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Xia Qingyuan was accommodated in the palace in Senluo Manor with the best view. Since it was high on the mountains, Xia Qingyuan could see the clouds and mist floating outside as if she was in some sort of fairyland.Right now, Xia Qingyuan was cultivating there with her eyes closed. No one came to disrupt her.
While in fact, Xia Qingyuan was not feeling serene at all. She knew that Ye Futian was inside of Senluo Manor and was in grave danger. But she and the Little Condor only arrived at the Divine Prefecture days ago and had no help at all. She had to remain calm, as any reckless move could put their lives at risk.
A person was walking through the clouds not far away from where Xia Qingyuan was. Dashing and refined, it was Han Lin, the vice chief of Senluo Manor. He gazed forward at the divine light glowing from Xia Qingyuan. The Will of Life and Death wrapped around her body while she was sitting on a blooming holy lotus. She looked like a Goddess out of this world.
Han Lin was quite experienced with women, yet he had never seen one as elegant as Xia Qingyuan. She must be even more ravishing if she wore women’s attire. Maybe it was more convenient for her to dress as a young man. After all, she was a disciple who newly entered the real world.
Han Lin stopped before coming too close to Xia Qingyuan. Although Senluo Manor was his home, he didn’t want to interrupt her in a bad-mannered way. Such politeness was vastly different from before when he ordered Ying Qing to transform Ye Futian into a corpse puppet.
“How can I help you, vice chief?” Xia Qingyuan opened her eyes and asked Han Lin.
“Miss Xia, you said you came out to learn about cultivation methods from different groups. Even though Senluo Manor is not a top force, we still have plenty of books and scriptures in the collection. Would you be interested?” Han Lin asked with a smile.
“If that’s the case, please feel free to come closer. No need to be so polite,” Xia Qingyuan replied.
“I was worried that I might interrupt your cultivation.” Han Lin walked toward Xia Qingyuan in a couple of long and graceful strides. He maintained a short distance from her and waved his arm. In an instant, numerous jade slips and ancient books flew toward Xia Qingyuan and floated in front of her.
“These are some of the decent ancient books about the Great Path collected by Senluo Manor. Please feel free to take a look,” Han Lin said.
“Thank you, vice chief.” Xia Qingyuan nodded slightly and read the books in silence. Han Lin quietly sat by her side for a long time. A cultivator at his level naturally had great patience.
Xia Qingyuan noticed that these were top-notch cultivation methods indeed. Han Lin was being intentionally generous to rope her in with these books.
Nevertheless, she remained composed and stopped reading after glancing through some of the books. She looked at Han Lin and said, “This is quite a good collection. I learned a lot from it. But I read many of these when I was studying with my master. The principles of the Great Path are the same. I didn’t see anything I particularly need.”
Han Lin was a little dishearted by Xia Qingyuan’s comments, but he soon got over it. Xia Qingyuan’s master must be a marvelous cultivator who knew far more superior cultivation methods. As good as his collection was, it was probably not special enough to catch Xia Qingyuan’s eyes.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” said Han Lin.
Xia Qingyuan shook her head. “My master has already taught me our way of cultivation. I came out this time only to visit different groups and draw on their experience. It’s not appropriate for me to study your method from scratch. I truly appreciate that you’re willing to share the collection of Senluo Manor with me.
“I came to Senluo Manor because I heard that your cultivators are experts in the Great Path of Death. Therefore, I want to see if there are any special cultivation methods about that.”
Han Lin nodded and replied, “Senluo Manor does have a unique method, but only a few people have succeeded. They are all direct offspring, none of whom could spar with you. We have another peculiar cultivation method. But it is a deviated approach that has a bad reputation.”
He observed Xia Qingyuan carefully, intending to fathom her attitude toward it. If Xia Qingyuan were a straight and conventional person who considered it to be an evil method, he would have to drop the idea of cultivating with her.
“What kind of method?” Xia Qingyuan asked casually. She gazed into the distance as if she wasn’t paying much attention.
“Cultivating through puppets. It’s unavoidable for people like us to have enemies. There are also people in the manor who are about to die. With their consent, we can make them puppets who can continue to serve Senluo Manor after their death,” said Han Lin. Of course, he couldn’t tell her the whole truth.
A chill crept over Xia Qingyuan. Was Ye Futian a part of Senluo Manor or their enemy?
Why was he being transformed?
Nonetheless, Xia Qingyuan had incredible self-control. She remained composed even as the anger grew in her heart.
“What’s the purpose of cultivation if we can’t take revenge on our enemies?” Xia Qingyuan looked at Han Lin and said, “As for the cultivators in the manor, what’s wrong with them utilizing their values in another way as long as they agree to it?”
Han Lin was surprised. He grinned at Xia Qingyuan and realized that he admired Xia Qingyuan even more.
“My master once told me that the road of cultivation is meant to be cruel and merciless. How would we survive if we’re too lenient? We need to take advantage of everything we have to cultivate and persevere in the world. Otherwise, why would I bother to come to Senluo Manor?” Xia Qingyuan continued while gazing forward. Ye Futian already asked Ying Qing what kind of a person Han Lin was and told the Little Condor.
