"His dwelling place seems rather unique!" Han Li gazed at the brilliant golden island. "Hee hee, this is merely his odd hobby. When you meet him in person, you'll naturally understand the reason." With a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, Qingyuan Zi replied in a somewhat eerie tone. "Ah, now I see. I'm even more curious!" Han Li's expression brightened with thoughtful reflection. At that moment, Qingyuan Zi, without further words, gently shook his long sleeve at the white luminous screen ahead. Instantly, a surge of golden radiance erupted, coalescing into a massive golden sword several dozen zhang long, which he then swiftly swung toward the screen. "Boom!" The white screen rippled with waves, its surface flashing with brilliant light, appearing as though it might collapse. Almost simultaneously, several sharp cries of astonishment and anger rang out from the island. "Who dares attack our Jin Yan Island with such boldness!" "Didn't you know this was Jin Yan's residence?" ...In an instant, figures flickered across the light screen, and several streaks of swift light shot forth. After a few quick movements, four guards clad in golden armor suddenly appeared before Qing Yuan and his companion, their eyes filled with anger. "Hmm, it's Master Qing!" Upon recognizing Qing Yuan's face, the four golden-armored guards were startled and immediately bowed without hesitation. Clearly, they all knew Qing Yuan, and had no trace of the earlier irritation. Han Li merely glanced at the four sturdy armored guards and immediately discerned that each of them possessed the Xian Xu level of cultivation, yet all radiated a subtle, fierce energy, clearly not ordinary individuals. "Jin Yan Hou," Qing Yuan said, making no attempt to acknowledge the four golden-armored guards, "I have a matter to discuss with you. Please step forward and meet me." It was unclear what secret technique Qingyuanzi had employed, yet though his voice was not particularly loud, it immediately echoed throughout the entire island. Under the thunderous resonance, the words could be heard repeatedly in every corner of the palace. "Qingyuanzi, since you've arrived, why not come in? Do you expect me to personally welcome you?" After a pause, a soft male voice emerged from within the golden palace, though the distance was considerable—yet to Han Li and the others, it sounded remarkably clear. "Ah, well then. Then I shall not be formal at all! You may go ahead and lead the way!" Qingyuanzi smiled slightly and instructed the four armored soldiers. "Of course, Senior, please follow us!" Upon receiving the voice from within the palace, the four armored guards immediately felt relieved, with one of them promptly responding with respectful politeness. Thus, Han Li and Qingyuanzi immediately proceeded through the separating light curtain, guided by the four soldiers, and made their way directly toward the palace on the island. A short while later, Qingyuan Zi sat with composure in a particularly spacious hall. Han Li sat respectfully beside him. At the head of the hall, a middle-aged man wearing a golden dragon crown and a golden robe sat calmly. "Cai, this disciple has achieved the stage of Consolidated Mid-Period cultivation. Is it possible that you've taken him as a direct disciple, knowing that your own time is drawing near? It's truly impressive that such a young disciple has reached this level—enough to carry on your legacy. However, last time I visited Yan Laoqi, I heard you mentioned that you had a female disciple." The man suddenly spoke. With a complexion as smooth as white jade and a half-shelf length of black flowing beard, he carried a refined demeanor. He was the host of the hall, known as Jin Yan Hou, a grand stage cultivator of similar rank to Qingyuan Zi. Han Li gazed at this person, his sword qi shimmering with golden glimmers across every ornament on his body, and found himself momentarily at a loss, finally grasping the meaning of Qingyuan's earlier words. "Master Jin, you must have mistaken me. Young Han here is not my disciple, but an old acquaintance. I believe you remember, from hundreds of years ago, when several junior members, along with their retinue, suddenly arrived here and even drew the pursuit of the Fu Yong clan's forces. It was then that I first met Young Han. As for the disciple I have taken under my wing, I have since regarded her as my adopted daughter. Though her talent is indeed excellent, she still holds only the Lingxu stage of cultivation at present." With a smile, Qingyuan calmly explained. "Hundreds of years ago! Ah, yes—those outsiders who diverted the Minglei beasts to steal the Minghe's milk! Wait—didn't I recall that the leading figures were all captured and taken away by the Fu Yong clan's representatives? Yet Young Han, having participated in this event, managed to escape unscathed. Could it be that Master Jin personally intervened to save him?" "Upon hearing this, the Jinguan person's face revealed a touch of surprise. "Though your words are not entirely accurate, they do contain some truth. Indeed, it was my arrangement that the young Han managed to leave the Minghe realm unharmed. However, do not misunderstand. I took this initiative for two reasons: first, because the young Han is a member of my own clan, and second, because I have a matter that requires him to go to the outside world." Qingyuan