"Elder Zhao, sorry to keep you waiting! This is Senior Han, the owner of that batch of beast materials!" The Enchanting Voice Sect woman said respectfully as soon as she entered the room, addressing the gray-robed elder.
"Oh, Daoist Han! Please have a seat. I just brewed a pot of Ice Cloud Spirit Tea myself. Why not have a taste?" The gray-robed elder raised his head and glanced at Han Li, saying faintly.
Han Li frowned slightly. The elder's appearance was nothing remarkable, except that his cheeks were a rather unnatural shade of red, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness. A hint of suspicion arose in his heart.
His spiritual sense was already far more powerful than that of cultivators at the same level, and in an instant he saw that this elder was also an early Core Formation cultivator.
Without making any excuses, he sat down directly across from the elder. However, without any change in expression, he glanced at the cup of fragrant tea the elder had just poured, making no move to reach for it.
Although the other party seemed to have no intention of harming him, out of habitual caution, he would not drink anything in an unfamiliar place.
Seeing Han Li so cautious, the elder showed no displeasure, merely smiling faintly as he poured himself a small cup and began drinking leisurely.
It was as if, in that instant, he had cast Han Li and his companions to the back of his mind.
"Senior Han! This time, on behalf of the Enchanting Voice Sect, I have come to propose purchasing all of your remaining beast materials. The price can be discussed favorably." As soon as Fan Jingmei sat down, her red lips parted as she spoke to Han Li in a slow, elegant manner, appearing extremely refined and dignified. "I did indeed have some beast materials before, but the last batch has just been sold. I'm afraid I must disappoint your sect." Not knowing the other party's true intentions, how could Han Li readily admit he still had many rare materials? He spoke unhurriedly, intending to block the other party's words.
Madame Fan heard Han Li's words of refusal and smiled sweetly, her tone gentle:
"Senior Han, that statement is a bit misleading! Although our sect doesn't know how many beast materials you still have, we can assume there are quite a few. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so cautious as to only sell to small outside merchants, offering only a little at a time, each time to different buyers."
"If our sect hadn't happened to be collecting related materials throughout Heavenly Star City, we wouldn't have discovered the irregularities. You must be worried about revealing your wealth! If so, Senior Han can put that worry aside. Although our sect isn't some great power, we've always had a good reputation in the Chaotic Star Sea. You can sell all these materials to me, and our sect will be spared the trouble of re-collecting from other small merchants!"
The woman spoke a lengthy explanation with a smile, appearing extremely composed, but Han Li's eyes flashed with cold light, revealing a hint of anger.
Anyone would be displeased to discover they had been secretly investigated without prior knowledge!
Perhaps noticing Han Li's anger, Madame Fan suddenly changed the subject and began explaining again.
"Senior Han, please don't blame this woman for her previous rash actions. It was only because the matter was urgent that I had to mobilize most of our sect's resources in Heavenly Star City to track down your trail. I hope you can help me this once!"
As the woman spoke, she had placed herself in a weaker position, her words and gaze subtly revealing a hint of supplication.
Hearing these words, Han Li's angry expression gradually faded.
He did not speak immediately, but instead extended one index finger to gently tap the tea table before him, his face expressionless.
In reality, Han Li's mind was racing at this moment, rapidly analyzing the pros and cons.
Although he didn't know why this woman or the Enchanting Voice Sect urgently needed large quantities of beast materials, the other party clearly believed he had what they wanted. Denial would likely be useless and would only create an unnecessary enmity.
The Enchanting Voice Sect—he had never heard of it. But judging from this Elder Zhao, their strength shouldn't be too weak.
Han Li didn't want to make such an enemy without reason.
Moreover, he had far too many beast materials on hand. Continuing to release them little by little would eventually be discovered by others anyway. He might as well take this opportunity to use their influence to clear them out cleanly.
Besides, this was Heavenly Star City, where cultivators were strictly forbidden to fight. He had no fear of them pulling any tricks during the transaction.
Thinking to this point, Han Li remained silent for a moment before speaking calmly:
"Since Madame has already said so much, I won't hide it anymore. I do have some beast materials your sect desires, though I'm not sure if the quantity meets your needs!"
