"I have no choice, but that doesn't mean I'm not setting any conditions at all!" Zhixin's eyes flashed. "Then, please, state your conditions, if you have any." Han Li smiled, as though unconcerned. "It's quite simple. As for the content of the transaction, I'll follow exactly what you've proposed—I'll reveal to you the wonders of my true body and immortal form. In return, you will allow my spirit to freely dissipate into the heavens and earth, entering the cycle of reincarnation. Should I be reborn, there's a chance I may become one of your human beings. However, the method of the transaction must be as I propose. Otherwise, I would rather see both my true body and spirit perish here than willingly hand over everything to someone else and become a mere puppet." Zhixin seemed to have carefully considered this matter and delivered a long, uninterrupted speech. "What method exactly?" Han Li asked directly. "I will use my innate secret technique to divide my spirit into two parts. One part will carry my primary consciousness, while the other will contain a portion of my memories." "First, let most of my immortal spirit depart. As long as you truly uphold your word, my remaining spirit will naturally reveal the secret to you. Then, once you have obtained what you seek, return my residual spirit to the cycle of rebirth. In that way, you will have no lingering concerns, and I can confidently share with you whatever you wish to know." Zhixin spoke calmly and evenly. "But having no concerns? That doesn't necessarily follow! You've already lost half of your immortal spirit. What if, later on, you suddenly change your mind and decide not to tell me? Then wouldn't I end up with nothing—having failed to secure what I wanted?" Han Li's mind stirred, though he merely shook his head outwardly. "When I was captured, I was already severely injured. Even if I hadn't ended up in your hands, I would have inevitably been seized by others sooner or later. Thus, I don't harbor any deep resentment toward you. I certainly wouldn't risk half of my immortal spirit just to preserve a body that's now useless. After all, who knows what problems might arise when a fragmented immortal spirit undergoes rebirth?" Zhixin said with remarkable composure. Han Li ran a hand over his chin, then studied Zhixin carefully from head to toe, and suddenly smiled, nodding firmly. "Very well. I'll go with your proposal exactly as you've described." "You really agreed so simply?" Seeing Han Li's prompt and decisive acceptance, Zhixin was momentarily taken aback, his expression revealing a touch of surprise. "Is there any other method you'd prefer?" Han Li smiled gently. "No, I thought you'd need considerable time to consider even after agreeing." Zhixin said slowly. "What's there to think about? Honestly, the fact that I managed to capture you was itself a pleasant surprise. What more could I possibly need to worry about?" Han Li said with evident intention. Upon hearing this, Zhixin's expression shifted slightly, but he remained silent. "Good. How long will it take you to perform the Splitting of the Primordial Mystery Technique? Don't tell me it will take decades—or even centuries." Han Li asked again. "Of course not. It won't take that long, but it will still require a considerable amount of time." Within roughly one year, this secret technique can be completed. However, during this period, you must release certain seals binding me. "One year," said Zhi Xian, his expression serious for the first time, speaking with genuine earnestness. "That's the time I'll grant you, and I'll remove most of the seals on your body. But I urge you not to have any other intentions. Should you do so, the remaining seals will become even more refined and powerful. If, under these circumstances, you still manage to escape, then I shall consider myself at fault." Han Li replied calmly. "Before I was captured, my body already bore old injuries that had not fully healed. Now, I can only barely contain them. How could I possibly have any strength left to escape?" Zhi Xian smiled wryly upon hearing this. Han Li listened quietly, chuckling without further comment, yet suddenly flicked his fingers in his sleeve, sending forth two floral spirits—one golden and one silver. Zhi Xian's eyes flashed with silver light, and he immediately focused his attention. To his astonishment, the two flowers revealed themselves as a golden beetle and a small silver firebird. Both were no larger than a thumb, radiating a brilliant glow, as if crafted entirely of pure gold and silver. "The Gold-Feeding Insects," the silver phoenix, was nothing remarkable. But upon seeing the true form of the golden beetle, Zhixian's face instantly paled, and she gasped in surprise. "Ah, you too recognize this spirit insect. Then this is even better. Since you understand its prowess, I believe you will no longer harbor any intentions of action." Han Li smiled lightly and raised his hand, lightly pointing at the golden beetle and the silver phoenix in the air. Instantly, both creatures drifted gently toward Zhixian. Zhixian's expression changed several times, her face growing increasingly pale. How could she not know the prowess of the Gold-Feeding Insects? This one, in particular, was a mature specimen. If not for its body being sealed in place, she