598: Chapter 598 Contract

"What do you think is the meaning of cultivation?"

"And what is the meaning of being alive?"

Liu Xiaowan had just achieved a Breakthrough in her Realm and was sitting cross-legged on the bed to stabilize her cultivation. Beside her, Yin Lizhi leaned against Liu Xuan's arm, suddenly hearing two questions that left her quite confused.

The meaning of cultivation...

Did cultivation or living even need a meaning?

"Saint, what's wrong?" she asked, her face turned toward him, eyes full of curiosity.

"It's nothing!" Liu Xuan skillfully took out a Beast Pill and popped it like a jellybean, smiling as he said, "Just a passing thought. You wouldn't understand."

After his vitality gradually recovered, Liu Xuan held Yin Lizhi's slender and warm hand, playing with it as he suddenly asked, "Junior Sister Lizhi, since our relationship has become so deep, shouldn't you be a bit more honest with me?"

Yin Lizhi's heart fluttered with panic, her gaze becoming flighty and nervous as she asked guiltily, "What... what do you want to ask?"

"Don't be nervous!" Liu Xuan smiled and patted the back of her hand. "I just want to know why the four of you Saintesses came to find me at the same time!"

"I really don't know!" Yin Lizhi's face was full of grievance and sincerity. "I'm not sure about the other three, but I was truly sent here by Elder Daoist Yin-Yang. I'm not lying to you. As for the Elder's purpose, I really don't know."

"Fine! Then I'll change the question. Why do you think your Joyous Union Sect suddenly decided to expand into the Southern Border?"

Liu Xuan wasn't very clear about the specific situation of the East Sea Joyful Union Sect, but he knew the overall layout wasn't much different from the Southern Border.

Aside from the Central Continent and the ruined Western Desert, the situations in the East Sea, Southern Border, and Northern Plains were all similar. Only a small portion of the territory belonged to the Human Race, while the outer areas were all the territory of the Yao Race.

Just like the Southern Border, there was plenty of Yao Race territory deep within the East Sea. If the Joyous Union Sect wanted to expand or start a Pioneering War like the Beast Taming Sect, they could just head east. There was no need to take the long way around.

Furthermore, although the Human Race's Dao Court in the Central Continent was powerful and the Yao Races of the four directions would find it difficult to resist even if they united, it didn't mean they were completely defenseless.

The great war in the Western Desert back then was a living example. If the Dao Court pushed too hard, they risked mutual destruction with the Yao Race.

A Pioneering War wasn't something just anyone could start. There was a set of unspoken rules between the Dao Court, the great Sects, and the Yao Race.

For instance, in the current war against the Endless Demon Court in the Southern Border, Demon Saint Xuanyu couldn't call upon a single fellow Yao Saint from the Southern Border for help. Even Ghost King Lianyue, a ghost Cultivator, had many reservations when taking action, fearing they might break the rules.

The other Yao tribes in the Southern Border were unwilling to participate because these rules restricted the Beast Taming Sect from continuing to expand or wage war within a specified timeframe.

Once the Beast Taming Sect broke the rules, the entire Yao Race of the Southern Border would have a reason to unite and counterattack. At that point, the scale of the war would spiral out of control, likely repeating the past events of the Western Desert.

Simply put, the war between the Endless Demon Court and the Beast Taming Sect was the result of a tacit understanding between the Southern Border Yao Race, the Beast Taming Sect, and even the Dao Court.

Now that the war situation was basically set, even if the Joyous Union Sect intervened, the benefits they could gain would be minimal, and they wouldn't be able to stir up a larger war.

Liu Xuan really couldn't figure out why the Joyous Union Sect was sending people to the Southern Border at this time!

Liu Xuan couldn't figure it out, and in truth, Yin Lizhi couldn't either. She looked at Liu Xuan with her watery eyes and said in a pitifully low voice, "The Daoist Lord ordered me to come. I really don't know!"

