72: Helping others is the source of happiness

At midnight, the moon hung high in the sky.

Deep within Hundred Flowers Valley, an exquisite palace named Moon Embracing Pavilion stood silently atop a mountain peak shrouded in mist.

This place was one of Hundred Flowers Valley's Forbidden Grounds; ordinary Disciples were not allowed near, and only the Sect Master and Grand Elder could enter.

Tonight, however, Moon Embracing Pavilion was unusual.

Inside and outside the palace, an invisible Restriction enveloped it, isolating it from all outside prying eyes.

The hall was brightly lit, with warm jade paving the floor.

Light gauze curtains swayed slightly in the breeze, and a refreshing, exotic fragrance permeated the air.

On the white jade round table in the center of the hall, a dazzling array of delicacies had already been laid out, all meticulously prepared from rare and exotic Yao Beasts and thousand-year Spirit Medicine, imbued with abundant Spiritual Qi.

Radiant glow flowed, and fragrance diffused.

Beside the table, a pot of amber-colored jade liquid was being kept warm; even before it was opened, an intoxicating aroma of wine wafted out, clearly indicating it was a Spirit Wine of extremely high grade.

Liu Shishi's jade hand gently caressed the warm wine pot, seemingly waiting for something.

Tonight, she had clearly taken great care in her appearance.

She had shed the luxurious palace dress that symbolized her Sect Master status on weekdays, and changed into an elegant lotus-root-colored silk gown, with lifelike twin lotus flowers embroidered on its hem.

Her cloud-like hair was elegantly coiled high, secured with a jade hairpin, revealing her beautiful, swan-like white neck.

Her face was lightly powdered, her charming eyes like silk, her lips red and teeth white.

Her skin, illuminated by the lamplight, exuded a lustrous glow.

Those captivating peach blossom eyes held a hint of anticipation, occasionally glancing towards the hall entrance.

With every shift of her gaze, she exuded myriad charms.

Just then, a light, slow footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

Liu Shishi's heart skipped a beat; she quickly straightened her skirt, took a deep breath, and tried to maintain a calm expression, but her slightly flushed earlobes betrayed her inner nervousness.

The hall door opened silently, and Han Qing's tall and slender figure, bathed in moonlight, slowly walked in.

He was still dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his demeanor refined and ethereal.

When his gaze fell upon Liu Shishi, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He had to admit, this woman naturally possessed a captivating charm, and with her deliberate adornment, she truly had a fatal attraction.

"Senior Han, you've arrived."

Liu Shishi quickly rose to greet him, her voice soft and tender.

"Since Sect Master Liu invited This humble one Han, how could This humble one Han not come?"

"Senior Han, please take a seat quickly."

Liu Shishi led Han Qing to sit in the main seat, while she sat beside him.

She personally picked up the pot of amber-colored Spirit Wine and poured a full cup for Han Qing.

"This is 'Drunken Immortal Brew' which This humble one has secretly stored for a thousand years in Hundred Flowers Valley. It has the effect of nourishing the Divine Soul and refining magical power. Senior Han, please taste it."

Liu Shishi gently pushed the wine cup towards Han Qing.

Han Qing picked up the wine cup and saw that the wine inside was viscous, golden in color, with faint shimmering light. The immense spiritual power it contained was almost comparable to a third-grade top-tier Medicinal Pill!

An ordinary Golden Core Cultivator, after drinking a cup, would probably need to circulate their Cultivation Technique to refine it for a long time, or might even get directly drunk.

Han Qing, however, merely smiled calmly and drained the cup of Spirit Wine.

The sweet and mellow wine flowed down his throat, transforming into a warm current that surged through his limbs and bones.

That immense medicinal power was instantly and silently dissolved and absorbed by the Spring Rain Art operating within his body.

Liu Shishi observed him secretly from the side. Seeing Han Qing drink such potent Spirit Wine without changing his expression or his aura, her reverence for him deepened even further.

Senior Han's strength is indeed unfathomable!

Next, Liu Shishi personally served dishes for Han Qing, her gestures gentle, considerate, and carrying a hint of intimacy.

Han Qing tasted the delicious, Spirit Qi-infused dishes while subtly observing Liu Shishi.

