Chapter 716: First Arrival at Blacktooth

"Brother Shi is also undergoing the tribulation of the Calamity of Decay?" Han Li asked, a hint of surprise on his face.

"It actually began several hundred years ago, but I suppressed it with a secret technique. I never expected it to flare up now. But enough of that, Fellow Daoist Li, have you refined the Su-Sha Pill?" Shi Chuankong asked, looking at Han Li with eager eyes.

Han Li said nothing. He flipped his hand, and a black pill appeared in his palm, its surface faintly visible with wisps of black qi swirling around it.

Shi Chuankong's eyes lit up, and he abruptly stood up. The silver restrictions around him flashed, and a beam of silver light flew out from within, transforming into a large silver hand that grasped the black pill.

Han Li did not stop it, allowing the silver hand to take hold of the Su-Sha Pill.

Just as the large hand was about to retract, it suddenly halted in midair.

"Fellow Daoist Li, what should I use in exchange for this Su-Sha Pill?" Shi Chuankong asked, his body's baleful qi seeming to fluctuate violently due to his emotional agitation, even causing his arm to tremble slightly. Still, he looked at Han Li and inquired.

"We can discuss that later. The priority now is to refine this pill and suppress the baleful qi within you. Otherwise, given your current state and being in this Grey Realm, if the Calamity of Decay erupts, it will be quite troublesome," Han Li said with a faint smile.

"Very well, then I won't stand on ceremony," Shi Chuankong said gratefully. The silver hand shot back and disappeared into the silver restrictions.

The surface of the silver pipa flickered with silver light and spun around.

The void around Shi Chuankong immediately twisted, and spatial vortices emerged out of thin air. The silver restrictions also blazed with light, completely engulfing Shi Chuankong's body.

Seeing this, Han Li raised an eyebrow slightly but did not leave. He found a spot in the room and sat down cross-legged.

Time passed bit by bit, and before they knew it, over half a year had gone by.

The churning silver light suddenly scattered and vanished without a trace.

The silver restrictions inside had also disappeared at some point, revealing Shi Chuankong's figure.

His aura had now calmed, and the red light in his eyes was gone, making it seem as if he had fully recovered.

"Fellow Daoist Li, I am truly grateful. If not for your Su-Sha Pill, I fear I would have perished in this Grey Realm," Shi Chuankong said, bowing to Han Li in thanks.

"Since we are both in this foreign and dangerous land, it is only natural that we help each other," Han Li said with a smile as he stood up.

Shi Chuankong glanced at Han Li, pondered for a moment, then flipped his hand to produce a square jade box. Opening it revealed a pitch-black spiritual herb.

A peculiar fragrance emanated from the herb, clearing the mind upon smelling it.

"This is..." Han Li immediately recognized what the black spiritual herb was, and his eyes lit up.

"If I am not mistaken, Fellow Daoist Li, you have also cultivated the Art of Spirit Refinement, so you must need this Ten-Thousand Soul Grass. I acquired this herb many years ago, so let me exchange it for that Su-Sha Pill just now," Shi Chuankong said, handing over the jade box.

"In that case, I won't be polite. This is indeed something I desire," Han Li said, giving Shi Chuankong a deep look before taking the jade box and putting it away.

"This Ten-Thousand Soul Grass can enhance one's divine sense, and many people consume it directly after obtaining it. However, if one can refine it into a Ten-Thousand Soul Pill, the effects would be even better," Shi Chuankong added.

"Ten-Thousand Soul Pill?" Han Li showed a hint of surprise.

Back at the auction in Jukun City, the Celestial Envoy had used this as bait to lure out those who cultivated the Soul Refining Art and needed the Ten-Thousand Soul Grass to enhance their divine sense.

Although he had not succeeded back then, he had later specifically investigated information about the Ten-Thousand Soul Grass. The materials he found all mentioned that the method of using the Ten-Thousand Soul Grass was to consume and refine it directly, with no mention of refining it into a pill.

"The Ten-Thousand Soul Pill is a formula recently developed by an alchemy grandmaster in our Demon Domain millions of years ago. It has not yet spread to other parts of the True Immortal Realm, so it is not surprising that you are unaware of it, Fellow Daoist Li," Shi Chuankong said, taking out a jade slip and handing it directly to Han Li.

Han Li's gaze focused, and without hesitation, he took the jade slip.

He probed it with his divine sense and quickly withdrew it, a hint of joy appearing on his face.

At first glance, the materials required for the Ten-Thousand Soul Pill formula were not complicated, and once he returned to the True Immortal Realm, it would be easy to gather them.

Moreover, according to the formula, refining the Ten-Thousand Soul Grass into a Ten-Thousand Soul Pill would indeed significantly enhance its effects, which was an unexpected delight for him.

"Fellow Daoist Li, do you have any more of the Su-Sha Pills you refined this time? Could you sell me a few more? Although I don't have any more Ten-Thousand Soul Grass, at the Jukun City auction back then, that stalk of Ten-Thousand Soul Grass sold for three thousand five hundred immortal spirit stones. I am willing to pay that price in exchange," Shi Chuankong asked, looking at Han Li hopefully.

