Chapter 1185

After a meal's time, Han Li sat in the main seat of the cave dwelling's hall, with three tall and one short, four beautiful women standing on either side before him, each with a respectful and cautious expression, not daring to breathe too loudly.

After Mu Peiling and the two others returned to the cave dwelling, they learned that Han Li had not only advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage, but had also overwhelmed the other three great cultivators, becoming the number one cultivator in Tiannan. This astonishing news left the three women shocked, and they naturally grew even more in awe of Han Li.

"As for the matter of the second Nascent Soul, you need not worry—it has already been captured. In a few days, I will erase its primary spiritual sense and reforge it into my second Nascent Soul. However, you three are quite bold to dare recklessly enter the inner valley of the Fallen Demon Valley. Do you not know that Nascent Soul cultivators who enter there rarely manage to exit unharmed?" Han Li's expression was icy as he rebuked the three women in a dissatisfied tone.

"Reporting to Martial Uncle, it is truly because the Illusory Spirit Grass is of utmost importance to us that we had no choice but to venture into the inner valley. Disciples will never dare to be so rash again." The Song-surname woman stood with hands clasped, explaining as she spoke.

"Illusory Spirit Grass—could it be you intend to refine the 'Illusion-Breaking Pill' to break through your bottleneck?" Seeing the Song-surname woman's expression, Han Li, having known her since before forming his Nascent Soul, found it awkward to continue, but furrowed his brow and asked.

"Master's discernment is correct—we indeed wish to refine this pill." This time, Liu Yu replied honestly.

"If it is this pill, you need not search for Illusory Spirit Grass anymore—I happen to have a bottle here. This medicinal pill is not easily taken in excess when breaking through a bottleneck; two pills each for the three of you will suffice." Han Li slapped his waist with one hand, and a small emerald bottle appeared on his palm, which he casually tossed to Liu Yu.

It is unknown which deceased Nascent Soul old monster he killed produced this pill, which is useless to him now, so he took it out as a casual favor.

The woman instinctively reached out to catch it, only then understanding Han Li's words, and immediately exclaimed with both surprise and joy, hurriedly offering thanks.

The Song-surname woman and Mu Peiling also rejoiced greatly, similarly stepping forward to offer thanks.

"Never mind—it's merely a bottle of medicinal pill. I summoned you here not just for this, but I have several other matters to instruct you on." Han Li waved his hand, speaking indifferently.

"If Martial Uncle has any orders, just give them." The Song-surname woman replied respectfully.

The other two women, seeing Han Li had something to say, likewise rose solemnly.

"You should also know that I have always disliked meddling in sect affairs, but now, as a great elder of the sect, I cannot truly ignore such matters entirely and push all worldly affairs onto Martial Uncle Lu. Hence, I need a disciple to assist Martial Uncle Lu in managing the sect while I am in closed-door cultivation. Liu Yu, are you willing to represent me in handling some sect affairs? Of course, I will not let you waste your time for nothing—I will transmit a few secret techniques and bestow several treasures upon you, enabling you to have few rivals among cultivators of the same level. Hehe, although you were initially forced to become a nominal disciple of mine, if you agree to this, I can formally accept you into my door." Han Li said to Liu Yu with deep meaning.

"Master's words are truly sincere!" Liu Yu's eyes brightened upon hearing this, and she blurted out a question.

"With my current status, would I speak falsely to you?" Han Li gave a faint smile.

"If so, disciple will obediently follow the master's command!" Liu Yu almost without thought gave a wholehearted agreement.

It is unknown whether what truly moved this woman was the prospect of greatly increased power in Luoyun Sect or becoming Han Li's formal disciple—perhaps both factors stirred her heart.

Han Li nodded in satisfaction. He flicked his sleeve, and a white tablet appeared in his hand, then took out a pair of green rings, a fire chi, and a golden flying sword from his storage bag, presenting them to her.

Liu Yu received the tablet and treasures with both hands, her light form bowing repeatedly in thanks, unable to conceal the excitement on her jade-like countenance.

Although unaware of what powerful divine ability is recorded in the tablet, even these few ancient treasures alone are beyond what she could ever dare imagine, enough to let her heart be fully content.

"Go see Martial Brother Lu first. I will immediately send a sound transmission talisman to inform him of this." Han Li instructed her.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu immediately replied respectfully, then bade farewell and departed.

After this woman left the cave dwelling, Han Li flipped his palm, and a sound transmission talisman appeared in his hand.

After speaking a few words to it, he flicked his wrist, and the talisman transformed into a streak of fire that shot out, vanishing in a flash.

Everyone else silently watched Han Li's actions, none daring to disturb him.

"Martial Niece Song, I also have a matter for you to attend to." Han Li turned his head, his voice softening as he spoke to Liu Yu.

"Martial Uncle, just say what it is." The Song-surname woman spoke without hesitation.

"Actually, it is not a major matter—I only hope that in the coming years, when recruiting disciples for the sect, you will find one with naturally extraordinary spiritual sense for me to personally accept into my door and further train." Han Li pondered briefly, then said this.

"Naturally extraordinary spiritual sense? Such disciples are encountered once a century—Martial Nephew cannot guarantee it, but will do his utmost to search." The Song-surname woman heard Han Li's words, startled, and began to hesitate.