He did not speak first, waiting for her to state her purpose.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes.

Liu Shishi's pretty face was already tinged with a captivating blush, and her watery peach blossom eyes were even more hazy and dreamy, as if covered by a layer of mist.

She seemed to be a poor drinker, lightly propping her fragrant cheek with her jade hand, gazing at Han Qing with a hazy look, her voice carrying a hint of lazy tenderness: "Senior Han, This humble one Shishi dares to ask you some questions about Cultivation. May I?"

"Oh? Sect Master Liu, please speak freely." Han Qing put down his jade chopsticks and said calmly.

He knew the main topic was coming.

Liu Shishi composed herself, seemingly organizing her thoughts, and after a moment, she softly said: "To be frank with Senior Han, This humble one Shishi is currently at the Golden Core Great Perfection Realm, only half a step away from the Nascent Soul Great Dao. However, this half-step is like a chasm, troubling This humble one Shishi for decades, always unable to cross it."

"This humble one Shishi has tried various methods: secluded Cultivation, taking Medicinal Pills, and even venturing out for experience to seek Opportunity, but all have yielded minimal results. I always feel there's an invisible barrier blocking the way, and no matter how hard I try, I cannot break it."

She raised her hazy, beautiful eyes: "Senior Han's Cultivation is profound and his knowledge vast. Could you perhaps offer This humble one Shishi some guidance? If I could receive Senior's invaluable advice and be helped to Break through this Bottleneck, This humble one Shishi would be eternally grateful!"

Han Qing understood in his heart.

The Golden Core transforming into Nascent Soul is a major hurdle on the path of immortal Cultivation, trapping countless talented and brilliant individuals.

Liu Shishi's Aptitude is already top-notch to Cultivate to Golden Core Great Perfection at this age, but wanting to successfully form a Nascent Soul is not an easy task.

However, for Han Qing, this was not a difficult matter.

He had complete Cultivation notes and insights from Qi Condensation to Nascent Soul in his mind!

Among them, there were detailed records and numerous experiences on how to Break through the Nascent Soul Bottleneck.

Coupled with the Nascent Soul Late Stage Realm he was currently simulating, his vision and knowledge already far surpassed ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Guiding a Peak Golden Core Cultivator to Break through was not a big problem.

Han Qing pondered for a moment, then began: "The Golden Core transforming into Nascent Soul is a leap in the level of life. It not only requires vast accumulation of Spiritual Qi, but more importantly, the metamorphosis of the Divine Soul and the comprehension of the Laws of Heaven and Earth."

He began to explain to Liu Shishi in a simple yet profound manner.

From how to condense the Golden Core Origin, to how to connect with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Bridge.

From how to temper the Divine Soul, comprehend the Laws, to how to deal with the Heart Demon trial during Nascent Soul formation... Han Qing's explanation was clear, incisive, and directly hit the core.

Liu Shishi initially just listened intently, but gradually, her expression changed from focused to shocked, and then from shocked to ecstatic!

Many of the crucial points and secret techniques Han Qing spoke of were things she had never encountered before; it was like a sudden enlightenment, opening her mind!

The Bottleneck that had troubled her for decades actually showed subtle signs of loosening under Han Qing's guidance!

Her gaze towards Han Qing completely changed.

Intense adoration and infatuation!

"Thank you, Senior Han, for your guidance!"

Liu Shishi's pretty face flushed with excitement; she quickly rose and bowed deeply to Han Qing.

Han Qing calmly accepted her bow, then waved his hand, saying: "It's merely a small effort, Sect Master Liu, there's no need to be so polite."

Liu Shishi sat down again, but her gaze towards Han Qing could no longer be moved.

She picked up the wine cup, refilled it for Han Qing, and took a small sip herself. The blush on her pretty face deepened, and her eyes grew even hazier.

"Senior Han..."

Liu Shishi put down her wine cup, her jade fingers gently twisting the corner of her dress, seemingly finding it hard to speak. After hesitating for a long while, she finally mustered the courage and whispered: "Actually, This humble one Shishi invited Senior here tonight not only to ask for Cultivation advice, but also to make an impertinent request."

"Oh? Sect Master Liu, please speak freely." Han Qing looked at her with interest.

