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

Time flies, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

For the past six months, Li Hanshan has hardly left his house, devoting all his energy to cultivation. Hua Nongying's cave has become his permanent residence, and the two of them cultivate together day and night, their cultivation increasing day by day.

The wondrous power of the Yang Ce technique was fully unleashed over the past six months. The Yin and Yang energies of Li Hanshan and Hua Nongying circulated repeatedly within their bodies, each instance of dual cultivation equivalent to several days of arduous training for an ordinary cultivator. Coupled with the tempering of his divine sense by the Refining Spirit Technique, his strength increased almost every day.

In the second month after breaking through to the third level of Foundation Establishment, he reached the peak of the third level. In the third month, with the help of Liu Ruoxue's extremely yin and cold energy, he broke through to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment in one fell swoop. In the fifth month, he reached the peak of the fourth level of Foundation Establishment. In the sixth month, he found Liu Ruoxue again and broke through to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

In just half a year, he went from the second level of Foundation Establishment to the fifth level. If word of this cultivation speed were to spread, it would probably shake the entire Hehuan Sect.

Hua Nongying's progress was equally significant. Originally at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, she broke through two levels within half a year under the nourishment of Li Hanshan's pure Yang energy, reaching the third level of Foundation Establishment. Her enchanting face gained a more confident glow, and her every move became even more alluring.

"Hanlang, you're much stronger than me now."

On this day, Hua Nongying leaned softly against Li Hanshan's chest, her slender fingers drawing circles on his chest, her tone carrying a hint of pride and a touch of coquetry.

Li Hanshan had his arm around her waist, but his gaze was fixed on the sea of ​​clouds outside the cave, lost in thought.

He also visited Liu Ruoxue's place several times.

Every time, it was the same process—he forced his way into the cave, Liu Ruoxue resisted with a cold face, he suppressed her, placed a restriction on her, and then they cultivated together. After the cultivation ended, he released the restriction, and Liu Ruoxue would grab anything she could grab and throw it at him, shouting, "I'll kill you."

However, her cultivation level also steadily improved through these repeated "forced" experiences.

From the first level of Foundation Establishment to the second level, and then to the third level, he broke through two levels in just half a year. Such speed is astonishing even in the Joyful Union Sect.

But her attitude has never changed.

Still cold, still hating him.

After each dual cultivation session, she would stare at him with the look of someone looking at an enemy, as if she wanted to tear him to pieces. Li Hanshan didn't care and continued to teach him what he needed to teach—how to guide the cold energy, how to temper the pure yin meridians, and how to transform the extreme yin cold energy into his own.

He taught diligently, and she learned diligently.

But as soon as she finishes teaching, she will revert to her aloof and unapproachable demeanor.

"trade."

She always uttered those two words coldly, as if reminding him, and also as if reminding herself.

Li Hanshan always just laughed it off.

In the past six months, he has met his maid Luo Li several times in his dreams.

Every time they met, Luo Li would teach him something new.

The first time, she taught him a technique called "Fire Release Technique." This is an advanced version of the Hokage Step. When mastered to a high level, it can transform into a streak of fire that can instantly reach a hundred feet in length, making it a top-notch method for both pursuit and escape.

The second time, she taught him several more spells, all of which were fire and lightning-based attack methods. When used with the pure yang meridian, their power was greatly increased.

On the next few occasions, she helped him refine his spirit.

Their souls merged in the dream, Luo Li's soul power like a hot spring, gently nourishing his consciousness. In the past six months, the range of his consciousness had expanded several times over, and the power of his consciousness attack techniques had also increased accordingly. According to Luo Li's estimation, his current consciousness strength was no less than that of the late Foundation Establishment stage.

During their last meeting, Luo Li suddenly asked, "Grandpa, have you ever thought about learning alchemy?"

Li Hanshan was taken aback: "Alchemy?"

"Hmm." Luo Li nodded. "Although your cultivation speed is fast now, your foundation is inevitably a bit unstable. If you can refine some nourishing and strengthening pills to help you, it will not only consolidate your cultivation but also lay a solid foundation for forming your core in the future."

