This brother-in-law is easy to get along with, but with his sister, he's a real pain.

Lin Yuan looked at the person who had been ice-cold yesterday but was strangely enthusiastic today, and couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"Brother Lin, what excellent methods, truly excellent methods! Dual Mastery of Alchemy and Artifact Refining, I am deeply impressed!"

The gentle smile on Li Xinghe's face looked awkward no matter how Lin Yuan viewed it, as if it had been forced out.

Especially the look in his eyes when he gazed at Lin Yuan, which was a mix of shock, curiosity, and even a kind of... worship?

Lin Yuan instantly felt a chill run down his spine. Could this guy possibly have some unusual fetish?

"Ahem..." Seemingly realizing his impropriety, Li Xinghe quickly composed himself, solemnly cupped his fist towards Lin Yuan, maintaining an extremely humble posture. "Brother Lin, to tell you the truth, your younger brother here... has something to ask of you!"

"Oh?" Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, feigning interest, but inwardly he sneered.

Offering courtesies without reason means ill intent or theft.

"With Senior Brother Li's status as a Heaven's Chosen, what kind of Fifth-Grade Alchemist or Sixth-Grade Artifact Master in the Yin Corpse Sect cannot be invited? Why come looking for an unknown nobody like me?"

Lin Yuan's words were polite, yet they were like a needle, accurately piercing the veneer of the other party's courtesy.

Hearing this, Li Xinghe showed a wry smile, the kind of helplessness one feels when truly encountering an insurmountable problem.

"Brother Lin, you don't know, but the object I need refined is neither a simple Medicinal Pill nor a Magic Treasure, but a strange item that lies between the two."

"I searched throughout the Sect, but those Alchemists don't understand Artifact Refining, and the Artifact Masters don't understand medicinal principles. Simply put, no one can refine it!"

As he spoke, he carefully took out a Jade Slip and presented it with both hands. "Please take a look at this item, Brother Lin."

Lin Yuan accepted the Jade Slip and immersed his Divine Sense into it. A moment later, a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes.

The Jade Slip recorded something called the "corpse spirit blood core," and the Refining technique was indeed tricky.

It required using the power of dozens of Spirit Medicines, smelting various Spirit Ores, then shaping it using a Secret Technique, and finally implanting it within a Refined Corpse to merge with its Origin.

This item required understanding medicinal principles and being proficient in the Dao of Artifact Refining; neither could be lacking. Furthermore, it could allow the Refined Corpse to connect mentally with its Master, greatly enhancing combat power.

It was indeed a good item.

"What benefits can I get?" Lin Yuan put down the Jade Slip and got straight to the point, without wasting a single word.

He had no interest in helping others for free.

"Benefits, of course, there are!" Seeing that Lin Yuan did not immediately refuse, the fire of hope instantly ignited in Li Xinghe's eyes.

He lowered his voice and leaned closer mysteriously.

"I am Master's Personal Disciple, having grown up by Master's side since childhood. Gu Zheng says she's my Senior Sister, but it's better to say she's my older sister!"

"As long as Brother Lin is willing to help, I can tell you all of my Senior Sister's likes, dislikes, and Cultivation habits! Moreover, at critical moments, I can beat the drum for you and lend you a hand!" Li Xinghe patted his chest and vowed confidently. "With me as your inside man, your chances of winning over Senior Sister will increase by at least fifty percent!"

He thought this was an absolutely irresistible temptation for Lin Yuan. After all, that was Gu Zheng, the direct granddaughter of Old Ancestor Xuan Yin, and the future successor of the Yin Corpse Sect!

However, after listening, Lin Yuan shook his head abruptly, a strange smile even appearing on his face. "To be honest, I'm not interested in your Senior Sister."

"If possible... I don't even want to have any contact with her."

The moment these words left his mouth, the smile on Li Xinghe's face instantly froze, and he stood rooted to the spot.

His expression went from blank, to astonished, then to sudden realization, and finally, it was uncontrollable ecstasy.

He slapped his thigh and burst into laughter: "I knew it! How could anyone possibly like my Senior Sister with that fierce demeanor!"