Liu Shishi took a deep breath, raised her watery peach blossom eyes, and gazed at Han Qing, softly asking: "Senior Han, have you ever heard of the 'Profound Yin Physique'?"

Han Qing's heart stirred slightly.

Profound Yin Physique? This is an extremely rare special Physique. Women with this Physique often Cultivate much faster than ordinary people, especially when Cultivating Yin-cold attribute Cultivation Techniques, where they achieve twice the result with half the effort.

But at the same time, this Physique is also extremely overbearing. It continuously produces supreme Yin and cold Profound Yin Qi within the body. If it cannot be promptly guided or neutralized by pure Yang power, at best, Cultivation will stagnate; at worst, the Yin Qi will backfire, causing the body to explode and the Spirit to Scatter.

Recalling Liu Shishi's previous behaviors and her Cultivation progress, which far surpassed her peers, Han Qing already had a guess in his heart.

"I've heard a little about it." Han Qing said calmly: "Could it be that Sect Master Liu possesses this Physique?"

Liu Shishi's delicate body trembled slightly, then she smiled bitterly and nodded, admitting: "To be frank with Senior Han, This humble one Shishi is indeed a Profound Yin Physique. It is precisely because of this that This humble one Shishi was fortunate enough to Cultivate to the Golden Core Great Perfection Realm within just a hundred years."

"However..."

A hint of worry appeared on her exquisite face: "While this Profound Yin Physique brings benefits to This humble one Shishi, it also brings a huge crisis."

"As my Cultivation deepens, the Profound Yin Qi within This humble one Shishi's body also becomes increasingly vigorous. If I cannot find a solution in time, I'm afraid it won't be long before the Yin Origin backfires, leading to the outcome of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering."

Saying this, she gently rolled up the sleeve of her right arm, revealing her snow-white, delicate arm.

On her smooth skin, a lifelike black snake tattoo was distinctly coiled!

The small snake was entirely black, with fine scales, and its snake pupils flickered with an eerie red light, as if alive, slowly slithering.

However, at this moment, the luster of the black small snake appeared somewhat dim, even showing faint signs of dissipating.

"This is the Heavenly Yin Demonic Snake, a peculiar Yao Beast essence that This humble one accidentally obtained in my early years. I refined and Sealed it within my body to temporarily absorb and suppress the excess Profound Yin Qi."

Liu Shishi explained faintly: "However, as This humble one's Cultivation improves, the Profound Yin Qi in my body grows stronger, and this Heavenly Yin Demonic Snake is almost unable to hold on."

She raised her hazy, yet pleading, beautiful eyes and gazed at Han Qing:

"Senior Han, your Cultivation is profound, and your Yang energy is flourishing, making you This humble one Shishi's only hope."

"This humble one Shishi dares to humbly request Senior Han to lend a hand and help This humble one Shishi alleviate this crisis of excessive Yin Origin..."

"And to be frank with Senior, This humble one Shishi has long harbored admiration for Senior. If I could become Senior's Dao Companion, even if it's just a fleeting romance, This humble one Shishi would be content..."

After saying these words, she seemed to have exhausted all her strength, shyly lowering her head, not daring to look at Han Qing again.

Her heart pounded like a deer, awaiting Han Qing's final 'judgment'.

She was actively offering herself!

Han Qing looked at the stunning beauty before him, naturally alluring and actively throwing herself into his arms, and his heart couldn't help but stir slightly.

Profound Yin Physique... this was a legendary top-grade Cauldron Physique!

If he could Dual Cultivate with her, it would not only help her resolve her crisis but also bring him considerable benefits.

Moreover, how could one refuse a beauty who delivered herself to their door?

"Helping others is the root of happiness!"

"Since Sect Master Liu trusts This humble one Han so much, This humble one Han would be impolite to refuse."

Han Qing smiled slightly, extended his hand, and gently held Liu Shishi's soft, boneless jade hand.

Liu Shishi's delicate body trembled, and her pretty face instantly flushed crimson, but she showed no resistance. Instead, she leaned into Han Qing's embrace.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a pure, bright glow.

Inside the hall, candlelight flickered, and a subtle fragrance wafted.

Clothes shed, skin touching skin.