Chapter 212: Chapter 159: Soul-Cultivating Furnace! Xiao Chu, you’re walking a narrow path! Han Li’s murderous intent_2

Translator: 549690339

Meanwhile, Han Li had also realized something: if Chu Zhenxiong had the Soul-Cultivating Furnace, then what was hidden within Chengsheng Mountain could possibly be the true Body-Cultivating Furnace or even the Ancient Supreme Life-Prolonging Furnace.

Only by obtaining the Soul-Cultivating Furnace could he further investigate Chengsheng Mountain, discern whether it was the Body-Cultivating Furnace or the Life-Prolonging Furnace that was hidden, and get it into his hands.

Chu Dingqian remained silent, looking at Li Feiyu opposite him, his heart caught in a tumultuous struggle.

The Soul-Cultivating Furnace was crucial for his rapid rise after rebirth through possession. Chu Dingqian did not want to hand it over to Li Feiyu, otherwise, he had no confidence in cultivating to the True Martial Realm within three hundred years after his rebirth.

It might take four hundred years, five hundred years… The longer the time, the more variables, and the greater the risk. Chu Dingqian did not dare to take this risk.

Yet, Li Feiyu was very eager to have the Soul-Cultivating Furnace. It seemed that if he did not give it to him, even if the previous five conditions were very generous, Li Feiyu would not agree to the alliance, nor protect the Da Qian for four hundred years.

On one hand was the risk of extending the time to break through to the True Martial Realm in his third life; on the other hand was facing great risks right now. This indecision tormented Chu Dingqian.

Sometimes he thought of rising in rebellion and killing Li Feiyu, yet he also worried about not being able to kill him and that he might not find another True Martial Realm cultivator afterwards.

If Li Feiyu came to help him but ended up being attacked, who among the cultivators at the True Martial Realm would dare to come forward after such news spread?

At other times, he considered giving up the Soul-Cultivating Furnace, straightforwardly handing it over to Li Feiyu. After recultivating back to the True Martial Realm in his third life, he could settle accounts with Li Feiyu and take back the Soul-Cultivating Furnace.

“Sigh~”

Suddenly, Han Li sighed, a look of dissatisfaction on his face as he said, “Well, well, since Brother Chu is not willing to part with it, then I shall not insist.”

Han Li decided to tactically give up. He had sensed Chu Zhenxiong’s hidden murderous intent, which at certain moments was especially intense, indicating that Chu Zhenxiong was very reluctant to part with it and definitely knew the origins of the Soul-Cultivating Furnace.

No ancestor builds a wall under a crumbling ruin.

Grand Ancestor Han was not fully confident he could withstand a strike from the Soul-Cultivating Furnace. If he suffered severe injuries, it would be quite unfavorable.

With that in mind, he decided to not go after the Soul-Cultivating Furnace for now. In order to gain greater benefits, Han Li decided to propose a different condition, meanwhile confusing Chu Zhenxiong, making him believe that Han Li was unaware that it was the Soul-Cultivating Furnace.

But Grand Ancestor Han had no intention of giving up on the Soul-Cultivating Furnace. He already noted Chu Zhenxiong in his ledger; daring to harbor murderous intentions towards an ancestor, Chu, your path has narrowed.

Grand Ancestor Han had already decided to kill Chu Zhenxiong.

In about two more years, he would be able to advance to the True Martial Realm, his combat ability most likely soaring to the pinnacle of the True Martial Realm. At that time, he could seek an opportunity to assassinate Chu Zhenxiong and take the Soul-Cultivating Furnace.

Of course, this was somewhat risky, as it might let the outside world know that two True Martial Realm powerhouses within the Daqian Empire were in conflict, plunging the empire once again into turmoil.

Thus, Grand Ancestor Han was considering whether to wait until he possessed the combat ability of a Divine Yuan Realm warrior before going to suppress Chu Zhenxiong. By then, no news would leak to the outside world, and everyone would simply think Chu Zhenxiong was still in seclusion.

Chu Zhenxiong dying earlier, Han Li felt, would be advantageous for him, as he could take control of the Daqian Empire sooner, with no one left to impede him.

“Chu, you’re forcing an ancestor’s hand,” Han Li thought silently to himself.

As Han Li’s words fell, he could clearly sense Chu Zhenxiong’s murderous intent dissipating.

“How can you say that, Brother Li? I am ashamed, it’s just that I’ve been fond of this little furnace for over a thousand years, and have grown attached to it. Otherwise, I would have gifted it to Brother Li right away. I hope you understand,” replied Chu Zhenxiong.

“How about this? Since Brother Li also fancies such trinkets, I can offer some of my other treasured collections. Brother Li can also put forward another condition,” Chu Zhenxiong proposed.

Hearing this, Chu Dingqian felt a great relief and was refreshed. Li Feiyu was indeed sensible, not driving him to a dead end.

Seeing that Li Feiyu no longer insisted on the Soul-Cultivating Furnace, Chu Dingqian’s wrinkled old face beamed with joy, and he immediately said some pleasantries.

