"Thank you, Blood Spirit brother, for this compendium. However, some of the contents recorded therein conflict with the cultivation techniques I have been practicing. In particular, the secret arts..." After only a brief moment, Han Li had roughly scanned through the jade scroll, then shook his head and placed it back on the table. "Indeed, I wonder—aren't your primary cultivation techniques based on the Confucian Canon?" Blood Spirit's expression shifted slightly, her tone filled with mild skepticism. After all, Han Li's second prenatal stage clearly indicated mastery of a highly advanced magical cultivation method. While it was not unheard of for cultivators to simultaneously practice two fundamentally opposing techniques, such a case among the human race was truly rare. "That's not exactly the case. I have previously cultivated a unique mental awareness technique. In fact, if I were to fully develop the blood soul cultivation path, it would actually present significant hindrances to my future progress." Han Li replied calmly and simply. "Given that your second prenatal stage has already reached the late Liangxu stage, I would expect you to possess other soul-nexus secret techniques beyond the blood soul method." Otherwise, the auxiliary immortals we cultivate would fall short in their spiritual awareness, and their overall capabilities would generally be inferior to the main self. As for me, a body formed from a single thread of blood soul, I only possess the spiritual power of a Lingxu initial stage. Given this, I shall retrieve this item first." Hearing this, Xue Ling did not appear surprised. With a simple sweep of her sleeve, she truly returned the jade scroll. "The blood soul technique and the second immortal body each have their own strengths. At least, my second immortal body, having separated from the main self for as long as my friend has, would likely have encountered serious complications by now." Looking at the lady in imperial court attire, Han Li smiled and said. "Indeed. The blood soul technique, historically employing special blood refinement secrets to cultivate the soul's awareness, does not fear the body's potential counter-reaction. Otherwise, the blood crystal sage who established this technique would not have achieved such renown." Xue Ling smiled gracefully. Han Li listened silently, merely chuckling softly. "By the way, upon hearing Master Han's words earlier, I have a few questions I would like to ask you. Though the Blood Spirit lineage has preserved only a limited amount of the original memories, anything I know will be gladly shared with you." The lady's expression grew serious as she spoke. "Are all the matters you wish to inquire about events from the lower realm?" The lady paused, seemingly surprised. "Is there something amiss, then?" Han Li's gaze flickered, as though slightly puzzled. "Far from amiss! If you wish to learn about the human realm, Blood Ling may have little to offer." The lady sighed with a gentle smile. Han Li's brow naturally furrowed, yet he did not press further. He knew the lady would eventually provide an explanation. Indeed, after a serious expression, the lady continued: "It is not that Blood Ling is being deliberately vague. In my memory, there is simply no section pertaining to the human realm. My knowledge of the human realm consists only of a vague, general impression." "How could this have happened? Could it be that during the time of your sealment in the Blood Soul, you lost your memories of the human realm?" Han Li asked, somewhat puzzled. "Not exactly lost. Rather, when the original essence of the master was passed on, that particular section of memory was never copied at all." "The lady spoke with great confidence. 'What is the reason for this?' 'Well... even the Blood Spirit itself does not know.' The lady in court attire grew somewhat embarrassed. Han Li's mouth twitched slightly, but he ultimately said nothing more. The lady in court attire felt deeply uneasy, yet she had another matter to discuss with Han Li this visit, so after a moment's hesitation, she spoke again with a somewhat unusual expression: 'I also have a matter that remains unclear. I'm not sure whether I should bring it up.' Han Li had been completely at a loss—his own question had gone unanswered, while now she was asking him about something entirely new. Yet on her face, he saw no sign of surprise or hesitation. Instead, he smiled calmly and said, 'Please go ahead and ask me anything.' 'Then I shall be bold enough to ask. May I inquire, Master Han, whether during your time on the Human Plane, you received any artifact that has a connection to the Blood Spirit itself? When I first saw you several days ago, I immediately sensed a very familiar presence emanating from you.'" Though unable to recall specifics, there was a deep, intuitive sense that this item was exceptionally significant to both the blood spirit and the true self. After taking a deep breath, the blood spirit asked seriously. Upon hearing this, Han Li's face slightly tightened. He gazed at the court-dressed woman for a while before slowly nodding. "Though you've mentioned little, I believe I now understand exactly what you're referring to." As soon as he spoke, a surge of green light erupted from his mouth and spun gently before suddenly solidifying into a small, jade-green cauldron, which then drifted softly onto the palm of his hand—none other than the Xutian Cauldron. "The Xuling Cauldron—ah, no, the Xutian Cauldron!" At the sight of this treasure, the blood spirit gasped, her face bright with delight; yet, upon close inspection, her eyes widened, and her expression quickly became complex. "Ah, you recognize this treasure as well!" Han Li raised a slight eyebrow, inquiring. "Shouldn't be mistaken, then." Though I no longer remember much about