"A Cosmic Pouch?" He Fangwei muttered, momentarily stunned before his eyes widened in disbelief. "A Cosmic Pouch? You have a Cosmic Pouch?"
His surprise was understandable. Even ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators rarely possessed such a treasure. While primarily a storage tool, it also served as a symbol of status, typically reserved for late-stage Foundation Establishment or Golden Core Stage cultivators.
Seeing Han Yi nod, He Fangwei's impression of him was completely refreshed. "Fellow Daoist, are you looking to sell this Cosmic Pouch?" he asked hesitantly.
Han Yi nodded silently and produced the pouch. Before arriving at the Red Sun Market, he had already removed the purple jade box containing the Blood Bone Spirit Flower from the Cosmic Pouch and placed it in his Storage Pouch.
He Fangwei carefully accepted the Cosmic Pouch with both hands and began examining it. After a moment, he nodded confidently. "It's indeed a Cosmic Pouch. Though its internal space is small, making it a low-grade pouch, it's still a Cosmic Pouch."
"Tsk tsk, Fellow Daoist, you certainly possess quite a collection of treasures," He Fangwei remarked, his gaze appraising.
Han Yi's expression remained unchanged. "Shopkeeper He, please appraise it."
He Fangwei didn't immediately offer an appraisal. Instead, he stood up and said, "Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. I need to consult with my superiors."
With that, he left the Meditation Chamber as before.
He returned after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
"Fellow Daoist, you intend to exchange this Cosmic Pouch for the four Extreme Yang Spiritual Objects you showed me earlier, correct?"
Han Yi nodded. That was precisely his intention; otherwise, why would he have brought out the pouch?
"Since this is an exchange, it's essentially a sale and a purchase."
"Fellow Daoist, given how often you've patronized the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild, it's clear you trust us. For this transaction, my master has authorized the maximum possible discount."
"I understand you're interested in the Pure Yang Spirit Liquid. Excellent choice! It's the most valuable of these spiritual objects, has the best compatibility, and minimizes complications during Pill Refinement, making it highly sought after."
At this, He Fangwei's expression turned serious.
"Therefore, if you choose to exchange for Pure Yang Spirit Liquid, you can receive three drops." He Fangwei held up three fingers.
"This is the absolute best offer we can make. Consider it a favor from the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild—we're even waiving the transaction fees at our own expense, just to maintain our trusted relationship with you."
"What do you think?"
Han Yi didn't believe a word of He Fangwei's claim that they were "barely covering the transaction fees." He had heard similar lines about "not making any profit at all" from He Fangwei at least four times before.
However, he showed no sign of disbelief. Instead, his face lit up with feigned delight as he said sincerely, "Then I must thank Shopkeeper He and the owner of your esteemed establishment."
They were both seasoned foxes, each aware of the other's game. Maintaining their friendship required mutual discretion. Exposing each other's true intentions would be a public humiliation, making future transactions impossible. Han Yi didn't want to find a new merchant; building trust was no easy feat.
Seeing Han Yi's nod, the deal was sealed. He Fangwei couldn't suppress his joy.
"A Cosmic Pouch! This is a Cosmic Pouch! Fellow Daoist, you're willing to part with such a treasure? It's truly... truly..." He Fangwei struggled to find the right words to express his awe.
Suddenly, an idea struck Han Yi. "Shopkeeper He, why is the Cosmic Pouch so highly valued?"
Unconcerned about Han Yi changing his mind, He Fangwei cradled the small pouch, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Fellow Daoist, you're not fully aware of its significance," he said. "A Cosmic Pouch isn't merely a bag with space; it's precious because it's connected to something far more valuable."
"Something even more valuable?" Han Yi asked, puzzled.
"Indeed. That would be a Magic Treasure."
He Fangwei spoke the words "Magic Treasure" with a profound sense of awe and reverence.
"Ah, a Magic Treasure," he murmured.
"Though Magic Treasures and Magic Artifacts differ by only one character in name, their power is as different as the blazing sun and an ant—worlds apart. They cannot be compared."
"Even the strongest Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, those in the Golden Core Stage, and some early Nascent Soul Stage Great Cultivators primarily use Magic Treasures."
"The connection between Magic Treasures and Cosmic Pouches stems from the stringent storage conditions required by the former. While storing them in Storage Pouches is possible for short periods, prolonged storage can damage the treasure or even diminish its power."
"Cosmic Pouches, on the other hand, prevent such issues."
"Fellow Daoist, don't ask me why—even this old man doesn't know. Perhaps only Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators who possess Magic Treasures understand the underlying reason."
As He Fangwei finished speaking, Han Yi still wore a slight frown of confusion. Nevertheless, he had gained a basic understanding of the connection between Magic Treasures and Cosmic Pouches. The deeper reasons would naturally become clear once he reached the Foundation Establishment Stage himself.
A moment later...
Han Yi emerged from the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild, his calm expression barely concealing his overwhelming excitement. The immense importance of the item he carried, essential to his Immortal Path, had heightened his vigilance to the extreme.
As he left the Red Sun Market and ascended Azure Dragon Peak, he encountered a middle-aged man. Clad in white robes, the man stood at the peak's most treacherous edge—not the scenic Azure Dragon Cliff, renowned for its cloud vistas, but a precarious outcrop of jagged rock.
Even from several dozen meters away, Han Yi sensed the man's gaze fixed upon him. The message in his eyes was clear: he was waiting for Han Yi here.
Though eager to return to his courtyard, refine the Blood Bone Spirit Flower using the Extreme Yang Spiritual Object, and consume it to transform his Root Bone, Han Yi approached the man respectfully.
This was none other than Yuan Shun, the Sect Leader of the Profound Pill Sect, whom Han Yi had met briefly over three years prior.
I haven't encountered any Blood God Sect spies recently, nor reported any suspicious activities. I've even been scrupulously obedient within the sect. Why would Sect Leader Yuan be looking for me?
The only recent event was my trip to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, but I didn't do anything out of the ordinary there.
That's not right. I did kill several Blood God Sect cultivators. Could Yuan Shun have been there?
Wait, there's also the Cosmic Pouch I just sold to buy the Pure Yang Spirit Liquid. Could that have drawn his attention? How could he have arrived so quickly?
In that instant, a multitude of thoughts and speculations flashed through Han Yi's mind, but none betrayed his inner turmoil.
He stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Disciple Han Yi pays his respects to the Sect Leader."
Yuan Shun stood atop a jagged, precipitous rock formation, his white robes billowing gently in the mountain breeze. The space around him, however, remained eerily still, as if the very air held its breath.
"Han Xuxiao was pursuing you in the outer reaches of the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, wasn't he?" Yuan Shun asked, his gaze lingering on the Chengying Sword at Han Yi's waist, a glint of interest flickering in his eyes.
Han Yi felt a sudden wave of relief. So that's what this is about.
"This disciple believes so," Han Yi replied, neither confirming nor denying the matter.
"To be hunted by Han Xuxiao and yet escape unscathed... should I commend your luck, or acknowledge your hidden strength?" This time, Yuan Shun's words carried the weight of a genuine question.