After hearing the woman’s explanation, Han Li finally gained a general understanding of the Wood Spirit Infant he had restrained. This thing was somewhat similar to his Soul-Crying Beast, as both were artificially refined spiritual entities. However, judging by their ability to devour the souls and nascent souls of cultivators, they were clearly far more ferocious—at the very least, his Soul-Crying Beast from before couldn’t even compare.
Han Li’s thoughts churned, but his words took a sudden turn as he abruptly said something that left Liu Yu stunned: “Those Six-Winged Frost Centipedes you command are quite extraordinary. Where did you obtain them? Under normal circumstances, given your cultivation level, it seems unlikely you could possess such ancient spiritual insects. Did none of your fellow disciples or so-called uncles and elders covet them?”
“Senior recognizes these spiritual insects as well? This junior found several ancient eggs of these insects in the abandoned cave of an ancient cultivator. Initially, I thought they were dead eggs and impossible to hatch, but by chance, a few managed to hatch after I brought them back. However, the elders of my sect said that although these insects are an ancient variant and possess boundless supernatural abilities once matured, raising them is extremely difficult. Even under ideal conditions, it would take over a thousand years for them to grow fully. Thus, no one bothered to covet them. This junior also felt that their abilities in their juvenile stage were already quite formidable, so I never considered replacing them with other spiritual insects.” Liu Yu replied with a mix of surprise and doubt, wondering why the other party was inquiring about these insects. Could someone of his cultivation level actually be interested in these centipedes? Even though a Nascent Soul cultivator could live for a thousand years, it was unlikely they would invest the effort to raise Six-Winged Frost Centipedes—such a long time was simply too costly.
While Liu Yu was still puzzling over this, Han Li glanced at her and uttered words that made her heart race: “I’m very interested in your Six-Winged Frost Centipedes and have a way to advance them by one or two stages in a short time. I wonder if you’d be interested in making a trade with me,” Han Li said calmly.
“Senior, whatever you wish this junior to do, please speak freely,” Liu Yu replied, her bright eyes shimmering as she smiled with a charming yet coy expression.
Yet Han Li seemed indifferent to her demeanor and merely continued in a detached tone: “I can help you accelerate the maturation of these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes, but any eggs they produce must be handed over to me—I have other uses for them. Additionally, I’ve heard that the Beast Control Arts of the Spirit Beast Sect are quite unique. I wonder if you’d be willing to share some insights.”
“Beast Control Arts?” Liu Yu’s smiling expression froze instantly.
High-level secret techniques for controlling insects and beasts were among the most closely guarded teachings of the Spirit Beast Sect. Leaking them to outsiders would be tantamount to treason. Even though Liu Yu had already resolved not to defy Han Li, hearing this request still made her face pale, and she inwardly groaned in distress.
“Senior must know that unauthorized disclosure of sect techniques is punishable by soul extraction and refinement. If this junior were to reveal the secret arts to you, how would Senior intend to deal with me afterward?” Liu Yu asked uneasily, her gaze fixed on Han Li.
“Once I obtain the eggs and the techniques I seek, you may leave freely—I won’t hinder you in the slightest. As for whether you return to the Spirit Beast Sect or seek refuge elsewhere, the world is vast. Surely you can find a place for yourself?” Han Li replied nonchalantly, as if discussing a trivial matter.
Liu Yu’s expression flickered between uncertainty and resignation. After a long pause, she bit her lip and forced a bitter smile. “Senior makes it sound simple, but this junior knows her own situation all too well. If I were to become a rogue cultivator, I’d never have a chance to form a Nascent Soul in this lifetime. Moreover, now that I know Senior’s identity and origins, how could Senior truly let me leave so easily? I fear death would still be inevitable.” Her voice was laced with despair as she laid out her reasoning.
“Then what do you propose? Do you want me to swear a blood oath, or are you trying to blackmail me?” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of anger.
“Blackmail? How could this junior dare? I merely seek a way to protect myself,” Liu Yu shook her head, regaining her composure.
“How do you intend to protect yourself?”
“If Senior does not find it beneath him, this junior wishes to formally become your disciple. Would Senior be willing to accept me?” Liu Yu lowered her head and spoke words that left Han Li momentarily stunned.
“Become my disciple?” Han Li was genuinely surprised.