Xia Qingyuan said everything Han Lin wanted to hear.
“Your master must be a remarkable cultivator. I will certainly visit him and listen to his guidance if the chance arises in the future.” Han Lin was more than delighted. Xia Qingyuan not only had a marvelous master and striking beauty, but she also shared the same views as him. Maybe this was destiny.
He was immersed in cultivation for the first half of his life and had never had any real feelings for any woman. In his eyes, they were only objects he could exploit. Yet, now he felt aroused.
It was not easy to find a perfect woman. He certainly would make every effort now that he met one.
“My master doesn’t like strangers,” Xia Qingyuan replied casually. Han Lin was thrown into an awkward silence. Xia Qingyuan seemed to realize that she misspoke, so she added, “Please don’t mind me.”
“It’s alright.” Han Lin laughed and stood up. Xia Qingyuan was surely an unworldly girl. It was surprising how forthright she was.
Even so, he liked her.
“Sorry I interrupted your cultivation today. I will visit you again tomorrow,” said Han Lin, “Please keep these books for now. You can feel free to read them just for fun even if they’re not particularly useful for you.”
“Good.” Xia Qingyuan nodded. Han Lin said goodbye and left with a smile.
Xia Qingyuan continued to cultivate quietly without doing anything out of the norm. To raise no suspicion, she didn’t even walk around inside Senluo Manor. Ye Futian’s life was not in danger right this moment. Although Xia Qingyuan could barely wait one more second to save him, she had to be patient and play safe.
Han Lin was not a gullible man. Xia Qingyuan couldn’t let him figure out that she came to Senluo Manor with a goal in mind. Otherwise, he might become suspicious easily.
Han Lin paid a short visit to Xia Qingyuan each day in the following days. They mostly talked about cultivation. Han Lin discovered that Xia Qingyuan was obsessed with cultivation and nothing else. Naturally, he catered to her tastes.
As time went by, Han Lin felt like he became more and more familiar with Xia Qingyuan. He even learned her name, albeit not the real one.
One day, Han Lin brought a person to Xia Qingyuan. It was a corpse puppet that was surrounded by the Death Will. Despite the human body, it looked ghastly and frightening.
“How fascinating. It has such a strong Will of Death.” Xia Qingyuan seemed to be captivated by the corpse puppet and even stood up.
An exciting look flashed across Han Lin’s face. Xia Qingyuan was indeed someone who was fixated on cultivation and attracted by everything about it. The corpse puppet was produced through a unique cultivation method of Senluo Manor and was quite special. No wonder Xia Qingyuan was so interested.
“What is this?” A strident voice sounded. The Black Wind Condor stepped forward and stared at the puppet. “My lady, this thing is filthy.”
“The Will of Death inside of this puppet is so pure,” Xia Qingyuan said. Han Lin sneered at the Black Wind Condor. Xia Qingyuan was everything he wanted.
It would definitely be extremely beneficial for both of them if they could cultivate together.
Wisps of the Will of Death flowed out of the puppet and filled the room with the smell of death.
Xia Qingyuan emitted brilliant divine light as several Lotuses of Life flew out. Surging and rolling, the Will of Death refused to be expelled even when the light shone directly on the puppet’s body.
The divine light around Xia Qingyuan became even more blinding. The lotuses enclosed the puppet and melted it little by little. The puppet’s body shook violently and eventually disappeared after a while.
“This puppet can resist it for so long!” Xia Qingyuan exclaimed.
“The puppet is controlled by me and doesn’t have a life. It can survive deadly attacks and continue to fight,” Han Lin said.
Xia Qingyuan nodded gently and looked at Han Lin. “This method…”
But then she stopped talking. Han Lin saw her expression and understood her unspoken words. He cracked a smile. He brought the corpse puppet here specifically to gauge Xia Qingyuan’s attitude. He would certainly consider teaching her if she wanted to learn.
However, only the core figures of Senluo Manor could learn this method. He wouldn’t pass it on to Xia Qingyuan easily.
“This is a secret method of Senluo Manor. Only the core figures can cultivate in this way,” Han Lin said.
Xia Qingyuan didn’t respond. She understood what Han Lin meant.
“Han Lin, can you please lend me a few puppets for research?” Xia Qingyuan called him Han Lin instead of “vice chief,” which made their relationship seem closer. Han Lin was exhilarated that his efforts in the past few days hadn’t been wasted.
“Of course.” Han Lin nodded without hesitation. He ordered, “Go to the You Pavilion to prepare for this.”
“Yes.” Several people exited the room. Ying Qing left with them.
Was Xia Qingyuan finally ready to make a move?
Ying Qing didn’t expect Ye Futian’s sister to have such a level of patience. She never revealed any intention to save Ye Futian. Instead, she took the time to get familiar with Han Lin to the point where Han Lin delivered himself to her.
Han Lin probably never thought that Xia Qingyuan had been waiting for him to show off the corpse puppets all these times.
But Ying Qing certainly wouldn’t say anything. She agreed to be a part of it, but she still didn’t know much. It wouldn’t have anything to do with her if Ye Futian’s attempt failed. After all, she had no idea where Ye Futian’s confidence came from!
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