“What do you mean, satisfied?” Upon hearing this, Han Li felt inexplicably uneasy. As Li Huayuan continued to praise him relentlessly, an ominous premonition grew in his heart.
Moreover, he had noticed that ever since he entered the room, the young woman had stolen several glances at him, though her expression was filled with displeasure. And when Senior Hong Fu said he was quite suitable, she trembled slightly and hurriedly lowered her head.
At the same time, a gaze full of hostility swept over Han Li, startling him. When he looked back, he found it was his Seventh Senior Brother Wu Xuan, who had just brought him in.
Seeing that Han Li had noticed his stare, Wu Xuan showed a hint of surprise on his face and immediately averted his eyes, looking guilty.
This only deepened Han Li’s confusion! However, out of habit, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor. The steadiness he unintentionally displayed made the red-robed woman nod inwardly in approval.
“This young man will do. I find him quite suitable. I’ll take Xuan’er back first and await your good news, Junior Brother!” The red-robed woman nodded and suddenly spoke.
“Rest assured, Senior Sister. I will make the arrangements promptly.” Seeing that the woman was about to leave, Li Huayuan hurriedly assured her and stood up with his wife to see her off. While Han Li was still lost in confusion, Senior Hong Fu left with the young woman.
When Li Huayuan and his wife returned to the hall with Han Li and the others, his face was beaming with joy, and even his usually silent wife wore a faint smile.
After sitting down, the couple kept scrutinizing Han Li, making him increasingly uneasy. What exactly were their intentions?
“Han Li, let me be the first to congratulate you!” After gazing at Han Li delightedly for a while, Li Huayuan suddenly blurted out these puzzling words, sending a jolt of unease through Han Li.
“This disciple truly does not know what there is to congratulate. Please enlighten me, Master!” Han Li suppressed the ominous feeling in his heart and replied respectfully.
“Hehe! This is a tremendous blessing! Senior Hong Fu has taken a liking to you and intends for you to form a union with her disciple, becoming a pair of cultivation companions!” Before Li Huayuan could answer, his wife unveiled the mystery, leaving Han Li momentarily stunned.
“Become cultivation companions?” Han Li murmured to himself, falling into a daze. This was entirely unexpected!
“How about it? This is something others could only dream of! You must know that there are few female disciples on the mountain, and even fewer who have successfully built their foundations. Dual cultivation is an excellent method to greatly enhance the cultivation of both parties. Others would search far and wide for such an opportunity!” Li Huayuan said cheerfully.
For him, forming a connection with the powerful Senior Hong Fu would be highly advantageous. Everyone knew that Fairy Hong Fu was one of the top Core Formation cultivators in the entire Yue Kingdom’s cultivation world! In the Yellow Maple Valley, she was second only to the Ancestor in terms of power.
Just thinking about the benefits of this alliance through his disciple brought a smile to the usually stern and rigid Li Huayuan’s face.
“But this disciple has never considered dual cultivation. This is all too sudden! Besides, there are so many male disciples in the Yellow Maple Valley with better looks and aptitude than me. Why was I chosen?” Having regained his composure, Han Li could only brace himself and respond. Yet, this truly baffled him!
“Haha! This is your fortune, Disciple! Your Senior Hong Fu suffered a emotional wound in her youth and holds a deep aversion to handsome, frivolous men. So, when selecting a partner for her disciple, those who displeased her naturally didn’t stand a chance. Thus, finding someone of similar age to her disciple who also doesn’t provoke her dislike among the hundreds of Foundation Establishment disciples in Yellow Maple Valley was no easy task. Senior Hong Fu visited several caves like your master’s, and you are the first she was thoroughly satisfied with upon meeting.” Li Huayuan spoke with considerable pride.
“As for aptitude, your Senior Aunt has no grounds for criticism. Her disciple, the young woman today, though not as exceptional as you, is quite ordinary and not particularly outstanding. I heard she barely managed to build her foundation after consuming three Foundation Establishment Pills and with the aid of many precious medicines. If she weren’t a descendant of one of your Senior Aunt’s close relatives, such effort would never have been spent on her. But this also shows how cherished she is!” Li Huayuan further explained to Han Li.
He paused and then sighed, “Actually, initially, I hadn’t considered recommending you. Instead, I called your Seventh Senior Brother, since whether in looks or talent, your Senior Brother Wu Xuan surpasses you by far! Although I knew Senior Hong Fu had some bias against handsome men, I still wanted to try my luck. But as you saw, your Senior Brother Wu failed to pass your Senior Aunt’s test, though I noticed the Dong girl seemed quite willing.”
After saying this, Li Huayuan glanced at Wu Xuan, whose face turned red with embarrassment.
Han Li suddenly understood: his senior brother’s coldness and hostility stemmed from being eliminated. It seemed he had taken a liking to the young woman! However, Li Huayuan’s mention of “the Dong girl” reminded Han Li of the incident when he killed “Senior Brother Lu.”
That night, when “Senior Brother Lu” lost control, he had mentioned the Dong girl and Senior Hong Fu. Could it be that the woman that scoundrel was involved with was her?
At this thought, Han Li felt extremely uncomfortable. His impression of Senior Hong Fu’s disciple immediately soured, and any favorable feelings vanished. The slight inclination he had felt after Li Huayuan’s analysis was completely extinguished.
In truth, Han Li wasn’t entirely opposed to dual cultivation, especially since the other party was the disciple of another Core Formation cultivator. Forming such a partnership would bring countless benefits. His hesitation stemmed from the many secrets he carried, making it impossible to have someone so close.
Now, Han Li was even less inclined to agree to such an absurd arrangement. He had no interest in taking someone else’s girlfriend! Moreover, judging by Miss Dong’s demeanor, she seemed to prefer handsome, dashing men and had no interest in him at all.
Considering this, Han Li hesitated and spoke somewhat awkwardly, “This disciple still feels it is inappropriate. On one hand, it’s too sudden, and I am unprepared. On the other hand, it seems Senior Hong Fu’s disciple is not satisfied with me. Even if she were forced into this union under her master’s pressure, a forced match is never sweet! Perhaps Master could try other senior brothers. There might be someone more suitable than me!”
His words clearly conveyed his reluctance, surprising Li Huayuan and his wife.
The wife remained silent, as if pondering something, but his master frowned, visibly displeased.
“You heard me—I promised Senior Hong Fu with full confidence. How can I go back on my word? Even if there were a more suitable candidate, I wouldn’t renege. As for your worry about Miss Dong’s unwillingness, that’s making a mountain out of a molehill! How many cultivation couples start off deeply in love? Most grow fond of each other after long periods together!” Li Huayuan’s tone was stern, carrying a hint of reprimand.
Han Li inwardly groaned. Finding a suitable excuse to refuse wasn’t easy! But just then, the wife suddenly spoke, startling Li Huayuan and providing Han Li with a way out.
“Han Li, you and Miss Dong entered the valley around the same time and built your foundations not too far apart. Have you heard any rumors during this time?”
“What rumors?” Li Huayuan asked, taken aback. Seeing Han Li remain silent and acquiesce, he grew even more surprised.
“This is just some gossip I heard from close friends. It probably shouldn’t be taken seriously!” The wife bit her red lip, seeming reluctant to speak.
“You two, step outside for now. Han Li alone may stay.” Seeing his wife’s hesitation, Li Huayuan pondered for a moment before waving his hand, dismissing Song Meng and Wu Xuan from the hall, leaving only Han Li behind.
Song Meng left indifferently after bowing, but Wu Xuan, though obeying, seemed unwilling, casting a strange glance at Han Li, who noticed and pondered its meaning.
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