"Master, you... you're not serious, are you?" Yin Yue widened her beautiful eyes. "Whether you're serious or not, you'll find out soon. Now, summon those women here. With her level of cultivation, she won't be able to see through your fox-bodied form." Han Li gave a quiet, uncommitted command. "Understood, Master!" Yin Yue was full of doubts, yet respectfully replied. Han Li then turned and went to the main hall. After a cup of tea's time, Yin Yue entered gracefully, followed by Mu Peilin, who appeared somewhat worn out. It seemed that the woman had not been easy in the past few days. "Master, Miss Mu has arrived," Yin Yue said respectfully as she approached Han Li. "Understood. Go ahead." Han Li nodded calmly. "Then I shall retire," Yin Yue glanced at the woman beside her, smiled gently, and stepped out of the hall. "Respectfully, Master." After bowing respectfully, Mu Peilin remained silent, hands folded, as if entirely accepting whatever punishment Fu Lan might impose. Seeing this demeanor, Fu Lan slightly furrowed his brow and glanced steadily at the woman's strikingly beautiful face. "You should understand my purpose in summoning you. Your constant change of words and insubordination have left me, still newly advanced to the Yuan'ing stage, with an impression of arrogance and pretension among the immortal families. After all, it's not exactly a pleasant thing to publicly take a married woman's engagement and reduce her to a concubine. Naturally, with my current level of cultivation, both the Mu and Yan families will have no complaints, and I myself won't mind. Yet this does not mean I will tolerate your boldness. Have you come to realize that you may well be subject to my reprimand?" Fu Lan spoke with remarkable calm, each word delivered with quiet composure. "Please forgive me, Senior. Indeed, this matter has been quite bold on my part. Rather than marrying into the Yan family, I would be honored to serve as your concubine." The lady of the Mu surname raised her delicate chin, her face pale, and said, "Hmph! Since you've spoken of me as your concubine, I naturally cannot remain neutral, nor can I simply dismiss this so-called rumor. Otherwise, the immortal families would surely regard me, a newly appointed senior disciple of Luoyun Sect, as weak and easily manipulated—unable even to protect a junior female cultivator at the Foundation Stage. Moreover, I'm certain this rumor has now spread throughout the entire immortal realm. Then, what shall I do with you?" Han Li's gaze flickered gently as he spoke slowly. "The junior disciple has nothing to add. Whatever decision the senior master makes, Peilin will accept without complaint." The lady of the Mu surname bit her full lower lip and murmured softly. "Since the other cultivators now only speak of you as my concubine, I shall offer you two choices. First, you may formally serve as my concubine, yet in reality, serve as a maid under my command for twenty years, subject to my instructions. Once this matter has faded from public view, I will freely restore your independence." "But as a servant, a servant—I don't expect to offer you any assistance in your cultivation journey." Han Li spoke in a low, steady tone. "Then, what about the second option?" Upon hearing this, the lady with the courtesy name Mu frowned slightly, her expression tinged with disappointment, and lifted her head with a touch of urgency. "The second path, as you described, is to truly become my concubine, serving me faithfully from now on, never to abandon me. I won't be overly possessive or petty about my closest companion—I'll certainly offer guidance and advice when I'm in a good mood, especially regarding cultivation. However, I'd like to inform you in advance that to become my concubine, I will cast a divine sealing spell upon you. This will prevent you from suddenly changing your mind and betraying me. After all, today you've agreed to be my concubine; should you change your mind tomorrow, my private secrets might well be exposed to others." Han Li gazed steadily at her, speaking calmly. "I...," Mu Peilin looked slightly stunned upon hearing Han Li's words, her expression shifting between clouded and thoughtful, as if carefully weighing Han Li's qualifications. It seemed clear that she did not harbor much resistance toward becoming Han Li's concubine. "I know you've always held yourself in high regard, and even though I am a Yuan婴 stage cultivator, you never considered me your ideal match. But that doesn't matter—My friend, Mu, is also not my ideal partner. Yet none of this prevents me from taking you as my concubine. To secure my protection and to advance your cultivation journey, these sacrifices are not excessive. Over the years, you've come to know me well—my nature is neither harsh nor eccentric. Even under the restrictions of the Divine Spirit Seal, you will not suffer greatly, and you won't feel undervalued. Moreover, should you one day truly earn my trust, and the Seal is eventually lifted, that is quite possible. Otherwise, you may simply remain my maid for twenty years—time flies so quickly!" Han Li spoke indifferently, his gaze already shifted away from the young woman's face, as if he were entirely unconcerned about whatever choice she made. "Senior, could I possibly allow Pei Ling a few more days to consider?" The lady with the courtesy