“Not much capability, but quite a big mouth.”

“A mere ant at Foundation Establishment Stage dares claim Soul Formation isn’t difficult?”

“Hmph, This Palace just warned you that impetuosity is a major taboo for cultivators. It seems you didn’t listen at all.”

Ye Qingxuan scoffed disdainfully.

What is immortal cultivation?

The grade of your spiritual veins merely determines that compared to cultivators with lower-grade veins, you absorb spiritual energy faster and break through minor realms more quickly. After reaching the Golden Core Stage, every major realm breakthrough is like an insurmountable chasm and a self-transcendence for cultivators.

It doesn’t mean that having higher-grade spiritual veins allows breakthroughs as easily as drinking water; it also depends on comprehension. If comprehension is insufficient, what use are higher-grade spiritual veins?

How many geniuses with seventh or eighth-grade spiritual veins get stuck at Nascent Soul or Soul Formation? They never cross that hurdle in their entire lives, ending with lifelong regret.

“Not so.”

Han Lie gave a faint smile, brimming with confidence.

“Sect Leader, your warning has been engraved in This Senior’s heart. It’s just that for me, the Soul Formation Stage truly isn’t so unreachable.”

If Ye Qingxuan questioned whether he could break through realms beyond the Body Body Integration Stage, Han Lie might not dare boast. But if it’s just about the Soul Formation Stage alone, that would be underestimating his Pure Yang Sacred Body far too much.

“Haha, good!”

Seeing Han Lie still being so stubbornly confident, Ye Qingxuan suddenly became interested.

“You claim Soul Formation isn’t difficult? Then prove it to This Palace—show whether you possess potential for Soul Formation or not, old servant.”

Han Lie raised his gaze; his dark eyes fixed upon Ye Qingxuan reclining on her soft couch.

“Dare I ask Sect Leader: if I ascend to Soul Formation Stage, does that mean you will have acknowledged me?”

“This Palace gives you two hundred years, old servant,” Ye Qingxuan said seriously. “If you attain enlightenment into Soul Formation within a two-hundred-year timeframe, This Palace will reserve your place here within Violet Heaven Palace itself! If you cannot achieve it, then remain forever merely my Cultivation Furnace, unworthy of ever standing equal beside This Palace!”

Two hundred years into Soul Formation—that was precisely the achievement level attained by Ye Qingxuan herself!

She equally despised every male cultivator across the world! To become her Dao Companion, one need not surpass her excellence, but at least must not fall short compared to her either! Otherwise, how could they possibly deserve matching up alongside her?

Hearing these words, Han Lie’s eyes brightened instantly, brimming with confidence. He declared boldly, “Sect Leader! What if This Senior attains enlightenment into Soul Formation within one hundred years instead?”

“Hmph…”

Seemingly amused yet angered simultaneously by such an ‘arrogant’ statement from Han Lie, Ye Qingxuan responded coldly, “One hundred years to reach Soul Formation? Looks like you truly lack a clear understanding about what achieving Soul Formation entails!”

“Fine then! Since you brought it up yourself—if you truly do attain enlightenment into Soul Formation within a one-hundred-year timeframe, This Palace shall admit—you have conquered me!”

One hundred years to reach Soul Formation. Even looking across the entire Tianyuan Continent throughout history, how many individuals have ever managed to accomplish such a heaven-defying feat?

Yet somehow, deep within her heart, Ye Qingxuan actually felt slight anticipation, secretly hoping maybe Han Lie really could ascend into Soul Formation within a one-hundred-year timeframe!

Thus together they could surely lead the Heavenly Void Sect towards entirely new heights!

“Good!” Han Lie exclaimed excitedly. “This Senior hopes Sect Leader won’t forget today’s words!”

Originally he intended adding a clause stating he would be willing to remain a lifelong Cultivation Furnace should he fail to ascend into Soul Formation within the one-hundred-year timeframe! But he reconsidered and decided better to drop the idea!

Although possessing absolute confidence regarding his own capabilities, oftentimes it is better to avoid speaking overly absolute statements! Moreover, speaking overly absolute wouldn’t bring additional benefits anyway! Thus he simply dropped the idea altogether!

Ye Qingxuan gave a light snort, seemingly expressing skepticism towards Han Lie’s claims!

Unconcerned about the skepticism, Han Lie immediately followed asking the next question.

