Hearing this, Han Li's face flushed slightly.
"If it's just delivering a letter, I can agree to that," Han Li said. Such a simple task, naturally, he wouldn't refuse.
The young woman seemed very pleased with this and without another word, raised her hand. The black box was enveloped in a green light and floated steadily towards Han Li.
Han Li reached out to catch the black box, and upon a sweep of his spiritual sense, found it brimming with spiritual energy, appearing to be the genuine Spirit Eye Jade.
Given his cautious nature, he naturally had to verify it himself before accepting it.
A flash of green light appeared in his hand as he gently tapped the lid of the box. The black box automatically opened.
Inside was a field of white light, and a pure, clear spiritual energy instantly filled the entire stone chamber.
Intrigued, Han Li peered into the box.
Within the gentle white glow, there was a piece of white jade, several inches in size, shimmering continuously.
To Han Li's astonishment, within the semi-transparent jade, there was a tiny green ox, about the size of a thumb, moving around as if it were alive.
Seeing this, Han Li was visibly shocked.
"What do you think? This Spirit Eye Jade is almost ready to produce a transformative creature, far superior to ordinary Spirit Eye Stones. With this item for cultivation, your progress will be twice as fast with half the effort," the young woman said with a light laugh, a strange gleam flashing in her bright eyes as she saw Han Li's astonishment.
"Indeed, with this item, I won't need decades but only a few years to reach the pseudo-Nascent Soul stage," Han Li said calmly, after gazing at the Spirit Eye Jade for a moment and finally closing the box.
He then realized that the Snow Cloud Fox must have absorbed the spiritual energy of the Spirit Eye Jade, which explained its faint clear aura. It was likely that this treasure had played a significant role in the fox's evolution into a demon fox.
Han Li's composed demeanor made the young woman pause, looking at him with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"Alright, I've given you the treasure. Take this jade slip. Also, behind the stone platform I'm sitting on, there's another jade box with a sealing talisman on it. Tear off the talisman and hand the box to me. There's another item in that box for you to deliver along with the letter," the young woman said, casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You want me to retrieve something for you?" Han Li was taken aback and grew slightly wary.
"Hmph! Afraid I'll harm you? If I could get it myself, would I ask you for help?" the young woman snorted coldly. Then, she lifted her long skirt, revealing her legs.
Han Li's face changed dramatically at what he saw.
Two emaciated legs, as thin as a baby's arm, were crossed beneath her. They were dry, skeletal, and wrapped in several silvery-white chains, one end piercing through the bone and the other embedded deep in the stone platform.
Han Li licked his lips and looked at the young woman. Though his face was full of suspicion, he remained silent.
He knew she would explain.
Indeed, although the young woman's face was frosty, she spoke in a dry tone after lowering her skirt.
"I created this stone chamber with Green Gold Stone and bound my legs with these fine chains to imprison myself."
"Imprison yourself?" Han Li was puzzled.
"Yes. The 'Ghost Killing Art' I practice is different from ordinary techniques. Although it cultivates quickly and has extraordinary power, it has a fatal flaw. Once cultivated to a certain level, it causes the practitioner to lose their sanity and become bloodthirsty. I once thought my willpower was strong enough to resist it and ignored all warnings, only to start a killing spree upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage. This created quite a stir in the cultivation world and earned me many enemies. Eventually, several Nascent Soul cultivators joined forces and severely injured me, costing me an arm," she said, looking at her empty sleeve with a blank expression.
"After recovering from my injuries, I realized that if I couldn't control myself, it would only be a matter of time before I died. So, I had a friend craft the 'Heavenly Fire Divine Chains' and this Green Gold Stone chamber to confine myself. Fearing that I might undo the chains in a moment of weakness, I entrusted the key to a close friend, who was to check on me periodically and release me if my condition improved," she said, her face darkening.
"But unexpectedly, my friend disappeared after a few visits. I don't know if something happened to him or if there was another reason. As a result, I have been trapped here ever since. Even though my cultivation has advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, I can't extend my spiritual sense beyond a few hundred meters due to the Green Gold Stone. I can't even call for help. The Heavenly Fire Divine Chains are linked to my soul; breaking them would mean my death. Now that you've found your way here, I finally have a chance to be free," she said, revealing her story to dispel Han Li's doubts.
Han Li was stunned by her tale. If true, her experience was indeed extraordinary.
After some thought, he hesitantly asked, "You want me to deliver a letter to your friend? But after so many years, isn't it likely that he has passed away?"
"Yes, the letter is for him. But don't worry. We agreed that if anything happened to him, he would leave the key with his descendants. If you can't find him, look for his family," she sighed, smiling bitterly.
Han Li thought it over and found it reasonable, seeing no flaws in her story.
Without further ado, he stepped forward and circled behind the stone platform, finding a deep hole.
Cautiously probing with his spiritual sense, he then reached in and retrieved a jade box.
The box was antique, slightly yellowed, with strange flame patterns carved on it, and a faint humanoid figure roaring within the flames. On its front was a golden talisman, exuding an uncomfortable aura.
Han Li frowned instinctively.
"That's it. Tear off the talisman and hand me the box," the young woman urged, her voice tinged with impatience.
Han Li had been about to comply, but her slightly trembling voice made him uneasy.
Hesitating, he withdrew his hand and looked at her.
Seeing her eyes turn green and her face contort with ferocity, Han Li's heart skipped a beat. She no longer looked like a high-level cultivator.
Realizing she had been exposed, the young woman quickly composed herself and spoke in a gentler tone.
"Why are you hesitating, Han Daoist? Just tear off the talisman and hand me the box. I've already given you the rare Spirit Eye Jade. What more do you need?" she said, trying to calm him.
Han Li glanced between the young woman and the sealed jade box, saying nothing. Instead, he slowly approached her, holding the box.
"What are you doing? Stop! Don't come closer!" The young woman's composure shattered, her face filled with fear and urgency.
