After a long moment, Han Li woke from his deep thoughts, a vague idea forming in his mind.
But his expression unchanged, he continued to browse the shops selling technique manuals and scriptures.
This time, nothing unexpected awaited Han Li. The various cultivation techniques and elemental spells sold in the shops were largely familiar to him, not much different from those in the Tian Nan region.
If there was any slight difference, it was that water-elemental technique manuals seemed more numerous, and there were indeed several new spells Han Li had never heard of before.
Han Li purchased the scriptures related to these new spells, along with a copy of the "Compendium of Alchemy" he had stumbled upon by chance.
The reason he bought this book was that the compendium contained a certain master's description and commentary on the "Dust-Settling Pill."
Han Li intended to study it carefully before deciding whether to agree to the Six Harmonies Hall's request for this pill.
After that, Han Li had no further interest in buying anything else. He led Qu Hun directly out of Tiandu Street and headed toward the outskirts of the city.
Not long after leaving Kuixing City, Han Li and Qu Hun rode on their magical tools and flew into the sky, speeding toward Gu Family Manor.
Half a day later, Han Li caught sight of the familiar earthen walls of Gu Family Manor in the distance.
But Han Li had no intention of flying directly into the manor. Instead, he touched down on a nearby hill to check on the small wooden cabin he had built by hand years ago.
The cabin still stood in its original location, but it had grown noticeably more weathered since Han Li had left, with some parts even rotting and turning black.
After gazing at it for a moment, Han Li let out a soft sigh, pushed open the wooden door, and stepped inside.
"Oh!" Han Li was somewhat surprised.
Inside, it was not the dusty, rot-filled space he had imagined. Instead, it had been swept clean. The table, chairs, and wooden bed were spotless, and a pot of unknown blue flowers even sat on the wooden table.
Han Li stood frozen inside for a moment, then chuckled to himself in amusement.
"It seems the Gu family has put quite a bit of effort into this!" Han Li muttered to himself, rubbing his nose.
Then, without lingering, he walked out of the cabin, leaving Qu Hun to stand guard on the hill, and strolled toward Gu Family Manor.
Han Li had no intention of using his magical tool to enter the manor by force. Although the barrier outside the Gu residence was no obstacle for him now, Shopkeeper Gu was still an old acquaintance, and it was only proper to be courteous.
When Han Li reached the main gate of the manor, two burly guards naturally noticed him. One of them eyed him suspiciously and asked:
"Who are you, and what business brings you to our Gu Family Manor?"
"Tell your master that an old friend surnamed Han has arrived," Han Li said with a faint smile, his voice soft.
"My master does not receive visitors. Wait—surnamed Han?... Could you be Immortal Han?" The guard initially refused, but after sizing Han Li up and down, his expression turned to one of doubt.
"You know me?" Han Li frowned slightly.
"It really is Immortal Han! Please wait a moment, Immortal. I will inform the master right away!" The guard dashed into the manor without another word.
Han Li stared expressionlessly into the manor, saying nothing.
Before long, a large group of people emerged from within.
At their head was an elderly man whose face lit up with a broad smile the moment he saw Han Li.
"Immortal Han, you've finally come! I've been waiting for you for many years!"
The old man hurried forward to greet Han Li, and the others behind him bowed respectfully.
Han Li focused his gaze on the old man's vaguely familiar features—it was none other than Shopkeeper Gu. Only now, his hair had turned gray, and his face bore the signs of age.
"Master Gu, it has been a while," Han Li said, his tone softening slightly.
Under Shopkeeper Gu's warm reception, Han Li entered the grand residence at the heart of Gu Family Manor.
Once inside, before Han Li could speak, Shopkeeper Gu personally had someone bring a large pouch of spirit stones and presented them to Han Li. He then enthusiastically introduced several young members of the Gu family, particularly his eldest son, a young man in his thirties named Gu Kai, whom he especially emphasized.
Seeing this, Han Li understood Shopkeeper Gu's intentions all too well. The old man likely knew his lifespan was short and hoped that Han Li, an immortal, might lend some support to the Gu family in the future.
Han Li gave a faint smile. For the sake of their old bond, he offered a vague word of assent.
