“This matter is of such great importance, how could Han joke with the two of you?” Han Li’s expression turned serious.
“If there truly is a way to satisfy both sides, that would naturally be best. Brother Han, please speak plainly,” Yanli said with great delight.
“In truth, this matter doesn’t require our concern at all. Fellow Daoists, you need only directly inform Senior Jiang of your difficulties. Have you forgotten that he is an unfathomable Great Ascension cultivator? What is extremely difficult for us, perhaps requiring countless years to accomplish, may be as simple as lifting a hand for a Great Ascension cultivator. Even if he cannot immediately reverse your ghostly forms, he surely has methods to prevent further transformation. Why not first ask him before making any decisions?” Han Li said with a faint smile.
Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Yuan Yao and Yanli both seemed moved.
“Thank you for the reminder, Brother Han! We were too caught up in the situation to think of something so simple,” Yanli said with a hint of excitement.
Yuan Yao pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
“To be honest, compared to this matter, I have some other concerns regarding Miss Yuan becoming Senior Jiang’s disciple,” Han Li hesitated before suddenly adding.
“Brother Han, what do you mean by that…?” Yanli asked, startled.
Yuan Yao’s beautiful eyes immediately fixed on Han Li without blinking.
Han Li chuckled but did not speak immediately. Instead, he flipped his hand, and a dark object appeared in his palm.
In an instant, it expanded to a size of several meters—it was the Magnetic Divine Mountain.
With a flick of his wrist, the small mountain transformed into a streak of black light, flying toward the ceiling of the stone house. Above the three of them, it spun rapidly before releasing waves of gray light, enveloping them all.
Looking at the newly formed gray barrier, the two women were somewhat surprised but did not press for answers right away.
Only then did Han Li calmly explain:
“This is the Magnetic Divine Light I cultivate. Though it may be insignificant before a Great Ascension cultivator, it is impossible for any divine sense to penetrate it unnoticed. What I am about to say may be somewhat disrespectful toward Senior Jiang, but I have always believed in caution first and courtesy later. Fellow Daoist Yan, you are eager for Miss Yuan to become Senior Jiang’s disciple, but have you considered what if this senior has ulterior motives beyond resisting the heavenly tribulation? Or what if the method to resist the tribulation poses great harm or even mortal danger to Miss Yuan herself? How would you handle that?”
The two women exchanged glances but did not show surprise. Instead, Yanli forced a smile and said, “Brother Han, your words are excessive. With Senior Jiang’s status as a Great Ascension cultivator, why would he deceive us?”
Han Li’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he studied them for a moment before nodding with a light laugh. “It seems I overthought things. Since the two of you have already considered this matter, I won’t say more. However, I will offer one last reminder to Miss Yuan. Since Senior Jiang has approached you with a tone of negotiation, he must have his own reservations and likely won’t resort to forceful measures. As long as you maintain proper boundaries, even if you encounter some trouble, I believe fortune will favor you.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Brother Han!” Yuan Yao said with a bitter smile.
Han Li curled his lips and waved his arm through the air.
The Magnetic Divine Mountain vanished instantly, along with the surrounding gray barrier.
Afterward, Han Li and the two women discussed other matters, speculating and analyzing the reasons for the old man surnamed Jiang’s presence in this place.
Soon, Yuan Yao could no longer contain herself and proposed going to see the old man immediately to inquire whether there truly was a way to resolve their ghostly forms.
Naturally, Han Li and Yanli did not stop her, and the three of them left the stone house together.
After Yuan Yao called out three times, a white shadow flickered—the shadow ghost appeared as if it had never left.
Upon hearing their request to see the old man surnamed Jiang, the ghost nodded faintly and led the way, flying off.
A short while later, in the same hall where they had met before, Han Li and the others saw the old man again.
The old man surnamed Jiang was still seated in the same chair. Seeing the three of them, he smiled faintly and asked without surprise, “Well, has Miss Yuan made up her mind? Are you willing to become my disciple?”
“Senior’s favor fills me with gratitude, and I am naturally willing to cultivate under your guidance. However, I have a dilemma that may prevent me from formally becoming your disciple at this moment,” Yuan Yao said with a respectful bow, carefully choosing her words.
“A dilemma? Haha, what is it? Feel free to share it with me,” the old man said, his eyes brightening with confidence upon hearing her willingness.
