After a meal, Han Li sat in the main seat of the pavilion of his dwelling, with three elder and one younger beauty standing on either side of him, all of them respectfully attentive. Upon returning to the dwelling, Mu Pei Ling and the other two women learned that not only had Han Li advanced to the late Yuan婴 stage, but he had also outperformed the other three senior cultivators, now ranking as the foremost cultivator in the southern region. This astonishing news left them astonished, and thus they grew increasingly respectful of Han Li. The woman of the Song surname stood still, speaking as she explained. "The Spirit-Phantasm Grass—have you not been planning to refine the 'Phantom-Extinction Pill' to help break through your current limitations?" Seeing the woman interject, Han Li, who had known her since before he achieved his infant stage of cultivation, found himself unable to continue further, but furrowed his brow and asked. "Master, I assure you—we indeed intend to prepare this very pill." This time, Liu Yu replied honestly. "If it's the Pill you're referring to, then you needn't search for any more Spirit-Phantasm Grass. I have a bottle right here. This kind of pill is not typically consumed in large quantities during a breakthrough phase—just two pills each for the three of you will be sufficient." Han Li casually pressed his hand against his waist, and a small green bottle floated to his palm before being gently tossed toward Liu Yu. The bottle, originally crafted by one of the immortal cultivators who had perished in Han Li's hands, had previously held no value for him. Now, it was being offered as a simple gesture of goodwill. Without thinking, the woman reached out to catch it, only then realizing The woman from the Song family and Mu Peilin were also delighted and stepped forward to express their gratitude. "Well, it's merely a bottle of elixir. This time I've come to you for something else—I have a few matters to assign to you." Han Li waved his hand, speaking with a matter-of-fact tone. "What would the senior uncles have me say, then?" the woman from the Song family replied respectfully. The other two women, seeing that Han Li had something to say, likewise became attentive and composed. "You should already know that I've always preferred not to interfere in the affairs of the sect. However, now that I hold the position of Grand Elder within the sect, I can no longer completely ignore what happens, and simply delegate all the mundane matters to your Master Lü. Therefore, I need a disciple to assist your Master Lü in managing the lower sect during my periods of meditation and cultivation. Liu Yu, would you be willing to represent me in handling some of these internal affairs? Of course, I won't let you waste your time—I will pass on several secret techniques and formulas to you, and bestow upon you a few precious items. With these, you will be able to stand out as Hehe, although you were initially forced to join my sect as a registered disciple, if you agree to this, I can formally admit you as one of my official disciples," said Han Li with a deeply meaningful tone. "Master, your words are truly true!" Upon hearing this, Liu Yu's eyes sparkled with brightness, and she asked immediately. "With my current status, would I ever speak to you merely in words?" Han Li smiled gently. "Then, disciple shall faithfully follow your command!" Liu Yu replied without hesitation. It remained to be seen whether what truly moved her was the growing influence within Luoyun Sect, or the prospect of becoming Han Li's official disciple—perhaps both factors stirred her heart. Satisfied, Han Li nodded. With a slight shake of his sleeve, a white jade appeared in his hands. He then retrieved a pair of green rings, a flaming ruler, and a golden flying sword from his storage bag, and presented them to her. Liu Yu took the jade scroll and treasures in both hands, gracefully bowed several times, her face glowing with excitement. Though the exact divine technique recorded on the jade scroll was unknown, merely these ancient treasures were enough—each one a marvel that she had never dared to imagine, fully satisfying her heart's desires. "Go see Brother Lü first," said Han Li. "I'll immediately send a message to him regarding this matter." Upon hearing this, Liu Yu promptly bowed and responded with respectful agreement before retreating. As soon as the woman had left the pavilion, Han Li flipped his palm, and a transmission scroll appeared in his hand. He spoke a few gentle words to it, then waved his hand, and the scroll transformed into a bright streak of flame, shooting forth and vanishing instantly. Everyone else remained silent, watching Han Li's actions without interrupting. "Also, I have another matter for you, Young Sister Song," said Han Li, turning his head slightly and softening his tone. "Please go ahead and tell me what it is," replied the woman without hesitation. "Actually, it's not something particularly major. I just hope that, during the coming years, when you recruit disciples within the sect, you can find me one disciple with an exceptionally strong innate consciousness. I'd like to personally take her under