“There’s no need for that, Saintess.”

Han Lie cleared his throat tactfully. “After all, This Senior is still a Servant Disciple employed by the Violet Heaven Palace. Moreover, this humble cottage has been my home for over a hundred years. While the environment here certainly can’t compare to the Saintess’s palace, if This Senior were to move to a new place now, I’d likely feel uncomfortable.”

Considering that Ye Qingxuan was very likely eavesdropping on their conversation through Xiao Zi or other means, Han Lie declined rather euphemistically.

“Alright.” Bai Ling didn’t press the matter.

“Saintess, you may return first. This Senior intends to go into seclusion for a while.”

Only five months remained until the time agreed upon with Zhuo Hongyi. Before that, Han Lie wanted to improve his cultivation as much as possible. Now that Bai Ling’s affairs had been settled, he could finally cultivate in peace without looking over his shoulder.

“Mhm, mhm, I’ll be off then.” Before stepping out the door, Bai Ling glanced back, a hint of shyness in her eyes. “Old Man Han… if you want to see me, just come find me at the Violet Cloud Palace.”

Han Lie nodded with a smile and watched Bai Ling leave.

After she departed, Han Lie didn’t immediately begin cultivating. Instead, he first went to the Elder’s Courtyard to find Grand Elder Chi Lian and collect his final payment.

The twenty thousand Spirit Stones didn’t seem as significant to Han Lie now as they once had. The main prize was the blade.

As his cultivation level increased, the Black Blade—a mere mid-grade Spirit-rank artifact—could no longer meet his needs. He needed a weapon that matched his current strength. Breaking in a new weapon required time, so securing it now was crucial.

Elder’s Courtyard, Rear Garden.

“My, my, little servant. You’ve really brought me a pleasant surprise today.”

Chi Lian received Han Lie with a rare, genuine smile. After hearing his report, she finally learned that Han Lie had successfully ferreted out Bai Ling.

“So, how did the Sect Leader deal with the Saintess?” she asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Han Lie concisely recounted Ye Qingxuan’s judgment and the subsequent punishment.

Grand Elder Chi Lian didn’t seem particularly surprised. She nodded slowly. “Unexpected, yet reasonable.”

“Alright. Since the matter has been settled satisfactorily, the promised reward naturally must be delivered.”

With a wave of her jade-like hand, a storage ring materialized, floating gently toward him.

“Twenty thousand Spirit Stones and one low-grade Heaven-rank blade-type magical artifact are inside.”

“Thank you, Grand Elder!”

The efforts of over a year had finally borne fruit. Han Lie was visibly excited. Recalling the past year, he had walked a razor’s edge multiple times, narrowly escaping death at the hands of spies and assassins. Now, the clouds had finally parted to reveal clear skies.

After bidding farewell to Grand Elder Chi Lian, Han Lie eagerly returned to his small wooden hut.

He sat cross-legged on his bed and withdrew the blade from the storage ring.

It was a long blade, about five chi in length. Its entire body was a deep, unsettling crimson, as if the metal itself had been quenched in fresh blood. Just looking at the edge sent a shiver down one’s spine.

The hilt, about one chi long, was carved with densely packed skulls. The skulls bore ferocious expressions, like evil spirits imprisoned in hell, forever screaming in agony.

The name of the blade was simple, direct, yet undeniably imposing: Crimson Oath.

Grand Elder Chi Lian had thoughtfully included a jade slip detailing the artifact’s properties. Han Lie scanned it quickly.

In short, Crimson Oath was a living weapon. It could continuously strengthen its own power and even elevate its grade by absorbing the blood of enemies! With enough slaughter, it could potentially evolve into a top-grade Heaven-rank artifact!

Additionally, it possessed a terrifying passive ability: whenever its blade cut flesh, it released a powerful suction force to drain the enemy’s blood essence. Those who couldn’t react in time could be reduced to dried husks within mere moments.

“Holy crap!”

Han Lie gasped. “It can upgrade its own grade… and it’s only considered a low-grade Heaven-rank artifact?!”

The blood-draining ability alone was terrifying. But the potential for evolution? That was priceless. Even as a “low-grade” artifact, its market value would easily surpass most high-grade Heaven-rank weapons.

Han Lie conservatively estimated that this blade couldn’t be bought for less than eight or ten million Spirit Stones.

This price was astronomical for him, but for the Heavenly Void Sect, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

“Heh… This Grand Elder Chi Lian is quite interesting!”

Han Lie felt both shocked and delighted. Giving him such a powerful, evolving artifact clearly had deeper intentions.

Most likely, Ye Qingxuan and Grand Elder Chi Lian had recognized his inherent value and potential. This was a bribe—or rather, an investment—to secure his loyalty.

Han Lie didn’t dwell on it. His Pure Yang Sacred Body indeed possessed limitless potential, but potential meant nothing if he died young. He needed power now.

“Alright! Time to start cultivating!”

Regaining his focus, Han Lie adjusted his breathing and entered a deep meditative trance.

With only five months, breaking through to the late-stage Golden Core was unlikely. It was better to use this time to fully master Crimson Oath.

Time flew like an arrow.

Three months later, Han Lie had completely bonded with the blade. Crimson Oath now felt like an extension of his own arm.

During the remaining two months, Han Lie gave himself some proper relaxation time. He spent most days alternating between teasing Xiao Zi and taking her for walks around the sect.

The people from the Overlord Hall also seemed to have quieted down. They no longer came to cause trouble, likely wary of Ye Qingxuan’s warning, which allowed Han Lie some much-needed peace.

“Xiao Zi, go back by yourself first. This Senior has some matters to attend to.”

A few days before his departure date with Zhuo Hongyi, Han Lie released Xiao Zi after their walk.

“Then I’m leaving, meow.” Xiao Zi pushed off the ground and vanished instantly into the shadows.

Under Han Lie’s training, the cat had become very obedient. Strictly speaking, Han Lie was now her provider of food and shelter. Whenever Xiao Zi threw a tantrum, Han Lie simply cut off her supply of Thousand Flower Pills for a few days. She always behaved herself afterward.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that little lass Su Mei. Let’s go play with her.”

Han Lie made his way to the Law Enforcement Hall.

Since Su Mei had given prior instructions to the guards, Han Lie smoothly entered the White Tiger Squad’s office without obstruction.

He pushed the door open silently.

Inside, he saw Su Mei lying lazily on her oversized chair, her feet propped up on the desk. Soft, rhythmic snores drifted from her intermittently.

Looking at the usually fierce White Tiger Captain in such a silly, defenseless state, Han Lie almost couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“This little lass is slacking off quite comfortably,” he muttered, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

He tiptoed around the desk, moving like a ghost. He spotted her fluffy white tiger tail drooping onto the floor behind the chair.

Han Lie gently picked up the tail. Slowly, carefully, he brought the tip near Su Mei’s nose and tickled it up and down.

“Achoo!”

A massive sneeze startled Su Mei awake from her deep sleep. Her body jerked violently, causing her to lose balance and tumble off the chair with a loud thud.

“Who… who is it!? Who dares to ambush This Captain!?”

Su Mei scrambled up, flustered and angry, her hair a mess.

“Pfft… hahahaha!”

Han Lie couldn’t hold it back any longer. He burst into unkind, raucous laughter.