Chapter 374: The Transaction

After about half an hour, Han Li's figure appeared above the small island.

With a wave of his hand, layers of restrictions flickered wildly in the void around the island, then disintegrated one after another, turning into sets of formation flags and plates that flew into his sleeve.

Having cultivated on this small island for several hundred years, although no accidents had occurred, the commotion he had caused over the years due to cultivation, crystallizing grains, and the like was considerable. Continuing to live here was no longer safe; he needed to find a new residence.

Han Li took one last look at the island and was about to fly away.

Just then, a roar came from the sea below. As waves churned, a white demon beast surfaced and roared a few more times at the sky.

Han Li raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but smile wryly.

This demon beast was none other than the pig-tapir beast with which he had some connection.

As he pondered, his figure flickered and landed in the air above the sea near the pig-tapir beast.

Seeing this, the beast immediately swam over, wagging its tail and slapping the water, splashing up sprays of foam.

"What, did you know I was leaving and came to see me off?" Han Li bent down and gently stroked the smooth head of the pig-tapir beast, a smile appearing on his face.

The pig-tapir beast let out a low cry and gently rubbed its head against Han Li's palm, as if trying to express something.

Han Li smiled slightly, turned his hand, and produced a clear blue pill, tossing it over.

The pig-tapir beast's eyes lit up, opened its mouth to catch the pill, and swallowed it with a gulp.

"Little one, thank you for the Mo Yu Crystal back then; it helped me a lot. You and I are fated. This pill is my farewell gift to you." Han Li said slowly.

Hearing this, the pig-tapir beast stood there stunned, seeming somewhat reluctant to part.

Han Li patted the pig-tapir beast's head again, then transformed into a streak of green light that flashed to the distant horizon and vanished without a trace.

The pig-tapir beast stared blankly in the direction Han Li had flown.

After watching for a long time, a determined look gradually appeared in its eyes. It turned and dove into the sea.

...

Over a month later, in a border region of the Black Wind Sea.

Above a small island only a dozen miles in size, a green light flashed, revealing a figure in a green robe with a green tiger-head mask on his face—it was Han Li.

Since he was meeting someone from the Wuchang Alliance this time, he did not change his appearance and simply wore the mask.

After sweeping his gaze around, his figure flickered and landed on the island.

This place was already the true border of the Black Wind Sea. In the clear sky, streaks of black clouds appeared like a layer of black mist, blocking the sunlight.

Moreover, these black clouds were not ordinary; they emitted a faint, chilling aura.

Han Li glanced at the faint black clouds in the sky, then quickly withdrew his gaze, sat down cross-legged, and soon a faint green light appeared on his body.

This was the place agreed upon with the gray figure.

In fact, he had secretly arrived here two days earlier and had thoroughly scouted the surrounding sea area.

Being invited to a place like this to discuss forbidden arts not tolerated in this world, he naturally would not let his guard down.

Time passed bit by bit, and half a day went by in the blink of an eye.

Han Li, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly twitched his brow, opened his eyes, stood up, and looked in a certain direction.

Following his gaze, a faint gray light appeared on the distant horizon, speeding toward him with incredible speed. In a flash, it arrived above the island.

The gray light converged, revealing a gray figure that descended.

This person wore a gray robe and a green cat-face mask with the characters 'Sixteen' written on it. It was the same gray figure who had communicated with him before, appearing to be a middle-aged man.

Han Li sized up the other person, who likewise examined Han Li.

"You must be Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven, right? I am Li Sixteen. I apologize for arriving a bit late," the cat-faced man said, clasping his hands apologetically.

"No matter. I just arrived not long ago," Han Li returned the gesture and said.

"That's good. If I had kept you waiting long, it would have been my fault," Li Sixteen said with a chuckle.

"Let's skip these trivial matters. Since you've arrived, let's get straight to business," Han Li frowned slightly and said indifferently.

The other's demeanor and words were quite different from when they had communicated before. He wondered what game he was playing.

"Of course. But this is not the place to talk. Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven, please follow me," Li Sixteen nodded, then shot forward, transforming into a gray streak and flying ahead.

Han Li hesitated for a moment, then also transformed into a green rainbow and followed.

Li Sixteen flew straight ahead, and this flight lasted half a day.

Seeing that the other did not speak, Han Li kept a distance behind him while releasing his divine sense to constantly monitor all movements around.

The further they flew, the denser the black clouds in the sky became. Eventually, the entire sky and earth were filled with thick black clouds, emitting a terrifyingly cold aura.

The seawater below had also been tainted by the yin energy from the clouds, turning pitch black and giving off a bone-piercing chill.