"Brother Lin, you truly are my soulmate!" No matter how beautiful an older sister is, in her younger brother's eyes, she is often a dinosaur—this saying seemed to be confirmed once again.

Lin Yuan smiled; naturally, he couldn't tell Li Xinghe his true thoughts.

"Since... Brother Lin, you have no interest in my Senior Sister, how about this bargaining chip?" Li Xinghe flipped his palm, revealing a pitch-black gourd, no bigger than his hand.

"Yesterday, when you refined the Magical Artifact, it triggered the Six Stars Shining in the Sky, and Sword Qi soared to the heavens. I imagine the quality of that set of Flying Swords is far from ordinary."

"This sword nurturing gourd of mine was bestowed upon me by my Master many years ago. It can take Flying Swords inside to be nurtured. While inside, the Flying Swords can not only purify Evil Qi but also be nourished by the gourd's Spiritual Qi day and night, slowly increasing their power."

Lin Yuan's eyes lit up. This treasure came at the perfect time! His Six Harmony Flying Swords had just been refined and needed nurturing.

"Alright." Lin Yuan nodded, then changed the subject. "However, you must add one more condition. Tell me every single detail of your Senior Sister's likes and dislikes."

"Oh?" Li Xinghe was stunned. "Didn't you say you weren't interested in her?"

"Precisely because I'm not interested, I need to understand her." Lin Yuan spoke serious nonsense. "Only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you... respectfully keep your distance. I don't want to be forcibly paired up by the Old Ancestor. If I know her preferences, I can do the opposite, making her feel annoyed with me and actively distance herself."

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Li Xinghe suddenly realized, looking at Lin Yuan as if he had seen a savior.

"I understand, I understand! Brother Lin, don't worry, leave it to me!" He immediately lowered his voice, leaned in, and began spilling the details like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.

"Senior Sister loves peace and quiet, so you should constantly hover around her; she likes the Dao of the Sword, so you should talk to her about music; she hates glib talk, so you should say more suggestive things... Oh, right, she's a bit of a clean freak! Last time a Disciple accidentally splashed tea on her cuff, she immediately froze him into an ice sculpture with Cold Qi, and he stood outside for three days and three nights! Next time you see her, it's best to look a bit sloppy..."

Li Xinghe spoke enthusiastically, clearly enjoying the act of setting up his own older sister.

"Alright, leave the Materials. When we arrive at Tianyuan City, come to me to pick up the finished product!" Lin Yuan satisfiedly accepted the sword nurturing gourd and the pile of Materials.

"No problem!" Li Xinghe left feeling completely satisfied, his steps noticeably lighter.

After he left, Lin Yuan set up the Restrictions again and began the final phase of Refining.

Time slowly passed, and two days flashed by.

Although there was fatigue in Lin Yuan's eyes, there was more satisfaction. In these two days, he hadn't stopped for a moment. Not only did he use the remaining Frost Bone Flood Dragon scales to refine a set of "myriad scale armor" that was as thin as a cicada's wing and astonishingly defensive, but he also successfully helped Li Xinghe refine the "corpse spirit blood core."

"Brother Lin, we're almost at Tianyuan City." Li Xinghe's voice sounded outside the door, filled with urgency.

Lin Yuan waved his hand and opened the door.

"I have succeeded." He flicked his finger, and a dragon-eye sized, completely crimson Medicinal Pellet, radiating a dense aura of life and blood, flew steadily towards Li Xinghe.

Li Xinghe caught it, feeling the surging power within, and his hands trembled with excitement. "Thank you, Brother Lin! No words can express my gratitude!"

He carefully put away the Blood Core. As if remembering something, he lowered his voice and reminded, "Oh, right, Brother Lin, the senluo bone boat will rest for one day in Tianyuan City. As is customary, Senior Sister will definitely disembark to tour the city. If you want to avoid her, go out later, or simply don't leave the ship."

"I know what I'm doing." Lin Yuan nodded.

Of course, he had to disembark.

And he had to be the first one off!

The duck that reached his mouth... no, Mu Wanqing, who was within his grasp, couldn't be allowed to be snatched away by some other wild man in the vast Mortal World!