"If you cultivate the Reverse Phoenix Cultivation Technique, the female cultivator must remain a virgin. Otherwise, once she loses her virginity, all previous progress will be wasted. Therefore, before you advance to the Late Core Formation stage, I won't require you to serve me in bed. You and I can simply maintain the relationship we have now. Of course, if you can truly help me advance to the Late Nascent Soul stage, I can make you a promise right here. In the future, I will do everything in my power to help you condense a Nascent Soul. With the full assistance of a Late Nascent Soul cultivator, condensing your own Nascent Soul isn't an unreachable prospect." Han Li stared at Mu Peiling without blinking as he spoke in a measured tone.
These words were no empty falsehood. If Han Li's cultivation reached the Late Nascent Soul stage, he could easily gather eight-grade Demon Companion Grass again and refine that pair of spirit medicines that greatly aided Nascent Soul formation. After all, at that level, eight-grade demon beasts would no longer pose a significant threat to him.
Mu Peiling lowered her head in silent contemplation for a while before lifting her face, which resembled polished jade, and asking Han Li:
"Young Master, does this Reverse Phoenix Cultivation Technique take an especially long time to cultivate, or are there hidden aftereffects that are difficult to eradicate?"
"No. The only drawback of this technique is that its power cannot compare to top-grade methods. In terms of cultivation speed, it's actually three-tenths faster than ordinary techniques. As for aftereffects, there are none. It's only during combat with others that you may be at some disadvantage." Han Li answered without the slightest hesitation.
"In that case, Peiling will follow Young Master's arrangements in everything. I know my own aptitude all too well. Without Young Master's help, the chances of my successfully forming my Core this time would be slim to none. As for the Nascent Soul stage, that would be virtually impossible." The young woman looked at Han Li and spoke with remarkable composure.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. You've been around me long enough to know what kind of person I am, roughly seven or eight parts out of ten. Though your status is merely that of a concubine, I won't be overly harsh with you. Focus your mind on preparing for Core formation. When the time comes, I'll send you the spirit medicines myself." Han Li's expression didn't change, as though he had long anticipated that this woman would agree.
"Young Master's great kindness — Peiling understands well the principle of repaying a drop of water with a gushing spring. I entrust my life to you from this day forward." Mu Peiling performed another respectful curtsey, a look of firm resolution appearing on her face.
It was clear that only now did Mu Peiling truly intend to pledge herself to Han Li, no longer plagued by vacillation and second thoughts.
After all, a cultivator like Han Li, whose abilities were no lesser than those of the Three Great Cultivators, and who treated his concubine with such generosity — one could probably search all of the Tianan region and not find a second such person.
Moreover, this woman understood perfectly well that Han Li's favor toward her had already been considerable. Without the pills he had previously provided, forget about her current attempt at Core formation — she would probably still be struggling at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. This was precisely why Mu Peiling hadn't hesitated for long before agreeing to Han Li's terms.
After Han Li's candid words, the relationship between the two seemed to draw a step closer. When this woman spoke with Han Li again, a subtle warmth colored her tone.
Next, Han Li proceeded to guide this woman with good-natured patience on various matters related to Core formation.
Mu Peiling knew such an opportunity was rare, and she listened to Han Li's instructions with her full attention, her beautiful eyes not blinking once.
After a full half-day's time, Mu Peiling finally felt she had gained considerably and took her leave. There were indeed many areas in which she still fell short regarding Han Li's guidance, and she needed to prepare well in advance.
Han Li didn't press her to stay, only offering a few more words of advice before letting the woman return to her own peak.
Silvermoon saw her out of the cave dwelling.
By the time Silvermoon returned to the great hall, Han Li was still seated in his chair, but a jade slip had appeared in his hand, and he was scanning its contents with his spiritual sense.
This was precisely the jade slip that recorded the method for refining the Replica Seven Flame Fan.
"Master, do you truly intend to help this woman cultivate all the way to the Late Core Formation stage?" Silvermoon glided silently to Han Li's side and asked in a soft voice.
"What, is something wrong with that?" Han Li withdrew his spiritual sense and raised both eyebrows as he countered.
"No, nothing wrong! I'm merely a bit surprised. Given your current standing, Master, it wouldn't be difficult for you to simply take a Core Formation stage female cultivator as a concubine outright. Why invest such great effort in this particular woman?" Silvermoon's gaze flickered with a hint of confusion.
"It's nothing special. After observing her character over these years, I've found that she isn't bad — well worth the effort invested in cultivating her. This time, taking her as a concubine wasn't merely about using her to break through a bottleneck. I truly want to develop her into a capable aide. In the future, when I go into prolonged closed-door cultivation, I'll need someone with a close personal relationship to handle affairs on the outside. I'm an Elder of the Flowing Cloud Sect — I can't simply ignore everything and focus only on my own cultivation. Wan'er isn't the type who likes to involve herself in sect affairs, and she probably wouldn't want to deal with such matters either. And I can see that this woman, unlike Wan'er and me, doesn't have the temperament to single-mindedly pursue the Heavenly Dao. Once her cultivation reaches a certain stage, she'll likely lose the patience to sit idle. In that case, having her manage the sect's internal affairs on my behalf would be quite fitting."
Han Li spoke these words with calm composure, paused for a moment, then continued: