Han Li did not immediately agree or refuse, but instead frowned deeply and lowered his head in silence, weighing the pros and cons.
Truth be told, Han Li was unwilling to agree to this request.
Because formation arrays and artifact refining were things that were practically useless to him now. Unless he successfully formed his Golden Core, he simply didn't have the time to study these things. Moreover, he didn't want to recklessly attract the attention of a powerful cultivation family, let alone have the ability to deal with one.
"I know this request is very excessive for Senior Han, but Ruyin truly has no other way." Xin Ruyin smiled sorrowfully, her face turning pale.
"Brother Qi died at the hands of the Fu family all because of the trouble I caused. If I cannot avenge my husband in this lifetime, Ruyin will have no face to meet him in the underworld even after death!" Xin Ruyin murmured in a low voice, her words filled with pleading.
When Han Li heard the word "death" from this woman's lips, his brows involuntarily shot upward. As if suddenly remembering something, he raised his head abruptly and stared intently at Xin Ruyin's face. This startled Xin Ruyin.
"Your complexion is wrong. Let me take your pulse!"
Han Li said something that greatly surprised Xin Ruyin, but his voice carried an unmistakable tone of authority.
A strange look flashed through Xin Ruyin's eyes. After a moment's hesitation, she obediently extended her slender jade wrist to Han Li.
Han Li placed two fingers on it without ceremony, then injected wisps of spiritual energy into her body.
After a long while, Han Li's expression turned somewhat grim.
"Do you know that all your meridians have withered? At this rate, you will die within two years!" Han Li said coldly after withdrawing his fingers.
Upon hearing Han Li's verdict, Xin Ruyin merely smiled.
"Of course I know. How could I not understand my own body? My constitution is the Dragon's Chant physique—a male body born incorrectly into a female form. If one forcibly cultivates, the lifespan and meridians gradually shift and wither. Having lived until today is already a stroke of incredible fortune. I once exhausted every effort to find an ancient remedy, thinking it could cure this condition. But it failed. All those spiritual herbs Brother Qi found for me were wasted in vain!"
A look of self-mockery appeared on Xin Ruyin's face.
"Miss!" The maidservant behind Xin Ruyin couldn't help but cry out in distress.
"It's alright, Xiaomei! Being able to meet Brother Qi sooner in the underworld is something I look forward to!" Xin Ruyin comforted her maidservant behind her, her expression returning to normal as if nothing had happened.
Seeing this scene, Han Li's expression softened, and for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he genuinely felt a measure of pity for her.
But unfortunately, he was equally helpless against Xin Ruyin's strange condition, and could only watch as she withered away in the future.
"Since Senior Han knows of this matter, you should also understand why Ruyin does what she does. Although Senior is only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you are the only person Brother Qi and I know who might possibly help us avenge this仇. I don't need Senior to swear any oath—just a promise. That way, I can depart in peace." Xin Ruyin's expression returned to normal. She nonchalantly brought up the matter of revenge once again.
Han Li rubbed his nose vigorously with one hand, feeling torn. But after concentrating his thoughts, he suddenly asked:
"Brother Qi was also from a cultivation family, wasn't he? Couldn't the Qi family help him seek revenge?"
"The Qi family? Hmph. They're just an ordinary family in the Yuanwu Kingdom. How could they dare offend the Fu family? Besides, Brother Qi was an outer branch disciple who had been expelled from the Qi family. They care even less about this matter! As for all my knowledge, it comes entirely from a nameless formation master among the wandering cultivators. But that extraordinary person has long since passed away." Xin Ruyin seemed to understand what Han Li was implying, and briefly explained the backgrounds of both Qi Yunxiao and herself.
Hearing this, Han Li fell silent. It seemed he really was this woman's only choice.
"Very well. I can give Miss Xin a promise! But I will only act when I have sufficient ability. That opportunity might never come in my entire lifetime. You won't regret this?" After deliberating for a long time, Han Li took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
"That's enough! As long as you can give me hope. Ruyin thanks Senior Han in advance!" When Xin Ruyin heard that Han Li had agreed, she couldn't help but break into a radiant smile, suddenly making her entire being appear incredibly beautiful.
Han Li was momentarily stunned by her stunning beauty, but then shook his head and swept his sleeve across the table without ceremony. Two boxes instantly vanished without a trace,收进了 his storage pouch.