"However!" Yin Lizhi leaned closer to Liu Xuan, a look of contemplation appearing on her small face. "The Daoist Lords of the Sect's four lineages sent people to the Southern Border simultaneously. It's definitely not to expand business or spread the Sect's teachings. I suspect something might be happening in the Southern Border!"

"A great treasure appearing, a Secret Realm opening, Yao Race movements..." To show her loyalty to Liu Xuan, Yin Lizhi listed every possibility she could think of.

Not only that, Yin Lizhi told Liu Xuan everything—how many subordinates she brought, where they were currently stationed, and what her future plans were.

Fearing Liu Xuan wouldn't believe her, she continued, "Tomorrow, I'll bring over the Disciples from the Yin-Yang Branch I brought with me. If you don't believe me, you can interrogate them directly. If I've told a single lie, you may dispose of me however you wish."

At that moment, Liu Xiaowan also opened her eyes from her cultivation. "Saint, from now on, my Red Dust Branch will also follow your commands. Everything I know, I will tell you without reservation!"

After tasting the sweetness, Yin Lizhi and Liu Xiaowan couldn't care less about Sect missions or Elders' orders; they only wanted to secure Liu Xuan's trust first.

In their current situation, even if Liu Xuan asked them to betray the Joyous Union Sect and join the Beast Taming Sect immediately, the two women would consider it, and there was a high probability they would agree.

The effects of the Yin-Yang Joyous Union Secret Technique were too good, and the temptation was too great!

Ordinary female Cultivators would find it hard to refuse such temptation, let alone Saintesses of the Joyous Union Sect like them.

...

The next day.

Liu Xuan sent people to incorporate the Joyous Union Sect Cultivators brought by Yin Lizhi and Liu Xiaowan into the Merchant Alliance's forces, while also sending members of the Lingshu Pavilion to infiltrate them and gather intelligence.

Liu Xuan also had arrangements for Yin Lizhi and Liu Xiaowan. Their temporary task was to act as teachers for some of the Concubines in the backyard, responsible for teaching them the Yin-Yang Joyous Union Secret Technique.

Furthermore, Liu Xuan didn't let Saint Daughter Gu Yujing and Dong Xiangjun go to waste. He sent You Ruo, who was at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, to contact them in her capacity as the Vice Alliance Leader of the Merchant Alliance to discuss cooperation and probe for information about the Joyous Union Sect.

The conflicts between the four lineages of the Joyous Union Sect were not small. By making good use of this, gathering intelligence would be much easier and more credible.

"Do your best and leave the rest to fate!"

Liu Xuan wasn't too worried about the Joyous Union Sect's current strength; he was just curious about their underlying purpose. After doing everything he could, he didn't force things further and enjoyed his life in peace every day.

Half a year later.

The backyard of the Liu Residence.

Decadent music echoed in the courtyard, and countless dancers in bright silk dresses danced to the music. A faint fragrance of flowers drifted with the wind, making it seem like a paradise on earth.

Liu Xiaowan wore a bright silver, draped silk dress. The smooth fabric shimmered like water as it fell naturally, outlining her perfect curves.

Draped silk dresses were special clothes Liu Xuan had created based on his memories from his past life, and they had extremely high requirements for a woman's figure.

"Husband!" Liu Xiaowan spun around on her tiptoes and threw herself into Liu Xuan's arms, acting spoiled. "This dress is so beautiful, thank you."

Liu Xiaowan truly lived up to her title as the Saintess of the Joyous Union Sect's Red Dust Branch; she was a professional when it came to pleasure.

Since she entered the household, Bai Shan had become her assistant. The song and dance troupe had been completely retrained by her, and everything in the courtyard now was her arrangement.

Liu Xuan's large hand gently caressed the cool yet warm dress. He was just about to relax when he saw Lvluo rush in hurriedly.

"Husband, something happened!"

"My son has been contracted as a Spirit Beast!"

Lvluo, who was usually steady and calm, had a face full of anxiety and anger. It was the first time Liu Xuan had seen her with such an expression.