Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

Chapter 198 One person murmurs, and the mountains echo.

An unexpected heavy snowfall, like a fairy crushing a white jade plate, fell in large flakes to the earth.

The women in the pavilion deliberately suppressed the ripples of spiritual energy flowing around them, letting the swirling snowflakes fall silently, staining their clothes and hair with white spots.

Those who cultivate immortality are immune to heat and cold. The so-called heat and cold do not only refer to the changing seasons, but also to the joys and sorrows of human relationships in the mortal world.

However, these individuals clearly lacked sufficient mental cultivation.

Yan Ruyan's eyes were clear and sharp as she gazed at the snow-covered landscape outside the pavilion. She spoke first, "Let's go find him. Han Li has the incantation for 'Great Refining of Natal Artifacts' passed down by Master Lu. Master Lu once said that after I learn this incantation, I can also pass it on to you in its entirety."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao and Zi Ling's eyes flashed with a strange light, and they couldn't bring themselves to refuse.

What could flow from Lu Jianghe's hands be anything but ordinary?

Even though Zi Ling has not yet selected and refined her natal magic weapon, and is only searching for materials, it is still a great thing that she has obtained such an opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Yanli, who was standing to the side, had a fleeting look of embarrassment on her face, but a longing welled up in her heart.

In the world of cultivation, such secret formulas and techniques that directly point to the core of the Great Dao have always been treasured and rarely passed on to outsiders.

A legacy that a Nascent Soul cultivator would specifically leave behind is by no means an ordinary thing.

However, being a newcomer with limited experience and an awkward position, she didn't know what right she had to ask for anything, and in her confusion, she didn't intend to bring it up herself.

Just then, Yuan Yao's eyes flickered as she looked at Yan Ruyan, then glanced at Zi Ling, and said in a clear voice, "Sister Ruyan, Sister Zi Ling, my senior sister Yanli, shouldn't we also be qualified to learn this technique? After all, we are both direct disciples of the White Cliff Mountain sect now, and my senior sister was even saved by Mr. Lu himself. With this connection, she should be qualified, right?"

Her words were both an attempt to persuade Yan Ruyan and a way to gauge Zi Ling's attitude. Since the matter had already been discussed, it was better for the three of them to discuss it together than for one person to make a decision.

Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyan and Zi Ling exchanged glances without the slightest hesitation.

This was never their private property. Since Mr. Lu had promised that Yan Ruyan could teach others, it was perfectly reasonable for Yuan Yao to propose including Yanli in the program. They had no reason to object.

"nature."

Yan Ruyan nodded, her voice calm and even.

Zi Ling smiled sweetly, her voice sincere: "I agree."

Yanli looked up, her eyes instantly filled with surprise and gratitude, almost at a loss for words.

Her heart was filled with excitement. In her view, this opportunity was entirely dependent on her junior sister, Yuan Yao.

If Yuan Yao hadn't insisted on venturing into the Void Heaven Palace to find the Soul-Nourishing Wood, if her junior sister hadn't been valued by Zhuang Huayi under the White Wall Mountain sect, if she hadn't spoken up for her at this moment—

Yan Ruyan gave everyone a heads-up beforehand, her voice cold, "Let's make this clear beforehand, I'm not sure if the other party will give it to us. If things don't look right, we'd better not force it or do anything rash. Han Li is someone who has a close relationship with Mr. Lu, so his character and methods are definitely not ordinary. I'm not sure if he'll give us the incantation, but remember, it's best not to have too high hopes of getting any information about Mr. Lu or his whereabouts from him."

Zi Ling nodded: "Of course."

Yan Ruyan remained calm and made a definitive statement: "Therefore, we don't need to deliberately establish three rules, but one thing must be remembered: if you truly obtain that incantation, then act as you see fit, and everything will be fine. Don't waste your time trying to guess or worry about what others are thinking, and even more so, don't create unnecessary rifts. Otherwise..."

Her gaze swept over Yuan Yao and Zi Ling, carrying a hint of cold warning, "Don't blame others for being cold-hearted later."

As soon as the words were spoken, only the rustling of wind and snow remained in the pavilion.

Yanli sensed the subtle change in the atmosphere and quietly moved closer to Yuan Yao.

As a newcomer, she was unaware of the complex thoughts and agreements among these women who had deep ties with Mr. Lu, feeling both curious and hesitant to delve deeper.

"Let's go."

Yan Ruyan was the first to stand up. With a gentle wave of her hand, the snowflakes falling outside the pavilion melted silently around her, within a few feet of her.

She took a step forward, and her figure shot off like a streak of light towards the thirty-ninth floor where Han Li's cave was located.

Yuan Yao winked at Zi Ling and took Yan Li's hand: "Senior Sister, let's go too!"

