I'll make you the furnace and the cauldron, so you can refine Yin and Yang and prove the Great

Li Hanshan dared not be distracted any longer. He closed his eyes and let the gentle power guide his soul, tempering and strengthening it inch by inch.

"alright."

After an unknown amount of time, Luo Li released her grip, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, but a smile graced her face: "Grandpa, your spiritual sense is more than twice as strong as before. You should be able to detect if that demoness uses her charm on you again."

Li Hanshan opened his eyes, sensing the incredibly clear divine power in his mind, and was deeply shocked.

"Thank you, little girl."

He looked at Luo Li sincerely, his thousand words condensed into one sentence.

The girl in his dream was the one who was truly unconditionally good to him.

"Oh, by the way, sir, I'll teach you another mental attack technique. I might have to go into seclusion for a while, and I'm afraid I'll get too engrossed in it and miss your dream..."

Luo Li wasted no time and continued teaching until the dream shattered.

His consciousness was pulled away from the dream, and sensations from all parts of his body surged back like a flood.

Li Hanshan opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Hua Nongying's stunningly beautiful face.

She lay on her side beside him, one hand supporting her head, the other gently resting on his chest, her sleeping face serene.

Li Hanshan didn't move, but scanned the surroundings with his divine sense.

Everything within a radius of 100 meters can be seen.

In the next room, two maids were fast asleep; outside in the courtyard, several sparrows hopped on the branches; further away, the spiritual energy of the mountains flowed slowly like a thin mist.

"this...."

Li Hanshan was startled.

He remembered clearly that when he broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, his divine sense could only cover a radius of about ten meters. Even at the sixth level, it was only about twenty meters. But now, without any change in cultivation level, the range of his divine sense had skyrocketed to a hundred meters? This was at the level of the ninth or tenth level of Qi Refining!

In other words, although his cultivation level was still at the sixth level of Qi Refining, his spiritual sense was comparable to that of a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator, no less than that of Hua Nongying!

The enhancement of spiritual awareness is only the surface; the greater benefit lies in the soul.

He could feel that his soul was several times stronger than before, as if it had transformed from a small pond into a lake, thick and solid.

"Girl..."

Li Hanshan knew that all of this was thanks to Luo Li's help and sacrifices. She even took the initiative to nourish his soul with her own soul power; otherwise, how could a single soul-refining technique have such a miraculous effect?

As he progressed through the cultivation, he could clearly sense that Luo Li was becoming weaker, and he felt increasingly guilty.

"If I rise to power one day, I will repay this kindness a hundredfold!"

Li Hanshan silently made a vow in his heart.

But that's a story for later. Right now, with Hua Nongying hanging over his head like a Damocles' sword, even his survival is in question.

"Master, you're awake~"

Hua Nongying's soft, sweet voice rang out.

She opened her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering, and a bright smile bloomed on her face: "Master, you slept for three days and three nights again. I was so worried about you."

"Three days and three nights?"

Li Hanshan was taken aback, but then he understood.

The time it takes him to enter the dream world is related to his body's limits, but even after his cultivation level increased, it still only lasts three days. So, the limit for the dream world might be three days.

"Master, are you alright?"

Hua Nongying leaned closer, her small hand touching his forehead, her beautiful eyes full of concern.

The concern was so genuine that Li Hanshan almost believed it again.

However, this time he clearly sensed an extremely faint mental fluctuation emanating from her, silently seeping into his mind.

This must be the charm she used.

Previously, his spiritual sense was too weak to detect it at all. Now, with his spiritual sense greatly enhanced, this charm technique is as conspicuous to him as a firefly in the dark.

"I'm fine."

Li Hanshan remained calm and sighed, "I just had a very long dream. It's a strange illness I've had since I was a child, and it's never gotten better."

"What kind of dream was it?"

Hua Nongying was curious.

"I can't remember."

Li Hanshan smiled, got up and dressed.

Hua Nongying didn't press him for details, but obediently straightened his clothes, as gentle as a little wife.

Li Hanshan let her serve him, but he was making plans in his heart.

He can now resist the allure of her charms, but that's far from enough. Hua Nongying is at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, while he is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining; the difference is obvious. If she bypasses his defenses or simply disregards their oath to the inner demons and turns against him, he still has no chance of winning.

We must find a way to break this deadlock.

"Master, the weather is nice today, would you like to go for a walk?"

Hua Nongying helped him put on his clothes and took his arm.

"it is good."

Li Hanshan nodded.

The two walked out of the courtyard and strolled along the mountain path.

Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The mountain air flows gently with the breeze, bringing a sense of tranquility and peace.

As Li Hanshan walked, he released his divine sense to perceive everything around him, a method that enhanced his control over his divine sense.

Suddenly, his divine sense inadvertently swept across his lower abdomen and made an unexpected discovery.

There, after the Yang pattern lit up, his divine sense was able to enter it. Then he discovered that there was a hidden space inside.

It wasn't large, about the size of a room, and was surrounded by golden mist. In the center of the mist, there was a flower bud, its petals tightly closed, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

"This is...."

Li Hanshan was shocked.

He carefully examined the flower and discovered that it had nine petals, all of which were tightly closed and not a single one was open.

He tried to touch the flower with his divine sense.

boom!

A flood of information rushed into my mind.

The Yang Ce Gong Fa (Yang Book Technique) is based on the mutual generation of Yin and Yang; when the lines open, supernatural powers manifest.

Yang lines and yin lines are originally one. Yang lines represent the master, and yin lines represent the servant. When yin lines bloom, the servant contract is initially formed; when yang lines bloom, the master contract is fully formed.

The flower has nine petals, each petal representing a different realm.

One petal opening can sense the slave's emotions; three petals opening can sever the slave's life force; six petals opening can control the slave's spirit; nine petals opening means yin and yang are united, the slave will not die, and the master will not perish.

Li Hanshan gasped.

This Yang Ce technique actually hides such a secret!

In other words, he can control Hua Nongying through Yangwen.

But the prerequisite is that the Yang-patterned flower must bloom.

As for the flower blooming, he needs to use the Yang Ce technique to draw some of its essence from Hua Nongying's body during their cultivation sessions. In this way, with each cultivation session, the lines on the flower will deepen, bringing them one step closer to the flower blooming.

He could sense Hua Nongying's emotions only after the first petal of Yangwen had fully bloomed.

"I see."

Li Hanshan was overjoyed.

He finally found a way to break the deadlock!

As long as he continues to cultivate with Hua Nongying and allows the petals of the Yang Pattern to bloom, he can gradually gain control over this demoness. At that point, even if she breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage, she won't be able to escape his grasp!

"Master, what are you thinking about?"

Hua Nongying's voice rang in my ears.

Li Hanshan snapped out of his daze and found her tilting her head to look at him with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"It's nothing."

He smiled and put his arm around her waist: "I was thinking of you."

Hua Nongying blushed and lightly punched him: "Master, when did you become so glib-tongued?"

Li Hanshan laughed heartily.

He made his decision: to continue cooperating with Hua Nongying, practicing his cultivation as needed and indulging in intimate moments as appropriate. On the surface, he was gradually being bewitched by her charm; secretly, he would use the Yang Book to deepen his Yang patterns step by step, waiting for the day when the flower would bloom.

"It's a pity it wasn't discovered sooner."

In his previous cultivation, Li Hanshan mainly focused on improving his cultivation level and did not deliberately deepen the patterns on his body.

Now, with each cultivation session, he would silently draw some of Hua Nongying's body essence, which would greatly accelerate the flower's blooming process.

The days that followed went as usual.

Hua Nongying remains gentle and considerate, and Li Hanshan remains "obsessed" with her.

After each cultivation session with Hua Nongying, he would carefully observe the Yang patterns on his abdomen with his divine sense.

That flower is gradually blooming.

The first petal, from being tightly closed, to slightly opening, and then to opening halfway...

As for Hua Nongying, her yin lines are deepening, but her petals show no signs of opening. This is not important; the key is Li Hanshan's yang lines.

Just a few days later.

"boom"

A muffled sound came from Li Hanshan's body, indicating that his cultivation had broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

At the same time, he felt a heat in his abdomen, and the first petal of that flower finally bloomed completely!

A mysterious feeling arose in his heart.

He closed his eyes and focused his mind on sensing.

Gradually, he "heard" Hua Nongying's thoughts!

It was a complex emotion, a mixture of hatred, greed, scheming, and something else... indescribable.

But there was no sincerity among them.

"really."

Li Hanshan sneered inwardly.

This enchantress has never truly submitted to him. Everything she has done is to bewitch Li Hanshan until he is completely captivated, so that she can turn the tables, help him break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and then seize his Yang Scripture cultivation technique.

But it's okay.

One petal opens, and soon there will be two, three, four...

One day, he will make this flower bloom in full. At that time, Hua Nongying will never be able to escape his grasp.

