Emerging from the sect leader's hall, Nan Gongling felt her mind reeling.
How could the "opportunity" her master spoke of be… this?
Even Liu Ruyan's century-spanning breakthrough to Spirit Transformation now made grotesque sense. The revelation had nearly shattered Nan Gongling's convictions. This was the sect's darkest secret.
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword. As a practitioner of the Heartless Sword Dao, the idea of dual cultivation revolted her. Such acts would corrode her sword heart, rendering her blade dull and spirit fractured. Yet how could she refuse? Her life belonged to Liu Ruyan—and the sect's rise was paramount.
A cold wind bit through her robes as she stared into the void behind her blindfold. Duty before desire. Even death would be simpler than this betrayal.
Midnight. Demon Locking Prison.
A cloaked figure slipped through the prison gates, the Sect Leader's Token glowing faintly in her palm. Torches flared to life along the corridor, rousing caged beasts into growling frenzy.
Nan Gongling ignored them, her steps echoing as she descended deeper. The path twisted like a serpent's spine, leading to a cavernous chamber at the prison's heart.
There, she found him.
Ning Chen lounged on a lavish bed, his sharp eyes narrowing as she entered. "Who are you?"
"Your junior sister," she replied stiffly, removing her hood to reveal a face as cold as jade. "Nan Gongling, Master's second disciple."
His laugh was brittle. "Ah. Another pawn for Liu Ruyan's games. What does she want now?"
Nan Gongling's throat tightened. "She… commands us to dual cultivate. To help me reach the Golden Core Realm."
Ning Chen froze, then barked a humorless laugh. "Dual cultivate? Am I a communal tool now?"
Before he could curse her away, a voice chimed in his mind:
[Detected nearby talent: Sun-Moon Divine Eyes (神通 – 日月神瞳).]
[Detected nearby talent: Heartless Sword Heart (天赋 – 无情剑心).]
What?
Ning Chen's fury faltered. The system's alert flickered like a lifeline. Copy her talents? His gaze swept over Nan Gongling—her blindfold, her rigid posture, the tremor in her sword hand.
"You're blind," he stated bluntly.
"Irrelevant." Her voice hardened. "My sword needs no eyes."
"And your master needs no shame." He leaned back, smirking. "Tell me, junior sister—does your precious 'Heartless Sword Dao' teach you how to beg?"
Nan Gongling's jaw clenched. "I do not beg. I obey."
"Of course you do." Ning Chen's tone dripped with mock pity. "Liu Ruyan's loyal hound. Tell me—does she leash you during hunts, or is the collar invisible?"
Her sword hissed from its sheath, pressing against his throat. "Do not insult my master."
He didn't flinch. "Or what? You'll kill me? Go ahead. Let's see how Liu Ruyan rewards you for breaking her favorite toy."
Silence stretched.
Slowly, Nan Gongling lowered her blade. "I… cannot defy her."
"But you want to." Ning Chen's eyes glinted. "I can taste your disgust. Your fear."
"I fear nothing."
"Liar." He gestured to her trembling hand. "Your sword heart is cracking. One push, and—"
"Enough!" She sheathed the blade, turning away. "Prepare yourself. We begin at dawn."
As she strode out, Ning Chen's smirk faded. The system's prompt glowed in his vision:
[Replicate "Sun-Moon Divine Eyes"?]
[Replicate "Heartless Sword Heart"?]
Well well, he mused. This might be fun.