Chapter 355: Promise

Han Li did not immediately agree or refuse. Instead, he frowned deeply and lowered his head in silence, weighing the pros and cons of the situation.

Honestly, Han Li was unwilling to agree to the request.

For him, array formations and artifact refining were completely useless at the moment. He simply didn't have the time to study them unless he successfully formed his core. Moreover, he didn't want to provoke a powerful immortal cultivation family for no reason, let alone having the ability to do so.

"I know this request is too much to ask of Senior Han, but Ruoyin truly has no other option," Xin Ruoyin said with a sad smile, her face turning pale.

"Brother Qi died at the hands of the Fu family because of trouble I caused. If I don't avenge my husband in this life, Ruoyin will have no face to meet him even after death in the underworld!" Xin Ruoyin murmured softly, her voice filled with pleading.

When Han Li heard the word "death" from the woman, his eyebrows twitched. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he sharply raised his head and scrutinized Xin Ruoyin's face. This made Xin Ruoyin pause.

"Your complexion doesn't look right. Let me take your pulse!"

Han Li said something that greatly surprised Xin Ruoyin, but his voice was filled with an undeniable tone.

A flicker of surprise passed through Xin Ruoyin's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she obediently extended a jade wrist to Han Li.

Han Li unceremoniously placed two fingers on it, and then threads of spiritual energy flowed into her body.

After a long moment, Han Li's expression turned grim.

"Do you know that all your meridians have withered? At this rate, you'll die within two years!" Han Li said coldly after withdrawing his fingers.

Upon hearing Han Li's diagnosis, Xin Ruoyin smiled instead.

"Of course, I know. Don't I understand my own body? My physique is the Dragon's Roar constitution, a male body mistakenly born into a female form. If I force myself to cultivate, my lifespan and meridians will gradually misalign and wither. It's a stroke of extreme luck that I've lived until today. I once painstakingly searched for an ancient formula, believing it could cure this ailment, but it failed. It was a complete waste of many spiritual herbs that Brother Qi found for me!"

A hint of self-mockery appeared on Xin Ruoyin's face.

"Miss!" the maidservant behind Xin Ruoyin couldn't help but cry out sadly.

"It's alright, Xiao Mei! I'll be able to meet Brother Qi sooner in the underworld. I couldn't ask for more!" Xin Ruoyin, on the contrary, comforted the maidservant behind her with a normal expression.

Seeing this scene, Han Li's expression softened, and for some reason, he felt a genuine pity for her in his heart.

However, against Xin Ruoyin's peculiar ailment, he was equally helpless and could only watch as she would eventually perish.

"Since Senior Han knows about this, you should also understand why Ruoyin is doing this. Although senior is currently only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you are the only person Brother Qi and I know who might be able to help us avenge this grudge. I don't need senior to make any vows, just a promise. That way, I can leave peacefully." Xin Ruoyin's expression returned to normal. She nonchalantly brought up the matter of revenge again.

Han Li rubbed his nose hard with one hand, feeling greatly conflicted. But after thinking deeply, he suddenly asked:

"Fellow Daoist Qi was also from an immortal cultivation family, wasn't he? Would the Qi family really not help him get revenge?"

"The Qi family? Hmph. They are just an ordinary family in Yuanwu Nation. How would they dare to offend the Fu family? Besides, Brother Qi was an outer disciple expelled from the Qi family, so they cared even less about this matter! And all my knowledge comes from an anonymous grandmaster of array formations among rogue cultivators, but that extraordinary person has also been deceased for a long time." Xin Ruoyin seemed to understand the meaning behind Han Li's words and softly explained a little about Qi Yunxiao's and her own origins.

Hearing this, Han Li fell silent. It seemed he really was the only choice for this woman!

"Alright, I can give Miss Xin a promise! However, I will only act when I have sufficient ability. This opportunity might never come in a lifetime. Do you not regret it?" After much deliberation, Han Li took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.

"That's enough! As long as you can give me hope, it's enough. I thank Senior Han in advance!" Upon hearing Han Li agree, Xin Ruoyin couldn't help but smile, and immediately her entire person appeared incredibly captivating.

Han Li was momentarily stunned by her dazzling beauty, but then he shook his head and unceremoniously swept his sleeve over the table. The two boxes instantly vanished without a trace, having been stored in his storage pouch.