“Indeed. With Senior’s cultivation, guiding this junior would be more than sufficient. Only under Senior’s protection would I dare to disclose the Spirit Beast Sect’s techniques without reservation. Otherwise, even if Senior spared me, the sect would hunt me down for the rest of my life.” A trace of fear flickered across the white-robed woman’s jade-like face.
Han Li frowned slightly, tapping his fingers lightly against the armrest of the stone chair beside him as he pondered.
“If you’re saying this, I assume you’ve never taken a master in the Spirit Beast Sect. But have you considered how your family would react? After all, the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Devil Path are hostile factions. Are you certain about this?” Han Li stroked his chin, speaking unhurriedly.
“This junior advanced from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation entirely through my own fortune and never formally acknowledged a master. As for my family, it matters little—by my generation, the Liu Clan had only a handful of cultivators left, and now I am the sole survivor.” Liu Yu replied steadily.
“If that’s the case, then joining me for self-preservation isn’t impossible. However, let me make this clear: I must place a Soul Restriction on you. Beyond that, I won’t interfere much with your cultivation. In short, you can be my nominal disciple and join the Falling Cloud Sect to cultivate independently. Do you still wish to proceed?” Han Li asked with a faint, enigmatic smile.
“A restriction is only natural, given my past affiliation with the Spirit Beast Sect. As long as Senior can guarantee my safety, this junior will harbor no complaints. As for guidance in cultivation, I’ve already been fortunate to escape death once—I dare not ask for more.” Liu Yu seemed to understand the mindset of ascetics like Han Li and agreed without hesitation.
Hearing her ready acceptance, Han Li fell silent for a moment, his eyes flickering with an unreadable light before he finally nodded. “Very well. Since you’ve agreed to these terms, I won’t go back on my word. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to the other two elders of the Falling Cloud Sect. From then on, you’ll assume a new identity within the sect.”
“Many thanks, Senior, for your magnanimity.” Liu Yu’s heart eased, knowing her life was truly spared, and she quickly bowed in gratitude.
“Return to your quiet chamber for now. Later, I’ll apply the Soul Restriction and lift the seal on your spiritual power.” Han Li waved his hand, dismissing her.
Liu Yu thanked him once more before respectfully exiting the hall.
A yellow light flashed on one of the hall’s walls, and Yin Yue materialized out of thin air.
“What, you haven’t reverted to your original form yet?” Han Li glanced at the woman before him, his tone indifferent.
“This servant’s fox form has grown stronger than before, so the transformation lasts a bit longer. But Master, do you truly intend to take her as a disciple? I recall you’ve never been fond of taking disciples, fearing too many karmic entanglements would hinder your cultivation. Are these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes really that important to you? Otherwise, if it’s just the Beast Control Arts you seek, you could simply use Dream Induction to extract them by force.” Yin Yue tilted her head slightly, her voice laced with curiosity.
“You’re right—I must have those Six-Winged Frost Centipedes. Tell me, at the current rate of refining one wisp of the Dry Blue Ice Flame at a time, how long do you think it’ll take to fully assimilate all of it?” Han Li leaned back, his expression relaxed.
“I’m not sure, but at least…” Yin Yue was taken aback by the question and hesitated, unable to give an immediate answer.
“To be honest, refining a single wisp requires a year’s recovery time. To fully master all the ice flames would take over two hundred years—far too long. The frost emitted by these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes can significantly shorten that time and even enhance the Dry Blue Ice Flame’s potency.” Han Li spoke calmly, raising both hands and extending a finger from each.
Under Yin Yue’s astonished gaze, white and blue lights flickered at his fingertips. A snow-white frost flower and a brilliant blue ice flame materialized, floating delicately in the air, exquisitely beautiful.
“This…” Yin Yue gasped softly.
Han Li exhaled lightly, and a wisp of azure mist enveloped the frost and flame, dissolving them into shimmering starlight that intertwined. A low rumble followed as a dazzling blue-white radiance burst forth, and within the mist, a small violet bird took shape, its wings fluttering as it circled gracefully.
Observing the finger-sized violet bird, Han Li’s face revealed satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with a hint of excitement.
“Yin Yue, do you remember the Asura’s Sacred Flame that the old demon Xuan Gu once used?” Han Li exhaled slowly and suddenly asked.
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