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Chapter Seven Hundred Twenty-Four: The Fire Toad Ancient Beast

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"It's quite simple. Together with Master Xuanji, I would like to team up once again with Master Han. Once we locate the treasure, our strength will greatly improve, and we'll no longer fear anyone." Nanlong Marquis spoke with steady eyes, his expression calm and composed. The Falls of the Demonic Deity is indeed renowned as the most perilous locale in the southern reaches—no mere exaggeration. Han Li doesn’t wish to end up like a man who dies for wealth and a bird that perishes for food. He sighed, his voice filled with hesitation. Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Nan Long Hou and Xuanji Zi exchanged glances. After a brief pause, Nan Long Hou spoke solemnly: “Since Master Han has raised this question, I shall not withhold any information. According to the messages left by Master Ang Kun, the Falls of the Demonic Deity truly presents great dangers—should one be careless, they may be drawn into the ever-shifting spatial fissures. Moreover, many ancient seals still lingering in various regions prove nearly insurmountable. To say that we can safely escort Master into the valley is no exaggeration—there’s a solid chance of doing so. However, if the purpose is to seek treasure, the matter becomes less certain. Indeed, the more perilous the areas, the greater the likelihood of finding treasure. As for what exactly one might encounter—neither I nor Master Ang Kun can fully predict it.” Since Master Angkun's cultivation was severely damaged, he only briefly explored the outer areas of the Magi Valley and didn't venture deeply into its core. Yet this also indicates that the valley's most precious treasures—since the age of wilderness—have never been obtained by anyone before. With a slight risk, one is certain to return with a full load. As he spoke, Master Nanlong's tone gradually became more persuasive. "Of course, if our esteemed guest prefers not to take this risk, he may sell us the Two-Principles Ring. We can offer some spiritual stones, though that's all we have. But I must be frank—ancient cultivators have many extraordinary elixirs, whose effects are truly miraculous. Should one obtain them, a breakthrough to the mid-to-late Yuan-Ying stage would be within reach. Indeed, one might even uncover the secret behind the disappearance of the Sheng-Shen cultivators. After all, once a cultivator reaches the Sheng-Shen stage, they truly ascend to the legendary spiritual realm—unless something unforeseen has occurred. Our southern celestial realm has long lost track of such developments. Master, surely you don't wish to seek a resolution? At this moment, even Xuanji Zi suddenly spoke up. Han Li's eyes flashed with light, and after a moment of thoughtful silence, he uttered several words that completely surprised the two across from him: "If I haven't misunderstood, it seems both of you would like me to join your journey to the Fallen Demon Valley. Might I ask what the reason is? After all, there are many Yuan婴 cultivators already—why must I be included specifically?" As soon as these words left his lips, the expressions on Nanlong Hou's and Xuanji Zi's faces grew stiff, then softened into a touch of embarrassment. Nanlong Hou pressed his lips together, chuckled faintly, and then revealed a look of helplessness: "In fact, even if Master hadn't asked, I would have mentioned this matter myself. Besides the defenses, spatial rifts, and other dangers within the Fallen Demon Valley, there are several ancient beasts from the wilderness that have survived to this day. Among them, one is the ancient fire toad—a species that should have gone extinct long ago. Though this fire toad has not yet awakened its intelligence, it has lived for countless tens of thousands of years, and According to the late Master Angku's testament, the flame of this ancient fire tortoise is several steps superior even to the infant fire of our Yuan-Infant cultivators. When I witnessed my friend channeling that azure cold flame, it instantly solidified the physical form of a Yuan-Infant cultivator—a feat far beyond the capabilities of ordinary ice-based cultivation techniques. It should therefore be able to subdue this fire tortoise. The two friends would like me to handle this fire toad, so they can seize the treasures in the process. Han Li chuckled slightly and murmured. "It's far more stable than facing ancient seals and spatial rifts. As long as the method is sound, and with your ice-based cultivation techniques, there's no issue at all. Moreover, we don't need to eliminate the beast entirely—just guiding it away will allow us to claim the treasures. Once we obtain the ancient cultivator's storage satchels, the items inside will be more than sufficient for us to share." Nan Long Hou added with growing enthusiasm. "According to your assessment, as long as we enter the valley and focus solely on handling this fire toad, without venturing into other areas, we should remain relatively safe." Han Li tilted his head, thinking carefully, and then asked without committing. "If our luck is good, the treasures from the remains might be enough—then we'd naturally have no need to take further risks." Nan Long Hou nodded, expressing his confidence. "Even so, you could fully leverage the strength of the Tianji Door to accomplish this task. With the power of an entire sect, it would surely be far better than us three struggling alone. I simply don't believe the Tianji Door lacks any cultivators proficient in ice-based techniques." Han Li smiled slightly, with a look that was half-amused, half-curious. Hán Li, upon hearing this, did not show any surprise, merely smiled and remained silent. "Master Xuanji, we have already explained all matters to you. Isn't it now time for you to make your decision?" Master Xuanji exhaled gently, then fixed her gaze on Hán Li, not blinking as she asked. "When exactly do the two of you intend to journey to Zhui Mo Valley to retrieve the treasures? Is it not soon, then?" Hán Li did not answer directly, but instead added one more question. "That's not quite right. Although the spatial fissure in Zhui Mo Valley is mostly unstable and ever-changing, it periodically enters a stable phase every fifty years—lasting for at least one full year. Before entering the Mùlán Grassland, I personally observed it once. The next stable phase will not arrive until at least three or four years from now. Before then, we have ample time to prepare." Nan Long Hou replied without hesitation. "Given that there is still such a long period ahead, I must carefully consider this matter. Then, before the year preceding the stable phase of Zhui Mo Valley's space, I shall provide you with a definite answer." "At that point, even if I am unable to make it down to the Valley of the Demonic Abyss, I will certainly lend you the Two-Principles Ring." Han Li finally settled on this somewhat vague response, stroking his chin. Hearing such an equivocal answer, the two southern Llong Marquises naturally felt dissatisfied. Yet Han Li was not eager to commit himself firmly to a certain destination so perilous. After all, he differed from them in age and perspective. The two Marquises and Xuanji the Monastic Master clearly approached the end of their lives; thus, they were willing to take great risks for their final chance. Han Li, on the other hand, felt his own years were still young, and whether or not he should undertake such a daring journey remained uncertain—so he naturally preferred to delay the decision as long as possible. With the world constantly in flux, he believed it would be wise to assess the situation before making a final choice. Fortunately, Han Li did commit to delivering the Two-Principles Ring to them at a later date. This settled the matter, and the two Marquises could no longer press him further. After discussing further details about the Valley of the Demonic Abyss, Han Li He explained that as long as this token was presented, any disciple of Tianji Gate could easily reach him. After receiving it without hesitation, Han Li left the underground stone room and returned to the shop on the ground. Then, with the respectful escort of the middle-aged shopkeeper, Han Li stepped out of the shop and stood on the street. He believed that soon after his departure, the two visitors would not remain long at this location. Especially since Nanlong Marquis was still recovering from his serious injuries and urgently needed a safe place to heal and restore his strength. However, given the severity of his wounds, the Marquis might not recover within a few years. Indeed, it was possible that, due to the significant depletion of his vital energy, he might even drop a level of cultivation. Han Li quietly set this matter aside, thinking it over calmly as he made his way to his residence. The incident in the Dume Valley still lay some distance away, but the invasion by Mulan, the mage, was already unfolding before his very eyes. This was no matter he could simply ignore and walk away from. As he pondered these developments, Han Li gradually walked further away.