This cold energy was extremely fierce; even cultivators at the Deity Transformation or Body Integration stage would likely be unable to withstand it and would freeze into ice blocks in no time.

Han Li looked around and frowned.

The two flew on for a while longer, and Li Sixteen's gray light shone brightly with no intention of stopping.

Han Li's frown deepened. Suddenly, a green light flashed on his body, and he stopped.

Sensing Han Li's situation, Li Sixteen also halted his flight and asked, "Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven, why have you stopped?"

"Fellow Daoist Li Sixteen, we have flown for a long time. Please tell me where exactly you are taking me. I am not in the habit of being led around blindly," Han Li said calmly.

"Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven, don't be impatient. We're almost there. After all, this matter concerns a forbidden immortal technique and is of great importance. Although this is a border area of the Black Wind Sea, we cannot be careless. If someone discovers that we possess this technique, there will be no place for us in the entire Black Wind Sea. It's better to talk in a safe place," Li Sixteen said somewhat gravely.

"Hmph! Spare me these excuses, Fellow Daoist Li Sixteen. There's not a soul in this place. You'd better tell me the truth, or else I'm afraid I cannot accompany you further," Han Li snorted coldly.

His words were somewhat impolite, but Li Sixteen did not take offense. After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, "I can understand your concerns, Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven. Very well, I'll be honest. The Divine Refining Art you want is not on me. It is with a friend of mine, who is waiting ahead for you."

"With your friend..." Han Li was taken aback.

"Exactly. As I just said, this technique is too significant. My friend was unwilling to handle this matter personally, so he entrusted me to meet with you," Li Sixteen said.

Hearing this, Han Li fell silent, as if considering something.

"I swear I am not lying. If you don't believe me, Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven, there's nothing I can do. We'll have to call off the transaction," Li Sixteen said helplessly, spreading his hands.

Han Li still did not respond, his expression shifting uncertainly as countless thoughts raced through his mind.

Li Sixteen stood there without urging him.

"Alright, I'll go with you. But please tell me clearly where the place is and how much further," Han Li suddenly looked up and said after a long while.

"It's not far. At our speed, we can get there in an hour," Li Sixteen said, his expression visibly relaxing as he smiled.

Han Li noticed the change in Li Sixteen's expression and was inwardly alerted.

After the two had agreed, they immediately set off and continued flying forward.

After flying for about half an hour, a faint rumbling sound came from ahead, growing louder as they advanced.

Seeing this, Han Li's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

After flying a bit further, the two stopped their flight.

Ahead, the sea was filled with surging black yin winds of various sizes—some as large as ten thousand zhang, like giant tornadoes, and others as small as a house.

Countless black yin winds rolled and surged, connecting the sky and the earth, filling the entire void ahead.

The black yin winds howled and roared, making sounds like ghosts wailing and wolves howling.

Hearing these sounds, Han Li felt dizzy and his body involuntarily swayed as if moved by the sounds.

Startled, he quickly activated his cultivation technique to stabilize his mind, but his brow furrowed slightly.

Given his divine sense power, which was comparable to that of an ordinary Golden Immortal, the soul-capturing sounds in these yin winds, though powerful, should not have affected him.

As he pondered, Han Li silently circulated the divine sense power in his mind, and his face suddenly changed beneath the mask.

Though very faint, a trace of unstable fluctuation appeared in his divine sense power.

"Could the Divine Refining Art be backlashing again..." Han Li's heart skipped a beat.

"Is this the first time you've seen the Desolate Soul Wind, Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven? This wind has the power to startle the soul and is extremely potent. Without preparation, even True Immortals like us cannot last long in it," Li Sixteen glanced at Han Li and said.

"What? Do you mean we have to go inside?" Han Li let out a silent breath, calming his agitated mind, and asked.

"Yes. But rest assured, Fellow Daoist Hao Eleven, we won't go too deep into the Desolate Soul Wind, and I have preparations to deal with these yin winds," Li Sixteen nodded.

Han Li said nothing, seemingly waiting for the other to demonstrate his so-called 'preparations.'

Without further ado, Li Sixteen raised a hand, and a black orb suddenly appeared in his palm. It was the size of a chicken egg, emitting rings of black light with countless shadows flickering within, looking quite mysterious—an unknown treasure.

He chanted obscure incantations, and the black light rings emitted by the orb suddenly intensified, expanding to a range of over ten zhang, enveloping both of them.

Han Li felt the howling sounds around him suddenly diminish greatly, and even the bone-piercing cold was mostly blocked. His heart stirred slightly.