"I didn't have enough materials, so I only refined a small batch of Su-Sha Pills this time. I also need some for self-preservation, so I can only sell you five," Han Li said after a moment's deliberation.

"Five will do," Shi Chuankong said, a trace of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He then raised his hand and waved.

With a clatter, a small pile of immortal spirit stones appeared on the ground beside him.

Han Li swept his divine sense over the immortal spirit stones, then waved his hand to collect them. He then took out a black jade bottle and tossed it to Shi Chuankong.

Shi Chuankong uncorked the bottle, revealing six Su Sha Pills inside.

"I won't take the Ten Thousand Soul Pill formula for nothing. Let this Su Sha Pill serve as compensation," Han Li said indifferently.

"Then I'll gladly accept!" Shi Chuankong laughed heartily, a great weight lifted from his mind, and he unconsciously regained some of his former arrogance and ease.

After a few more casual words, Han Li took his leave and returned to his own room.

Though he had a surplus of Su Sha Pills, he dared not linger outside and immediately entered the Flower Branch Space to cultivate, reducing the erosion and assimilation of the baleful aura.

In the blink of an eye, several more years passed, and the giant tower ship finally arrived at the main city of the Black Tooth Domain, Black Tooth City.

Black Tooth City was quite large, comparable to some medium-sized cities in the True Immortal Realm.

The city had a considerable population and many shops, though it still fell far short of cities in the True Immortal Realm.

The tower ship circled briefly in midair before landing in front of a tall mansion within the city. Han Li and the others disembarked one by one.

Han Li was reluctant to leave the Flower Branch Space, but since the three of them were currently guest elders of the Three Miao Tribe and had to pay respects to the Black Tooth Domain Lord, he had no choice but to appear.

However, all three concealed their auras, drawing no attention.

"Lord of the Three Miao, you have arrived. The Domain Lord is waiting inside. The other lords have already gathered," said a black-robed man with scales on his face, walking quickly out of the mansion to greet them.

"Oh, everyone came so quickly. Lead the way," Miao Gao said with a wave of his hand.

The black-robed man acknowledged and led the way into the mansion, soon arriving at a great hall.

Inside the hall, a trapezoidal stone platform stood half a zhang above the ground, upon which sat a burly man with black hair and a curly beard.

His frame was enormous, twice the height of an ordinary man. Clad in a black gold robe, his bulging muscles strained the fabric, and his massive, powerful body exuded an oppressive presence.

Below the platform, four stone chairs were arranged on each side. Except for the last chair on the left, which was empty, the other seven were occupied.

Behind each of the seven men stood four or five attendants.

This was the scene that greeted Han Li and the others as they entered the hall.

"Your subordinate Miao Gao pays respects to the Domain Lord," Miao Gao said, bowing.

Han Li and the other four also bowed and offered their greetings.

The black-robed man on the platform nodded slightly, his gaze like lightning sweeping over Han Li and the other two, pausing briefly on Mo Guang with a hint of doubt, but he did not immediately inquire.

Meanwhile, Han Li was secretly appraising everyone in the hall. The highest cultivation base present was that of the Black Tooth Domain Lord on the platform, who had reached the mid-Tai Yi stage.

The other lords were all at the Golden Immortal level.

"I see..." Han Li lowered his head.

From the current situation, the Black Tooth Domain was a medium-to-weak small domain in the Gray Realm, with overall strength of this level. He now had a rough impression of the distribution of power in the Gray Realm.

"Miao Gao, why are you so late? The Domain Lord and we have been waiting for you for days!" A fat old man sitting in the third chair on the left frowned, speaking with some dissatisfaction.

"Some days ago, during the Tamuda Assembly in our Three Miao territory, the Niceto Domain suddenly attacked. It took me considerable time to quell the incident, hence my lateness. I beg the Domain Lord and all lords for your understanding," Miao Gao said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"What!" Miao Gao's words caused a stir, and the faces of the other seven lords changed dramatically.

"I am already aware of this. Miao Gao, your repulsion of the Niceto Domain has greatly enhanced the prestige of our Black Tooth Domain. You will be rewarded later. Take your seat now," the Black Tooth Domain Lord said calmly, as if he had long known of the matter.

"Yes," Miao Gao thanked him and sat down on the empty stone chair.

Han Li and the others then stood behind Miao Gao.

"Domain Lord, the Three Domain Alliance meeting is approaching. Now that Lord Miao Gao has arrived, should we set off immediately?" asked another lord, a middle-aged man in black robes.

"There is no rush. I will arrange the itinerary; you need not worry. Moreover, there are matters regarding this alliance that I wish to discuss with you all," the Black Tooth Domain Lord said in a deep voice.

"We await your instructions, Domain Lord," the eight lords said, sitting up straight.

"All of you, withdraw for now," the Black Tooth Domain Lord said, his gaze shifting to Han Li and the other attendants, indicating they should leave.

Seeing this, the attendants of the various lords apologized and filed out.

Han Li had no interest in such a meeting and followed Mo Guang and the others out of the hall.

"Lord Miao Gao, among the attendants you brought this time, three have unusual auras. They do not seem to be of your Three Miao Tribe," the fat old man said after the others had withdrawn.