45: Oath of Heaven

"What about the price?" Chen Xu asked.

He knew very well that there was no free lunch in the world.

Since the Imperial Family had given so much, the return they sought would naturally not be small.

A confident smile finally appeared on Li Jing's face.

He knew that Chen Xu was tempted.

"We don't want Spirit Stones."

Li Jing slowly said, "We only ask that the Head of the Chen Family agree to become a Guest Elder Talisman Master for our Great Feng Imperial Family, providing us with one hundred Spirit Invocation Talismans annually."

"In return, besides the Legacy and Materials for the Spirit Invocation Talismans, we will also provide the Chen Family with a genuine Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique, the 'Mysterious Water True Scripture'!"

Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique!

These four words made Chen Xu's brow twitch slightly.

This was exactly what he, and the entire Chen Family, needed most at the moment!

The Imperial Family had indeed done their homework before coming.

The price they offered struck at the Chen Family's weakness.

Using the title of a Guest Elder!

In exchange for an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique that could ensure the Family's Legacy for a thousand years.

This deal... Chen Xu's face showed a thoughtful expression.

He did not agree immediately, but pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "This matter is of great importance, I need to consider it."

Li Jing looked at Chen Xu's thoughtful expression, and the smile on his face grew wider, as if everything was under his control.

He knew what the words 'Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique' meant to any Family that wished to develop long-term.

"The Head of the Chen Family doesn't need to rush to reply."

Li Jing picked up his teacup and said unhurriedly, "Besides cooperation, I have a second matter for my visit."

Chen Xu looked up at him, signaling him to continue.

"Our Imperial Family has always cherished talent and respected figures like the Head of the Family."

"While the Chen Family's prestige is growing, its Foundation is still shallow, and its roots are in a corner of Ninghai Town. To truly become a powerful force, it still needs assistance."

Li Jing put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly: "Our Imperial Family is willing to form a marriage alliance with the Chen Family."

Marriage alliance!

These two words surprised Chen Xu even more than the Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique just now.

He watched Li Jing calmly, waiting for him to continue.

"Among our Imperial Family's collateral branches, there is a princess, sixteen years of age, intelligent and talented, already at the Late Qi Refining Stage of cultivation, possessing a High Grade Earth-Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude."

Li Jing threw out an extremely tempting condition: "If the Head of the Family is willing, the Imperial Family can betroth this princess to the Head of the Family as a concubine. In this way, the Chen Family will be relatives by marriage of our Great Feng Imperial Family, and it will be much more convenient to act within the Great Feng Kingdom in the future."

"This is both the sincerity of our Imperial Family and a form of support for the Chen Family's future."

A High Grade Earth-Grade Spiritual Root, the identity of an Imperial Princess, and she didn't even seek the position of main wife.

These conditions were almost excessively generous.

They not only wanted to bind him with a Guest Elder contract!

They also wanted to use the relationship of a Bloodline marriage alliance to tie the entire Chen Family to the Imperial Family's war chariot.

Chen Xu's thoughts raced, and he said with a half-joking expression, "Fellow Daoist Li is jesting. This Chen already has a wife, and my Family is quite harmonious. Welcoming another noble princess into the household might disrupt the rules."

"Moreover, my Chen Family is a small household, and I fear we might neglect Her Highness the Princess."

Li Jing laughed heartily and waved his hand: "The Head of the Family worries too much. Cultivators having more Dao Companions is beneficial, especially for the Family's proliferation, and I believe your wives will understand."

"As for the princess's wishes, the Head of the Family need not worry. Marriage is naturally a matter of parental decree. As long as the Head of the Family nods, this matter can be settled."

At this point, it was almost like presenting a ready-made and exceptionally talented Dao Companion to Chen Xu, leaving him no room to refuse.

Chen Xu sneered inwardly; the Imperial Family's methods were truly interconnected.

First, they unveiled the threat of the secret of the Thousand Cause Curse!

Then, they used an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique as bait.

Finally, they used "marriage alliance" to completely bind him.

He pondered for a moment, neither directly agreeing nor directly refusing, but instead threw the question back: "It's still the same, this matter, this Chen alone cannot decide."

"Marriage is a major affair; I must ask for the opinions of my wives at home."

