Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Chapter 289: How Did the Saintess Know I Reached Perfection? Returning to the Fold

The power of the heavenly tribulation was terrifying.

But Bai Ling, Saintess of the Heavenly Void Sect and former disciple of Ye Qingxuan, was no pushover. Unleashing two Top Grade spells and a Low Grade divine ability in quick succession, she met the tribulation head-on and conquered it.

As the last vestiges of heavenly energy dissipated, the roiling thunderclouds that had enveloped the sect finally scattered. Warm sunlight poured down once more, banishing the suffocating pressure that had blanketed the mountain.

“Whew…”

Having successfully overcome her trial, Bai Ling let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief. Her gaze immediately sought out Han Lie, who hovered serenely above the Violet Heaven Palace.

“Brother Lie!”

The heroic, warrior-like aura she had projected moments before vanished, replaced by a joyful, girlish smile that bloomed on her lips. With a light tap of her foot, she crossed the vast distance in a single, graceful leap, appearing before him in an instant.

“Congratulations, Saintess, on reaching the Nascent Soul realm,” Han Lie said with a warm smile, cupping his hands in greeting.

Compared to before, the Bai Ling who had ascended to the Nascent Soul Stage now radiated the potent aura of a true expert, brimming with newfound confidence.

“Thank you, Brother Lie!” she beamed, her voice full of pride. “I wonder what realm you’re at now?”

On the surface, Han Lie’s aura still seemed to be that of an early Nascent Soul cultivator. But Bai Ling could distinctly sense the immense pressure coiling around him—a power far beyond what someone in the early stage could possibly possess. And knowing Han Lie… he couldn’t possibly have stagnated while she was in secluded cultivation.

Therefore, she boldly wagered his true cultivation was at least the mid-Nascent Soul Stage, if not higher!

“Eh?” Han Lie feigned a look of utter astonishment. “Saintess, how could you possibly know I’ve broken through to Nascent Soul Stage Perfection?”

“???”

Hearing this, Bai Ling’s bright, clear eyes widened into saucers, her mind reeling in absolute shock.

*Wait… what did you just say? What realm?*

“Ah… ah? Brother Lie, you said… what realm? Na-Nascent Soul Stage… Perfection?!” she stammered, the revelation striking her like a bolt of lightning.

She had spent years in seclusion just to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, and in that same time, Han Lie had already reached *Perfection*?

Her most optimistic guess had been the mid-stage. After all, at the Nascent Soul realm, advancing even a single minor stage was an arduous feat. Even for a prodigy like Han Lie, reaching the mid-stage in a few years should have been his limit, right?

Yet the truth proved she had still vastly underestimated his speed. From the early stage to Perfection in just a few short years…

Was he even human? He was a monster!

She was certain his breakthrough speed hadn’t even been this terrifying back in the Golden Core Stage. For a moment, her newfound confidence shattered.

But she quickly composed herself. It wasn’t the first time she’d been floored by his monstrous cultivation speed. Besides, from another perspective, the faster he grew, the better it was for her, wasn’t it? In her heart, she had long since accepted Han Lie as her future Dao Companion.

“Han Lie, Bai Ling. Come to the Violet Heaven Palace.”

Just as Han Lie savored his perfectly executed humblebrag, Ye Qingxuan’s voice echoed directly in their minds.

They exchanged a glance. Han Lie gave a tactical cough. “Well… let’s head down.”

“Mhm!”

Within the grand hall of the Violet Heaven Palace, Ye Qingxuan sat upon her high seat. Clad in a gown of purple gauze, she possessed a transcendent, untainted aura, like a celestial being gracing the mortal realm.

Han Lie and Bai Ling entered, their steps measured and calm. They bowed in unison. “Han Lie (Bai Ling) pays respects to the Sect Leader.”

“Sect Leader!” Bai Ling spoke after the greeting, her voice trembling with excitement. “The ten years you granted me… they haven’t passed yet, have they?”

The burning desire to catch up to Han Lie and the desperate hope of returning to Ye Qingxuan’s tutelage—these two powerful motivations had driven her relentlessly forward. They were why she had managed to break through from Golden Core Perfection to the Nascent Soul realm at a speed that would leave even a top-tier genius in the dust. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken her another decade or two to even have a chance.

Ye Qingxuan gave a slight nod. But she didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her gaze shifted to Han Lie. “Han Lie. Your thoughts.”

Han Lie understood her intent perfectly. He bowed again. “Yes, Sect Leader. Based on my observations of the Saintess over these years, her loyalty now lies completely with the Heavenly Void Sect.”

“Therefore, I believe she is worthy of returning to your tutelage, Sect Leader.”

Hearing this, Bai Ling shot Han Lie a look brimming with gratitude. When her identity as a spy from the Sun Moon Sect had been exposed, it was Han Lie who had pleaded for her life. Now, with his endorsement, her return to her master’s side was all but guaranteed.

Ye Qingxuan considered this for a moment before speaking. “Hmm… To comprehend the Dao of the Nascent Soul on your own within ten years, you have proven both your talent and your worth.”

“Very well. I will allow you to return to my side, Bai Ling.”

“Yes! Disciple Bai Ling pays respects to Master!”

A wave of pure ecstasy washed over Bai Ling. She immediately dropped to her knees, performing the formal bow of a disciple to her master once more. She was prepared to go through the entire lengthy ceremony again, but Ye Qingxuan simply waved a hand, dismissing the need for such tedious formalities.

“My expectations for you, Bai Ling, are simple,” Ye Qingxuan continued, her voice calm but firm. “I do not expect you to match Han Lie’s pace. Your only goal is to surpass Zhao Batian, the Holy Son of the Sun Moon Sect.”

“Therefore, should you encounter any bottlenecks or confusion on your path, you may come to me at any time. I will personally guide you through them. If you require any resources, you need only ask.”

“Yes, Master! This disciple will redouble her efforts and not disappoint you!” Bai Ling replied with solemn conviction.

For her, surpassing and defeating Zhao Batian was now her singular purpose. It was no exaggeration to say that he was a suffocating shadow that loomed over her very existence. If not for him, she would never have been used as a mere pawn by Old Ghost Yin Mei in his scheme to acquire the Yin Yang Demonic Art.

Only by defeating Zhao Batian with her own power could she finally shatter the darkness and step into the light.

As if on cue, Ye Qingxuan flicked her finger, sending a jade scroll flying into Han Lie’s hand.

It was none other than…

The cultivation manual for the Yin Volume of the Yin Yang Demonic Art!

…….