Chapter 713: Playing Hard to Get

Han Li looked at the phantom of the white-robed man before him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Although the other party appeared utterly disheveled, he gave Han Li a vaguely familiar feeling, yet he couldn't recall where he had seen him.

“I see, so you’re a human cultivator from the Immortal Realm. You’ve got some nerve, kid—leaving the true Immortal Realm to come to the Gray Realm,” the white-robed man said, sizing up Han Li with a knowing smile.

“Who are you?” Han Li asked, startled, speaking slowly.

His disguise was flawless, yet this man had seen through it at a glance.

Still, although the white-robed man had emerged from the black ancient blade, he didn’t seem hostile. And while the evil power within the blade was considerable, Han Li felt he could handle it.

“Who am I? That’s a good question… You can call me Shi Qinghou,” the white-robed man said with a faint smile, waving his sleeve, giving off an air of serene elegance.

“Shi Qinghou… Might you be the blade spirit of this ancient sword?” Han Li asked again.

As he spoke, he searched his memory of the Gray Realm texts he’d read recently; the name wasn’t there, leaving him unsure if it was real.

“Blade spirit? Something like that…” Shi Qinghou’s eyes flashed with resentment, but he quickly suppressed it.

Han Li noted the shift in Shi Qinghou’s expression, his mind stirring slightly, but he revealed nothing.

He opened his mouth to speak again.

“You’ve already asked me two questions, kid. Since you’re from the true Immortal Realm, you should know the principle of courtesy requires reciprocity. Now it’s my turn to ask, isn’t it?” Shi Qinghou raised a hand to stop Han Li.

“You’re right. Please, go ahead,” Han Li said, pausing before gesturing.

“My question is much like yours: who are you, and why are you here?” Shi Qinghou’s gaze sharpened, and a terrifying aura, like that of a primordial beast, erupted from him.

The black light on the ancient blade flared intensely, and within it, the shadow of a massive two-headed fox appeared, its eyes fixed on Han Li as if ready to tear him apart.

“I am Li Han. My arrival in the Gray Realm was purely accidental. While exploring a secret realm in the Immortal Realm, I was swallowed by a spatial vortex and ended up here,” Han Li said calmly, unfazed by Shi Qinghou’s imposing presence.

Shi Qinghou frowned, his eyes flickering as he judged the truth of Han Li’s words.

“I don’t know if you’re telling the truth, but you don’t seem to be sent by that bastard Yin Chengquan. If so, we’re not enemies,” Shi Qinghou said after staring at Han Li for a long moment.

With a wave of his hand, his fearsome aura receded like a tide, and the soaring black light of the blade retracted.

“Yin Chengquan…” Han Li raised an eyebrow; the name was unfamiliar, but he had more pressing matters to discuss.

“I’ve answered your two questions. Now it’s my turn. What is this black ancient blade?” Han Li asked, flicking his sleeve.

“You don’t know this blade? I see. You dared to touch the Blood Transformation Blade with your divine sense, so you’re definitely not one of Yin Chengquan’s men,” Shi Qinghou said, nodding to himself in surprise.

He then fell into thought, as if considering something.

“You haven’t answered my question,” Han Li reminded him, tapping his fingers.

“This blade is called the Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade. The souls of all slain by it are forever trapped within, unable to reincarnate. Over the ages, countless souls have perished under this blade, so its contained baleful aura and resentment have reached an astonishing level. You’ve already experienced it, so I needn’t elaborate,” Shi Qinghou said, snapping back to attention.

“The Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade… It must be a rare treasure,” Han Li murmured, his curiosity piqued, but it was Shi Qinghou’s turn to ask.

“Human kid, since you’re not with Yin Chengquan and possess the power of time law, how about we make a deal?” Shi Qinghou said, changing the subject.

“A deal? What kind?” Han Li narrowed his eyes, growing cautious.

“Don’t worry, I mean you no harm. This deal benefits us both,” Shi Qinghou said with a smile, raising his hand.

A beam of white light flew from his palm and vanished into the ground beside the Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade.

