A Fame to Fear the World, Frost and Blue Flame

Listening to the woman’s account, Han Li finally gained a rough understanding of the Boundless Wood Spirit Infant he had captured.

This entity was somewhat similar to his Crying Soul Beast—both were artificially refined spiritual creations. However, judging by its ability to devour a cultivator’s soul and Nascent Soul, it was clearly far more ferocious. At the very least, the original Crying Soul Beast could not compare.

As his thoughts churned, Han Li suddenly shifted the topic, uttering a remark that left Liu Yu stunned.

“The Six-Winged Frost Centipedes you commanded are also quite extraordinary. Where did you obtain them? Normally speaking, given your cultivation level, it seems impossible for you to possess such an ancient spirit insect. Surely your fellow disciples or so-called uncles and masters did not covet this item?”

“Senior also recognizes this spirit insect! I discovered many ancient eggs of this insect in a desolate cave dwelling left behind by an ancient cultivator. I originally assumed they were dead eggs and could not hatch, but upon returning and testing them, by sheer chance, several hatched. However, the elders of my sect said that although these insects are ancient variant species and possess limitless divine abilities as adults, raising them is extremely difficult. Even with all conditions met, it would take a thousand years for them to mature. Hence, no one had designs on them. I also felt that their juvenile forms already possessed considerable divine abilities, so I have never been willing to replace them with other types of spirit insects.” Liu Yu spoke with a hint of surprise. At the same time, she was puzzled as to why he was asking about this insect. Could it be that even someone of his cultivation level had taken a fancy to these centipedes?

However, even Nascent Soul cultivators, who could live for over a thousand years, would not waste their efforts raising these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes. They simply could not afford such a long period of time.

Just as Liu Yu was thoroughly puzzled, Han Li glanced at her and spoke words that made her heart race.

“I am very interested in your Six-Winged Frost Centipedes, and I have a way to boost them by one or two ranks in a short period of time. I wonder, Fellow Daoist, if you are interested in making a trade with me.” Han Li said calmly.

“Senior may command this junior to do whatever you wish, just say the word.” Liu Yu’s bright eyes moved, and she smiled charmingly, revealing a captivating demeanor.

But Han Li seemed not to notice, only continuing in a bland tone:

“I can accelerate the maturation of these few Six-Winged Frost Centipedes for you. However, the eggs they lay must be handed over to me for other uses. I have also heard that the Insect Taming Arts of the Imperial Spirit Sect are quite unique. I wonder if Fellow Daoist would be willing to impart some knowledge to me.”

“Insect Taming Arts?” Liu Yu’s originally smiling expression abruptly froze.

High-level secret arts related to insect and beast driving were always the most critical techniques of the Imperial Spirit Sect. Leaking them to an outsider would truly be a crime of betraying the sect.

Even though Liu Yu had long prepared herself to not go against Han Li in the slightest, hearing this still made her face change drastically, and she groaned inwardly.

“Senior should be aware that leaking sect internal techniques without authorization is a great crime punishable by soul extraction and refinement. If this junior divulges the secret arts to Senior, how does Senior intend to dispose of this little woman?” Liu Yu looked at Han Li, speaking with some unease.

“Once I obtain the eggs and the techniques I desire, you may leave freely. I will not hinder you in the slightest. As for whether to return to the Imperial Spirit Sect or go elsewhere, the world is vast; surely you can find a place to stand?” Han Li said lightly, as if discussing a trivial matter.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu’s jade-like countenance flickered with uncertainty. After a long moment, she finally smiled bitterly and pressed her lips together:

“Senior speaks easily. This junior knows her situation very well. If I become a rogue cultivator, I will never be able to condense a Nascent Soul in this lifetime. Moreover, this junior now knows Senior’s identity and background. How could Senior truly allow this junior to leave so easily? I am probably still doomed to die.” This woman seemed to see the matter very clearly, speaking miserably and slowly.

“Then what do you propose? Do you intend to make me swear a poisonous oath, or use this to blackmail me?” Han Li did not get angry upon hearing this, his expression unchanged.

“Blackmail? How would this junior dare? I only seek a strategy for self-preservation.” Liu Yu shook her head, speaking calmly.

“How do you wish to protect yourself?”

“If Senior does not mind, this little woman wishes to formally enter under Senior’s tutelage from now on and become Senior’s disciple. I wonder if Senior would agree?” Liu Yu lowered her head, saying something that made Han Li pause.

“Enter under my tutelage?” Han Li was genuinely somewhat surprised.

“That is correct. With Senior’s cultivation level, being this junior’s master is naturally more than sufficient. Only by receiving Senior’s protection would this junior dare to divulge the Imperial Spirit Sect’s techniques without any scruples. Otherwise, even if Senior does not kill me, I will be hunted down by the Imperial Spirit Sect for the rest of my life.” A trace of fear appeared on the white-clothed woman’s jade-like face.

