“The Great Development Technique,” which Han Li had heard mentioned several times today and was used by Senior Disciple Lin to lure him, was actually found so effortlessly with just a casual flip. This gave Han Li an unreal, almost absurd feeling!
Unexpectedly, Senior Disciple Lin had been carrying the cultivation method for the “Great Development Technique” with him, which truly took Han Li by surprise. He couldn’t tell whether this Senior Disciple Lin was extremely foolish or remarkably clever!
Now, after briefly skimming through the Great Development Technique recorded in the jade slip, Han Li confirmed that, just as Senior Disciple Lin had said, it only contained four layers of cultivation verses. It seemed the other party hadn’t lied to him about this.
But then, something even more astonishing happened.
After finishing the Great Development Technique, he discovered another text immediately following it, titled “Puppet True Explanation.” It was entirely dedicated to teaching methods for crafting puppet beasts and puppet humans of various tiers—an exceedingly detailed encyclopedia of puppet-making!
After reading for a while, Han Li finally withdrew his focus, his expression excited and seemingly very pleased! But as he glanced at the jade slip in his hand, he suddenly remembered something, and his expression turned somewhat peculiar.
The combination of the Great Development Technique and the Puppet True Explanation, if cultivated simultaneously, would be a perfect match. As long as both were cultivated to a certain level, one could likely emulate Huang Long that day, using the power of numerous puppets to completely suppress several Foundation Establishment cultivators of the same level, leaving them no chance to resist!
The idea of overpowering other Foundation Establishment cultivators with such techniques made Han Li’s heart race!
However, the drawbacks of cultivating them were also very apparent, just as he had analyzed. It would likely delay his own cultivation, completely obliterating his already slim chance of forming a Golden Core. That would be a case of gaining little at great cost!
As for the claim that the Great Development Technique could increase the likelihood of forming a Golden Core, Han Li didn’t believe such baseless nonsense at all.
Han Li lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, finding it difficult to make a decision. Shaking his head, he stored the jade slip in his storage bag, planning to deal with it later.
After all, deciding whether to cultivate the “Great Development Technique” and practice the puppet-making techniques that had fallen into his lap was too hasty a choice. It would be better to calm down and consider it carefully later.
Nevertheless, this harvest excited Han Li! It suddenly reminded him that although Huang Long and the others, along with their storage bags, had been completely obliterated by Lei Wanhe’s lightning-based sword light, there seemed to be some puppets left outside the formation that hadn’t been collected in time.
These were treasures too good to pass up!
Thinking of this, Han Li cheerfully walked out of the formation.
Sure enough, not far outside the formation, he found puppet humans and mechanical beasts that had reverted to palm size due to lack of control. However, there weren’t as many as he had imagined—only about twenty or so. The rest had been turned to ashes by Lei Wanhe’s sword light.
Even so, Han Li eagerly collected them one by one.
Having gathered so many treasures at once, Han Li still felt unsatisfied, almost wishing another eighty or a hundred puppet dolls would appear for him to collect. This mindset amused him—it was indeed a bit too greedy!
After muttering a few self-mocking words, Han Li returned to his cave abode, planning to first study the two ancient formulas. The next day, he would visit his master, Li Huayuan, to see if he could obtain a good cultivation technique.
…
Early the next morning, Han Li stood on his Divine Wind Boat and headed straight for the eastern part of Tai Yue Mountain Range.
He had learned from Lei Wanhe the day before that his master’s cave abode was built at the foot of a mountain there. Li Huayuan happened to be in his cave recently, seemingly busy with something. Now was the perfect time to visit him.
Thanks to the speed of the Divine Wind Boat, Han Li quickly found the place Lei Wanhe had described. It was indeed a very secluded yet beautifully scenic spot with lush mountains and clear waters.
Han Li stood before a massive waterfall at the foot of the mountain, took out a transmission talisman from his robe, whispered something into it, and tossed it out. The talisman transformed into a streak of firelight and vanished into the enormous curtain of water.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a large hole suddenly appeared in the water curtain out of nowhere. A slender scholar in his thirties flew out from within. As soon as he saw Han Li, he warmly greeted, “You must be Junior Disciple Han Li? I am Yu Kun, the head disciple under our master. You can call me Senior Disciple Yu!”
