Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Chapter 292: I Like You, Elder Han! A Messenger from the Myriad Sword Pavilion

“Heh, my thoughts exactly.”

“I gave her a top-grade technique just last week, and well… you heard the results for yourself,” Zhuo Hongyi chuckled, her eyes gleaming with pride for her prodigious disciple.

Feng Lifang’s aptitude and comprehension were so profound that even Zhuo Hongyi felt she couldn’t compare.

Han Lie nodded in agreement. “In that case, she truly is exceptional. She’s already surpassed the vast majority of cultivators.”

“But,” he added, his tone turning serious, “have you investigated her background? Are you certain she’s clean?”

His experience with Bai Ling had left Han Lie paranoid. He knew all too well that the most unassuming individuals often turned out to be spies from the Sun Moon Sect, lurking in the shadows of the Heavenly Void Sect.

“Relax,” Zhuo Hongyi said reassuringly. “I looked into it long ago. She hails from a minor, unknown family in the Western Regions. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“The Western Regions? She came all this way to join our sect?” Han Lie asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

“Mm… I don’t see why not. After all, I came from the Great Qin Dynasty myself, didn’t I?” Zhuo Hongyi offered her perspective. “Our sect is filled with disciples from all over. It’s not that they couldn’t find a sect closer to home; there are countless factors that influence their choice.”

“Haha, you have a point. When you put it like that, it makes perfect sense.”

A wave of understanding washed over Han Lie.

It was like choosing a master artisan to study under. One didn’t simply pick the closest craftsman; you sought out the best, regardless of the distance. Talent and ambition were the true deciding factors.

……..

Seasons turned, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed.

In that time, with Han Lie’s potent assistance, Bai Ling had successfully transitioned from the Ten Thousand Blood Pagoda Art to the formidable Yin Yang Demonic Art.

All that remained was for her to rebuild her cultivation base to the early Nascent Soul realm. Only then would the transition be complete.

This was a task that was far from difficult. Bai Ling spent most of her days in seclusion within the Purple Cloud Palace, focusing on her recovery. Whenever Han Lie had a moment to spare, he would join her, their dual cultivation sessions drastically accelerating her progress.

Han Lie also remained a frequent visitor to Overlord Hall.

Whether it was the irresistible allure of his Pure Yang Sacred Body or simply her own bold nature, Feng Lifang quickly grew familiar with Han Lie after just a few of his visits.

She even began asking him for guidance on her cultivation.

With Zhuo Hongyi’s blessing, Han Lie didn’t hold back, offering the talented girl valuable pointers.

Throughout the year, Han Lie had exhausted every method he could think of to contact Xiao Yuruo. But, as he had feared, every attempt was like a stone cast into a vast ocean—sinking without a trace. It was as if she had vanished from the face of the earth.

Still, Han Lie refused to despair. He couldn’t believe that Leng Ye could keep Xiao Yuruo imprisoned forever.

For now, his path was clear: live his life, grow stronger, and continue to amass power. In this world, only absolute strength commanded respect and prevented others from trampling over you.

“Elder Han!”

One day, as Han Lie was taking a leisurely stroll through the sect grounds, a familiar, youthful voice called out from behind.

He turned to see Feng Lifang approaching, her entire being radiating a vibrant, youthful energy. A smile bloomed on her face. “Elder Han, what a coincidence! Are you out for a walk?”

“I am,” Han Lie nodded slightly. “What is it, little girl? Have you hit a bottleneck that needs my guidance?”

“It’s not that,” she said, her tone surprisingly direct. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, but my master was always around, so I never had the courage.”

Feng Lifang’s words flowed with an unnerving naturalness. “Elder Han, I think you’re incredibly handsome and charismatic. I was wondering… could I become your lover?”

She blinked, her large eyes fixed on him, shimmering with anticipation.

“?”

Han Lie was taken aback, a mixture of amusement and exasperation crossing his face. “Little girl, how old are you? What do you possibly know about love?”

She was hardly old, having just turned twenty this year.

He’d assumed she was seeking cultivation advice. This… this was unexpected, yet, considering the effect of his physique, not entirely surprising.

“Maybe I don’t understand it completely,” she insisted, “but I know what I feel in my heart. I really like you, Elder Han!”

Her gaze was unwavering, her expression deadly serious. She wasn’t joking in the slightest.

Han Lie just smiled and shook his head. But before he could formulate a response, another figure approached.

It was Zhui Ming, captain of the Law Enforcement Hall’s Azure Dragon squad—a man with whom Han Lie had a history.

“Greetings, Elder Han,” Zhui Ming said, then faltered, noticing Feng Lifang. “Ah… please, continue your conversation. I can return later.”

“Captain Zhui Ming.” Han Lie stopped him before he could retreat. “We’re old acquaintances. Whatever it is, just say it.”

“Yes, Elder Han.”

Once, when Han Lie was a mere Servant Disciple, Zhui Ming had towered over him in status, position, and cultivation. He had been an ant for Zhui Ming to look down upon.

Now, the heavens themselves had flipped. Their roles were utterly reversed.

Standing before the man Han Lie had become, Zhui Ming was as docile as a tamed beast. The arrogance and authority he once wielded had vanished, replaced by a deep, deferential respect as he began to explain his purpose.

It seemed a female cultivator from the Myriad Sword Pavilion had recently been caught trespassing in one of the Heavenly Void Sect’s spirit stone mines. The deacon in charge had been ready to execute her on the spot, but the woman had started shouting, demanding to see Han Lie.

After some deliberation, and seeing as the matter involved an Elder, the deacon decided it was above his pay grade. He’d sent her to the Law Enforcement Hall to let them deal with it—a classic case of passing the buck.

Han Lie was an Elder, after all. The deacon couldn’t risk the consequences of executing a woman from the Myriad Sword Pavilion who was desperately trying to reach him. What if her business was truly urgent? Could he possibly withstand Elder Han’s wrath if he killed his messenger?

And so, Zhui Ming had come on behalf of the Law Enforcement Hall to seek Han Lie’s decision.

“A disciple from the Myriad Sword Pavilion wants to see *me*?” Han Lie’s eyes narrowed as he processed Zhui Ming’s report.

Zhui Ming nodded. “What are your orders, Elder Han? If you have no interest in seeing her, I’ll have her thrown into the Tower of Penance.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t,” Han Lie’s voice dropped, laced with ice. “Otherwise, you’d be the next one thrown in there.”

Zhui Ming froze, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

*Just as I suspected.* Han Lie was almost certain this woman had been sent by Xiao Yuruo. This could be it—the news he’d been waiting for!

“Where is she?”

………..