"Staying by my side?" Han Li listened, stroking his chin. "Of course I know that, with my current cultivation level, I'd be a burden to my friend. But I believe I still possess some talent in array techniques and spatial magic—perhaps I can offer some assistance. Moreover, the Tianfeng Yuan Yin energy circulating within my body should prove highly beneficial for your breakthrough. As long as I recover my cultivation, I willingly offer this energy to Brother Han." The Ice Phoenix spoke, her face slightly flushed. "What? The Princess means—?" "Please don't misunderstand. Our Ice Phoenix clan has a secret chamber with a unique transmission method—we can extract the Tianfeng Yuan Yin energy from within our bodies without needing the dual-realm fusion technique. While the effect may not be as potent as the former, it should still provide meaningful support." The silver-robed woman regained her composure instantly, speaking calmly. "Indeed, the Ice Phoenix clan possesses such a secret art. Then, I shall indeed need the Princess's assistance." Well, the Phoenix Maiden may stay with me for now to cultivate. But there are certain matters that need to be clarified upfront, so as to avoid any regret on her part later. A flicker of surprise passed over Han Li's face, which then settled into a serious tone as he pondered. "Han brother, please go on," replied the Ice Phoenix, sensing that Han Li was genuinely willing to agree. "First, merely staying by my side does not guarantee that you will be free of worries in the future. Besides, the approaching magical calamity itself is a major trial even for us who have reached the Consolidated Stage—whether we can weather it safely, I cannot be absolutely certain. Second, there are certain private matters concerning me that I would prefer not to disclose. Should the Phoenix Maiden truly wish to remain, then, both in her daily cultivation and in all other matters, she will need to follow my instructions. If she finds such constraints too burdensome, she is free to depart at any time." Lastly, since the lady is of demonic origin, should there be outsiders present, she would likely have to appear as a concubine or a maid—this might slightly tarnish her reputation.” Han Li slowly spoke a long series of words. “As for the demonic calamity? Though I am not deeply familiar with its details, I believe both human and demonic clans will be affected. Even if not staying close to the master, the rest of the world would hardly be stable. With my current cultivation level, I would probably have to join a major power, likely serving as a mere expendable. Indeed, it would be safer to remain at Han’s side. As for other matters, naturally, everything will follow the master’s lead. Regarding the role of concubine or maid—given Han’s esteemed status today, it would be no small feat to recruit a female cultivator at the Jiandan or Yuanjing stage to serve beside him. How could I possibly care about such a matter?” Bing Feng smiled lightly, expressing no concern. “Since Lady Feng has thought this through, then Han shall gladly agree to this arrangement. These elixirs, take them first and drink them. Until the Universal Treasures Gathering concludes, the fairy shall practice cultivation within this inner chamber. Once I return to my own abode, I will arrange a more formal place for your cultivation. Han Li gently brushed his hand over his storage bracelet, producing several jade vials of varying colors, and tossed them to the ice phoenix. "Friend Han, don't worry. Ice Phoenix is no one who lacks good judgment—she will certainly not delay your important affairs." The silver-robed woman smiled warmly. Her originally graceful and elegant features instantly blossomed into a vibrant, radiant beauty, as if a spring garden had come to life. Han Li was momentarily stunned, gazing at her with renewed interest, and looked at her twice. Feeling the subtle admiration in Han Li's gaze, the Ice Phoenix, with her porcelain-like complexion, gently blushed and bowed once more, saying, "Since Master Han has agreed, I shall immediately take the elixir and begin my cultivation. The sooner I restore my magical power, the sooner I will no longer be a burden to you." "Very well. I'll also go over the treasures I received at the grand assembly. Then, Miss Phoenix, please take good care of your cultivation right here in this chamber." Han Li's eyes instantly regained their clarity. After a slight nod, he turned and stepped out of the room. Staring at the now-vanished door of the chamber, the woman in silver robes had her silver eyes flash with a series of subtle glimmers. After a while, she sighed gently, opened a bottle of medicine, and took a crimson pill to swallow. She then sat down on the cushion where韩立had previously been meditating, beginning to absorb the medicinal energy. Meanwhile, Hàn Lì appeared in another chamber of similar size and layout, not far from the first. He sat cross-legged on the ground, holding a nearly transparent golden-yellow pill between his fingers, his eyes slightly narrowed as he examined it carefully. "Indeed, no wonder this is renowned as one of the most celebrated elixirs—truly exceptional. I