The voice seed to descend from the nine heavens, yet it resonated deep within the soul, carrying an unquestionable authority that instantly filled every corner of the cave.
Qin Shuang trembled as her body surged with breakthrough energy, yet the storm of spiritual qi swirling around her did not waver. Slowly, she opened her eyes, bowed respectfully to the empty space ahead, and rose with asured grace.
She had transford completely.
The once piercing aura was now restrained, yet every movent radiated a terrifying spiritual pressure, a natural consequence of her life-force leaping to a higher plane—a silent, invisible domain enveloping her entirely.
The First Level of Qi Refinent. This was true cultivation, the mark of a genuine immortal aspirant.
"Let us go," Qin Shuang said softly, glancing at Liu ng, and took the lead toward the grand hall.
Liu ng focused her mind, following closely behind.
The hall, vast and familiar, was already crowded. Every white-masked maidservant, whether guarding cells or attending tasks elsewhere, had gathered. Their heads bowed in fearful obedience, silent as shadows.
On the raised platform, Su ier reclined lazily in red, a faint smile of satisfaction upon her flawless face, nodding at Qin Shuang.
"Not bad, Qin Shuang. You have not disappointed ," her voice was honeyed yet lethal in calm assurance. "You are the sixth maidservant to reach Qi Refinent. By our rules, I shall take you as my disciple. Do you accept?"
"Disciple Qin Shuang accepts!"
Without hesitation, she knelt with firm reverence, her tone steady and respectful, showing no trace of compulsion.
"Very well," Su ier said, smiling with approval. With a flick of her delicate hand, an ancient to, glowing faintly with ethereal blue light, appeared before her. "This is the complete Mystic Female Sutra (Xuanpin Jue). Today, it is yours."
Qin Shuang raised the book above her head, hands trembling with awe yet steady, receiving it with utmost respect.
Liu ng, standing in the crowd's shadow, felt a surge of realization.
The complete version… could it be that all their previous cultivation was incomplete?
Su ier's words clarified everything.
"Perhaps so of you do not yet understand," she said, eyes sweeping over the maidservants, calm and commanding. "The Mystic Female Sutra is the supre art, divided into the 'Child Art' and the 'Mother Art.'
"All of you, even the n held here, practice the Child Art; only I cultivate the singular Mother Art."
"Those who practice the Child Art carry an invisible seal in their souls. For life itself, they remain bound to the one who practices the Mother Art—betrayal is impossible."
"Should they attempt it, with but a thought, I could annihilate their soul utterly, leaving them in eternal damnation."
"And yet…" Su ier's smile grew sweeter, her words more rciless. "Half of the spiritual power generated by Child Art practitioners is siphoned to the Mother Art cultivator. In short, the faster you rise, the faster I ascend."
Liu ng's eyes widened with understanding.
No wonder Qin Shuang had claid a maidservant could never betray Su ier. Soul-level control surpassed all poisons, traps, and bindings.
Not only were the Child Art practitioners slaves—they were fuel, vessels feeding the Mother Art's strength.
Luckily, Liu ng's own cultivation of the Mystic Female Sutra was through her clone body; her death would be inconsequential.
Her true self remained untouched by Su ier's control.
Clearly, the real body could no longer safely practice this technique. A new, secure cultivation thod must be sought.
"Qin Shuang, you have entered Qi Refinent. The complete Mother Art to is now yours," Su ier said. "From now on, you may seek talented mortals and teach them the Child Art, making them your maidservants. But rember, even mastering the Mother Art, you remain my Child Art practitioner. Betrayal is impossible."
Qin Shuang's body trembled, and she bowed deeply. "Disciple understands and shall never betray Master."
Her expression calm, her true intent hidden—known only to herself.
"Rise. From this day, you are my sixth disciple. By sect rules, before departing, you may select ten n to accompany you—but mine may not be chosen."
Liu ng froze.
She realized for the first ti: such rules existed.
A crystal-clear thought surged into her mind: the path to leaving safely.
Escape? Impossible.Breaking out by force? Foolishness.
The only way: replicate Qin Shuang's path. Display extraordinary talent, condense ten threads of spiritual power, breakthrough the First Level of Qi Refinent, beco Su ier's disciple.
Then, the right to select ten n would belong to her too—allowing her to leave openly and legitimately, carrying her true body.
Liu ng suppressed her excitent, revealing nothing. The plan was sound, but there could be no mistakes.
Following Su ier's signal, Qin Shuang turned toward the prison passage.
The maidservants automatically parted, their eyes watching with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
Qin Shuang walked coldly down the corridor, casually scanning the prisoners.
"You.""And you.""You, step forward."
Those nad were dragged to her side.
Single-occupancy cells were ignored—beyond her selection.
One, two, three… nine chosen swiftly.
Only one remained.
She approached the branch leading to Liu Ming's cell.
Liu ng's heart skipped.
Following Qin Shuang, she watched intently, unsure if the senior sister would notice her unremarkable true body.
Ti ticked on. Qin Shuang's steps halted in front of Liu Ming.
Her gaze swept every prisoner—the resentful man in the corner, the other pale-faced n.
Finally, her eyes locked on the young man sitting calmly with eyes closed.
Liu Ming.
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