Han Li nodded slightly and, after a moment of contemplation, proposed a new condition.

“Then, Han Li would like to have some Pill Formulae, Array Diagrams as well as blueprints for Artifact Refining and Talisman Making,” Han Li said. “I need them from the tenth to the third grade, and if there are any second or top-grade Pill Formulae, that would be even better.”

Waiting for the Han Mansion to slowly gather these four major categories was too troublesome and far too slow. The Han Mansion was merely a deformed power within the God Refining Realm, making it incredibly difficult to collect Pill Formulae and Array Diagrams of the fifth grade or higher, and they simply couldn’t afford them.

The Daqian Empire had thrived for over three thousand years and must have amassed a large collection of Pill Formulae, Array Diagrams, and other such items. Taking them directly would instantly enhance the foundation of the Han Mansion.

“Alright!”

Chu Dingqian readily agreed and said generously, “I will copy and give Han Li a copy of all the Pill Formulae, Array Diagrams, as well as blueprints for Artifact Refining and Talisman Making that Da Qian possesses.”

This condition didn’t mean much to Chu Dingqian—it was a cost-free business deal. Although these were extremely valuable and priceless in the outside world, they paled in comparison to the Soul-Cultivating Furnace.

A smile appeared on Han Li’s face. Although he didn’t get the Soul-Cultivating Furnace, these six conditions would still bring him and the Han Mansion countless benefits.

And in a few more years, after he had killed Chu Dingqian, everything from the Qian Dynasty would be his—he would be the secret mastermind behind Da Qian. For now, he would just take some advance benefit.

After uttering a few more polite words, Chu Dingqian then took out a stone that was neither gold nor jade, and placed it in mid-air, saying with a solemn expression:

“Since Han Li has no objections to our covenant, let’s swear an oath using this Oath Stone.”

The Oath Stone?

Han Li’s pupils shrank suddenly—he knew what this was. This object was extremely precious, creating significant constraints on those who swore upon it. To break an oath made on it would result in a tremendous price, so great that it made violating the oath not worth the consequences.

“Han Li must recognize this thing, right? If not, it’s no problem; I can explain it to you,” Chu Dingqian said, noting the surprised look on Li Feiyu’s face, a smile emerging on his own.

Li Feiyu had laid out six conditions, and aside from the fifth, the other five had taken a great toll on the Qian Dynasty. Naturally, Chu Dingqian had a way to keep Li Feiyu bound to the covenant.

Otherwise, if Li Feiyu were to take what he was given and run, not fulfill the covenant, not protect Da Qian for four hundred years, Chu Dingqian would undoubtedly be furious to the point of spitting blood.

Although Chu Dingqian didn’t know Li Feiyu’s true background, he didn’t care. As long as Li Feiyu swore on the Oath Stone, he would be bound to the covenant.

“Chu Dingqian is quite wealthy with treasures,” Han Li remarked.

Han Li had only read about the Oath Stone in ancient records; it was prevalent during the Ancient Era. From Saints in the Saintly Abyss Realm and Great Emperors in the Heaven Imperial Realm to Heavenly Immortal and True Immortals, down to those in the Gangyuan Realm, Pihai Realm, and even the Innate Realm—any cultivator who embarks on the cultivation path would use this object to bind others.

Its widespread use amongst beings as mighty as Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals showed just how powerful the Oath Stone’s effects were; not even they dared to break an oath made on it.

However, after the great calamity of the Ancient Era, Qianyuan Divine Province was in turmoil for a hundred thousand years, and the Oath Stone became a thing of the past. In the more recent eras spanning ten thousand years, it had become extremely rare.

Han Li had never seen one before and was surprised that Chu Zhenxiong possessed such a rare treasure.

Swearing on the Oath Stone had dire consequences if broken—clouding the Dao Heart and spawning inner demons were just minor effects. The oath-taker could suffer divine retribution, breaking their cultivation path, stripping away everything related to the martial path, such as the Martial True Intent, Martial True Pills, and so on.

Swearing on the Oath Stone was an oath to a great existence beyond comprehension in the vast unknown, a being far more powerful than any Heavenly Immortal or True Immortal. Han Li didn’t know what realm that might be, but he knew it was not to be offended.

Chu Dingqian laughed, swore on the Oath Stone first, and then gestured with his hand, “Please, Han Li.”

“Alright,” Han Li nodded. Swearing an oath was no big deal.

Soon, Han Li held the Oath Stone in his hand, and in the name of Li Feiyu, he repeated the covenant he and Chu Zhenxiong had established, asking the great existence to bear witness.

The covenant did not contain any clause about mutual slaughter—this was intentional on Chu Dingqian’s part. He still planned to seek out Li Feiyu for a reckoning after his rebirth by seizing another body, naturally not wanting to restrict himself.

This was exactly what Han Li wanted. Without this clause, he would be able to kill Chu Dingqian when the time came.

After all, Han Li had no intention of breaking the covenant. To protect Da Qian was to protect Han Mansion, and the benefits to Han Li far outweighed any disadvantage.