The two women and the three male cultivators who were closely following them, as soon as they entered a nearby shop, Han Li's figure emerged from behind another building.
Glancing at the shop the two women had entered, Han Li revealed a thoughtful gaze.
After watching for a while, he led Qu Hun and walked towards other streets.
At first glance, the streets here were no different from ordinary mortal shops outside, with rows of similarly sized square buildings lining both sides of the street. The shop signs and hanging banners outside displayed a variety of names like "Wu Family General Store," "Chen's Magical Artifact Shop," "Five Elements Weapon Refining," and "Huo Yang Raw Materials."
Han Li did not enter these shops, but instead walked straight towards the center of Tiandu Street along the street.
Because according to Han Li's past experience, those powerful large shops would definitely be in the best locations, which should be below the "Cloud Dream Pavilion." And Han Li also wanted to get closer to see what other mysteries this aerial pavilion held.
Thinking this, Han Li couldn't help but quicken his pace slightly.
At this time, some cultivators coming and going on the street were constantly entering and exiting various shops, and the entire Tiandu Street seemed to have quite a few cultivators.
After walking several hundred zhang, Han Li knew he had found the right place.
Because before his eyes suddenly brightened, a small square of several mu appeared.
This square was paved with long, white jade strips, appearing extremely exquisite and gorgeous. The center of the square was empty, with only the Cloud Dream Pavilion floating in mid-air. However, at this time, the aerial pavilion's main gate was tightly closed when viewed from a distance, showing no intention of receiving guests or allowing people to enter.
Around this not-so-large square stood six small pavilions of different styles. The distance between each pavilion was equal, forming a subtle standoff. Apart from these six shops, no other businesses dared to set foot in this square.
Seeing this situation, Han Li carefully gazed at the aerial pavilion for a while, then shifted his attention to the six pavilions on the ground.
"Mountain and Sea Pavilion, White Water Tower, Jade Ring Residence..." Han Li murmured the names of these six shops to himself, while constantly observing the cultivators entering and exiting these six shops, trying to choose the one with the most customers to enter.
But after a moment, Han Li frowned slightly and couldn't help but secretly grumble to himself.
It turned out that the number of people entering and exiting these six small pavilions was almost the same. After going through all six pavilions one by one, they would reluctantly or excitedly leave.
Feeling frustrated, Han Li focused and re-examined the six pavilions.
Only then did he discover the clue. The banners hanging outside the six pavilions had logos embroidered on them that were actually quite meaningful.
On Mountain and Sea Pavilion's banner was embroidered a blue strange beast. White Water Tower had a golden small sword, and Jade Ring Residence had a green spirit mushroom...
Seeing this, Han Li vaguely felt that he had misunderstood something.
To verify whether his thoughts were correct, after thinking for a while, Han Li still walked towards the nearest White Water Tower, with Qu Hun silently following behind him.
As soon as they entered the main hall of White Water Tower, the interior was not small, approximately twenty to thirty zhang in length and width.
Around the sides were rows of white jade-carved shelves, displaying hundreds of shining magical artifacts of various colors. However, with just a glance, Han Li knew that the best of these items were only upper-grade magical artifacts, which couldn't even catch his eye.
In front of each shelf, four or five neatly dressed blue-robed assistants were serving seven or eight cultivators, recommending and selecting some magical artifacts.
But as soon as Han Li and Qu Hun entered, a sharp-eyed blue-robed assistant immediately recognized Qu Hun's Foundation Establishment cultivator identity. Although he couldn't sense Qu Hun's exact level, his eyes brightened and he hurriedly walked over.
After bowing deeply to Qu Hun, this assistant cleverly asked:
"This senior, are you looking for any magical artifacts? I'm sure ordinary magical artifacts wouldn't catch this senior's eye. How about this senior follow me to the side hall, where I can have the shopkeeper bring some newly arrived top-grade magical artifacts for this senior to inspect?"
Hearing such a well-phrased offer, Han Li smiled faintly without speaking, but Qu Hun coldly replied:
"Lead the way, I'll take a look!"
Hearing Qu Hun's so confident tone, this assistant became even happier.
With a beaming smile, he invited Han Li to a side hall on one side of the main hall, then excused himself to fetch the shopkeeper.
But as soon as he left, a beautiful maidservant came in and served Han Li and Qu Hun two cups of fragrant tea, then silently withdrew.
Han Li didn't stand on ceremony, picking up the teacup and taking a light sip. And after a while, a middle-aged man with an unusual appearance and three long whiskers arrived.
This person had a smiling expression when he first entered, but upon clearly seeing Qu Hun's cultivation level, he couldn't help but be startled. He immediately clasped his hands towards Qu Hun and said:
"I didn't expect this fellow Daoist to have reached the Pseudo-Core realm. Truly, congratulations are in order! I am Cao Lu, the shopkeeper here. I wish fellow Daoist early success in achieving your Golden Core!"
