The torrent of information returned by the Sword God Token explained its purpose.
Under the Heavenly Dao, there were countless Great Daos. Sword cultivators were unusually distinct, and the farther they progressed, the stricter the requirements became. Consequently, truly accomplished sword cultivators were exceedingly rare.
Across the countless worlds, even those who had comprehended sword intent could only be described as having entered the doorway of the sword Dao.
As mentioned before, above sword intent lay the sword soul. The sword soul had nine refinements, and every successful refinement caused its power to increase dramatically.
Yun Lie had now achieved the first refinement of his sword soul. For someone of his age, that was already exceptionally rare. Yet his experience went no further. If he wished to achieve the second refinement, it would not be easy.
If he merely discussed swordsmanship with others and sought enlightenment through his own efforts in the various worlds, who knew how much time it would take? But if he could travel to a place regarded as a holy land of sword cultivation, his progress could be accelerated hundreds or even thousands of times.
The Sword Spirit Tower was just such a place.
Hearing this, Xu Ziqing was filled with longing on his senior brother’s behalf and could not help asking, “Senior Brother, do you mean that the Sword God Token allows its holder to travel to and from that place?”
Yun Lie nodded. “Yes.”
The Sword Spirit Tower stood within the Nine Void Realm. According to some accounts, this was an illusory region that did not belong to any great or small world. Others claimed that it existed in the cracks between spaces, amid storms of space and time. No one knew how it had formed or why it had appeared.
There were two conditions for entering.
First, one had to have achieved the great perfection of sword intent. Second, one needed a Sword God Token.
Neither condition could be waived.
In other words, the Sword Spirit Tower existed to allow sword cultivators to temper their sword souls. Someone whose sword intent had reached great perfection might find a way to condense a sword soul there. Someone who had already achieved the first refinement could use the tower to hone that soul until it was firmer and sharper than ever.
Countless sword cultivators had traveled there throughout the ages.
Xu Ziqing was delighted for his senior brother.
Here was another extraordinary opportunity, and its timing was truly fortunate.
Just when Senior Brother needed to refine his sword soul further, a Sword God Token had fallen into his hands. Was that not also a kind of destiny?
This opportunity had come through the two sisters. Since Yun Lie could use the token, it was only right that the sisters be properly settled as an expression of gratitude.
Having made up his mind, Xu Ziqing turned toward Chen Ni and Chen Shang with a gentle smile. “You heard what my senior brother said. This token really is an extraordinary treasure for us. We cannot accept it without offering something in return. There are a few things I’d like to ask you.”
The sisters exchanged a look and replied together, “Please ask, Senior.”
Xu Ziqing said, “There are two possible arrangements. First, Senior Brother and I could find somewhere suitable for you to settle and entrust some friends to look after you. Second, we could take you back to our sect. But the sect we belong to is not easy to enter, so you could only settle in the outer sect. Whichever you choose, Senior Brother and I will leave you enough resources to cultivate for several years. Beyond that, however, you will still have to work hard for yourselves.”
He had considered these two possibilities carefully and believed both were reasonable.
The sisters hesitated for about half a ke before speaking. “Senior Xu… would you be willing to accept us as your servants?”
Xu Ziqing was stunned.
He had never imagined the two women would make such a request.
Lower-ranked cultivators with poor aptitude or insufficient cultivation sometimes sought the protection of stronger people in exchange for resources. They often willingly lowered their own status. But becoming a servant was a different matter entirely. Servants had to enter into blood contracts before their masters would trust them. In exchange, their lives were wholly controlled by the household they served. Unless their master chose to release them, they would remain bound for life.
Many great and small worlds contained aristocratic families, clans, and sects whose truly trusted retainers were all bound by blood contracts.
Ordinary attendants who merely served others did not necessarily need such agreements.
These two sisters had suffered greatly in their early years and finally managed to let go of their hatred. Surely they ought to continue cultivating independently. Why would they wish to become his servants?
Seeming to understand his confusion, Chen Ni gave a bitter smile. “Women on their own are always vulnerable to bullying. Rather than risk another terrible experience, we’d rather follow you directly, Senior Xu. At least, knowing your character, we can trust you not to mistreat us.”
Chen Shang added, “There are so few upright men in this world. Other than Senior Xu, we no longer know whom we can trust.”
In addition, they knew perfectly well how difficult their position had become.
Under the first arrangement, Senior Xu would probably place them with some family, minor sect, or other relatively safe organization. At first, with the protection of his reputation as a Nascent Soul Patriarch, they would be treated well. But after years passed without a visit from him, the others might begin to neglect them. And once he had settled them somewhere, his debt would be discharged. He had no reason to look after them forever. They were prepared to work hard themselves, but without a powerful patron, another misfortune might befall them. There was little chance of meeting another Senior Xu by coincidence to save them.
The second arrangement was similar, though somewhat better because they would at least belong to the same sect as Senior Xu. Yet the outer and inner sects were separated by an enormous gulf, and within such a powerful sect they would need backing more than ever. After he had arranged their admission, could they simply keep invoking his name for protection? That would be shameless.
