Chapter 1792: Disciple by Name

After hearing the old woman’s words, the joy that had just appeared on Yuehua Fairy and Bai Hua’s faces instantly dissipated.

Hundreds of years of cultivation delay—even for the closest of kin, few cultivators would willingly sacrifice that, let alone for complete strangers.

“What is the second option?” the man asked hopefully.

“The second solution is to seek out legendary spiritual medicines and refine several supreme yang pills. Then, by forcibly balancing water and fire, we can alter the Ice Marrow Constitution. However, this method is no easier than the first. Not only are those spiritual medicines exceedingly rare, appearing perhaps once in a thousand years, making them nearly impossible for us to gather, but even if we obtained them and successfully refined the pills, the side effects would be severe. While it could break the Ice Marrow Constitution, it would also damage the spiritual root aptitude of the host. At worst, the spiritual root could be completely destroyed, turning them into an ordinary mortal. At best, the spiritual root would degrade significantly, making the path of cultivation fraught with hardship,” the old woman said gravely.

The middle-aged man’s face turned deathly pale, and he could say no more.

However, after a moment of stunned silence, the young woman suddenly gritted her teeth and pleaded with Han Li, “Senior Han, with your vast magical power, we beg you to save Guo’er. Our family will repay your great kindness with lifelong devotion.”

Hearing this, the old woman and the others were moved and couldn’t help but look at Han Li.

Earlier, Han Li had clearly indicated that he had come specifically for the little girl.

Given that, it wasn’t impossible that this “Senior Han” might intervene.

Without hesitation, the middle-aged man immediately prostrated himself before Han Li!

Han Li, however, wore an enigmatic smile and only spoke after a long pause, “You do understand. Indeed, since I am here, I do intend to save this girl.”

“Thank you, Senior, for your boundless kindness!” Overjoyed that her guess had been correct, the young woman also moved to kneel and bow.

But Han Li shook his head and flicked his sleeve.

An invisible force lifted both Bai Hua and the young woman, preventing one from kneeling and raising the other to her feet.

“Don’t thank me yet. Whether I truly intervene depends on whether you agree to my conditions. Though I have a favorable impression of this girl, I cannot afford to waste centuries of my own cultivation for nothing,” Han Li said indifferently.

“Senior, please state your conditions. Whatever we can do, we will not hesitate,” Yuehua Fairy replied without hesitation.

Though inwardly apprehensive, the middle-aged man also voiced no objection.

After all, Han Li was their daughter’s only hope.

“The condition is simple. I can help this girl master the Ice Marrow Cold Soul Great Divine Ability and even take her as a nominal disciple. However, once her abilities reach maturity, she must spare no effort to find something for me—no matter the cost. This object may be among humans or demons, or it may lie in some remote corner of the wilderness. Only someone who has mastered the Ice Marrow Cold Soul Divine Ability can sense and locate it. Of course, this will be extremely dangerous. Are you still willing to agree on her behalf?” Han Li asked, his gaze sharp as he studied the couple.

“Venturing into the wilderness?” Bai Hua gasped, his face twisting with hesitation.

Yuehua Fairy, though also unsettled, carefully countered, “Senior, may I ask what level of cultivation Guo’er would reach by the time her abilities mature? If her cultivation is too low, entering the wilderness would be a death sentence.”

“Rest assured. Since I am taking her as a nominal disciple and investing such effort into her training, I would not send her to her doom. The object she seeks can only be sensed by someone at least at the Deity Transformation stage. Moreover, I will bestow upon her protective treasures. If the object is found within human or demon territories, there will be no need to venture into the wilderness. Even if it isn’t, I will wait until her cultivation advances further before sending her deeper in,” Han Li explained calmly, as if he had already considered everything.

“Deity Transformation stage! That is more than enough. For us, that realm is already beyond reach. Besides, without your intervention, this child wouldn’t survive the next few years. Reaching Deity Transformation would take nearly a millennium,” Yuehua Fairy, though not highly cultivated, was decisive and agreed immediately.