Her clothes billowed in the wind and snow, and she followed closely behind as a slightly mottled streak of light.

Zi Ling stayed behind last, her gaze lingering for a moment in the direction where Yan Ruyan disappeared, then falling on the backs of Yuan Yao and Yan Li, finally turning into a barely audible sigh.

Three streaks of light, one blue, one black, and one purple, pierced through the swirling snow.

Han Li sat cross-legged inside the cave, his gaze slowly sweeping over the herb garden in front of him, which had been diligently watered by the little green bottle.

Various kinds of spiritual herbs are full of vitality and spiritual energy.

He carefully examined the shape and characteristics of each medicinal herb, his brow furrowing slightly.

One of the key auxiliary ingredients needed to refine the "Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng Pill" is the Demon-Accompanying Grass.

However, upon examining all the plants in the garden, not a single one matched the description.

Based on the scattered information gathered in the past, this demon-accompanying grass can only be born with a very small chance of growing near the lair of a level eight or higher transformed demon, where it is immersed in its rich demonic energy for many years.

Its form is also important. Mature demon-accompanying grass should have roots and stems that are a deep black jade color and contain pure demon essence. If it is not old enough, it will be gray and rotten, and its medicinal properties will be mixed and unsuitable for medicinal use.

Without the demon-accompanying grass from the black jade root as a medicinal guide, even if all other spiritual materials are gathered, it is impossible to refine the true "Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng Pill".

Not to mention the legendary effect of this pill, which can supposedly increase the success rate of Nascent Soul formation by 20%.

An eighth-level demon is a terrifying existence comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator, and its lair is often hidden deep in the dangerous outer sea.

With his current mid-stage Core Formation cultivation, attempting to venture deep into the tiger's den to harvest the Demon Companion Grass is tantamount to snatching chestnuts from a fire.

"It seems this road is temporarily blocked."

He muttered to himself, suppressing the slight restlessness he felt due to the gains from the Void Heaven Palace.

The path to immortality is long, and while opportunities are important, one must proceed with caution at every step.

Forcing oneself to take risks is not the act of a wise person.

With this thought in mind, Han Li decisively gave up. Since there was no trace of the demon-accompanying grass, forcing it would be futile.

It would be better to focus our energy on the more tangible spiritual practice at hand.

He took a deep breath, and the pure spiritual energy in the cave flowed into his lungs, bringing a refreshing coolness.

With a flick of his wrist, five pills, each the size of a longan, perfectly round, and radiating a strange, hazy glow, appeared in his palm—these were the "Heaven-Mending Pills."

"The matter of the Demon-Companion Grass needs to be considered carefully. The most urgent task is to refine this pill, stabilize our cultivation level, and break through to the mid-stage of Core Formation."

Just as he was about to swallow the pill and go to the clean room for seclusion, a slight ripple suddenly came from the restriction outside the cave.

Han Li frowned slightly, put away the pills, and got up to leave the cave.

As soon as he stepped outside and saw the scene outside, he felt a chill run down his spine.

The Purple Spirit Sect Master, Yan Ruyan, and Miss Yuan Yao were accompanied by a woman with an unfamiliar face and a slightly weak aura.

Four female cultivators came to the door.

This scene doesn't look like a casual visit at all, and they are all people who have a close relationship with Brother Lu.

Given his cautious nature and aversion to trouble, he should have immediately closed the access control and refused guests outright.

But these people in front of him—he simply couldn't be so willful.

Based solely on their relationship with Brother Lu, he absolutely cannot neglect them.

In the blink of an eye, or rather, before he could even think it through, he raised his hand and made a hand seal, withdrawing the several layers of restrictions surrounding the cave.

Several streaks of light then flew over and landed in front of him, subtly surrounding him.

Han Li coughed twice, touched his nose, and asked with feigned composure, "What brings you fellow Daoists here? Please speak frankly."

In reality, how could he dare to say anything?

He accepted whatever the other party said.

In his mind, these women in front of him were basically all Brother Lu's women. What could he do? What else could he do?

At this moment, Yuan Yao slightly narrowed her naturally charming eyes. The way her eyes moved, combined with her breathtaking face, added to her captivating allure.

"Little Lizi."

Her voice held a hint of lazy teasing, "I heard you have a technique for refining natal artifacts? Why don't you tell us? We could learn from it and use it to raise our own precious items."

Upon hearing this, Han Li's face showed a mixture of helplessness and confusion: "What does Miss Yuan Yao mean by that?"

Yan Ruyan, being more straightforward, cut him off directly, "Mr. Lu once told me personally that he passed on to you a mantra for refining your natal artifact, and asked me to come to you for it. This matter concerns the repair of my natal flying sword. Should you or shouldn't you?"

Han Li forced a slightly stiff smile. "So that's what it is. Miss Yan, you flatter me. Brother Lu did indeed pass on a formula to me. Since it was his intention, how could I dare to keep it to myself?"

