After returning to Torch Dragon Path, Su Tongxiao had Fang Yu take charge of bringing the disciples back to the Chao Yang Hall while he rushed to report to the higher-ups of the sect. After all, the trial had been unexpectedly stopped. As the person with the highest cultivation, he naturally had to give the sect an explanation.
In particular, the bodies of four disciples had been destroyed. Although there was a reason for it, as someone who had received benefits from others, he could not shirk all responsibility.
Han Li did not want to get too involved in this matter. After bidding farewell to Su Tongxiao, he went directly to the Shocking Cloud Peak and walked into the side hall in the depths of the Supreme Mystery Hall.
The side hall was as cold as ever. The door was half open, and the sloppy old man was leaning on a large chair behind the table in boredom.
"Good wine is good, but you can't be greedy … It's only been a few days, and it's almost gone …" The old man held a red wine gourd in one hand and drank a few mouthfuls from time to time as he muttered.
Han Li walked out of the hall and happened to hear the old man's complaints. After a pause, he pushed the door open and entered.
"Kid, it seems that the third mission has been completed. You're quite agile.
Did you take a fancy to any young lady? "The old man saw Han Li enter and looked up at him.
"There was an accident during the trial, so it was stopped early.
But at least those disciples are fine. I wonder if this counts as completing the mission? "
Han Li briefly explained what had happened in the Mysterious Ice Mountain Range. He also raised his hand and handed over his elder token.
"Whether they completed the trial or not has nothing to do with you or me.
As long as you do your part, the mission is naturally completed. "The old man said as he took the token.
He opened the achievement book and quickly recorded the reward for the mission. Afterwards, he raised his hand and tossed the command medallion back to Han Li.
Han Li did not say much. He reached out to receive the token and put it away.
He looked at old man Hu Yan and then at the spirit medicine on the table. His feet did not move at all, and he did not look like he was going to leave.
"What, you haven't done enough deacon missions?
You've done three, and you still want to claim the fourth? "The old man glanced at him and said unhappily.
"Senior, you must be joking. Regarding the matter of the Dao Soldier that I discussed with you earlier, do you think …"
"Stop, stop!
If you can't produce a decent wine recipe, then it's useless no matter what you say. I won't reveal anything about the Dao Soldiers. "Before Han Li could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Elder Hu Yan with a wave of his hand.
"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse, Senior. I've already handed in my mission today, and I have nothing to do right now. Can I have another drink with Senior?" Han Li had already expected this, so he probed with a smile.
"I've been very busy during this period of time and didn't have time to brew wine. I don't have much wine left. Every cup I drink now is one cup less. I don't even have enough for myself!
Last time, I was happy and let you drink one cup after another. After you left, this old man's heart ached for a long time … Don't think about this old man's Dao soldiers. Go, go! "
Elder Hu Yan's face darkened when he heard this. He hurriedly hung his vermillion red bottle gourd back on his waist and ordered his guest to leave.
"I'm not asking Senior to share a cup of wine with me. I want to treat you to a cup." Han Li said with a smile when he heard this.
"Treat me to a cup of wine?
The wine bug in my stomach is very picky. If it's an ordinary spirit wine, don't take it out to embarrass yourself.
If you spoil my appetite, I can even kick you out of this Shocking Cloud Peak with a kick, much less say nothing about the matter of the Dao Soldiers. "Elder Hu Yan raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth to speak.
When Han Li heard this, he did not take it to heart. He merely stretched out his hand and gently wiped it on the table in front of him. Two emerald green jade wine cups appeared there.
The cups were transparent and flawless, and the emerald color was evenly distributed. There were threads of golden threads lingering within them, forming strange patterns in the shape of petals. They looked rather extraordinary.
"Hmm … Golden Thread Glass Cups, not bad …" The old man originally wanted to say something, but when he saw the two jade cups, he softly exclaimed in surprise.
Han Li did not say anything. He flipped his wrist again and an exquisite fiery-red wine bottle appeared in his hand.
He raised his other hand and pulled out the wooden cork on the wine bottle.
Following a soft "pop", an extremely peculiar but extremely rich wine aroma instantly spread out and filled the entire side hall.
Elder Hu Yan's slightly red nose immediately wrinkled. A strange expression rose in his eyes.
His body involuntarily leaned forward and stood up from his chair. Half of his body was lying on the red table. He moved his head closer to the wine bottle in Han Li's hand and took a strong sniff.
"Quick, quick, quick, what are you waiting for!
Quickly pour it for me. This taste … the gluttonous bug in my stomach is about to escape … "Elder Hu Yan pursed his lips and his eyes shone as he impatiently yelled.
Naturally, Han Li didn't dare to play around with the old man. He leaned forward slightly and poured the wine into the two gold-threaded glass cups on the table.
Elder Hu Yan hurriedly picked up a wine cup and placed it in front of his eyes to carefully examine it.
He saw that the wine in the cup was a bright red color and emitted a fiery red light. The wine was clear and translucent. When he slightly shook the wine cup, he could see specks of red light reflected on the surface of the wine, as if there were flames leaping about.