The ground began to hum, and soon, a circular stone platform rose half a foot high, centered on the blade, extending about ten zhang in radius.

The soil on the platform was shaken off, revealing a gray stone surface inscribed with countless black lines forming a complex array.

Inky black light emanated from the array, flowing rapidly outward with a piercing wail that sent chills down one’s spine.

The Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade stood at the center of the black array, completely enveloped, as if imprisoned.

“This is…” Han Li looked surprised.

He had scanned the area with his divine sense earlier but hadn’t detected this array underground.

This array was entirely different from those in the Immortal Realm—it was a unique Gray Realm restriction. Han Li had read some texts on Gray Realm arrays, but he only knew the basics and couldn’t understand this black formation.

Though he couldn’t comprehend it, he could sense its profound complexity—layers of restrictive forces interwoven, ever-changing, vast as the starry sky, no less formidable than any restriction he had ever seen.

“This is a sealing array. You’re from the true Immortal Realm, so you might not understand. The Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade was sealed here, trapping me with it for eternity. My request is simple: pull the blade from this seal. Of course, I won’t ask for your help for nothing. If you can get me out, I’ll control the Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade and serve you for a hundred thousand years,” Shi Qinghou said solemnly, lowering his arm.

“Pull out the Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade… You overestimate me. Though I have some abilities, this Great Black Heavenly Path Divine Restriction is immensely powerful. I don’t think I can break it,” Han Li’s eyes lit up, but he quickly shook his head.

“Alone, you can’t. But I’ve been inside this blade for eons, constantly eroding the restriction. I’ve already refined much of it and can reduce most of its power for you,” Shi Qinghou said with a smile.

“In that case, it’s worth considering. But there must be other obstacles to pulling out the blade, or you’d have escaped long ago,” Han Li said, stroking his chin knowingly.

“Of course. Even with my help reducing most of the restriction’s power, pulling out the blade requires at least the strength of a Tai Yi realm cultivator. And while I focus on suppressing the array, I can’t protect you from the blade. Once you touch it, the infinite resentment within will backlash against you. Only the three supreme laws can withstand it. You have the time law, human kid, which is why I want to cooperate,” Shi Qinghou nodded.

Han Li fell silent, lowering his head in thought.

“Human kid, what do you think of my proposal?” Shi Qinghou pressed after a while.

“As you said, this is a win-win situation. But I’m sorry, you’ll have to find someone else,” Han Li said, shaking his head.

Shi Qinghou’s brows furrowed, and his expression darkened.

Han Li ignored him and made as if to leave.

“Wait… Do you know what the Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade means? With this blade, your strength could increase tenfold. You’re only at the peak of Golden Immortal, but with my help, you could sweep through the Tai Yi realm. Even so, you’d give it up?” Shi Qinghou said slowly.

“The blade’s power is great, but it’s under your control, not ownerless. And how do I know everything you’ve said is true? I’m new to the Gray Realm; I’d rather be cautious,” Han Li said, unmoved.

“So you doubt me. That’s understandable. Tell me, what would it take for you to trust me?” Shi Qinghou said, his expression relaxing.

“If you want me to believe your sincerity, you must first agree to two conditions,” Han Li said after a moment’s thought.

“Name them,” Shi Qinghou said without changing his expression.

“First, I want to know who you really are. You’re not the blade spirit of the Heavenly Fox Blood Transformation Blade, are you? And who is this Yin Chengquan you mentioned, and what’s the grudge between you?” Han Li said, staring at Shi Qinghou’s face.

“Why do you want to know that?” Shi Qinghou’s calm demeanor shifted, and he frowned.

“Let’s be frank. I can take you away from here, but I don’t want to invite trouble. If you don’t explain these things clearly, I won’t agree to your proposal,” Han Li said evenly.

Shi Qinghou’s face showed complex emotions. After a long silence, he said slowly, “Fine, since you insist, I’ll tell you. But knowing too much isn’t always a good thing.”

“I’m all ears,” Han Li said with a slight smile.