He took out a blank jade slip from his storage bag and placed it on his forehead, quickly imprinting the profound incantation onto it.

A moment later, he handed the jade slip to Yan Ruyan, saying, "The incantation is in this jade slip. Please keep it safe, Miss Yan."

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Yan Ruyan's eyes. She reached out and took the jade slip, briefly scanning it with her divine sense to confirm its authenticity before solemnly putting it away. She nodded slightly: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Han."

Seeing this, Yuan Yao's foxy eyes curved into crescent moons, and she said with a grin, "That's more like it! Little Li is so straightforward!"

Han Li felt a little relieved upon seeing this, thinking to himself that now that he had gotten what he wanted, they should leave now.

Before he could even catch his breath, Zi Ling's gaze sharpened as she stared intently at him and asked, "Fellow Daoist Han, did Mr. Lu mention to you where he was going before he departed?"

Upon hearing this, Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly shook his head, waving his hands and looking sincere: "Sect Master Zi Ling, I truly do not know about this matter. Brother Lu has his own methods of doing things, which are beyond my comprehension. He never tells me about his whereabouts in detail, so I do not know whether he has already left or where he has gone."

Several women stared intently at him, their gazes fixed on his face like shadows, scrutinizing every subtle change in his expression.

That expression, that tone, didn't seem fake.

Yuan Yao then quietly walked to his side, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of slyness, "It's okay, you can tell me secretly, I won't tell them."

Han Li looked at her helplessly, his eyes clearly saying, "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"Fellow Daoists, I truly do not know," Han Li said, spreading his hands slightly, his tone sincere yet weary. "Brother Lu has his own methods and never tells me his whereabouts in detail. As for whether he has already left, and where he has gone, I really do not know. Moreover, I will be going into seclusion soon, at which time the restrictions on my cave will be fully activated, so please do not disturb me."

The women exchanged glances, carefully discerning every subtle change in his expression and tone; it was indeed genuine.

After a moment of silence, they each nodded slightly, as if accepting the explanation.

However, seeing that Zi Ling was also present, Han Li immediately took out a catalog from his storage bag, turned to a page that depicted the form of the demon-accompanying grass.

Han Li handed the catalog to Zi Ling, "Sect Master, the Miaoyin Sect now has extensive trade routes, even extending to the outer seas. I wonder if your sect has any channels to obtain this kind of herb? If so, I am willing to pay a high price. If not, could you please keep an eye out for it?"

Zi Ling took the catalog, examined it closely, and pondered, "This seems to be Thousand Leaf Dew? A rare companion item found near an eighth-level demon beast's lair. What do you need it for?"

Han Li naturally wouldn't reveal everything, so he vaguely said, "I'm currently refining a pill, and this herb is one of the main ingredients, which is indispensable."

After hearing this, Zi Ling nodded slightly and handed the catalog back to Han Li: "I have noted this matter down. If there is any news from the Miaoyin Sect, I will inform you immediately."

Having received Zi Ling's promise, Han Li felt somewhat at ease and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Sect Master Zi Ling."

"You're welcome."

Zi Ling put away the rubbing of the catalog, her gaze lingering for a moment on Han Li's slightly tense face before turning to Yan Ruyan and Yuan Yao.

"Since Fellow Daoist Han is going into seclusion, we will not disturb him any longer."

Having obtained the incantation, Yan Ruyan had achieved her goal and had no intention of lingering. She nodded coolly.

Although Yuan Yao was still somewhat unwilling, she had no choice but to give up when her senior sister Yanli gently tugged at her sleeve. However, her foxy eyes darted around Han Li again, as if trying to squeeze some secret out of his face. In the end, she just pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.

"Fellow Daoist Han, farewell."

Zi Ling was the first to transform into a streak of purple light and depart.

"Sorry to bother you."

Yan Ruyan followed closely behind.

Snowflakes fell silently onto Han Li's shoulders, accumulating a thin layer of white frost.

Han Li looked in the direction they disappeared, let out a soft breath, and rubbed his temples, feeling more tired than after a battle.

He turned and walked back to his cave, reopening the layers of restrictions to shut out the disturbances.

A flash of light appeared in his hand, and the Heaven-Mending Pill reappeared.

"Phew—finally some peace and quiet. The path to enlightenment is arduous; I should focus on improving my own cultivation."

Han Li muttered to himself as he walked towards the meditation room, preparing to begin his secluded cultivation to refine pills and break through to the mid-stage of Core Formation.

As for all the commotion surrounding Brother Lu, he temporarily put it aside.

Only one's own strength is the foundation for standing firm in this world of cultivation.

Why climb mountains? What is spiritual cultivation?

One person murmured, and the mountains echoed.