He impatiently brought the wine cup to his lips and took a light sip. His eyebrows instantly raised and a pleasantly surprised expression appeared on his face. Then, he suddenly raised his head and sent the entire cup of wine into his mouth and drank it in one gulp.
When the wine entered his stomach, a strange warmth immediately flowed through his limbs and throughout his body. The color of the old man's slightly red nose immediately deepened.
He slightly closed his eyes and savored the aftertaste of the wine in his mouth. A satisfied expression appeared on his face.
When Han Li saw this, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled into a faint smile.
"Bejewelled nectar, bejewelled nectar … Kid, where did you get this wine?
I have never tasted it before. "The old man recovered from the aftertaste of the wine and immediately spoke.
"This wine is called 'Fire Saliva' and is produced in the Wasteland Continent. However, because the wine recipe has been lost, it is very difficult to find it now." Han Li explained.
"What … the wine recipe has been lost?"
When Elder Hu Yan heard this, it was as if he had been struck by lightning. His voice rose an octave.
However, he quickly calmed down and turned to look at Han Li. He asked, "Since it has been lost, how did you get this wine?"
"Senior, you don't have to ask about this. I only want to know if the wine recipe of this Fire Saliva Immortal Wine is enough for me to exchange for the knowledge of Dao Soldiers that you possess?" Han Li asked straightforwardly.
"This …"
When the old man heard this, he lowered his head slightly and sat back on the large chair. A hint of hesitation appeared on his face, as if he had fallen into a dilemma.
However, Han Li saw that the old man was constantly glancing at the exquisite fiery-red wine bottle in his hand out of the corner of his eye. It was obvious that he wanted to keep the wine recipe and the bottle of wine together.
As expected, the old man immediately said, "Forget it, forget it … You and I can be considered to have hit it off.
"Forget it, forget it … This old man can be considered to have hit it off with you. As long as you give me the wine recipe and that bottle of Fiery Saliva Immortal Wine, this old man will teach you the knowledge regarding Dao Soldiers."
"Senior, that won't do. The only thing we agreed on was the wine recipe.
Furthermore, I only have this one bottle of Fire Saliva Immortal Wine. I cannot give it to you for no reason, "Han Li said decisively.
"You cannot give it to me for no reason?
Brat, tell me directly. What do you fancy this time? "Elder Hu Yan asked with a glare. He immediately understood the hidden meaning in Han Li's words.
"I would like to learn how to plant the Spiritual Medicine in the pot." Han Li laughed dryly and spoke his mind.
"Haha … I was wondering what it was.
That's not a problem. I'll teach it to you, "Elder Huyan said with a loud laugh.
When Han Li saw him being so generous, he felt somewhat surprised.
However, after he heard about the planting method, he understood why the sloppy old man was so straightforward.
The planting method of the Spiritual Medicine in the pot was not complicated. The difficulty lay in finding a suitable container for the Spiritual Medicine and formulating a Spiritual Liquid that could provide sufficient Spiritual Energy for the Spiritual Medicine.
The jet-black basin used for Elder Huyan's potted plant was a magical treasure that could absorb the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth. That was why it was able to support the spirit herb, allowing it to retain its vitality even though it was separated from the earth.
Furthermore, this planting method was only limited to a few special Spiritual Medicines. It was not suitable for all.
"I didn't expect there to be so many restrictions. What a pity …" Han Li sighed.
"I have already told you. Hurry up and give me the Fire Saliva Immortal Wine and the wine recipe." Elder Hu Yan chuckled and urged.
Han Li handed over the wine bottle. Then, with a flip of his hand, he took out the wine recipe that he had already copied and placed it on the table.
Elder Hu Yan first took the wine bottle, pulled out the cork and sniffed it. Then, he took the wine recipe and carefully examined it. From time to time, he would mutter to himself, "As expected, it used a ten-thousand-year-old Arhat Leaf … and even added Bright Rock Flower … I see …"
Seeing that he was engrossed in his reading, Han Li did not say anything to disturb him. His gaze fell on the cup of wine that had been poured for him on the table and he extended his hand to take it. However, before his hand could reach it, it was slapped away by Elder Hu Yan.
"This wine is all mine now."
With that, the sloppy old man snatched the wine cup and drank it in one gulp without another word. Then, he repeatedly praised, "Good wine, good wine."
"Senior, can you tell me about the Dao Soldiers now?" Han Li naturally would not bicker with the other party. Instead, he changed the topic and asked.
"I really didn't expect that you would actually be able to obtain such a good wine recipe.
Tell me, what do you want to know? "Elder Hu Yan kept the Fire Saliva Immortal Wine and the wine recipe and said seriously.
Han Li thought for a moment and asked, "This Dao Soldier … looks like a puppet, but it is also very different. What exactly is it?"
"What exactly is a Dao Soldier?
This question is not easy to explain.
They come from many different sources. For example, slave cultivators that willingly sell themselves, powerful demonic beasts, specially made puppets, Heavenly Devils that have made contracts, mutated malicious spirits, artifact spirits that have been raised by themselves … Even the Spirit Race that is born in the Spirit Realm can be classified as Dao Soldiers. "Elder Huyan pondered for a moment before speaking.
"What kind of Dao Soldier does it belong to?" Han Li nodded and asked again.