The five-element spell scrolls of advanced spellcraft are merely secondary. Most of the power of advanced spells, once a cultivator reaches the Dan-jin stage, leads them to largely abandon further study of five-element techniques. Yet this does not mean that such advanced spells are entirely useless. As Han Li knows, numerous powerful five-element spells exist—some so potent that even Yuan-ying stage cultivators dare not meet them head-on. However, these spells are not only difficult to master, but even after fully comprehending and integrating them, their execution remains cumbersome and time-consuming. In such cases, it is often more efficient simply to use physical artifacts for direct attacks. Nevertheless, Han Li has heard from other cultivators that the Muranese spellcasters have seemingly overcome this limitation. They have developed many powerful, instantly deployable "spirit techniques" that enable lower-level spellcasters to compete effectively against ordinary cultivators without relying on artifacts or scrolls. When higher-level spellcasters combine these techniques with their artifacts, their capabilities are greatly enhanced, allowing them to decisively outperform peers of equal rank. Only then did the several major powers in Tiannan unite to resist the Mulan people, able to defend themselves but unable to achieve a decisive victory. Since his attainment of the Yuan婴 stage, Han Li has been increasingly aware of his limitations and has diligently studied several of the most fundamental advanced spells. He has indeed grasped three or four of them, though his casting speed remains painfully slow. He believes that if he were to truly employ these spells in combat, unless his opponent possessed an unbreakable shell like a turtle's, he would be wiped out seven or eight times before even completing half of the spell's sequence. However, when facing enemies, combining his magical artifacts with advanced scroll spells proves exceptionally sharp. If he were to unleash a burst of twenty or thirty high-level offensive scroll spells at once—just as he would with lower-level ones—neither his peers nor even Yuan婴后期 cultivators would have the strength to hold their ground, and would have to flee immediately. After all, this was equivalent to being struck simultaneously by dozens of cultivators at the Yuan Ying stage—no matter how exceptional the attacked cultivator's cultivation technique or defensive artifacts, as long as their level remained at Yuan Ying, they would absolutely be unable to withstand such a blow. Yet such an attack was still merely a thought; it would cost tens of thousands of spiritual stones per instance, and no one dared to afford such lavish attacks. Furthermore, in the immortal cultivation world, high-tier scroll artifacts were often available only in limited supply, with most serving primarily as auxiliary tools. While contemplating this, Han Li walked steadily along the marketplace streets, constantly glancing at the larger shops specializing in artifacts and general goods—only the larger establishments were likely to carry top-tier scroll pens. Smaller shops, without question, would rarely offer such specialized items, let alone the highest-grade ones. Perhaps a few small stores might harbor rare treasures, but Han Li had no intention of spending time visiting each one individually. Otherwise, with so many shops in Qian Tian City, even if he did nothing but simply wander, it would take at least ten or twelve days to go through them all. On the streets, besides Han Li, other cultivators were also entering and exiting the shops, each going about their own business with varying expressions of intent. Most of them were Jian Ji cultivators, with only a few Dan Ji cultivators occasionally appearing. As for Qi Ji cultivators, apart from those native to Qian Tian City, there were very few visitors from outside. Han Li concealed his cultivation level once again, appearing as a mid-Dan Ji cultivator. Thus, although he encountered many people on the way, the Jian Ji cultivators merely glanced at him with respectful eyes, while the Dan Ji cultivators who didn't know him simply passed him by without noticing. As a result, Han Li did not attract much attention and gradually strolled from one large shop to another. When Han Li finally emerged from one of the pavilions, disappointed once more, the day had already passed halfway. Looking at the darkening sky and the moonstone lamps gradually lighting up in the shops, Han Li found himself hesitating. He was thinking whether he should return to his quarters now or keep going and check two more shops before doing so. Just then, a commotion came from a little distance ahead, as if some dispute had arisen, drawing several nearby cultivators over to listen. Han Li furrowed his brows, then casually crossed his arms behind his back, maintaining a composed expression, and turned to head back to his quarters. But before he had taken just a few steps, a sharp, impatient voice rang out clearly. "How is it, are all your Luoyun Sect cultivators this unreasonable? You break something and expect to leave without compensation?" "We're not refusing to compensate. In