"It's merely a matter of a simple gesture!" Han Li glanced at the woman several times, spoke calmly, and then turned to walk away without any hesitation or delay. This action left Yuan Yao, still shaken from her near-death experience, pale and stunned. She quickly set aside her composure and asked, "Brother Han, what do you mean? I have not yet properly thanked you for saving my life!" The woman's delicate voice and frail demeanor evoked deep sympathy. Yet Han Li did not turn around. A cold, composed reply came through. "There's no need for your gratitude. I can only save you for a moment—I won't be there for the rest of your life. Good luck, Miss Yuan!" With these words, Han Li walked swiftly, covering over ten paces before stopping. Upon hearing this response, Yuan Yao's pale face grew even more alarmed. Given her current condition, she barely had the strength to resist the intense heat—let alone face any further threats from the iron-fire ants ahead. It was absolutely impossible to let go of Han Li, this very lifeline! So she called out to him again and again in a soft, pleading tone, yet Han Li paid no attention and gradually faded into the distance. As her appeals seemed to fall on deaf ears, her face grew increasingly anxious. Finally, she settled on the very thing Han Li had expected. "Hold on! If my friend will protect me on the way ahead, I am willing to offer you precious treasures—without any waste of your magical energy," she said, her teeth clenched firmly. "Precious treasures?" Han Li paused, his form still, as though hesitating. "I still have a few pieces of Qinghuo Lightning. I would be honored to give them all to you," she added, seeing that Han Li now showed some interest. "The green orbs you mentioned just now? Indeed, quite remarkable." Han Li slowly turned around, his expression tinged with a touch of amusement. Since he had just saved her, he certainly had no intention of simply abandoning her. Moreover, his reason for saving the other person harbored some subtle intentions, which he merely employed as a tactical retreat earlier. Now that this lady has proactively requested his assistance, his purpose has been fully achieved. From here on, he will surely demand more—likely, the other party will only have to endure it with a sigh. Yuan Yao, this graceful lady, clearly understands this well! Whether it was the life-saving grace of Han Li earlier or the need to secure his continued protection in the future, she had no other choice but to face her resignation and continue explaining to Han Li. "The Qing Fire Lightning is a special type of fire lightning developed by the Qingyang Sect of the Magian school. Each one requires a substantial amount of rare materials and takes an exceptionally long time to craft. Its power rivals that of a Yuan婴-stage cultivator's Yuan Yang Fire. I currently have three left—I shall generously present all three to my esteemed friend." With a slightly composed expression, she extended a delicate, snow-white hand, and three luminous, smooth, emerald orbs rested quietly in her jade palm. At this point, Han Li had neither impatience nor urgency, and returned calmly. Glancing at the three orbs, he spoke quietly, "This Qing-Huo Lei truly is a rare treasure. Yet, solely on the basis of this item, I would not risk myself. Carrying an extra burden here would cause my magical energy consumption to at least double. Would Yuan Dao-you be willing to take such a risk?" His words carried a subtle undercurrent of irony. Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao's facial expression shifted, her mood wavering for a while before suddenly brightening into a graceful, charming smile. "Then, Han brother, what conditions do you have? Please state them plainly. I no longer wish to circle around. Might it be that you'd like me to pledge my body to you?" As she spoke, she subtly twisted her waist, her full, lush chest rising with poised elegance, her eyes glistening with a soft, dreamy glow, transforming into a most alluring presence. Han Li, witnessing her such a captivating beauty, was momentarily taken aback. But then, she narrowed her eyes, gazing appreciatively from head to toe at the full-bodied beauty, her unabashed gaze leaving the young maiden flushed and blushing. Yet her eyes grew all the more luminous and captivating, as if deeply enchanting right to the very depths of one's heart. "With Yuan's exquisite appearance performing her charm, the effect is truly remarkable! Yet it proves of no use to me. My friend, you'd be better off conserving your last reserves of spiritual power to ensure your survival." Han Li stroked his chin, his eyes flashing with intent before speaking calmly. "Hmph! What a crude, unrefined man—completely unaware of the art of tender care and appreciation!" With the mask of grace finally shed, the beautiful