Burial Furnace

The white crane descended, passed through a cloud of mist, and landed in a valley.

The valley was very quiet, surrounded by mountains on all sides, with only a small stream flowing through it, making a babbling sound. The stream was crystal clear, and you could see the pebbles and small fish on the bottom.

Deep in the valley, there is a cave.

A plaque hangs at the entrance of the cave dwelling, bearing three elegant characters: "Hundred Flowers Abode".

"Little White, go play by yourself." Hua Nongying gently patted the white crane's head.

Bai He nodded, glanced curiously at Zhang Yuan, and then walked gracefully into the nearby forest.

Zhang Yuan clicked his tongue in amazement.

This mount is so obedient.

I want to raise one myself someday.

Hua Nongying pushed open the door to the cave and invited Zhang Yuan inside.

The hall was spacious, with luminous pearls embedded in its walls, emitting a soft glow.

The floor was covered with a thick carpet, which was soft and gentle to the touch, making no sound at all.

In the very center sits an exquisite tea table with a tea set on it.

On either side of the coffee table were two large chairs with exquisitely carved patterns on the backs and cushions made of fine silk, soft and comfortable.

Hua Nongying invited Zhang Yuan to sit down.

I picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea.

The tea is emerald green, clear and bright, and exudes a delicate fragrance that is refreshing just by smelling it.

"Try it, this is a special spiritual tea produced by our Hehuan Sect," Hua Nongying said.

Zhang Yuan picked up his teacup and took a sip.

It was slightly bitter at first, then turned into a sweet taste, sliding down the throat and into the stomach.

A warm sensation rose from my dantian and spread to my limbs and bones, making me feel warm and comfortable all over.

"Excellent tea," Zhang Yuan exclaimed sincerely.

Hua Nongying also picked up her teacup, took a sip, then put it down, looked at Zhang Yuan, and slowly spoke.

"Our Hehuan Sect was once glorious thousands of years ago. But gradually, it declined. Now, the Hehuan Sect only has 12 disciples left: one Golden Core cultivator, four Foundation Establishment cultivators, and eight Qi Refining cultivators."

Her voice carried a hint of emotion and a touch of melancholy.

Do you know why?

Zhang Yuan shook his head: "I don't know."

"It's because of the cultivation method," Hua Nongying said. "The cultivation method passed down in our Hehuan Sect is called the 'Yin Yang Hehuan Technique.' Women can cultivate this method alone, all the way to the Mahayana realm. However, the cultivation speed is extremely slow."

She paused, then continued, "But if you receive help from a male cultivator of the same or higher level, specifically, if you place your hands together and your true essence flows within your bodies, forming a yin-yang convergence, then your cultivation speed will be greatly accelerated."

But the problem is, how could those male cultivators possibly help us willingly?

They often harbor malicious intentions, wanting to possess our bodies or even take everything from us.

We were forced to retaliate using the art of sexual cultivation. Over time, our Hehuan Sect was labeled as "heretical and evil," and was repeatedly attacked by righteous sects, gradually declining in power.

Zhang Yuan listened quietly without saying a word.

"In the history of our Hehuan Sect, there have been some disciples who actively harmed others. But today, we no longer actively harm others."

"Our Hehuan Sect also possesses a supreme cultivation technique—the Yin-Yang Rejuvenation Technique. This technique is far superior to the Yin-Yang Union Technique. Both men and women can cultivate it, and if they cultivate it together with their partners, their Yin and Yang complement each other, with Yin reaching its extreme and Yang emerging from its extreme, resulting in a very rapid increase in strength."

Unfortunately, this cultivation technique is too profound; for thousands of years, only the Yin-Yang Ancestor has comprehended it. He cultivated with many companions, founding the Yin-Yang Sect, which became incredibly powerful and prosperous. Eight people ascended to heaven with him at that time.

"But since then, no one has been able to understand it."

Hua Nongying's gaze fell on Zhang Yuan's face, her voice carrying a hint of expectation.

"After years of contemplation and research, I've discovered that the Yin-Yang Rejuvenation Technique may be a male-dominated practice. Men must first comprehend it, and only with the guidance of their own vital energy can women truly cultivate it. Therefore, no matter how hard we try, it's useless."

"We have been trying to find a second Yin-Yang Ancestor for thousands of years, but we have not been able to find one."

She paused for a moment, then said, "Would you like to try cultivating with me? If you comprehend it, it will only bring you immense benefits. There are only 12 of us, and we would never be foolish enough to leak it out, bringing disaster upon ourselves and you. We will only cultivate diligently with you, protect you, and grow stronger safely and quickly together."

Zhang Yuan gave a wry smile: "Senior, all this talk is useless. I haven't grasped that kind of technique at all."

"As I said, this is just a discussion, a chat with you." Hua Nongying's tone was very calm. "If you don't understand, I'll have Xiaobai send you back later, and he won't hurt you in the slightest."

Her tone was sincere, without the slightest hint of the domineering and arrogant nature of a Golden Core cultivator.

Zhang Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards her.

After chatting for a while, the sky gradually began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Hua Nongying stood up and said to Zhang Yuan, "Let's go, I'll show you around."

She pushed open the door of the cave and led Zhang Yuan out.

The Hehuan Temple in the early morning is as beautiful as a painting.

Dozens of hilltops, lush and verdant, shrouded in mist and clouds.

There are babbling brooks, mirror-like lakes, and all kinds of exotic flowers and plants vying for beauty in the mountains.

Those buildings, some simple and elegant, others exquisite and unique, are scattered among the mountains and forests, blending seamlessly with nature.

Each mountain peak is protected by an array, emanating faint fluctuations of spiritual energy.

Hua Nongying led Zhang Yuan along the mountain path slowly.

Along the way, they encountered several disciples of the Hehuan Sect.

The disciples were all shocked when they saw Zhang Yuan.

An old man with white hair actually appeared in the Hehuan Sect? And the sect leader himself was accompanying him?

Hua Jinhuan, Jiang Yao, and Liu Mei were all dumbfounded when they saw Zhang Yuan, their mouths agape enough to fit an egg.

What's that old man from the crematorium doing at the Hehuan Sect?

Why is his master still treating him so well?

Only Qi Jiaojiao's eyes were full of anticipation.

Hua Nongying pointed to several mountain peaks in the distance and said to Zhang Yuan, "Three thousand years ago, our Hehuan Sect's territory was a hundred times larger than it is now. Now, only one percent remains. The rest of the territory has been occupied by other sects."

"With so few disciples and such limited strength, you think you can hold onto even one percent of this territory?"

Zhang Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"These territories are nothing to other sects," Hua Nongying said sadly. "The spiritual veins here are very small, and the spiritual energy is very average. This is what the lowest-ranking sects are like. And I am, after all, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator. If I really go all out, they will have to pay a huge price."

Hua Nongying led Zhang Yuan on a tour for half a morning, showing him the herb garden, the spirit bird garden, the training square, the Flower Fragrance Stream, the Moonlight Lake, the Ancestral Hall, the Kung Fu Building, the Weapon Refining Building, the Alchemy Room, and so on, which broadened Zhang Yuan's horizons.