Chapter 934: Green Xiugu Princess

Volume 6: All-Reaching Spirit Treasure

Han Li's eyes were tightly shut, filled with a pensive expression as the intensely scorching heat slowly dissipated within his body.

This "Bright King Art" was incredibly overbearing. Even his body, which had once formed a Nascent Soul and undergone marrow cleansing, could barely endure the intense pain of repeated body tempering. This left Han Li feeling not only frustrated but also somewhat bewildered.

"Senior!" Han Li suddenly asked Grand Ascension Monarch, "Is there really no problem continuing to cultivate this Bright King Art? The pain from just the second layer of the cultivation technique is already immense. I refuse to believe that all those bald monks in the Buddhist sect only started practicing this art after forming a Nascent Soul; otherwise, by the time they mastered it, their lifespan would probably be at its limit. Yet, a Core Formation cultivator would find it difficult to endure this kind of torment, and it's not just physical—even one's spiritual sense can clearly perceive this pain."

"What's so strange about that?" Grand Ascension Monarch replied lazily. "Since the Buddhist sect found a way to transform demonic cultivation techniques into this form, they naturally also researched methods or tools to reduce the pain of practice. After all, Buddhist cultivation methods are inherently adept at enduring pain. Furthermore, if the cultivator themselves possesses strong willpower, it's not impossible for a Core Formation cultivator to also practice the Bright King Art. And this cultivation technique being so overbearing is relative to us humans. It was originally meant for demonic beasts and ancient devils to cultivate; the two races, demonic beasts and devils, all have powerful bodies and wouldn't care about such pain."

"So that's how it is," Han Li said with a wry smile after furrowing his brow. "That makes sense. It's a pity we don't have time to cultivate other Buddhist techniques. I'll just have to push through with this practice. At this current level, I can still barely endure it."

He then raised a hand, pushed back his sleeve, and revealed a section of his arm. Han Li narrowed his eyes, gazing at the surface of his arm, blue light flickering in his pupils.

It was a full fifteen minutes later before Han Li extended a finger to poke the skin on his arm, and then finally lowered it.

"Although I've suffered quite a bit, this Bright King Art truly has its unique advantages in body tempering. It's far stronger than the other body cultivation techniques I know. After practicing for just this short time, I can already feel astounding changes in my body," Han Li murmured, seemingly talking to himself.

After sitting in meditation for a while longer, Han Li rose and left the secret chamber, slowly heading towards the Earth-Fire Grand Hall.

A few days ago, while refining materials, he combined them with the artifact refining techniques that Elder Wei had taught him. He finally gained insight into a new artifact refining skill. So, he took the Crystalline Demonic Core Flying Needles, which were mostly complete and only needed a final touch, and refined them again using the power of the earth-fire during noon every day recently, hoping to elevate their power to a higher level.

As Han Li neared the hall, a commotion suddenly reached him from the direction of the main entrance.

Hearing the sound, Han Li paused in surprise and looked over.

From the direction of the main entrance, a group of people approached. There were about ten of them. Leading the way near the entrance were surprisingly all three other disciples from the Artifact Refining Hall. Following behind them were several young male and female cultivators, led by a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. She wore a vibrant green palace dress, was beautiful, and possessed an extraordinary demeanor. However, her flickering gaze was full of curiosity.

Considering their age, none of these individuals had weak cultivation bases. Most were at the eighth or ninth layer of the Qi Condensation stage, and the girl in the palace dress was at the tenth layer of Qi Condensation, making her the highest-cultivating individual among them.

Han Li's gaze swept over them, and he immediately realized that these men and women entering the Artifact Refining Hall must have extraordinary backgrounds. Almost everyone had bulging storage pouches at their waists, and two or three even carried special spirit beast pouches. The three Artifact Refining Hall disciples accompanying them wore ingratiating smiles, fawning carefully, as if afraid of offending any of them.

Han Li's eyes flickered. He immediately turned to feign ignorance and was about to enter the Earth-Fire Grand Hall, as he didn't want any extra trouble. But at that very moment, the most senior of the three Artifact Refining Hall disciples, a Disciple Gao who harbored the most hostility towards him, spotted Han Li's back and suddenly shouted loudly at him:

"Junior Brother Han, come over here. Princess Lüxiu needs an artifact refined, and some materials require special refinement. You can assist with this. This is a task personally assigned by the Fourth Abbot; it cannot be delayed."

"Princess?" Han Li was slightly surprised to hear the title, and even more so when he learned it was a command from the Fourth Abbot. His steps halted, and he had no choice but to turn back around.

Having stayed there for such a long time, Han Li had gained a general understanding of the high-ranking cultivators of Huangqing Temple.

The temple nominally had four abbots, all at the Core Formation stage. However, there was also a Tianqing Courtyard within the temple, said to be where the only Nascent Soul cultivator of Huangqing Temple resided.

