Mortal: Starting by looting Han Laomo's entire herb garden

Fu Yunzi opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Old Monster Qiong was too lazy to say anything. A group of disciples from the Hidden Moon Sect went in, but only one came out, and that was Nangong Wan, who was empty-handed.

Li Huayuan stretched out his hand: "Then I won't stand on ceremony. Here are three Invisible Needle Talismans and one Blood Thread Dragon Inner Core."

Old Monster Qiong took out three talismans from his storage bag and handed them over, his actions quite swift.

When it was Fuyunzi's turn, his face was full of reluctance, and he handed it over as slowly as a tortoise.

Li Huayuan reacted quickly and grabbed the inner core.

"Give it to me!"

Fu Yunzi's hand was suddenly empty, his face twitched, but he didn't say anything in the end.

Old Monster Qiong rolled his eyes as he watched from the side, thinking to himself, "Fuyunzi, you old codger, you've already lost, what are you still dawdling about?"

Li Huayuan put the inner core and the talisman into his storage bag, his smile growing even brighter.

He looked down at Han Li, pondered for a moment, and then took out a book from his pocket.

"Han Li, you have rendered great service to Huangfeng Valley this time, so this 'Qingyuan Sword Manual' is yours to be rewarded."

Han Li was taken aback for a moment, then accepted the sword manual and respectfully said, "Thank you, Grandmaster."

"Hmm." Li Huayuan touched his spirit beast pouch and summoned the Silver-Armored Horned Python.

"Come on up, everyone."

The disciples of Huangfeng Valley leaped onto the python's back, and Lu Yan followed suit, finding a corner to sit down.

Just as Han Li was about to squeeze into the crowd, Li Huayuan called out to him, "Han Li, stand next to me."

Han Li felt a tightness in his chest, but dared not show it on his face, and obediently walked to Li Huayuan's side.

The silver-armored horned python soared into the air and flew towards the direction of Yellow Maple Valley.

Li Huayuan stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering in the wind.

He glanced at Han Li, then suddenly spoke, "Han Li, I intend to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding disciples all cast envious glances at him.

Being accepted as a disciple by a Core Formation Elder is an incredible opportunity, and it will give you a powerful backer in the sect in the future.

Han Li's heart skipped a beat. His previous experience of becoming an apprentice had left him with a lifelong psychological shadow.

Seeing that he hadn't said anything for a while, Li Huayuan frowned slightly and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "What? You're not willing? If you feel that being a nominal disciple is unfair to you, I can give you other compensation. You can choose any magic weapon or cultivation method you like."

Han Li's heart skipped a beat. It was not normal for a Qi Refining cultivator to refuse the kindness of a Core Formation elder in front of so many people.

If Li Huayuan is angered, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"This disciple is willing!" He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Grandmaster... no, thank you for your kindness, Master!"

Li Huayuan nodded in satisfaction, his expression softening: "Yes, cultivate diligently from now on, and do not disappoint my expectations."

Han Li responded respectfully, but his heart was filled with unease.

The silver-armored horned python continued flying. Han Li seized an opportunity to quietly move to Lu Yan's side and asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother Lu, how was your harvest in the forbidden area this time?"

Lu Yan sighed, looking helpless: "Don't even mention it, I regretted it as soon as I went in. It was too dangerous inside, so I found a place to hide and stayed there until the time was up before coming out. I'm really ashamed."

Han Li paused for a moment, then nodded, his tone carrying a hint of agreement: "Senior Brother Lu is the smart one. I heard that many people died in the forbidden area, and it takes real skill to come out unscathed. Being able to take things in stride like you, Senior Brother, is true wisdom."

"Junior brother, you flatter me." Lu Yan shook his head and chuckled. Old Devil Han is indeed worthy of his reputation for being hard-working in the secular world; he really knows how to talk.

Han Li's words weren't entirely flattery. If he had any hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, he probably wouldn't be working so hard.

He recalled the days he spent hiding in the forbidden area, living in constant fear, and then he thought of those eighty-odd spiritual herbs, which he had obtained at the cost of his life.

If the chances of advancing were not so slim, who would be willing to take that risk?

Like Senior Brother Lu, knowing when to back down and preserve oneself is a kind of wisdom.

He secretly admired him, then glanced around, activated a soundproof barrier, and asked, "Senior Brother Lu, I have something I'd like to ask. Grandmaster Li accepted me as a disciple, but this... this is my first time becoming a disciple. I don't know what the rules are here, or what I should be careful about, in case..."

Lu Yan glanced at him and lowered his voice: "Junior Brother Han, is this what you're worried about? Actually, it's nothing. There's a rule in Huangfeng Valley that if a disciple's harvest from the forbidden area is accepted as a disciple by an elder, half of the spiritual herbs must be handed over as a gift for becoming a disciple. You have more than eighty spiritual herbs, so calculate how much half of them is."

Han Li's face immediately fell; there were more than forty plants.

The exchange rate was 10 spirit herbs for one Foundation Establishment Pill. Originally, there were 8 pills available, but now there are only 4 left. Including the pills seized from Lu Yunfeng and Chen Qiaoqian, there are only 6 left.

Six pills are not a small number, but he lost his virginity in the forbidden area, so whether these Foundation Establishment Pills can help him establish his foundation is another matter entirely.

Fortunately, he also brought out quite a few seedlings, which he could cultivate in small green bottles and then refine himself.

But he was relieved. It turned out that Li Huayuan had taken on a disciple for the sake of the elixir. As long as the little green bottle wasn't discovered, everything would be fine.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Lu."

Lu Yan waved his hand: "Junior brother, don't be so polite. You can ask anyone about this, and they will tell you without hesitation."

Han Li remained silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and tentatively asked, "Senior Brother Lu, have you ever heard of someone named Su Huanzhen?"

Lu Yan remained calm and composed: "Su Huanzhen? Never heard of him. What's wrong?"

Han Li lowered his voice: "I heard that several disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect were killed by him. Is there such a person in the Pure Void Sect?"

Whenever he thought of Su Huanzhen's methods, his heart pounded with apprehension. The other party was powerful and treacherous. If he were to face him, he feared the odds would be against him.

Lu Yan's expression remained unchanged: "I know everyone in the Seven Sects, but I've never heard of this name before. In my opinion, it's probably just some guy using a fake name, and it's even uncertain whether he's a member of the Qingxu Sect."

Han Li nodded thoughtfully. What he said made sense, just like how he often mentioned Li Feiyu's name.

Lu Yan suddenly spoke up: "Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered something."

Han Li asked curiously, "What is it?"

"The Thousand Illusions Sect's 'Great Luo Thousand Illusions Technique' is said to allow one to transform into anyone's appearance and even mimic their aura after mastering it. Even cultivators a level higher would find it difficult to see through. If someone were to learn this technique, they could easily impersonate a few sect disciples."

Han Li was surprised; no wonder he hadn't seen that person since he came out.

He silently kept the matter of the Great Luo Thousand Illusions Technique in his heart. If he had the opportunity to learn this technique in the future, he would have more protection when he traveled in the world of cultivation.

Han Li remained silent for a while, then suddenly thought of Nangong Wan again.

She's clearly at the Core Formation stage, so how did she end up in the forbidden area?