hope it truly delivers the extraordinary effects mentioned in the tales when I break through my current limitations," Hàn Lì murmured, then carefully returned the pill to the bottle and placed it safely away. As he did so, a gentle glow emanated from his hands, and two items materialized: a golden scroll and a golden cloth sack. The scroll was one of the three items exchanged during the bloodlight spectacle, while the cloth sack was the second treasure韩立 initially obtained from the Black Domain. First, Han Li tossed the golden scroll into the air, allowing it to float gently at a low height, then turned his full attention to the golden cloth sack, holding it steadily before him and gently loosening the sack's opening. Instantly, a resonant hum erupted within the sack, and a series of jade-like glimmers burst forth, shooting upward. As the glimmers flashed, they transformed into twelve slender, inch-long green wooden rods that darted continuously through the air above the chamber, as if imbued with spirit. Observing this, Han Li raised one hand to chant incantations while suddenly reaching out with the other toward the void, exclaiming a low command. A sharp, piercing sound of rushing air echoed throughout the entire chamber, and five beams of green light shot from his fingertips, spreading out like countless strands of green silk, forming a dense, expansive network that completely enveloped the chamber. At that very moment, twelve slender green bamboo rods began twisting and writhing like fish within a net, yet they remained completely immobile, unable to shift an inch due to the layers of silken threads wrapping them. Han Li smiled softly, then extended and gently withdrew his palm. As the large green net tightened, it pulled all twelve rods close to him, and with a swift reverse motion, he skillfully grasped one of them in his palm. Only then did Han Li focus his attention and carefully examine the object in his hand. Han Li gently stroked the wooden staff with two fingers, murmuring thoughtfully. However, his expression remained uncertain for a moment before he shook his head, threw the staff into his silken hair, and then pressed a new seal with his fingers. Instantly, the entire silk net transformed into a stream of emerald light, wrapping the twelve wooden staffs and resealing them within the cloth sack. Han Li pointed a finger at it. The golden sack instantly tightened, sealing itself firmly. After placing the golden sack into his storage bracelet, Han Li turned his gaze to the golden scroll floating in the lower air. With a gentle hand motion, he summoned the scroll into his hands. It felt slightly cool, yet possessed a subtle elasticity from the silk fabric. The blue glow in his eyes flickered as he slowly moved his gaze inch by inch across the scroll, just a few feet away. After a while, his brows furrowed. The scroll appeared perfectly seamless, as though one solid unit—so smooth and intact that even with his clear spiritual vision, he could only perceive a continuous glow of gold, unable to penetrate it at all. Han Li's lips twitched slightly, took a deep breath, and projected his powerful spiritual awareness from within. A strand of it instantly wound itself around the scroll. However, at the very next moment, he suddenly shook his wrist, hurling the golden scroll several zhang away. As the spiritual awareness made contact, a powerful suction force suddenly emerged from within the scroll, instantly engulfing it completely. Had he not reacted swiftly, this suction would have directly reached his spiritual essence through the strands of awareness, potentially shaking it to a significant degree. Han Li gazed at the golden scroll now far off, his astonishment gradually settling as he realized how formidable this object truly was. After a moment's thought, he suddenly raised a finger and gently rejected it with a gesture toward the scroll in the air. A sharp crackling sound resonated, and a streak of jade-green sword energy materialized, flashing and cutting directly across the scroll. A soft "crack," and the golden scroll shimmered with radiant light, halting the sword's filament mid-air—yet leaving not a single trace of blade damage upon it. Han Li's face for the first time showed genuine alarm. After all, with his current body-melded stage and the current sharpness of the Qingzhu Fengyun Sword, almost nothing in the spiritual realm should have been able to withstand a cut. Yet this scroll remained untouched, undamaged—by mere material quality alone, it was truly exceptional. That explained why the blood-tinged figure, though unable to unlock the scroll's seal, had been so reluctant to part with it, firmly asserting its extraordinary origin. However, since the scroll's spiritual awareness could not penetrate it and no external force could shatter it, it seemed clear that brute force would not suffice to unlock the seal. As he pondered this, Han Li focused his gaze upon the several golden characters that suddenly appeared on the scroll's surface. These were precisely the Jinzhu Spiritual Characters—originally concealed within the scroll's body—now revealed only after the initial strike.