name Mu felt deeply unsettled. While she didn't wish to be constrained by others, she also couldn't bear to miss the guidance and support of a Yuan-Stage cultivator. Unable to make a decision, she only hesitated and said so. As for becoming Han Li's concubine, she truly had already come to this realization as Han Li had originally mentioned—she didn't find it at all unusual to serve as a consort to a Yuan-Stage cultivator. After all, if any Yuan-Stage master expressed a willingness to select a Juzhi-level female cultivator as a concubine, it would surely stir the interest of numerous young, beautiful female cultivators from various sects for a long time. "Agreed," Han Li nodded generously, showing no hesitation at all. "You may go down to the mountain now. Return in two days. By then, you should have enough time to make up your mind." He then summoned out the Silver Moon. After bowing and bidding farewell, Mu Peilin, slightly dazed, stepped out of the hall under the graceful guidance of the Silver Moon. A while later, the Silver Moon entered once again with a delicate grace. "Master, the two conditions you've proposed—well, they are truly rather..." The Silver Moon's eyes sparkled with a gentle, half-smiling expression. "Rather what? Do you find them demanding? This is precisely the opportunity I've been waiting for—she has a strong desire to pursue the Dao, and I also have a young, beautiful concubine." Han Li glanced at the Silver Moon with a composed demeanor. "Hardly demanding at all. Indeed, this young lady is deeply committed to her spiritual journey, yet she carries an air of lofty pride. It's quite difficult for Miss Mu to decide between the two. However, given the depth of your own secrets, it would indeed be essential to employ this divine sealing technique if we are to welcome her." The Silver Moon sighed softly, her tone serene. "Silver Moon, I've noticed you have a special fondness for this young lady," Han Li remarked suddenly, gazing closely at her alluring figure, somewhat surprised. "Indeed, Yet there was something about this woman's temperament that gave me a deeply familiar, warm sense of closeness—almost as if I had known someone very close before, someone with the same nature. It stirred a quiet sense of concern in me. "Silver Moon was momentarily startled, then smiled gently and said. Hearing this, Han Li nodded and said nothing further. Afterwards, Silver Moon, showing good judgment, did not mention the Mu-family woman again, but instead turned to discuss with Han Li the matter of how to refine and incorporate the Qianlan Bingyan flame—precisely what Han Li had been most eager to know about. "However, should I be honored to serve as your concubine, I would like to ask for a promise from you. As long as you agree to this condition, I am willing to have my consciousness restrained, remaining by your side for life." It was clear that the graceful, composed woman who had come twice now had already made up her mind. After taking a steady breath, she spoke calmly. "A condition? Please go ahead and tell me." Hearing this, Han Li's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated it all along. "I know you are not one to rush into things. Therefore, I would like to request that, after you take me as your concubine, you refrain from removing my Yuan Yin for the next thirty years. Right now, I am at a crucial stage of cultivation, and whether or not I succeed in achieving the Dan Stage depends entirely on this thirty-year period. My cultivation technique particularly values the purity of a maiden's body—this is precisely why I am so determined not to marry now. Once this thirty-year period has passed, regardless of whether I succeed in achieving the Dan Stage or not, I will formally begin to jointly cultivate the dual-path practice with you." Whether she found the condition demanding or simply As soon as she spoke, a gentle blush rose to her cheeks, making her appear even more alluring. "Thirty years! Hehe! Very well, I accept your condition." Upon hearing this, Han Li not only did not show any sign of dissatisfaction but, after a flash of bright eyes, immediately agreed without hesitation. "Ah... thank you so much, Master!" Mu Peilin, surprised by Han Li's enthusiastic acceptance, felt a sudden sense of wonder before brightening up and expressing her delight. "Within two days, I will formally inform the other two senior elders of my sect of my intention to officially take you as my concubine. However, since we will only begin practicing together after thirty years, I will establish a smaller branch dwelling on the three subsidiary peaks where you may reside and cultivate. Whenever I have time, I will visit you there to offer guidance." After a brief pause, Han Li added. "Yes, Peilin. I will follow your instructions entirely." Clearly satisfied with the outcome, the young lady readily agreed without further hesitation. "From now on, you needn't always address me as 'senior.' Simply call me 'Lord' or 'Young Master' will do. I'm only two hundred years old—though that may seem young compared to the thousand-year lifespan expected of someone of my rank." Han Li's expression softened slightly, with a smile that was half-amused, half-approving. He gazed at the graceful, bold woman once more, now with a more relaxed demeanor, and a quiet admiration shining through.