Han Li had learned from a shop owner about another exchange meeting, to be held tomorrow.

Although this exchange meeting was of average scale, probably even smaller than the one at the Scorpion Pavilion, Han Li didn't intend to miss it.

Han Li left the shop, turned a few blocks, and arrived at a rather quiet street.

The buildings on both sides of this street were inns, and there were few pedestrians.

After a day of wandering, though not tired, Han Li still wanted to rest.

He glanced around, chose a small inn, walked over, and asked for a quiet superior room.

Led by an inn attendant, he soon arrived at a room on the third floor.

"Sir, please rest well. If you need anything, just call." The attendant said smartly.

Han Li looked around the room; it was decent.

He casually rewarded the attendant with a spirit stone, then waved his hand to indicate he could leave.

The attendant was overjoyed, bowed, and quickly withdrew.

Han Li turned to close the door, but at that moment, footsteps sounded.

A woman in red passed by the door, her face covered by a veil, her features unclear, but she seemed young and graceful.

Although White Jade City was not small, the number of cultivators in the city was so large that housing was cramped, and the inns were designed like those in the mortal world.

The woman in red glanced at Han Li but didn't stop; she walked quickly past and soon disappeared down the corridor.

Han Li watched her swaying figure, a hint of doubt appearing in his eyes.

Although she had concealed her aura, Han Li's divine sense was powerful enough to keenly detect that her cultivation was definitely at the True Immortal level.

In the current White Jade City, a True Immortal cultivator was nothing special.

But her figure vaguely gave Han Li a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before.

He thought for a moment but couldn't place it, so he shook his head and stopped worrying.

After closing the door, Han Li set up a layer of restrictions in the room and sat cross-legged on the bed.

...

Three days passed in a flash.

At noon, Han Li arrived at the place agreed with Shu Tiansheng.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you're here." Shu Tiansheng was already waiting there. Seeing Han Li approach, he greeted him with a beaming smile.

Han Li nodded without saying much.

"The auction venue is somewhat secluded. Please follow me, Fellow Daoist Li." Shu Tiansheng transmitted his voice and then walked ahead.

The two walked in silence, weaving through streets for a full half hour before arriving at a remote small shop.

The area was sparsely populated, and the shop had no customers. Only a thin, old shopkeeper lay on a recliner behind the counter, looking drowsy.