“Stay by my side?” Han Li touched his chin upon hearing this, appearing somewhat surprised.
“Of course, I know that with my current cultivation level, staying by your side would be a burden. But I believe I have some talent in the Dao of formations and spatial abilities, which might prove useful to you. Moreover, the innate Phoenix Yin Qi within me could be of great help in breaking through your bottlenecks. Once I safely recover my cultivation, I am willing to transfer this Qi to you, Brother Han.” Frost Li’s face flushed slightly as she spoke.
“What? You mean…”
“Brother Han, don’t misunderstand. Our Frost Phoenix lineage has a secret chamber where we can extract the innate Phoenix Yin Qi without resorting to dual cultivation. Of course, the effect is slightly weaker than the former method, but it should still be sufficient to aid you.” The silver-robed woman quickly regained her composure and spoke calmly.
“The Frost Phoenix lineage actually possesses such a secret technique? In that case, I may indeed require your assistance later. Very well, Fairy Feng may stay by my side to cultivate. However, there are some matters we must clarify beforehand to avoid any regrets.” Han Li’s surprise faded quickly, and after a moment of contemplation, he spoke solemnly.
“Brother Han, please speak your mind!” Frost Li replied without hesitation, sensing Han Li’s willingness to agree.
“First, staying by my side does not guarantee absolute safety. The impending demonic calamity, for instance, is a great tribulation even for beings like us at the Body Integration stage. I cannot guarantee we will survive it unscathed. Second, I have secrets I cannot share with others. If you truly wish to stay, you must follow my instructions in all matters, whether cultivation or otherwise. If you find such constraints unacceptable, you are free to leave. Lastly, as a demonic being, you may need to pose as my concubine or maid in the presence of others, which may slightly tarnish your reputation.” Han Li laid out his conditions methodically.
“The demonic calamity? Though I know little of it, I assume both humans and demons will be affected. Even if I don’t stay by your side, nowhere else would be truly safe. With my current cultivation, joining a major faction would likely relegate me to cannon fodder. Staying with you seems far safer. As for the rest, I will naturally defer to your judgment. As for posing as a concubine or maid—given your current status, many clans and rogue cultivators would vie for the chance to have a Core Formation or Nascent Soul female cultivator by your side. Why would I mind such a trivial matter?” Frost Li chuckled, entirely unbothered.
“Since Fairy Feng has considered everything, I agree. Take these pills for now. Until the Myriad Treasures Convention concludes, you may cultivate in this chamber. Once we return to my cave abode, I will arrange a proper cultivation site for you.” Han Li flicked his storage bracelet, producing several jade bottles of varying colors, which he tossed to Frost Li.
The silver-robed woman caught the bottles, opened them one by one, and scanned them with her spiritual sense, her face lighting up with delight.
“Brother Han actually possesses so many spirit-enhancing pills! With these, my original cultivation level may soon be restored.”
“Rest assured, Fairy. While I may lack other resources, pills for the Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages are well within my means. If you require anything, simply ask. The higher your cultivation, the greater the benefit of your innate Phoenix Yin Qi to me. To survive the demonic calamity, I may need to utilize it before the tribulation arrives.” Han Li smiled faintly.
“Brother Han need not worry. Frost Li is not ungrateful and would never hinder your plans.” The silver-robed woman smiled radiantly.
Her originally ethereal beauty suddenly bloomed with dazzling charm, like a hundred flowers in full bloom, leaving Han Li momentarily stunned as he gazed at her.
Sensing the admiration in Han Li’s gaze, Frost Li’s jade-like cheeks flushed slightly. She bowed gracefully and said, “Since Brother Han has agreed, I shall take the pills and begin cultivating immediately. The sooner I recover my power, the sooner I cease to be a burden.”
“Very well. I must also take stock of the treasures acquired at the convention. Fairy Feng may cultivate undisturbed in this chamber.” Han Li’s gaze cleared instantly. With a slight nod, he turned and exited the chamber.