Shopkeeper Gu was overjoyed and immediately proposed holding a banquet in Han Li's honor, but Han Li politely declined.
After a few more words of conversation, he left Gu Family Manor.
Once outside, Han Li called Qu Hun down from the hill, and the two flew toward a nearby small town.
In the town, Han Li found an inn at random and checked in. He spent the entire night poring over the "Compendium of Alchemy," not sleeping at all.
By the next day, Han Li had finally gained a general understanding of the various pills in the Chaos Star Sea, and he had studied the Dust-Settling Pill countless times over.
According to the book, refining the Dust-Settling Pill required not only the inner cores of several rare demon beasts but also many other scarce spiritual ingredients. It was truly an exceedingly precious pill.
And this pill genuinely possessed the miraculous effect of increasing one's chances of Core Formation. Though the increase was said to be modest, and only one pill could be consumed during the process, it was still regarded as a treasure by the many cultivators on the verge of Core Formation.
Because even a one percent increase in success during Core Formation was something cultivators would desperately seek!
But having said that, Han Li understood clearly in his heart. If the Six Harmonies Hall was willing to use such a rare pill as compensation, the task was not as easy as the other party had made it sound—merely overseeing a formation.
If he went, there would surely be considerable danger. Heaven knew what kind of troublesome situation he might encounter.
But Han Li truly desired this "Dust-Settling Pill." After all, both he and Qu Hun were facing Core Formation.
As for himself, he had no expectations of succeeding this time. But Qu Hun's Evil Core, though said to carry a one-third chance of Core Formation, still had a greater probability of failure. He simply couldn't rest easy—he had to obtain this "Dust-Settling Pill"!
After agonizing over it for most of the day at the inn, Han Li finally decided to take the risk.
After all, when the time came, he and Qu Hun would both be late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Even if danger arose, protecting themselves should not be a problem.
Moreover, the Six Harmonies Hall appeared to be an enormously powerful force. If he could establish a relationship with them, it would be extremely useful for establishing himself in the Chaos Star Sea in the future.
But before that, he needed to ask other cultivators about the Six Harmonies Hall's reputation.
He couldn't let the situation end with the other party turning on him the moment the task was completed—that would be a terrible loss!
Having made up his mind, Han Li immediately led Qu Hun and flew toward Kuixing City.
...
Half a month later, an enormous sea vessel sailed into the harbor of Kuixing Island. Before long, streaks of white and blue light shot in from the distance, plunging without hesitation into the ship.
When the light faded, three figures stood at the bow—a burly, ugly-faced man, a middle-aged man with distinctive features, and a young man of ordinary appearance.
"Welcome aboard, Immortals. I am Captain Luo Zheng, the master of this vessel. The other Immortals are already on board. I will be the one to transport all of you to the location where demon beasts are sighted." A thick-browed, broad-eyed man emerged from the cabin and addressed the burly man and the young man respectfully.
The Immortals he referred to were, of course, Han Li and Qu Hun. The middle-aged man who had accompanied them was Cao Lu, the manager of White Water Tower.
"Fellow Daoist Qu, take care of yourself. I have matters to attend to and will be heading back now." Cao Lu exchanged a few courteous words with Qu Hun before flying away on his magical tool.
"Please go inside, Immortals. Your quarters have already been prepared. The ship will be departing shortly." The thick-browed man stood with his head bowed, awaiting their orders.
Han Li glanced at the cabin, then walked inside with Qu Hun in silence, while the man who had introduced himself as Luo Zheng followed closely behind.
At the same time, the massive hull of the ship began to move slowly once more.
The moment he stepped inside, the sight before Han Li made him pause slightly.
It was not the narrow corridor he had imagined, but a luxurious great hall more than ten zhang long and wide.
The floor was covered with a red brocade carpet, and in the center stood a long sandalwood table inlaid with gold and silver. Around it were arranged over a dozen chairs, and several people were seated there, engaged in conversation. The moment Han Li and Qu Hun entered, several sharp gazes swept toward them.
But they only glanced briefly at Han Li before fixing all their attention on Qu Hun.
"I am Qu Hun. This is my martial nephew, Han Li. How do you fellow cultivators address yourselves?" Qu Hun moved swiftly, stepping in front of Han Li, his expression blank.