Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

A long while later.

When Han Lie finally raised his head, thoroughly satisfied, Ling Miao was already drifting in a haze of exhaustion. She lay panting, her breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps.

Her cheeks, usually as pale and exquisite as carved jade, were now dusted with a heavy crimson flush. Her waist—slender and flexible as a water snake—was now completely boneless, slumped softly against the bedding like a puddle of mud.

Seeing her in such a pitiful, ravaged state made Han Lie’s blood surge with renewed heat.

“Master…” Ling Miao reached out a trembling hand, her eyes wide with lingering shock. “Your… weapon. It is truly terrifying…”

Despite the fear in her voice, Han Lie caught a flicker of something else deep in her gaze—excitement. And anticipation.

“Is that so? Then allow me to broaden your horizons further.”

Han Lie chuckled darkly. Upholding his personal code to never disappoint a fairy who graced his bed, he moved to take the lead once more.

During their initial union, Han Lie had confirmed his suspicions. Just as Ling Miao had claimed, she was indeed a blank sheet of paper in these matters. While Han Lie wouldn’t claim to have bedded countless women, he was battle-hardened enough to know the difference between feigned innocence and true inexperience. One touch was all it took to know the truth.

Realizing this, Han Lie had increased his tenderness, showering her with affection.

However, reality set in quickly. Ling Miao was merely a cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage. Her constitution was fragile, utterly unlike the resilient physiques of Qin Lianyi or Zhuo Hongyi. She simply couldn’t withstand the storm.

Han Lie held back, not daring to unleash his full vitality. Yet, after just two rounds of intense combat, Ling Miao’s eyes were already rolling back in her head. She looked as though her soul was about to ascend, completely broken by the pleasure.

Han Lie, still burning with unsatisfied energy, had no choice but to call a retreat.

He tidied himself up and gently pulled the quilt over Ling Miao’s unconscious form.

Stepping out of the room, he was immediately intercepted by the steward of the Li Manor.

“Master Han,” the steward bowed low. “The Master is waiting for you in the reception hall.”

“Oh?” Han Lie raised an eyebrow, waving his hand casually. “Lead the way.”

The Reception Hall.

Li Yi rose to greet Han Lie with immense enthusiasm, his face beaming with a spring-like radiance.

“Young friend Han Lie! Come, sit. This old man received a piece of news last night, and I hoped to verify it with you.”

“What news?” Han Lie asked, taking a seat. “Elder Li, please speak freely.”

“Rumor has it that His Majesty granted you a private audience a few days ago. I wonder if…”

“Hehe. Elder Li’s ears are truly sharp,” Han Lie chuckled, seeing no reason to hide it since the man asked so directly. “It is true.”

“I see…” Li Yi stroked his beard, his expression thoughtful. “Young friend Han Lie, I know you are a disciple of a sect outside the Great Qin borders. But since His Majesty has taken a personal interest in you, I wonder… do you have any intentions of establishing yourself here in the capital?”

Han Lie immediately understood the subtext.

Li Yi’s lavish hospitality wasn’t just about celebrating the fall of the Mu Family. It was an investment.

It made sense. If Han Lie decided to stay and build a power base in Great Qin, he had the backing of Princess Qin Lianyi and now the favor of Emperor Qin Yusheng. In the near future, Han Lie could easily become a titan within the central power circle, a force no one could ignore.

As the Deputy Chief Grand Secretary, Li Yi’s political instincts were predatory. He saw the potential rising star and wanted to secure an alliance before anyone else could.

“I thank Elder Li for his high regard,” Han Lie replied smoothly. “But I have no interest in the power struggles of the Imperial Court. Once the Zhuo Family is stable, I will return to my sect.”

“Hah! It matters not if we cannot be colleagues in the court,” Li Yi laughed heartily, waving away the rejection with grace. “As long as we never become enemies, that is enough.”

He leaned in, his tone shifting to that of a conspirator sharing a locker-room jest. “By the way, young friend… did Fairy Ling Miao satisfy your desire to explore the unknown?”

