novelraw Chapter 154 A Debt to be Paid
Chapter 154 A Debt to be Paid
Chapter 154: A Debt to be Paid
Third Floor, Violet Heaven Palace.
Ye Qingxuan sat cross-legged in the center of the hall, draped in a sheer purple gown that accentuated her ice-cold, ethereal aura. She looked less like a cultivator and more like a deity carved from glacial jade.
"Sect Leader."
At the sound of Han Lie’s voice, her eyes slowly opened.
"The Yin Yang Scripture," she demanded, her tone flat.
"Oh... right here."
Han Lie fumbled in his robes. He had been so focused on mastering the technique that he had forgotten the physical scroll was merely a loan.
"Apologies, Sect Leader. I... forgot." He handed over the ancient jade slip, scratching his head with feigned awkwardness.
"Hmph."
Ye Qingxuan didn't press the issue. She waved a hand, causing the scroll to vanish into her storage ring. "The Buried Immortal Mountain Range is showing signs of activity. A Profound Rank ruin is about to emerge. Take Bai Ling and proceed there for training."
"As expected..." Han Lie murmured.
Xiao Yuruo hadn't lied to him.
The hurdle of the Nascent Soul stage was a nightmare that broke the spirits of countless geniuses. While Han Lie possessed the Pure Yang Sacred Body and would eventually cross that threshold, time was a luxury he couldn't afford.
His ten-year pact with Grand Elder Chi Lian was nearly halfway done. He was still in the Golden Core stage. If he wanted to survive, he needed a catalyst. A Profound Rank ruin—often the final resting place of Nascent Soul or even Soul Formation experts—was the perfect place to find it.
"Yes, Sect Leader!" Han Lie rubbed his hands together, a hungry gleam in his eyes. "Does the Sect Leader have any other instructions? Perhaps a secret weapon or two?"
Ye Qingxuan looked at him indifferently. "I have no instructions. My only requirement is that you come back alive. That is enough."
"..."
Han Lie laughed, the dry, incredulous laugh of a man who realized his boss didn't care about his safety. "Not to be rude, but do you have that little confidence in me? Or is this ruin more dangerous than I think?"
"What are you laughing at?" Ye Qingxuan’s lip curled in a mocking sneer. "Do you think that with your current ability, you can walk sideways through that ruin?"
"Dare I ask... will there be Nascent Soul old monsters joining the fun?"
"Hmph. Go and you will see."
She didn't deny it.
That was confirmation enough. A Profound Rank ruin was a beacon for powerhouses. If the original owner had been a Soul Formation expert, it would attract every Nascent Soul cultivator within a thousand miles like sharks to blood.
Han Lie’s expression sobered. I cannot be arrogant. If old monsters are involved, this changes from a treasure hunt to a survival game.
"Go to Violet Cloud Palace. Take Bai Ling and depart immediately."
"Just... the two of us?" Han Lie probed. "Can I bring backup? Maybe Captain Zhuo or Qin Lan?"
"Unless you want This Palace Master to accompany you personally?"
"Hehe, that wouldn't be unacceptable," Han Lie quipped, dodging a lethal glare.
He shuddered under the pressure of her gaze, wisely choosing to retreat. He quickly extorted two hundred thousand Spirit Stones from her for "Xiao Zi's food budget" and made his exit.
Violet Cloud Palace.
In the courtyard, Bai Ling was humming a soft tune, watering the rare spiritual herbs with a delicate jade pitcher. Since rescuing her family, the shadows that once haunted the Saintess had lifted, replaced by a radiant, youthful energy.
"Saintess."
"Old Man Han?" Bai Ling turned, her face lighting up with a brilliant, innocent smile. "What brings you here?"
"What’s with that tone? Can't I visit just to see you?" Han Lie teased.
"Of course not! I welcome you anytime," she laughed. "Come, let's sit."
She led him to the stone pavilion and poured him a cup of spiritual tea. "You look serious. Is there a mission?"
Han Lie nodded and briefed her on the situation regarding the Buried Immortal Mountain Range.
"Did Master... specifically assign us to go?" Bai Ling asked, her eyes widening.
"She did."
"Great!" She clenched her small fists, excitement bubbling over. "I've been stuck at the peak of the mid-Golden Core stage. If I'm lucky, this ruin might be the push I need to break through to the late stage, or even perfection!"
Han Lie scanned her aura. She was indeed close. For a cultivator not yet thirty, her speed was terrifying—a true genius of the sect.
However, against Nascent Soul monsters, a mid-Golden Core cultivator was little more than a snack.
"I’m going to be blunt, Saintess," Han Lie said, setting down his tea cup. "With your current cultivation... you might be a liability."
"I... I know," Bai Ling stammered, looking down at her hands. "Not everyone is a freak of nature like you, Old Man. But I promise I won't drag you down!"
Han Lie tapped the table, a crafty smile spreading across his face. "I have a plan. A method to push you into the late Golden Core stage in a very short time. Are you interested?"
"Really? What method?" Her eyes snapped up, shining with hope.
"Simple. Dual Cultivation."
Swish!
Bai Ling’s face turned scarlet in an instant. The memory of their last session flooded her mind—the overwhelming intensity, the pleasure, the power. Despite her embarrassment, a spark of desire ignited in her chest.
"R-really? You're not lying to me?" she whispered, lashes fluttering.
"Would I lie to you?" Han Lie asked self-righteously. "Besides... you still owe me a session from our last bet. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
"F-fine!" She stood up, smoothing her dress with trembling hands. "Let's go inside the palace then."
She braced herself. She knew Han Lie’s stamina was monstrous; she would likely be unable to walk tomorrow.
"Eh? Why go inside?"
Han Lie reached out, snagging her wrist and pulling her into his lap.
"We don't need the palace. Right here is fine."
"Huh...?"
Bai Ling froze, her mind going blank as she stared at the open courtyard, the flowers blooming around them, and the open sky above.