"Please sit!" The Lìfēng beast settled gracefully into a chair. Han Li said nothing, simply taking his seat across from the immortal cultivator. "Forgive me, Master Feng. I haven't yet asked your name. I am Feng Xi." The Lìfēng beast half-closed his eyes, speaking gently. "My name is Li," Han Li hesitated, then said slowly. "Ah, so you are Master Li. I'm sure you must have some questions. In truth, if any human cultivator appeared before me, even though I am not of the sea clan, I would likely dispatch them with a single paw—there has never been much harmony between humans and our immortal beings." Feng Xi stroked the silver crown atop his head, speaking with a mixture of amusement and mildness. "Then, what special quality do I possess in your eyes, Master Feng?" Han Li felt a chill run through him, and smiled bravely. "You're only at the Jin Dan stage, mid-phase, yet you've dared to venture so deep into this region—your skill in concealing your qi must be truly remarkable!" Feng Xi's eyes flashed with green light, and he spoke slowly. "Concentrative Qi Technique?" Han Li was momentarily startled, suddenly recalling an unnamed formula from the unknown scroll. "Indeed, your Qi cultivation method seems familiar to me—I've seen it before at the home of an old friend. Yet it's strange that this technique should be a closely guarded secret passed down by my friend. As a human cultivator, how could you be practicing it?" Wind Xi asked with a look of curiosity. The reason the other party had not yet acted was due to the nature of their cultivation technique. Hearing this, Han Li was completely taken aback, his face expressing genuine astonishment. Feng Xi observed Han Li's expression without saying a word, and instead, with a simple hand motion, produced a delicate golden vase on one palm and a refined white jade cup on the other. Then, he lifted the vase and poured a vividly green liquid into the jade cup, instantly filling the entire hall with a rich, fragrant aroma of wine. The humanoid beast took a deep breath, his face glowing with rapt attention, yet with a gentle flick of his finger, the jade cup glided smoothly and came to rest before Han Li. "Please, Li Daojun, try Feng's specially crafted Green Flame Wine. This is a true spiritual wine, crafted only once every hundred years. It offers subtle enhancements to one's cultivation level—perhaps, just perhaps, it will help you break through your current bottleneck," Feng Xi said, looking steadily at Han Li with evident intention. Han Li was startled at first, glanced down at the liquid in his wine cup, and felt a deep sense of awe. The other could already see that his cultivation was stuck at a bottleneck—such insight indeed indicated great prowess. Yet, Han Li found it hard to believe that this very wine could enable him to break through that very bottleneck. He had consumed countless pills designed to refine his cultivation. If such pills could facilitate breakthroughs, he would have long since mastered the Ninth Layer of the Qingyuan Sword Technique and would not be waiting until now. Moreover, without knowing the other's true intentions, how could he dare to drink the wine casually? As these thoughts flowed through him, Han Li's expression grew hesitant. The cold light in the Liefeng Beast's eyes flashed, as though it had read his mind, and its demeanor suddenly grew serious. "Are you afraid I've made some move in the wine? Do not forget, I could have taken your life with a mere flick of my fingers!" Wind Xi said coldly. "You are quite right, Master. Yet I still wish to understand the true reason behind your decision not to kill me." Otherwise, I'd rather be more cautious." Han Li's face paled slightly, but upon glancing at the wine cup before him, he forced himself to continue. The intent behind the other's request to drink the wine became increasingly clear, and Han Li's doubts grew stronger. Feng Xi seemed slightly surprised, his expression then turning cold, and an eerie, somber aura emanating from him. Han Li's heart skipped a beat; his true energy instantly encircled the dried blue ice orb within his abdomen, and he stared at Feng Xi with cautious vigilance, remaining silent. After a while, Feng Xi furrowed his brows slightly, then smoothed his expression, saying, "It seems I've truly misunderstood Li Daojun's good intentions." Pausing thoughtfully, Feng Xi then spoke in a steady tone. "This jade-flame wine is not only difficult to prepare, requiring a century of time, but also must be made using a fully-formed stage immortal beast's essence as its primary ingredient. Moreover, only our Leifeng beast clan possesses the unique ability to brew this wine. Other immortal cultivators, even if they have the recipe, cannot successfully transform it into wine due to their inherent aptitudes. To me, this wine is merely sufficient to satisfy my palate. Yet for a cultivator of Dao Master Li's stage—having just reached the Jiandan stage—it may well stimulate the body's True Energy, thus breaking through the current bottleneck in cultivation. Of course, I have chosen to offer such a precious wine to Master Li primarily for my own sake. I require Master Li's Wood-type cultivation technique to accomplish an important matter. However, my current Jiandan stage—mid-level—is still rather low. Even for ordinary cultivators who reach the late Jiandan stage, it still falls short of what I need. Yet your technique is truly exceptional, with a depth of Qi far surpassing that of peers at the same level. Thus, it has at least provided some assistance. Naturally, should Master Li insist on refusing this wine, the consequences would be clear to you, wouldn't they? Feng Xi knew that if he failed to explain everything clearly, the other would not willingly comply. So he simply stated the above. Han Li listened to these words, his face changing several times before he finally, with a dry voice, asked again. "If I drink this wine, I still won't be able to break through my current bottleneck?" "Ha! Then Li's friend will prove entirely useless. As for my Bìyàn Wine, which is difficult to prepare, I'll have to settle for your life in exchange!" Feng Xi sneered, yet calmly stated the matter. Though Han Li had already anticipated the outcome, hearing this still caused his face to flush slightly. "Very well, I'll drink!" After a brief pause, Han Li collected his composure, took a deep breath, and said. Feng Xi immediately beamed with satisfaction. Han Li raised his hand and struck the table—upon contact, a flash of green light appeared, and the clear green liquid in the wine cup instantly flowed like a stream of water into his open mouth. Han Li didn't even taste the wine; it simply flowed directly into his stomach. "Excellent. I knew Li's friend would make the wise choice." "Follow me, I've already prepared the quiet chamber," Feng Xi said with a satisfied smile, then stood up and walked toward a side gate. Han Li, without a word, calmly followed. Under Feng Xi's guidance, Han Li made several turns and finally reached a massive red stone wall. Upon closer inspection, Han Li was amazed to find that the glowing red wall was actually carved from an enormous coral reef. As he was still puzzled, Feng Xi gently pressed his hand against the coral wall, and instantly a bright white light flashed—revealing a doorway about ten paces wide. "The refinement of this spirit wine should take place within the chamber," Feng Xi said, pointing at the opening with a composed tone. "I estimate it will take no more than six months. By then, I will release the seal and allow you to leave." Han Li glanced at the opening, remained expressionless, and stepped through. By this point, any further words would be entirely unnecessary. As Han Li stepped inside, the entrance behind him instantly vanished. Outside, only Feng Xi remained. Standing in place, Feng Xi did not immediately depart. Instead, he gazed at the crimson coral walls, his face glowing with an unusual excitement. A moment later, a flash of white light and he disappeared into thin air. Then, Han Li scanned every corner of the room with his divine awareness, finding no exploitable weaknesses. Frowning slightly, Han Li opened his eyes, a glint of cold light flashing in them. After a moment's thought, he stepped down from the jade bed and walked directly to a wall of the chamber. He gazed at the coral wall for a while, then raised one hand and extended a single finger. At once, a brilliant, piercing blade of jade-green light surged from his fingertip, several inches in width, flickering and shimmering.