Han Li frowned, lightly tapping the green stone armrest beside him with his fingers, showing a hint of contemplation.

“Speaking this way, you have not taken a master in the Imperial Spirit Sect before, have you? But entering under my tutelage—how will your family face this? After all, the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the demonic path are hostile to each other. Have you thought this through clearly?” Han Li touched his chin and said unhurriedly.

“From Foundation Establishment to Core Formation, I relied entirely on my own opportunities to reach this point. I have never taken anyone as a master. As for my family, there is even less connection. Of the Liu clan, up to my generation, there were only a few cultivators to begin with, and the rest have long since passed away. Only I am left now.” Liu Yu said calmly.

“Since you say this, entering under my tutelage for self-preservation is not impossible. But let me make it clear to you first: I must plant the Spirit-Sealing Curse on you. I will not interfere much with your future cultivation. In a word, you can become my Disciple on Probation, then join the Falling Cloud Sect and cultivate on your own. Will you still do this?” Han Li said with a faint, unfathomable smile.

“Placing a restriction is naturally to be expected. After all, this junior was formerly a cultivator of the Imperial Spirit Sect. As long as Senior is willing to protect this junior’s safety, this little woman will have absolutely no complaints. As for guidance in cultivation, I am originally someone who survived by sheer luck, so naturally I dare not have excessive expectations.” Liu Yu seemed to understand the mindset of a bitter cultivator like Han Li quite well, and agreed without hesitation.

Hearing the woman accept so readily, Han Li fell silent instead. A strange gleam flickered in his eyes several times before he nodded and said:

“Good! Since Fellow Daoist is willing to accept even these conditions, I naturally will not renege on my word. Tomorrow, I will bring you to meet the other two elders of the Falling Cloud Sect. From then on, you will change your name and join the Falling Cloud Sect!”

“Thank you, Senior, for your grace in granting this!” Liu Yu felt a weight lift, knowing her life was truly saved, and hastily bowed gratefully.

“Return to your original meditation room to rest for a moment. I will cast the Spirit-Sealing Curse on you shortly, and then remove the mana seal placed on your body.” Han Li waved his hand, signaling for the woman to leave first.

Liu Yu gave her thanks once more before respectfully withdrawing from the hall.

Yellow light flashed on one wall of the hall, and Silvermoon materialized from it without a sound.

“What? You haven’t reverted to your original form yet?” Han Li glanced at the young woman before him, asking noncommittally.

“Your servant’s demon fox form has improved considerably in cultivation. Naturally, the transformation time has also lengthened slightly. But Master, do you truly intend to accept this woman as your disciple? I recall that Master never enjoyed taking disciples in the past, fearing too much karmic entanglement would hinder cultivation. Are these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes truly so important to Master? Otherwise, if you only wanted the Insect Taming secret arts, you could have used the ‘Dream Leading Art’ to forcibly extract them through soul search.” The young woman’s eyes rolled slightly, and she asked in a puzzled, coquettish voice.

“You are not wrong. I am determined to obtain these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes. Based on the current progress, refining one wisp of the Dry Azure Ice Flame at a time, how long do you think it will take me to complete the refinement of all the ice flames?” Han Li leaned back in his chair, a look of languor appearing on his face.

“I do not know. At the very least…” Silvermoon was caught off guard by Han Li’s question, and after hesitating for a moment, she could not make an accurate judgment.

“To tell you the truth, refining one strand requires a year of buffering. To turn all the ice flames to my own use would take at least over two hundred years. This time is far too long. The cold air sprayed by these Six-Winged Frost Centipedes can greatly shorten the refinement time, and it also seems to have a certain amplifying effect on the Dry Azure Ice Flame.” After Han Li finished speaking blandly, he raised both hands and extended one finger from each.

As a result, under Silvermoon’s astonished gaze, white and blue light flickered at his fingertips.

A snow-white frost blossom, and a brilliant blue ice flame, appeared at the tips of his fingers one after another, floating lightly, exquisitely formed.

“This…” Silvermoon let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

Han Li, without changing his expression, opened his mouth and blew out a puff of green mist, which instantly enveloped the frost blossom and blue flame.

The frost and blue flame instantly transformed into sparkling starlight, intermingling and intertwining.

Then a low, muffled explosion sounded, and a dazzling blue-white glare erupted. Within the green mist, a small purple flame-bird suddenly appeared, its twin wings beating slightly as it circled and danced, displaying exquisite agility.

Watching the finger-sized purple bird, Han Li’s face showed satisfaction, and deep within his gaze, there was even a faint hint of excitement.

“Silvermoon, do you still remember the Asura Holy Flame that the Profound Bone Old Demon once wielded?” Han Li let out a light breath, then suddenly asked.