Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

“Later… thanks to your favor, I was able to enter the Violet Heaven Palace as a Servant Disciple, finally leaving behind that sunless hell of the Servant Disciple Department.” Han Lie paused, his voice low. “At that time, I was immensely grateful to you for pulling me out of that sea of bitterness.”

“As it turned out, my gratitude was premature.” Han Lie couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. “During my hundred years as a servant here, though you tormented me dozens of times, it was still a paradise compared to my early years. At the very least, I didn’t have to worry about being beaten awake in the middle of the night for no reason.”

“If we are speaking of hatred, This Senior does harbor some resentment toward you. But my hatred for you is far less than what I feel for those who bullied me in the Servant Disciple Department. Toward you, Sect Leader… what I feel is mostly fear.”

Han Lie looked up, his expression steady. “Sect Leader, those are my true feelings.”

Ye Qingxuan remained silent after listening to his account. She merely gazed at him, lost in thought, her eyes unreadable. A long silence stretched between them until the atmosphere in the study grew heavy and awkward. Finally, she broke the silence.

“It is normal to fear This Palace,” she said softly. “In the Heavenly Void Sect, with very few exceptions, everyone fears me.”

“In your eyes, I may be a capricious demon who derives pleasure from abuse and slaughter. I do not deny that. But what I wish to say is that—aside from certain races—no one is born a demon.”

Han Lie did not argue. As she said, no one is born with a natural thirst for cruelty. Whatever had twisted Ye Qingxuan into the woman she was today was likely rooted in the trauma of her own past. It was simply a history Han Lie was not yet privy to. But regardless of her past, she remained a terrifying demoness in his eyes.

“If you wish to know more about my affairs, then strive diligently in your cultivation,” Ye Qingxuan continued. “Once This Palace truly acknowledges you, I will tell you anything you wish to know. As for now… hate me if you must. After all, This Palace has indeed hurt you.”

She paused for a brief moment, her gaze lingering on him. “But do not forget, you have also hurt This Palace.”

Han Lie was taken aback for a second before a knowing, subtle smile touched his lips. “Yes, Sect Leader. I will not deny that.”

Ye Qingxuan’s status was peerless, and she had guarded her chastity for centuries. Yet, on that fateful night, he had exploited her vulnerability and taken her purity. For a woman like her, such a loss was often weightier than death itself. In that context, her claim that he had “hurt” her was undeniably true.

Ye Qingxuan said nothing more, merely waving her hand to dismiss him.

Returning to his small wooden hut, Han Lie replayed the conversation in his mind, weighing the sudden shift in her demeanor.

“That demoness… could she have discovered that I possess the Pure Yang Sacred Body?” Han Lie murmured, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

There was no other logical explanation for such a drastic transformation in her attitude. He had always concealed his physique, fearing she would imprison him and turn him into a literal Cultivation Furnace. While that might be a physical pleasure, the psychological toll of being a kept slave would be agonizing.

However, if his speculation was correct, it seemed he no longer had to fear such an extreme outcome.

“Regardless, this is good news for me.”

Though a small part of him suspected a trap, he quickly dismissed it. Given the vast chasm between their cultivation levels, Ye Qingxuan had no need for elaborate deception. If she wanted to use him as a furnace, she could simply lock him in a cage. Why go through the trouble of playing nice?

Just as Han Lie settled in to attempt his breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage, Zhuo Hongyi arrived.

She brought a special token—one that granted a Servant Disciple all the rights and privileges of an Inner Disciple.

“Why didn’t the Sect Leader just let you take the Inner Disciple examination?” Zhuo Hongyi asked, looking puzzled as she handed over the medallion. “Instead, she had the Elder Council issue this specific token. I don’t understand it.”

Securing the token, Han Lie chuckled. “The Sect Leader likely can’t be bothered to find another servant she likes well enough to handle the affairs of the Violet Heaven Palace.”

“Is that so? I suppose…” Zhuo Hongyi sighed with a hint of regret. Even though Han Lie now held the status of an Inner Disciple, his constant presence at Ye Qingxuan’s side made it difficult for her to find private time with him.

Knowing that Ye Qingxuan’s divine sense could be watching at any moment, Han Lie didn’t dare linger on the topic. He quickly pivoted. “By the way, Captain, has Mine No. 9 been recaptured?”

“Mhm.” Zhuo Hongyi gave him a concise briefing.

After the mine fell, the Sun Moon Sect had managed to strip away a significant amount of Spirit Stones. However, as soon as the Heavenly Void Sect reinforcements arrived, the enemy retreated without a fight. The mine was back under their control.

Listening to this, Han Lie became certain of his theory. The assault on the mine had been a calculated distraction orchestrated by the Saintess, Bai Ling. Its only purpose was to draw the Sect’s eyes away so she could assassinate him in secret. She had planned everything perfectly, failing only to realize that Su Mei—the woman she intended to use as a pawn—had already defected to Han Lie’s side.

“This move by the Sun Moon Sect is strange,” Zhuo Hongyi mused, her brow furrowed. “I can’t quite put my finger on it. To strike, grab a few stones, and run immediately… it’s abnormal.”

“Who cares?” Han Lie shrugged. “If the sky falls, the Sect Leader and the Elder Council will be the ones to hold it up. There’s no use in us worrying about it.”

“That’s true,” Zhuo Hongyi admitted, tossing the concern aside. It was better to focus on her own strength. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping. “Do you have time… mmm…”

Before she could finish, Han Lie lunged forward and clamped his hand over her mouth. He broke into a cold sweat. He knew exactly what she was about to ask, and if Ye Qingxuan overheard her propositioning him, he would be the one paying the price in blood.

Making a sharp “hush” gesture, Han Lie said loudly and nonchalantly, “Captain, if there is nothing else, This Senior plans to enter seclusion to focus on my cultivation.”