"What would you like in return, besides teaching me the method of crafting?" Han Li did not display any signs of excitement. "I'd like you to find a way to lift the assimilation effect of the Xitian Ding upon me. And while you either sit down and dissolve or ascend to heaven, I'd like you to provide temporary protection for me. Also, though I now possess the cultivation level of the eighth rank, I've never experienced the transformation lightning storm due to having remained within the Xitian Ding. I fear I'll need your assistance to safely endure the storm. On my own, I might face some risks." Tianlan, the beast, didn't hesitate and listed several demands at once. "Are there any more?" Han Li remained composed. "Should I propose any further conditions, I suspect my friend might just decide to kill me." Tianlan chuckled. "Very well. If these are all the terms, then I am indeed willing to agree. However, regarding the removal of the Xitian Ding's constraints, that can only be accomplished either when I am about to dissolve or when I prepare to ascend. Does that suit you?" Han Li paused to consider the pros and cons, then decisively agreed. "No problem, brother—your move is truly wise. We originally had no need to risk our lives. To show our sincerity, I shall gladly pass on the Silver Kōbu text to you." Tian Lan the Beast felt a great relief and burst into laughter. "That’s even better." Han Li glanced at the golden scroll in his hands and accepted it without hesitation. Yet then, he suddenly raised his hand and tapped his waist, and instantly a jade satchel appeared in his grasp—precisely the storage satchel of Jin Hua the Elder. With a mere mental sweep, Han Li took in every item within the satchel, all of which came clearly into his mind. After a brief moment, he shook the satchel, and a surge of jade-green light erupted from its mouth, spilling out several scrolls of varying colors. Han Li immediately examined each scroll in detail, carefully reviewing the techniques and spells recorded within, until he momentarily forgot about the cauldron and Tian Lan the Beast altogether. Yet this beast proved quite perceptive, remaining silent and undisturbing to Han Li throughout the meal. After a while, Han Li raised an eyebrow, withdrew his awareness from the final scroll, and his face fell into a look of puzzlement. He found not a single trace of connection between the scrolls and the golden scroll he now held. Could it be that this golden scroll was not crafted by the person who had brought it, but rather accidentally obtained? Han Li found himself pondering this. Suddenly, his expression brightened as if remembering something. He lowered his head abruptly, re-engaged his consciousness within the storage pouch, and immediately focused on a specific item. The pouch emitted a flash of emerald light, then expelled another object—a yellow wooden chest, half a foot in size, bearing a seal scroll affixed to its surface. Without hesitation, Han Li lifted his hand, peeled off the scroll, and then struck the lid of the chest. The chest slowly opened, revealing an object inside—a jade plaque roughly the size of a clenched fist, its surface adorned with silver glyphs that subtly shimmered, seemingly composed entirely of the silver tadpole-like symbols. These runes were incredibly small, yet upon a mere sweep of divine awareness, they appeared vivid and distinct. But this scroll, upon closer inspection, appeared only half-complete—clearly damaged and incomplete. Han Li was momentarily stunned, still not having examined it closely when suddenly, the silver script on its surface flashed violently, leaped abruptly, and then surged forth as a bright silver beam. Han Li was startled, yet when he had first noticed the sealing runes on the wooden chest, he had already felt a sense of caution. Thus, as the silver beam had only traveled a few zhang before, he swiftly reached out and seized it with a lightning motion. The tips of his five fingers glowed intensely. At once, the surrounding space resonated with a deep hum, like a thunderclap, causing the silver beam to tremble and momentarily stall. It then reformed into its original jade scroll shape. Han Li's expression darkened, and he closed his fingers tightly. The powerful force drew the silver beam inward, and it could not resist, rebounding and returning to his grasp, now completely still and immobile. "Jin Que Yu Shu! Impossible! How could such a precious artifact have been left behind in this realm?" The Dingzhong Tianlan beast sensed what had just happened and was instantly startled, exclaiming aloud with a voice that trembled slightly. "How is it, Tianlan Daojun, that you recognize this object?" Han Li felt a sudden sense of alertness. Such a profound reaction from this immortal-level spirit beast suggested that this jade plaque indeed came from a truly remarkable source. "It's impossible—this thing cannot exist in the Human Realm. With such a strong spiritual essence, how could it remain in the Human Realm, a land of thin spiritual energy? I now understand—it appears that this jade scroll is merely a fragment, its spiritual vitality nearly extinguished, rendering it powerless to return to the Immortal Realm. But who, then, possesses such a great power that could tear through the scroll and leave it as a mere fragment?" The Tianlan beast seemed entirely unaware of Han Li's question, continuing to murmur to itself, as if the very fact that this jade plaque had appeared in the Human Realm had left him utterly stunned, unable to compose himself. Han Li, growing increasingly concerned, gently cleared his throat twice. "Ah, I apologize—I have been rather uncomposed. Indeed, this object has left me utterly astonished." "Finally, the Tianlan beast has regained some sense and offered a brief explanation. "The way Lan friend is so surprised, it seems this creature indeed has a remarkable origin. As per your description, it appears to have been passed down from the Spirit Realm," Han Li grasped the jade plaque in his five fingers and slowly waved it before the empty, ethereal Tian Tian Ding, asking with a look of curiosity. "It's not just remarkable—it's astonishing. If I tell you where this object originally came from, you'll be even more amazed. This item did not originate in the Spirit Realm; rather, it hails from the True Immortal Realm, making it a genuine immortal