Chapter 876: Exchange of Techniques

The meeting lasted about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before the closed stone door slowly opened. The five team leaders came out one after another. Although they did not communicate with each other, each wore an excited smile on their face.

After they had all left, Chen Yang's figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the passage leading here. His gaze was indifferent, with a hint of coldness deep in his eyes. He turned his head and spat lightly on the ground.

On the other side, Han Li, who had just finished his mystic combat, walked out of the passage and saw Dulong standing outside the door waiting for him.

“In this state today, I can't help you with treatment. Let's talk about it after I've rested for a while,” Han Li said with a wry smile.

“Alright, don't pretend in front of me. With your strength, killing a black-scaled elephant wouldn't cause you serious injury. Even if I were to go down and fight you in mystic combat now, I wouldn't be confident of winning. I'm just curious—how many mystic acupoints have you actually opened? Forty-five, or forty-seven?” Dulong waved his hand and asked.

“Even if I'm not seriously injured, you can't force me to treat you today. To be honest, that hidden concern of yours is no longer a major issue. Even without my assistance, it won't affect you anymore. You should be able to feel that yourself,” Han Li said with a frown.

“I'm not waiting here for that,” Dulong waved his hand and said.

“Oh, then why?” Han Li asked curiously.

“Today, some elite mystic combatants with high combat power from various districts will gather in one place for a small exchange meeting. Participants can use mystic points, body-tempering techniques, or other items to trade with each other. Additionally, they can exchange cultivation experiences. Are you interested in attending?” Dulong leaned in and said.

“Such a thing? Won't the city lord's mansion interfere?” Han Li's heart stirred as he asked.

“The city lord's mansion actually encourages such events. After all, these exchange meetings help improve the combatants' strength, which in turn enhances the spectacle of mystic combat and benefits the city lord's mansion,” Dulong explained with a smile.

“I see,” Han Li nodded.

“Moreover, the elite mystic combatants from each district aren't all like us, without freedom. Quite a few are here voluntarily to temper themselves and advance their cultivation. They have more freedom and some secret channels to contact the outside world, so the things they possess are far beyond what we can compare,” Dulong continued.

“In that case, this is a good opportunity to exchange what we have for what we need. I'll go with you and take a look,” Han Li said with a smile.

Dulong said nothing more and nodded.

The two walked along the passages within the mystic combat arena, traversing the entire Ninth District until they finally arrived at the First District.

Along the way, when they passed through the dividing areas of each district, some city lord's mansion guards would always stop them, but upon discovering the identities of Dulong and Han Li, they would immediately let them pass.

“It seems that becoming the chief mystic combatant of a district comes with many conveniences,” Han Li said with a smile as he walked.

“It doesn't have to be the chief; as long as you're strong enough, that's fine. If you don't deliberately hold back and fight a few more spectacular mystic combats, you won't need me to guide you to qualify for this exchange meeting,” Dulong said with a snicker.

Han Li didn't want to dwell on this issue, so he asked, “After all these years, is there still no news about Shi Kong and the others?”

“That beautiful woman you mentioned, I really don't think she has appeared in Qingyang City. And that friend Shi Kong seems to have been deliberately hidden; I can't find any information about him. Only that Daoist Crab is said to be now by Chen Yang's side,” Dulong sighed and said.

Hearing this, Han Li fell silent. He had originally come to the Accumulation Scale Void Realm to find Zi Ling, but instead found himself imprisoned here, and years had passed in a flash.

Seeing this, Dulong knew that any words of comfort would be meaningless, so he said no more.

The two walked in silence until they arrived at a spacious hall in the First District.

As soon as he entered the hall, Han Li heard a cacophony of noise and saw a lively scene reminiscent of a market fair.

Inside the hall, figures were bustling about. The ground was artificially divided into stalls, displaying a dazzling array of items. Among them were weapons made from the bones of various scale beasts, armor made from their scales, and various bone and stone boxes of different sizes containing rare elixirs.

“I had my eye on a scale beast bone knife from Sun Binghe before. I don't know if he's willing to sell it this time. I need to find him first. Will you come with me?” Dulong scanned the crowd and said.

“No need. I'm not sure what I want to buy yet. I'll just browse around on my own,” Han Li shook his head.

Dulong nodded and left first. Han Li walked slowly along the narrow paths between the stalls, looking left and right, pondering whether to buy something.

Over the years, he had accumulated a considerable number of mystic points, most of which he used to purchase beast cores. He had little need for healing elixirs, and he almost never exchanged for weapons or armor.

The only weapon he currently had was the white bone spear he had used before.

As he was thinking, he saw not far ahead a woman in yellow with a beautiful face and fair skin talking with a rough-handed, dark-faced man.

Han Li was familiar with both of them. One was Gu Qianxun, the chief mystic combatant of the First District, and the other was Tu Gang, the infamous Black-faced Demon of the Fourth District.

