“Judging by the techniques and divine abilities you displayed today, when I captured you in the Void Sky Hall as a newly formed Core Formation cultivator, was it intentional to let me obtain the Jade Ruyi?” Han Li didn’t directly answer the woman but instead raised his eyebrows and asked.
Yinyue was momentarily taken aback by this question but soon smiled, her eyes shimmering with amusement.
“As the spirit of the Jade Ruyi, I cannot sustain flight with my host artifact for long. To leave the Void Sky Hall, I needed a cultivator to carry the Ruyi. When you subdued me, it was partly because I didn’t resist with full strength, and partly because breaking through the Void Sky Cauldron had severely weakened my cultivation. Even if I had fought desperately, I would have ended up in the hands of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Given the choice, I preferred falling into the hands of a Core Formation cultivator,” Yinyue explained with a smile.
“But I wasn’t the only Core Formation cultivator present—there were two others. Why did you choose me?” Han Li asked after a brief pause, his tone firm and unyielding.
“Are you referring to the Wu Clan youth and that ghost-path cultivator who died fighting over the Void Sky Cauldron?” Yinyue countered with a slight shift in expression.
“Exactly.”
“Them? I didn’t like them. One was eerie, reeking of ghostly energy, and the other was gaunt and hideously ugly. You may not be the epitome of grace, but at least you’re tolerable. Does that reason suffice?” Yinyue pursed her lips and smiled, her words hovering between sincerity and jest.
Han Li couldn’t help but feel both exasperated and amused.
“If you’re unwilling to speak frankly, I won’t press further. But I have one last crucial question. After I took the Jade Ruyi out of the Void Sky Hall, did you observe all my actions from within the storage pouch?” As he spoke, Han Li’s voice turned icy, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
“Indeed. I saw everything—your techniques, treasures, even that mysterious heaven-defying vial—with perfect clarity.” The woman’s smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
Though he had suspected as much, hearing it confirmed made Han Li’s expression darken. He stared coldly at the woman, silently weighing his options.
“Does Fellow Daoist Han intend to silence me? After all, if the major sects learned of such a treasure, you’d be hunted to the ends of the earth,” Yinyue remarked casually, unfazed by his icy demeanor.
Han Li’s eyes narrowed, sharp as blades.
“Since you’re fully aware of the consequences, why dare to speak so boldly? Aren’t you afraid I’ll destroy your host artifact? If your spirit perishes, there’ll be no leaks. Or do you have some trick up your sleeve, thinking I can’t kill you?” Han Li’s voice dripped with killing intent.
“With your current treasures and abilities, even at my peak before the soul seizure, I’d likely be no match for you. Now, after the soul consumption, my cultivation as an artifact spirit has weakened significantly. If we fought, my chances of victory wouldn’t exceed thirty percent. Moreover, my host artifact is in your hands—my annihilation is but a thought away.” Yinyue shook her head, speaking calmly about her own mortality.
Han Li snorted but said nothing. The woman continued, unperturbed, “The fact that you’ve restrained yourself from killing me outright already satisfies me. You may not be a paragon of virtue, but you clearly understand grudges and favors. Had I not blocked that fox demon’s attack earlier, you wouldn’t have given me the chance to speak so much, would you?” A faint smile played on her lips.
“Even if I grant you this chance, if you fail to convince me, I’ll still act. I won’t allow anyone who knows of the vial to exist outside my control,” Han Li admitted coldly.
“Good. That decisiveness aligns with my expectations. Only someone ruthless can survive long in the cultivation world. Had you been weak-willed, I wouldn’t have intervened earlier. After all, I don’t wish to pledge myself to a master only for them to perish immediately,” Yinyue said with appreciation.
“Pledge yourself as a master? What do you mean? Do you think a verbal oath will make me spare you?” Han Li scoffed.
“Of course not. I know your Emerald Swarm Sword lacks a spirit. I can transfer my primary soul from the ancient Ruyi treasure to temporarily serve as your sword’s spirit. This would not only enhance your bonded treasure’s power but also place my life entirely in your hands. As your sword spirit, any ill intent would be sensed by you instantly. Even with a physical body, I couldn’t stray far from you, so you needn’t fear me vanishing without warning.” Her eyes gleamed as she spoke, leaving Han Li stunned.
Han Li frowned, pondering for a long while before responding noncommittally, “Can an artifact spirit truly separate from its host? Even if possible, why would you willingly become my sword spirit? Don’t tell me it’s gratitude for taking you out of the Void Sky Hall.”
“Ordinary spirits, dull-witted, cannot leave their hosts. But I’m different. With my consent and your assistance, it’s entirely possible—though the separation will be agonizing. As for my motive, it’s simple: I don’t wish to remain a spirit forever. My willingness now is for future freedom.” She sighed softly.
“Explain further,” Han Li said, his expression easing slightly.
“My fragmented memories suggest that if I regain a body and cultivate a certain secret technique, the moment my host’s master ascends to the legendary Deity Transformation realm and crosses into another realm, I may gain true freedom. Until then, I’ll serve you. Should you perish prematurely, I’ll seek another master. But with that vial, you’re the most promising candidate. Hence, even if you hadn’t demanded it, I’d have volunteered.”
Han Li’s expression flickered between doubt and contemplation. Finally, he exhaled deeply. “True or not, this is the only way to control you. Since you’re willing to submit, I won’t refuse. But first, I’ll place a temporary restriction on you. Preparing a sword spirit isn’t a hasty task. One more thing—how far can you stray from your host artifact after possession?”
“Currently, only within a hundred miles. But as this fox body’s cultivation grows, the range will expand.” Delight flashed in Yinyue’s eyes at his acceptance.
“And if you exceed it?” Han Li pressed.
“My soul would be summoned back to the artifact. But don’t worry—I know a technique to seal my body safely in a spirit beast pouch. You need only release me for cultivation or tasks. In battle, I can aid you as either a spirit or in this fox form, as needed.”
Satisfied, Han Li nodded. “Good. Then I’ll first—”
“Wait! My spiritual power is exhausted—I can’t maintain human form!” Yinyue’s expression changed abruptly, cutting him off.
Silver light swirled around her, and before Han Li’s eyes, she shrank rapidly back into the small white fox, now draped in his oversized robes.
Suppressing a sigh, Han Li swiftly formed a hand seal, sending several green threads into the fox’s body to impose a temporary restriction.
“Later, I’ll hand you over to the Falling Cloud Sect disciples. Once we part, slip away—escaping Qi Condensation disciples should be trivial for you. I’ll wait for you along the way.” He lifted the fox by its scruff, speaking calmly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage