"Brother Han, you're being too formal with me. Yao'er is my adopted daughter, and Li'er is my direct disciple. If either of them wishes to leave this place, they may do so at any time. However, in my recommendation, they would be better off staying here a while longer before returning to your human race." Qingyuanzi thought for a moment before speaking.
"Oh? How so?"
The two women exchanged a glance, each revealing a trace of a bitter smile.
"Let Yao'er explain it to you herself. That way I won't overstep and cause any misunderstandings between friends. If Yao'er and the others wish to leave now, I will absolutely have no objections," Qingyuanzi said with a solemn expression.
"Brother Han, the two of us truly cannot return to our race immediately. We will need to stay with our adoptive father for another two to three hundred years at least. As for the reason, if you examine our current physical bodies carefully, you will understand," Yuan Yao said, letting out a soft breath as Han Li's gaze turned toward her.
"Physical bodies?"
Han Li found this somewhat strange and immediately released an invisible wave of spiritual sense, enveloping Yuan Yao's slender frame.
After a brief moment, his expression shifted subtly.
"So your physical bodies are unstable — were there aftereffects from the earlier reversal?"
"Brother Han truly has a sharp eye! Back then, our master refined several special pills to reverse our physical forms. However, our half-human, half-ghost bodies had persisted for far too long, and they must continue to be nourished by two unique spiritual materials found in the River Styx region in order to fully solidify without issue. If we were to leave now, I fear all our previous efforts would be wasted," Yan Li explained in detail.
"So that's how it is. If that's the case, then it truly isn't suitable for me to take you two away right now." Han Li nodded, a look of understanding crossing his face.
"Rest assured, Brother Han. Both Yao'er and Li'er contributed greatly during my tribulation. I had already planned to teach them several of my true great divine arts once the tribulation passed. Staying here for another century or so will bring them immeasurable benefits — it's not impossible that they could one day advance to a realm comparable to yours or mine," Qingyuanzi said with a smile.
"Adoptive Father — is there really a chance that Senior Sister and I could reach the Mahayana realm?" Yuan Yao's face lit up with joy upon hearing this.
Beside her, Yan Li's heart also stirred with excitement.
"Haha, I can't speak for others, but you two girls definitely have at least a sliver of a chance. Setting aside my own careful guidance, just the connection you share with Daoist Han is enough — with his helping hand, your chances would far surpass those of ordinary cultivators. Wouldn't you agree, Daoist Han?" Qingyuanzi said, a crafty gleam flashing across his face.
"So Brother Qing has been scheming to rope me into this. Well, if the day ever comes when Immortal Yuan Yao and her companion truly attempt to break through to the Mahayana realm, I will naturally do everything I can to lend them a hand," Han Li replied with an amused laugh.
Qingyuanzi stroked his beard with one hand and burst into hearty laughter.
Yuan Yao's beautiful eyes drifted toward Han Li, her bright pupils rippling like autumn waters, carrying a hint of something delicate and unspoken within their depths.
Yan Li's face was also flushed with happiness.
"By the way — during my tribulation, I split off a thread of consciousness and caught a glimpse of a small purple-gold figure outside the valley, wielding several kinds of remarkably sharp sword qi. It dispatched that Eternal Heavenly Sovereign with almost casual ease. The aura of that small figure felt quite familiar to me, but I couldn't determine its origin. Might Daoist friend enlighten me?" Qingyuanzi suddenly recalled this matter and his expression turned serious.
"Heh — so Daoist friend was asking about
"Could it truly be the Gold Devouring Beetle King? You actually managed to cultivate one… Indeed, only this beetle king could slay an ordinary Mahayana cultivator as easily as killing a dog. The reputation of True Immortals truly isn't exaggerated in the slightest — but how did you manage to accomplish it?" Despite having harbored two or three parts of suspicion in his heart, Qingyuanzi still couldn't help but cry out in astonishment, his expression shifting several times over.
"I was extremely fortunate to cultivate a beetle king. If you asked me to repeat the same process a second time, it most likely wouldn't be possible. I also have Daoist Qing to thank for his earlier guidance — without it, I truly wouldn't have had the slightest chance," Han Li said with a faint smile, cupping his fists toward Qingyuanzi in gratitude.
"Back then, I was merely making casual remarks. I never imagined you would actually cultivate such a heaven-defying spirit insect. You truly live up to your reputation as one blessed with extraordinary fortune. With this beetle king at your side, you can roam freely across the entire Spirit World without a worry in the world. By the way, Daoist Han — could you summon it so I might have a look?" Qingyuanzi said with a bitter laugh, making no effort to conceal the envy in his eyes.
"Daoist Qing jests! The Spirit World is vast beyond measure, home to countless races, and who knows how many hidden powerhouses lurk within. A single beetle king, no matter how formidable, can hardly serve as a true guarantee of safety. As for this beetle king, I released it earlier — once it returns, I'll summon it for you to see," Han Li shook his head and said, unmoved.
"Daoist Han is far too humble." Qingyuanzi's spirits lifted upon hearing this.
"Rest assured on that matter. Oh — by the way, does Daoist Qing know of the Helian Merchant Alliance?" Han Li casually inquired about something else.
"The Helian Merchant Alliance — that is a superpower spanning several continents. I know a fair bit about it, though not everything. Does Daoist Han have some entanglement with them?" Qingyuanzi started slightly in surprise.
"No entanglement, per se, but I may need to deal with them in the future. I was hoping to learn some relevant information from you in advance," Han Li said with a light chuckle.
"That's simple enough. I'll compile all the relevant information into a jade slip and deliver it to Daoist Han personally," Qingyuanzi agreed without hesitation.
"In that case, Han is much obliged." Han Li was naturally quite pleased.