A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 496: Hard to Discern the True from the False

“No wonder there’s a spiritual spring set up here—it’s meant to nourish this tree. I want the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Nectar, but I’m also quite curious about this Soul-Nurturing Wood,” Han Li said slowly as he looked at Yuan Yao.

At these words, Yuan Yao’s expression instantly turned icy cold.

“Don’t worry. After so many years of nurturing, this tree must be quite large. I only need a small section of the root; I won’t compete with Miss Yuan for the main trunk,” Han Li said with a slight smile when he saw her reaction.

“Only the root?” Yuan Yao was momentarily stunned but then eased her expression, though a trace of suspicion still lingered in her beautiful eyes.

“Of course. As compensation, I still want to get the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Nectar you promised just now,” Han Li said with a serious expression.

“Hehe! Daoist Han is quite calculating. Surely many sects would pay a fortune to buy the roots of the Soul-Nurturing Wood from you, Brother Han. But I’ve already promised this matter,” Yuan Yao said with a sly smile, her eyes flickering as if she thought she had guessed Han Li’s intention, and she let out a coquettish laugh.

But in this way, she seemed to relax a bit.

Han Li smiled faintly and didn’t explain further.

“Alright then, let’s break the formation. I’ll first share some of my previous experience breaking formations,” Yuan Yao said cheerfully, seeming even more eager than Han Li.

“Not so fast. Miss Yuan, don’t you want to take this spiritual spring with you?” Han Li pointed to the pool, asking with a half-smile.

“Brother Han, you must be joking. This spiritual spring has long been connected to the entire Inner Hall by the master of the Void Heaven Hall through profound seals. If I had such great magical abilities, I’d have claimed the Void Heaven Cauldron directly by now. Why would I be stuck here?” Yuan Yao said coquettishly.

Hearing this, Han Li showed a hint of disappointment, but then he chuckled to himself.

He realized he might have been a bit too greedy—whenever he saw a treasure, he immediately thought of claiming it for himself.

This was not a good sign. He didn’t want to end up like those who die for wealth or perish out of greed.

With this in mind, Han Li silently warned himself and didn’t bring up the matter again. Instead, he said in a low voice, “Miss Yuan, first hand over the spirit nectar; then you can explain the formation. If the two of us work together, we’ll definitely break this formation in two or three days.”

After hearing this, Yuan Yao smiled charmingly at Han Li, her radiance dazzling and full of alluring intent!

…

Two days later, on the sea surface several dozen miles outside the Void Heaven Hall, a flash of white light appeared.

Then, the figures of a man and a woman materialized, surrounded by the glowing light.

The man was ordinary-looking, except for a pair of clear eyes—there was nothing particularly remarkable about him.

The woman was tall and slender, as delicate as a blooming flower. Her bright eyes flickered with endless charm hidden within.

The two immediately scanned the surroundings warily and, seeing no other cultivators around, both breathed a sigh of relief.

They were Han Li and Yuan Yao, transported out after breaking the formation in the secret chamber.

“Looks like the others are still trapped inside the Void Heaven Hall. Until the time comes, they won’t be able to leave,” Yuan Yao said, her eyes flashing as she glanced toward the direction of the Void Heaven Cauldron.

“Do you think those old nascent soul stage cultivators will be transported out like us after taking the treasure?” Han Li frowned and didn’t let his guard down.

“Don’t worry. The place where one is transported after taking the treasure is random. It could be near the Void Heaven Hall or hundreds of miles away. No one can possibly monitor such a vast area at the same time,” Yuan Yao said lightly, brushing her black hair aside.