"Moreover, marriage is, after all, a matter between two people. I also want to know if Her Highness the Princess is willing to marry into my Ninghai Town."

His words were both a delay and a test.

He wanted to see the Imperial Family's bottom line and attitude regarding this matter.

Li Jing heard this, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

He seemed to appreciate Chen Xu's attitude of caring for his Family and respecting women.

He nodded and smiled, "The Head of the Family is indeed a person of deep affection and righteousness; I was presumptuous. Very well, then I shall stay in Ninghai Town for another day, awaiting the Head of the Family's good news."

He stood up and cupped his hands to Chen Xu: "The matters of cooperation and marriage alliance are of great importance. If the Head of the Family has any concerns, we can discuss them in detail tomorrow."

"Or, perhaps you would like to accompany me to the capital, to see the sincerity of our Imperial Family with your own eyes, and perhaps meet Her Highness the Princess? How about that?"

Chen Xu nodded, readily agreeing: "Very well!"

"Good! Then I shall not disturb the Head of the Family and his Family's discussion. Farewell."

Li Jing, with his two attendants, turned and left decisively.

Watching their retreating figures disappear at the doorway.

Chen Xu's smile slowly faded, and his gaze deepened.

Chu Xuan's figure emerged from behind the screen and whispered, "Head of the Family, should we send someone..."

"No need."

Chen Xu waved his hand: "Since they dared to come, they are not afraid of us making a move. The Imperial Family's methods are deeper than we imagine."

He sat alone in the council hall for a long time.

His mind constantly replayed the conversation he had just had with Li Jing.

Thousand Cause Curse... that name carried an ominous aura.

Normal tracking Spells would never use the word "curse."

And it attaches to the murderer after death, lasting for a hundred years!

This method was sinister and vicious, unlike something the Righteous Path would do.

Why was the Imperial Family supporting a False Core Cultivator like Yue Guanshan?

Why did the war with the Black Water Nation specifically require Talismans like the Spirit Invocation Talisman, which counter evil Devilish Qi?

Was the Black Water Nation's cultivation truly as simple as evil Cultivation Techniques?

Marriage alliance, Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique, Guest Elder Talisman Master... clues connected in Chen Xu's mind, and a bold speculation gradually emerged.

The Great Feng Imperial Family, he feared, was no longer as simple as it appeared on the surface.

They had, very likely, secretly allied with the Demonic Path!

Or reached some kind of deal with Demonic Path forces!

This speculation made a cold sweat break out on Chen Xu's back.

If this were true, then cooperating with the Imperial Family!

It would be akin to seeking a tiger for its hide.

Today's Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique and Imperial in-Laws could become tomorrow's deadly poison.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart.

This matter still needed long-term consideration.

At least, before understanding the Imperial Family's true background, he absolutely could not easily agree to anything.

Returning to the study in the back courtyard, Bu Yifan and Sun Xiaoyue and others were already waiting.

Seeing Chen Xu's solemn expression, Bu Yifan quickly came forward and asked with concern, "Husband, has something happened? What did the Imperial Family come for?"

Chen Xu looked at the concerned eyes of his wives, briefly recounted what had happened, omitting his speculation about the Demonic Path.

When they heard that the Imperial Family was willing to offer an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique in exchange for Chen Xu becoming a Guest Elder Talisman Master.

Undisguised joy appeared on the faces of his wives.

"Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique! Husband, this is a huge Opportunity!"

Sun Xiaoyue's eyes also sparkled with excitement: "With an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique, our Chen Family's Foundation will truly be stable!"

"Yes, it's just providing one hundred Tier 3 Talismans annually, that shouldn't be difficult for Husband, right?"

And when Chen Xu mentioned the Imperial Family's intention to form a marriage alliance.

When he spoke of marrying a princess with High Grade Earth-Grade Aptitude, the atmosphere in the study instantly became even more lively.

"Imperial Princess? High Grade Earth-Grade?"

Bu Yifan took Chen Xu's hand, her face beaming with joy: "Husband, this is a good thing! Our Chen Family needs more talented descendants, and this princess marrying in will greatly benefit the Family's future."

"Moreover, being able to form a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family, who would dare to look down on our Chen Family in the future?"

"Sister is right, Husband's side indeed needs more sisters to take care of him. We sisters will certainly have no objections."

Sun Xiaoyue also nodded, her attitude very frank.

