"However, though I have never laid eyes upon a Foundation Establishment Pill, its value and importance are perfectly clear to me!" Han Li reflected coldly. "Consider: at the Ascension Assembly atop Heavenly Mist Platform, nearly a thousand cultivators fought to the death across the arenas. What drove them? Was it not primarily the lure of the Foundation Establishment Pill? And this Uncle-Master Ye proposes to trade it away for a few spirit stones and magical treasures? Does he truly take me for a fledgling just emerged from the mountains?"
Han Li's thoughts turned icy, though his expression had regained its respectful composure—as though he were listening intently to every word.
The elder surnamed Ye was well pleased with Han Li's response. After all, the prospective nephew had not refused the proposition outright. It seemed there was indeed room for negotiation.
From the very start, the elder had never intended to secure the Foundation Establishment Pill with the items he had mentioned. No person of sound mind would trade such a precious commodity for so paltry a sum. His initial offer had been merely a probe.
But now, observing the young man's attitude—open to discussion if not yet convinced—the elder's heart soared with elation.
So long as the young man proved willing to trade, the elder was supremely confident he could satisfy his demands and secure the Foundation Establishment Pill. At this thought, the smile upon the elder's visage deepened further, and Han Li's appearance seemed suddenly more agreeable.
"Nephew Han—you are surely aware of your own spiritual root attributes! To speak plainly, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, the odds of your succeeding in Foundation Establishment are exceedingly slim. At best, the pill would merely enhance your magical power and advance your basic techniques by two or three layers. If that is all it accomplishes, the Foundation Establishment Pill would be squandered! For you, Nephew Han, it would be far more advantageous to exchange it for something of greater practical value. Were you to..."
The elder launched into an eloquent and sustained campaign of persuasion.
Han Li appeared to listen with earnest attention to the elder's lengthy discourse, yet inwardly he was already analyzing and weighing the matter—calculating the advantages and disadvantages with meticulous care.
To speak frankly, Han Li understood perfectly well that, as the elder had stated, consuming a single Foundation Establishment Pill left him virtually no prospect of success. Yet he remained deeply reluctant to surrender the pill. After all, however slim the chance, did there not remain some minuscule possibility?
However, should he refuse to yield the Foundation Establishment Pill to this Elder Ye, his future days in Yellow Maple Valley would assuredly prove unpleasant. He would almost certainly make an enemy of this man without cause—and judging by the elder's bearing, he appeared to wield some measure of actual authority within the valley. The situation would then become considerably worse.
"Uncle-Master—might I ask for whom this Foundation Establishment Pill is being sought? Surely Uncle-Master has no use for it himself?" After deliberation, Han Li decided to probe for further information.
Though his words had interrupted the elder, no displeasure showed upon the latter's face. Upon hearing Han Li's question, the elder hesitated briefly before replying:
"Since Nephew Han asks, there is no need for concealment. This Foundation Establishment Pill is for my grandnephew. I trust Nephew Han might be persuaded to accommodate this request?"
Upon hearing this, Han Li laughed bitterly to himself.
*A grandnephew—that constitutes a rather close relationship indeed! And for this elder to go to such lengths, condescending to petition a junior for the Foundation Establishment Pill—the boy must be greatly favored! It seems certain that refusal would thoroughly anger this old man, making continued residence in Yellow Maple Valley impossible. I shall have to agree with reluctance. As for my own Foundation Establishment—that matter must be addressed another way. I still possess the mysterious little bottle. Given the proper formula and sufficient time, what pill could I not concoct?*
Having weighed the pros and cons, Han Li had settled upon a course of action. Still, the elder would be made to bleed handsomely before the deal was concluded. Han Li therefore arranged his features into an expression of great difficulty and distress.
"Uncle-Master—this is not meant as disrespect, but the Foundation Establishment Pill holds immense importance for your nephew as well! Even if my aptitude is somewhat lacking, does there not still remain that slender thread of hope? To relinquish this opportunity for Foundation Establishment now would mean severing my connection to the Great Dao forever!"
The elder listened to Han Li's words and sneered inwardly. *With aptitude like yours, to contemplate the Great Dao—what presumption!*
Yet outwardly, the elder continued his earnest exhortations from every conceivable angle, making numerous empty promises while applying pressure to erode Han Li's resolve and secure agreement to the exchange.
Upon hearing these hollow words, Han Li laughed coldly within. Yet his lips uttered words of increasing feebleness, which only galvanized the elder further. The stakes rose with each successive offer.
"Nephew Han! If you consent to relinquish the Foundation Establishment Pill, I can allow you to select any of the miscellaneous duties assigned to valley disciples as you please!" Seeing Han Li poised on the verge of acquiescence, the elder finally deployed his decisive leverage.
"Miscellaneous duties?" Han Li was genuinely taken aback.
"Indeed. You should know that all junior disciples of Yellow Maple Valley must complete a certain quota of labor each month. For instance: supervising miners at various quarry sites, serving as stewards in the sect's marketplace, tending to the valley's spirit beasts and exotic creatures, cultivating spiritual herbs and rare medicines—there is a wide variety of such tasks. Based upon the quality of work performed, the sect dispenses a modest stipend of low-grade spirit stones as reward. And I, your uncle, am the officer specifically responsible for assigning such work. So if any particular task appeals to you, Nephew Han, granting your wish would require but a word from me." As the elder spoke, he straightened his chest with an air of authority that was not entirely unconvincing.
Han Li, however, found himself momentarily speechless. It seemed that wherever one went, there would always be those who abused their power for personal gain—even within a great cultivation sect such as Yellow Maple Valley, this universal truth held.
Yet when the elder mentioned the cultivation of rare herbs, Han Li felt a stirring of interest. This particular task seemed tailor-made for his circumstances. Moreover, the elder had already promised considerable benefits. To continue pressing further risked creating the impression of excessive greed. It would be wise to accept while conditions remained favorable.
With this thought, Han Li adopted the appearance of one finally won over, addressing the elder with an air of considerable grievance:
"Since Uncle-Master has gone so far as this, it would be churlish to refuse further. Provided Uncle-Master honors the conditions he has described, your nephew's Foundation Establishment Pill shall be yielded to your grandnephew. I hope he may succeed in Foundation Establishment!"
The elder was overjoyed at these words, offering repeated assurances:
"Nephew Han, rest assured—what your uncle has spoken carries the weight of iron! However, when we meet the Sect Master shortly, the publicly visible aspects of this transaction may be mentioned to others. But the private arrangements I have made—those it would be best left unmentioned."
Han Li understood perfectly, offering a knowing smile: "Rest assured, Uncle-Master—your nephew is well aware. Such folly would not be committed."
The elder beamed with satisfaction, greatly pleased by Han Li's compliance.