"It does not matter—I did not say it must be found recently. As long as Martial Niece Song pays attention, it will suffice. I observe you have already cultivated to the peak of mid-stage Golden Core; relying solely on the Illusion-Breaking Pill, your chance to break through may not be great. I still have a bottle of 'Yin Yuan Pills' here—though unheralded, they are greatly beneficial to female cultivators of pure yin physique. Martial Nephew, when attempting to break through, you might try taking a few." Han Li spoke, raising one hand as a black bottle appeared amid a flash of green light, then silently flew toward the Song-surname woman.

Although the woman had never heard of the name 'Yin Yuan Pills,' Han Li, speaking as a great cultivator, naturally spoke the truth.

After her expression showed delight, she thanked him and received the jade bottle.

After Han Li and the Song-surname woman exchanged a few more words, he sent her away from the cave dwelling, then turned his gaze to Mu Peiling.

Mu Peiling's body involuntarily tensed; her originally raised lovely face lowered again, and a faint blush appeared on her jade-like ear ornaments.

"You have been my concubine for over a hundred years, have you not?" Han Li's eyes flickered with complex emotion as he asked gently.

"Yes, Young Master, when you first took me in, I had just successfully formed my Nascent Soul; now you are already a late-stage great cultivator." Mu Peiling finally raised her head, speaking softly.

"When I initially took you, I intended to use your pure yin physique to cultivate the Swan Phoenix Nurturing Yuan Technique, to aid me when breaking through the Nascent Soul realm. But I did not expect events to change faster than my plans—my mid-stage and late-stage Nascent Soul realms unexpectedly advanced through other methods. Yet the Swan Phoenix Nurturing Yuan Technique is effective only for breaking through the Nascent Soul realm."

"Young Master's meaning—are you intending to drive Peiling away from Mother-Child Peak?" Mu Peiling's jade countenance drastically changed, instantly turning pale and bloodless.

"Drive you away? Naturally not. But when you initially became my concubine, it was largely due to family coercion. Now you have reached the Golden Core stage, so no one coerces you anymore. Moreover, I no longer wish to keep you by my side in such an ambiguous manner. On one hand, it might truly delay your prime years; on the other, Wan'er will soon emerge from her seclusion, and I must give her an explanation."

Speaking thus, Han Li's words paused here.

"How does Young Master wish to arrange Peiling?" Mu Peiling bit her red lip with her teeth and asked.

"Very simple. Just as before, I now give you two choices—you may select one. One path: I will give you some benefits, merely compensating for the hardship of cultivating the Swan Phoenix Nurturing Yuan Technique these years, then release you from Mother-Child Peak, restoring your freedom to marry and wed as you wish—from now on, we shall have nothing to do with each other!"

"With Young Master's current fame, even if he personally clears my name and restores my pure reputation, which cultivator in Tiannan would dare marry me again?" Mu Peiling's countenance showed a bitter smile as she murmured.

Upon hearing this, Han Li also furrowed his brow, but said nothing further, continuing:

"The second path is not complicated either—if you truly devote yourself to the Dao of cultivation and wish to spend your life in cultivation, I may continue to keep you at Mother-Child Peak. Nominally, you remain my concubine, but actually, I may regard you as a disciple and offer you some guidance in cultivation. Of course, your cultivation aptitude is not poor either—I could also have Wan'er truly accept you as her disciple, after all, her cultivation method originally suits female cultivators. Following her in cultivation, you might find it more suitable than my guidance. Of course, doing so may still invite some idle gossip, but it can reduce unfavorable rumors about you to a minimum." Han Li gazed upon her lovely countenance, speaking calmly.

After hearing Han Li's options, Mu Peiling fell silent.

Han Li also did not speak to urge her, seeming not in a hurry for her to decide.

"May I not choose either option?" This woman suddenly said thus.

"What do you mean by that?" Han Li slightly furrowed his brows.

"I wish to be Young Master's true concubine! To remain by Young Master's side for life!" Mu Peiling, after a moment of silence, spoke decisively.

"Truly be my concubine? That will not do." Han Li's expression shifted slightly, but he shook his head.

"Why? Does Young Master deem Peiling's cultivation too low, or her appearance unworthy, unfit to stand by Young Master's side?" Mu Peiling's countenance turned deathly pale as she spoke fiercely.

"That is not the case—you have already reached mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, which is hardly low, and your appearance, among the female cultivators I have seen, is sufficient to rank in the top ten." Han Li let out a sigh.

"Then why does Young Master refuse outright—could it be fear that Elder Nangong will not agree?" Mu Peiling asked.

"Wan'er's matter is only one aspect. But the main reason is that I wholeheartedly pursue the Dao; in the future, I will often retreat into closed-door cultivation for decades at a time. If you could form a Nascent Soul, that would still be acceptable—your lifespan could reach a thousand years. But if you cannot enter the Nascent Soul stage, I fear that after several more retreats, you may hardly ever have a chance to meet me. Following me would merely be wasting this life. I also do not wish to cause pointless sorrow." Han Li pondered briefly, then replied with some helplessness.

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