woman's alluring charm vanished, and she spoke with growing irritation. "Miss Yuan, you must not say that. Were it not for the perilous circumstances of the Xutian Hall, I would certainly not hesitate to respond to your charms. But now, ahem…" Han Li said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You really think so?" "If it weren't for just now, right here, I'd have never thought you'd make me fall for you." Yuan Yao's eyes widened, fixed firmly on Han Li, her voice full of resentment. "Then it seems Han has truly mistaken his audience. If that's the case, I shall not accept Yuan's offer of affection, nor will I expect any gratitude for the life-saving favor. I shall now be on my way." Han Li, as if deliberately provoking the young woman, bowed formally and made clear his intention to continue on. "Brother Han, please don't be angry—it's all my fault. Just tell me exactly what you need, and I'll do everything to help you reach the molten path. Yuan Yao promises to see that it happens without fail! Can't you consider our long-standing friendship, going back over a hundred years, when we first faced the ghost mist together, and lend me a hand? As for gifts, besides these few grains of green fire lightning, I really don't have much else to offer." Seeing this, Yuan Yao immediately softened her tone, her voice now delicate and pleading. Though Han Li still maintained a faintly amused expression, he found himself somewhat surprised inside. This Yuan Yao truly is adaptable and versatile—her image shifts so effortlessly! Now, with her soft, pleading demeanor, so weak and delicate, contrasts sharply with her earlier, mature and alluring fox-like grace, and even the initial impression of her cold elegance and lofty demeanor. All these have given him several distinct impressions—quite strange indeed! It seems that this female cultivator, having progressed from Qi Stage to Condensation Stage over a span of over a hundred years, is no ordinary feat. Thinking thus, Han Li adopted a thoughtful expression. Yuan Yao’s bright eyes were anxiously fixed upon him, filled with anticipation. Only after a while did he lift his gaze, struggling to speak: "Since Yuan Miss has mentioned that brief encounter over a hundred years ago, if I were to fail to protect my friend, I would indeed appear cold and indifferent. However, my principle has always been to work for tangible returns. Should Yuan Miss truly wish to survive and proceed through the molten path with me, then I shall request the possession of that Ti-Hun Beast. I am particularly curious about its ability to absorb souls and transform them into ghosts!" "After all these twists and turns, Han Li finally stated what he most desired from this young woman—what he had been planning from the very beginning. With this unique creature, he would gain an extra measure of confidence when collaborating with Xuan Gu. Moreover, looking ahead, the potential of the Ti-Hun beast was truly remarkable. "Do you want the Ti-Hun?" Yuan Yao listened carefully and her eyes widened in surprise, as though she couldn't quite believe what she had just heard. "Then why not?" Han Li's expression darkened, his tone slightly cold. "I give you the Ti-Hun, and you'll take me out of the molten path?" Yuan Yao stared at Han Li, asking each word deliberately, her expression now somewhat unusual. "Exactly!" Han Li furrowed his brows but affirmed with confidence. He sensed something was off with her reaction. "Very well. Then it's settled. The Ti-Hun beast is yours." At that very moment, as soon as Han Li had affirmed his certainty, Yuan Yao immediately unfastened one of the spiritual beast bags at her waist and handed it to him without hesitation—showing not the slightest hesitation. This scene made Han Li blink, feeling a bit uneasy. He couldn't help but sense that Yuan Yao seemed eager to present the Ti-Hun Beast to him right away. Was there something troublesome about the Ti-Hun Beast? Though he pondered this thought, Han Li ultimately maintained his composed expression and accepted the bag with a steady hand. With a subtle awareness, he observed that the Ti-Hun Beast was peacefully sleeping within. Han Li nodded, fastened the bag at his waist, and was about to speak when Yuan Yao opened her mouth and a gray-black bead emerged, falling into his palm. "This is the Ming-Hun Bead, the very item used to control the Ti-Hun Beast," she said. "As long as you fully integrate it into your ordinary法宝 through the process of refining a regular artifact, the Ti-Hun Beast will be yours forever." "I haven't known this beast for very long, and haven't yet fully refined it into my own essence. Now, if you simply erase the traces of my divine awareness that remain upon it, that will be sufficient," Yuan Yao explained with a gentle smile, handing the pearl over to Han Li.