Wind Rising Over the Seas, the Soul-Crying Bead

Chapter 471: Turmoil Beyond the Seas, the Soul-Crying Bead

“It was only a simple matter. Since you are out of danger, Fellow Daoist, I will take my leave.” Han Li glanced at the woman, speaking calmly. Without any hesitation or intention to linger, he turned and began to walk away.

This action startled Yuan Yao, who had only just recovered from her fright. Forgetting any pretense of reserve, she blurted out:

“Brother Han, what is the meaning of this? I have not yet properly thanked you for saving my life!” As she spoke, her beautiful face took on a look of delicate weakness, stirring a sense of pity.

But Han Li did not even turn his head. Only a cold sentence drifted back.

“There is no need for thanks. I can only save a person for a moment, not for a lifetime. Miss Yuan, take care of yourself.” With those words, Han Li continued walking away on his own, having already covered over ten zhang. His movements were swift.

Upon hearing this reply, Yuan Yao’s pale face became even more panicked.

Given her current state, even if she did not encounter any more Iron Fire Ants, she was nearly at her limit just resisting the scorching heat. There was no way she could afford to let go of this lifeline, Han Li.

So, she called out a few more times in a sweet voice, but Han Li ignored her, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Seeing that her pleas seemed to have no effect on his iron will, her face filled with anxiety. Ultimately, she had to say the words Han Li had been expecting.

“Wait! If you are willing to protect me on the road ahead, I will gift you a valuable treasure. I will not let you waste your magic power for nothing.” She gritted her teeth and spoke.

“A valuable treasure?” Hearing this, Han Li’s figure halted, as if slightly hesitant.

“I still have a few Green Fire Thunders left. I am willing to give them all to you, Fellow Daoist.” Seeing that Han Li seemed to have taken an interest, the woman dared not delay, adding another offer.

“You mean those green pellets from before? They were indeed out of the ordinary.” Han Li slowly turned around, a hint of amusement on his face.

Since he had already saved this woman, he had never truly intended to abandon her. Furthermore, the reason he had saved her in the first place involved a few small calculations of his own. His earlier actions had simply been a strategic feint.

Now that she was actively seeking his help, his goal had been achieved. Whatever exorbitant conditions he set next, he estimated that she would have no choice but to grit her teeth and accept.

The great beauty Yuan Yao was clearly aware of this as well.

But whether it was because of Han Li’s life-saving grace or for the sake of continued protection, she had no other choice. With a helpless expression, she began to explain further.

“The Green Fire Thunder is a secret fire-thunder of the demonic sect, Qing Yang Gate. Each one requires not only a large amount of precious materials but also an extremely long time to refine. Its power is enough to rival the Primordial Yang Fire of a Nascent Soul cultivator. I still have three left, and I will give them all to you, Fellow Daoist.” The woman’s expression steadied slightly as she extended a snow-white hand. In her palm lay three crystal-clear, warm green pellets.

By this time, Han Li had unhurriedly walked back. He looked at the three pellets and spoke impassively:

“The Green Fire Thunder is indeed a rare treasure, but that alone is not enough for Han to risk himself. Having an extra burden here increases my magic power consumption by at least half. Would you take such a risk, Fellow Daoist Yuan?” Han Li’s words carried a faint trace of sarcasm.

Yuan Yao’s expression flickered upon hearing this. After a moment of deliberation, she suddenly laughed bewitchingly.

“Brother Han, just say what conditions you have. I don’t want to beat around the bush any longer. Could it be that you want me to offer myself to you?” As she spoke, she twisted her slender waist, her full chest slightly raised, appearing exceptionally voluptuous. Her bright eyes were filled with a strange, hazy allure, making her seem infinitely seductive.

Han Li was slightly surprised to see her in such a tempting state.

But he immediately narrowed his eyes, scanning her full figure without restraint. His blatant gaze caused the beauty to blush crimson, yet her eyes grew even brighter and more intoxicating, as if they could reach the very depths of one’s soul.

“Using charm techniques with your stunning beauty is indeed remarkable. But it has no effect on me. You had better save your last bit of magic power to protect yourself.” Han Li rubbed his chin, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“Hmph! A clueless brute with no understanding of romance at all.” Having her disguise torn away, the great beauty’s seductive expression vanished, replaced by one of irritation.

“You can’t say that, Miss Yuan. If we weren’t in a dangerous place like the Void Heaven Palace, and you were to tempt me, I certainly wouldn’t refuse. But now… heh heh.” Han Li gave a rather strained smile.

