Bai Ling stood frozen on the spot. Han Lie’s demand for compensation had completely exceeded her expectations.

Yet, strangely, she felt no revulsion in her heart toward his request.

“But… didn’t you say that the Yin Yang Demonic Art has fatal drawbacks?” Bai Ling bit her red lip lightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum.

“Hmm, I did say that,” Han Lie replied calmly, stepping closer. “The bad news is, the Yin Yang Demonic Art indeed has a flaw; it locks onto the specific Yin or Yang energy of the first person one engages in Dual Cultivation with, making it impossible to cultivate with others.”

He paused, a confident smirk playing on his lips. “The good news is, through my own effort and sweat, I have overcome this drawback.”

If not for this breakthrough, Han Lie would never have proposed Dual Cultivation as compensation. He wasn’t interested in crippling his own future.

“…”

Bai Ling looked at him with a pitiful expression, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Old Man Lin… I can agree to your demand. But if I do, my chastity will be lost.”

She lowered her head, her voice trembling. “How will I find a Dao Companion in the future? Who would want a woman who has already been claimed?”

This was a serious consideration for any female cultivator.

However, Han Lie scoffed.

“Saintess, shouldn’t the question you are considering right now be how to survive? The matter of finding a boyfriend is a luxury for the living, and you are currently standing with one foot in the grave.”

He leaned in, his tone dripping with arrogant amusement. “If it really comes to that, This Senior can reluctantly accept you as a cultivation partner. Of course, that is provided the Sect Leader is willing to let you live.”

“???”

Han Lie’s words nearly made Bai Ling laugh in anger.

Reluctantly?

With her Quasi-Ninth Grade cultivation talent, her stunning looks, and her figure, if she so much as hinted at wanting a partner, the line of suitors would stretch from the Heavenly Void Sect to the Sun Moon Sect! How could he make it sound like he was the one suffering a loss?

But then again… Han Lie’s conditions weren’t bad.

Perhaps in the past, he was just an unnoticed Servant Disciple by the roadside. But now, things were different. He had mastered the Yin Yang Demonic Art, and his cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds. Who knew how high he would climb in the future?

More importantly, at some point, Bai Ling had begun to feel a unique, magnetic charm emanating from him. It was a dominant, dangerous allure that drew her in. If not for their prior life-and-death enmity, Bai Ling asked herself honestly, she might have sought his friendship on her own accord.

“Alright.”

Bai Ling exhaled softly. She knew she had no other choice. To survive and protect her family, she had to trust him. Her identity as a spy had already aroused Ye Qingxuan’s suspicion. Without the Yin Yang Demonic Art, she could not protect her parents. Her only path forward was to pledge allegiance to Ye Qingxuan—and bind herself to Han Lie.

“I accept.”

As soon as she spoke, Han Lie waved his hand. The fiery red spiritual light in his palm vanished instantly.

The forest plunged back into pitch-black darkness, so deep one couldn’t see their own fingers.

“Ah—!”

The moment the light vanished, Bai Ling gasped. Before she could adjust to the dark, she felt a pair of strong, undeniable arms pull her into a heated embrace.

…

Unbeknownst to them, the night passed quickly.

The morning sun peeked over the eastern horizon, casting its first golden rays upon the earth. All things revived; a new day had begun.

The intense battle between Han Lie and Bai Ling finally came to an end.

“I-Is it over? Old Man Lin…” Bai Ling whispered weakly, lying exhausted in Han Lie’s arms, her body limp and her cheeks flushed with the afterglow.

“Hmm. Let’s stop here for now,” Han Lie replied.

For him, this level of cultivation was far from enough. But there was no helping it—the location was too poor. Although this grove was remote, it wasn’t impossible for someone to wander by during the day.

Some couples within the sect enjoyed the thrill of the woods in broad daylight. Han Lie, however, had no desire to perform for an audience.

Besides, he wasn’t in a hurry. He had absolute confidence in his control over the situation. The remaining two sessions would be enough to conquer Bai Ling completely, body and soul. There was no need to rush.

After they each adjusted their disheveled robes, Han Lie didn’t forget to issue a reminder.

“Saintess, don’t forget. You still owe me two sessions of Dual Cultivation.”

“I… I know!”

Bai Ling shyly lowered her gaze, her face burning. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, deep in her heart, a faint flicker of anticipation for the next session began to spark.

Han Lie sent Bai Ling back to the Violet Cloud Palace first.

He needed to go to the Violet Heaven Palace alone to negotiate with Ye Qingxuan. Explaining the situation and softening the Sect Leader’s stance beforehand was far safer than bringing Bai Ling directly to face judgment.