artifact." Suddenly, a flash of green light rippled across the surface of the Tian Tian Ding, and a cluster of green light emerged. The light then coalesced and swirled, gradually taking the form of a young boy about a foot tall, plump and healthy, appearing to be no more than three or four years old. Yet at this moment, the boy's expression was gloomy, his eyes fixed intently on the jade plaque in Han Li's hands, filled with a mixture of admiration and regret—seeming both envious and slightly saddened. Upon hearing that the jade tablet was a treasure from the immortal realm, Han Li's face grew pale. Yet, upon seeing the young boy materialize, he was startled anew and immediately relaxed. This was merely a human form conjured by the celestial qi seeping from the cauldron—only a temporary illusion. The true form could not depart from the Void Sky Cauldron until Han Li personally unsealed it. His full attention now turned to the so-called "Golden Hall Jade Scroll." "Indeed a treasure from the immortal realm! Did I hear that correctly?" Han Li glanced at the jade tablet several times, half-believing, half-doubting. "Compared to the true immortal realm, our spiritual realm is much closer to your human realm, and thus our interrealm power is far weaker. It's not unusual for treasures from the immortal realm to occasionally find their way to us. However, the Golden Hall Jade Scrolls are truly renowned—so renowned that I have been somewhat at a loss." The Tianlan beast sighed lightly. "Oh, if Tianlan Brother would be so kind as to explain this artifact to me, I would be most grateful," Han Li pondered, speaking slowly and deliberately. "What could be simpler? This book is so well known among the mortal beings of the spiritual realm that it is practically common knowledge—nearly a matter of course, not even a secret at all. The story of this book begins with the immortals of the True Immortal Realm. While we often receive various items from the immortals of that realm, due to a range of circumstances, only a few truly valuable treasures make it to our mortal world. Moreover, since the beginning of recorded history in our spiritual realm, there has been almost no instance of immortals visiting us. The only exception is a very distant past when a single remains of an immortal was discovered in our realm. It was precisely on this immortal’s remains that the Golden Hall and Jade Book was found. According to legend, the book originally consisted of one hundred and eight pages, each page recording a unique secret technique of the immortals. Of the inner thirty-six pages, each details breathing and cultivation methods, including various practices, formulas, and subtle powers of transformation. The outer seventy-two pages, on the other hand, cover an extensive range of subjects—encompassing talismans, array techniques, alchemy, and craftsmanship, among others. "The young boy spoke with a tone of admiration, pausing briefly before continuing, "The inner thirty-six pages of the jade scroll are the most important. Though the outer seventy-two pages appear the most diverse and varied, they contain far fewer practical applications—many of the materials mentioned have never been heard of before, and even when used, they serve mainly as references for study and research. Thus, except for a few exceptional pages, the outer seventy-two pages are largely ornamental and lacking in substance. During the great conflict that once swept across the entire spiritual realm, the primary competition centered on these inner thirty-six pages. However, after more than ten thousand years of transfers and changes of hands, only about seven or eight of these inner pages have been traced to their current whereabouts. Yet, nearly every cultivator who obtained the jade scroll and achieved significant advancement has become a towering figure among the human race—though perhaps not on par with the Three Emperors, they have nonetheless been able to protect and govern their own regions, establishing themselves as regional rulers." But what truly moves one more deeply is that among the cultivators who achieved the Great Path in the Ling World over the past ten thousand years and eventually ascended to the Xian World, it is said that each one has practiced the techniques recorded in these jade scrolls. Whether or not this is true, it certainly has driven your human cultivators to frenzy. "Human cultivators? How is that? Have all these jade scrolls come into our human hands?" Initially, Han Li was stunned upon hearing this, but by the end, he sensed something amiss, growing increasingly surprised. "Hehe! At first, our yin and yang cultivators also competed for the Thirty-Six-Page Golden Hall Jade Scrolls. However, soon after, the elder yin and yang cultivators who succeeded in securing these scrolls discovered that the techniques inscribed on them were specifically suited only for human cultivators. Once our yin and yang cultivators practiced these powers, they either saw no effect at all or suffered significant damage to their cultivation—some even perished outright from bursting. After several attempts, our yin and yang clan ultimately abandoned all pursuit of these scrolls. Though these scroll pages are extraordinarily precious, they prove utterly useless to us." But back then, the remains of the immortal were indeed of human origin. The cultivation techniques recorded in the Golden Hall and Jade Scroll were specifically designed for humans—this was not at all surprising. The young attendant expressed great regret. "Ah, I see! Yet, if no immortal had ever visited the Ling Realm before, how could the cultivators of your Ling Realm have known that this human remains was actually of immortal origin? Perhaps it was simply the remains of some great cultivator of human or non-human lineage?" Han Li stroked his chin, pondering thoughtfully. "As for that, I'm not entirely certain. This event took place long ago, when I myself had not yet attained enlightenment or developed my spiritual awareness—how could I possibly know what transpired then? Nevertheless, at that time, so many senior cultivators from both human and non-human clans all agreed it was indeed the remains of an immortal. It is likely that this judgment was accurate." The attendant listened carefully, paused, furrowed his brows, and then replied hesitantly. (Yesterday's second update! Hehe, finally finished!