Han Li, who had remained silent throughout this, suddenly spoke, “As untalented as I am, I would like to make an attempt. How about it?” He had spoke about the topic rather lightly.
These words had greatly surprised the rest of the party. Marquis Nanlong was particularly surprised, but he said, “Of course. Please go ahead, Fellow Daoist Han!”
Han Li promptly took several steps forward and approached a side of the wall that hadn’t been struck.
When Wang Chan saw this, a trace of derision could be seen from his face once he recovered from his shock. He uttered a few sound transmissions to Yan Ruyan, but she hardly gave any reaction. As for Wang Tiangu, he maintained a calm exterior, but he was filled with bewilderment at the idea of Han Li breaking the formation.
Han Li stood in front of the stone wall and didn’t immediately take action. Instead, he raised his hand and extended his finger. He circulated spiritual power throughout his body and emitted a streak of light from his fingertip that was several inches long. In a pulse of light, he swept the azure streak past the surface of the crystal wall to no effect.
Han Li wasn’t discouraged by this and simply enveloped his hand in a layer of azure spirit Qi. He then extended his five fingers and placed his palm against the wall. He was completely motionless as if he were sensing something.
Han Li’s strange actions were completely unfathomable to the cultivators watching him, but none stepped forward to bother him.
Completely unbeknownst to the party, Han Li’s eyes were faintly glowing with blue light as he deeply peered into the crystal wall. He seemed to be examining it with all his ability.
After a quarter hour passed in this regard, the others didn’t reveal any impatience or take the initiative to act. Han Li then sighed. The blue light disappeared from his eyes and he reached towards his storage pouch without any hesitation and took out a pile of over ten various-colored formation flags.
The white-clothed old man quickly recovered from his surprise and excitedly asked, “So Fellow Daoist Han was also proficient in the art of spell formations. Could it be you’re thinking for breaking a formation with a formation? Could it be you understand the mysteries of the Wondrous Soul Restriction?”
Han Li nonchalantly replied, “Understand what mystery? I’m merely studied in a few ancient formations of a similar type and want to give it a try!”
He soon spat a breath of azure Qi onto the flags, causing them to brightly shine. Under Han Li’s command, they flew out from his hand and pointed their flags in the direction of the crystal wall, then floated motionlessly in the air.
Chapter 699: Breaking the Formation
Han Li formed an incantation gesture with his hands and the dozen formation flags began to hover and arrange themselves in a strange formation as they faced the wall. It appeared incomprehensible.
At that moment, Han Li began to softly utter an incantation and a dozen incantation seals flew from his hands, accurately striking each of the flags in the formation. The flags trembled for a moment before shining with various-colored lights and shooting out threads of light that wrapped around each other.
Wang Tiangu and the other cultivators familiar with spell formations frowned. They felt this spell formation seemed somewhat familiar while knowing that they hadn’t actually seen such a formation before. They all couldn’t help but secretly analyze it as if wishing to discover its secret.
As if unwilling to allow the other cultivators to study the profound aspects of the spell formation, he softly shouted and had the spell formation emit blinding white light. Those that were staring at the spell formation were caught off guard and were forced to turn their gazes away.
While these old eccentrics were startled, they secretly channeled spiritual power through their eyes and immediately opened them once more. As a result, they couldn’t help but reveal shock. They saw the flag formation was already embedded into the crystal wall without any mishap. It appeared almost as if the flags had grown out of the wall.
At that moment, Marquis Nanlong and the white-clothed old man revealed delight. Their confidence in Han Li grew.
Wang Tiangu’s expression changed for just a moment, but Wang Chan who stood behind him revealed a complex amazement and was entirely amazed. Yan Ruyan slightly frowned and wore a puzzled expression as she gazed at the spell formation on the wall.
Han Li took a few steps forward towards the wall and pressed his hands against it, his fingers faintly shining with azure light. At that same moment, the spell formation on the wall seemed to respond as the center of the formation began to glow with rainbow light. The light became increasingly brilliant and gradually spread to cover the entire wall in a magnificent display.
As everyone was entranced by the scene, Han Li pulled his hands away from the crystal wall and his figure blurred, reappeared at a neighboring wall.
After examining it for a long while, he took out another set of formation flags and arranged the flags differently from the first formation. After they flickered with white light, they embedded themselves in the crystal wall once more.
Because the cultivators were prepared and protected their eyes with spiritual light, they were able to clearly observe how easily the flags had pierced into the walls under Han Li’s command. They couldn’t help but click their tongues in surprise.
Placing down the spell formations onto each of the four walls using this same method took no less than an hour.
The other cultivators didn’t reveal any impatience. They all knew that dissolving such a profound ancient restriction wasn’t something that could be done easily.
Having arranged a spell formation on each of the walls, Han Li walked to the center of the hall and raised his hand, revealing a green formation plate. He struck the plate with several complex incantations seals, causing both the plate and the four crystal walls to simultaneously twinkle with various colored light and pulse in pattern.
Han Li didn’t bother to glance around him and simply lowered his head, uttering, “Break.”
