Chapter 138: The Token

Liu Qian’s face was the picture of pure, flawless innocence. Her hands were warm, reminiscent of the rising sun, bringing a sense of comfort to the heart.

She offered a slight smile, a gesture of myriad charms—not seductive, but delicate and enchanting. "Let us go," she said. "Senior Brother, you must take good care of your Junior Sister from now on, won't you?"

For the first time, a flicker of emotion stirred within Canyue’s dead, desolate eyes. It was a lotus blooming from the depths of his soul. In the past, many beautiful women, upon seeing his hand reach out, would either shriek or recoil in disgust; some would even retch. There were times he truly wished to take a blade and sever that demonic limb.

Yet, whenever he thought of the destructive power the demonic hand granted him, he could never muster the courage. Over time, however, seeing the panic and terror on the faces of those women brought him a strange, inexplicable thrill.

Under the touch of that demonic hand, faces that made countless men drool with desire would turn hideously ugly, streaming with blood. Bosoms that men would give anything to caress would be flattened, reduced to mangled flesh.

He had turned sin into pleasure, but today, he had been defeated—defeated by the very woman he had deemed the most insignificant.

For the first time, pity and a sense of reluctance stirred in Canyue’s heart. He hurriedly withdrew his left hand and said, "Junior Sister, you are the first woman who hasn't loathed me. I cannot harm you, nor will I allow anyone else to do so. Come with me; Master will reward you."

He spoke with blunt, unvarnished honesty. If there was any distinction between him and a devil, it was his lack of guile and his word being his bond.

With that, he turned back shyly and limped out of the teleportation hall. Liu Qian gave a bright, enchanting smile and followed him out.

Liu Jie’s heart was practically shattered. Li Qing’s actions had taught him a harsh lesson; when that demonic hand had reached out, he had truly wanted to rush forward and shield her with his own burning chest.

Li Qing, satisfied with the outcome, said to Liu Xixi, "You have done well to find me such a good disciple. This fourth-tier Moon-Gazing Rhino horn is your reward. Continue to serve me well, and I will not treat you unfairly."

With that, he tossed a three-foot-long, curved rhinoceros horn to Liu Xixi.

Liu Xixi was overcome with excitement. A fourth-tier Moon-Gazing Rhino horn came from a beast equivalent to a cultivator in the Infant Transformation stage. If he refined it into a magical treasure, his strength would reach a new level, and his own spirit beast—a Moon-Gazing Rhino—would also reap great benefits.

He immediately knelt, received the item with trembling care, and tucked it away. "Thank you, Great Cultivator, for this precious gift!"

"Take them away," Li Qing said indifferently. "I will call for you if I have need of you."

Liu Xixi agreed and retreated, feeling as though a great burden had been lifted. Being in the presence of a Great Cultivator was like walking on thin ice; the pressure was immense, and one wrong move could cost him his life. However, the rewards were equally bountiful.

In the most luxurious inn in Sanlong City, within a lavish hall, Li Qing sat peacefully in a chair, while Canyue and Liu Qian stood on either side of him, hands clasped behind their backs.

Li Qing looked at Liu Qian with high spirits. "Disciple, your talent for formations is exceptional, though your innate aptitude is merely average. Without superior cultivation techniques and pills, it would be difficult for you to reach the Infant Transformation stage. Now that you have me as your master, all these problems are resolved."

"I will certainly cultivate diligently and will not let your guidance go to waste," Liu Qian replied gratefully.

Li Qing nodded and continued, "Your Senior Brother practices the 'Seven Emotions Yin Demon Art,' obtained from an ancient cultivator’s cavern. It possesses immense power. Within that same place, there was another text suitable for you: the 'Six Desires Heart-Capturing Art.' Once you and your Senior Brother have mastered these, you will coordinate perfectly in battle, leaving you without a match among your peers."

As he spoke, he handed Liu Qian a pale green jade slip. Liu Qian accepted it joyfully and stored it in her storage bag.

