316: Chapter 316 Cooperation, Heavenly Oath

[Chu Sheng was meditating by the window when the door was gently pushed open.]

[Wan Jiuer walked in holding a bowl. Her aura was much more stable than before, though handling those clan affairs had clearly drained a lot of her mental energy.]

[She walked to the bedside, set the bowl on the table, and glanced at Chu Sheng.]

["Drink it," she said in a flat tone, as if giving an order.]

[Chu Sheng looked down at the dark, murky medicinal liquid in the bowl, leaning in to sniff it. A strong, bitter aroma rushed straight up his nose.]

[He looked up at Wan Jiuer and raised an eyebrow. "This isn't poisoned, is it?"]

[Wan Jiuer rolled her eyes at him, a look that carried thirty percent helplessness and seventy percent disdain.]

["If I poison you to death, I would have to find another high-quality Daocheng Realm Cauldron. That is no easy task."]

["This is a treasure of our Fox Clan, brewed from a ninth-grade Spirit Medicine. It is hard to buy even with a thousand pieces of gold."]

[Without another word, Chu Sheng picked up the bowl and downed it in one gulp.]

[As the medicine went down his throat, the bitterness made his entire face scrunch up, as if he had eaten a mouthful of Ten-Thousand-Year Jade Coptis.]

[However, after that bitter taste passed, a surge of pure spiritual energy rose from his abdomen and flowed into his Dantian. He felt his Meridians being nourished, and even the cracks on his Dao Palace healed slightly.]

[Once he recovered, he set down the bowl and looked at Wan Jiuer.]

[There was a hint of fatigue in her eyes, but it was mostly overshadowed by the composure of a high-ranking leader.]

[He suddenly remembered what she had said before—"I am still a virgin."]

[He couldn't help but steal another glance at her.]

[Wan Jiuer seemed to notice his gaze, and a trace of awkwardness flashed across her face.]

[She turned her head away and said indifferently, "Don't look at me like that. We of the Fox Clan are quite devoted when it comes to relationships."]

["Since you are my first... " She paused, not continuing further.]

[Chu Sheng did not reply.]

[He knew very well what she meant by "first," but he did not want to be tied down by those words.]

[He changed the subject. "When will you return my four swords and Cauldron?"]

[Wan Jiuer shook her head, her tone direct. "I cannot give them to you for now."]

[Chu Sheng's brow furrowed.]

["You still have a great use."]

[Wan Jiuer looked at him, a trace of seriousness in her pale gray eyes. "Your Life Qi can balance my Death Qi. I need you to help me consolidate my cultivation, at least until my Realm is completely stabilized."]

[Chu Sheng fell silent for a moment.]

[He understood what she meant.]

[She still needed him.]

[At least for now.]

[He nodded.]

["Fine. But you must promise me that once I am done helping you, you will return my things."]

[Wan Jiuer did not answer immediately, only looking at him.]

[Then she slowly walked over, lowered her head, and whispered, "Focus on the task at hand first."]

[Chu Sheng said no more.]

[He reached out and pulled her to his side.]

[The room was very quiet, with only the occasional sound of the wind outside and the distant footsteps of the Fox Clan guards on patrol.]

[After their passionate encounter, the two lay side by side, staring at the ceiling.]

[Chu Sheng's arm was a bit sore, but he didn't mind.]

[He was thinking about how to keep Jiuer pleased before raising his conditions with her.]

[Her attitude had softened quite a bit, at least no longer treating him as a pure Cauldron like before.]

[He needed to strike while the iron was hot.]

[Wan Jiuer turned on her side to look at him, her breath sweet as orchids.]

[Her voice was very soft, carrying a hint of laziness as well as seriousness.]

["How about this?"]

[She paused, as if organizing her thoughts. "You help me revitalize the Fox Clan and help me seek revenge."]

["Once everything is resolved, not only will your Magical Artifacts be returned, but I and the entire Fox Clan will also be yours."]

[Chu Sheng was stunned for a moment.]

[He had not expected Wan Jiuer to say such a thing.]

[He stared into her eyes, trying to find any trace of a lie.]

[But what he saw was a very earnest, resolute light.]

[She was serious.]

[His heart stirred slightly.]

[Revitalizing the Fox Clan, seeking revenge.]

[Either of these two tasks was an extremely perilous undertaking.]

[He wasn't sure if he had the ability to achieve them.]

[But his reason told him that this was an opportunity.]

[An opportunity that would allow him to gain a firm foothold in this unfamiliar land.]

[An opportunity to gain a powerful ally.]

[Moreover, Wan Jiuer's attitude was indeed much more sincere than before.]

[He looked at her and did not answer immediately.]

[Wan Jiuer seemed to see his hesitation and added another line.]

["I can make a Heavenly Dao Oath." Her voice was very calm, but each word struck Chu Sheng's heart like a hammer.]

["If I deceive you, my cultivation shall never progress for eternity."]

[Heavenly Dao Oath.]

[It was one of the most solemn oaths in the cultivation world. Once sworn, if violated, the lightest consequence would be stagnation of cultivation, while the worst would be death from backlash.]

[For her to say such words proved she was truly sincere.]

[Chu Sheng remained silent for a long time.]

[He thought of his Dao Companions, his children, and those in the Northern Region who were still waiting for him.]

[He could not stay in the Western Region forever.]

[But if he could leverage the power of the Fox Clan, he might be able to return to the Northern Region much faster.]

[He gritted his teeth and made a decision.]

["Alright," he said. "I promise you."]

[Wan Jiuer's eyes lit up.]

[She didn't speak, but simply buried her face in his chest.]

[Her heart was beating rapidly, like a drum.]

[Chu Sheng felt her body trembling slightly.]

[He didn't know if she was excited or afraid.]

[But he knew that from this moment on, the bond between them had deepened.]

[In the distance, within the depths of the Guanyue Abyss, clouds and mist churned like an awakening giant beast.]