“Sect Leader! Considering my current cultivation level now, could I possibly participate in the sect assessment exams transitioning from Servant Disciple status into Inner Disciple status?”

“What? Grown tired serving as a servant within Violet Heaven Palace? Or perhaps afraid This Palace might torment you again?” Ye Qingxuan retorted sharply!

Feeling both annoyed and amused simultaneously, Han Lie curled his lips explaining patiently, “Sect Leader worries too much! I simply feel Servant Disciple status carries many inconveniences! For instance, inability to participate in sect training expeditions, cannot accept sect missions, etcetera!”

The reasons provided seemed reasonable enough! Therefore Ye Qingxuan replied straightforwardly, “Simple enough solution then! This Palace shall instruct Chi Lian to grant you all privileges entitled to Inner Disciples accordingly!”

“…”

“…Very well,” Han Lie sighed lightly in resigned acceptance. Since it was already stated thus by Ye Qingxuan, what else could he possibly say further?

Yet precisely because he sighed in resigned acceptance, it alerted suspicious instincts once again within Ye Qingxuan, who inquired coldly immediately afterwards, “You appear somewhat disappointed apparently? Perhaps planning to exploit Inner Disciple status… to indiscriminately flirt with female disciples throughout the sect freely?”

Hearing the accusation, he instantly panicked and hurriedly defended himself. “No such intentions whatsoever, Sect Leader! I was merely unaware you could arrange matters this way previously only!”

“Hmph, better not harbor any such intentions indeed!” She cast a deadly glare towards him, indicating strong displeasure regarding the possibility!

Wiping cold sweat forming on his forehead, he nervously continued flattering praisefully the next moment. “Peerlessly intelligent, unparalleled beauty, transcendent cultivation prowess possessed by Sect Leader! How could ordinary female disciples throughout the sect possibly compare against yourself?”

Although fully aware it was merely flattering praise directed towards herself, yet inwardly she felt rather pleased nonetheless! Almost no woman in the world can resist compliments directed towards themselves after all!

“Glib tongue, smooth talker—refrain from speaking such nonsensical mushy words before This Palace henceforth onwards!” Despite being inwardly pleased, outwardly she maintained a tsundere attitude verbally instead!

“Understood.” He smiled knowingly, understanding the underlying meaning conveyed through her words actually meant: Speak more, I love hearing them actually!

Immediately afterwards, she shifted the topic once again, asking the next question directly. “Regarding the Soul Devouring Saber Art previously given last time—mastered already?”

“Reporting Sect Leader—mastered already indeed! The first stance ‘Soul Hook’ possesses formidable lethality certainly—however, landing a hit upon an enemy proves rather difficult indeed.”

Han Lie explained straightforwardly!

Capable of severing a target’s three hun and seven po souls plus heavily damaging their primordial spirit, it was certainly formidable indeed! The biggest drawback lay in its limited effective range unfortunately! Unless catching the enemy off guard unexpectedly, otherwise landing a direct hit frontally remained somewhat challenging difficulty-wise certainly!

Ye Qingxuan didn’t deny the point, acknowledging readily, “That depends entirely upon how skillfully one employs it.”

Following which, she tossed another book towards him directly, once again bearing the title Soul Devouring Saber Art inscribed on the cover similarly.

“This contains its second form; it compensates for shortcomings inherent within its first form. Comprehend its intricacies yourself through study.”

“My thanks unto Sect Leader!” Han Lie accepted the book solemnly into safekeeping.

“Proceed now unto Violet Heaven Palace; summon Bai Ling hither unto This Palace,” Ye Qingxuan commanded thereafter.

“Sect Leader… why…” Han Lie began hesitantly before being cut short mid-sentence due to surprise, causing a momentary lapse wherein thoughts raced wildly trying to ascertain the purpose behind the sudden summoning which might potentially disrupt carefully laid plans involving Chi Lian designed to lure prey into a trap set specifically targeting a certain individual…

“What concerns thee?”

Naturally aware whence stemmed worries plaguing his mind currently occupied elsewhere besides the present conversation taking place between two individuals…

“This Palace summons under the guise of teacher instructing pupil; it shall cause neither interference nor impact whatsoever upon schemes devised jointly between thyself alongside Chi Lian aimed at achieving a common goal…”

“Yes! Understood perfectly well now.”