Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Han Lie’s words gave Han Zhentian and his wife a glimmer of hope that the ice between them might finally break.

Li Susu knew she couldn’t rush things. After all, Han Lie had suffered for a hundred years in the Heavenly Void Sect. It was normal, even reasonable, for him to hold deep resentment.

Li Susu understood her other children well. If any of them had been in Han Lie’s shoes, they wouldn’t be as accommodating; they might even harbor thoughts of killing their parents.

“We’ll see when there’s a chance.”

Han Lie didn’t agree directly, but to Han Zhentian and Li Susu’s ears, it already sounded like a promise.

“Yes! Lie’er, as long as you come back, your father and I will always keep the door open for you!” Li Susu wiped away tears of emotion, her voice choked with sobs.

Han Lie said nothing more, simply turning his gaze to Grand Elder Chi Lian, who stood silently beside Ye Qingxuan.

“Both of you, please.” Chi Lian promptly issued the order to see them out.

“Lie’er!”

“You must come back to see your mother; I’ll be waiting for you!”

Before stepping out of the side hall’s door, Li Susu couldn’t help but turn back and repeat her plea one last time.

No matter how reluctant they were to leave, Han Zhentian and Li Susu knew this was the best outcome they could have hoped for today.

After Chi Lian escorted Han Zhentian and his wife out, only Han Lie and Ye Qingxuan remained in the side hall.

Ye Qingxuan rested her chin on her jade-like hand, studying him.

“Even after enduring so much hardship in the Heavenly Void Sect, you’re still willing to forgive them?”

“On many nights in the past, I would often think of them. Back then, I felt that if I ever saw the two elders again, I would never forgive them,” Han Lie admitted quietly.

“But when I actually faced them…”

He suddenly stopped. He gave a bitter smile and didn’t continue.

“Hah, you’re quite the filial son.”

Ye Qingxuan leaned back. “This Seat can understand. If their attitude had been terrible, that would be one thing. But with such a humble and apologetic demeanor… any child in this world would likely soften their heart.”

“Unless… they were a cold-blooded and heartless person,” she remarked.

Having seen countless people rise and fall in her time, she naturally understood the complex emotions swirling within Han Lie.

“Alright, This Seat is returning now. You should have some quiet time alone.”

In an instant, Ye Qingxuan vanished from the head seat, leaving Han Lie alone in the peaceful silence of the chamber.

It wasn’t until the next day that Han Lie returned to the small wooden hut in Violet Heaven Palace.

“Meow! Meow! Meow!”

As soon as he pushed open the hut’s door, Xiao Zi jumped down from the bed and meowed at him.

Han Lie’s gaze shifted slightly. Behind its rear end, three fully formed black tails swayed casually in the air.

“You little thing, growing up quite fast. Seems like raising you wasn’t in vain.” Han Lie smiled warmly, squatting down to rub Xiao Zi’s head.

Xiao Zi leaned into his touch, rubbing against Han Lie enthusiastically. It seemed to have fully accepted him as its caretaker.

Han Lie picked her up and placed Xiao Zi on the tea table. He looked her in the eyes and asked, “Xiao Zi, can you understand This Senior’s words?”

“I can understand.”

Xiao Zi opened its mouth slightly and spoke in human language. Its voice was delicate, with a hint of natural coquettishness—exactly like the catgirl voice in Han Lie’s imagination.

“?” Han Lie’s pupils widened in surprise. “You can talk?”

Xiao Zi replied matter-of-factly, “I’ve been able to speak human language since reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage; I just never spoke before.”

“Hiss…”

Han Lie drew a sharp breath before grinning mischievously, anticipation lighting up his eyes.

“Xiao Zi, so can you transform into a catgirl?”

“Awoo—!”

Xiao Zi immediately hissed at Han Lie, her fur bristling. She retorted unhappily, “Hmph hmph, you really are a lecherous old man!”

Han Lie corrected her righteously. “I admit I’m lecherous, but considering a cultivator’s age span, I’m really not old!”

“Hmph, isn’t it still the same thing!” Xiao Zi huffed, turning her head away.

“And what about it? Human nature is inherently lustful; procreation is etched into human genes! One can skip meals, but one cannot skip lust!” Han Lie declared solemnly, acting as if reciting a sacred scripture.

“Genes? What are those?” Xiao Zi tilted its head slightly, blinking in confusion.

“It’s… never mind; you wouldn’t understand anyway.” Han Lie waved his hand dismissively. “In short, you just need to know that without lusting after each other… you wouldn’t have come into this world.”

“……”

Xiao Zi looked at Han Lie with eyes that clearly labeled him a pervert.

“Alright, alright, let’s get down to business.”

After teasing Xiao Zi enough, Han Lie returned to the main topic. “Xiao Zi, I’ve fed you for so long now; you can’t just freeload without contributing. I need you to help me with something.”

“Okay okay! Tell me! What do you want me to do?”

Xiao Zi’s eyes lit up eagerly. It had been feeling quite bored staying in this hut for nearly a year and was desperate for some fresh air and excitement.

“Saintess Bai Ling—you know her, right?”

“With your current cultivation level now… you should be able to secretly follow her without being detected. Go keep an eye on her discreetly. If she makes any unusual moves… report back to me immediately.”

Han Lie smiled like a devil offering a contract. “As long as you handle this properly… I’ll go buy several more Thousand Flower Pills for you.”

Upon hearing ‘Thousand Flower Pills’, Xiao Zi’s motivation instantly maxed out. She did a somersault on the spot and declared confidently, “Piece of cake! You go buy those Thousand Flower Pills first—I promise not to disappoint!”

“Don’t worry—with how clever you are as a Hell Nine-Tailed Cat… how could I possibly deceive you?” Han Lie stated earnestly.

“Hmph hmph—that does make sense!”

“I’m off then!”

With that said, Xiao Zi vanished in a flash of black light.

Han Lie chuckled gleefully. “Never expected that witch’s pet would be so useful—now I don’t have to risk personally tailing Bai Ling myself.”

Even if Xiao Zi were actually discovered by Bai Ling… it was technically her pet first. It most likely wouldn’t be harmed. So, Han Lie didn’t need to worry about Xiao Zi’s safety at all.

Subsequently, Han Lie went out and arrived at the Myriad Pill Hall’s market district. Spending three thousand Spirit Stones, he bought three more Thousand Flower Pills. Now all he needed to do was quietly await good news from Xiao Zi.

“Hmm?”

On his way back to Violet Heaven Palace, Han Lie felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. He sensed several people secretly watching him from the shadows.

“People sent by the Saintess? Or the Overlord Hall?”

Just as Han Lie was puzzling over this, the stalkers dropped their pretense.

They stepped out from the alleys, directly surrounding him.

“You’re definitely Han Lie… right? Our master wants to invite you over for a chat—come with us.”

The speaker was a disciple named Ma Kun, radiating the pressure of the Golden Core Stage.

“People from the Overlord Hall?”

Judging from their attire and aggressive style, Han Lie recognized their affiliation immediately.

“Fellow Daoists… This Senior has never met your Overlord Hall leader before,” Han Lie said calmly, his hand drifting near his storage pouch.

“Moreover… as merely a lowly Servant Disciple… how could This Senior possibly deserve being an honored guest of the Overlord Hall leader?”

He took a step back, his stance firm. “This Senior must respectfully decline accompanying you today.”

Joking aside—if he went with them into Overlord Hall territory, would he even make it out alive?