“Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Yu!” Although feeling somewhat awkward, Han Li still showed a respectful expression on the surface as he expressed his gratitude.
As for the burly, bearded man, he merely grinned, appearing simple and honest, as if he wasn’t much of a talker.
This left Han Li, who already suspected something unusual about the man, inwardly speechless. Either the man’s acting skills were truly masterful, or he genuinely had no idea about the peculiarities on his body.
But if that were the case, the strange reaction of Senior Brother Miao when he saw the man became rather intriguing. Han Li didn’t believe that a late Foundation Establishment cultivator could also detect the cold aura emanating from this man. There must be something fishy going on here.
The young man surnamed Yu seemed quite satisfied with Han Li and the burly man’s behavior. After offering a few more pointers, he led the two to a cluster of pavilions halfway up Tianquan Peak and landed there.
On a stone platform where they descended, a young man and woman were standing side by side, chatting. Upon seeing the young man, they immediately stopped talking and approached.
“Isn’t this Uncle Yu? Are you here to see Grandmaster?” asked the girl with a doll-like face, appearing no older than fifteen or sixteen, smiling playfully at the young man. Her casual attitude left Han Li, who was well aware of the strict hierarchy in the cultivation world, momentarily stunned.
“Indeed. These two are newly assigned outer disciples. I need Grandmaster to meet them and decide which senior brother they should be assigned to,” replied the young man surnamed Yu, smiling faintly as if he were very familiar with the girl.
“New junior brothers! Don’t forget to tell me and Junior Brother Xin about the mortal world when you have the chance. I’d love to hear about it,” the girl said, her eyes twinkling as she sweetly smiled at Han Li and the burly man behind her.
“If Senior Sister wants to hear about it, why drag me into it? I still have to cultivate,” muttered the dark-skinned boy beside her, sounding rather earnest.
“Cultivation can start anytime, but having new junior brothers from the mortal world join Tianquan Peak is a rare opportunity. Naturally, we should hear more about the interesting things outside,” the girl said, trying to sound mature despite her youthful appearance, lecturing the boy in a way that was almost comical.
The young man surnamed Yu wore a wry smile, shook his head, and without further ado, led the two into the courtyard opposite.
“Listen carefully. Junior Sister Ma and Junior Brother Xin may look young and share the same seniority as you, but they are Grandmaster’s descendants from the mortal world. Though they haven’t been formally accepted as disciples yet, it’s only a matter of time. Do not offend them, or if Grandmaster takes offense, no one will be able to protect you,” the young man warned as they walked.
Han Li nodded with a bitter smile, while the burly man merely rubbed the back of his head and grinned without saying a word.
Seeing their reactions, the young man smiled slightly and added reassuringly, “Junior Brother Xin is an honest person and won’t cause any trouble. As for Junior Sister Ma, she’s just mischievous from leaving home at a young age, but she means no harm. So don’t worry too much—just be a little cautious.”
Han Li and the burly man naturally nodded repeatedly in agreement.
As they spoke, the group passed through several courtyards and arrived before a quiet side room.
“Is that you, Jun’er?” A calm male voice rang in their ears the moment they appeared before the room.
“Your disciple pays respects to Master!” Yu Jun immediately halted and answered solemnly.
“Your Third Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Sister are also here. Bring the two behind you inside,” the clear voice said cheerfully, sounding in good spirits.
“Yes!” Yu Jun didn’t dare delay. With a gesture to Han Li and the burly man, he quickly stepped into the half-open room.
Inside was an elegant and refined hall, adorned only with a few pots of unknown green plants and a set of ebony furniture. Seated beside the table was a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar, with an ancient and peculiar appearance, three long black whiskers flowing down his chest, exuding an air of transcendent grace.
On either side of him stood a man and a woman.
The man had white hair and a wrinkled face, appearing nearly sixty years old, smiling silently. The woman had jade-white skin and delicate features, looking about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, her expression cold and indifferent.
Yu Jun hurried forward and bowed deeply. “Greetings, Master, Third Senior Brother, and Fifth Senior Sister!”