Li Hanshan smiled wryly: "Girl, I'd love to learn, but alchemy isn't that easy. The formula, the technique, the heat—all are indispensable. I don't even have an alchemy furnace."

"What's so difficult about that?"

Luo Li blinked, then extended her slender fingers and began to write in the air. Ancient characters appeared like flowing light, eventually coalescing into a scroll of elixir formula.

"This is the formula for the Nourishing Essence Pill. The main ingredient is a century-old Ganoderma lucidum, supplemented with other medicinal herbs such as Blood Jade Ginseng, Poria cocos, and Polygonatum sibiricum. These medicinal herbs are not rare; they should be available in the Hehuan Sect."

Li Hanshan took the prescription and examined it carefully. The prescription not only recorded the types and quantities of medicinal materials, but also detailed the methods for processing and controlling the heat, and even listed the possible problems and solutions.

"Girl, you can also refine pills?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Of course." Luo Li nodded matter-of-factly, a hint of smugness on her face. "Grandpa, I know a lot."

"Girl, you're really amazing," Li Hanshan praised sincerely.

"Grandpa, you should start by practicing with the Qi-Nourishing Pill. This pill isn't high-grade, and the success rate is high, making it perfect for beginners," Luo Li instructed. "Once you're proficient, I'll teach you more advanced pill formulas."

Li Hanshan memorized the prescription and nodded earnestly.

This girl is truly his benefactor.

Without her, I would have died on Hua Nongying's belly long ago, how could I be where I am today?

On this day, Li Hanshan was studying pill formulas in his cave when he suddenly sensed a familiar aura approaching.

As he stepped out of the cave, he saw Xu Lingxi flying towards him from the direction of Jade Peak on a flying sword. The little girl was wearing a light green dress, and her long hair was styled into two small buns, making her look playful and cute.

Half a year has passed, and her cultivation has improved a lot. She has already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and is only one step away from Foundation Establishment.

"Grandpa Li!"

Xu Lingxi saw Li Hanshan from afar and waved excitedly. Before her flying sword had even come to a complete stop, she jumped down, ran to Li Hanshan, and looked him up and down, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Grandpa Li, you've broken through again? What's your cultivation level now? I feel like you're even more powerful than Master!"

Li Hanshan smiled but didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Lingxi, where have you been for the past six months? I haven't seen you at all."

Xu Lingxi stuck out her tongue: "Master took me into seclusion. She said my cultivation speed was too fast and my foundation was a bit unstable, so I needed to calm down and polish it properly. Well, this seclusion has lasted for half a year, and I'm almost going stir-crazy."

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something, took out several jade bottles from her storage bag, and stuffed them into Li Hanshan's hands: "Grandpa Li, these are pills that my master asked me to bring to you, saying they can help you consolidate your cultivation."

Li Hanshan accepted the jade bottle, feeling a warmth in his heart.

However, upon further reflection, he sensed something was amiss, so he stared at Xu Lingxi and asked, "Was it really given to you by your master?"

Xu Lingxi felt guilty when he looked at her, and clutched the hem of her clothes, saying, "Yes, I took it secretly..."

This girl.

He actually stole something from Jiang Nianwei. If Jiang Nianwei finds out, that'll be terrible.

Li Hanshan stuffed the jade bottle back in: "Put it back."

Xu Lingxi waved her hands repeatedly: "Grandpa Li, don't worry, Master can't use these pills, he won't blame me."

Li Hanshan shook his head: "That won't work either."

He said seriously, "If you really want to help me, find me a pill-making room. I want to learn how to refine pills."

"Alchemy?"

Xu Lingxi looked surprised.

Li Hanshan did not hide anything and told them about his desire to learn alchemy.

After listening, Xu Lingxi patted her chest and said, "That's easy! There are plenty of alchemy rooms on Jade Peak. I'll take you there! Master isn't on the peak lately, so we can secretly use her alchemy room. The alchemy furnace in her room is the best in the entire Joyful Union Sect!"