Chapter 530: Conditions for Exchange

"What are you? How dare you block my path! Get out of my way!"

Han Li's face was filled with murderous intent. Golden light flashed on his body, and with a crisp crack, one of his arms suddenly swelled to twice its size. He clenched his fist and punched toward the horned giant.

With a thunderous boom!

His arm instantly turned a dazzling gold, as if forged from the metal itself, and golden needle-like hairs sprouted from it.

Where the golden fist passed, the void let out a piercing shriek, leaving a stark white trail as if it were about to tear apart.

Before the fist shadow even arrived, a terrifying, suffocating force crashed down.

The horned giant's expression changed. He stepped back, and dense blue light emerged on his body. His arms blazed with light, and his hands transformed into two ferocious dragon claws.

With a loud roar, the giant's hands erupted with blinding blue light as he pushed them forward into the void.

Blue light flashed before him, and two millstone-sized blue dragon claw phantoms materialized out of thin air.

Countless blue runes danced on the two blue dragon claws, and waves of blue ripples appeared in their palms, looking profoundly mysterious.

The two blue dragon claws overlapped and met Han Li's fist.

A thunderous crash rang out!

The golden fist smashed into the two blue dragon claw phantoms, which shattered on impact, dissolving into scattered blue light.

Not only that, a dazzling golden light shot from Han Li's hand, instantly transforming into a giant golden fist shadow that struck down fiercely.

The horned giant was greatly alarmed and waved his hands hastily.

Two blue triangular small shields flew out from his body, turning into two crystalline blue light barriers that shielded him.

The barriers had just formed when the golden fist shadow slammed into them.

A series of booming explosions!

The golden fist shadow burst apart, turning into rolling golden waves radiating terrifying power, engulfing the two blue light barriers.

The two blue light barriers, utterly unable to withstand the dreadful power of the golden ripples, shattered inch by inch.

A surge of immense force exploded outward, causing the entire hall to tremble violently.

The horned giant staggered back more than ten steps before steadying himself.

This scene, though long in description, happened in the blink of an eye.

As the shattered blue light dissipated, Han Li had somehow already arrived at the spot where the giant had stood. The two triangular shield artifacts were now in his hands, broken into several pieces.

Han Li rubbed his hands together and then opened them. The artifact fragments had turned into powder. He blew gently, and the powder scattered, releasing an intensely rich spiritual energy.

Seeing this, the horned giant's eyes twitched.

The other Golden Immortals of Cangliu Palace stood up, all showing expressions of shock.

Although the horned giant was only at the mid-stage Golden Immortal peak, he was no ordinary human cultivator. He possessed the bloodline of a horned dragon, granting him innate physical strength comparable to a True Extreme Body of a Mystic Immortal. Yet he was defeated in a single exchange, and it seemed his opponent had not even used his full strength.

Han Li slowly withdrew his arm, not even glancing at the horned giant, and continued walking forward.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The group of Golden Immortals from Cangliu Palace flew in front of Han Li, blocking his path. Their faces showed hostility, and various colored lights flickered on their bodies.

"Excellent! Today I truly experience the hospitality of Cangliu Palace," Han Li laughed heartily, golden light blazing from his body.

A layer of golden fur grew over his entire body. His form suddenly swelled, his limbs lengthened, and he transformed into a ten-zhang-tall golden ape. The aura he emitted surged dramatically, reaching the late Golden Immortal stage. This aura was filled with brutality and a chilling murderous intent that spread like a tidal wave.

The Golden Immortals of Cangliu Palace were all startled by Han Li's suddenly enhanced aura.

"Stop!" At that moment, a figure appeared between Han Li and the group of Golden Immortals—it was Luo Qinghai.

"So Palace Master Luo wishes to join as well?" The golden ape sneered, golden light flickering in his eyes, showing no fear.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Liu, please do not misunderstand. Luo has no such intention. All of you, withdraw! Each of you go into seclusion and reflect on your actions. Without my permission, do not leave. Fellow Daoist Liu is an honored guest of Cangliu Palace; how dare you act so recklessly!" Luo Qinghai smiled amiably at Han Li, then scolded the Golden Immortals.

"Yes!"

The Golden Immortals dared not say more. The light on their bodies faded, and they filed out of the hall.

The horned giant shot a fierce glare at Han Li before turning and leaving.

Golden light flickered in Han Li's eyes, then flashed over his body as he reverted to human form.

Soon, only Han Li and Luo Qinghai remained in the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, to be honest, our Cangliu Palace suffered heavy losses in the Minghan Immortal Mansion. Palace Masters Tie and Qiu have also gone missing without cause. Thus, our disciples are unsettled and may have acted impulsively. I hope you will not take offense," Luo Qinghai said with a smile.