gently stated. "Ah, I see! Yet, Qing friend has not visited this place for over a thousand years. Now that you have come to visit, bringing along this young clan member with you, it seems your visit is not merely a simple courtesy visit." Jin Yan narrowed her eyes, carefully observing Han Li, then suddenly straightened her expression. "Jin friend indeed has guessed correctly. This time, I have come specifically to discuss a matter with you." Qingyuan chuckled and openly acknowledged. "Hmph—I knew it would be so." Though we have been a bit more active than the others, we haven't reached the point where we would immediately pay a visit the moment your master emerges. Let me hear what's on your mind before making any commitments," Jin Yan said, his expression calm and composed. However, at that time, Jiang had also needed this treasure to refine certain items, so he had temporarily declined. This time, I have brought the pearl here with the intention of exchanging it with my friend for some items we require. What do you think, Jin Brother? After speaking, Qingyuan gently brushed his sleeve against the nearby table. Instantly, a flash of golden light illuminated the space, and there appeared a jade box shimmering with a vibrant green hue—the "Jiutong Pearl." Upon hearing Qingyuan's words, Jin Yanhou, who had previously maintained a composed demeanor, narrowed his eyes slightly. In a swift motion, his gaze shifted to the jade box on the table. Finally, after seeming to exert considerable effort, he managed to gently shift his attention away. "Jiang has brought forth this treasure. As for me, I have little to add. What would my friend like to exchange for? As long as it's not those few items that I simply cannot part with, I am quite willing to offer whatever else is needed." Clearly, the contents of the box were of great significance to Jin Yanhou, and he had hardly paused to consider before responding. Seeing this, Han Li, standing by, felt particularly pleased. Given the current situation, it truly seems promising to secure the River of the Underworld's Milk from the other party. "Three bottles of River of the Underworld's Milk and a piece of Xishang Earth Soil!" Qingyuanzi smiled gently. "That's impossible! Even though Da Jiu's expertise in crafting artifacts is unparalleled, it would still be a significant gap to expect him to obtain all these items at once. The River of the Underworld's Milk is one thing, but the Xishang Earth Soil—almost the ultimate material for creating earth-element artifacts—rarely matches any other earth-based materials in the world. Moreover, the soil I currently possess, though I have a small amount, is reserved specifically for crafting protective items during my next period of crisis. How could I readily offer it to someone else?" The golden-hatted guest shook his head vigorously, as if it were a drum being struck back and forth. "What you've mentioned, I fully understand. However, if I add these three items as well, what would Master Jin think?" Qingyuan Zi did not find it surprising that Jin Yanhou had declined his offer. Instead, with a composed smile, he once again shook his sleeve, causing three odd, prism-shaped objects to appear on the table. These three items, resembling gunheads, were about the size of a clenched fist, glowing with a brilliant golden light—like slightly reduced golden gunheads. On their surfaces, intricate red symbols were densely arranged, appearing both unusual and profoundly mysterious. Upon seeing these three objects, Jin Yanhou was momentarily taken aback, examined them carefully, yet seemed unable to immediately discern their significance. He then raised his hand and, with a gesture, gently reached out into the air. "Whoosh!" One of the objects instantly rose into the air and was seized by the man in the golden crown, who then carefully examined it from all angles. "Is this...?" Meanwhile, Han Li, observing the remaining two golden objects on the table, suddenly sensed a deeply familiar aura emanating from them, which stirred his curiosity and caused him to feel a sense of astonishment. After carefully examining the golden artifact once more, Jin Yanhou's face gradually grew touched. "I'm not entirely certain, but it seems to be the legendary Diamond-Blazing, Magus-Annihilating Thunder!" Jin Yanhou finally lifted his head and asked the Qingyuan Zi, with a touch of hesitation. "Excellent eyesight! When I was old, I collected some leaves from Golden Thunder Bamboo, combined them with numerous other thunder-element materials, and, with the power of celestial thunder, spent several centuries to finally refine just six or seven such artifacts. Now, Master Jiang has presented half of that number—this clearly demonstrates his sincerity. As for you, Brother Jin, your great heavenly calamity will be quite some time away, won't it? The Heavenly Sturdy, Magus-Annihilating Thunder is an exceptional weapon against the external celestial demons. During the great heavenly calamity, these demons are utterly unprepared—most of their treasures have little effect. With this thunder at one's command, wouldn't it be far superior to any other spiritual safeguard you might craft? "If not, then even when the quantity I produce next time is sufficient, I would never have brought it to exchange." Qingyuan replied with a smile that was neither quite genuine nor quite forced.