Bai Hua, though still uneasy, saw the logic in her words and nodded repeatedly.

The old woman, standing by, had no reason to object.

“Very well. I will take Guo’er as my nominal disciple and keep her with me for the next hundred years. After that, I will return her to you. Beyond guiding her cultivation, I will not interfere in her life,” Han Li said with a kind smile.

“We entrust our daughter to you, Senior,” the middle-aged man said, finally at ease, bowing deeply with gratitude.

Han Li did not refuse the gesture, accepting it calmly. Yuehua Fairy also expressed her thanks with visible joy.

The old woman, too, sighed in relief, her heart blooming with delight.

Though Han Li had only taken Guo’er as a nominal disciple without intending full inheritance, this still tied their Golden Light Sect to a Body Integration stage senior. At the very least, they could now borrow his prestige to deter future threats.

But just as the old woman prepared to further ingratiate herself, a timid voice suddenly spoke up:

“Senior Han, may we also become your disciples?”

Everyone turned in surprise to see Hai Da Shao standing below, gazing at Han Li with a mix of nervousness and hope.

“Become my disciples?” Han Li chuckled, neither refusing nor agreeing outright.

“Does that mean you accept, Senior?” Qi Lingzi, emboldened, chimed in with a grin.

The young Taoist clearly understood that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

To become a disciple of a Body Integration stage cultivator was a dream most low-level cultivators dared not even entertain.

Seeing Han Li take Bai Guo’er as a disciple, the two had secretly discussed and decided to shamelessly seize the chance, relying on their prior familiarity with him.

“Stand up. The matter of discipleship can wait. For now, follow me during the Myriad Treasures Convention. We’ll discuss it later,” Han Li said seriously, his smile fading.

“I understand. Senior wishes to test us further. Rest assured, while I may lack other talents, my devotion to my master is unmatched,” Hai Da Shuo said cheerfully, undeterred.

“I will surely prove myself worthy, Senior!” Qi Lingzi kowtowed three times before standing with a grin.

Han Li wore a wry smile, nodding and shaking his head as if unsure what to make of them.

“Guo’er’s cold poison has been temporarily suppressed and won’t flare up again within a year. After the Myriad Treasures Convention, I will return to take her. Until then, prepare accordingly. Here—this Flame Sun Jade should be kept close to her body. While it won’t dispel the cold poison, it will benefit her health. It also serves as a protective talisman, activating once in times of danger. Additionally, this bottle of ‘Nourishing Essence Pills’ should be taken every two days,” Han Li said, flicking his sleeve toward the table.

A glowing red jade pendant and a small green vial appeared.

The pendant radiated astonishing spiritual energy, clearly extraordinary. The Nourishing Essence Pills, renowned in the Spirit Realm for restoring vitality, were perfect for the weakened girl. The young woman gratefully accepted both treasures.

Hai Da Shuo and Qi Lingzi, seeing the immediate benefits bestowed upon Han Li’s new disciple, couldn’t hide their envy.

Amused, Han Li produced two more vials of pills and tossed one to each.

“Regardless of whether I take you as disciples, our journey together is fate. These pills—one strengthens bones and meridians, the other enhances spiritual power—are for you.”

“Thank you, Senior!”

The two accepted the vials eagerly, thrilled at their future master’s generosity, and carefully stored them away like priceless treasures.

Han Li soon took his leave, departing with Hai Da Shuo and Qi Lingzi.

Soon, the three were aboard a flying carriage, gliding toward Nine Immortals Mountain.

“Senior, where are we headed next? Should we find a temporary residence?” Qi Lingzi asked as the mountain drew near.

“No need. While Nine Immortals Mountain is restricted to outsiders, exceptions are made for those like us. We will be accommodated properly,” Han Li replied dismissively.