Chapter 113

“Master Uncle.”

Han Luo greeted Yunyangzi respectfully.

“That demon clan member—he’s in your hands now?” Yunyangzi’s expression was as gentle and composed as ever, like a kindly old grandfather.

“Yes. I’ve trapped him inside the Bronze Mirror. He won’t be getting out.”

“Very good,” Yunyangzi nodded approvingly. “The Bronze Mirror is a postnatal spiritual treasure of the support type. It excels at trapping enemies—your choice was wise.”

Han Luo hesitated, then carefully asked, “Master Uncle… what about that old ghost from Changshou Sect?”

As a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, Han Luo knew he wasn’t yet qualified to delve into the affairs of Nascent Soul stage experts. Even if he was exceptionally talented, overstepping boundaries could bring unnecessary trouble.

“Don’t worry,” Yunyangzi reassured him. “I’ve already communicated with the Xian Sword. From today on, unless someone breaks through the Luoxian Grand Formation by brute force, any disguised experts entering the sect will be exposed immediately.”

“You… you spoke with the Xian Sword?” Han Luo was visibly surprised.

The sword hadn’t accepted a master—how could anyone communicate with it?

“Hehehe…”

Yunyangzi laughed softly at Han Luo’s shock.

“The Twin Immortal Swords possess sentience. They simply choose to ignore people most of the time. It’s not uncommon for innate spiritual treasures to have odd tempers.”

That wasn’t exactly a secret, and with Han Luo’s potential, it wasn’t unlikely that one of the swords might recognize him in the future.

“I see,” Han Luo nodded.

He hadn’t realized the swords were that intelligent—but it made sense. As innate spiritual treasures, they were born of the Heavenly Dao and likely far more intelligent than 99% of humans.

With that reassurance, half of the heavy burden in Han Luo’s heart was lifted. He continued chatting with Yunyangzi for a while, mostly about the demon clan’s schemes, before seeing the elder off.

He then headed straight to the only entrance of Luoxian Sect and personally used the Bronze Mirror to set up an alarm formation. Unless someone had an outrageous concealment technique that could evade the mirror’s scan, they would be exposed immediately.

With that done, the rest of the burden in his heart eased. Still, he maintained a trace of caution—after all, there was no such thing as being too careful.

At the base of Luoxian Mountain, Han Luo’s face darkened.

Li Jun had somehow appeared outside his mountain, kneeling with solemn determination. Judging by his expression, he must have heard that Chi Xiao had completed her eighth refinement.

At that moment, a voice from the void echoed—it was Master Uncle Yunding.

“Little Luo, I heard you helped that Chi Xiao girl complete her eighth refinement. I know it’s bold of me to ask, but could you help Jun’er too? I swear, if you do this for me, I’ll do anything you ask. I’ll even be your servant—bring you tea, pour your water. Whatever you want, I won’t refuse!”

Yunding’s tactics were far more shameless than Hongniang’s—this was full-on emotional blackmail, classic Yunding style.

Apparently, that shamelessness ran deep.

Outside the formation, Li Jun knelt on one knee like a loyal retainer swearing fealty to his king.

Han Luo’s head throbbed.
Can’t I just peacefully cultivate in peace for once?!

He cleared his throat and said calmly, “Master Uncle Yunding, you’re too kind. I could never accept you as a servant—that’d be outrageous. As for helping Senior Brother Li Jun with his eighth refinement… I’m afraid I simply don’t have the ability.”

Of course, that was a lie.

He was simply unwilling.

Chi Xiao may be temperamental, but at least she was a pretty woman. Some back-and-forth with her was acceptable.

But Li Jun? He was a guy.

Sure, a handsome one—but no way was Han Luo going to help him bathe in fire and purify his body. Just thinking about waking up to that made him want to vomit up yesterday’s chicken stew.

“Little Luo, I understand your concerns,” Yunding said, not giving up. “How about this—we’ll form a master-servant contract right now. Once that’s done, help Jun’er with his refinement.”

A scroll appeared in Yunding’s hand—one that would bind their lives together once Han Luo added a drop of his blood.

Han Luo’s face froze.
He hadn’t expected the old man to go all-in.

Even so, he was determined: no way was he helping Li Jun refine his body.

But after thinking for a moment, he proposed a compromise.

“How about this—since the refinement is for Senior Brother Li Jun, let’s see how determined he is. Let his will be the deciding factor.”

If Li Jun proved himself, Han Luo might consider it. If he gave up halfway, it would show his character—and then Han Luo could walk away guilt-free.

“That works,” Yunding agreed, keeping the contract scroll and not saying anything to Li Jun.

Han Luo, however, had underestimated Li Jun’s resolve.

He might have looked like a smooth-talking goody-two-shoes who never offended anyone, but beneath that polite exterior was a donkey-stubborn will—not a bit weaker than Chi Xiao’s.

Half a month passed.

Li Jun remained kneeling, one knee on the ground, without moving a muscle.

No one had spoken to him the entire time.

Han Luo observed carefully: Li Jun wasn’t using any spiritual energy to support himself. He was holding that posture entirely through physical strength and mental focus.

Even for a cultivator, that kind of endurance without relying on spiritual power was an immense trial.

Another half month passed.

Li Jun was still kneeling, unwavering and devout.

Han Luo finally called for Master Yunding.

Step one, as always, was the oath.

Both parties completed the formal vow.

Han Luo then handed two pills to Yunding, instructing him to pass them to Li Jun. He didn’t show himself.

One pill was a supreme-grade refinement pill.

The other… wasn’t exactly a pill.

He’d named it the Colorless Immortal Pill—a disguised pill made from his own colorless spiritual energy.

Over the past month, aside from studying Foundation Establishment techniques, he’d spent his time preparing this.

His colorless spiritual energy was unique. The fact that he could fight Chi Xiao’s inner demon inside her refinement world proved how exceptional it was—it had a real effect in a space where ordinary spiritual energy failed.

If it worked, it could give Li Jun the extra boost he needed to succeed.

The rest was up to fate.

Li Jun bowed respectfully toward Luoxian Mountain and returned to Xianding Peak.

Seven days later, news came: Li Jun had narrowly survived a life-or-death breakthrough and miraculously completed his eighth refinement.

“Fate has spoken. Fate has spoken indeed,” Han Luo muttered with a small smile.

He had only given Li Jun a chance—whether he succeeded was always going to depend on his own strength and luck.

And clearly, fate had given him this step forward.

“Woof woof woof—!”

The big yellow dog, Jiutong, wagged his tongue excitedly, staring up at his master with an expectant, dopey look.

“You too, Jiutong? You’re sure you want to try the Colorless Immortal Pill?”