Chapter 932: Devouring True Unified Origin Technique

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 6: Heavenly Spiritual Treasures, Chapter 1: Turbulence in the Seven Mysteries Sect

For Han Li, suddenly disrupting his plans to go to a place he knew nothing about meant it was no longer suitable to stay at Bailu Academy.

However, the female cultivator in front of him was offering such excellent terms. If he, a rogue cultivator, were to flatly refuse and insist on joining Bailu Academy, he feared that Mr. Lu would become highly suspicious. Thus, Han Li naturally rolled his eyes inwardly and repeatedly cursed the Venerable Hua Lian who had suddenly appeared to disrupt his plans.

"To be honest, Senior Hua Lian, I don't know much about Huangqing Temple. But since your temple is for female cultivators, I presume that its cultivation techniques and methods might not be entirely suitable for male cultivators like myself," Han Li quickly reasoned, finally finding a plausible, albeit not entirely convincing, excuse.

"So, Fellow Daoist Han is worried about that! There's no need to be. Our Huangqing Temple is actually just one branch of the Three Emperors Temples; the other two, Huangyang Temple and Huangsheng Temple, are both Daoist temples presided over by male cultivators. We certainly don't lack cultivation methods for men. Furthermore, I observe that Fellow Daoist does not possess innate *Haoran Qi*. If you were to join Bailu Academy, you'd have to cultivate this qi from scratch, which would likely be even more challenging than our own cultivation methods. Of course, if Confucian cultivation techniques reach mastery, with the aid of *Haoran Qi*, their divine abilities are far superior to ordinary Daoist methods. However, for Fellow Daoist Han, it's a bit too early to discuss such things. Could it be that Fellow Daoist truly looks down on our temple?" Venerable Hua Lian said with a slight smile, unhurriedly. In her words, she dared not show the slightest disrespect towards the Confucian sect!

"Fellow Daoist Hua Lian speaks truthfully. Our Confucian cultivation methods do indeed require a bit more time in the early stages compared to Daoist and Buddhist techniques. Young Friend Han, given your circumstances, it would be more suitable for you to cultivate under Huangqing Temple. Since Fellow Daoist Hua Lian has promised to look after you, there is certainly a glimmer of hope for you to achieve Foundation Establishment while under their guidance." Mr. Lu also spoke calmly.

Hearing these words, Han Li felt speechless.

It seemed truly impossible to avoid changing his original objective. If he continued to insist, it would be strange if this Senior Immortal Lu didn't grow suspicious. Fortunately, Huangqing Temple was also within the spiritual vein region of Yutian Mountain, so with a bit more caution, he should be fine.

Thinking this, Han Li could only grin and bear it, putting on a slightly excited expression.

"Since both seniors recommend this, it must be the right path. Then, this junior will follow all your arrangements!"

Hearing Han Li's sensible words, the young Daoist nun finally nodded in satisfaction, while Mr. Lu merely smiled without speaking.

Although the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan had hoped Han Li would join the Confucian sect, seeing that Han Li himself didn't object to the arrangement, he found it difficult to say anything more.

With Han Li's matter settled, Mr. Lu and the two Daoist nuns began chatting. However, their conversation wasn't about strange tales of the cultivation world, but rather the pros and cons of the current Great Jin Dynasty's imperial court affairs. This left Han Li puzzled for a while.

It was understandable for the Confucian sect; after all, their doctrine emphasized engagement with the mundane world, so discussing government affairs was not unusual. But for an ascetic Daoist nun from Huangqing Temple to discuss such matters with equal composure truly surprised Han Li.

Could Huangqing Temple also be an "entering the world" cultivation sect, similar to the Confucian sect? Han Li couldn't help but ponder this.

The three conversed pleasantly in the hall. After a while, footsteps were heard from outside the door, followed by a somewhat young voice.

"Reporting, Ancestral Master. This disciple has obeyed your command and brought the Violet Essence Copper from the storeroom."

"Oh, in that case, bring the item in," Mr. Lu said without hesitation upon hearing this.

"Violet Essence Copper?" Han Li's heart stirred. This material was excellent for refining top-tier magical artifacts and even spiritual treasures. While it might not be much to him, it was definitely rare and precious to the two individuals before him.

As he pondered, the door was pushed open, and a fair-skinned, tender-faced boy, about eleven or twelve years old, entered carrying a large red tray. The tray was covered with a silver brocade, bulging as if filled with something.

Respectfully placing the tray on the table between Venerable Hua Lian and Mr. Lu, the boy immediately stepped back a few paces and stood with his hands clasped.

"You may go. We don't need you attending here now," Mr. Lu instructed, glancing at the boy with an unruffled expression.

The boy immediately assented, bowed deeply, and then backed out of the room.

Then, without a glance, Mr. Lu pushed the tray directly towards Venerable Hua Lian.

"Fellow Daoist Hua Lian, this is the Violet Essence Copper you requested to borrow. Please keep it safe. It seems your temple is seriously planning to refine an important treasure, given your extensive search for materials. I wonder if it's a top-tier magical artifact or a spiritual treasure," Mr. Lu said with a casual smile.

"This junior isn't very clear about the specifics of the refining process; I'm merely acting on the orders of my Fourth Martial Uncle. If Senior wishes to know more details, perhaps you could inquire directly with my Fourth Martial Aunt. I'm sure she'll tell you truthfully," the Daoist nun said, hesitating slightly before expressing an apologetic look.

