“As you command, Young Master!” Mu Peiling’s face flushed slightly as she replied in a soft voice.
“Go back and pack your things, then choose a subsidiary peak to establish your cave residence. This is the restriction token for the nearby grand formation. Carry it with you, and you’ll be able to freely enter and exit the formations I’ve set up. Once everything is settled, I’ll place the Soul Restriction on you, and only then will you officially become my concubine. However, let me be clear—I don’t care if you had any past lovers or sweethearts. Once you become my concubine, you must sever all such ties completely. If you maintain any lingering connections, don’t blame me for being merciless. If you regret this now, it’s not too late to back out.” Han Li’s bold gaze withdrew as he pulled out a purple jade token from his robes and placed it on the table, his voice turning cold.
“Peiling has devoted herself to cultivation since childhood, focusing solely on her training. How could I have any sweethearts? Moreover, since I’ve made this decision, I will never waver.” The coldly beautiful woman extended her delicate hand without hesitation and deftly took the token.
Han Li nodded without further comment, then summoned a giant ape puppet and instructed it to escort Mu Peiling out of the hall.
Upon seeing the puppet, the woman’s eyes flickered with surprise—both at the puppet’s formidable appearance and at the absence of the white-robed maid from before. However, she knew better than to pry into such matters and obediently followed the puppet out of the cave residence.
“Master, if you intend to take this woman as a concubine as punishment, why agree to the thirty-year condition? Do you have other plans?” As soon as the coldly beautiful woman left, a seemingly empty corner of the hall shimmered, and Silvermoon emerged, now in her white fox form.
“Of course I have plans. Even if she hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have touched her before she forms her Golden Core,” Han Li admitted calmly.
“Oh? Why is that?” The white fox leaped onto the table in front of Han Li, her dark eyes darting playfully, her snow-white fur making her look utterly adorable.
Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly, seemingly in good spirits. Instead of answering immediately, he retrieved a pink jade slip from his waist and placed it on the table.
“Do you remember the storage pouch I took from the Six Paths Young Master? This jade slip was inside. After studying it, I found it contains several demonic dual cultivation techniques.”
Silvermoon blinked in surprise, glancing at the jade slip and then back at Han Li, her expression puzzled. She knew he would explain further.
Sure enough, Han Li traced a finger over the pink jade slip and said leisurely, “The other techniques recorded here are nothing special—slightly stronger than ordinary dual cultivation methods, but not by much. However, two of them are truly extraordinary. One is the ‘Dragon Attraction Art,’ suitable only for Core Formation cultivators. It allows male cultivators to absorb the primal yin essence of female cultivators with special aptitudes, rapidly boosting their cultivation. However, this technique harms the women, draining their vitality, so practitioners typically keep many concubines. The Six Paths successor we encountered, surrounded by Foundation Establishment female cultivators, must have practiced this art. Otherwise, even with exceptional talent, he couldn’t have reached late Core Formation so young—he didn’t have a miraculous vial to accelerate spiritual herbs.”
“The other technique, the ‘Phoenix Nurturing Origin Art,’ is designed for Nascent Soul cultivators. Unlike the Dragon Attraction Art, it requires a Core Formation maiden to cultivate it. Once she masters the technique, the male cultivator can seize her primal yin at a critical moment to forcefully break through cultivation bottlenecks. Of course, this requires the woman’s full cooperation and a sufficiently high cultivation level.”
“Dragon Attraction Art! Phoenix Nurturing Origin Art! Are such powerful dual cultivation techniques real, or is this exaggerated?” The little fox blinked, skeptical.
“At first, I thought the same—how could such potent techniques be unheard of? But then I saw the names of their creators at the end of the jade slip, and I became mostly convinced,” Han Li sighed.
“Ah! Could it be…?” Silvermoon gasped, as if realizing something.
“You guessed right. These techniques were created by the Six Paths True Sage. Since he reached late Nascent Soul stage and is hailed as the foremost demonic cultivator in the Chaotic Star Seas, these techniques must be formidable and effective. Otherwise, his successor wouldn’t have carried them so closely,” Han Li said gravely.
“Master, are you planning to have her cultivate…?” The white fox tilted her furry head hesitantly.
“Exactly. I intend for her to practice the Phoenix Nurturing Origin Art after forming her Golden Core. Then, when I face a bottleneck, I can attempt it. After reaching Nascent Soul, the scarcity of pills makes cultivation painfully slow. Just look at how most Nascent Soul cultivators remain in the early stage, with only a handful reaching mid-stage. Breaking through bottlenecks is incredibly difficult. So, regardless of whether this method works, I must try it.”
“Unfortunately, according to the jade slip, this dual cultivation breakthrough method only works the first time. Subsequent attempts are ineffective. Of course, the woman also gains some benefits, though not as much as the man. Otherwise, do you think I’d bother taking a concubine for no reason?” Han Li shot the fox a sidelong glance, smirking.
“So that’s it! I thought Master had developed a sudden fondness for women after forming his Nascent Soul,” Silvermoon teased, relieved.
Han Li’s expression remained neutral.
“Though I’ll place a Soul Restriction on her, it’s best she remains unaware of the cave’s secrets for now. While the restriction lets me control her life, human hearts are unpredictable. Just because I treat her well doesn’t guarantee her loyalty. I’d rather be cautious than betrayed. This ‘Aunt Mu’ is clever, but I’ll observe her for a while. If she proves truly devoted, I won’t mistreat her—I’ll even aid her cultivation. After all, I have plenty of low-grade pills to spare. And since you’re skilled in stealth, keep an eye on her when I’m in seclusion,” Han Li instructed impassively.
“Yes, Master! I’ll monitor her closely during your cultivation,” Silvermoon agreed obediently.
“Good. Thirty years should be enough to judge her character. I hope she doesn’t disappoint me,” Han Li murmured, his voice darkening at the end.
Days later, when Mu Peiling returned to the mountain, Han Li placed the Soul Restriction on her and gifted her Foundation Establishment pills. Stunned and overjoyed, her beauty blossomed like a flower, and she adopted a submissive, affectionate demeanor, fully embracing her role as a concubine.
When the silver-haired elders learned of Han Li’s new concubine, they came to congratulate him and even gifted Mu Peiling top-grade magical tools. Han Li smiled politely and thanked them.
Thereafter, Mu Peiling settled on a subsidiary peak near Han Li’s main residence. Under his guidance, she began taking pills and secluding herself for cultivation. Han Li, meanwhile, frequently visited the elders’ caves to humbly seek advice on Nascent Soul cultivation. The two elders, genuinely welcoming him, shared their knowledge unreservedly, greatly benefiting Han Li. He felt his earlier decision had been wise.
Months later, the Spirit Eye Tree in the medicine garden began producing sap, delighting Han Li. He immediately followed the recipe obtained from the disheveled cultivator to refine “Bright Spirit Water.” Despite initial failures, his mastery of pill-making soon allowed him to perfect the technique, and subsequent batches came easily.
Now, in the pill chamber, Han Li toyed with a small vial of freshly refined Bright Spirit Water, his eyes gleaming as he pondered. Soon, resolve flashed across his face. He opened the vial with one hand while the other glowed blue, drawing out a shimmering liquid that floated toward his forehead. It halted inches away, hovering motionless.
Han Li squinted at the liquid silently before suddenly exhaling a misty azure light that enveloped it. The fist-sized water shimmered, and two hair-thin blue strands shot into his eyes. Instantly, his eyes burned, then turned icy cold. Shivering, he clenched them shut.
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