I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

"As I just said, for people of our aptitude, if we don't find another way and hope to form the core step by step, it's nothing short of a pipe dream."

This "Three Revolutions Rejuvenating Technique," though difficult, is a truly solid path. Junior Brother, you can take it back and study it slowly. If you find it useful, then practice it; if you find it unsuitable, you may discard it. I, Zhou Yuan, swear by my inner demons that the contents of this jade slip are absolutely true, unaltered, and do not contain any hidden dangers. Giving it to Junior Brother is without any malicious intent.

The oath made by one's inner demons has an extremely strong binding force on cultivators. The fact that Zhou Yuan dared to make such an oath at least indicates that the cultivation technique itself is not problematic.

Han Li held the jade slip in his hand, sensing the vast information within it, his mind racing.

Could it be... that I'm just overthinking things?

Brother Zhou generously gave this gift because he felt a sense of shared suffering and because of this fortunate opportunity.

No, it can't be that simple!

"I am deeply grateful for your generous gift, senior brother."

If Han Li ever truly achieves the Core Formation stage, he will never forget his senior brother's great kindness today!

Han Li suppressed the turmoil in his mind.

He solemnly put away the jade slip containing the Azure Origin Sword Manual, and then bowed deeply to Zhou Yuan.

Regardless of Zhou Yuan's true intentions, the value of this cultivation technique is undeniable.

He remembered this favor.

"Junior brother, there's no need for such formalities. The path to enlightenment is arduous; if we support each other, we may be able to go further." Zhou Yuan smiled calmly, as if he had truly only done a trivial matter.

Zhou Yuan understands Han Li.

As long as he remains stronger than Han Li, Han Li will never escape his grasp.

"Senior brother, I'm leaving now!"

After thanking him again, Han Li took his leave and quickly disappeared into the forest.

He needed to return to his cave as soon as possible to properly study the "Azure Origin Sword Manual".

And that scroll of "Three Revolutions of the Renewed Yuan Technique".

Looking in the direction Han Li had left, a profound look flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes.

The gift of the complete inheritance of the "Qingyuan Sword Manual" was certainly not without purpose.

What he had his eye on was the "Golden Thunder Bamboo" that Han Li would cultivate in the future!

The "Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword," crafted from Golden Thunder Bamboo, is far more powerful than any other natal magic weapon made from ordinary materials, and it also possesses its own warding-off divine thunder.

It has countless ingenious uses.

By establishing a good relationship in advance, it will be easier to obtain the Golden Thunder Bamboo in the future.

As for whether Han Li will become stronger because of this technique... Zhou Yuan is not worried.

With an equipment slot, his growth rate will only accelerate. The stronger Han Li becomes, the greater the assistance he can provide in the future.

After seeing Han Li off, Zhou Yuan also left this place of trouble. After returning to his cave dwelling and tidying up a bit, he went straight to the market in Huangfeng Valley.

In the days that followed, he spent nearly half of his spirit stones on shopping in the market.

He purchased in bulk the medicinal materials needed to refine the Jade Condensation Pill and several other pills that are helpful for Foundation Establishment stage cultivation.

At the same time, he also purchased a large amount of materials for refining talismans and setting up formations.

With sufficient cultivation resources, Zhou Yuan once again began his secluded life of cultivation.

……

Time passes unnoticed in the mountains; the passing of winter leaves one unaware of the years.

In the blink of an eye.

Another four years have quietly passed.

Inside the quiet chamber of the cave, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged, his aura harmonious and profound.

He had already mastered the fifth level of the Azure Origin Sword Technique, and the liquid true essence in his dantian surged like a tide.

He has already reached the peak of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

There were even faint signs that he was about to break through to a later stage. But he actively suppressed this urge to break through.

In just a few years, he went from the initial stage of Foundation Establishment to the peak of the middle stage. This speed was already astonishing enough. Then, his sudden "breakthrough" to the late stage was too eye-catching.

He plans to take some time to reflect and find a suitable opportunity to make a breakthrough.

During those four years, he did not solely focus on practicing the "Qingyuan Sword Manual".

He has already cultivated the first four levels of the "Great Evolution Technique" obtained from "Senior Brother Lin" to the second level.

This secret technique that specializes in cultivating divine sense is indeed wondrous. Combined with the "Twelve Thorns of the Divine Court" that he originally cultivated, his divine sense strength has now steadily surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment peak cultivator.

It even faintly touched the threshold of the divine sense of a cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation!

The benefits of a strong spiritual sense are all-encompassing: casting spells is faster and more accurate, manipulating magical artifacts is more precise and nuanced, cultivating spells is twice as effective with half the effort, and even alchemy and studying formations feel much smoother.

The power of the Twelve Divine Threats also increased accordingly.

Currently, it is estimated that no one in the Foundation Establishment stage is immune to the momentary stagnation caused by the sharp spikes of divine sense.

As for his attack methods, he had already mastered the "Thousand Blade Technique" bestowed upon him by Li Huayuan to perfection!

Now, with a mere thought, he can instantly unleash thousands of tangible, incomparably sharp, pale golden sword lights, covering the sky and earth with a might that can sweep across the heavens and the earth.

With his peak Foundation Establishment stage true essence, it would take him nearly one-fifth of his total essence to unleash a perfect Thousand Blade Technique.

However, with the terrifying recovery speed of the equipment slot (three mid-level spirit stones + Spirit Eye Spring), this amount of consumption can be replenished in the blink of an eye!

This means that in battle, he can transform into a mobile, never-ending metal storm turret, if he so chooses!

On this day, Zhou Yuan was immersed in the subtle insights of the "Great Evolution Technique" when he suddenly felt something and his brows twitched slightly.

The warning barrier on the outer layer of the cave was triggered, not by an attack, but by someone sending a message from outside.

He calmed his breathing, got up and walked out of the quiet room to the entrance of the cave.

Outside the thin light barrier formed by the array, a yellow communication talisman was quietly suspended, its surface shimmering with spiritual light.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand and cast a spell, capturing the sound transmission talisman in his hand.

As divine sense probed in, Senior Brother Yu Kun's slightly anxious voice immediately rang out:

"Junior Brother Zhou, come to Green Wave Cave immediately! Master summons you with urgent business!"

"Master summons me?"

Zhou Yuan felt slightly surprised.

Li Huayuan rarely summoned his disciples unless it was for something important.

It has been four years since I last visited Li Huayuan. I wonder what brings him here this time.

He didn't delay.

He quickly tidied his appearance, adjusted the cave's formation to full defensive mode, then summoned the Divine Wind Boat, which transformed into a white streak of light and sped towards Green Wave Cave.

The Divine Wind Boat is extremely fast.

In less than half a day, Zhou Yuan arrived at the familiar valley shrouded by the enormous waterfall. The silvery waterfall still roared as it cascaded down, spraying mist and occasionally revealing rainbows.

However, just as Zhou Yuan pressed the escape light and prepared to activate the transmission talisman to enter,

Another cyan light arrived from another direction almost simultaneously.

It landed steadily in front of the waterfall.

The light dissipated, revealing a face familiar to Zhou Yuan—this person's expression was calm yet cautious; it was none other than Han Li.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and they both saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

They were summoned at the same time?

It seems that Master Li Huayuan's so-called "important matter" this time is probably quite significant.