the affairs of the human realm, as soon as I see this tripod, I suddenly recall its name. Moreover, the aura emanating from it seems extremely similar to that of another ethereal tripod I possess as my true self—suggesting it was also crafted by my true self. And though I cannot explain why, this treasure appears to be of utmost importance to my true self." Blood Ling gazed at the smaller, crimson tripod and murmured softly. "Of utmost importance!" Han Li nodded, his expression thoughtful. "The reason remains unclear—only the strong impression left by my true self within the blood soul. Han, I won't beat around the bush. I will do anything to reclaim this ethereal heaven tripod. As long as you agree to this, I will accept any terms you propose." Blood Ling paused, then spoke with cautious determination. Han Li narrowed his eyes, stroked his chin, and remained silent for a moment. "Xu Jiao, bring forth that item!" "Seeing this situation, the Blood Spirit suddenly turned her head, addressing Xu Jiao beside her with an unmistakable tone of command. "Yes, Senior Blood Spirit!" Upon hearing the words of the court-dressed woman, Xu Jiao's face unexpectedly revealed a touch of reluctance. But after a firm resolve, he suddenly shook his wrist storage bracelet. A wave of white light surged forth, and then, quietly resting on the table beside Han Li, appeared a large jade box, a small jade box, and a blue leather satchel. "Here is a 'Spirit Flower of Three Ten Thousand Years' cultivation, a spiritual artifact known as the 'Eight Dragon Blades' capable of harnessing the power of eight dragon serpents, and a satchel of premium spiritual stones valued at thirty million. The Blood Spirit exchanges these three items with you for the Virtual Heaven Cauldron you currently hold. How do you find this, Han? This also counts as a personal favor owed to you by me. When I return to the human realm, I will surely repay you most sincerely," said the Blood Spirit, her eyes glinting with warmth. Han Li smiled lightly and, in an instant, his spiritual awareness penetrated through the three items on the table. Indeed A black spiritual flower highly beneficial for refining a magical technique, a blue strange blade engraved with eight dragon motifs, and a full leather sack of premium spiritual stones. With a simple gesture, the smaller jade box containing the black flower was instantly seized by Han Li. "What is Han brother's intention?" Xue Ling furrowed her brows, slightly puzzled. "This black jade flower indeed proves useful to me, and to refuse it would be impolite. As for the spiritual stones and this spiritual artifact, however, I shall not need them. Though I may not be considered a paragon of virtue, I do appreciate the principle of remembering one's origins. The Dry Blue Ice Flame and this cauldron I received during my early days in the lower realm have several times helped me defeat major adversaries. On that alone, I would not expect much more. Moreover, this black jade flower is a rare medicinal herb native to the True Magic Realm. While it may not be as precious as a spiritual artifact, it is certainly close in value." Han Li smiled and said this. Then, the small tripod that Han Li was holding suddenly rose into the air, flashed once, and settled gently before the woman, hovering motionless. Han Li's actions and words clearly surprised the court-dressed lady, who gazed at the tripod before her, her expression shifting with a moment of surprise. Yet this lady was no ordinary person. After a brief silence, she straightened her posture and said, "Master, your kindness—on behalf of Xu Family and myself—I most sincerely thank you. Should you ever need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to come to my office at Xu Family. Though my cultivation level is not high, I believe I can still be of considerable help in certain matters." Her words, though brief, carried a tone of great seriousness. Then, with a swift motion of her sleeve, a shimmer of bloodlight appeared. The small jade tripod before her, as well as the other two items remaining on the table, vanished silently in a flash. After this, the lady bowed slightly to Han Li and proceeded without further words toward the hall's main door. "Then, I shall be off." Xu Jiao was somewhat surprised by the scene. Even the one who had hastily risen to follow Han Li bowed respectfully and then hurried after him. Han Li gazed at the hall door with flickering eyes, pausing for a while before finally exhaling a soft sigh. Though he had not obtained the answers he sought from Xue Ling, nor did he know the whereabouts of her true form, a sense of ease settled over him once he returned the Xutian Cauldron to her. The lingering doubts that once threatened to become obstacles in his cultivation now seemed trivial, and the vow he had once made to the young man of the Gong family finally found release. While the Xutian Cauldron was indeed a fine spiritual artifact, it clearly had other, as-yet-unknown functions—otherwise, in terms of combat prowess, it fell short of several of the other spiritual treasures he carried. Though its parting was somewhat regrettable, it did not weigh heavily upon him. Now, not only can he resolve the inner obstacles that have been troubling him, but he also secures good relations with the Xu family of blood spirits and the future Ice Essence Princess, and even gains the Black Jade Demon Blossom—a flower he had only heard of before. This surely isn't a bad deal. However, with the affairs here now mostly settled, it's time to depart from the Xu family. With only a few years left until the Universal Treasures Grand Assembly, he might as well begin exploring within the Tianyuan realm now and make his way gradually. Han Li stood up and slowly walked toward the staircase entrance, lost in thought.