Published: September 5, 2025
Chapter 682: Farewell to Nanlong
Upon hearing Han Li's words, the old taoist's expression of losing composure vanished without a trace, and he regained his composure.
“It seems Han Daoist intends to use this to threaten this poor taoist.”
“Threaten? True Immortal, your words are misplaced. Up until now, I have not asked you for any substantial things. Instead, I first gave you several rare Soul Stones. If you feel it’s not worth it, consider the second question as if Han never asked. I won’t be taking back any of those Soul Stones,” Han Li said calmly as usual.
Hearing this, True Immortal Tianjing’s face faltered, then showed signs of hesitation.
Han Li was in no hurry, standing opposite without any urge.
“I gave you the puppet technique—you can roughly tell the real from the fake. But as for your talk about the Shadow Beasts, how can I know whether that is true or false?” After a long pause, the old taoist said coldly.
“To be honest, even if you know the location of the Shadow Beasts, you can’t enter it. It’s extremely dangerous, and even if by luck you get in, it’s a one-way trip. Back then, I was fortunate to barely escape with my life. However, even if you don’t believe my words, the Soul Stones are authentic. Using some of them to exchange for the puppet refining technique you hold is not a bad deal. Otherwise, even if you have the puppet refining method, what use is it without Soul Stones?” Han Li calmly explained.
True Immortal Tianjing frowned and showed hesitation upon hearing this.
“Alright! I have no interest in pondering the authenticity of the Soul Stones you mentioned. I only ask, how many Soul Stones are you willing to spend to exchange for the puppet refining technique? If too few, I’d rather keep it all to myself,” the old taoist weighed the pros and cons and finally relaxed his expression.
“That depends on the value of the ancient puppet technique you provide. If it can only refine the puppets used during daylight, which are worthless, then even if it’s given for free, I won’t be interested,” Han Li’s heart leapt in joy, but his face remained expressionless.
“The puppets used during daylight are just defective pieces I found in ruins. From your tone, it seems the better the puppets you can refine, the more Soul Stones you’ll offer,” the old taoist said with a strange expression.
“Hmm! That’s the idea. If it can refine puppets capable of delivering a full-strength strike with power above the nascent soul stage, I don’t mind gifting you twenty or thirty Soul Stones,” Han Li said calmly, pressing his lips together.
“Are those the same kind of high-quality Soul Stones you gave at first?” True Immortal Tianjing asked seriously.
“Could the ancient puppet technique really refine puppets comparable to nascent soul cultivators?”
Han Li was first shocked, then delighted, and without hesitation said:
“If Han says it, it’s definitely no lie.”
“Good, these are the Jade Slips containing the ancient puppet refining methods. There’s no need to borrow, I’ll just give them to you directly.” The old taoist quickly took out a white Jade Slip from his storage bag and tossed it to Han Li, a sly fox-like look flashing across his face.
Han Li was momentarily stunned by this action, sensing something was off. But after a moment’s thought, he didn’t hesitate to pick up the Jade Slip and scanned it with his spiritual awareness.
After a while, Han Li’s face showed a mixture of red and white. He retracted his spiritual awareness and stared silently at True Immortal Tianjing.
“What’s the matter? The puppets provided in this refining method include some with attacks comparable to mid-stage nascent soul cultivators. Doesn’t that meet your requirement?” The old taoist said with a slight smile.
“Hmph! It meets the requirement, but the main material these puppets demand is ten-thousand-year ironwood, such an anti-natural thing. And the other auxiliary materials—not just rare, some I’ve never even heard of before. Where am I supposed to find these?” Han Li’s face showed anger.