Chapter 251: Separation

Do you know anything about this cultivator's techniques? If it's not Yanzi and his cultivation isn't high, I can go talk to him. It should be resolvable,” Han Li said calmly, rubbing his nose. He knew very well that anyone who would stoop to coercing mortal women couldn't possess very profound cultivation. His question was merely a cautious instinct.

“I had Caihuan inquire about this beforehand. We heard he's just a cultivator whose foundational techniques have only reached the fifth level. Although he also carries the Yan surname, he's certainly an insignificant figure within the Yan family. Otherwise, how could even a slightly valued disciple live among us mortals?” Madam Yan truly lived up to her former status as the head of the Mo Manor. Even in her current decline, she still handled matters with remarkable clarity and organization.

“Then there’s no problem! In a moment, Junior Sister, just lead the way so I can get my bearings. I will resolve this issue for you!” Han Li listened, then nodded and said.

“Thank you, Senior Brother! I knew Senior Brother would help!” Mo Caihuan, who had clearly overheard, exclaimed sweetly, overjoyed.

“Han Li, this is really troubling for you! Otherwise, my daughter and I truly wouldn't know how to handle the coercion of a cultivator.” Madam Yan's eyes showed relief, but then she sighed long and said helplessly: “Although this place ostensibly forbids cultivators from harassing us mortals, in reality, there's too much hidden abuse of mortals. How could the Yan family truly punish those cultivators? It's common for mortals who accidentally incur a cultivator's wrath to simply vanish without a trace.”

Han Li detected a hint of helpless resentment in her words. After all, compared to her former glory of holding life-and-death power in the Mo Manor, her current life of suppressed grievances was indeed somewhat humiliating for Madam Yan.

After listening, Han Li remained silent for a moment. Then he suddenly asked a question that puzzled him. “Madam, Junior Sister is well past the age for marriage. Why not find a suitable person within the fortress to marry? If she married a cultivator, wouldn't she have someone to rely on?”

“Marry?”

“I wouldn't marry those Yan family cultivators!”

No sooner had Han Li finished speaking than Madam Yan offered a wry smile, while Mo Caihuan loudly protested, her face etched with displeasure.

“What's wrong?” Han Li asked, slightly surprised.

“Senior Brother! The Yan family cultivators don't treat us mortal women seriously at all! To marry them means to be worse than a common servant; they constantly abuse and beat you over the slightest displeasure. I'd rather stay single my entire life than marry here!” Mo Caihuan's voice was fast and urgent, clearly indicating her strong aversion to the topic.

“Han Li, you wouldn't know, but a friend your junior sister made here… she married a cultivator within the fortress, and not only was she not treated with respect, but she was also constantly abused. Later, when her appearance withered with age, she was simply sent back home with a divorce letter on some flimsy excuse. Her fate was utterly miserable! And that cultivator then married another younger, prettier woman. Sigh! Good-hearted cultivators, like Caihuan's stepfather, are simply too rare here. I don't want Caihuan to suffer that way! As for marrying a common person, your junior sister's standards are too high; she wouldn't be interested in anyone here!” Madam Yan explained all this, standing beside Mo Caihuan.

“I see! But Junior Sister can't remain unmarried her whole life, can she?” Han Li said naturally, frowning. However, as soon as he spoke, Madam Yan's expression shifted, as if she wanted to say something, but after a moment's hesitation, she remained silent. Mo Caihuan, meanwhile, seemed to recall something, lowering her head and falling silent.

Only then did Han Li realize the atmosphere had suddenly grown awkward, as if... He quickly changed the subject, saying: “Junior Sister, please lead the way. Let's resolve that cultivator's harassment first!”

“Mhm!” Mo Caihuan hesitated, but then agreed. Madam Yan, seeing this, did not object either.

So, Han Li and Mo Caihuan temporarily left the shop and headed directly for the cultivator's residence, which seemed to be quite a distance away.

“Senior Brother, what level are your cultivation techniques at? That guy, the moment he saw you at his door, he acted like a mouse seeing a cat, calling you 'Senior' repeatedly and bowing non-stop! His respectful demeanor was as if he'd met his own ancestor.” Mo Caihuan had fully reverted to the cheerful self Han Li remembered. She chattered endlessly along the secluded path back, hardly looking like a young woman in her twenties!