After parting ways with the Saintess, Han Lie stopped briefly at the Jade Clear Pool to wash up before heading to the main peak.

“Sect Leader?”

Standing in the main hall of the Violet Heaven Palace, Han Lie called out softly.

” This Senior is on the third floor,” came Ye Qingxuan’s cool voice, transmitting directly into his ear.

Han Lie ascended the stairs. He found Ye Qingxuan sitting cross-legged on the smooth floorboards, her eyes closed in meditative silence.

“Sect Leader, we have reached a conclusion regarding the Saintess.”

“Present it!” Ye Qingxuan’s beautiful eyes snapped open, sharp as blades.

Han Lie dared not delay. He quickly presented the intercepted note.

Ye Qingxuan swept her gaze over the paper. In mere seconds, she absorbed the contents.

Whoosh!

A terrifying flash of icy killing intent erupted from her eyes! The temperature within the entire Violet Heaven Palace plummeted instantly, frost creeping along the floorboards.

“Bai Ling…! You have betrayed This Teacher’s high hopes!”

“Ahem…” Seeing that Ye Qingxuan was about to fly into a rage, Han Lie tactically cleared his throat. “Sect Leader, please calm down first. This old servant hasn’t finished speaking yet.”

“Speak!” Ye Qingxuan’s tone was frigid. She was truly disappointed.

“The Saintess indeed belongs to the Sun Moon Sect. However, according to her confession, she became a spy due to forced circumstances.”

Han Lie recounted every detail of Bai Ling’s situation—how the Sun Moon Sect held her family hostage, how she was treated as a “sacrificial pawn” despite her Ninth-Grade talents, and her desperation.

He emphasized the waste of such talent and her lack of actual harm done to the sect thus far.

After finishing his explanation, Han Lie cautiously added, “Therefore, Sect Leader… please consider the bigger picture.”

Ye Qingxuan remained silent for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

“Bring Bai Ling here. Immediately!”

“Yes.”

Han Lie turned and hurried toward the Violet Cloud Palace. Although Ye Qingxuan hadn’t explicitly stated her decision, the fact that she wanted to see Bai Ling meant there was a chance.

Approximately ten minutes later.

Han Lie returned, with Bai Ling following closely behind him like a condemned prisoner walking to the gallows.

As soon as they entered the third floor and she saw Ye Qingxuan, Bai Ling’s knees gave way.

Thud!

She knelt heavily on the floor, not daring to meet Ye Qingxuan’s gaze. The overwhelming pressure radiating from the Nascent Soul cultivator made her body tremble uncontrollably.

Ye Qingxuan’s almost murderous gaze fixed directly upon her.

“Bai Ling. Is what Han Lie said earlier true?”

“Yes, Master…” Bai Ling’s voice trembled, tears streaming down her face and choking her words. “I am sorry, Master. Disciple failed to live up to your nurturing… but Disciple was truly forced! I was helpless!”

“The Sun Moon Sect Leader holds my parents and my entire family hostage… Disciple really had no choice…”

However!

Just as the last word left her lips…

Bang!

Ye Qingxuan lightly flicked her sleeve. A terrifying, invisible force slammed into Bai Ling, sending her flying backward through the air. Blood sprayed from her mouth, staining the pristine floor.

Ye Qingxuan rose slowly, her steps frosty and deliberate. She approached the fallen girl, looming over her menacingly.

“You think telling me these things will make me pity you? Will make me forgive you?”

Ye Qingxuan extended a jade-like hand, grasping at the empty air.

An invisible force seized Bai Ling by the neck, dragging her off the ground and pulling her straight into Ye Qingxuan’s physical grip.

Ye Qingxuan squeezed, her fingers tightening around Bai Ling’s slender throat. Bai Ling’s face turned purple as her breath was cut off, suffocating slowly under the immense pressure.

“Mas… Master! Disciple is sorry… Disciple deserves to die a thousand deaths…” Bai Ling gasped, her hands weakly gripping Ye Qingxuan’s wrist, tears wetting her master’s hand. “If killing me makes you feel better… I am willing to accept death…”

“Hmph! Toward spies, I never show mercy or soft-heartedness!”

Ye Qingxuan’s eyes were cold, void of any emotion. She raised her other hand, spiritual energy gathering for a lethal strike.

“I shall grant you release now!”

“Sect Leader, wait, please!”

Han Lie suddenly shouted, stepping forward to interrupt the execution. He had been watching closely, and he understood the underlying meaning behind Ye Qingxuan’s dramatic flair. She needed a reason to stop—a step down to maintain her dignity while showing mercy.