Although this Fourth Abbot was the last to advance to the Core Formation stage, it was said that his cultivation method was extremely unique, and his divine abilities were actually the greatest among the four. He was renowned throughout the entire commandery. Even the venerable Master Lu from Bailu Academy had changed his expression upon hearing the Fourth Abbot's name.

However, all these abbots held extraordinary statuses, and Han Li had yet to have the opportunity to meet any of them.

"Since it's a command from the Fourth Abbot, this disciple will naturally do my best," Han Li said after walking over and glancing at the male and female cultivators.

"You can refine materials? Your cultivation level seems a bit too low, doesn't it? The princess needs to refine 'Blood-Thread Silver' this time, which is an extremely rare material. If you ruin it, can you take responsibility?" The young men and women similarly scrutinized Han Li, and seeing that his cultivation was only at the third or fourth layer of the Qi Condensation stage, most of them immediately showed disdain. One man, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, spoke even more impolitely.

The palace-dressed girl, who was presumably Princess Xiuzhu, merely pursed her lips and smiled, but her flickering gaze clearly revealed some doubt as well.

"Blood-Thread Silver is indeed a very rare material," Han Li said with a faint smile, showing no trace of anger. "I don't have complete certainty that I can refine it successfully. Perhaps you should seek someone more skilled?"

Hearing Han Li's words, these people were momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.

"Hmph! Wasn't it said that there's a very formidable artifact refiner here? Why don't you let him refine the materials for the princess?" Another handsome young man finally recovered his composure and immediately said, displeased.

"Elder Wei is currently busy refining a crucial treasure and has been in secluded cultivation for several days," explained one of the Artifact Refining Hall disciples, appearing eager to clarify. "I'm afraid he won't be able to come out to refine materials for the princess."

"It would only take a moment to help me refine these materials. Couldn't a few of you senior brothers please ask Elder Wei to come out?" the green-robed girl said softly, looking like a quiet, well-bred young lady. "Besides, even while in the Prince's Manor, I've long heard of Master Wei's great renown. I'd love to see him with my own eyes." Her words left the Artifact Refining Hall disciples feeling flattered and overwhelmed.

Han Li, however, subtly twitched an eyebrow.

The girl appeared exceptionally polite, but a fleeting hint of cunning in her eyes, though momentary, couldn't escape his notice. Han Li immediately sneered inwardly but remained silent.

The three disciples, however, were so charmed by the girl's soft words that they became confused and lost their sense of judgment. Under her persuasion, one of them actually agreed to inform Elder Wei.

Han Li couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If he remembered correctly, Elder Wei had clearly told them before his secluded cultivation not to disturb him and his two assistants in the underground secret chamber unless there was a truly significant matter. Now, for the mere task of refining some materials, they were going to bother the elder. It would be strange if the one who went to report didn't suffer greatly for it.

As expected, that disciple reluctantly entered the Earth-Fire Hall, but after only a brief moment, he rushed out with an ashen face.

"Princess, Elder Wei truly cannot spare the time right now," the male disciple said with a forced smile upon returning to the group. "Perhaps Junior Brother Han could give it a try."

"Given Huangqing Temple's great reputation for artifact refining, can't the three of you refine the materials for the princess?" asked another young woman from the group, besides Princess Lüxiu. This woman was slightly older, of average to above-average looks, but a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth inexplicably added a touch of charm as she asked with a smiling gaze.

"To be frank, Miss Mingzhu," Disciple Gao said helplessly after the three of them exchanged an awkward glance, "if it were ordinary materials, the three of us could certainly refine them. However, for rare materials like Blood-Thread Silver, only Junior Brother Han, who has received Elder Wei's specialized instruction in material refinement, knows how to process them. Our primary training is in refining common artifacts."

"This is a bit troublesome. A few of us came here with Madam Yu and cannot stay for long," Princess Lüxiu said to Han Li with a sudden bright smile, her clear eyes sparkling. "However, if we miss this opportunity, who knows when we'll find another artifact refiner capable of refining Blood-Thread Silver. It seems we truly have to trouble you, Senior Brother."

"Alright, as long as the princess is willing to take the risk," Han Li said calmly, "I will do my best."

"It's alright, Senior Brother, just go ahead and refine it," the palace-dressed girl said with a slight smile upon hearing his words. "If it truly can't be refined, it's no big deal. One can only say that my fate isn't yet aligned for it. We can just look for more later."

Seeing that the girl had already stated her terms so clearly, Han Li nodded. However, after glancing at the large group of people in front of him, he frowned slightly and said:

"When I refine materials, I cannot have so many people watching at once. Otherwise, distractions would significantly reduce the chances of success."

"No problem, as long as I can be present alone when the time comes," the palace-dressed girl said carelessly upon hearing this. "The others can wait outside for now, or these three senior brothers can lead them on a tour of other parts of the Artifact Refining Hall."

Those who had accompanied the girl, though looking somewhat reluctant, did not voice any objections.