fact, I've just purchased other items, and I truly don't have that many spiritual stones. This is merely a basic mid-level Fire Cloud Scroll—how can it cost three hundred spiritual stones? At most, one or two hundred would be acceptable." Moreover, didn't I place my sect's seal here as collateral? I'll simply borrow a few spiritual stones from my fellow disciples at the inn and return shortly." The younger man spoke loudly, clearly annoyed, responding with firm resistance. Han Li's figure, which had just taken a few steps forward, suddenly paused. There was something familiar in this man's voice—somewhere in the Luoyun Sect that he knew. Han Li stroked his chin, thought briefly, then turned back toward the shop where the commotion had begun. After all, as one of the Three Elders of Luoyun Sect, he couldn't simply ignore the situation and walk away. A moment later, Han Li spotted a small general store where about fifteen cultivators were gathered, several of them engaged in a standoff inside. Among them, one in a neat black robe, with a stern expression, was none other than Sun Huo, whom he had seen during the Sword Trial. Though only twenty years had passed, the young man Sun Huo had remained largely unchanged in appearance, yet his cultivation had clearly advanced significantly. Opposite him stood three local cultivators with displeased expressions, clearly the store's manager and assistants. At this moment, the middle figure—a manager with a short beard—spat out a stream of words at Sun Huo: "A mere piece of insignia worth nothing. What good is it to me? If you don't want this token, and decide to return to Luoyun Sect, will I really have to make a special journey all the way to Xihu Kingdom just to track you down? Let's cut to the chase. Since you don't have any spiritual stones, bring out whatever's in your storage pouch and pledge it here as collateral. As for that Fire Cloud Scroll—you think it's just an ordinary mid-level scroll? No, it's a masterpiece crafted by our Qian Tian City's scroll master. How can it be compared to ordinary Fire Cloud Scrolls? I've already charged you three hundred spiritual stones—this is generous, isn't it? Are all the Luoyun Sect cultivators really poor?" With these words, the manager glanced at the wooden box held by one of the assistants, his face showing a touch of regret, as though he had truly suffered a loss. "Well!" The items are yours—whatever you'd like to say, go right ahead. Even a plain Huayun Seal, you can claim was crafted by the master seal-artist." Hearing this, Sun Huo grew furious yet burst into laughter. "Is it really that difficult to distinguish a seal crafted by the master from one that isn't? Or do you truly intend to refuse compensation for our store's losses? Then, don't be surprised if I personally notify the city's enforcement magistrate." The storekeeper sneered, making a direct and unyielding threat. Sun Huo's face flushed from white to red upon hearing this. With the enforcement magistrate from the Nine Kingdoms Alliance arriving, it was clear who would prevail—no need to ask. Moreover, the matter itself was truly murky. It seemed their loss was now settled. After a while of shifting between pale and flushed, Sun Huo stomped his foot and suddenly struck his storage pouch on his waist. Instantly, a variety of seals appeared in his hands—mostly junior to mid-level, low-grade seals. "Though these seals aren't of the highest rank, they should be sufficient to cover two or three hundred灵stones," he said, gritting his teeth. The shopkeeper, upon hearing this, relaxed slightly and said, "That's about right!" then reached out to take the scroll. "Hm! This one isn't the right one!" Before the shopkeeper could grasp it, Sun Huo quickly scanned the scroll in his hand, his face suddenly changing, and promptly withdrew his hand. He immediately pulled out a nearly half-ruined yellow scroll from among the others and offered it again. "Hmph! A blank scroll torn like this—still so nervous? Your Luoyun Sect truly must be running low on resources," the shopkeeper said, surprised at first, then with a hint of scorn. He then extended his hand again, reaching to grasp the scrolls. But at that very moment, a figure suddenly stepped between the two, intercepting the scrolls and taking them firmly in hand. Sun Huo was startled, while the shopkeeper hurried back several steps, startled and exclaiming, "Who is it? What do they want?" "Nothing at all!" "Just hear you mentioning our Luoyun Sect time and again—could you please say it again, right before my very eyes?" The arriving cultivator spoke coldly, expressionlessly. As he finished speaking, an astonishing aura surged from him, a massive spiritual pressure descending from the heavens, instantly causing nearby cultivators to pale and step back several paces. Some with lower attainments couldn't even stabilize their footing, feeling as though a mountain had pressed down upon them, and immediately knelt half-bowed. Among the two Jin Dan cultivators who had just passed by, though their condition was slightly better, they both staggered. One of them, his face pale with alarm, exclaimed: "An Yuan Ying cultivator!"