“Rise. No need for such formalities among family. Are these the two new disciples joining Tianquan Peak?” The middle-aged man flicked his sleeve, signaling Yu Jun to stand, then examined Han Li and the other man with interest.
Han Li could tell at a glance that this man was a mid-Core Formation cultivator. Though inwardly frustrated, he forced a smile and addressed him as “Grandmaster.” The burly man did the same.
This Grandmaster clearly didn’t notice anything unusual about the burly man, let alone detect Han Li’s true cultivation level.
After asking for Han Li and the burly man’s names (the latter was called Du Dong) and casually praising them, the Grandmaster turned to his disciples and said gently, “Since both of you are here, there’s no need to trouble others. One of you excels in talisman-making, while the other has achievements in pill refining. You must both be short on assistants. Take these two new disciples under your wings for now. Of course, guide them in their cultivation as well. Even as outer disciples, if their cultivation is too low, it’ll invite ridicule from other peaks.”
“Yes, Master! Junior Sister and I will each take one,” the white-haired elder replied with a smile.
The coldly beautiful woman hesitated briefly before nodding slightly.
“Since Junior Sister agrees, I’ll take Disciple Du to assist with talisman-making, as I need steady help. Disciple Han can go with Junior Sister,” the elder suggested after some thought.
The woman gave an indifferent “Mm” without even glancing at Han Li.
The middle-aged man nodded, then suddenly addressed Han Li and Du Dong. “You two may leave now. I have matters to discuss with your uncles. Wait outside for a moment.”
Han Li and Du Dong exchanged glances, obediently acknowledged the order, and exited the room, standing several feet away from the side chamber.
Du Dong stood motionless, gazing blankly at the clear sky as if lost in thought. Meanwhile, Han Li feigned laziness while secretly eavesdropping on the conversation inside. With his powerful spiritual sense, nothing spoken within could escape his notice. Though his expression remained unchanged, subtle shifts flickered in his eyes.
After the time it took to finish a meal, the door opened again, and Yu Jun, the white-haired elder, and the coldly beautiful woman emerged.
Without a word, the elder summoned a long, bar-like magic tool. After exchanging a few parting words with the woman and Yu Jun, he whisked Du Dong away into the sky.
The woman then approached Han Li, gave him a cold glance, and said emotionlessly, “Follow me to my cave abode.”
Han Li’s lips curled slightly, but he quickly nodded as if nothing had happened.
A red glow flashed, and a crimson mist enveloped him. Han Li stood unmoving.
Two hours later, Han Li found himself in an unfamiliar herb garden spanning over a hundred zhang.
Surveying the lush, single-variety herbs, the three thatched huts in the center, and the unnamed small hill adjacent to the garden, Han Li stroked his chin and smiled faintly.
The coldly beautiful woman at mid-Foundation Establishment had flown them here on a red ribbon. Once they arrived at her cave abode, this “Aunt Mu Peiling” asked whether he preferred tending the herb garden or learning pill refining with her. Han Li was momentarily taken aback.
After all, any cultivator with a sound mind would undoubtedly choose the latter.
But before Han Li could respond, the woman coldly explained that tending the garden was simple—just submit a fixed quantity of herbs annually, leaving plenty of time for cultivation. Outer disciples learning pill refining, while gaining access to advanced alchemical knowledge, had to meet monthly quotas, drastically cutting into their cultivation time. Thus, both options had pros and cons, and she told Han Li to think carefully.
Han Li was overjoyed and immediately chose the familiar task of tending the garden. This tailor-made assignment would allow him to cultivate openly without suspicion.
He had been wondering how to escape tedious chores and focus on cultivation. Now, everything had fallen perfectly into place. He and this herb garden were truly fated!
The coldly beautiful woman showed no surprise at Han Li’s choice.
She brought him here, had him take over from the previous female disciple tending the garden, left him a jade slip recording the water-attribute cultivation technique “Profound Ice Art,” and flew away with the former caretaker.
Now, this place belonged to Han Li.
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