Watching Han Li disappear behind the door, the silver-robed woman’s eyes shimmered with an unreadable light. After a long sigh, she opened a pill bottle, swallowed a fiery-red pill, and sat cross-legged on the cushion Han Li had previously occupied, beginning to refine the medicinal energy.
Meanwhile, Han Li appeared in another chamber of identical size not far away.
Seated on the floor, he pinched a nearly transparent golden pill between his fingers, examining it with narrowed eyes.
“Truly worthy of its legendary reputation. I hope it lives up to its fame when breaking through bottlenecks.” Muttering to himself, he carefully returned the pill to its bottle and stored it away.
Next, spiritual light flickered in his hands as two items materialized: a golden scroll and a golden pouch.
The scroll was one of the three exchange items from the Blood Light figure, while the pouch was the second treasure Han Li had obtained from the Black Domain.
Han Li tossed the golden scroll into the air, letting it hover at low altitude, and focused instead on the golden pouch. He loosened its opening, and a buzzing sound erupted as a series of green streaks shot out.
In a flash of green light, twelve small green wooden rods, each a few inches long, darted around the chamber as if sentient.
Han Li formed a hand seal with one hand and reached out with the other, uttering a low chant.
The sound of slicing air filled the chamber as five streaks of green light shot from his fingertips, dispersing into countless green threads that wove into a dense net, enveloping the entire space.
The twelve wooden rods writhed like trapped fish within the net, unable to escape the layers of green threads.
With a light chuckle, Han Li retracted his fingers, tightening the net and pulling the rods toward him. With a deft motion, he plucked one from the air and examined it closely.
The rod was emerald-green, adorned with intricate silver runes, but what truly astonished him was the pure, dense spiritual energy radiating from it.
“Indeed, the legendary ‘Spirit Gathering Stakes,’ crafted from Spirit Eye Wood into twelve embryonic forms. What extravagance! If I can fully refine this set, the speed of absorbing spiritual energy could increase by half.” Han Li murmured, stroking the rod thoughtfully.
After a moment of contemplation, he tossed the rod back into the net. With another hand seal, the green threads coalesced into a beam of light, wrapping the twelve rods and returning them to the pouch.
A tap of his finger sealed the pouch tightly.
Storing the pouch away, Han Li turned his attention to the golden scroll. With a wave, he summoned it into his hand.
It felt cool to the touch, with the slight elasticity of brocade.
Blue light flickered in Han Li’s eyes as he scrutinized the scroll inch by inch. After a long while, his brow furrowed.
The scroll appeared seamless, with no gaps whatsoever. Even his Brightsight Spirit Eyes could only perceive a golden glow, unable to penetrate its secrets.
Han Li’s lips twitched. Taking a deep breath, he released a powerful spiritual sense, sending a strand toward the scroll.
But the moment it made contact, a tremendous suction force erupted from the scroll, devouring the spiritual sense instantly. Had he not reacted swiftly, the force might have even tugged at his primordial soul.
Staring at the distant scroll, Han Li took a moment to steady his shock. Realizing its stubborn nature, he pointed a finger at it, summoning a green light thread that slashed toward the scroll.
A crisp *clang* echoed as golden light flared on the scroll’s surface, deflecting the attack without a single scratch.
Han Li’s expression darkened.
Given his Body Integration cultivation and the sharpness of his Emerald Swarm Sword, few things in the Spirit Realm could withstand his strikes. Yet this scroll remained unharmed, its material undoubtedly extraordinary. No wonder the Blood Light figure had been so reluctant to part with it, insisting on its extraordinary origins.
But if neither spiritual sense nor brute force could breach it, another approach was needed.
As he pondered, his gaze fixed on several golden runes that had surfaced on the scroll after the strike.
These were none other than Golden Script Spirit Words—previously hidden within the scroll but now revealed.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage