"Only by perfecting the Inversion of the Phoenix and Cultivation of the Vital Essence technique can you succeed. Otherwise, once you lose your purity, all your previous efforts will be wasted. Therefore, until you reach the late stage of Condensation, I will not require you to share my bed. You may continue to maintain our current relationship. Of course, if you truly assist me in reaching the late stage of Yuan婴 (Immortal Infant), I can make a promise here and now: I will devote my full efforts to help you form your Yuan婴. With the dedicated support of a Yuan婴 stage cultivator, your own journey to forming a Yuan婴 will no longer be out of reach." Han Li stared steadily at Mu Peilin, speaking slowly and without blinking. These words were not empty promises. Once Han Li himself reached the late stage of Yuan婴, he could certainly go back and collect the Eight-Level Companionship Herb again, and re-refine the Nine-Curve Spirit Root medicine—highly beneficial for the formation of his Yuan婴. After all, at that stage, Eight-Level beasts would no longer pose a significant threat to him. Mupailing lowered her head, silently pondering for a moment, before lifting her face—like jade—toward Han Li and asked, "Sir, is it particularly slow to cultivate this Peak Cultivation Technique, or does it come with any lasting drawbacks?" You need only be at ease in preparing for your Qi Condensation stage. I will personally send you the necessary elixirs at the right time," said Han Li, his expression unchanged, as though he had long anticipated this woman's agreement. "Thank you so much, sir, for your great kindness! I understand the principle of repaying a drop of water with a spring's flow. I hereby commit my life to you, Master," said Mu Pei Ling, bowing formally. Her tone now carried a clear sense of determination. Clearly, at this moment, Mu Pei Ling had truly resolved to rely on Han Li, no longer hesitating or uncertain. After all, among the cultivators in the southern heavens, few—if any—could match Han Li's mastery of no less than three great cultivator-level techniques, especially in his kind treatment of his secondary consorts. Moreover, Mu Pei Ling was well aware that Han Li had already done her considerable favors. Without his earlier elixirs, not only would she have struggled to reach the Qi Condensation stage, but even at the Mid-Base stage, she might have remained stuck for a long time. This solidified her resolve, and she readily accepted Han Li's proposal without further hesitation. After admitting this, the relationship between the two seemed to have instantly grown closer. Whenever the young lady spoke to Han Li, there was a subtle warmth and intimacy in her demeanor. Han Li then patiently and kindly guided her through the details of the Condensation stage. Knowing the opportunity was rare, Mu Peilin listened intently, her eyes never blinking. Only after half a day of focused listening did she feel she had gained substantial insights and decided to leave. Though she still felt there were many areas needing further preparation, she realized she needed to return to her preparations. Han Li did not insist on keeping her any longer, merely adding a few more reminders before allowing her to return to Zifeng Peak. Yin Yue escorted her all the way out of the pavilion. When Yin Yue returned to the hall, Han Li was still seated, now holding a jade scroll in his hands, his consciousness scanning its contents. This was precisely the jade scroll recording the method for crafting the replica of the Seven-Flame Fan. "Master, are you truly going to support this young lady all the way through until the late Condensation stage?" "Yin Yue quietly approached Han Li from one side, speaking softly. "Is there anything amiss?," Han Li asked, drawing his divine awareness back and raising one eyebrow in query. "Not at all! I merely find it strange. Given the status of the master, it should not be difficult to directly appoint a female cultivator at the Ji Dan stage as a concubine. Why then does the master need to invest so much effort in this particular one?" Yin Yue asked, her gaze flickering with mild confusion. "Nothing significant. Over the years, I've observed that this woman possesses a good character and merits substantial investment in her development. This appointment as a concubine is not merely about leveraging her to help break through her current limitations. It is also about genuinely cultivating her into a capable assistant. Should I remain in prolonged meditation and seclusion, I will need someone close by to handle affairs on my behalf. As a senior disciple of Luoyun Sect, I cannot simply leave matters to the woman to manage her own cultivation in isolation. Wan'er is not someone who enjoys getting involved in sect affairs, and I suspect she would not wish to take on such responsibilities either." And I can clearly see that this woman is different from both myself and Wan'er—she is not one who wholeheartedly pursues the Way of Heaven. Once her cultivation reaches a certain stage, she will likely no longer be able to endure solitude. Thus, it would be perfectly suitable for her to manage affairs within the lower sect. "Han Li spoke calmly, pausing briefly before adding, "Of course, the most crucial point is that the Inverted Phoenix Cultivation Technique requires the woman to willingly cooperate. Without offering substantial rewards, how