Without hesitation, Yuan Yao openly explained her desire to restore her human form.
“Hahaha, so that’s the issue—wanting to regain a mortal body? A trivial matter! All I need to do is refine a few pills for you and expend some effort to expel the yin energy from your body. Restoring your original form will take only a few years and won’t interfere with your cultivation of the Chang Yuan Clan’s divine abilities!” The old man laughed heartily, as if the matter were insignificant.
“If that’s the case, becoming your disciple is an opportunity I could never refuse! Yao’er pays respects to her master!” Yuan Yao said decisively, bowing deeply once more.
“Good, good! Disciple, rest assured—I can wait a few years. Once you’ve fully regained your mortal form, we’ll begin your training in the Chang Yuan Clan’s divine abilities,” the old man said joyfully, flicking his sleeve. An invisible force lifted Yuan Yao to her feet.
“Master has already agreed to restore my mortal form, and I shouldn’t ask for more. However, Yao’er has relied on Senior Sister Yanli since childhood, and we are as close as sisters. Could Senior also take Sister Yan as a disciple and help her restore her human form?” Yuan Yao said, her eyes reddening as she made the request.
“Taking you as my disciple is already an exception. Fellow Daoist Yan cannot also become my disciple. However, for your sake, I can agree to help her restore her mortal form,” the old man said with a troubled expression, sighing after a long pause.
Yuan Yao opened her mouth to plead further, but Yanli quickly stepped forward, bowing to the old man and shaking her head at Yuan Yao. “Senior’s willingness to expend pills and effort to restore my mortal form is already more than I could ask for. How could I dare hope to become his disciple as well? Junior Sister, don’t trouble Senior further!”
Yanli’s words were sincere, and Yuan Yao’s expression dimmed. She finally relented and said no more.
She understood well that a Great Ascension cultivator like the old man would not easily change his mind. His concession was already a great favor, and asking for more would be unrealistic.
Han Li, who had accompanied the two women, remained silent the entire time, carefully observing the old man’s expression for any clues.
But he found nothing unusual, which eased his mind—it seemed the old man truly intended to take Yuan Yao as his disciple.
“Fellow Daoist Han, I have some words I’d like to share with you alone. Would you be willing to listen?” The old man’s voice suddenly echoed in Han Li’s ears, startling him.
“Senior, whatever your instructions, this junior will listen attentively,” Han Li replied solemnly via voice transmission.
Yuan Yao and Yanli, noticing the silent exchange, exchanged glances and remained respectfully quiet.
“Originally, before discovering your companion’s Heavenly Yin Body, I had intended to take you as my disciple and pass on my legacy. But now, with Yao’er as my disciple and the heavenly tribulation to prepare for, I can no longer divide my attention. What a pity—I was quite interested in your dual cultivation of body and magic,” the old man said slowly, his tone regretful.
“It seems this junior lacks the fortune to become your disciple,” Han Li replied after a long pause, genuinely surprised.
“However, you’ve already obtained Qing Yuanzi’s sword art from the human world and forged seventy-two Emerald Swarm Swords from Golden Lightning Bamboo. In a way, you’re already half my disciple. If you’re interested in the new Qing Yuan Sword Art and refining techniques for your swords, I can teach you. But since you’re not my true disciple, you’ll need to offer something in exchange. Think it over,” the old man said gravely.
“The new Qing Yuan Sword Art?” Han Li’s interest was piqued.
“Indeed. The sword art Qing Yuanzi left in the human world was only half-finished. After entering the Spirit Realm, he created the latter half, which can be cultivated up to the early Body Integration stage. Later, after fusing with the Chang Yuan Clan’s soul and body, I switched to their divine abilities. But once you master this sword art and refine your Golden Lightning Bamboo swords to remove impurities, the sword formation you deploy could rival even late-stage Body Integration cultivators,” the old man said with a faint smile.
“But this junior is merely a Nascent Soul cultivator. What could I possibly have that would interest you?” Han Li asked, intrigued but cautious.
“You may not have much, but surely you still have some remnants of Golden Lightning Bamboo,” the old man said, narrowing his eyes.
“Golden Lightning Bamboo? Senior wants this material?” Han Li was stunned.
“Indeed. If you have enough to forge three more swords, I’ll teach you the new sword art. If you have more than that, I’ll personally assist you in refining your seventy-two swords,” the old man said with a low chuckle.
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