Chapter 1201: Volume 7 Across the Human World Chapter 1196: 2 Women

As for Dong Xuan’er, clad in a white robe, her alluring crimson lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. Her expression seemed complex, with traces of agitation, joy, unfamiliarity, and even resentment.

“Miss Han’s visit here delights me greatly; why would I see it as any trouble? And there’s no need for formalities–don’t address me as some senior. Just call me Brother Han. Judging by your cultivation progress, it seems you’ve reached late Core Formation stage, and advancing into the Nascent Soul Stage should only be a matter of time.” Han Li spoke with a gentle smile.

The woman in yellow blushed slightly at Han Li’s words, but soon nodded happily.

“I’ve come this time mainly to thank Brother Han for sparing me twice in the past. Had it been any other cultivator, Yun Zhi might not have survived even one encounter.” Han Yunzhi spoke softly, gratitude evident in her tone.

“So, you’ve remembered the events of the Trial by Blood and Fire, as well as what transpired in the State of Yue later. Those incidents were indeed orchestrated by me.” Han Li looked surprised at first, then chuckled lightly.

“I saw Senior Sister Liu Yu recently, and she recounted everything to me. Otherwise, I might not have dared to approach Brother Han.” Han Yunzhi’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Oddly enough, while Han Li viewed her as a younger sister, Han Yunzhi seemed to feel a similar connection. After a few exchanges, she completely disregarded Han Li’s current status and conversed with him in a noticeably intimate and playful manner.

The two continued their conversation, reminiscing about the Tian Luo gathering and the Trial by Blood and Fire from years ago. Their emotions were deeply stirred by the memories. Who would have thought back then, when they were mere cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Stage, they’d be where they were today, centuries later?

Back then, even a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage was someone they could only look up to.

“By the way, this Dong Xuan’er here is someone I met at the ceremony. I heard she’s an old sect-mate of Brother Han and seems to have a matter to discuss with you,” Han Yunzhi suddenly recalled, turning to Dong Xuan’er with a smile before addressing Han Li.

“Indeed, Fairy Dong and I cultivated together under the Yellow Maple Valley Sect in the past. However, judging from her cultivation level the last time I glimpsed her briefly, she doesn’t seem to have made much progress and still appears stuck in the same place.” Han Li glanced at Dong Xuan’er with an indifferent tone after Han Yunzhi’s remark.

“I owe my stagnation entirely to you!” Dong Xuan’er’s face alternated between red and white before biting her teeth angrily and exploding at Han Li.

Han Li was taken aback, utterly perplexed.

Han Yunzhi blinked her beautiful eyes, a look of confusion crossing her face.

“Fairy Dong, what do you mean? How does your cultivation stagnation have anything to do with me?” Han Li asked coldly after recovering from his surprise, displeasure evident in his tone.

“If you hadn’t become my Heart Demon, how else could I repeatedly fail to break through my bottleneck and remain trapped at mid Core Formation stage for so many years?” Dong Xuan’er, brimming with frustration and anger, no longer cared about the perceived gap in their statuses as she shouted, seemingly unable to contain her grievances.

“Heart Demon?” Han Li murmured, a hint of doubt flashing across his face.

“Back during the Yan Ling Castle incident, I fell into Tian Buque’s hands and was abducted to the Harmonious Bond Sect. Only then did I discover my true identity–I am actually of noble bloodline, directly descended from Old Devil Cloud Dew of the Harmonious Bond Sect. Due to certain unforeseen circumstances, I later found myself cultivating under the Yellow Maple Valley Sect. Before I was even born, Old Devil Cloud Dew personally implanted a secret technique in me called the ‘Illusory Dream Incantation.’ This spell allows unparalleled proficiency in cultivation techniques related to charm and allure. However, the spell’s most crucial challenge–and simultaneously its greatest danger–is overcoming the Heart Demon. For some, it’s easy to pass as if eating or drinking; for others, it’s so difficult it becomes a lifelong impasse, entrapping their cultivation progress entirely. In extreme cases, it may even cause regression in cultivation if the Heart Demon is severe enough.” Dong Xuan’er explained through gritted teeth.

“Even so, how could I become your Heart Demon? Aside from our brief interactions, there’s hardly anything between us,” Han Li asked with a strange expression after a long pause.

“How should I know! Ever since my Core Formation was complete, you began appearing persistently as my Heart Demon during my cultivation sessions. Though I managed to forcefully advance into mid Core Formation stage using external aids, I’ve been unable to progress any further. Only by overcoming the Heart Demon can my cultivation hope to improve. I even consulted Old Devil Cloud Dew–my ancestor–and he speculated that the reason you became my Heart Demon might be related to some unique cultivation technique you practiced back when you resisted my charm technique. Later, during my captivity under Tian Buque, when I fell victim to backlash from my own charm technique, you left such a profound impression that you became ingrained as my Heart Demon.” Dong Xuan’er replied with a face full of unwillingness.

Han Li was left utterly speechless.

Han Yunzhi stared wide-eyed and dumbfounded.

“I heard you once sent people to look for me after achieving Core Formation. Tell me, if you had found me, how would you have dealt with your Heart Demon?” After a long silence, Han Li regained his composure and asked slowly, a flicker of light in his eyes.

