Han Li carefully put away the five Golden Bamboo Thunder Talismans and was about to take his leave and return to his cave abode to refine his Green Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords.
Just then, Xin Ruoyin came out. "Fellow Daoist Han, please wait."
Han Li stopped and turned to Xin Ruoyin. "I have yet to congratulate you on reaching Core Formation, Fellow Daoist Xin."
Xin Ruoyin smiled. "There is no need to be so polite, Fellow Daoist Han. Brother Lin told me that I also have your help to thank for my successful breakthrough. Although I was in secluded cultivation at the time and had no idea what happened, I cannot leave your kindness unrepaid."
Han Li waved his hands repeatedly in refusal. "There is no need, Fellow Daoist Xin. Senior Brother Lin has helped me a great deal as well. A few worldly possessions are nothing to concern yourself with."
Ignoring his refusal, Xin Ruoyin took out a jade slip. "I hear you have been studying the art of formations. As it happens, I have gained a little insight into that field. This jade slip contains some of my humble observations on formations. Please accept it as a small token of my gratitude."
Han Li's gestures of refusal immediately slowed. He had bought formations from Xin Ruoyin before and naturally knew how accomplished she was. Hearing that the jade slip contained her insights into formations, he was immediately tempted.
Seeing this, Lin Yun smiled. "Junior Brother Han, just accept Ru Yin's thanks. Her breakthrough to Core Formation owed much to you."
Only then did Han Li accept the jade slip and take his leave.
Spring passed and autumn came. In the blink of an eye, another five years had gone by.
On the Sea-Viewing Terrace of the cave abode, two