Looking at his wives' ingenuous joy, a warmth, and also a hint of heaviness, welled up in Chen Xu's heart.

They only saw the immediate benefits, the hope of the Family's growth.

But they couldn't see the abyss that might be hidden behind it.

He couldn't speak of these matters.

Speaking of them would only add to their panic and worry.

The burden of this Family, after all, still had to be borne by him alone.

"I have already made a decision on this matter."

Chen Xu smiled and reassured them, "Since that's the case, I will go to the capital with them tomorrow to see for myself. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Seeing Chen Xu's confident demeanor, his wives also relaxed and began to excitedly discuss the princess they had never met, as well as the future development of the Family.

Chen Xu listened with a smile, but his gaze went beyond the window, looking towards the direction of the capital, his eyes deep... The next morning, Chen Xu bid farewell to his Family and boarded the Imperial Family's carriage, pulled by two Swiftwind Horses.

Li Jing still maintained his smiling, refined demeanor.

He had prepared fragrant tea and pastries in the carriage, chatting with Chen Xu about everything from the local customs of various regions in Great Feng to strange tales of the cultivation world.

There was no discernible abnormality in his words or actions.

It was as if he was merely a warm host, and Chen Xu a distinguished guest.

The more normal he acted, the deeper Chen Xu's vigilance became.

The carriage moved extremely fast, and several days later, the majestic and grand capital of Great Feng.

Appeared at the end of the horizon.

The towering city walls, the endless pavilions and terraces, and the massive Dragon-shaped Luck, visible to the naked eye, formed from the Power Of Will of the myriad people, hovering above the capital!

All of it showcased the majesty and power of this Mortal nation's center.

The carriage did not stop in the city!

Instead, it drove directly into a heavily guarded area — the Imperial City.

Passing through layers of palace gates, finally, the carriage stopped in front of a secluded and elegant palace.

"Head of the Chen Family, please."

Li Jing was the first to alight, making a welcoming gesture: "We have arrived. There is an esteemed person who is very interested in the Head of the Family and wishes to meet you personally."

He led Chen Xu into the hall. As they passed a corridor, Li Jing suddenly lowered his voice and quickly reminded him.

“Head of the Chen Family, when you see that adult later, you must, absolutely, not look her in the eyes.”

After speaking, he returned to his normal state, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Xu’s heart tightened, and he nodded imperceptibly.

Beyond the corridor was a serene courtyard.

The courtyard was filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, and a small pavilion stood in the center of a pond.

A woman, with her back to them, stood by the pavilion, feeding brocade carp in the pond.

She wore a plain white palace dress, her figure slender, her long hair like a waterfall. Just her back exuded an indescribable coolness and nobility.

“Adult, the Head of the Chen Family has arrived.”

Li Jing bowed respectfully.

The woman slowly turned around.

Chen Xu’s gaze met hers at that instant.

The woman’s face was extremely beautiful, a breathtaking beauty tinged with a sickly pallor, her features as exquisite as a painting.

But what was most striking were her eyes.

Deep, hollow, as if containing a swirling vortex that could completely draw one’s mind in.

The moment his gaze met hers, Chen Xu felt the scene before him change.

The surrounding courtyard, the pavilion, Li Jing, all vanished.

He found himself standing on a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

The Chen Family’s residence was engulfed in raging flames; Bu Yifan, Sun Xiaoyue, Chen Daoxuan, Chen Tongyuan... all the familiar faces lay in pools of blood, their eyes wide in death.

A monstrous rage overwhelmed his reason.

“No!”

However, at this moment of mental lapse.

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, his Divine Sense, which had become powerful from cultivating the Spirit Manifestation Art, suddenly trembled.

The illusion before him shattered inch by inch like a reflection in a mirror or the moon in water.

Chen Xu’s eyes instantly regained clarity.

He was still standing in the courtyard, and the woman was looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze!

And Li Jing stood to the side, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

From falling into the illusion to breaking free, the entire process took only a brief moment.

“Oh?”

A flicker of emotion, surprise, appeared in the woman’s hollow eyes.

She looked at Chen Xu, a slight smile playing on her lips: “Interesting. Your Divine Soul is much stronger than I imagined.”

Li Jing, standing beside them, had cold sweat soaking his temples.