"Since it will take a month to restore the teleportation array, I'll come bother Miss Xin again in a month. For now, I'll take my leave!" Han Li rose unhurriedly.
He truly had some matters to attend to during this month of waiting.
"This humble one respectfully sees Senior off!" Xin Ruyin did not try to detain him further, and said respectfully.
Thus, Han Li flew out from the small mountain with Qu Hun on his flying sword, heading this time toward the market of the Heavenly Star Sect.
One day later, Han Li appeared near the market. He casually retrieved a cloak from his storage pouch to cover his face, then strode into the market with Qu Hun in tow.
Walking along the market streets, Han Li was inwardly amazed at the sight of so many cultivators coming and going.
The number of cultivators buying and selling in the market was at least several times what he had seen during his last visit. Moreover, everyone looked rushed, and there were quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators who were rarely seen in the market.
After some quick thinking, a thoughtful look flickered through Han Li's eyes. He then dismissed the matter from his mind and headed straight for the same shop that had helped him refine artifacts last time. He had some materials that needed to be refined into useful artifacts to increase his strength.
That artifact-refining shop was still in the same location. Even that somewhat boastful signboard stood there unchanged.
Han Li pushed open the door and walked in with a slight smile.
The scene inside the shop caused Han Li to furrow his brows slightly.
In the small shop, there were five or six people standing or sitting. When they saw Han Li enter, they all couldn't help but glance at him.
Han Li looked back at them coldly without ceremony. Those who sensed Han Li's Foundation Establishment cultivation immediately lowered their heads. These people were all Qi Condensation cultivators and naturally dared not offend this "senior."
But a fierce-looking man sitting in a chair stared straight at Han Li without any fear.
He was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, though only at the early stage. Still, he wasn't about to lose face.
Han Li paid no attention to these people. Instead, he walked up to the muscular man named "Da Hei" who was talking with two of the other customers.
"Is Shopkeeper Xu in?" Han Li asked calmly.
"Senior is...?" The muscular man looked suspicious.
With a soft sigh, Han Li took out the pair of Black Dragon Claws and flashed them before the man's eyes. When these artifacts were refined, this man had been there assisting. He couldn't possibly fail to recognize them.
"So it's Senior! I'll go fetch my master right away."
The muscular man's eyes lit up. He had indeed recognized the Black Dragon Claws, and his face immediately broke into a wide smile. After excusing himself, he hurried toward the back courtyard.
Seeing that Han Li was an acquaintance of the shop owner, the other several customers couldn't help but exchange surprised glances. But none dared to thoughtlessly approach and disturb Han Li.
Before long, the white-haired Shopkeeper Xu came out from the back, beaming with joy.
Last time, Han Li had left him quite a few rare materials! Naturally, the old man welcomed Han Li enthusiastically.
"Senior has come to our humble shop again. This is truly this old man's honor! Does Senior still intend to refine artifacts?" After a brief greeting, Shopkeeper Xu asked somewhat impatiently, his face full of anticipation.
Han Li smiled faintly and deliberately glanced at the other cultivators around them.
Shopkeeper Xu immediately understood Han Li's meaning. He repeatedly called himself "confused" and invited Han Li to speak in the back courtyard, eagerly taking the lead and heading that way.
Seeing this situation, the others didn't dare say anything, but the fierce man let out a dissatisfied cold snort.
He had also come to this shop to have artifacts refined. But as fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators, why was the treatment given to Han Li so different from what he received? This greatly angered him.
Hearing the man's cold snort, Han Li cast an ice-cold glance at him.
One should know that the number of cultivators who had died at Han Li's hands was considerable. Unknowingly, he had acquired a killing aura that ordinary cultivators didn't possess. That single glance sent the man feeling as if he had fallen into an ice pit, his entire body going cold, fear plainly written on his face.
Seeing the change in the man's complexion, Han Li paid him no further attention. He entered the back courtyard with Qu Hun.
At this moment, Da Hei skillfully stepped forward to apologize to the other customers and found a convenient excuse to smooth over their dissatisfaction.
"Senior, did you bring your own materials again?" As soon as Han Li and Qu Hun entered the back courtyard, Shopkeeper Xu glanced at Qu Hun with mild surprise, then eagerly asked Han Li.