It was only at this moment that he realized he had been too naive…
The other side intended to completely ruin him!
To cripple oneself required destroying the dantian and spirit root. Without these two, how could one possibly cultivate further…
For cultivators, death was undoubtedly terrifying, but losing one’s cultivation was even worse than death!
People were all like this.
It was easy to ascend, but far more difficult than dying to fall.
To give a simple example.
Many wealthy individuals chose to commit suicide after going bankrupt.
Logically speaking, even after a complete bankruptcy, a thorough search of every nook and cranny of their homes would provide enough to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.
Yet, they ultimately chose to escape through suicide.
For him, Li Tianxu, to be transformed from a Nascent Soul grand cultivator who commanded wind and rain into a mortal he viewed as an ant, this blow was unbearable!
“True Master Ziyun, I swear by my Dao heart, I harbor absolutely no resentment towards your sect!”
Li Tianxu struggled to kneel properly and raised his finger to swear.
“Rumble—!”
As soon as Li Tianxu finished speaking, a clear sky thunderclap erupted.
This meant his oath had been recognized by the Heavenly Dao.
Should he ever break his oath, he would be forever cut off from the path of cultivation in this life.
True Master Ziyun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
She hadn't expected Li Tianxu to be so utterly cowardly and so decisive.
However, True Master Ziyun still felt something was amiss.
Even if Li Tianxu could no longer cultivate, he might still conspire with others to cause trouble.
Li Tianxu gritted his teeth and forced a drop of blood from his palm.
Strangely, the surface of the blood was covered in a faint green hue, and upon closer inspection, one could even see a miniature version of Li Tianxu encased within.
Then, Li Tianxu enveloped the drop of blood with his true qi and sent it towards True Master Ziyun.
This time, True Master Ziyun was completely taken aback.
What Li Tianxu was doing now was a form of contract ritual between cultivators.
The tiny figure encased in the blood was a part of Li Tianxu’s soul.
As long as she accepted this drop of blood, Li Tianxu’s life or death would be at her whim!
Li Tianxu naturally knew what his actions signified, yet he still chose to do it.
He had already lived for two thousand years, and he knew this would completely dispel the other party's wariness.
After all, he was only just two thousand years old.
He was still young and had a vast expanse of youthful years to enjoy.
He did not want to die like this!
Moreover, he did not think there was anything shameful about his actions.
Shame was a right that only the living possessed!
Once dead, there was no opportunity to feel shame!
Furthermore.
Submitting to the strong was, in essence, the law of survival in the cultivation world.
“Fellow Daoist Tianxu is too polite.” True Master Ziyun smiled and extended her hand. The drop of blood slowly seeped into her palm.
This ritual was far more potent than a Dao heart oath.
Unless Li Tianxu wished to die, he would never betray her.
Besides, even if he did betray her, it would have no impact on her.
Upon reflection, acquiring such a loyal and capable subordinate was indeed a pleasant matter.
Her own rascal disciple, though powerful, was always so mysterious and never showed her, the master, any respect.
In comparison, Li Tianxu was much more agreeable.
Excellent, excellent.
The Grand Elder was once again dumbfounded!
What the hell?
Sect Master, that's not fair!
Playing this card again?
The Grand Elder dared not delay and immediately offered his soul oath.
True Master Ziyun once again accepted it with a smile.
The Grand Elder of the String Music Sect was also a master of the seventh level of Nascent Soul cultivation. Today was a profitable day!
“Alright, since we’re all family now, no need to kneel.” True Master Ziyun gestured to help them up. “Go back and handle the affairs of the String Music Sect first, then report back.”
“Thank you, Sect Master!” Li Tianxu and the Grand Elder replied in unison.
It had to be said, the two of them were quite astute.
See, even their form of address had changed…
The two rose and bowed to Zi Yun again, then left with the several corpses on the ground.
Putting this thing at the entrance of our sect was too inauspicious; we had to take it away!
With the matter settled, everyone returned to their respective places.
True Master Ziyun personally escorted Erha and the little fox back to the grand hall prepared for them.
That’s right, True Master Ziyun had specifically cleared out a grand hall to serve as a residence for the two little ones.
“You two little ones have truly surprised me.” After entering the hall, True Master Ziyun placed the items from Li Tianxu’s ring on the ground.
Apart from some extremely rare materials, she intended to leave the rest to these two little ones.
Firstly, these two little ones were the great contributors to this incident.
Secondly, the growth of spirit beasts was also inseparable from these heavenly treasures.
Erha’s reaction was acceptable; it wasn't particularly excited.
However, it was quite pleased with the attitude of this motherly caregiver.
Not bad, quite discerning.
The little fox, however, was different.
“Drip! Drip! Drip…”
Drool was streaming down its face!
Oh heavens!
So much delicious food!
This would last for a very, very, very long time!
“Woof!” Erha barked at True Master Ziyun.
My fox sister is about to eat; you may withdraw if you have nothing else to do!
“Then please, enjoy your meal.” True Master Ziyun replied with a chuckle, then turned to the five disciples beside her and said, “You are all to look after them well, understood.”
“Yes, Sect Master!” The five disciples quickly replied respectfully.
These five were specifically assigned by Zi Yun earlier to serve Erha and the little fox.
Yes, they were professional poop scoopers.
Erha did not experience hunger and was not particularly interested in eating.
More than eating, it preferred to chew.
It quietly watched the little fox feast, its gaze incredibly gentle.
After a long while.
“I’m so full!” The little fox finally finished eating and lay on the ground, utterly content.
“Fox sister, lying down after eating is a bad habit,” Erha said. “Let’s go out and play.”
“Okay, Brother Ha,” the little fox replied happily.
For it, as long as it was full, nothing else mattered.
The two little ones hopped onto the coffin, ready to depart.
The five disciples immediately bowed to see them off.
They were incredibly satisfied with their current life.
Normally, apart from cleaning the hall, they didn't have to do any work at all.
Yet, for such simple tasks, they received cultivation resources equivalent to elite disciples every month!
Keep in mind that they were just ordinary inner disciples before.
The resources they received in one month now were more than what they got from completing half a year of grueling training missions!
Life simply couldn't get any happier!
As Erha prepared to activate the coffin, it suddenly paused.
It suddenly realized a problem.
From its observations during the previous two outings, it had noticed that two-legged creatures of status always brought many subordinates with them when they traveled.
It only had its fox sister with it, which seemed rather meager, didn't it?
This was clearly inconsistent with Brother Ha’s noble status!
“Woof!” Erha barked at the five men.
You lot, come here and pull us!
Those two-legged creatures’ carriages were pulled by demonic beasts; it was perfectly fine for me to find a few two-legged creatures to pull my carriage!
The five disciples exchanged confused glances.
They completely didn't understand!
“Woof woof woof!” Erha barked again, sounding displeased.
Are you guys trying to lose your jobs?
Didn't you hear Brother Ha calling you to do something?!
The five disciples became anxious.
It seemed that Brother Dog was unhappy with them now?
Damn it, losing such a good job would be devastating.
The problem was, we genuinely didn't understand…
“Brother Ha, they probably don’t understand,” the little fox reminded them kindly.
“So that’s how it is…” Erha nodded as if struck by a sudden realization and frowned in thought.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Erha!