He knew better than anyone how terrifying this adult before him was.

That momentary illusion was enough to cause any Cultivator below the Golden Core Stage to suffer a mental breakdown and sow a Heart Demon in their Dao Heart.

Yet, this Chen Xu managed to break free in just a single breath.

He didn’t even show the slightest change in his expression.

“Your Excellency’s way of hospitality is rather unique.”

Chen Xu’s tone was as calm as water, betraying no emotion.

The spiritual power within him was still circulating subtly, and his Mental Energy in his Sea of Consciousness was on high alert.

This woman was extremely dangerous.

The illusion just now was terrifyingly real!

If he hadn’t cultivated the Spirit Manifestation Art, his Divine Sense would not have far surpassed others at the same stage.

He would probably be deeply trapped in it by now, with unimaginable consequences.

The woman seemed to appreciate Chen Xu’s composure.

She didn’t apologize for the earlier test!

Instead, she looked Chen Xu up and down with great interest.

Her gaze seemed to penetrate flesh and blood.

Seeing the surging spiritual power within him and the profound Foundation in his Dantian.

“Venerable Li, you may withdraw for now.”

She said indifferently: “I wish to speak with the Head of the Chen Family alone.”

“Yes, Adult.”

Li Jing, as if pardoned, bowed respectfully and retreated from the courtyard.

Before leaving, the look he cast at Chen Xu held a complex, hard-to-decipher meaning.

It was like pity, yet also like awe.

In the courtyard, only Chen Xu and the mysterious woman remained.

The woman slowly stepped out of the pavilion, her bare feet treading soundlessly on the smooth ground, her lotus steps light and quiet.

She walked up to Chen Xu, and a cool fragrance, like that of an orchid, wafted towards him.

“Head of the Chen Family, no need to be nervous.”

She chuckled lightly, “If I wanted to kill you, you would have been dead the moment you stepped into the Imperial City.”

“My name is Qin Sumao.”

She introduced herself: “You may call me Madam Qin. As for my identity, you only need to know that in this Great Feng Imperial Family, my words carry more weight than the Emperor’s.”

Chen Xu’s gaze sharpened slightly; he remained silent.

Madam Qin seemed to enjoy this feeling of controlling everything.

She extended a hand as fair as jade and gently poked Chen Xu’s chest, her movement flirtatious, yet her eyes were utterly cold: “Your cultivation is not as simple as merely Late Foundation Establishment Stage.”

“The profundity of your spiritual power is already comparable to some Cultivators who have just entered the Golden Core Stage.”

“Even more remarkable is your Divine Soul; even a Golden Core True Person in the Mid-stage Golden Core might not possess such resilience as yours.”

Chen Xu’s brows furrowed slightly; he said nothing.

“I am very curious, how did you achieve this?”

Madam Qin’s finger slowly moved up along Chen Xu’s collar.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity: “I have lived for several hundred years and have seen countless Geniuses and Prodigies, but someone like you is the first.”

Several hundred years!

Chen Xu’s pupils subtly contracted.

The Lifespan of a Golden Core True Person is a thousand years; several hundred years old!

This meant the alluring woman who looked barely twenty years old before him.

Was at least an old monster at the Golden Core Stage.

No wonder a Late Foundation Establishment Stage expert like Li Jing was so humble in front of her.

“It seems, my humble Dao skills are but an axe before a master craftsman in front of Madam.”

Chen Xu subtly took half a step back, avoiding her restless finger.

“No, you are not an axe before a master craftsman.”

Madam Qin withdrew her hand, her smile growing wider: “You are an uncarved jade, a peerless treasure capable of astonishing the world.”

She changed the subject, finally revealing her true purpose: “Head of the Chen Family, you very much wish to form a Golden Core, don’t you? And not the kind of Mortal Golden Core that is accumulated by Medicinal Pills, with no further progress possible in this life.”

Chen Xu’s heart stirred, but he remained silent.

Madam Qin continued: “I will give you an Opportunity, an Opportunity that will allow you to condense a Heavenly Dao Golden Core.

As long as you agree to come with me to a certain place.”

Heavenly Dao Golden Core!

These four words held a fatal allure for any Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

The three stages of Golden Core: the Mortal Golden Core only increases Lifespan, with limited combat power.