Gu Qianxun caught sight of Han Li approaching from the corner of her eye. She said something to Tu Gang and then took the initiative to walk toward Han Li.

“Fellow Daoist Li, judging by your appearance, you've just finished a mystic combat and came straight here, right?” Gu Qianxun greeted Han Li with a smile.

“Indeed. If not for Fellow Daoist Dulong's introduction, I wouldn't have known about such an exchange meeting,” Han Li nodded.

“Hehe, I've watched a few of your mystic combats. Betting on you to win, I've won quite a bit from Fellow Daoist Tu Gang and others,” Gu Qianxun laughed.

“In that case, shouldn't Fellow Daoist Gu offer something to reward me a little?” Han Li teased with a smile.

“Winning at gambling depends on insight and luck. Another day, Fellow Daoist Li can come watch a few of my mystic combats and bet to win back what you've lost,” Gu Qianxun replied.

Han Li was about to speak when Gu Qianxun's voice sounded in his sea of consciousness:

“Fellow Daoist Li, most of the people here today have something they seek. And you have something on you that I want to exchange for.”

“Oh? I'm a newcomer with nothing of value. I wonder what Fellow Daoist Gu has taken a liking to?” Han Li frowned and replied via voice transmission.

“Earlier, when I watched your matches, I initially thought the technique you cultivated was too inferior, causing your mystic acupoints to open all over but your power couldn't be concentrated. Later, I realized you were deliberately focusing on your legs. Recently, you've gained the reputation of 'Phantom' due to your swift movements, almost rivaling Fellow Daoist Dulong as the twin heroes of the Ninth District. This shows that the technique you cultivate is quite remarkable,” Gu Qianxun transmitted.

“Fellow Daoist Gu wants to exchange for my cultivation technique?” Han Li frowned and asked.

“Yes, that's exactly what I intend,” Gu Qianxun nodded and replied.

“Fellow Daoist Gu, if that's the case, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. The opportunity to obtain this 'Feather Ascension Technique' I cultivate was rather special, and I'm afraid it cannot be exchanged,” Han Li shook his head.

“Fellow Daoist Li, don't be so quick to refuse. Hear my terms first,” Gu Qianxun replied with a smile, not surprised.

“Please, go ahead,” Han Li hesitated slightly before saying.

“A technique that focuses on opening acupoints in the arms. Would you be interested?” Gu Qianxun asked.

“I haven't even fully comprehended the Feather Ascension Technique. What use would I have for a new technique? I'm well aware of the principle of biting off more than one can chew,” Han Li said after a moment's hesitation.

“Fellow Daoist Li, your Feather Ascension Technique is clearly a technique focused on opening mystic acupoints in the legs. It excels in enhancing speed, but offers little benefit in other aspects. Moreover, the technique I want to exchange with you is no ordinary one—it's the 'Vajra Force Technique,' which emphasizes strength,” Gu Qianxun continued.

Han Li's eyebrows involuntarily raised upon hearing this. He had heard Dulong mention the Vajra Force Technique before, knowing it was a technique Tu Gang had cultivated, and its power was indeed formidable. It seemed Gu Qianxun had obtained it from him through exchange.

“Fellow Daoist Li, forgive me for speaking bluntly. If you only cultivate this Feather Ascension Technique, you may handle scale beasts below the Earth rank with ease, but don't expect to gain any advantage against Earth-rank scale beasts or higher-level mystic combatants. After all, the higher the rank of the scale beast or mystic combatant, the stronger their physical resilience. At that point, having only speed without sufficient power will be meaningless,” seeing Han Li hesitate, Gu Qianxun added.

Han Li was well aware of this. The reason he had been reluctant to challenge Earth-rank scale beasts over the years was not only to avoid revealing his true number of mystic acupoints but also due to this concern.

“What Fellow Daoist Gu says is true. I do indeed need a technique similar to the Vajra Force Technique. However, the opportunity to obtain the Feather Ascension Technique was special, and exchanging it with you like this would be somewhat of a loss,” Han Li said noncommittally.

“To be honest, I obtained the Vajra Force Technique from elsewhere. Its grade is certainly not inferior, and it cost me a great deal. Its value is comparable to your Feather Ascension Technique. But since you've spoken, I'm willing to add three Mystic-rank scale beast cores in exchange. How about that?” Gu Qianxun paused and transmitted.

“Three Mystic-rank scale beast cores? Fellow Daoist Gu, why are you so stingy? I earned the name 'Phantom' entirely thanks to this technique. How could its grade be the same as the Vajra Force Technique?” Han Li deliberately raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Gu Qianxun hesitated for a moment and said:

“Then I'll be generous for once. Besides the technique, I'll add an Earth-rank scale beast core. How about that?”