"No need to go to such trouble; I was just asking casually." Mr. Lu's expression subtly changed upon hearing the name "Fourth Martial Aunt," then he quickly chuckled and brushed it off.

Venerable Hua Lian smiled sweetly, extended a fair, jade-like finger, and lifted the brocade from the tray, revealing a pile of sparkling purple ore.

Gazing at the entire tray of purple copper essence, the Daoist nun's face showed a hint of a smile. After a word of thanks, she took a storage pouch from her waist, and with a sweep of shimmering light, all the materials were carefully packed inside.

Having achieved all the objectives of her trip, the young Daoist nun chatted a bit more with Mr. Lu, then finally rose to take her leave.

Mr. Lu did not try to keep her. He immediately summoned a boy to guide the Daoist nun out of the academy. Han Li, naturally, also respectfully bid farewell to both of them and followed the woman out.

With Han Li and the woman gone, the hall instantly fell silent.

For a time, the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan and Mr. Lu didn't exchange a single word, merely sitting quietly in their chairs, silently looking at each other.

The Confucian scholar surnamed Yan, in particular, had an unsettled expression, seemingly pondering something deeply.

"How are your preparations coming along? To deal with that fiend Niu Tiande, only by helping me cultivate the 'Soul-Devouring Primordial Unity Art' will I have a seventy to eighty percent chance of eliminating him. Everything is ready now; you won't hesitate at the last moment, will you, out of concern for your own life?" Mr. Lu finally spoke, his voice low and devoid of emotion.

"Hmph! As long as I can avenge my annihilated clan, what care do I have for this mere remnant of a body? My only worry is that Brother Lu, once your divine abilities are fully formed, might fear that old fiend's ferocity and then be unwilling to provoke him, leaving me to sacrifice my life in vain." The Confucian scholar surnamed Yan's face darkened as he said grimly.

"Hehe! Brother Yan, why such little faith in me? Haven't I told you? Once you help me cultivate this divine ability with your body, all your *Haoran Qi* will naturally be inherited by me. It will surely contain your deep resentment. As long as Niu Tiande is not eliminated, I won't be able to truly assimilate this *Haoran Qi* for my own use. For the sake of this pure *Haoran Qi* from Brother Yan, I will certainly uphold my promise to kill this fiend. Moreover, Brother Yan, do you believe there's any other cultivator besides myself who could help you eliminate this villain and not fear retaliation from the Black Sun Sect?" Mr. Lu said, not showing any anger, but rather speaking unhurriedly.

"You're right. Although I've deliberately sought connections with some cultivators over the years, while Brother Lu isn't the most powerful or highly cultivated among them, only you require my assistance and are willing to avenge my clan's annihilation. Provoking the demonic cultivators of the Black Sun Sect... others either simply cannot do it, or they are unwilling to incur the wrath of one of the Ten Great Demonic Sects for a mere mortal like me." As soon as the annihilation of his clan was mentioned, the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan suddenly clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms, unnoticed.

"That's only natural. Niu Tiande serves as an External Affairs Enforcer for the Black Sun Sect, so ordinary minor sects wouldn't dare provoke him. Our Confucian sect has always been at odds with the Demonic Dao, like fire and water, so we don't have such reservations. Furthermore, to demonstrate my sincerity, for the past five years, I have granted almost every request from Brother Yan, which should sufficiently show my intentions." Mr. Lu sighed deeply and added a few more words.

Hearing this, the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan's face turned ashen, and he stared coldly at Mr. Lu, remaining silent.

"Alright. To put Brother Yan's mind at ease, I can take a heart-binding oath before the image of the Sages. If I fail to uphold it, my *Haoran Qi* will not advance a single inch." After a long pause, seeing that the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan still showed no sign of relenting, Mr. Lu could only give a wry, helpless smile.

"Good, that's enough. I will not spare this body to help Brother Lu achieve his divine ability. It's not that I don't trust Brother Lu's words, but my entire Yan clan was annihilated, leaving only me barely surviving in this world, so I must be cautious." The Confucian scholar surnamed Yan finally let out a long breath, and after a twitch of his facial muscles, he said numbly.

"I naturally understand Brother Yan's predicament. The cultivation will be arranged to begin in one month. During this month, Brother Yan, it would be best for you to make your arrangements, then come to the academy to find me." Mr. Lu waved his hand, speaking calmly.

The Confucian scholar surnamed Yan nodded, and the room once again fell silent.

"Oh, right. Why did the people from Huangqing Temple insist on taking that young man named Han? Couldn't they just find another artifact-refining disciple in the academy?" The Confucian scholar surnamed Yan suddenly brought up Han Li.

"I merely went with the flow. The treasure Huangqing Temple is refining this time must be extraordinary. Besides their own artifact refiners, they even lack personnel for handling the refining materials. Although Huangqing Temple could borrow low-level artifact-refining disciples from our academy, they surely wouldn't feel at ease and would have to be very wary. Now that Young Friend Han, who understands a bit about artifact refining, suddenly appeared and hasn't joined any academy yet, it's natural for them to directly recruit him and put him to use," Mr. Lu said with a casual smile, seemingly knowing something.

Hearing this, the Confucian scholar surnamed Yan finally felt relieved. Otherwise, if something were truly amiss, it would be difficult to explain to his old friend upon returning.

Meanwhile, Venerable Hua Lian, using a handkerchief-shaped magical artifact, flew with Han Li towards another, slightly lower mountain peak, far from Phantom Cloud Peak.