In the same instance he spoke, the light surged and released an ear-piercing cry. It became increasingly loud to the point where it sounded as if a myriad of birds had simultaneously cried out.
A huge rumble shook the room and the entire hall grew dim as the lights vanished.
The others then discovered that the crystal walls surrounding them had unexpectedly vanished, only to be replaced with ordinary stone walls. One of the stone walls even had a stone gate that was twenty meters tall and twelve meters wide.
A trace of joy flickered from Marquis Nanlong’s face and he excitedly said, “I didn’t expect that Fellow Daoist Han was so skilled in spell formations. Haha! Great! Fellow Daoist Yun and I will naturally keep our word. After we both get our pick, Fellow Daoist will have priority in choosing a treasure.”
The white-clothed old man wore a smile when he saw the stone gate before him. His eyes were filled with a fervor.
In his excitement, the tan cultivator restlessly said, “Brother Nanlong, let’s see what lays inside. Surely there can’t be more restrictions inside!”
Marquis Nanlong confidently said, “Be at ease, there can’t be. According to what Master Cang Kun left behind, the cave residence should only have two layers of restrictions.” He then stepped forward without another word and swept his sleeve past the stone gate, easily opening it.
The many cultivators felt the last of their worries disappear when they saw them and began to follow Marquis Nanlong outside.
Once the old woman arrived outside the stone gate, she yelled in astonishment, “What is this!?” Han Li and the rest of the party appeared astounded by what laid beyond the gate.
There was a hall that was several time larger than the previous one, but there was also an exquisitely-styled pavilion at the center of the large hall. This pavilion was created from translucent white jade. It was over thirty meters tall and had only two stories. On top of its ten meter gate were the words Jadepier Pavilion written in silv
er characters.
Regardless of how it could be said, a pavilion at the center of the hall was an odd sight. There was a jet-black altar table that stood in front of the pavilion with a sparkling meter-long scroll that laid on top of it.
As for the rest of the hall, it was completely vacant and lacked any other gates.
Everyone instantly assumed that the treasure was to be hidden inside the pavilion.
After Marquis Nanlong and the white-clothed old man glanced at each other, the old man walked towards the altar table with caution.
The rest of the party felt their hearts stir, but they raised no objections. They simply calmly observed the old man’s actions.
The white-clothed old man hesitated for a moment before spitting out a mist of white light. The mist wrapped around the scroll and raised it up. With a series of turns, the scroll opened to reveal the portrait of a sword-bearing scholar that was gazing to the sky.
“That is Master Cang Kun?” The stern-faced cultivator asked with astonishment.
Wang Tiangu’s gaze flickered past the portrait and said, “It seems so. However, there should be a reason why it was enshrined there. However, it doesn’t seem to be particularly precious in and of itself.
After a moment of thought, the old man slowly said, “I’ll be giving it a try then!”
His two hands formed an incantation seal and he flicked his finger. Several red spell seals struck the portrait, causing it to brightly shine with silver light for a just a moment. It then faded away as if nothing had occurred.
The white-clothed old man hesitantly said, “How strange! It is possible that this is but a simple portrait!”
After a moment of silence, Marquis Nanlong suggested, “Since that’s the case, let’s put away the portrait for now. First let’s search for the other treasures first and distribute them! Does anyone have any objections?”
The old woman glanced at the portrait and chuckled, “I have no objections. Let’s follow Fellow Daoist Nanlong’s suggestion.” Since the others have yet to see the other treasures, they all agreed.
As a result, the white-clothed old man rolled the scroll back up and carefully placed it in his storage pouch.
As the Marquis looked at the pavilion, he excitedly said, “Let’s go into the pavilion and have a look!”
The party walked around the altar table and arrived in front of the tightly shut pavilion. Marquis Nanlong then impatiently pushed open its gate with a creak.
Before Han Li and the others could enter, they were met with a blinding light. It blinded them for a long while before their vision could adjust. Once they could see once more, they spotted three slender black wood shelves on the first floor. They were filled with the items that had emitted the dazzling light.
The party was instantly filled with joy at the sight. But as each of them were experienced and cunning, they didn’t dare to commit any mistaken actions out of greed.
With the party restraining their fervent desires, they slowly walked into the pavilion and examined each of the treasures on the shelves.
Chapter 700: Splitting the Treasure
The three shelves of treasures were placed in rows at the center of the first floor. They were clearly seen by everyone.
The first row had sixteen brilliant ancient and magic treasures. The second row had rare materials or all shapes and sizes, from a fist-sized chunk of iron to a blood-red crystal. The third row had the fewest materials. It only consisted of several inch-large bottles They seemed to contain medicine pills.
Han Li expressionlessly swept his gaze past the treasures and maintained a calm appearance.
Although the others had maintained a calm appearance as well, none dared to fiddle with the treasures as they pleased. They only appraised the value and uses of each of the magic treasures with their eyes. They would be dividing up the treasures soon.
A short moment later, Marquis Nanlong stepped forward and began to examine the treasures on the party’s behalf. As for the others, they began to friendly discuss the treasure’s origins and applications, but who knew what they were truly thinking.
