78: Hong Fu holds the red thread

As Han Li stepped out of the Green Wave Cave, the heavy stone door behind him closed with a dull rumble, cutting off everything inside the cave.

He subconsciously turned his head, looking at the tightly sealed stone door, a bitter feeling in his Heart-Nature.

Just now in the Immortal Cave, Master Li Huayuan's business-like inquiry towards him, and Hongfu Immortal's almost hand-holding guidance towards Lin Feng, formed a sharp and biting contrast.

This feeling of being ignored, as if he was just a foil, caused an indescribable irritation to surge in Han Li's Heart-Nature.

He lowered his head and glanced at the Jade Slip in his hand, which recorded the Qingyuan Swordplay, his knuckles slightly white from gripping it tightly.

An unknown fire surged in his chest, but Old Devil Han was Old Devil Han after all, and he quickly suppressed this emotion.

Han Li took a deep breath, the confusion and unwillingness in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by a calm expression.

Complaining and blaming others was useless.

The Cultivation World, after all, relied on strength to speak.

He took out the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill from his Storage Pouch, which he had obtained from the Blood Forbidden Ground, as well as the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula that he had long memorized.

What others could give was, after all, external.

Only what was in his own hands was truly reliable.

The Heaven-Mending Bottle, Spirit Medicine, Pill Formula... these were the true foundations for his survival.

Having understood this, the last trace of depression in Han Li's Heart-Nature vanished into thin air. He raised his head, his gaze no longer directed at the high peak of Qiongdian, but instead towards another mountain range in Huangfeng Valley.

There, was the Sect's Ground Fire House, specially set up for Disciples to perform Alchemy and Artifact Refining.

He no longer hesitated, put the Jade Slip into his embrace, activated the leaf-shaped Magical Artifact under his feet, transforming into an inconspicuous green light, and flew straight towards that direction.

His figure flashed and disappeared amidst the overlapping mountains, carrying a determination to not stop until his goal was achieved.

Lin Feng, when I successfully complete Foundation Establishment, we shall see who can go further!

...

Inside the Green Wave Immortal Cave.

With Han Li's departure and the closing of the stone door, the atmosphere inside the Immortal Cave did not lighten; instead, it became even more subtle as only Lin Feng remained.

Li Huayuan, Hong Fu, and Li Huayuan's Dao Companion, all three gazes converged on Lin Feng, carrying scrutiny, curiosity, and approval.

Lin Feng stood bowing, his expression calm, but he was secretly pondering in his Heart-Nature.

"It seems Senior Sister is very satisfied with him."

Finally, it was Li Huayuan who broke the silence first. He picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, but his words were directed at Hong Fu beside him, with an indescribable meaning in his tone.

Hong Fu smiled brightly upon hearing this, not hiding her admiration.

"That's right, Lin Feng is much better than those Disciples under you!"

She always spoke directly, and at her words, Li Huayuan's expression immediately became a little awkward, and he cleared his throat.

"Senior Sister, my second Disciple Liu Jing is also quite good! He is upright, and among the younger generation of Cultivators in Yue Country, he is quite well-known!"

He tried to salvage some face for his Disciple.

"Liu Jing?" Hong Fu let out a slight sneer, a hint of disdain flashing in her Phoenix eyes. "I have paid attention to this person twice before. He cares too much about superficial fame and reputation, and acts too rigidly. Although he is a good person, he is also overly pedantic and inflexible. How can such a Heart-Nature get along with Xuan'er?"

Xuan'er?

Lin Feng's Heart-Nature suddenly stirred.

Dong Xuan'er!

He instantly understood that the plot in the original novel where Hong Fu played matchmaker for Han Li and Dong Xuan'er had been completely and prematurely transferred to him.

As expected, Hong Fu seemed to have made a decision, her gaze burning as she looked at Lin Feng.

"Since that's the case, this matter is settled!"

She changed the subject and said to Lin Feng again, "Lin Feng, you have just successfully completed Foundation Establishment. According to the Sect rules, you should also formally acknowledge a Core Formation Elder as your Master for your subsequent cultivation. Are you willing to become my Disciple?"

She paused, then glanced at Li Huayuan, adding, "Or, you can also become Junior Brother Li's Disciple."

At her words, not only Lin Feng, but even Li Huayuan and his Dao Companion, who had been quietly silent, showed surprised expressions.

Two Core Formation Elders simultaneously offered a newly Foundation Establishment Disciple the choice of who to acknowledge as Master.

Such a heaven-sent Opportunity was enough to make any Foundation Establishment Cultivator ecstatic.

However, Lin Feng fell silent.

Acknowledge Li Huayuan as Master?

Wouldn't that mean that when he saw Han Li in the future, he would have to respectfully call him "Senior Brother Han"?