The Earth Path Golden Core offers hope for Nascent Soul.

The Heavenly Dao Golden Core, however, is a legendary rank; once achieved, one is invincible among peers, and the future path to Immortality is smooth.

Chen Xu believed that with the System, forming a Core would not be difficult.

But if he could condense a Heavenly Dao Golden Core now, there would be no harm in it!

“What place?”

Chen Xu asked in a deep voice.

“A Secret Realm.”

A faint glint flashed in Madam Qin’s eyes: “To be precise, it’s a fragment of an ancient demonic battlefield. Ten thousand years ago, the war between the Righteous Path and the Demonic Path shattered a Small World, and this Secret Realm is the largest remaining piece of it.”

Battlefield!

Chen Xu’s heart sank completely. His previous suspicions were confirmed.

The Imperial Family was indeed connected to the Demonic Path.

“That place is fraught with danger, with monstrous Devilish Qi. Ordinary Cultivators who enter, if not careful, will be corroded by the Devilish Qi and turn into demonic creatures that only know how to kill.”

Madam Qin admitted: “But similarly, Opportunities are everywhere there. Legacies of ancient Cultivators, Magic Treasures of fallen powerful beings, and even some Heaven And Earth Treasure that have long been extinct in the outside world.”

“Madam wishes to go to such a perilous place; her intentions must be significant. Why would she seek me out?”

Chen Xu asked.

“Because I need your Talisman Dao.”

Madam Qin spoke bluntly: “The place I want to go is guarded by an ancient demonic array, and it cannot be forced open. And you, Head of the Chen Family, are a Talisman Great Master who can draw third-tier Talismans, aren’t you?”

She even knew that.

“I need you to draw a batch of special array-breaking Spirit Invocation Talismans for me to help me break open that demonic array and retrieve something.”

Madam Qin’s tone was full of temptation: “After the matter is done, I will not only help you condense a Heavenly Dao Golden Core, but for other gains in that Secret Realm, we will split it two-eight, you get two, I get eight.”

This condition, seemingly generous, was in fact full of traps.

Dealing with a tiger, a slight misstep.

Would lead to utter destruction.

Chen Xu almost without hesitation, directly shook his head: “Thank you for Madam’s kindness. But our Daos are different, we cannot conspire together. I, Chen, have a large Family and many wives and children, and I do not wish to risk my life in such a perilous place.”

His refusal was swift and decisive.

Madam Qin’s smile stiffened slightly.

She seemed not to have expected Chen Xu to refuse so decisively even under the temptation of a Heavenly Dao Golden Core.

But she quickly started smiling again, laughing so hard that her body swayed, full of charm: “Head of the Chen Family, you are mistaken. Precisely because you have a large Family, you should go even more.”

She stepped forward, leaned into Chen Xu’s ear, her breath like orchids: “Although your Chen Family rose quickly, your Foundation is too shallow. An Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique can make your heart stir, which shows how shallow your Family’s heritage is.”

“Even if your descendants complete Earth Path Foundation Establishment, without subsequent Cultivation Techniques and massive resources, their future achievements will ultimately be limited.”

“And in that demonic battlefield, there is everything you desire.”

“Resources that can allow your Chen Family to produce several more Golden Core True Persons, high-level Cultivation Techniques that can allow your Family’s Legacy to last ten thousand years, and even... divine objects that can bring people back from the dead.”

Her voice carried a demonic power that could bewitch people, every word striking the softest spot in Chen Xu’s heart.

Chen Xu’s breathing paused for a moment.

“How can I trust you?”

He asked in a deep voice.

“I can make a Heavenly Dao Oath.”

Madam Qin’s answer was decisive: “I, Qin Sumao, swear to the Heavenly Dao, that as long as Chen Xu helps me accomplish this matter, I will ensure his life is safe and help him obtain enough resources to elevate the Chen Family to a thousand-year-old aristocratic Family.”

“If I violate this oath, may I be plagued by Heart Demons, have my cultivation completelywaste, and never be reincarnated!”

A Heavenly Dao Oath is the most vicious curse in this world.

Once made, it is supervised by the Laws of Heaven and Earth, and no one dares to violate it.

Chen Xu looked at her deeply.

This woman, to achieve her goal.

Truly stopped at nothing, even daring to make a Heavenly Dao Oath.