In fact, you only need to open the third leaf to control Hua Nongying.

Three fragments sever life force, six fragments grasp the soul. Hua Nongying's cultivation level is not high, so there is no need to open the sixth fragment.

That afternoon, Li Hanshan was practicing his spiritual attack technique in the forest when a familiar figure walked towards him from the mountain path.

"Grandpa Li!"

Xu Lingxi waved from afar, her little face full of joy.

Li Hanshan withdrew his divine sense and went to meet him.

"Lingxi, what brings you here?"

I miss you~

Xu Lingxi skipped over and hugged his arm, her face beaming with smiles.

Li Hanshan glanced at her and was taken aback.

"Fourth level of Qi Refining? So fast?"

"Um!"

Xu Lingxi nodded emphatically, a hint of pride on her face: "Master said that my extreme Yin body makes my cultivation speed fast to begin with, and with the addition of a lot of pills she gave me, so... hehe~"

Li Hanshan was genuinely happy for her: "Not bad, not bad. At this rate, it won't be long before you surpass me."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Xu Lingxi suddenly lowered her voice and said, "Grandpa Li, I've come here today because I have something important to tell you."

"What is it?"

Xu Lingxi looked around to make sure no one was there before whispering, "I've inquired for Grandpa Li, and even a furnace cauldron can become a formal disciple."

"Really?"

Li Hanshan's eyes lit up.

"real!"

Xu Lingxi said seriously, "There are two conditions. First, the owner of the furnace must agree and pay a ransom; second, you need to participate in the sect's assessment, and after passing it, you can become an outer disciple."

Li Hanshan was overjoyed.

Becoming a formal disciple would undoubtedly be much more advantageous for him. And if Hua Nongying turned against him prematurely, he could still find a chance to escape!

"but......"

Xu Lingxi changed the subject, her face falling: "Master said that Grandpa Li, you are too old and have offended Zhao Yuan, the outer sect steward, so it will be extremely difficult for you to become an outer sect disciple."

Li Hanshan asked, "Why?"

Xu Lingxi sighed: "Master said that Zhao Yuan is in charge of the outer sect disciples' assessment. The outer sect elders have a good relationship with him, so he will definitely try to sabotage it. Besides, even if we succeed, Zhao Yuan will still target us in the future."

Zhao Yuan!

Even without Xu Lingxi saying anything, Li Hanshan knew that this guy was definitely targeting him, since Zhao Yuan was planning to kill him.

Li Hanshan asked, "Is there any other way?"

Xu Lingxi nodded: "Also, there's the option of getting noticed by an elder and being taken in as a personal disciple, like I did. But... Master said Grandpa Li is too old, and no elder will take notice of him unless they have ulterior motives."

Okay, being old is the original sin, Li Hanshan thought to himself again, cursing this damn time-travel again.

"so......"

She bit her lip and said with difficulty, "Grandpa Li, you only have one path to take, and that is to become an inner disciple."

"An inner disciple?"

Li Hanshan was taken aback.

"Um."

Xu Lingxi nodded: "Inner disciples are not under Zhao Yuan's jurisdiction, so he can't interfere. There just happened to be an opportunity recently."

"What opportunity?"

"The Sect's Grand Examination"

Xu Lingxi said, "During each sect's grand examination, inner disciples must enter a secret realm for trials. If the furnace vessel chooses to redeem itself and participates, and passes the trial, it can directly become an inner disciple."

She looked up, her eyes filled with worry: "But Master said that such a secret realm trial is extremely dangerous even for inner disciples. Let alone Grandpa Li, you are the furnace cauldron. Those inner disciples will definitely target you."

Li Hanshan fell silent.

Inner disciples are at least at the late stage of Qi Refining. He, at the seventh level of Qi Refining and still a furnace cauldron, would probably be devoured without leaving even bones after entering.

"and....."

Xu Lingxi bit her lip: "Master said that during the secret realm trial, it's okay to do anything, including killing each other."

Li Hanshan's face darkened.

This is no trial; it's clearly raising poisonous insects.

"Grandpa Li..."

Xu Lingxi grabbed his hand, her eyes red-rimmed: "How about... you take me?"

"What?"

Li Hanshan was taken aback.

Xu Lingxi's face turned as red as if it were about to bleed, and her voice was so soft it was barely a whisper: "I have an extremely Yin body, and Grandpa Li, you have a pure Yang body. If we... your cultivation will definitely be able to advance. Then we'll be more confident about entering the secret realm."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face: "I don't want to see Grandpa Li die... I... I'm willing..."