“You wish! If it weren’t for this time and place, do you think I would offer myself to you just like that?” Yuan Yao’s almond-shaped eyes widened as she glared at Han Li, speaking with resentment.

“It seems I made a mistake in saving you. In that case, I don’t want you to offer yourself to me, nor do I want your thanks for saving my life. I will take my leave now.” As if deliberately provoking her, Han Li cupped his fist in a farewell salute and made to leave again.

“Don’t be angry, Brother Han. It was my fault. Please tell me what conditions you require for helping me out of this lava path, and I will certainly comply. Can’t you help me out of consideration for our acquaintance over a hundred years ago, and our experience together in the Ghost Fog? As for treasures, besides these Green Fire Thunders, I truly have nothing else to offer.” Seeing this, Yuan Yao’s tone immediately softened, and she once again appeared pitiful.

Although Han Li still wore an ambiguous smile, he was inwardly somewhat surprised.

This Yuan Yao was truly flexible, capable of frequently changing her persona.

Her current weak and helpless demeanor, contrasted with her earlier seductive charm and the cold, proud impression she had first given him, presented several completely different facets. It was quite peculiar.

It seemed this female cultivator, who had advanced from Qi Condensation to Core Formation within a hundred years, was not without her unusual traits.

Thinking this, Han Li adopted a thoughtful expression. Yuan Yao’s bright eyes watched him nervously, full of hope.

After a long while, he looked up and seemed to speak reluctantly:

“Since Miss Yuan has brought up our meeting a hundred years ago, if I still refuse to protect you, I would seem truly cold and heartless. However, my principle is to never work for nothing. If you truly wish to leave this lava road alive with me, then let me have that Crying Soul Beast. I am very curious about its ability to absorb souls and dissolve ghosts.”

After all this maneuvering, Han Li had finally stated the true object of his desire from this woman, and the thought he had been calculating from the very beginning.

With this strange beast, he would have a bit more confidence when cooperating with the old ghost, Xuan Gu.

Moreover, in the long run, the potential of this Crying Soul Beast was far from ordinary.

“You want the Crying Soul Beast?” Hearing Han Li’s words, Yuan Yao’s beautiful eyes widened in shock, as if she couldn’t believe what she had heard.

“What, is that not acceptable?” Han Li’s expression darkened, his tone turning slightly cold.

“If I give you the Crying Soul Beast, will you take me out of this lava road?” Yuan Yao asked, her gaze fixed on Han Li as if seeking a different answer, her expression somewhat strange.

“Correct.” Han Li frowned but confirmed nonetheless. He had a faint feeling that her reaction was a bit odd.

“Very well, then it’s settled. The Crying Soul Beast is yours.” Almost as soon as Han Li confirmed, the woman unbuckled a certain spirit beast pouch from her waist and handed it to Han Li without the slightest hesitation. There was not a trace of reluctance.

This scene made Han Li blink, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

No matter how he looked at it, he felt she was almost eager to hand him the Crying Soul Beast. Could there be some trouble with this beast?

Thinking this, Han Li briefly deliberated, then accepted the item with an unchanged expression. He swept it with his spiritual sense and found the Crying Soul Beast sleeping soundly inside.

Han Li nodded, fastened the beast pouch to his own belt, and was about to speak again when Yuan Yao opened her mouth and spat out a grayish-black bead that fell into her palm.

“This is the Soul-Crying Bead, the item used to control the Crying Soul Beast. Once you refine it using the standard method for a magic treasure, the Crying Soul Beast will be yours forever. I haven’t had this beast for long and haven’t truly refined it. Now, you can just forcibly erase my spiritual traces from it.” Yuan Yao explained with a smile, handing it to Han Li.

Han Li looked at the Soul-Crying Bead, his expression shifting slightly, but he did not reach out to take it.

He naturally knew about this bead.

When they had passed through the Ghost Fog, he had avoided this woman and secretly sent a voice transmission to Zi Ling, asking about the Crying Soul Beast, and the matter of the Soul-Crying Bead had been included.

He had later realized that she could not command the Crying Soul Beast with ease, which meant she hadn’t successfully refined the Soul-Crying Bead. That was when he had taken a fancy to this strange beast.

But now, seeing her treat the bead like a plague and hand it over, a hint of hidden joy in her eyes, Han Li was filled with suspicion. He was no longer in a hurry to accept it.