After completing his transaction with Han Li, the elderly man surnamed Ye flew him toward the council hall on a magical artifact, heading to report back to Yellow Maple Valley's Sect Master, Zhong Lingdao.
Before long, Han Li found himself standing before a colossal stone hall tens of meters tall. He curiously studied the several Yellow Maple Valley disciples guarding the entrance. Their magical power was far deeper than his own—at least at the tenth layer or above of the basic cultivation technique. It made Han Li click his tongue inwardly and regard the strength of this sect's cultivators with renewed respect.
When the old man surnamed Ye had first brought him here, he told Han Li to wait outside the hall for Sect Master Zhong's summons, then walked in himself. This left Han Li standing alone outside, awkwardly killing time, and he grumbled internally for quite a while.
Fortunately, after a short wait, a middle-aged man in white emerged from inside. He walked straight up to Han Li and said coldly, "Follow me in. The Sect Master wishes to see you."
Without waiting for any response, he turned and strode back inside. Han Li smiled bitterly to himself—it seemed that a mere ninth-layer Qi Condensation cultivator like himself simply wasn't worth the other man's attention, not even an extra word of courtesy!
Though he was quite displeased, Han Li understood his own standing here all too well. He obediently followed close behind and entered the great hall.
After passing through three successive gates, each guarded by disciples, Han Li at last laid eyes on Yellow Maple Valley's Sect Master, Zhong Lingdao—a middle-aged man with three long strands of beard.
Along both sides of the hall sat over a dozen others in various styles of attire. When Han Li entered, they gave him a brief once-over, but seeing that he was plain-looking and entirely unremarkable, they each lost interest and looked away. The old man surnamed Ye and that Junior Brother Wang were seated among them.
"Young friend, your name is Han Li, is it not?" Sect Master Zhong spoke in a serene, unhurried voice.
"Yes! This disciple is Han Li—greetings to the Sect Master!" Han Li stepped forward with an earnest expression and moved to perform a deep formal bow.
"There is no need for such formality! Since you have come here bearing an Ascension Token, I, as Sect Master, will naturally uphold the rules established by our predecessors and accept you into the sect." Zhong Lingdao smiled warmly, like a spring breeze against one's face, and waved his sleeve lightly.
Han Li felt the body he was about to lower halted by an invisible, gentle force that softly lifted him back up, preventing him from completing the bow. His heart lurched, and a few additional measures of reverence toward this Sect Master settled in.
"In principle, besides joining our sect, you are also entitled to a Foundation Establishment Pill. However, before that—Junior Brother Ye tells me that you gave up this pill and yielded it to another. Is that true?" Sect Master Zhong wasted no small talk and went straight to the reason he had been summoned.
"That is correct, Sect Master! This disciple feels his aptitude is far too poor. Taking this Foundation Establishment Pill would be far too extravagant. It is better to let a senior brother who needs it more have such a precious treasure!"
Even as these words left his mouth, Han Li still felt a faint pang of heartache. This was a Foundation Establishment Pill! Not one of those common pills he could pop like snacks by the handful!
A single Foundation Establishment Pill placed in the cultivation world would be enough to trigger a bloodbath! And though he had the mysterious small bottle to rely on, Han Li had very little confidence that he could truly replicate a spiritual pill like the Foundation Establishment Pill! His words rang especially hollow, the sentiment behind them utterly at odds with what he said.
Deep inside, Han Li was loath to part with it, but on the surface he wore an expression of perfect obedience and deference, which satisfied most of the people in the hall.
"Good! For Young Friend Han to possess such magnanimity brings this Sect Master great relief. But rest assured—I will not let you make such a sacrifice for nothing!" Zhong Lingdao turned his head toward the old man surnamed Ye.
"Junior Brother Ye! The Foundation Establishment Pill that Young Friend Han yielded shall still be taken by your grandnephew. However, you must properly compensate Young Friend Han for his loss—you must ensure he is satisfied!" Zhong Lingdao spoke with solemn weight.
"Heh heh! Sect Master, you may rest easy—I will absolutely make Nephew Han satisfied!" The old man was overjoyed to see matters proceeding exactly as he had hoped, and agreed again and again.
When Zhong Lingdao saw the old man's reaction, he stroked his long beard and allowed himself a faint smile. That this thorny problem could be resolved so effortlessly in a way that pleased everyone had put even Sect Master Zhong's mind at ease.