would a typical Ju-Dan stage female cultivator be willing to give up her well-established cultivation method and switch to an unfamiliar technique? I have been assisting her since her Ju-Dan stage, helping her cultivate and even potentially guiding her to form a Yuan-Ying in the future. Only then will she remain content. As she herself pointed out, without my active support, she might very well remain no more than a Ju-Dan cultivator for the rest of her life. So even though I may have harbored some intentions of using her, and she now loses only certain titles, the extent of what I've given her makes me feel truly at ease." After saying this, Han Li gently exhaled, and with a flash of spiritual light in his hands, the jade scroll vanished. "I see now that the master has such plans—indeed, I have not considered this thoroughly enough." Yin Yue tilted her head slightly and smiled warmly. "You won't be very busy from now on. I've already advanced to the mid Yuan婴 stage and intend to enter a period of closed meditation in a few days, fully refining the last trace of the Qianlan Ice Flame. Afterward, I'll begin to study the method of activating the Xitian Ding. As for all matters within the estate, they will still remain under your care." Han Li glanced at Yin Yue with a half-smiling, composed tone. "It is truly wonderful that the master has refined the Ice Flame all the way to its final stage." Upon hearing this, Yin Yue was first startled, then overjoyed, her face bright with excitement. "Yes, finally completed the first step of opening the great tripod. I'm not sure what conditions are needed next to fully unlock it. Well, I'm also feeling a bit weary now. Today, I'll rest a while and deal with any matters tomorrow." Han Li said calmly, then stood up from his seat and walked toward the bedroom. "But things have become urgent, so we've had to come all the way over." "Brothers, please don't be so formal! As cultivators, we merely need a little rest to recover fully. How could we possibly be a disturbance?" Han Li smiled, speaking with ease. "Then I'm truly at ease, Brother. In fact, just after you left yesterday, several colleagues from Gu Jian Sect and Bai Qiao Academy heard that you had returned to our sect and jointly sent us an invitation to gather for a meeting. Since you've only been with us at Lu Yun Sect for a while, you may not have had the chance to meet many of the friends from the other two sects. This is a perfect opportunity to make those introductions. After all, in many ways, our three sects share a common fate—our prosperity and hardships are intertwined. Moreover, Bai Qiao Academy will be hosting a ceremony tomorrow to formally present a newly crafted artifact, and they've scheduled the gathering for that very day. They've also kindly invited us, along with the senior elders from Gu Jian Sect, to attend the ceremony." "An artifact dedication ceremony. I recall Bai Qiao Academy has a strong reputation in the field of craftsmanship." "Could it be that this treasure is no ordinary thing?" Han Li was slightly surprised, his face showing a touch of interest. "The invitation doesn't mention this, but the one who has blood-pledged mastery is a young disciple from Baiqiao Sect, just recently achieved the True Elan stage. He's said to have exceptional potential—having reached the Golden Dan stage in less than a century. The elder masters at Baiqiao Sect have high hopes for him." Lü Luo interjected, flipping his palm and producing a golden invitation, which he then handed over. "Achieving the Golden Dan stage so quickly is indeed remarkable. Very well, I'll go with the two senior brothers tomorrow. I'm also curious now." Han Li smiled, took the invitation, and glanced at it casually before saying with a matter-of-fact tone. "Heh, it's certainly a blessing that you're willing to come, Brother. I've heard that the Grand Elder of Gu Jian Sect, Jin Wu-huan, has just emerged from his life-and-death trial." If I'm not mistaken, he has been in seclusion for no less than seventy to eighty years—originally at the mid Yuan婴 stage—and I'm not sure whether his cultivation has made a significant advancement since his return. Upon hearing that Han Li was willing to attend the gathering, Cheng Sheng felt pleased and smiled warmly. "The Grand Elder of Gu Jian Gate!" Han Li was momentarily stunned, but then a slight smile tugged at his lips, easing his heart. Suddenly, however, he glanced closely at the elder, his brows furrowing. "Cheng Sheng, I just used my spiritual awareness to examine your body, and it seems your condition isn't very favorable. Didn't you search in Zui Mo Valley for any elixirs that could prolong your life?" Han Li asked, expressing his concern. Upon hearing this, the elder couldn't help but smile sadly. "I didn't realize it until you mentioned it. Now I know—I'm only about ten years away from my final fate, and I could pass away at any moment. As for Zui Mo Valley, I did find a few treasures there, but none of them were elixirs specifically designed to extend life. It's simply fate." Yet, as cultivators, as long as we have not truly attained the Great Way, birth, aging, illness, and death remain part of the celestial cycle—there is nothing to regret. The Luoyun Sect will soon be entrusted to our two younger brothers." After speaking these words, the elder appeared calm, clearly having anticipated this moment all along.