Li Qing then casually produced a six-colored mirror, the size of a palm. Runes flickered across its surface, and it radiated an oppressive spiritual pressure.

"This is a peak-grade magical treasure, the Six Desires Energy-Capturing Mirror," Li Qing added. "Used in conjunction with your technique, it will be like adding wings to a tiger, greatly increasing your power. Consider this my gift for taking you as my apprentice."

Liu Qian was inwardly astounded. As expected of a Great Cultivator, he produced a peak-grade treasure without a second thought, a testament to his immense wealth. Yet, she knew that having accepted these gifts, many dangerous tasks would await her. She did not believe for a second that a Great Cultivator would take her on as a disciple without an ulterior motive. Since she had boarded this pirate ship, she could no longer pretend to be a noble lady.

Liu Qian took the treasure, turning it over in her hands with affection; it was clear she was exceptionally pleased.

Canyue remained expressionless, though his eyes were no longer quite so icy. As he looked at Liu Qian, something new entered his gaze—a look he reserved only for her.

Seeing that his goal was achieved, Li Qing said to the pair, "Very well. Liu Qian, go back and study these well. If there is anything you do not understand, come and ask me. Canyue, you may return to your room to rest as well."

Neither had any objections. Liu Qian gave a bright smile to the reticent Canyue and said, "Let us leave and let Master rest."

Canyue did not speak; perhaps he did not know what to say. In truth, he felt that speech was often entirely superfluous. He expressed his feelings through action, dragging his heavy, crippled leg as he walked out, as if he were dragging the weight of his own destiny.

Liu Qian followed him softly.

Watching his two disciples depart, Li Qing muttered to himself, "Canyue actually listened to a stranger for the first time. Is a woman truly the natural bane of a man? You, the Lich King, told me to build that altar—you must have been blind. Although I am bound by your Puppet Curse, I would rather perish with you than serve as your slave. I shall have my disciples deliver a grand gift to you in my stead."

He produced a token, a foot in length, and examined it closely. "What secrets, I wonder, are hidden within this?"

***

Upon returning to the Tianxing Sect, Ge Qian parted ways with his friends and headed straight for the sect’s treasury to see if there were any pills to enhance his cultivation or secret manuals to be found.

The Tianxing Treasury was located on Tianxing Peak, where the Sect Leader resided in seclusion. The formations and restrictions there were absolutely formidable; even a Great Cultivator would not find it easy to force their way in.

Ge Qian descended on his sword to the foot of Tianxing Peak and began to climb the stone stairs.

At the mountain gate stood two cultivators at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, guarding the entrance with stern expressions and an overbearing aura. They felt immensely honored to guard the gate for the Sect Leader; not only were the extra perks substantial, but even those at the Core Formation stage would treat them with courtesy, showing not the slightest hint of disdain.

Both men were of the Lu family—Lu Liang and Lu Wei. They were idly chatting about a female Qi-Refining cultivator they had spent time with the previous night, occasionally letting out lewd laughs.

Suddenly, a tall, sturdy youth appeared before them, his presence as imposing as a spear. Though his features were ordinary, his eyes were deep as the sea, making one afraid to meet his gaze. Every movement he made carried the air of a man of stature.

The two guards exchanged a glance, annoyed at being interrupted. Although they sensed the newcomer was no ordinary person, their long-held habit of using their master's power to intimidate others made them puff out their chests and feign indifference.

Lu Liang glared at him. "Which peak’s elder are you? Do you know what place this is?"

Ge Qian had intended to offer them a few spirit stones, but seeing them act so presumptuously and bully others—mere gatekeepers acting so arrogant—he felt a surge of cold annoyance.

He snorted coldly. "I am Ge Qian of the Chaotic Ridge, in charge of all Tianxing Sect affairs. I have business here; move aside at once."

Lu Wei stepped forward. "How bold! I wondered who it was—so it’s Ge Qian, the coward hiding in a small dojo. You’ve brought nothing but shame to our Tianxing Sect. Instead of staying put in Chaotic Ridge, you come here to make a scene? Do you believe I won't beat you into a cripple?"