This thought flashed through his mind and was immediately extinguished. Absolutely impossible! It would be more like him calling himself Grandmaster.

What about acknowledging Hong Fu as Master?

This seemed like a good choice. Hong Fu was powerful, had a profound background, and seemed to value him highly.

But... Chen Qiaoqian had just recently become Hong Fu's Disciple.

Seeing Lin Feng actually frowning slightly, looking as if he was in a dilemma, the three Seniors in the Immortal Cave were stunned.

Li Huayuan and his Dao Companion exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Hong Fu's smile also gradually receded, replaced by a hint of doubt.

Could this boy think that the two of them were not worthy of being his Master?

The atmosphere within the Immortal Cave became somewhat solidified for a moment.

"If you have any unspeakable difficulties, then let this matter go for now."

Finally, it was Hong Fu who broke the silence. Although she had an impatient Heart-Nature, she was not an unreasonable person. Seeing Lin Feng's expression, she considerately offered him a way out.

Lin Feng breathed a long sigh of relief in his Heart-Nature, just about to express his thanks.

Hong Fu's next words, however, made him silent once more.

"You refused to acknowledge a Master, then this matter, you cannot refuse!"

Her tone instantly became serious, carrying the prestige of a Core Formation Elder.

Hong Fu continued, "I have a Personal Disciple named Dong Xuan'er, who is quite renowned in Huangfeng Valley for her beauty. However, her Heart-Nature is a bit playful and restless, which is detrimental to her cultivation."

Her gaze was fixed on Lin Feng: "I have observed you. Since entering the Valley, apart from Sect missions like the Blood Forbidden Ground, you rarely go out. Most of your time is spent in seclusion in your Immortal Cave cultivating diligently. Your Heart-Nature is steady, and you act with the overall situation in mind. I hope that you can interact more with Xuan'er, and with your steadiness, perhaps you can guide her to temper her Heart-Nature."

At this point, her tone softened slightly, and she threw out a huge bait.

"If the two of you get along well, and you are also interested in Xuan'er, it is not impossible for you to become Dao Companions."

So that's how it was.

Before summoning him, Hong Fu had already investigated his background so thoroughly. What she valued was precisely his appearance of being an "honest person."

Lin Feng was speechless in his Heart-Nature; this was truly a huge misunderstanding.

But he knew that this matter could not be easily resolved. Hong Fu had spoken to this extent; if he directly refused again, it would be seen as not knowing how to appreciate favors, completely offending this Core Formation Elder.

He cupped his hands in a salute, a perfectly appropriate look of difficulty on his face.

"Thank you, Senior Hong Fu, for your kindness."

He carefully chose his words, speaking slowly: "It's just that... Junior has something that he must make clear to Senior."

"Speak." Hong Fu's expression showed no discernible emotion.

"To be honest, when I was in the mortal world, I once had a wife." Lin Feng said, steeling himself, "And by coincidence, she has now also embarked on the Immortal Path, and has even joined the Yanyue Sect."

At his words, the air in the Immortal Cave seemed to instantly freeze.

Li Huayuan's hand, holding the teacup, paused in mid-air, and his Dao Companion's mouth was even slightly agape in surprise.

Hong Fu's complexion visibly darkened at a rapid pace.

A cold aura emanated from her, and the temperature of the entire Immortal Cave seemed to drop by a few degrees.

A mortal wife?

Yanyue Sect?

In her mind, could her charming and exceptionally talented precious Disciple, Dong Xuan'er, really be inferior to a woman he knew in the mortal world?

Seeing Hong Fu's anger about to erupt, Lin Feng quickly spoke to remedy the situation.

"However, regarding the matter of guiding Junior Sister Dong to improve her Heart-Nature, Junior will certainly do his best! It is Junior's honor to be able to share Senior's worries!"

His voice was clear and sincere.

The volcano that was about to erupt was forcibly blocked by these words.

Hong Fu's face alternated between green and pale, and her chest heaved a few times. She wanted to get angry, but Lin Feng had already agreed to her main request; if she didn't get angry, the Qi in her Heart-Nature was truly unbearable.

Finally, all emotions transformed into a cold snort.

"Hmph!"

Hong Fu abruptly flicked her sleeve and stood up from her seat, not even glancing at Lin Feng.

Her figure swayed, and she transformed into a red light, sweeping out of the Immortal Cave, leaving only a sentence behind in the Immortal Cave.

"In one month, there will be a Treasure-Contending Assembly at Yan Family Fortress. You shall go with Xuan'er! I will inform her of this!"

Before her voice faded, she had already disappeared without a trace.

Within the Immortal Cave, only Lin Feng remained, along with the Li Huayuan couple sitting opposite him, staring at each other, the scene becoming quite awkward for a moment.