"Missing without cause? It seems Palace Master Luo also believes that I deliberately slandered those two. In that case, there is nothing more to discuss." Han Li sneered.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, please calm down and allow me to explain. At our level of cultivation, we are rarely swayed by emotions; everything is driven by interest. Your visit to Cangliu Palace is surely not merely to seek an explanation, is it?" Luo Qinghai looked at Han Li and said with a faint smile.

Han Li's brow twitched, but he said nothing.

"The soul lamps of Palace Masters Tie and Qiu have not gone out. It seems you were merciful and spared them. On their behalf, I apologize to you. I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold their actions against them." Luo Qinghai solemnly cupped his hands toward Han Li.

"Palace Master Luo misunderstands. Those two are ambitious and ruthless. I did not kill them only because I did not want to let them off too easily." Han Li remained unmoved, his tone icy.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Liu, please calm your anger. Regardless of why Palace Masters Tie and Qiu clashed with you, if you are willing to return their Nascent Souls intact, Cangliu Palace will offer compensation to your satisfaction." Luo Qinghai chuckled.

"Oh? Are you so confident I will agree?" Han Li paused, then said.

"I believe everything in this world has a price. With the right conditions, even enemies can become friends." Luo Qinghai smiled even more brightly.

"Since Palace Master Luo is so sincere, very well. I have no great use for their Nascent Souls; I can return them to you." Han Li paused, then said.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Liu. What do you desire? Our sect has always been frugal, not as wealthy as Fuling Sect or Zhulong Dao, but we will do our best to meet your needs." Luo Qinghai was delighted and relieved, quickly cupping his hands in thanks.

"The Northern Cold Immortal Domain is remote and barren, with little to tempt me. However, in the Minghan Immortal Mansion, I heard from Fellow Daoist Gongshu that your Cangliu Palace possesses a technique called the 'Water Evolution Four Seasons Art,' which is related to the laws of time. Is that true?" Han Li walked to a nearby seat and sat down, asking.

"This... we do have such a technique. But the Fellow Daoist Gongshu you mentioned—could it be the Immortal Envoy Gongshu Jiu who appeared in the Minghan Immortal Mansion?" Luo Qinghai's eyes flickered with a strange light as he asked.

"Indeed, it was him." Han Li nodded.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Liu also entered the Minghan Immortal Mansion. However, we did not encounter you there. Did you perhaps enter together with Immortal Envoy Gongshu?" Luo Qinghai's gaze shifted as he asked.

"We are discussing terms now. Palace Master Luo seems to be straying from the topic." Han Li frowned.

"My apologies. Please continue, Fellow Daoist Liu." Luo Qinghai smiled.

"I won't say more. Hand over the 'Water Evolution Four Seasons Art,' and I will return the Nascent Souls of those two." Han Li seemed to lose interest in the conversation and stated directly.

"The 'Water Evolution Four Seasons Art' is the founding scripture of Cangliu Palace. Even within the sect, only those authorized by the Council of Elders may peruse it. This request is somewhat unreasonable. Could you consider another condition?" Luo Qinghai looked troubled.

"I have stated my terms. Whether you accept is up to you. I will wait here for one hour. If I do not see the 'Water Evolution Four Seasons Art' within that time, I will have to refine these two Nascent Souls into Golden Soul Pills." Han Li took out an object and toyed with it casually.

Luo Qinghai's pupils contracted.

Han Li had taken out a white crystal ball. Inside it was sealed a blue Nascent Soul, whose face was that of the pale-faced scholar.

Upon seeing Luo Qinghai, the blue Nascent Soul's eyes showed surprise, but it could not move or transmit sound.

"In that case, please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Liu. I will go discuss this with the others." Luo Qinghai shifted his gaze from the crystal ball, gave Han Li a deep look, and walked out.

Han Li paid no attention to Luo Qinghai's departure, continuing to toy with the white crystal ball.

...

Luo Qinghai left the hall, his brows deeply furrowed, appearing hesitant.

But soon, he walked toward the left and entered a side hall.

The group that had just left was all gathered there. They stood up when they saw Luo Qinghai enter.

"Great Palace Master, how did it go?" The green-faced old Daoist asked.

Luo Qinghai concealed nothing and recounted the entire conversation with Han Li.

"What! He wants the 'Water Evolution Four Seasons Art'? That's pure fantasy!" The horned giant was the first to speak, snorting coldly.

"Indeed, the 'Water Evolution Four Seasons Art' is the founding treasure of Cangliu Palace. It cannot be passed to an outsider." The veiled young woman also said.

"From what the Great Palace Master says, that person is unlikely to change his terms. If we refuse, what about Palace Masters Tie and Qiu?" The green-faced old Daoist frowned, thinking of something.

The veiled young woman's brows furrowed, and she fell silent.

"Although that person is powerful, if we all attack together, along with the restrictions in Cangliu Hall, can we not subdue him? Once we imprison him, we can naturally rescue Palace Masters Tie and Qiu." The horned giant's eyes flashed with killing intent as he said coldly.

The others showed fierce looks, seemingly tempted by the idea.