Chapter 295

"What old monster? No one said that!" The girl's face turned pale as she forced a laugh and quickly lowered her head, daring not to look over even once.

Han Li gave a light chuckle and paid no mind to the girl, instead turning his gaze coldly toward the old man.

The old man's expression was equally panicked.

He had no idea how much of what was just said Han Li had overheard, and inwardly cursed himself repeatedly; the prepared explanation now stuck in his throat.

"I never expected you'd arrive so soon! I thought I'd have to wait at least two more hours! I'll go fetch that book for you right away."

With no other choice, the old man mustered what strength he could to deal with Han Li's hostile expression, and cleverly brought up the Dao book, hoping to slightly cool Han Li's anger.

"Fine, go get it!" Han Li's gaze, sharp as blades, fixed on the old man for a moment before he finally spoke coldly.

This eased the old man's tense heart for the moment—he believed the other would not unleash his fury immediately.

The old man hurriedly agreed and moved toward the adjacent room. Seeing this, the girl also shifted her steps as if to follow, but the old man halted her with a glance.

What nonsense!

If both of them went to the next room together, wouldn't that be deliberately provoking him? He'd think the grandfather and granddaughter were still scheming—but the old man had now completely abandoned all unrealistic notions, terrified of giving Han Li any wrong impression.

The girl could only pout and stay in the room, standing motionless beside Han Li without uttering a single word.

The old man moved swiftly and soon returned carrying a worn wooden box—clearly, the Dao book was inside.

"Master, my granddaughter and I learned our concealment technique from this book. Please take a look—might it be of any use to you?" The old man stepped forward several paces, speaking with deep respect, then gently opened the box to reveal a yellow-covered book with darkened pages, offering it to Han Li.

Just by looking at it, one could tell this was an ancient relic of great age.

Han Li narrowed his eyes, glanced a few times at the book in the old man's hands, then nodded and took it.

Though the book had faded with age, when Han Li's fingers brushed its cover, he felt a smooth, fine texture—as if it were unbreakably resilient.

Clearly, this book was not made of ordinary material, but of some specially prepared demonic beast hide. Otherwise, it could not have survived so long.

Han Li gently caressed the book for a while, then after a moment of thought, slowly turned its pages.

But after merely glancing a few pages, he frowned.

The moment he opened it, ancient, unfamiliar characters filled his vision—symbols he was certain he had never seen before, never encountered in any of the books of Huang Feng Valley.

Since he couldn't read them, Han Li wasted no time and quickly flipped toward the back.

On the last two pages, he finally found what appeared to be a set of unnamed oral instructions. The script used here was a common ancient Daoist script, easily decipherable to him.

Han Li knew this was the concealment technique—he immediately settled his mind and began studying it intently.

After a meal's time, Han Li slowly closed the book, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

The old man, who had not dared to breathe a single breath beside him, felt his heart pound wildly again—he knew this moment decided the fate of himself and his granddaughter; whether they lived or died rested entirely on Han Li's next thought.

Han Li ignored the old man's silent anxiety and calmly took a jade box from his storage pouch, carefully storing the book inside.

Then he turned to face the old man and spoke calmly:

"I'll take this Dao book. Now, tell me what you two wish to exchange—I'll do my best to fulfill your request if possible."

Han Li's voice was quiet, yet to the ears of the old man and the girl, it sounded as sweet as celestial music.

They now knew their lives were spared—and more, they might even gain something valuable. Both faces lit up with surprise and joy!

"Master, may we have a moment to discuss among ourselves?" Once the danger passed, the old man once again sought to maximize their gain, quickly smiling apologetically at Han Li.

Before Han Li arrived, they had been so terrified of being silenced that they never once discussed what to exchange.

Now, with Han Li asking, they were caught completely off guard!

Moreover, seeing Han Li was not the kind of cruel, fickle villain they feared, the old man dared to ask.

"Take your time—just don't take too long."

Han Li, pleased to have gained a valuable secret and a mysterious ancient book, waved his hand carelessly.

"Thank you, Master's great kindness! We'll need only a moment." The old man beamed.

He immediately pulled the girl outside, and the two began whispering quietly.

Han Li watched this scene and smiled faintly.

Though he could easily kill them with one move, he considered himself no cruel, monstrous villain—and unless necessary, he would never act so treacherously.

After a while, the old man and the girl entered, their expressions strange, as if uneasy.

Han Li found this odd, but still asked:

"Have you decided?"

"Master, my granddaughter and I have discussed it. My granddaughter does not desire any material thing—but she has an impertinent request, and we humbly beg you to grant it." The old man hesitated, then bit his lip and uttered words that surprised Han Li.

"What request?" Han Li frowned slowly.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a sense of impending trouble.

The old man hesitated again, until seeing Han Li's growing impatience, he finally mumbled out:

"T…Actually, my granddaughter deeply admires your profound cultivation and lofty techniques! She…she wishes to become your disciple, and serve you faithfully from now on. We humbly beg you, in light of her sincere heart, to accept her into your sect."

No sooner had the old man stammered out these words than the girl swiftly knelt before Han Li and bowed her head firmly to the ground with a loud thud. Han Li, utterly unprepared, was left stunned—then laughed and groaned inwardly.

Take her as a disciple? This was no joke! He himself was barely surviving in the Daoist world, constantly struggling to protect himself—how could he take on another burden?

He would never agree to this.

But then again—though he hadn't thoroughly examined her, her talent must be decent. Otherwise, how could a girl so young have reached Qi Refining sixth level? He himself had barely reached that stage by guzzling pills.

To let such a girl waste her life among low-level cultivators seemed a pity. Though he couldn't take her as his own disciple, he could recommend her to another master. Her spirited, mischievous nature actually suited him well.

He remembered clearly: Master Ma, the old man, still had no disciple.

And after Han Li had moved out of the Hundred Herbs Garden, he'd met him once, and Master Ma had complained he now had to tend the garden himself, and that he should've taken a good disciple long ago.

This girl clearly had sharp wit—if her talent truly was good, recommending her to Master Ma wouldn't hurt. Whether Master Ma accepted her or not was none of his concern.

As Han Li thought this, his face took on a thoughtful expression, causing the old man and girl to believe he was seriously considering accepting her as a disciple—they both lit up with excitement.

"Come here. Let me examine your spiritual roots." Han Li returned from his thoughts and gestured to the girl calmly.

"Yes, Master!"

The girl appeared extremely obedient, answering respectfully, then stepped lightly before Han Li and willingly offered her delicate, pale wrist, a hint of shyness in her eyes.

Han Li extended his right hand, gently grasping her wrist, and began slowly guiding his spiritual power through her body. But soon, he released it.

"Dual spiritual roots—indeed, excellent talent!" Han Li stared at the girl's face, murmuring to himself.

Hearing this, the girl and the old man's faces flushed with joy—they believed Han Li was about to accept her as a disciple.

But Han Li changed tone abruptly:

"Unfortunately, I don't take disciples. Otherwise, your talent would be more than sufficient to be my student."

Han Li's words doused the grandfather and granddaughter like icy water—they froze in place.

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