Mu Xin Soul Fire

Wang Longzhi twisted his body, his bones cracking, a look of indifference on his face.

"The second phase has been completely mastered by us, and the third phase shouldn't be too far off."

"It's just a matter of time, a piece of cake...."

Before his words could fall, a wild fruit the size of a fist fiercely struck him on the head.

"Ah!"

In pain, Wang Longzhi shrieked again, glaring around, searching for the attacker's trace.

But upon seeing the newcomer, his anger instantly dissipated.

Li Tan was unable to cup his hands, so he simply bowed in lieu of a greeting, and Wang Longzhi honestly followed suit.

"Greetings, Revered Master."

Xia Kuixing waved his hand slightly, signaling for them to dispense with the formalities.

Yan'an said, appraising them:

"Mastering the second phase of the Binding Clothes within three months, your Aptitude is not dull, but Wang Longzhi, you boy, use your brain more often; don't always talk about Li Tan."

"If Li Tan eats meat and only leaves you boy the soup, would you feel good about that?"

What was originally just a word of advice from his Revered Master, Wang Longzhi actually stroked his head and pondered:

"Replying to Revered Master, then I'll drink my fill of soup."

Yan'an was momentarily speechless, and Wang Longzhi's words made Xia Kuixing burst into laughter.

"Enough, just be more careful in the future, and don't be reckless and careless again."

Wang Longzhi nodded heavily: "Revered Master is right, if my recklessness implicates Brother Tan, wouldn't I be a sinner...."

.......

Seeing that the time was ripe, Xia Kuixing spoke sternly:

"For the next three months, you will Revered Master the third phase of the Binding Clothes with your utmost ability."

"As far as I know, the Linghu Organization you joined needs to complete a task within half a year. This is good; it can temper your Heart-Nature."

Yan'an echoed:

"If you are assigned tasks outside the Sect, you must handle them carefully. Outside Cultivators no longer have a concept of good or evil; they will use any means to kill powerful enemies."

"I'm not too worried about Brother Tan's Heart-Nature, but your personality, Wang Longzhi, must change!"

"I will personally correct you!"

Li Tan naturally understood the meaning of Yan'an's actions. With Wang Longzhi's indecisive personality, let alone scheming against Cultivators, he would even feel pity for innocent Mortals.

Xia Kuixing's lips curved into a smile:

"Though you are clever, Brother Tan, you were still tricked and suffered a great setback."

"If we two hadn't cleaned up your mess, I'm afraid you would have endless troubles and your life would be in danger."

Seeing that his Revered Master's expression was not joking, Li Tan remained silent, assuming a posture of eagerness to hear more.

This action also earned the goodwill of the two Revered Masters, who thought to themselves: "Not arrogant or impetuous, courageous in admitting his mistakes, abandoning arrogant vanity, very good...."

Xia Kuixing frowned slightly:

"An Outer Sect Disciple named Mu Xinling, she was originally that old ghost's medicine furnace, and by a twist of fate, she dragged you two into it."

"Since she could deceive even Brother Tan, that Disciple must have extraordinary methods, and the old ghost behind her has taken an interest in you...."

Yan'an snorted disdainfully:

"How can a mere shadowy rat stand against my Dao? I don't think he would dare to act presumptuously!"

"Let this matter be a profound lesson. Do not harbor any Luck mentality in the future...."

Li Tan bowed again: "Thank you, two Revered Masters. This Disciple will bear it in mind."

Seeing Wang Longzhi standing dumbfounded beside him, Li Tan quickly pushed him with his hand.

He wanted to say something, but was stopped by Li Tan's gaze.

"You two boys can handle these private matters yourselves. I'm going back to bask in the sun."

Opening their eyes again, the two Revered Masters were already gone without a trace, not even leaving a hint of their Qi in the area.

..........

"Brother Tan, do you think Revered Master's words are false?"

Wang Longzhi's eyes were a little red, and even his voice trembled slightly.

"Revered Master's cultivation is that of a Golden Core True Person; he doesn't need to deceive us juniors, and besides, I already suspected her."

"I just didn't expect this Karma to come so quickly."

Wang Longzhi sat on the ground somewhat dejectedly, his heart greatly conflicted. He was loyal and righteous, and had long considered Mu Xinling one of his closest friends.

Even if his Revered Master said it himself, Wang Longzhi didn't believe it deep down, but if even Brother Tan said so, then who should he choose....

"Brother Tan, when did you start suspecting Miss Mu?"

"The first time, of course, it was just a suspicion. The moment I truly noticed something was amiss was with that man."

"Even if he suffered from Qi Deviation, he refused to reveal the Dao name of the person behind him, and Mu Xinling's reaction shouldn't have been so intense."

Suddenly! Li Tan's communication stone flickered with a faint light; it was a message from Mu Xinling.

"How interesting, she even contacted me."

Just as Li Tan's figure was about to disappear, Wang Longzhi softly said: "Brother Tan, can you not kill her?"

...........

The familiar stone pavilion, the familiar young woman standing gracefully.

Li Tan got straight to the point, not wanting too much entanglement:

"Miss Mu, what is the meaning of this action? Do you intend for me to shelter you?"

Mu Xinling's pupils flashed with shock:

"Brother Tan, I was also forced. I don't want to be refined into a spiritual material by that old ghost. In desperation, I could only do this."

"I also want to live... I don't want to die ignobly. Even if the consequences are more severe, as long as I live, there is hope."

Mu Xinling's frankness greatly surprised Li Tan, but he wasn't repulsed by it.

"Miss Mu, I can understand your actions, but what can I gain?"

"You are a smart person; you wouldn't expect me to believe in my kindness, would you...."

Mu Xinling's face was flushed with shyness, and she bowed her head slightly, her voice like a mosquito: "As long as Young Master Tan can help me overcome this calamity, this humble girl will be at your disposal."

Li Tan dismissed this with a scoff.

"Is Miss Mu treating me like a three-year-old child? Or a dull simpleton?"

"Spare me the empty words; discussing some benefits would be more practical."

Mu Xinling bit her lip lightly, appearing shy, graceful, and alluring.

She blinked her beautiful eyes, looking pitifully at Li Tan.

"If Miss Mu insists on this, then our discussion ends here. This humble one bids you farewell."

Li Tan left a retreating figure, making as if to leave.

This frightened Mu Xinling, who immediately knelt down, her face full of pleading.

"Brother Tan, if you leave, this humble girl will truly have no way to live!"

"Please have mercy...."

Li Tan remained unmoved, still walking on his own, as if Mu Xinling behind him was just an illusion.

"Brother Tan, I am willing to hand over my Soul Fire!"

As soon as these words fell, Li Tan looked back and smiled.

Soul Fire is the lifeblood of a Cultivator; if handed over to another, one's life and death can be easily controlled.

Heavenly Dao oaths can only serve as the most basic binding agreements. Dao-belief methods are superior, and besides these, there are even more advanced methods of enslavement.