my wing and train her myself." After a moment's pause, Han Li said this with surprising sincerity. Though this lady had never heard of the "Yin Yuan Pill," given that Han Li spoke of it as a great cultivator, it was undoubtedly true. Upon hearing this, she beamed with delight, thanked him warmly, and accepted the jade bottle. After exchanging a few more words with the Song-family woman, Han Li sent her away from the pavilion and then turned his gaze to Mu Peilin. Mu Peilin felt her body tighten involuntarily; her previously lifted, graceful face lowered once more, and a gentle blush appeared on her pearl-like ear ornaments. "You've served as my concubine for nearly a century now," Han Li said, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, his tone gentle. "Yes, when you first joined me, I was only just successful in forming my prenatal spirit essence. Now, you've grown into a senior cultivator." Mu Peilin finally raised her head, speaking softly. "When I first joined you, I intended to use your virgin body to practice the Inversion of the Phoenix and Nourishment of the Vitality technique, so that I could gain support when I broke through the prenatal stage." But little did I expect that plans often fall short of reality. My cultivation from mid to late Yuan婴 stage unexpectedly advanced through alternative means, while the Dianfeng's Cultivating Technique proves effective only at the breakthrough from Yuan婴 stage. "Your intention, then, is to drive Pei Ling away from the Siby Peak?" Mu Peiling's face instantly paled, turning ashen. "Drive you away? Certainly not. However, you initially became my consort largely due to pressure from your family. Now that you've reached the Jiadian stage, no one can compel you anymore. I no longer wish to keep you here without clear reasons. On one hand, I fear I may be wasting your prime years; on the other, Wan'er is soon to be freed, and I must provide her with a proper explanation." At this point, Han Li paused. "What would you like to do with Pei Ling?" Mu Peiling asked, her lips tightly pressed between her teeth. "Simple. As before, I now offer you two options—choose one of them." "One path: I'll bestow upon you certain benefits to compensate for the years of hardship you've endured in refining the Dianfeng Peiyuan Technique, and then allow you to depart from the Zimu Peak, restoring your free status so that you may marry and settle as you please—after which we shall be entirely separate." "Given your current reputation, even if I personally advocate for your rightful claim and restore your noble standing, who in the southern heavens would dare to marry me again?" Mu Peilin smiled wistfully, murmuring softly. Upon hearing this, Han Li furrowed his brows slightly but remained silent, continuing: "Another path is equally straightforward: if you truly commit yourself to the path of cultivation and are willing to devote your entire life to it, I may continue to retain you at the Zimu Peak. Formally, you will remain my concubine, but in reality, I can treat you as my disciple and offer you guidance in cultivation matters. Of course, your own aptitude is quite commendable—I could even formally appoint Wan'er to take you as her disciple. After all, her cultivation techniques are inherently suited for female practitioners. With her as your mentor, you may find your progress more effective Of course, doing so might still generate some murmurs, but it would certainly minimize the unfavorable rumors against you," Han Li said calmly, gazing at the beauty of the woman. After hearing Han Li's proposal, Mu Peilin fell silent. Han Li did not press for a decision, as though he were not eager to prompt her to make a choice. "May I choose neither of the two?" the woman suddenly asked. "What does that mean?" Han Li furrowed his brows. "I would like to be your true concubine and stay by your side for life!" Mu Peilin said decisively after a moment of quiet reflection. "Truly as a concubine? That won't work," Han Li's expression changed, yet he shook his head. "Why not? Does Master think Peilin lacks sufficient cultivation or is not beautiful enough to be worthy of staying by your side?" Mu Peilin's face grew pale. "That's not exactly the case, but you already possess mid-stage Dan-shen cultivation—by no means a beginner-level achievement—and your appearance ranks among the top ten I've seen among female cultivators." Han Li sighed. "Then, why did Master so firmly reject her? Did he fear that Lady Nan Gong might not agree?" Mu Peilin asked. "Wan'er's matter is only one aspect. The primary concern, however, is that I am deeply committed to the path of cultivation and will often go into seclusion for decades at a time. If you achieve the Infant Elixir stage, that would be fine—your lifespan could reach a thousand years. But if you fail to reach the Yuan-Ying stage, merely by closing myself off a few more times, I fear you may never even have the chance to meet me again. We would simply be living separate lives. I don't wish to waste my heart and soul on this." Han Li paused, speaking with a touch of resignation. (Second update!) ------------ Tickets secured at the beginning of the month!