He spoke with a solemn and serious expression, which made Han Li pause for a moment!
But his mind worked extremely quickly, and he immediately understood that the "Pseudo-Core realm" the other party mentioned must refer to Qu Hun's cultivation reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment. He then had Qu Hun stand up and顺势 replied:
"Fellow Daoist jests. Achieving Golden Core success is not that easy! However, my purpose in coming this time is indeed to prepare for the rush to Core Formation. But since Brother Qu has just arrived at Tiandu Street, I truly don't know where to obtain the 'Snow Spirit Water' and 'Heavenly Fire Liquid' required for Core Formation. I hope Fellow Daoist Cao can provide some guidance!"
Qu Hun spoke very politely, because this middle-aged man with the unusual appearance was also a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Hehe, this matter is easy to handle! Our Six Linked Halls advance and retreat together. I will contact Fellow Daoist Ouyang from 'Jade Ring Residence' right now. If they have these items, I'll have them sent over immediately." Shopkeeper Cao readily agreed without hesitation, and without delay took out a voice transmission talisman, whispered a few words, then turned it into a red light and threw it out of the room.
Next, this Shopkeeper Cao enthusiastically chatted with Qu Hun, and subtly tried to inquire about Qu Hun's background and sect.
But how could Han Li reveal such information to a stranger he had just met moments ago? He only had Qu Hun vaguely say that he was a cultivator who had just arrived at Kuixing Island from outside, and because he had happened to meet his martial nephew Han Li, he planned to temporarily reside on Kuixing Island for a while.
Hearing these words, Shopkeeper Cao became even more cordial, with a level of enthusiasm that made Han Li feel somewhat overwhelmed.
Just as Han Li was secretly wondering and pondering the other party's true intentions, a bearded large man wearing a light blue robe walked into the side hall.
This man had a purplish-red complexion, a tall and robust build, and an extremely imposing appearance!
"Fellow Daoist Cao, why do you suddenly want Snow Spirit Water and Heavenly Fire Liquid? Is someone attempting Core Formation?" The large man laughed heartily as soon as he entered the room, but his round eyes glanced over Han Li once before fixing on Qu Hun.
This person's knowing question made Han Li frown secretly. He knew that this person was probably not as straightforward and open as he appeared, but rather quite calculating.
After a moment of caution, he became a bit more wary of this person.
Of course, on the surface, Han Li and Qu Hun maintained their usual expressions, even with slight smiles.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Ouyang, let me introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Qu who has just arrived at our Kuixing Island, and this is Fellow Daoist Qu's martial nephew, Fellow Daoist Han, who has already settled on our Kuixing Island. It is Fellow Daoist Qu who has reached the Pseudo-Core realm and is preparing to rush for Core Formation." Cao Lu pointed at Qu Hun and Han Li, saying with a smile.
"Haha, then I congratulate Fellow Daoist Qu! If fellow Daoist can succeed in Core Formation, our Chaotic Star Sea will have another pillar!" The bearded large man grinned, equally enthusiastic.
But he immediately seemed to remember something, suddenly slapped his own forehead, and said somewhat apologetically:
"Look at my memory, I forgot that Fellow Daoist must be anxious about the Snow Spirit Water and Heavenly Fire Liquid. But fellow Daoist can rest assured, I have brought both of these items, and there's enough for two people's Core Formation use." After saying this, the bearded large man took out two jade boxes emitting a yellow glow from his person and placed them on the table in front of Han Li.
"These two boxes for storing spirit items are carved from deep-sea extreme jade of the earth attribute, and can also be considered a rare treasure. However, compared to the value of these two spirit items, of course, they cannot be mentioned in the same breath!" Although the bearded large man's words seemed casual, Han Li could faintly detect a hint of pride in them.
"Truly troubling fellow Daoist!" Qu Hun replied calmly without changing his expression, then carefully opened the two jade boxes one by one.
Inside one box was a mass of clear water-like liquid, and as soon as the lid was opened, a strange cold yin energy surged towards Qu Hun. The other box contained the opposite, a mass of bright red, flame-like scarlet liquid, appearing extremely scorching.
Qu Hun carefully observed them for a long while, then satisfactorily closed the lids and looked up to ask the bearded large man calmly:
"For these two items, how many spirit stones would fellow Daoist require to part with them?"
Although "Snow Spirit Water" and "Heavenly Fire Liquid" were not as rare as thousand-year spirit herbs, they were still spirit items difficult to obtain in the world, and were essential items that needed to be consumed to assist Core Formation and increase the success rate. Han Li naturally was determined to obtain them.