“Become my disciple? I don’t take disciples. And do you think I would accept a Foundation Establishment female cultivator as a follower? Out of consideration for our past connection, I’ll overlook your rash behavior this time. Take care of yourself!” Han Li coldly rejected the beautiful woman who had suddenly appeared before him, his expression indifferent.
“Senior! I—” The woman surnamed Mu panicked upon hearing Han Li’s words and hurriedly tried to speak again. But with a light flick of his sleeve, a sudden gust of wind sent her stumbling, forcing her unspoken words back down her throat.
By the time she steadied herself, Han Li had already vanished without a trace. Left standing alone, her face filled with despair, she remained motionless for a long while, unwilling to leave just yet. After all, this suddenly appearing “Senior Han” was the only lifeline she could grasp at the moment.
Meanwhile, Han Li had already reappeared inside his stone cave abode, heading straight for the insect chamber where nearly ten thousand golden-armored Gold Devouring Beetles were stored. These were the evolved offspring of the original Silver-Gold Devouring Beetles, successfully hatched over twenty years ago.
The silver markings on their shells had now diminished to mere pinpricks, barely visible unless examined closely. This indicated they were just one step away from full maturity—both exhilarating and slightly disappointing for Han Li.
Even so, the power of these near-mature beetles had astounded him. Once, he had pitted a hundred of the tri-colored Gold Devouring Beetles against the same number of the newly evolved golden ones. Within moments, the tri-colored beetles had been completely devoured by their larger counterparts.
These new beetles far surpassed the tri-colored ones in both devouring capability and physical resilience. As they neared maturity, they began exuding a terrifyingly ferocious aura and developed an insatiable appetite for blood, their brutality a stark contrast to their former nature.
Han Li was certain that without the control restrictions he had placed on them beforehand, these insects would have turned on him without hesitation. Even so, he sensed subtle signs of rebellion. If they evolved again, ordinary control methods would likely fail against their unrestrained savagery.
Despite these concerns, Han Li followed his usual method, isolating the largest of the golden beetles to accelerate their maturation, hoping to push them toward the legendary fully mature state seen only in ancient times.
However, judging by the increasingly lengthy intervals between their evolutions, the final step would likely take over a century. This delay was not unwelcome, as it gave him time to devise a better method of control.
Lost in thought, Han Li stored the beetles away before moving to the medicinal garden. There, he carefully transplanted the Spirit Eye Tree and the Nine-Curve Spirit Ginseng, both now nearly as tall as their original forms.
The Nine-Curve Spirit Ginseng had recovered most of its vitality after Han Li replenished its energy with the green liquid, despite the toll taken by recent pill refining.
As for the Spirit Eye Tree, after years of accelerated growth, it was nearing the stage where it would produce its precious sap. Han Li eagerly anticipated concocting large quantities of Bright Spirit Water to cleanse his eyes, curious about the divine abilities it might unlock.
Aside from the spiritual insects and medicinal plants, Han Li left the rest of his miscellaneous belongings untouched, departing the cave without further delay.
As he flew over the garden, he glanced down and saw the woman surnamed Mu still standing there, staring resentfully toward the stone mountain, unaware of his concealed presence overhead.
Han Li shook his head slightly. Resolving such matters would be trivial for him, but as the newly appointed Elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, he had no desire to appear domineering. After all, both the Mu and Yan families were prominent cultivation clans in the Xi Kingdom.
Given his superficial relationship with the woman, he had no reason to intervene. He couldn’t possibly involve himself in every plea from former acquaintances within the sect.
Family disputes held no interest for him.
Silently, Han Li left the Falling Cloud Sect and arrived at the mountain where his new cave was located. Parting the misty barrier, he headed straight for the central peak’s new abode.
After settling the spiritual insects and medicinal plants, he entrusted the cave’s affairs to Silvermoon and immediately entered seclusion to refine his nascent Spirit Infant.
During this time, the silver-haired elder and his companion, aware of Han Li’s need for undisturbed cultivation, refrained from disturbing him.
A hundred days later, Han Li successfully solidified his Spirit Infant and achieved initial unity of mind and form. Now, when his Spirit Infant emerged, he could effortlessly control its every movement.
Upon exiting seclusion, he found Silvermoon—transformed into her human form—waiting respectfully outside. However, her expression held a trace of peculiarity.
“What is it? You seem to have something to say. Did something happen?” Han Li frowned.
“Master, half a month after you entered seclusion, that Mu woman came looking for you again. She’s been waiting on a small hill outside the subsidiary peak for several days now,” Silvermoon replied, suppressing a smile.
“Such audacity. Let her wait if she pleases. I won’t invite trouble upon myself,” Han Li said coldly, his expression unreadable.
“But, Master, shortly after her arrival, we received two message talismans—one from the Mu family and one from the Yan family. Since you were in seclusion, I preserved copies for you. Would you like to see them?” Silvermoon’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
“Message talismans? From the Mu and Yan families? Related to that Mu woman? You’ve already read them, haven’t you? Is there an issue?” Han Li stroked his chin, feigning indifference.
“Hehe! Master truly has foresight. But there’s no need for me to explain—you’ll understand once you read them. You’ve got a bit of a predicament,” Silvermoon chuckled.
“Hand them over.” Han Li extended his palm, unwilling to speculate further.
Silvermoon produced a red and a white talisman, handing them over with a graceful motion.
Han Li accepted them and activated both in succession, his consciousness delving into the glowing orbs. Moments later, his expression shifted from shock to fury.
“Hmph! That woman has some nerve. Does she truly believe that just because she was once my nominal senior for a few years, I’d tolerate such nonsense?” His voice turned icy.
“She must know this would anger you. But though she hasn’t interacted much with you, she likely sensed you aren’t truly heartless. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared seek protection from a Nascent Soul cultivator in the first place. Besides, even if punished, she’d probably prefer it over becoming that Yan fellow’s cultivation partner,” Silvermoon analyzed, barely containing her amusement.
“Yet she had the audacity to tell both families that I’ve taken her as my personal concubine! Now the clan heads are scrambling to apologize, with the Yan family immediately annulling their engagement, pleading for my forgiveness. If she’s bold enough to do this, she must be prepared for the consequences,” Han Li said irritably, shooting Silvermoon a sidelong glance.
“Master’s meaning is…?” Silvermoon blinked in surprise.
“What, is it strange for a Nascent Soul cultivator to take a concubine? And given her exceptional beauty, as a normal male cultivator, why not turn this farce into reality and experience dual cultivation?” Han Li stretched lazily, a cold smirk playing at his lips.
“But Master has always avoided such entanglements. You’ve rejected similar advances before—like with Miss Wen, and even earlier—” Silvermoon’s bewilderment was evident as she bit her lip.
“The past is the past. Back then, I hadn’t formed my Nascent Soul and was still weak. Naturally, I had no interest in such distractions. If I encountered Wen Siyue now, I wouldn’t let her go so easily.” Han Li’s tone was eerily calm, as if he meant every word.
Silvermoon was left speechless, staring at him in stunned silence.
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