At that moment, Han Li glanced around the room. In addition to the shelves, there was a praying mat and a small, emerald-green plant placed at the window.
Han Li’s heart stirred. Just as he thought to walk over to them, the white-clothed old man had appeared before the praying mat in a blur.
The praying mat flew into his grasp with a wave of his hand and he began to look over it.
Han Li frowned and instead walked over to the small plant by the window, closely examining it.
After he began looking over it, he suddenly heard a sweet voice from behind him, “Is Senior Han interested in this Yinfocus Herb? Although it is rarely seen, it is an optimal ingredient for refining Yin type medicine pills. It is able to increase medicinal power without any drawbacks.”
With an odd expression, he slowly turned around and saw Yan Ruyan standing behind him.
Han Li calmly replied, “The Yinfocus Herb is different from other herbs. Its medicinal properties is strongest only when it is a hundred years old. Now that it has reached such a vast age, it no longer has a use.” Han Li’s gaze swept over the room and found that Wang Chan was closely following after Wang Tiangu. He was excitedly whispering something with his second uncle, and wasn’t paying any attention to what Yan Ruyan was doing.
Yan Ruyan smiled and gazed at Han Li with bright, wandering eyes, “I didn’t think that Senior Han was proficient not only in spell formations, but medicine pill refinement as well. You truly have my admiration!”
Han Li grew greatly vigilant from the woman’s eagerness to chat. He bluntly replied, “Pill refinement? Only to a minor degree. However Fellow Daoist Yan, do you know of my relationship with your husband? Do you not fear arousing your husband’s resentment from speaking with me?”
Yan Ruyan’s smile faded away and she said with a helpless tone, “Of course I am aware. But I still vainly hope to dissolve the hatred between Senior and my lord husband.”
Han Li raised his brow and a sneer flickered on his face, “Dissolve? Your Devil Dao Sects and my Heavenly Dao Alliance always had a hostile relationship. What is there to dissolve?”
Yan Ruyan bitterly smiled in response and began to speak when Marquis Nanlong suddenly called out, “Come over Fellow Daoists. We will first be distributing the treasures of this floor before heading up.”
Once this was said, Han Li paid no more heed to Yan Ruyan and walked over. Yan Ruyan’s beautiful face flickered with several emotions in response before gracefully following after him.
When Wang Chan saw that Yan Ruyan was following after Han Li, he appeared slightly bewildered. But after giving Yan Ruyan a deep glance, he shrewdly decided to keep silent on the matter. As for Wang Tiangu, he turned a blind eye to the matter.
Marquis Nanlong had already gathered all the items onto one shelf and calmly said, “Alright, let us make clear of the contents. There are six ancient treasures, ten magic treasures, and eight shares of materials and medicine pills that are organized in accordance to their value. Of course, what everyone wants the most will be the ancient treasures. After all, their full strength can be displayed without any refinement. However, these magic treasures aren’t common items either. They were all magic treasures left behind from Master Cang Kun’s formidable opponents. Their might should be great.
Even if only seventy percent of their might can be displayed after spending some time to refine them, it will certainly be worth it. As such, you may pick them in accordance to your desires. Fellow Daoists Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan, you will only be allocated one share.”
The old woman bluntly rushed to take advantage of her age and lay a claim, “As old as I am, how do I have the time to refine a magic treasure. It will be an ancient treasure of course!”
The others didn’t respond to her words, but they wryly laughed in their hearts.
At that moment, Wang Tiangu spoke with Marquis Nanlong with a heav
y tone, “Will Fellow Daoists Nanlong and Yun not be taking first pick? There might not be any items you want on the second floor.”
Marquis Nanlong’s expression grew sullen and he coldly said,“Brother Wang, what do you mean?”
The white-clothed old man stared at Wang Tiangu with an unfriendly expression.
Wang Tiangu turned a blind eye to this and chuckled, “It’s nothing, I felt it would just be a pity if you decided to not take first pick with these treasures.”
With an icy expression, Marquis Nanlong snorted, “There is nothing here that Fellow Daoist Yun and I wish to take using first priority. As for Fellow Daoist Han, it will be his choice to decide whether or not he will use his privilege.” He seemed to be greatly displeased with Wang Tiangu’s words.
Han Li rubbed his chin and casually said, “I also don’t wish to use my privilege. I’ll be keeping it for the second floor.”
Wang Tiangu spoke without reservation, “Since that’s the case, we will divide the treasures evenly amongst us. If you want an ancient treasure, then you renounce the right to pick a magic treasures afterwards. Fellow Daoists, do you agree?”
“That method is fine, I agree!”
“That’s fine!”
The others felt this to be fair and each of them agreed.
Of course, Han Li choose to renounce the magic treasures. As for the white-clothed old man and the tan man, they chose to renounce the ancient treasures. Instead, they each took two magic treasures and a share of the materials and medicine pills.
As for the others, they each took took a single ancient treasure.
Han Li acquired a bamboo tube. Although he didn’t know the level of its power or its abilities, he placed the item into his storage pouch without much care. He also took a share of the medicine pills and materials.
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