Yun Ze ultimately let Han Tie go.
Though he didn't know the silver-haired elder's reasons for wanting the Earth Soul Liquid, he still gained quite a bit.
For instance, the silver-haired elder's origins.
His name was Su Huangjiu, his cultivation unknown, but likely above the Foundation Establishment stage.
It was said he hailed from a prominent family in the Central Profound Heaven, though his status wasn't high.
However, for this harsh and cold northwestern region, he was an existence of supreme status.
Heard he came to this harsh and cold northwestern region not just to search for Earth Soul Liquid, but also for the other eight auxiliary materials for Earth Path Foundation Establishment, and… not just one set!
The earlier mention of exchanging another drop of Earth Soul Liquid for Yun Ze's was merely talk. Once the Earth Soul Liquid was in hand, it would be time for Yun Ze's soul to return to the Yellow Springs.
As for Han Tie and his group, they were all temporarily recruited by Su Huangjiu after he arrived in the Tangshan Dynasty.
Three spirit stones per person per day, just to search for traces of Earth Soul Liquid scattered around the Tangshan Dynasty.
For those in the Qi Refining stage, this price was indeed not low, even considered exorbitant!
No wonder it attracted so many followers.
Han Tie was recruited only recently upon arriving at the capital, but it was heard that some in the group had been searching for years.
Yun Ze also asked about other matters, such as how much Earth Soul Liquid and auxiliary materials Su Huangjiu had collected in total?
Who the other group needing Earth Soul Liquid was?
And also, since Su Huangjiu was from a prominent family in the Central Profound Heaven, he shouldn't have been unable to afford fifty thousand spirit stones. Why did he stop bidding at forty thousand spirit stones during the Earth Soul Liquid auction?
These questions were very important, but Han Tie knew none of them.
If a single 'no' meant a terrible death, Han Tie would have died countless times already.
After asking these questions, Yun Ze let the fellow go. Whether he returned to find Su Huangjiu or quietly stayed in the capital awaiting the Immortal Ascension Assembly, Yun Ze didn't know.
Seeing that it was getting late, he returned to his room to cultivate.
The next morning, he had to return to the Immortal Assembly from here.
He couldn't afford to not rest well!
...
............
Deep night.
The top floor of the tower.
*Clap, clap, clap~*
The woman burned incense, sat beneath the moonlight, and played the zither in silence.
When the piece ended, applause slowly sounded from behind her.
"Long time no see, Senior Sister. Your zither playing is still as marvelous as ever!"
If Yun Ze were present, he would surely recognize the owner of this voice instantly!
Xiao Hanshi!
The woman said nothing, not even turning to look behind her, as if nothing had happened.
A figure walked out of the darkness, came to the woman's side, and directly sat on the zither table.
The woman frowned, as if seeing something dirty.
"Get up."
"Alright, alright, I'll get up."
Xiao Hanshi raised his hands, as if surrendering, and moved his backside off the zither table. "Senior Sister, after so many years, we finally meet again.
Junior Brother has heard many legends about you these past years!"
"Xiao Hanshi."
The woman calmly uttered his full name, looking at him coldly. "If you're here to reminisce, you can leave now.
We have nothing to talk about."
"Senior Sister is so heartless, Junior Brother is truly heartbroken!"
Xiao Hanshi clutched his chest as if severely wounded, staggered back, and sat directly on the ancient zither!
*Boom!*
Instantly, a wave of pressure erupted from the woman!
She raised her hand and struck. A flash of lightning appeared in her palm, and she slammed it towards Xiao Hanshi's face!
Xiao Hanshi neither dodged nor blocked, letting the lightning touch his face.
The lightning exploded, and Xiao Hanshi turned into a wisp of green smoke and vanished.
"Senior Sister, are you angry now?"
Xiao Hanshi's voice sounded again!
Another Xiao Hanshi appeared. He once again emerged from the shadows of the tower, came to the woman's side, and earnestly advised, "Master was right. Senior Sister, your temper really needs to change.
See, hundreds of years have passed, and you're still alone. It has something to do with it."
The woman's eyes narrowed. She said nothing, simply put away the ancient zither and the table, closed her eyes to rest, and ignored Xiao Hanshi.
She knew his nature. The more she engaged him, the more he would persist.
She just had to pretend he didn't exist.
"Hey, do you still remember Master?"
Xiao Hanshi walked to her, sat opposite her, and spoke again. "I don't think he's dead!"
At these words, the woman couldn't help but lift her gaze and look at Xiao Hanshi.
She could ignore other matters, but not this.
"Evidence."
"Haven't you already seen it?"
Xiao Hanshi, unable to sit still, reached out to touch the woman's sleeve. "Hey, Senior Sister, where did you get this immortal robe? The fabric is good! Third-tier or fourth-tier?"
The woman frowned.
This robe was ruined.
"Speak clearly."
"The kid downstairs from you."
Xiao Hanshi touched it a couple more times, then stood up and examined the tower's furnishings, patting here and knocking there. "This tower was refined by Master, right? It's my first time seeing it!"
"Reincarnation?" the woman asked with a frown.
"Not sure, but he has two of Master's jade talismans on him, and there's an old monster reincarnated by his side. Not sure who it is.
But seeing you in person confirms it's not you."
Upon hearing this, the woman silently stood up.
"If you intend to take the jade, I suggest you don't."
Xiao Hanshi glanced at her, having seen through her thoughts. "You know better than I do what kind of person Master is.
If he dared to place those two jade talismans on someone else, it means he's confident we won't get them. If you go to take them, perhaps... I can only wish you excellent innate bone structure in your next life."
The woman's steps faltered.
Though she disliked Xiao Hanshi, she had to admit his words were not untrue.
"Senior Sister, I'm telling you this not because I want you to go to your death."
Xiao Hanshi turned, walked in front of the woman, and extended his right hand, still stained with oil.
"We can cooperate."
"Cooperate?"
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Cooperate to kill someone who might be dead or alive?"
"Perhaps..."
A meaningful smile spread across Xiao Hanshi's face. "It's to cooperate to see higher scenery?"
...
The night passed without incident.
As the sun began to rise, Yun Ze withdrew from his cultivation state, preparing to leave.
He had originally intended to say goodbye to the other person.
But he called out several times within the tower, and there was no response. It was possible she had already left.
Whether she had left or not, he didn't care, but he couldn't leave without a word after being sheltered for a period.
Yun Ze found a set of paper and brush from his cloth bag and briefly wrote that he had left, expressing his gratitude.
After writing, he placed it in the center of the tower, where she had danced.
Yun Ze slowly walked towards the outside of the tower. As he left, he glanced back at the spot where the letter was placed.
He wondered if she would see it.
He wondered... if he would ever see her again.
Yun Ze shook his head heavily.
Never mind, now wasn't the time to think about these things. He had to find a safe route back to the Immortal Assembly!
From Han Tie's words, if Su Huangjiu caught him outside the capital, his fate would likely be extremely tragic!
He stepped out of the tower. After only a few steps, he felt a hand land on his shoulder!