Hearing Han Li's admission, both the woman across from him and the young girl behind her showed delight on their faces. Even the elder, who had beenlowering his headtasting his tea like some aloof expert, cast a sidelong glance at Han Li with a visibly relieved expression.
"How much does Senior have? I'll take however much there is!" Madame Fan asked somewhat eagerly, her beautiful eyes full of anticipation.
Han Li smiled faintly and casually stated an astonishing number, filling the woman with surprised delight.
Although she knew Han Li had quite a bit, she hadn't expected it to be so much.
Finally, her task could be completed!
"I'll take all of these materials! When would Senior be available? Shall we trade today?" This Enchanting Voice Sect's Madame Fan, forgetting her composure, spoke with a slightly trembling voice, as if afraid Han Li might change his mind.
Han Li felt slightly surprised at her urgency.
But he also wanted to dispose of these things quickly to avoid trouble from prolonged delays. After a moment's thought, he said:
"Very well, let's trade right here. Prepare the spirit stones, and I'll go fetch the materials now."
Han Li's efficient manner suited the woman perfectly, and she looked at him with delighted surprise, nodding repeatedly.
Thus, Han Li rose unhurriedly, calmly took his leave, and strode out of the room.
After Han Li's figure disappeared from the doorway for a while, the excitement in Madame Fan's eyes gradually faded.
She was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned her head to ask the elder:
"Elder Zhao, what is this person's cultivation level? I heard he recently formed his Core and shouldn't have even had time to refine a magic treasure yet. If he were to suddenly attack, could you subdue him instantly? If you're confident, we could save a massive amount of spirit stones."
When the woman spoke these words coldly, her elegant demeanor vanished completely, her expression becoming somewhat sinister, sending chills down one's spine.
"Impossible! Although this person recently formed his Core, his cultivation technique is unusual. Not only is his magical power extremely pure, but there's also a subtle aura of treasure emanating from within. Either he has already refined a magic treasure early to deceive others, or he carries another's inherited magic treasure. He cannot be underestimated!" Elder Zhao lightly shook his head, voicing his objection.
"If that's the case, this person should be quite strong. In that case, let's drag him into our operation in half a month! If things go smoothly, we can do him a favor and recruit him. If not, he'll make a perfect pawn!" The woman said slowly, a strange glint flickering in her eyes.
"That's actually a good idea. But judging from this person's speech and manner, he appears young yet handles himself with great poise—not so easily used. Are you confident? Don't tell me you're planning to seduce him?" The elder spoke, a displeased expression appearing on his face.
Madame Fan cast a sidelong glance at the elder, then suddenly began giggling softly, her eyes brimming with coquettish charm.
"Hehe! Elder, you're jealous! Don't worry, aside from you, I won't let any other man touch me."
Then she pulled aside the veil from her face, revealing a countenance so captivating it could topple kingdoms.
The elder's previously somewhat sickly complexion, upon seeing the woman's true face, began to stare blankly, his cheeks growing even rosier.
Seeing this, Madame Fan felt immensely satisfied.
"Elder, you were seriously injured while covering for me last time! I've always kept that in mind!"
After saying this, Madame Fan's serpentine waist twisted, and her full, graceful body slid into the elder's arms several feet away, while her delicate hands stroked the elder's chest.
At this moment, Madame Fan's face was brimming with spring-like allure, her large eyes watery as if about to drip water—a veritable enchantress who could charm men to death without them even noticing.
The elder's breathing became ragged the moment Madame Fan's delicate hands touched his chest.
His rough, large hands became equally restless upon her fragrant body.
This scene made the young girl who had been standing behind Madame Fan blush furiously, biting her delicate lip as she lowered her head deeply.
"Lian'er! Go outside for a while. When that person arrives, come in and announce him!" Madame Fan said in a low voice, almost moaning.
"Yes!" The young girl immediately responded as if granted amnesty, hastily backing out.
But just before she gently closed the door, she faintly heard.
"This girl has become more and more lovely these past two years. Why not hand her over to me for a couple of days sometime? Keep the wealth within the family, after all?"
"Hmph, in your dreams! I'm keeping Little Lian for something important. Don't you dare think about her! Unless I..."
Hearing the flirtatious banter between the man and woman inside the room, the young girl let out a soft sigh of relief and slowly moved away from the door.