Han Li smiled faintly at this and said casually: “It's nothing, merely that my cultivation realm is one level higher than his. According to the rules of the cultivation world, he should indeed address me as 'Senior'.”

Mo Caihuan's eyes flashed with delight upon hearing this, and she said with an even wider grin: “But when I remember his comical expression upon seeing me, I still can't help but laugh!”

This time, Han Li said nothing, merely watched Mo Caihuan with a smile. After a while, this made Mo Caihuan shyly turn her face away, and she fell silent.

But after a moment, she suddenly uttered something that greatly surprised Han Li. “Senior Brother, is it true that without a spiritual root, one truly cannot become a cultivator? I also want to become a cultivator, just like you!” Mo Caihuan, who had turned back to face him, now had a sorrowful expression, and her voice was filled with longing.

Seeing this, Han Li felt a pang of sadness but could only remain silent. From ancient times to the present, it has been an immutable truth in the cultivation world for hundreds of thousands of years that those without spiritual roots cannot cultivate spells! How could he possibly have the ability to break such a fundamental rule?

Seeing Han Li's expression, Mo Caihuan's somewhat fervent heart instantly chilled. She knew that even this powerful senior brother had no solution. She couldn't help but feel dejected, falling a few steps behind Han Li and walking slowly, appearing subdued.

When they were not far from the small shop, Han Li suddenly stopped, turned to Mo Caihuan, and said: “I have other matters to attend to, so I won't go back to see your stepmother. Let's part ways here. Fortunately, I'll be staying in Yanling Fort for a few more days, so perhaps we'll have a chance to meet again.”

“What? Senior Brother, are you leaving already?” Mo Caihuan was first startled, then her face filled with disappointment.

“Yes. Here are several dozen spirit stones; keep them for your stepmother for any unforeseen needs. This is all I can do for now!” Han Li took a small leather pouch from his storage bag and handed it to Mo Caihuan.

“Thank you, Senior Brother!” Mo Caihuan whispered, appearing incredibly fragile, her eyes filled with reluctance to part.

Seeing her like this, Han Li felt an unfamiliar pang of discomfort for some reason. After a moment of hesitation, he took out a silver flask and poured a pink pill from it.

“Swallow this. Although it won't make you a cultivator, it will ensure your appearance remains youthful for the rest of your life, preventing aging. Consider it a small gift from your Senior Brother!” Han Li said with a solemn expression.

“Senior Brother, I...” Upon hearing this, Mo Caihuan was not only pleasantly surprised but also emotionally stirred, wanting to speak her true feelings. However, Han Li didn't let her. With a flick of his finger, the pill flew directly into her mouth, making her swallow it involuntarily.

“Junior Sister, I'm leaving! Take care, you and your stepmother!” As soon as Han Li uttered these words, he swayed slightly, his form blurred, and then he vanished from the spot.

“Senior Brother!” Mo Caihuan cried out in astonishment, hastily took a few steps forward, and looked around. But where was Han Li's trace?

Helpless, Mo Caihuan could only slowly walk back towards the shop, her expression dejected.

A short while later, Han Li reappeared behind a house not far from that spot. After watching silently for a moment, he turned and left without hesitation.

Although Han Li couldn't be entirely certain what his junior sister wanted to say to him, he had a strong eighty percent guess. However, regrettably, their fates were not intertwined. His feelings for her hadn't reached that level. Moreover, his lifespan after Foundation Establishment was vastly different from hers, which was another reason he was unwilling to get involved in such a relationship. After all, watching someone he cared about gradually wither before his eyes, powerless to stop it, was something Han Li simply could not endure!

The teahouse before Han Li was named 'Heavenly Crane Residence'. It was a three-story, ancient-style building, truly quite imposing. Han Li only glanced at it briefly before ascending without a moment's thought. From outside, he had already sensed over a dozen powerful spiritual fluctuations within the building, energies that only Foundation Establishment cultivators of similar or even higher cultivation could possess. He stepped into the teahouse, glanced at the first floor, and then, without pausing, went straight to the second floor. This was because the first floor was filled with mortals possessing no spiritual power whatsoever. While there were some cultivators on the second floor, most were at the Qi Condensation stage and couldn't catch Han Li's attention at his current level. The increasingly strong spiritual fluctuations from the third floor were Han Li's true target.