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

On this day, Li Hanshan and Hua Nongying were cultivating in their cave. The two were deeply entwined, their yin and yang energies circulating within their bodies, filling the cave with spiritual energy.

Suddenly, Hua Nongying opened her eyes and sensed a familiar presence outside the cave.

"Senior Sister Yun is here," she said softly.

Li Hanshan withdrew his spiritual power, and Hua Nongying got up and opened the stone door. Yun Shuyue stood outside the door, dressed in a plain long dress. Her gaze swept over the two people in the cave, finally landing on Li Hanshan, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Junior Brother Li? You...you're back alive?"

Li Hanshan nodded: "By luck."

"The assessment task..." Yun Shuyue hesitated for a moment, "Ten late-stage second-tier inner cores, you completed them?"

"It's done." Li Hanshan said calmly.

Yun Shuyue gasped, her gaze towards Li Hanshan now filled with admiration. She knew all too well the terror of late-stage second-tier demonic beasts; Li Hanshan had not only returned alive but had also completed his mission—this could not be explained by mere luck.

Hua Nongying pulled Yun Shuyue to sit down by the stone couch and poured her a cup of spiritual tea. The two had been friends for many years and both had a cold exterior but a warm heart, so they chatted much more casually. Yun Shuyue held the teacup, but her brows were furrowed with an indissoluble sorrow.

"What's wrong?" Hua Nongying asked.

Yun Shuyue sighed, "It's still a matter of cultivation level. I've been stuck at the first level of Foundation Establishment for over a year, and I've used countless spirit stones and pills, but I just can't break through."

She put the teacup aside, her tone growing increasingly somber: "Although I am a core disciple, you know the sect's rules. If I don't make progress for a long time, an elder will come to 'guide' me."

guide?

This is probably not as simple as just providing guidance.

Li Hanshan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Deacon Zhao and Deacon Lu are both quite old and still at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet they haven't become mere cultivation vessels. Is this because they are deacons?"

Hua Nongying shook her head: "They just look fine. In fact, they are regularly drained of their essence by the elders above. It's just that the sect needs to do some things, so the elders won't drain them to death all at once."

Good guy.

No wonder even a core disciple like Yun Shuyue, who is in the Foundation Establishment stage, doesn't feel safe.

Even if you're not a cultivation furnace, if your cultivation speed slows down, and an elder comes to "guide" you, there's nothing you can do about it.

Hua Nongying glanced at Li Hanshan, then suddenly asked, "Senior Sister Yun, do you know what my cultivation level is now?"

Yun Shuyue was taken aback, scrutinizing her for a moment, but couldn't see through her. She tentatively asked, "Second level of Foundation Establishment?"

Hua Nongying shook her head.

"Foundation Building Level 3?"

Hua Nongying shook her head again, slowly releasing her aura.

Yun Shuyue's expression turned serious. She focused her senses for a moment, then her face changed drastically: "Foundation Establishment Level 4! Nongying, you've broken through to Foundation Establishment Level 4?"

Keep in mind, how long has it been since Hua Nongying broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage? At most, just over a year. To advance from the first to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment in a year—such speed is simply astonishing among the core disciples of the Hehuan Sect. Yun Shuyue's breathing quickened slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"It's not just me." Hua Nongying gestured towards Li Hanshan, "Even that ice block Liu Ruoxue has broken through to the third level of Foundation Establishment."

Yun Shuyue's pupils contracted slightly. She knew Liu Ruoxue's cultivation level all too well; back in the secret realm, Liu Ruoxue had only just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. How long had it been, and she had already broken through two more levels?

Seeing that the time was ripe, Hua Nongying leaned closer and lowered her voice: "Senior Sister Yun, the reason I was able to break through so quickly is all thanks to Han Lang."

"Hanlang?"

Yun Shuyue couldn't help but look at Li Hanshan.

She was somewhat puzzled. Even if the Hehuan Sect's method of absorbing and replenishing essence was unparalleled in the world, it was still extremely incredible that one could go from the first level of Foundation Establishment to the fourth level in just one year.

This is the Foundation Establishment stage!

"Senior Sister Yun, we've known each other for many years, and I'm only telling you this now." Hua Nongying's tone became serious. "You should know that some people in the sect have already started to keep an eye on you."

