“What old monster? No one said that!” The girl, her face pale, forced a smile and hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look over.
Han Li chuckled lightly, not bothering to argue with the young girl. Instead, he turned a cold gaze toward the old man.
The old man’s face was equally panicked. He had no idea how much of their earlier conversation Han Li had overheard and inwardly cursed his misfortune. The prepared excuses he had in mind now seemed too risky to voice.
“To think you’d arrive so soon, Senior! This junior assumed it would take at least two more hours. I’ll fetch that book for you right away.”
Left with no choice, the old man steeled himself to face Han Li’s displeasure. Quick-wittedly, he brought up the Dao book, hoping to placate Han Li’s anger.
“Fine, go get it,” Han Li said coldly after staring at the old man with a piercing gaze for a moment.
The old man felt a temporary sense of relief. At the very least, it seemed Han Li wouldn’t vent his anger immediately.
The old man hurriedly agreed and made his way to the adjacent room. The girl, seeing this, also moved to follow, but the old man stopped her with a sharp look.
*Are you kidding me?*
If both of them went to the next room together, it would only provoke Han Li further, making him suspect they were up to some trick. The old man had already abandoned any unrealistic notions and was terrified of giving Han Li the wrong impression.
The girl pouted but stayed in the room, not daring to utter a word as she remained standing with Han Li.
The old man was remarkably efficient. In no time, he returned carrying a worn wooden box—the Dao book was likely inside.
“Senior, the concealment technique my granddaughter and I learned came from this book. Please take a look and see if it might be of some use to you,” the old man said respectfully as he approached Han Li. He gently opened the box, revealing a yellowish book that had turned dark with age, and handed it to Han Li.
The book was clearly an ancient artifact from a bygone era.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, glanced at the book in the old man’s hands, and nodded before accepting it.
Though discolored by time, the cover felt smooth and delicate to the touch, and surprisingly sturdy.
It was clear this wasn’t made from ordinary materials but rather from specially treated demon beast hide. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have survived for so long.
Han Li gently stroked the book for a moment, lost in thought, before slowly turning the pages.
After just a few glances, he frowned.
As soon as he opened the book, he was met with unfamiliar ancient characters. Han Li was certain he had never seen such symbols before, not even in the various collections of the Yellow Maple Valley.
Since he couldn’t read them, Han Li didn’t waste time and quickly flipped through the book.
On the last two pages, he finally discovered what seemed to be an unnamed formula added by someone later. This formula was written in a more common ancient script used in the cultivation world, which Han Li could easily understand.
Recognizing this as the concealment technique, Han Li focused intently on comprehending it.
After the time it takes to finish a meal, Han Li slowly closed the book, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The old man, who had been holding his breath the entire time, felt his heart pounding wildly again. He knew this moment would decide their fate—whether they lived or died depended entirely on Han Li’s whim.
Ignoring the old man’s nervousness, Han Li calmly took out a jade box from his storage pouch and carefully stored the book inside.
Then, he turned to the old man and said plainly, “I’ll keep this Dao book. Now, what would the two of you like in exchange? Tell me, and if possible, I’ll try to fulfill your request.”
Han Li’s voice was soft, but to the old man and the girl, it sounded like heavenly music.
They knew then that not only were their lives spared, but they might also gain something valuable. Joy and surprise washed over their faces.
“Senior, could you allow us a moment to discuss?” Once the immediate danger had passed, the old man couldn’t help but try to maximize their gains and quickly asked with an ingratiating smile.
Before Han Li’s arrival, the two had been too afraid of being killed to even think about what to ask for in exchange.
Now, caught off guard by Han Li’s question, they were unprepared.
Moreover, seeing that Han Li wasn’t the type to betray them ruthlessly, the old man gathered the courage to ask.
“Take your time, but don’t be too long,” Han Li said indifferently, waving his hand. He was in a good mood after acquiring such a useful technique and a mysterious ancient book.
“Thank you for your generosity, Senior! We won’t take long,” the old man said cheerfully.
He immediately pulled the girl outside, and the two began whispering intently.
Han Li smiled slightly at the scene. Although he could easily kill both of them, he prided himself on not being a ruthless villain. Unless necessary, he wouldn’t go back on his word.
After a while, the old man and the girl returned with peculiar expressions, seeming somewhat uneasy.
Han Li found this strange but asked anyway, “Have you two decided?”
“Senior, we’ve discussed it. My granddaughter doesn’t want any material possessions, but she has a presumptuous request she hopes you can grant!” After hesitating for a moment, the old man gritted his teeth and said something that surprised Han Li.
“What request?” Han Li frowned and asked slowly.
For some reason, he suddenly had a feeling that trouble was coming.
The old man hesitated again until he saw Han Li growing impatient. Then, he mumbled vaguely:
“Well… the truth is, my granddaughter deeply admires your profound cultivation and powerful techniques! She… she wishes to become your disciple and serve by your side from now on. I hope, given her sincerity, you might consider taking her in as your student.”
As soon as the old man finished stammering this out, the girl quickly dropped to her knees before Han Li and kowtowed firmly. Caught completely off guard, Han Li was first shocked, then amused.
*Take on a disciple? Is this a joke?* He was still struggling to ensure his own survival in the cultivation world—how could he possibly take on a burden like this? There was no way he would agree.
That said, although he hadn’t thoroughly examined the girl’s aptitude, it seemed quite good. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have reached the sixth level of Qi Refination at such a young age. He himself had only reached that stage by frantically consuming pills.
It seemed a pity to let a girl like her waste her life among low-level cultivators. Even if he couldn’t take her as his disciple, he could introduce her to a master. Her mischievous demeanor actually appealed to him!
He clearly remembered that Elder Ma, that short old man, still hadn’t taken any disciples.
After Han Li had moved out of the Hundred Herbs Garden, he had met Elder Ma once, and the latter complained about having to tend the garden himself again, wishing he had taken on a well-behaved disciple.
This girl was clearly sharp and intelligent. If her aptitude was indeed good, it wouldn’t hurt to recommend her to Elder Ma. Whether Elder Ma would be satisfied or willing to take her in was none of his concern.
As Han Li pondered this, his thoughtful expression made the old man and the girl think he was seriously considering taking her as a disciple, and they grew excited.
“Come here, let me check your spiritual roots,” Han Li said calmly, gesturing to the girl after snapping out of his thoughts.
“Yes, Senior!” The girl replied obediently and gracefully walked over to Han Li. She offered her fair, delicate wrist, a hint of shyness in her expression.
Han Li reached out with his right hand, gently holding her jade-like wrist, and let his spiritual power flow slowly into her body. After a short while, he released her.
“Twin spiritual roots—truly excellent aptitude!” Han Li murmured, staring at the girl’s face.
Hearing this, the girl and the old man beamed, thinking Han Li was about to agree to take her as his disciple.
But then Han Li’s tone shifted abruptly. “Unfortunately, I don’t take disciples. Otherwise, with your aptitude, you would certainly qualify.”
His words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over the two, leaving them stunned and speechless.
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