“There are only a few ways to deal with a Heart Demon. Either overcome it with sheer willpower, eliminate the person embodying the Heart Demon, or…resolve it. Back then, I’d planned to resort to the second method,” Dong Xuan’er faltered in her words, her voice trailing off as the last sentence brought a blush to her cheeks.

The blush made her appearance dazzlingly vivid in an instant.

Han Li narrowed his eyes upon hearing the word “eliminate” but looked astounded by the latter part of her statement, even feeling slightly unsettled as something dawned on him.

“I understand your purpose in coming here now. You want me to use a spiritual sense transmission technique to help you overcome your Heart Demon challenge, correct?” Han Li spoke after a brief silence.

“Indeed. When the Moulan invaded back then, I wanted to ask for your help, but when I saw you’d already advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, I hesitated and missed the opportunity,” Dong Xuan’er admitted candidly, her expression composed.

“What makes you so certain I’ll help you?” Han Li chuckled softly and asked in return.

“You’re now Tian Luo’s number one cultivator. I don’t know if you’d bother aiding someone as insignificant as a Core Formation cultivator like myself. Still, if I wish to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage in my lifetime, this is my only hope. I had no choice but to try,” Dong Xuan’er replied with a hint of sorrow.

“Although our relationship in the past was not without friction, we were sect-mates once. Since your Heart Demon stems from me, helping you overcome this obstacle poses no difficulty for me now. I’ll assist you this once,” Han Li said slowly.

“Really?!” Dong Xuan’er’s face lit up with joy.

“Helping you overcome your Heart Demon is trivial for me. Do you think I lied? However, once this matter is resolved, we will have no further relations. Dong Daoist, take care of yourself from now on.” Han Li’s eyes flickered with varied emotions as he spoke deliberately.

“For your assistance, I will forever be indebted to you, Han Daoist. Rest assured, I harbor no other desires!” Dong Xuan’er’s face turned pale, and after a brief silence, she responded with an emotionless tone.

“Very well. Daoist Dong, rest here for three days. I will come to this pavilion after three days to help you overcome the Heart Demon challenge,” Han Li stated calmly.

Dong Xuan’er nodded coldly and refrained from speaking further.

Han Li spoke briefly with Han Yunzhi afterward, suggesting she remain in the Drifting Cloud Sect for several days to enjoy the sights before departing the pavilion.

Five days later, Dong Xuan’er and Han Yunzhi left the Drifting Cloud Sect separately, returning to the Controlling Spirit Sect and Harmonious Bond Sect respectively.

With Han Li’s assistance, Dong Xuan’er finally overcame her Heart Demon challenge, ensuring that nothing would hinder her from advancing further within the Core Formation stage. Meanwhile, Han Yunzhi left possessing not only multiple treasures and bottles of medicinal pills gifted by Han Li but also a letter penned by him addressed to the Great Elder of the Controlling Spirit Sect.

When Han Li descended as an azure streak of light into his residence at one of the smaller mountains, he found a white-robed lady dressed in palace attire waiting with a gentle smile.

Seeing Han Li alight, she immediately spoke in a warm tone:

“So Yun Zhi has already left? You could’ve kept her company a little longer.”

“There’s no need. These past few days of companionship were enough to resolve any heart-related knots regarding Yun Zhi,” Han Li replied with a light smile and shake of his head.

“By the way, I’ve just received news regarding one of your other admirers–the Fairy Violet Spirit. She successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage several years ago and has already departed on a journey to the Great Jin. It’ll be difficult for you to encounter her anytime soon,” Nangong Wan spoke with an amused glint in her eyes.

“With Fairy Violet Spirit’s talent, achieving the Nascent Soul Stage is hardly surprising. As for whether she remains in Tian Luo or not, it’s of no importance. If fate allows, we’ll meet again naturally. Also, once the set of artifact-refining materials I’ve been waiting for arrives in a few days, I plan to enter a life-or-death seclusion to push my cultivation toward the peak of the Deity Transformation stage while attempting to perfect the Great Development Technique. Then, I’ll combine the Five Extreme Cold Flames and the Five Sons Demon into one unified force,” Han Li said, smiling warmly at his wife.

“Wonderful! I, too, hope to strive for the pinnacle of the Deity Transformation stage during this period. I eagerly anticipate the day my husband and I emerge successful together.” Nangong Wan smiled charmingly, her expression radiating affection.

“Ha! Let’s hope all goes as you say, Wan’er. But for the next few days, I’d appreciate you keeping this husband company for a few nights,” Han Li remarked teasingly, his gaze lingering mischievously over Nangong Wan’s enticing figure.

“Oh, you’ve grown quite the silver tongue recently!” Nangong Wan exclaimed, her face turning crimson. She rebuked him with playful indignation, yet her mesmerizing gaze revealed her mixed emotions.

“Silver tongue! This is the first time anyone has described me, Han Li, in such a manner. Perhaps in my lifetime, there’s only one person I’d ever speak so sweetly to–and that person is you!” Han Li laughed heartily, his voice booming like thunder and reverberating across the smaller mountain peaks.

In one of the smaller mountain residences, a young girl around fourteen or fifteen years old was poring over a jade slip when Han Li’s laughter caught her attention. Turning her head slightly, she listened for a moment.

Suddenly, she giggled sweetly, a knowing smile appearing on her face.

(Second update!) (To be continued. For more chapters, please visit www.wuxiaworld.site to support the author and enjoy the original works!)