Han Lie didn’t answer with words. He simply gave Li Yi a knowing, tacit smile—a look exchanged between men who understood the joys of life.

He stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. “Elder Li, I have matters to attend to. I will take my leave.”

Han Lie remained in Qin Yang City for nearly another month.

During this time, the dark cloud hanging over the Zhuo Family finally dissipated. The accusations of treason were washed away, their innocence proven beyond doubt.

More importantly, a decree came down from the Palace.

Qin Yusheng appointed Zhuo Cheng—who had been fading into obscurity—to replace the purged Xie Kuan as the new Commandant of Qin Yang City.

Although the position of Commandant was on the fringe of the central power structure, compared to the Zhuo Family’s previous peril, it was a heavenly ascension. They were safe.

Seeing the Zhuo Family back on the right track, Han Lie decided it was time. He didn’t disturb Zhuo Cheng with a farewell. He met with Qin Lianyi one last time, then slipped away quietly, hiding his merit and fame as he departed the Great Qin Dynasty.

Heavenly Void Sect. Violet Heaven Palace.

“Meow, meow, meow—!”

The moment Han Lie stepped into his small wooden cabin, a blur of white fur darted out. With a powerful kick of its hind legs, the creature launched itself into the air and landed squarely in Han Lie’s arms.

It was Xiao Zi. Behind her, a fourth tail was faintly taking shape, shimmering with spiritual light.

It seemed she had successfully broken through to the perfection of the Golden Core Stage.

Han Lie casually fished out two Thousand Flower Pills and fed them to her. “Xiao Zi, you’re slacking. Why haven’t you reached the Nascent Soul Stage yet?”

“This cat isn’t a perverted monster like you!” Xiao Zi chewed on the pills, her voice ringing in his mind. “Besides, my cultivation speed is already the ceiling among demon beasts, meow!”

She lifted her chin righteously, not forgetting to sneak in a jab at her master.

“Still too slow,” Han Lie replied, ignoring her mockery with practiced calm. “I was hoping you’d break through to Nascent Soul early so you could transform into a catgirl.”

“Hmph!”

Xiao Zi was used to Han Lie’s peculiar fetishes by now, so she couldn’t be bothered to argue.

Truthfully, for a demon beast to match the cultivation speed of a human genius with a quasi-Ninth Grade Spiritual Vein was nothing short of miraculous. Ordinary beasts took decades to bridge gaps that humans crossed in years. Xiao Zi was already a speed demon.

“Has the Sect Leader made any moves lately?” Han Lie asked, inquiring about Ye Qingxuan.

“No, meow,” Xiao Zi shook her head.

Han Lie nodded. His trip to the Great Qin Dynasty hadn’t actually been that long. A month or so was merely a blink of an eye to a high-level cultivator like Ye Qingxuan. She was likely still in secluded meditation.

WOOO—!

Suddenly, a massive roar erupted from the distance.

It sounded like a tsunami crashing against a mountain, a wave of cheers so loud it shook the air.

Xiao Zi hopped onto Han Lie’s shoulder, her ears twitching as she gazed toward the source of the noise. “What’s that commotion, meow?”

Han Lie looked toward the training plaza, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “If I’m not mistaken… the new Sect Grand Competition has begun.”

The Sect Grand Competition. A staple event for every cultivation sect.

Its purpose was simple: to light a fire under the disciples of the various halls and departments, driving them to train harder in hopes of achieving overnight fame.

The Heavenly Void Sect held its Grand Competition once every thirty years.

Having lived in the sect for over a century, Han Lie recognized the specific rhythm of those cheers.

He didn’t know much about the ancient history of the sect, but in the three competitions he had witnessed personally, the pattern was always the same. From the sea of dazzling geniuses, a dark horse would always emerge, shocking the world with a single brilliant feat.

Xiao Zi’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Sounds interesting! Shall we go take a look, meow?”

“Why not?” Han Lie smiled.