The scholar then gracefully landed beside Han Li, smiling broadly as he looked at him.
“Head Senior Disciple!” Han Li responded with a very reserved and earnest tone.
Seeing Han Li’s expression and hearing his obedient address, Senior Disciple Yu Kun’s smile widened, and he said with extreme warmth, “No need for such formalities as ‘Head Senior Disciple’! Just call me Senior Disciple Yu. I’ve heard about you from our master long ago. Junior Disciple Han, you actually participated in the Bloody Trial and returned triumphant—that’s truly remarkable!” Yu Kun repeatedly praised.
Han Li forced a dry laugh, wondering why this senior disciple was being so courteous to a nominal disciple like him. It made him uneasy!
“I heard that Junior Disciple’s aptitude wasn’t very good, but now that I see you, you’ve actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment. That’s truly worthy of celebration!”
Yu Kun seemed already aware of Han Li’s successful Foundation Establishment, as he showed no surprise at Han Li having reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Still, he continued to congratulate him, which made Han Li even more apprehensive.
“By the way, Master is waiting for you in the cave abode! We shouldn’t keep him waiting. Let’s head into Green Wave Cave first!” Yu Kun exclaimed, as if suddenly remembering, patting the back of his head with a laugh.
Han Li twitched the corner of his mouth at this behavior but maintained a respectful expression. He agreed and flew into the water curtain alongside Yu Kun.
Once inside the water curtain, Han Li’s eyes brightened. A natural small valley appeared before him, filled with the songs of birds, the fragrance of flowers, green trees, clear waters, and even some rare little animals hopping around! It was incredibly charming.
“This is…” Han Li felt his mind struggling to process the scene. What he saw truly took him by surprise! Could it be that his master enjoyed keeping small pets? This was utterly astonishing!
“Haha! Surprised, Junior Disciple? Not just you—every guest who enters for the first time is startled by all this! However, these little animals aren’t raised by Master. They’re the beloved treasures of our Master’s wife! You mustn’t harm them, or she will definitely not let you off the hook!” Yu Kun said with a laugh, wearing an expression that said, “I knew you’d be shocked.”
“Master’s wife?” Han Li was truly speechless.
“Yes, our Master’s wife is only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but she and Master have a very good relationship! She’s also very kind and easy to get along with,” Yu Kun said, shrugging.
Thus, Han Li, thoroughly bewildered, was led by Yu Kun into a large cave on one side of the valley. In the cave’s main hall, Han Li met his master, Li Huayuan, and a beautiful young woman who appeared to be in her late twenties!
His master, needless to say, still wore that cold expression, though he managed a slight smile upon seeing Han Li enter. As for the young woman, though Han Li found her beautiful, he didn’t dare scrutinize her in Li Huayuan’s presence. After a brief glance, he stepped forward respectfully and bowed, saying, “Disciple Han Li pays respects to Master!”
“Mm! Rise! The one beside me is your Master’s wife. Pay your respects to her as well!” Li Huayuan, pleased with Han Li’s respectful attitude, pointed to the young woman beside him.
“Greetings, Master’s Wife!” Han Li sighed inwardly but had no choice but to bow to this young woman who didn’t look much older than him.
“No need for such formalities!” the young woman said with a soft smile as Han Li stepped forward to bow. Her voice was gentle and pleasant, carrying the warmth of a woman from the riverlands. She indeed seemed extremely gentle!
“Han Li, I heard reports a few days ago about your successful Foundation Establishment! To be honest, I found it hard to believe and was quite astonished!” Li Huayuan said with a smile, his tone exceedingly gentle, making Han Li feel almost overwhelmed by the favor.
“This disciple was merely fortunate to succeed in Foundation Establishment. Even I was somewhat surprised!” Han Li said, his face slightly flushed as if embarrassed.
“Haha! Luck is also a reflection of one’s aptitude. Otherwise, wouldn’t cultivators born with exceptional talent be even more ‘fortunate’ to have such innate gifts?” Li Huayuan gently shook his head and said with a light laugh.
“Ah! Well…” Han Li had never considered it that way and found himself at a loss for words, feeling somewhat awkward.
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