The Transmigrator’s Cultivation

Arc 22: Affairs At Sword Conference | Chapter 413: Contract

It turned out that the information transmitted by the Sword God Token explained its purpose.

In this world, under the Heavenly Dao, there are countless Great Paths, among which sword cultivation is particularly unique. However, the requirements become increasingly stringent as one progresses, making it rare for sword cultivators to achieve real success.

In countless realms, even those who comprehend sword intent can only be considered as having stepped into the threshold of the sword path.

As previously mentioned, above sword intent lies the sword soul, and the sword soul undergoes nine refinements. Each refinement dramatically increases its power.

Currently, Yun Lie has completed the first refinement of the sword soul, which is quite rare given his current lifespan. However, his experience is still limited; achieving the second refinement is not something easily obtained.

If he were to debate swordsmanship with others in the smaller worlds or comprehend it on his own, who knows how much time it would take? However, if he could reach certain sacred places for sword cultivators, he could often achieve results a hundredfold faster.

The Sword Pagoda is such a place.

Xu Ziqing, filled with admiration, couldn’t help but ask, “Does that mean the Sword God Token is a means of passage?”

Yun Lie nodded slightly: “Indeed.”

The Sword Pagoda is located in the realm of the Nine Void, said to be a place that does not exist in any small or large world, a phantom land. It is also said to be within the space cracks, amidst the temporal storms. No one knows how it was formed or why it appeared.

To enter that place, there are two conditions.

The first is that one must have perfected their sword intent, and the second is to possess the Sword God Token.

Both conditions are indispensable.

In other words, the Sword Spirit Tower exists for sword cultivators to refine their sword souls. Those who have perfected their sword intent can find ways to condense their sword souls within, while those who have undergone the first refinement of the sword soul can also hone themselves there, solidifying and sharpening their sword souls to be unmatched.

Throughout history, countless sword cultivators have gone there.

After hearing this, Xu Ziqing felt delighted for his shixiong.

Indeed, it was another extraordinary opportunity, coming at such a fortuitous time.

Just as his shixiong was about to refine his sword soul, the Sword God Token came into his hands—wasn’t that a stroke of good fortune?

This miraculous opportunity had come from the two sisters, and now that it was beneficial to his shixiong, it was only right for the sisters to be well taken care of in return to express gratitude.

With this in mind, Xu Ziqing turned to Chen Ni and Chen Shang, smiling gently: “You both heard what my shixiong said earlier. This item is truly a treasure for both me and my shixiong, and it shouldn’t be taken for free. Therefore, I have a few questions to ask you.”

The Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters exchanged glances and spoke in unison: “Please ask, senior.”

Xu Ziqing continued, “At this moment, there are two options. One is for my shixiong and me to find a suitable place to settle you both, entrusting you to a friend for care. The second is to bring you back to our sect, but our sect is not easily entered, and you can only stay in the outer sect. Whichever option you choose, my shixiong and I will leave certain resources, sufficient for you to cultivate for several years. However, for the long term, you will still need to put in your own efforts.”

These two options were what he had carefully considered, and he felt they were a reasonable arrangement.

However, the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters hesitated for a moment before speaking: “May I ask, Senior Xu… could you accept us as your servants?”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that the sisters would have such thoughts.

Although those with lower qualifications and insufficient cultivation may want to attach themselves to stronger individuals to obtain resources, often doing so willingly, becoming a servant is quite different. A servant must establish a blood contract to earn the trust of their master, but at the same time, the servant’s life and safety belong to the master. Unless the master voluntarily dissolves the blood contract, the servant will be controlled for life.

In many families, clans, and sects across small and large worlds, those who are truly trusted have established blood contracts.

If it’s just ordinary attendants, such arrangements are unnecessary.

The two sisters had faced many hardships in their early years. It would be best for them to focus on their cultivation now that they had managed to let go of their past. Why, then, did they want to become his servants?

Noticing Xu Ziqing’s confusion, Chen Ni forced a bitter smile: “As a lone woman, it’s easy to be bullied. Rather than risk encountering further humiliation, it’s better to simply follow Senior Xu… After all, with your character, you wouldn’t mistreat us.”

Chen Shang added, “In this world, there are few upright men. Now, apart from you, Senior Xu, we genuinely don’t know who else we can trust.”

Aside from that, they were keenly aware of their current precarious situation.

If they chose the first option, Senior Xu would likely arrange for them to stay with some family, small sect, or another safe location. Initially, with the reputation of the Nascent Soul ancestor, they would be treated well, but as time passed without the ancestor’s return, they would inevitably face neglect. Once Senior Xu had settled them in, that kindness would already be sufficient; there would be no reason to constantly look after them. Even if they worked hard on their own, without a backing, if they encountered any more troubles, they likely wouldn’t have the fortune of meeting someone like Senior Xu to rescue them again.

As for the second option, the situation was similar, though somewhat better since they would be in the same sect as Senior Xu. However, the disparity between the outer and inner sects was vast, and they would need a solid backing even more in such a large sect. Would they still be able to rely on Senior Xu’s protection once they had been settled? That would be shameless.

Thus, both sisters made a decision.

