For Han Li, suddenly having his plans upended to join a sect he knew nothing about was naturally far less appealing than staying at White Dew Academy.
But to flatly refuse the excellent terms this female cultivator was offering just because he, a loose cultivator, insisted on joining White Dew Academy — Grand Scholar Lu would certainly grow suspicious. As such, Han Li naturally rolled his eyes inwardly at this Fairy Hualian who had abruptly appeared to disrupt things, silently grumbling the whole while.
"To be honest, Senior Hualian, this junior doesn't know much about the Huangqing Monastery. But since your monastery is a nunnery, wouldn't the cultivation techniques and methods be somewhat unsuitable for male cultivators like myself?" After running through a quick mental calculation, Han Li finally came up with a specious but barely plausible excuse.
"So Fellow Daoist Han was worried about that! There's no need to worry. Our Huangqing Monastery is actually just one branch of the Three Huang Monasteries. The other two — the Huangyang and Huangsheng monasteries — are both led by male cultivators. There is no shortage of cultivation methods for men. Moreover, I can see that Fellow Daoist Han doesn't possess an innate Noble Spirit. If you were to join White Dew Academy, you'd have to cultivate it from scratch, which would be at least three times harder than practicing our cultivation methods. Of course, if one achieves great mastery in Confucian techniques, the extraordinary powers one can wield with the aid of the Noble Spirit are far beyond what ordinary Daoist arts can match. But for Fellow Daoist Han, it's still far too early to speak of such things. Could it be that Fellow Daoist Han truly looks down on our monastery?" Fairy Hualian smiled faintly, speaking in an unhurried manner. Yet in her words, she dared not show the slightest disrespect toward the Confucian school.
"Fellow Daoist Hualian speaks reason. Our Confucian techniques do indeed require more time in the early stages compared to the Daoist and Buddhist schools. Young friend Han, given your circumstances, joining the Huangqing Monastery would be more suitable for your cultivation. Since Fellow Daoist Hualian has agreed to look after you, your hopes of Foundation Establishment under the Huangqing Monastery are not entirely nil." Grand Scholar Lu also spoke up, composed as ever.
Hearing these words, Han Li was left speechless inside.
It seemed he really couldn't avoid changing his original target. If he kept insisting, it would be strange indeed if Grand Scholar Lu didn't grow suspicious. Fortunately, the Huangqing Monastery was also located within the Yutian Mountain spiritual vein region. As long as he was a bit more careful, nothing should go wrong.
With these thoughts, Han Li had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept his bad luck, putting on a mildly excited expression on the surface:
"Since both seniors recommend this, it must be the right choice. This junior will follow whatever arrangement you see fit!"
Hearing Han Li's sensible words, the young Daoist nun finally nodded with satisfaction, while Grand Scholar Lu simply smiled without saying a word.
As for the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan, though he would have preferred Han Li to join the Confucian school, seeing that Han Li himself had no objections to the arrangement, he had nothing more to say.
Once Han Li's matter was settled, Grand Scholar Lu, the Daoist nun, and the third person began chatting casually. However, the topic of their conversation was not the wondrous tales of the cultivation world, but rather the gains and losses of the current Great Jin's court politics — which left Han Li puzzled.
The Confucian school discussing such matters was one thing — after all, their doctrine emphasized engagement with the mortal world, so debating politics wasn't strange. But for the Daoist nun from the Huangqing Monastery to discuss these same matters with such poised composure was truly surprising to Han Li.
Could it be that the Huangqing Monastery, like the Confucian school, was also a sect that involved itself in mortal affairs? Han Li couldn't help but ponder this.
The three chatted pleasantly in the hall for a while, but after some time, footsteps sounded from outside the door, followed by a somewhat childlike voice.
"Reporting to Ancestral Master: this disciple has followed orders and brought the Purple Essence Copper from the treasury."
"Oh, if that's the case, bring it in." Grand Scholar Lu said without hesitation.
"Purple Essence Copper." Han Li's interest was piqued. This material was excellent for refining top-grade magical artifacts or even spirit treasures. It might not be anything special to him, but to the two people before him, it was undoubtedly a rare and precious commodity.
As he was thinking, the door was pushed open and an eleven- or twelve-year-old child with fair, delicate skin entered carrying a large red tray. The tray was covered with a layer of silver brocade, bulging as if filled with something.
Respectfully placing the tray on the table between Fairy Hualian and Grand Scholar Lu, the child immediately stepped back a few paces and stood with hands clasped.
"You may leave. We don't need you to attend here right now." Grand Scholar Lu glanced at the child and instructed calmly.
The child immediately acknowledged with a deep cupped-hand bow and backed out of the room.
Then, without even looking, Grand Scholar Lu pushed the tray directly in front of Fairy Hualian.
"Fellow Daoist Hualian, here is the Purple Essence Copper you requested to borrow. Please keep it safe. It seems your monastery has been scouring everywhere for materials this time — you must truly intend to refine an important treasure. I wonder whether it will be a top-grade artifact or a spirit treasure." Grand Scholar Lu smiled and said casually.
"This junior is not very clear about the refining matters either. This junior is merely acting on Fourth Martial Uncle's orders. If Senior wishes to know the details, you could ask Fourth Martial Aunt directly. I'm sure she would tell you the truth." The Daoist nun hesitated briefly, then said with an apologetic expression.
"No need for that. I was merely asking out of casual interest." Upon hearing the name "Fourth Martial Aunt," Grand Scholar Lu's expression shifted slightly before he laughed it off.
Fairy Hualian smiled beautifully, extending her fair jade-like fingers to lift the brocade from the tray, revealing a pile of purple-gleaming copper pieces.
Gazing at the tray full of Purple Essence Copper before her, the Daoist nun's face lit up with a smile. After uttering her thanks, she unhooked a storage pouch from her waist. A flash of rosy light swept over the materials, gathering them all into the pouch, which she then carefully put away.