So the sisters quickly arrived at a decision.
If Senior Xu agreed to take them as servants, they would be willing even to enter into blood contracts. They would no longer need to fear another humiliating tragedy. And as long as they worked for him, openly acting under his name would be perfectly legitimate rather than something to be ashamed of.
These calculations arose from necessity. But after so many years on the path of cultivation, the sisters knew that life could not always go exactly as one wished. If they had a chance to secure a better future, they should at least try.
Xu Ziqing sighed after hearing them.
Since arriving in the Qianyuan Great World, the sisters had lived much like wandering cultivators. Without Chen Cailian, even returning to the Qingyun Great World would be difficult. For wandering cultivators, women often faced greater hardships than men; without someone to rely upon, they were like floating duckweed.
Nevertheless, he had never thought of taking anyone into his service as a bound servant.
This was a difficult decision.
He looked toward Yun Lie. “What do you think, Senior Brother?”
The sisters immediately turned toward Yun Lie as well, deeply apprehensive.
Yun Lie swept his gaze over them.
His eyes were cold, as though filled with endless killing intent. The sisters could see no particular emotion in them, yet the chill pierced their bones. Cold sweat broke out across their backs, and the pressure was so terrible they could barely withstand it.
With only a glance, this sword cultivator’s bearing was already too much for them to endure!
How… terrifying.
The sisters trembled slightly, unable to make a sound. Only when he withdrew his gaze did they feel a little warmth return.
So cold, so frightening… and yet this man was Senior Xu’s dual-cultivation Dao companion!
It was almost impossible to believe.
For a moment, they had felt close to suffocation.
After examining them, Yun Lie nodded slightly. “No objection.”
Xu Ziqing smiled. “Then we’ll follow your advice, Senior Brother.”
He looked toward Chen Ni and Chen Shang again, his expression growing more complicated.
He had met them when young. They had been casual acquaintances, brought together by a moment of kindness on their part. That kindness had established a bond that led to Xu Ziqing helping them so many years later.
Originally, he should have settled them after accepting the Sword God Token, and their paths would likely never have crossed again. Instead, they had made this request.
But…
Although he could not truly call them friends, they were old acquaintances. He remembered them with gratitude, but he could not trust them the way he trusted Zhuang Wei.
If he accepted them as servants, they could only be servants.
There would no longer be two young ladies, Chen Ni and Chen Shang, merely the servants Chen Ni and Chen Shang.
And afterward, he could no longer treat them quite as he did now…
The longer one cultivated, the more dramatically one’s status could change. Those who had known each other in the past but could not keep pace might find themselves separated by a gulf as wide as heaven and earth.
For some reason, the thought left him melancholy.
Hearing that he had agreed, the sisters lit up with happiness.
Xu Ziqing sighed again and asked one last time, “Have you truly made up your minds?”
The sisters replied solemnly, “Please accept us, Master.”
Xu Ziqing nodded. “Then force out a drop of your blood essence each.”
Delighted, the sisters calmed themselves and pointed their fingers. Each forced out one drop of blood from her heart, leaving her pale but visibly relieved.
Xu Ziqing extended a finger, drew the two drops of blood essence into two jade talismans, refined them with his own true essence, and placed the talismans inside his storage ring.
The blood contracts were thus established.
If he wished to release them in the future, he would only need to undo the spell and return their blood essence. But if a servant attempted betrayal, their master needed only crush the jade talisman to make their heart burst and kill them instantly. A crueler master could even shatter the servant’s soul, denying them the chance of reincarnation.
Now that the blood contracts were in place, Chen Ni and Chen Shang felt closer to Xu Ziqing. Both bowed deeply. “Chen Ni and Chen Shang greet our two masters.”
Xu Ziqing was not accustomed to such ceremony. He waved them upright. “Find yourselves somewhere to stay in the courtyard. When Senior Brother and I return to the sect, we’ll bring you with us.”
The sisters smiled, answered “Yes,” and withdrew promptly.
Xu Ziqing looked helpless. “Senior Brother, this presents a problem. Surely we can’t simply take them back into our mountain domain?”
Inner disciples were indeed permitted to keep several servants nearby, but Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie were accustomed to living alone. What would they do with two women suddenly attending them at close range? It was difficult to imagine getting used to it.
Yun Lie said, “Modify the second arrangement a little.”
Xu Ziqing paused, then understood. “You mean leaving them in the outer sect after all?”
Yun Lie replied, “They can build up an enterprise there and serve as the Wuling Mountain Domain’s foundation in the outer sect.”
Only then did Xu Ziqing grasp his meaning.
Indeed, the Wuling Mountain Domain had shallow foundations. Its senior disciples hardly had enough time to improve their own cultivation and possessed little support in the outer sect. But if the sisters managed shops there, gradually recruited people, or even built a small organization, such an effort could benefit the domain greatly in years to come.
Assigning this work to the sisters would be quite convenient.
With the question settled, Xu Ziqing was relieved. He then asked, “Senior Brother, when do you intend to go to the Sword Spirit Tower?”