A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 228: Puppets and Cultivators

“Is there more?” The old man was momentarily stunned but soon grew even happier, smiling broadly and unable to close his mouth for a while.

Although he didn’t know what materials Han Li would bring out next, it’s only natural that the best things are kept for last. His gaze toward Han Li grew even more expectant!

Han Li, though somewhat doubtful of this shop owner’s forging skills, couldn’t find a more trustworthy smith in the moment, so hesitated briefly before placing the ink flood dragon’s materials one by one on the table.

However, he had already resolved that if the old man couldn’t even recognize the origins of these materials, it would prove his insight and skills were seriously lacking! In that case, he would just have the old man forge something from the earlier tough shell pieces.

As for the precious parts from the ink flood dragon’s body, he would look for a more skilled smith elsewhere!

Since Han Li had made this decision, he naturally paid even closer attention to the old man’s expressions and actions.

When the old man lifted a cup of clear tea and took a sip, upon seeing the pile of materials Han Li laid out, he suddenly burst out laughing and spat the small mouthful of tea all over the ground in front of him.

“These are the skin, sharp horns, and fangs of a flood dragon, and these are the eyeballs! Good heavens, did you slay a fierce flood dragon alone, sir?” The white-haired shop owner was so shocked that he lost control, staring at the items incredulously while muttering to himself.

No wonder the old man was so astonished! Flood dragons, a type of demonic beast from heaven and earth, had long since disappeared from the nearby immortal cultivation world. If any still existed, such a second-stage evolved fierce flood dragon would be comparable to a late foundation establishment stage cultivator.

Ordinary foundation establishment stage cultivators could not hope to be a match for it, let alone outside core formation stage cultivators! And if many cultivators joined forces, the collection of flood dragon materials before them was almost too complete—it was as if an entire flood dragon had been dismembered and transported here directly.

Could it be that he had taken them all himself, leaving none for others? Or did this person possess some extraordinary method to single-handedly defeat the flood dragon?

The old man excitedly touched and examined the materials while his mind raced with wild speculations.

At this moment, he truly developed a sense of reverence for Han Li!

The shop owner recognized these items at a glance, which caught Han Li somewhat off guard.

He had originally thought that even if the man could identify these materials, it would take considerable effort. Now, seeing his quick identification, Han Li felt more confident in him.

“Shopkeeper Xu, you recognized them so quickly. I feel much more at ease now. Please, old Xu, proceed with the forging!” Han Li said politely after a moment’s thought.

“All right! Rest assured, sir. When I was apprenticing, I once forged with my father using flood dragon materials like these. I have absolute confidence!” The old man nodded repeatedly, still holding one of the ink flood dragon’s sharp claws, unwilling to put it down even now!

Han Li found this a bit amusing.

But he also understood that this man was probably a forging fanatic—otherwise, no matter how good the materials were, he wouldn’t have lost his composure like this. This actually reassured Han Li more, indicating the man’s forging level was likely quite good.

So, the old man took the materials and led Han Li into the backyard!

……

Half a month later, Han Li finally walked out of the shop door, glanced back, and smiled gently as he slowly left.

Once he exited the no-flying zone of the city quarter, Han Li raised his hand. A delicate white little boat sprang from his sleeve, floating a few feet in front of him and gently swaying.

Han Li cast a fond glance at it, then snapped his fingers. A bluish spell formation struck the boat, which gradually expanded until it became a real small wooden boat capable of carrying several people.