If Senior Xu was willing to accept them as servants, even if it meant establishing a blood contract, they wouldn’t have to worry about encountering any humiliating situations. They could simply serve Senior Xu, and carrying his banner would be natural, freeing them from any scruples.

All these considerations were forced upon them, but since they had been walking the path of cultivation for some time, they naturally understood that one could not have everything go their way. Thus, they felt it necessary to strive for a favorable path and seize any opportunity.

Xu Ziqing sighed after listening to them.

Once the sisters arrived in the Qianyuan Greater World, they were nearly indistinguishable from rogue cultivators. Without Chen Cailian, even if they could return to the Qingyun Great World, it would still be challenging. Especially among rogue cultivators, women often faced greater hardships than men. Without support, they would truly feel like drifting weeds.

However, he had never considered taking them as servants…

This situation indeed put him in a difficult position.

With these thoughts in mind, Xu Ziqing looked at Yun Lie: “What do you think, Shixiong?”

The Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters immediately turned their gazes towards him, both feeling anxious.

Yun Lie scanned the two sisters with his cold gaze.

His eyes were extremely icy, seemingly devoid of any killing intent. Although the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters were under his scrutiny, they couldn’t perceive anything specific, only feeling an intense chill run through them, accompanied by cold sweat on their backs; it was terrifying, almost overwhelming. Just that single glance from him was enough to make them tremble!

So chilling… so fearsome.

The two sisters shivered slightly, unable to speak, and only felt a hint of warmth when the sword cultivator finally withdrew his gaze.

Such coldness and fear… How could someone like him possibly be Senior Xu’s dual cultivation partner? It was truly hard to believe!

At that moment, they were almost breathless.

After observing them, Yun Lie nodded slightly: “It’s fine.”

Xu Ziqing smiled: “In that case, we shall go with Shixiong’s words.” He then looked at the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters, his expression growing a bit complicated.

Having known each other since their youth, the sisters had merely crossed paths with Xu Ziqing. Due to the kindness they had shown, some bonds had formed, leading to Xu Ziqing’s assistance years later. Initially, after receiving the Sword God Token and settling them, he thought there would be no further connection, yet they had brought this up.

But…

Although they could not be considered his friends, they were old acquaintances. While this past connection made him feel somewhat grateful, he could not trust them as he did Zhuan Wei.

If they are to be taken as servants, then they can only be servants.

No longer will there be Chen Ni and Chen Shang, but only the servants Chen Ni and Chen Shang.

When it comes time to treat the two of them, his attitude can’t be the same as it is now…

As one cultivates longer, if the people they once knew can’t catch up, the change in status is like heaven and earth.

For some reason, this thought made him feel a bit sentimental.

When the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters heard his agreement, their expressions brightened with joy.

Xu Ziqing sighed lightly and asked once more, “Have you two truly made up your minds?”

The two sisters replied earnestly, “We request our master’s consent.”

Xu Ziqing nodded, “Then let’s draw forth your vital blood.”

The sisters were overjoyed. Each held their breath and summoned a drop of blood from their hearts, their faces paling slightly, but their expressions relaxed a lot.

Seeing this, Xu Ziqing pointed out a way to absorb the two drops of vital blood into two jade talismans. He then refined them with his own true essence and stored them in his storage ring.

The blood contract was thus established.

If they wished to dissolve the blood contract in the future, it could be done simply by dispelling the spell and returning the vital blood. However, if the servants intended to betray him, they could crush the jade talisman to instantly cause the servant’s heart to explode, leading to death. Some masters, being particularly ruthless, could even shatter the servant’s soul, ensuring they would have no chance of reincarnation.

But with the blood contract established, the Chen Ni and Chen Shang sisters looked at Xu Ziqing with much more warmth, bowing deeply: “We are Chen Ni and Chen Shang, greeting our two masters.”

Xu Ziqing was not accustomed to this and waved his hand, gesturing for them to rise: “You two find a place to stay in the courtyard. When I return to the sect with Shixiong, I will call for you to accompany us.”

The sisters smiled and readily replied, “Yes,” before stepping back.

Xu Ziqing’s expression was filled with reluctance: “Shixiong, this is quite the dilemma. Can we really take them back to the mountain domain?”

Logically speaking, having a few servants serving as inner disciples would grant him that authority, but he and his brother were used to living alone. Suddenly having two women serving them—what was that about? It was genuinely hard to adapt.

Yun Lie spoke up: “Just adjust the second option a bit.”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback for a moment before realizing: “Shixiong means to let them stay in the outer sect?”

Yun Lie replied, “The two of them can operate in the outer sect; that’s also part of the foundation for the outer sect of the Wuling Mountain domain.”

At that moment, Xu Ziqing finally understood.

Indeed, the foundation of the Wuling Mountain domain was shallow. Many shixiongs were too busy improving themselves to support the outer sect. However, if someone could manage a few shops in the outer sect or gradually recruit personnel to form a small sect, over time, it would certainly be beneficial.

Having this pair of sisters take on that responsibility would indeed be quite convenient.

With this matter settled, Xu Ziqing felt relieved and then asked, “Shixiong, when do you plan to go to the Sword Pagoda?”

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

Support me on ko-fi if you like what I do^^