Yun Shuyue's body stiffened slightly.

Li Hanshan was also somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Hua Nongying to be so direct.

"Your aptitude is not bad, and you're beautiful, but your cultivation level is slow to improve. It won't be long before an elder transfers you to 'assist in cultivation.' You don't need to tell me what will happen to you then."

Yun Shuyue remained silent for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty: "Within the sect, are there any other paths for female disciples like us to take?"

"Yes," Hua Nongying grasped her hand. "There's one right in front of us."

Yun Shuyue raised her head, her eyes filled with struggle and hesitation. She glanced at Li Hanshan subconsciously, then quickly looked away.

Li Hanshan understood Hua Nongying's meaning almost instantly.

This vixen is actually helping him recruit more people now.

For the Yang Ce cultivation method, the more people practicing dual cultivation, the faster the cultivation speed will naturally be.

Therefore, Li Hanshan neither stopped Hua Nongying nor said anything.

If Yun Shuyue is willing, he will not refuse, after all, this can improve cultivation faster.

Hua Nongying said, "Senior Sister, there's no need to force yourself. This matter concerns cultivation; you should weigh the pros and cons yourself."

Yun Shuyue stood up, nodded to the two of them, and hurriedly left the cave. Her steps were somewhat flustered, clearly indicating that she was not at peace.

After the stone gate closed, Li Hanshan looked at Hua Nongying and said, "You're quite generous."

Hua Nongying nestled softly into his arms, her slender fingers tracing circles on his chest, her tone slightly coquettish: "Hanlang, don't you think Senior Sister Yun is very beautiful? Moreover, although her cultivation level isn't high, her foundation is solid. She cultivates the orthodox Xuan Shui Technique; if you could cultivate with her, your cultivation would definitely progress much faster."

"To be honest," Li Hanshan said, unconvinced.

Hua Nongying pursed her lips, remained silent for a while, and then her tone turned serious: "Hanlang, your cultivation speed is too fast. Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, Pure Yang Meridian, and those mysterious techniques of yours... I can't keep up with you even when I try my best. It won't be long before you leave me far behind."

She looked up, a hint of unease in her eyes: "I know I can't keep you here. But Senior Sister Yun is different. With her around, at least she can help you break through faster."

Li Hanshan looked at the woman in his arms, said nothing, and simply hugged her even tighter.

This enchantress is now completely devoted to him.

Just then, a strong fluctuation suddenly emanated from the Soul Banner. Li Hanshan's heart stirred, and he took out the Soul Banner and gently shook it. A black light flew out from the banner, transforming into the appearance of Xiao An.

Her soul was several times more solid than before, and the Yin energy surrounding her was restrained and profound, faintly revealing a chilling pressure.

The foundation has seven layers.

Li Hanshan's pupils contracted slightly: "You've broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage?"

So,

There's an even faster one here.

"Yes." Xiao An bowed respectfully, but his eyes could not hide his joy. "The Netherworld Record is indeed a supreme method. After refining the soul of that fake Core Demon, my soul power has advanced by leaps and bounds, and I have already reached the seventh level of Foundation Establishment."

Li Hanshan remained silent for a while before smiling wryly and saying, "Xiao An, you're actually faster than me."

He thought his cultivation speed was already astonishing enough, but he didn't expect Xiao An to be even faster. From a Yin spirit trapped in the Myriad Soul Banner and almost killed by him, to his current cultivation level of the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, how long has it been?

"As expected of the methods of demonic cultivators," Li Hanshan remarked. "Soul-refining and spirit-seizing, using the souls of others as nourishment, this cultivation method is cruel, but it is indeed fast enough."

Xiao An lowered his head: "I owe my success today entirely to your guidance, senior."

Li Hanshan waved his hand, but in his heart he was making calculations. Xiao An's breakthrough to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment was a great help to him. With her current strange methods in her Yin Soul body, even ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators might not be her match. Such combat power could be a life-saving trump card in critical moments.

A few days later, Yun Shuyue visited again.

Today she wore a moon-white long dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, appearing less aloof and more gentle than usual. Standing at the entrance of the cave, she looked at Li Hanshan and Hua Nongying, her lips moved, and finally she spoke.

"I do."