would have already turned and fled. As for the silver phoenix composed entirely of flame—though the other party had not explained its nature—its ability to be released alongside the Gold-Feeding Insects suggested that, while perhaps not quite as formidable, it was certainly no less impressive. Yet, as the two objects approached her lips, Chi-Xian merely paused for a moment's thought, then bit her teeth and opened her mouth. Instantly, the golden beetle and the silvery phoenix flashed past, vanishing into her mouth together. Han Li smiled faintly, then extended his hand and made a sweeping gesture toward Chi-Xian's body. A series of sharp rushing sounds followed, and dozens of silver filaments shot out from her body, only to vanish into her sleeves at once. Then, as a cascade of incantations poured forth, a vibrant, multicolored glow surged from her skin, transforming into a series of five-colored talismans that dissolved into the air. Observing this, the silver light in Chi-Xian's eyes rippled and flowed, and at that very moment, a strong purple radiance surged over her body. Her face, which had previously been a deep green, gradually lightened, and the purple tendrils on her limbs flickered, finally transforming into ordinary human hands and feet. "Well," she murmured, "it truly is no surprise—such celestial and terrestrial treasures. Even after sustaining such severe injuries earlier, she has now fully recovered on her own." Han Li chuckled. "You have a medicinal garden here, don't you? I'll anchor my true form within it. With the spiritual essence of nearby herbs flowing around me, I'll be able to complete the technique of dividing my spirit a bit faster." Chi Xian, however, was remarkably direct. "Of course we do. Come with me, friend." Her words precisely matched Han Li's expectations, so he nodded and replied immediately. After a brief hesitation, Chi Xian followed. As soon as they stepped out of the stone gate, a woman stood silently to one side, radiating a subtle coldness—precisely the spirit puppet, "Baby," summoned by Han Li through his divine awareness. Upon seeing Han Li emerge, the woman bowed immediately, then rose again as motionless as before. Han Li nodded silently, saying nothing, and strode forward toward the herb garden. "Really? Then I'll take my share as well." Chiqian nodded immediately, her form shifting slightly as she stepped forward and swiftly took up position in front of Han Li, then continued on her own toward the deeper parts of the herb garden. Han Li smiled gently, walking calmly beside her—without any urgency—while the child followed silently behind. As she walked, Chiqian constantly scanned the various sections of the garden. In just a short while, a look of mild astonishment appeared on her face. The medicinal herbs throughout the garden were not only rare, but half of them were over ten thousand years old. The rest—thousands, even several thousand years old—were abundant and easily found in clusters. The air throughout the garden was thick with the rich, fragrant aroma of herbs. For an ordinary mortal to spend just a short while here, even if they didn't immediately live longer, they would surely be free of most illnesses. Intrigued, Chiqian now resolved to examine every corner of the garden, so even after passing through the central area, she continued on toward the front. Han Li, observing the scene from behind, remained utterly unmoved, merely following calmly. The herb garden was so small that, within moments, Zhi Xian was about to reach the far end along the central path. Yet at that very moment, a flash of white light appeared—a half-shaku-sized object suddenly leaping out from one of the medicinal plants beside her. Twisting gracefully, it then jumped into the herb garden on the other side of the path. To Han Li's astonishment, it was a large, translucent, snow-white jade rabbit. Indeed, it was the white rabbit formed by the spirit of his nine-curved, immortal ginseng root. "Is this possible?" Zhi Xian gasped upon recognizing the creature, her body trembling as she exclaimed, her face glowing with astonishment and delight. "Are you surprised, then? Did you never see any other beings taking on such forms before?" Han Li was somewhat taken aback, speaking unexpectedly from behind. "Of course not." We usually conceal our true forms deep within remote, rugged places, and with so many natural predators, we barely possess any strength to resist. Among the countless medicinal herbs, we wonder if even one can miraculously awaken its spiritual essence. "Zhi Xian said hurriedly, then quickly followed the path of the white rabbit that had just vanished. After walking and turning several times, they unexpectedly discovered the nine-curved ginseng rooted in a secluded corner of the medicinal garden. The white rabbit, formed from her spirit, was calmly chewing on a thick root stem that had appeared from somewhere within the garden, devouring it with great gusto. When she saw Han Li and the others approaching, she merely glanced at them with a composed, ruby-like gaze, as if unbothered, and continued eating without a care. The timid, mouse-like demeanor she had displayed before Han Li was now completely gone. Han Li, seeing this, rubbed his forehead, finding himself both amused and a little helpless.