The Fire Spirit swung its feet back and forth, its small green bean eyes scanning the entire greenhouse. It had been so focused on running earlier that it hadn’t even noticed its body was right beside it.

It looked at the group of people with some apprehension. Apart from Han Yu, who shared the same origin as it, the other people also seemed far from simple.

It would be curious if such a group of people dug it up without a purpose.

"Are you guys here to drain the old duck’s power too?"

The Fire Spirit cautiously eyed Han Yu.

Drain it?

Han Yu shook his head with a bittersweet smile, "I just want you to help me break through to the Fourth Tier."

"So you do want to drain the old duck."

The Fire Spirit retreated a few steps, its duck head shaking in fright.

"Is that true?"

Han Yu was a little bewildered himself since the Artifact Spirit hadn’t mentioned that.

Only then did the Artifact Spirit solemnly nod, "Actually, yes. The energy you need to break through is not only vast but must also be acquired from the Fire Spirit."

This is a right bestowed by the heavens.

"Being able to obtain all the energy from the Fire Spirit is equivalent to gaining its approval. The heavens will lift the mist of shackles for you, allowing you to attempt a breakthrough."

Han Yu rolled his eyes. Who would selflessly give away all their energy!

"Didn’t I tell you? All the Five Elements Spirits are like grandmasters, you have to coax them."

"Relax, they are nurtured by the heavens, so their energy can be replenished. It’s not as hard as you think. Go for it!"

After the Artifact Spirit finished speaking, it clenched its little fist and waved it in encouragement.

What an easy thing to say when you’re not the one doing it.

Han Yu looked at the fire duck’s extremely cautious look and felt his head swell.

"How about this, you help me with this favor, and you name your conditions."

He could only tentatively open his mouth to try.

The Fire Spirit shook its head without even thinking, refusing, "No, the old duck won’t do it."

"Your energy can be restored, consider it a transaction, name your price and I’ll try to make it happen."

Han Yu could only plead earnestly, but the Fire Spirit’s subsequent actions were preposterous.

No matter what Han Yu said, all he got in return was the screechy voice of a drake.

"Quack, quack..."

Not only Han Yu, but the others also lost their ability to communicate with the Fire Spirit.

"How can we manage when it replies without reading?"

Han Yu helplessly spoke to the Artifact Spirit.

He had no other options. He had allowed the Fire Spirit to name any condition, and even if it demanded sky-high terms, it would still be a direction to talk.

Yet the other party wasn’t even willing to negotiate.

"How about I give it a try?"

Elder Luo eagerly volunteered to speak up.

Since there was no other way, and someone wanted to try, Han Yu certainly had no objections.

"Can I give it a try too?"

The Great Elder of Piaomiao City quickly chimed in. It was previously agreed that whoever helped Han Yu solve the problem would receive the pills, and since it wasn’t resolved yet...

In his view, as long as Elder Luo from Nanli Sword Studio couldn’t handle it, they still had a chance.

"Alright, if you guys want to try, go ahead!"

Han Yu thought for a moment, then spoke up.

Watching the group of old folks surround it like wolves and tigers, the Fire Spirit quacked in panic, as if it was about to undergo something terrifying.

Meanwhile, Han Yu was getting a headache from the noise, contemplating stepping out for some peace, only to see a white rabbit suddenly appear outside, waving at him.

After stepping out, Gao Feng greeted him, "Come here, Young Master Xiao wants to see you."

See me?

Han Yu couldn’t figure out if there was any need for Xiao Shui to see him.

In the neighboring courtyard, when Han Yu arrived, Ling Wuce had already been there for quite some time.

The interrogation scene was somewhat rudimentary, with the group standing in the courtyard, except for the Guardian, who was beaten half to death and lying down.

Xiao Shui’s face was full of bloodstains, looking rather disheveled, and his expression was even more despondent.

Upon seeing Han Yu enter, Xiao Shui finally raised his eyes to look, his expression full of complexity.

"I really don’t want to be your enemy."

Xiao Shui’s opening words held no particular meaning.

But soon after, with some hesitation, Xiao Shui slowly began to speak again.

"If you let me go, I’ll give you a piece of information."

Han Yu’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly not very interested.

"If you’re talking about the Corpse Refinement Lineage, just discuss it with the Fifth Tower. I’m actually not very interested in you."

"Including this time, if it weren’t for the fact that the thing I need happened to collide with yours, I wouldn’t have even cared about you."

Refining Pills is his main objective. World peace is the business of the Fifth Tower and the Nine Sects.

But Xiao Shui wasn’t stupid. Now that he was captured, trying to bargain with the Imperial Court with just a piece of information was definitely unrealistic.

But with Han Yu, it might be a different story. As long as Han Yu was willing to help, the Fifth Tower would surely sell him this favor.

After all, the person was captured by Han Yu, and given the rumors, the Fifth Tower would carefully consider Han Yu’s ideas.

He’s not stupid, but Han Yu really isn’t interested!

Seeing Han Yu about to return to the greenhouse, Xiao Shui hurriedly called out to stop him.

"What if it’s about you?"

"About me?"

Han Yu returned, now interested in what Xiao Shui had to say.

"Let’s hear it."

Xiao Shui nodded at first, then shook his head.

"It’s an important, even life-threatening piece of information about you, but first, promise me you’ll release me after I tell you."

Before Han Yu nodded, he absolutely refused to speak.

"No, you are already part of the Corpse Refinement Lineage, your harm is too great, and we cannot release you."

Before Han Yu could nod, Ling Wuce quickly spoke to stop him.

In nearly a year’s time, none of those who emerged from the Corpse Refinement Lineage had failed to stir up chaos, and the consequences of releasing such a person would be too great.

"Actually, I’ve only been part of it for half a year, and I haven’t committed any heinous acts."

Xiao Shui hurriedly argued.

Not committed any heinous acts?

That statement was laughable.

In relation to the attack on Minzhou City alone, releasing monsters to besiege the city was enough for Ling Wuce to kill him.

"Do you know that without Han Yu, what you did is no different from slaughtering a city?"

Ling Wuce scolded, furious at Xiao Shui’s words.

"I naturally calculated that he was here, only then dared to release them."

Xiao Shui defended himself confidently.

Ling Wuce laughed in exasperation, "That’s hypocrisy. His ability to stop you isn’t a justification for your evil deeds."

"When you released that monster, you became no different from those bastards."

Never mind just having joined for six months, even if it were just one day, using such methods meant to the Imperial Court, he was no different from those bad seeds nurtured by the Corpse Refinement Lineage from a young age.

Xiao Shui was stung by this remark, instantly turning livid.

Ling Wuce’s words were hard to counter because when he took out the porcelain bottle, he already had the answer in his heart.

"Do you agree or not? If you don’t, let the Imperial Court execute me. I believe you’ll die soon as well."

He abruptly shifted the topic back to the initial question without further entanglement.

Die soon?

Han Yu frowned, noting that Xiao Shui didn’t seem to be bluffing. Instead, he appeared quite confident.

"The Inspectorate has never failed to break someone. I’ll let Feng Buping come over."

Ling Wuce considered borrowing Feng Buping’s empathy ability, thus eliminating the need to negotiate terms.

"It’s too late."

A smile appeared on Xiao Shui’s bloody face as he slowly shook his head. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"When I first mentioned that your time was limited, I wasn’t kidding. Your time really is running out."

Again, with the limited time.

This phrase had indeed frequently come from Xiao Shui’s mouth, now being the third time he mentioned it.

If the other side didn’t know something, he definitely wouldn’t say this.

"Alright, I agree."

Han Yu gazed at Xiao Shui for a moment and nodded.