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After Han Li left, Qi Yuan sat in thought. How did he know about Tian Lei Zi?
Tian Lei Zi was a rare item in the Kingdom of Yue. Only disciples from prominent families and elite sects typically recognized it from ancient texts.
People like Feng Yue and Han Tianya from the Bloody Forbidden Land, or Wang Chan and Tian Buque, could identify it without surprise.
But Han Li was different. He had risen from the secular world without family support, influential connections, or special guidance.
Did Han Li ask Liu Jing or the others?
Those disciples came from aristocratic backgrounds and were favored by Li Huayuan. They had access to far more knowledge and resources than Han Li, so it would make sense for them to know about Tian Lei Zi.
Qi Yuan shook his head and dismissed the thought. Instead, he turned his focus to something more important — how to exploit Han Li's Palm of Heaven Bottle.
Han Li's future opportunities were bound to be intercepted, and his strength would likely remain manageable over time.
Knowing Han Li's cautious nature, Qi Yuan figured he would never allow himself to feel vulnerable.
Perhaps he should intentionally display some powerful treasures in front of Han Li — just enough to entice him into trading high-value elixirs in exchange.
By doing this, the Chaos Cauldron's acceleration of spiritual medicine growth could slow down, giving other treasures more time to gather yin and yang energy.
And then... perhaps he could create one hundred and eight swords?
This plan could delay Han Li's cultivation speed while allowing Qi Yuan to benefit from the Palm of Heaven Bottle.
After some thought, Qi Yuan decided it was worth a try. He resolved to showcase some of his skills to Han Li when the opportunity arose. Then, satisfied with his plan, Qi Yuan took out a few more Tianyuan Pills, swallowed them, and closed his eyes to refine the medicinal effects.
Meanwhile, Han Li returned to his room, set up protective wards, and broke into a smug smile.
With the Blood Condensing Five Elements Pill in his possession, he could soon switch to the method of incarnation and create a puppet for Qu Hun.
A Jindan stage puppet — the thought alone filled him with excitement.
Then Han Li thought about Qi Yuan's vast collection of treasures. Envy rose within him.
For years, Han Li had frequented markets, seeking powerful treasures. He had even traveled to neighboring countries, but his efforts had yielded little.
To increase his chances, Han Li had fought on the front lines for an extended period, hunting down evil cultivators to earn merit in exchange for rare items.
However, the most valuable and powerful treasures were often hoarded by collectors, rarely appearing on the market.
This left Han Li feeling frustrated, as his attack methods remained unimpressive.
Yet fate had taken an unexpected turn. During the palace battle, Han Li had witnessed Qi Yuan wielding an impressive arsenal of treasures.
Hope sparked within him, and Han Li devised a plan. He decided to bait Qi Yuan by expressing conditions that would reveal more of his treasures.
The result had been better than he hoped. Han Li felt triumphant.
With the small green bottle accelerating his spiritual medicine cultivation, herbs were no longer rare or precious to him. If he could trade them for powerful treasures, Han Li was willing to take the risk.
After all, traveling without reliable protection was dangerous.
Han Li believed he could develop a steady trade relationship with Qi Yuan, gradually exchanging elixirs for valuables.
But the elixir he needed for the incarnation had to be delayed for about a year.
Not only would this give him time to cultivate the herbs, but it would also reduce the risk of raising Qi Yuan's suspicions.
Judging from Qi Yuan's behavior, it seemed clear he had his own special opportunities — something everyone seemed to know but kept quiet about.
The next day, Qi Yuan and Liu Jing returned to Huangfeng Valley. Along the way, Qi Yuan parted ways with Liu Jing to visit Xin Ruyin and the others.
Passing by a jewelry store, Qi Yuan purchased several exquisite pearl hairpins, earrings, and accessories.
He knew it was wise to stay on their good side.
Upon arriving outside the yard, Qi Yuan sensed that Xin Ruyin's formation had been strengthened again.
"Which fellow cultivator is being so rude, probing my formation without permission?" a clear female voice called out with displeasure.
Qi Yuan coughed. "It's me, Ruyin..."
"Senior? You're back."
The shimmering formation flickered before distorting, revealing a woman in white. Upon recognizing Qi Yuan, she smiled brightly.
Qi Yuan took Xin Ruyin's soft hands, gently pinched her nose, and grinned. "Calling me 'Senior' instead of 'Husband'? Are you trying to upset me?"
Xin Ruyin glanced around in panic, her face flushing slightly. "Luckily no one heard that. If someone did, I'd be so embarrassed."
"Don't worry," Qi Yuan said with a smile. "I already checked with my spiritual sense."
Xin Ruyin sighed helplessly and pulled Qi Yuan into the yard.
Qi Yuan noticed she was alone. Curious, he asked, "Where's everyone else? Why didn't they take you along?"
"Miss Bai Yan and Xiaomei went to the nearby market to buy supplies," Xin Ruyin replied. "Since my cultivation is lower, I stayed behind."
Qi Yuan sipped his tea, feeling satisfied. Yan Ruyan had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment thanks to Qi Yuan's elixirs. Even Xiaomei had progressed to the thirteenth level of Qi training and was preparing for her own breakthrough.
Xin Ruyin's cultivation, however, was weaker. Qi Yuan had once drawn energy from her Dragon Roar Body to balance her yin and yang energies, but she still required caution with her training.
For her safety, Yan Ruyan rarely allowed Xin Ruyin to leave the Huangfeng Valley Market.
Seeing no one around, Qi Yuan held Xin Ruyin close and whispered, "If you're ever missing something, you need to let me know."
"Some everyday items are out of stock," Xin Ruyin explained softly. "I'll need to make a few extra trips."
Qi Yuan smiled and revealed a blue pearl hairpin. "This is for you. Do you like it?"
Xin Ruyin's eyes lit up, and she eagerly accepted it.
Qi Yuan playfully removed her old hairpin and teased, "Are you sure you like this one? Maybe I should get you another someday..."
Xin Ruyin snatched the new hairpin, pinned it in her hair, and muttered, "You're so troublesome sometimes."
Qi Yuan laughed, tilted her chin upward, and kissed her deeply.
Before they knew it, time seemed to slip away.
A sudden voice startled them.
"Miss... Senior... you..."
Qi Yuan looked up to see Yan Ruyan, expressionless behind her mask, standing next to a surprised Xiaomei.
Xin Ruyin's face turned bright red. Mortified, she covered her face with her hands and rushed inside.
Qi Yuan, unfazed, calmly sipped his tea. "Next time, try making some noise when you enter."
Xiaomei blinked. "Didn't I just make a sound?"
"You should speak louder," Qi Yuan insisted.
Xiaomei looked disappointed but quietly left the room.
Yan Ruyan, however, remained. She glared coldly at Qi Yuan, her stance clearly protective of her friends.
Qi Yuan straightened his sleeves, walked to her side, and met her gaze.
"You've forgotten your manners," Qi Yuan said. "What should I do with you?"
Yan Ruyan stiffened but refused to look away.
Qi Yuan reached into his robes, pulled out a dazzling necklace, and clasped it around her neck. "This is for you. Don't take it off without my permission. Consider it a warning."
Yan Ruyan's expression wavered as memories resurfaced — memories of a narrow escape that Xin Ruyin had saved her from.
Qi Yuan leaned in close, whispering a reminder that left Yan Ruyan pale and speechless.
Satisfied, Qi Yuan turned and walked toward the inner courtyard, where Xiaomei was quietly working in the kitchen...
(End Of Chapter)