Visiting The Wanbao Tower
***
When Qi Yuan heard the name "Han Li," he was momentarily surprised. Watching the figure disappear into the distance, he frowned slightly, deep in thought.
To his astonishment, Han Li's cultivation level was nearly equal to his own. This was not good.
However, given that Han Li had been using the Zhantian Bottle to cultivate medicinal herbs for years, such progress was not entirely unexpected. In contrast, Qi Yuan had only been utilizing the Chaos Cauldron to refine spirit stones for seven years, making it impressive that he had even caught up.
Otherwise, he might still be struggling in some obscure corner! He had to give it his all in the coming days—if he didn't widen the gap between himself and Han Li, he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.
Beyond that, deliberately suppressing Han Li, or even eliminating him, could provide greater security against unforeseen dangers in the future.
With this determination, Qi Yuan hurried back to the utility room, packed his belongings, informed Long Hong, the manager, and swiftly flew towards Hongfu Cave.
---
### The Practice Room
Qi Yuan sat beside the vast spiritual spring, where dense, milky-white energy surged forth, thick and rich.
With this powerful spring at his disposal, along with the Yellow Dragon Pill and Golden Marrow Pill he had refined earlier, his cultivation would soon take a significant leap forward.
After carefully studying the *Reversed Five Elements Secret*, he confirmed that it was indeed far more profound than the *Five Elements Secret*. By reversing the five elements within a space, it could disorient opponents, making them feel as though they were standing upside down. This disruption weakened their cultivation, hindered their spells, and diminished the power of their magical artifacts—rendering them far less effective. Truly, it was a formidable technique.
As for the *Thunder Yang Secret Art*, it altered one's kidney yang, infusing it with lightning to form an extreme yang energy, thereby enhancing the balance of yin and yang to an exceptional degree.
Qi Yuan pondered the implications. *Kidney yang infused with thunder… could anyone even withstand such a transformation?*
Regardless, these were invaluable techniques, and he eagerly immersed himself in practice.
---
### Two Years Later
With an immense accumulation of resources, Qi Yuan's cultivation reached the thirteenth level of Qi training. Just one step more, and he would be at the peak.
The only hurdle remaining was passing through the Bloody Forbidden Land. Once accomplished, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage would be inevitable.
Hong Fu was taken aback by Qi Yuan's progress when he emerged from seclusion. Could she have stumbled upon a true genius?
That seemed unlikely!
Still, she felt a deep sense of relief. With Qi Yuan's newfound strength, she felt more confident about their journey to the Bloody Forbidden Land.
---
### Wanbao Tower
Disguised, Qi Yuan entered the marketplace near Huangfeng Valley and stepped into Wanbao Tower once more, where he encountered a familiar face.
The shop attendant greeted him with enthusiasm. "Sir, you've returned! What treasures do you seek this time?"
"Show me only your top-tier magical artifacts and talismans. I have no interest in inferior goods." Qi Yuan's voice was calm yet commanding beneath his cloak.
The attendant's eyes lit up—this was a major client! Even if he wasn't the one handling the sale, he would still receive a commission.
Sensing the weight of the transaction, he quickly led Qi Yuan to the VIP room on the second floor. The ambiance here was vastly different from the common area below—lavish decor, rare incense burning in exquisite braziers, and a refined atmosphere that put visitors at ease.
A middle-aged man stepped forward, wearing a warm smile. He bowed slightly. "I am Tian Buli, the shopkeeper of Wanbao Tower. May I ask for your name?"
"Han Li," Qi Yuan replied without hesitation, borrowing the name of the notorious Old Demon Han.
Tian Buli chuckled. "Ah, Brother Han! I have heard of you. Please, have a seat."
Qi Yuan nodded slightly and took a seat with confidence. Moments later, a waiter brought fragrant tea, placing it carefully on the table.
"Brother Han, as a valued customer of Wanbao Tower, I believe I know what kind of treasures you seek. Please enjoy your tea while I fetch them for you." Tian Buli bowed before departing.
Qi Yuan smirked internally. *A valued customer after only two purchases? Clearly, it's just my willingness to spend generously.*
He responded lightly, "Very well, shopkeeper. But remember—I expect only the finest magical artifacts and talismans."
Tian Buli responded earnestly, "Rest assured, Brother Han. If we fail to meet your expectations, it would tarnish our reputation."
---
A short while later, Tian Buli returned, his face beaming with delight. If one didn't know better, they might assume he had just stumbled upon a fortune.
Qi Yuan immediately recognized the significance of this expression—his sought-after treasures were here.
As Tian Buli opened the brocade boxes, a powerful aura filled the room, an unmistakable sign of Wanbao Tower's security measures at work.
Unfazed, Qi Yuan sipped his tea and spoke calmly, "Shopkeeper Tian, please introduce the items."
Tian Buli observed his composed demeanor and chuckled before beginning his presentation.
Qi Yuan listened attentively, showing little interest in minor artifacts. However, his eyes gleamed slightly when Tian Buli introduced the *Heavenly Thunder Seeds*.
These seeds, forged from captured lightning, each contained enough power to obliterate a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
*With a sufficient supply, even a Foundation Establishment expert would hesitate to challenge me,* Qi Yuan mused.
Noticing Qi Yuan's intrigue, Tian Buli attempted to extend the negotiation, but Qi Yuan cut him off. "Shopkeeper Tian, the Heavenly Thunder Seeds are acceptable, but if this is all you have, I will be disappointed."
Caught off guard, Tian Buli hesitated before retrieving another brocade box. He opened it with a knowing smile. "This, my friend, is the pride of Wanbao Tower. Do you recognize its worth?"
Inside lay a golden talisman, adorned with intricate carvings of a golden brick. Qi Yuan's eyes flickered with satisfaction.
"A *Gold Brick Talisman*! I did not expect Wanbao Tower to possess such a treasure. This deal will be worth my time."
The *Gold Brick Talisman* was a powerful artifact crafted by a dying Jindan-stage cultivator, containing a fragment of his weapon's power. Its effects were unpredictable—some were weak, but others could be devastating.
Without hesitation, Qi Yuan placed three jade boxes on the table.
Tian Buli, curious, opened them, only to be stunned by the sight—inside were rare, 500-year-old spiritual herbs.
In the barren cultivation world of Yue Kingdom, such herbs were nearly impossible to find. An auction featuring these would undoubtedly attract Jindan cultivators, driving prices sky-high.
Yet, he hesitated. "Brother Han, while your offer is tempting, these herbs are not comparable to thousand-year-old elixirs."
Qi Yuan replied smoothly, "I will cover the difference with spirit stones. Do not worry."
Sensing the opportunity, Tian Buli quickly agreed, finalizing the trade.
---
Satisfied with his new acquisitions, Qi Yuan immediately departed for the Taiyue Mountains.
And just as he left, another figure stepped into Wanbao Tower—Han Li.
"I need only the finest treasures. What do you have?" Han Li asked bluntly.
The shop attendant blinked in surprise.
*What luck! One high-spending customer leaves, and another arrives? Perhaps it's time to find a matchmaker and settle down. Maybe I, too, can share in some good fortune!*