"Since it will take a month to restore the teleportation array, I will bother Miss Xin again in a month. For now, I'll take my leave!" Han Li stood up and spoke calmly.

He indeed had some matters to attend to during this interim.

"I respectfully bid senior farewell!" Xin Ruoyin did not try to keep him, and said respectfully.

Thus, Han Li, accompanied by Qu Hun, flew out from the small mountain on their spiritual artifact, heading towards the market of the Heavenly Star Sect this time.

A day later, Han Li appeared near the market. He casually pulled out a cloak from his storage pouch, covered his face, and then, with Qu Hun, swaggered into the market.

Walking on the market streets, Han Li was utterly astonished as he gazed at the multitude of cultivators coming and going.

The number of cultivators buying and selling in the market was at least several times more than what he had seen last time he was here. Moreover, everyone seemed to be in a hurry, and there were quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, which were rarely seen in the market.

After thinking it over, a thoughtful expression flashed in Han Li's eyes. He then dismissed the matter from his mind and headed straight for the shop that had helped him refine artifacts last time. He had some materials that needed to be refined into suitable artifacts to increase his own strength.

The artifact refining shop was still in its original location, and even its rather boastful signboard stood there, unchanged.

Han Li smiled faintly and pushed open the door, stepping inside.

The scene inside the shop made Han Li frown slightly.

There were five or six people standing or sitting inside the shop. Upon seeing Han Li enter, they all involuntarily glanced at him.

Seeing this, Han Li swept his gaze coldly and unceremoniously. Those who sensed Han Li's Foundation Establishment cultivation immediately lowered their heads. These few individuals were Qi Condensation cultivators, so they naturally dared not offend Senior Han.

However, a fierce-looking man sitting on a chair stared directly at Han Li without fear.

He was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, though only at the early stage, but he was unwilling to lose face.

Han Li ignored these people and walked over to "Big Black," the brawny shop assistant who was conversing with two other individuals.

"Is Shopkeeper Xu in?" Han Li asked calmly.

"Senior is..." The brawny man looked suspicious.

With a light sigh, Han Li took out the pair of Black Dragon Twin Hooks and flashed them before the man's eyes. When this pair of artifacts was being refined, this man had assisted, so it was impossible for him not to recognize them.

"Ah, it's Senior! I'll call my master out right away."

The brawny man's eyes lit up. He recognized the Black Dragon Twin Hooks as expected, and immediately said with a wide smile, then excused himself and hurried towards the back courtyard.

Seeing that Han Li was actually an acquaintance of the shop owner, the other individuals couldn't help but look at each other in astonishment, but none dared to approach and bother Han Li unwisely.

Not long after, Shopkeeper Xu, with his head full of white hair, came out from the back, beaming with joy.

Last time, Han Li had left him many precious materials! Naturally, Han Li was very welcome by this old man.

"Senior has visited our shop again! This is truly my humble honor! Is Senior planning to refine artifacts again?" Old Man Xu exchanged a few polite words, then asked impatiently, his face full of anticipation.

Han Li smiled faintly and deliberately glanced at the other cultivators around.

Shopkeeper Xu immediately understood Han Li's intention. He instantly called himself "foolish" and invited Han Li to speak in the back courtyard, then excitedly took the lead and walked away.

Upon seeing this, others dared not say anything, but the fierce-looking man let out an unsatisfied snort.

He also came to this shop to refine artifacts, but as a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was greatly angered by how different the attitude towards Han Li was compared to his own.

Hearing the brawny man's cold snort, Han Li's gaze turned icy as he looked at the man.

It should be known that the number of cultivators who had died at Han Li's hands was quite significant. Unconsciously, he had acquired a murderous aura that ordinary cultivators lacked. This single glance instantly made the brawny man feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his entire body chilling, and his face couldn't help but show great fear.

Seeing the brawny man's expression change, Han Li no longer paid him any mind and walked into the shop's back courtyard with Qu Hun.

At this moment, Big Black very cleverly stepped forward to apologize to the other few people and, finding an excuse, casually explained the situation to appease the dissatisfaction of the other customers.

"Senior, did you bring your own materials again?" Upon seeing Han Li and Qu Hun enter the back courtyard, Shopkeeper Xu glanced at Qu Hun with a slight surprise, then eagerly inquired of Han Li.