Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

After confirming that there was no falsehood or malice in Zhu Qixian's words, Chu Lingci pursed his lips slightly, revealing a stunningly beautiful smile.

"Then it's a deal."

At the same time, Chu Lingci winked playfully at Ning Yuan.

"Please keep this matter a secret for us, Young Master Ning. If you ever need anything from us in the future, we will certainly not refuse."

This little beauty, who had been quiet and aloof like a sculpture for days, finally revealed a stunning beauty that was not tolerated by the mortal world.

Ning Yuan smiled and said, "How could I refuse what Fairy Chu requests? Of course, there's no problem."

"Then thank you very much, Young Master Ning."

Chu Lingci's clear black and white pupils reflected the young man's handsome face, and she couldn't help but think to herself, "Young Master Ning may not be a true gentleman, but at least he has never done anything truly outrageous to her."

Moreover, he generously forgave Senior Sister Zhu for her exploitation.

Even a clay figure has some temper, so why is this famous and unscrupulous son of the imperial advisor willing to tolerate it again and again?

Chu Lingci couldn't help but steal another glance at Ning Yuan, and their eyes met the young man's calm gaze.

Oh, she was wrong. She should know the thoughts of the son of the Grand Preceptor of Dali better than anyone else.

The girl awkwardly looked away, her mind wandering, filled with thoughts of the other person's warm interactions with her over the past few days.

seeing is believing.

Indeed, this is the best way to understand a person's whole character.

People are complex. Even a devout practitioner like Sister Zhu can go astray, let alone others.

A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. As long as there is still a possibility of redemption and change, Chu Lingci would not mind giving Ning Yuan a hand.

Of course, it would have been even better if the boy had been more forthright in his invitation.

...

...

In order not to disturb the relationship between the other senior and junior sisters, Ning Yuan kindly withdrew from the courtyard.

After waiting a moment, the courtyard gate opened again, and Zhu Qixian, looking calm, slowly walked out.

Ning Yuan stood in the pavilion, gazing at the scenery of this vast mansion.

He asked casually, "What are your thoughts?"

Zhu Qixian lowered her head and replied, "Junior Sister Chu has a clear mind, which I am ashamed of. Her selection as the chief of the Sword Sect is well-deserved."

Ning Yuan didn't take it seriously and continued to ask, "Oh, anything else?"

"besides……"

Zhu Qixian suddenly knelt before Ning Yuan and said earnestly, "This servant, Zhu Qixian, will serve you wholeheartedly from now on, not only in private but also in public, as your bed warmer."

"Ha ha……"

Ning Yuan chuckled twice, feigning flippancy, and said, "A bed warmer is fine, but I still think the identity of a true disciple of the Sword Sect suits you better, and has more... charm."

Zhu Qixian pursed her lips slightly, revealing a charming smile, and said happily, "Whatever Master wants me to do, I will do."

"Good, very good. I like a sensible and lovable woman like you. You deserve a reward!"

Ning Yuan flipped his hand, and a jade slip appeared instantly. He tossed it to Zhu Qixian, and only after she caught it did he speak:

"Sword cultivators cultivate external techniques and internal spirit. Ultimately, it all boils down to two words: unwavering conviction. The stronger one's belief, the higher the realm one can reach. And his conviction is no less than anyone else's, not even Chu Lingci's!"

Ning Yuan walked back, brushing past Zhu Qixian, and continued to explain, "You seem to have no talent, but in reality, you are troubled by external things and burdened by insufficient resources for cultivation. This is the Jade Cicada Heart Sutra, a supreme method for honing sword intent and accumulating divine consciousness. Take it and cultivate it well, and never pass it on to others. I hope that one day I can see my own bed warmer maidservant able to subdue all the immortals of the sects and stand out from the crowd."

Zhu Qixian remained seated for a long time after Ning Yuan disappeared from sight.

He even forgot to ask if there were any backups of the photo stone.

Of course, there's no need for that; she's already Ning Yuan's woman.

Even though she is still a disciple of the Taiyi Sword Sect, after this incident, Zhu Qixian has been branded with Ning Yuan's mark.

From now on, who knows what Ning Yuan will make her do?

Zhu Qixian stared intently at the jade slip in her hand, without the slightest doubt about Ning Yuan's words.

Although the other party said they coveted her, the Fairy Lingyin alone was a thousand times better than herself. In front of the son of the Grand Preceptor of Dali, she was indeed nothing. To truly catch his eye, one would have to be at least someone like Chu Lingci.

But can I really do it?

Zhu Qixian only came to her senses when she heard Chu Lingci's faint call.

She carefully put away the jade slip, then tidied herself up, put on a pitiful and self-loathing expression, stood up, and walked around the courtyard.

The matter of the Taiyi Sword Sect has been resolved, but Ning Yuan did not order the release of the formation restricting Chu Lingci's courtyard.

Therefore, Chu Lingci could only stay obediently inside the door, completely unaware of what deal his senior sister and Ning Yuan had made.

Meanwhile, Ning Yuan was contentedly calculating his gains.

"Ah, a jade cicada in hand."

Ning Yuan would never be so kind as to hand over a precious secret technique simply to win people's hearts.

It should be understood that the law should not be passed on lightly.

This involves not only numerous taboos, but also the power of cause and effect, and the predetermined fate of heaven. Once tainted, one cannot escape its influence.

Each method has its own origin, and it may have been created by an ancient immortal as a sect's secret. Once discovered, the consequences are unpredictable.

Since the ancient Heavenly Court unified the universe, the inheritance of the heavens has had a standard, a yardstick.

The first difference lies in the methods of cultivation, which can be categorized into three types: techniques, scriptures, and secret methods.

Techniques are the skills and methods of practitioners to defend themselves against enemies.

True scriptures are the fundamental methods for practitioners, having the effect of condensing true energy and magical power; they are the foundation of cultivation.

Among them, techniques have levels, and true scriptures have superior and inferior ones. Only secret methods are special. Not only are they extremely rare, but they can also be started from scratch and continued to be practiced as one's cultivation level improves.

For example, the Jade Cicada Heart Sutra is an incomplete secret manual. Its full name is the Great Desire Moon Demon Jade Cicada Supreme Heart Sutra.

Yes, this is a secret technique of the demonic path.

This secret method is divided into two parts: the Moon Demon Heart Sutra and the Jade Cicada Heart Sutra.

Ning Yuan was not lying. Cultivating the Jade Cicada Chapter can indeed hone one's sword intent, but the cultivator will establish a karmic relationship with the one who teaches them.

If the one who imparts the Dao also cultivates the Moon Demon Chapter, he can use this causal relationship to continuously collect the power of vows from those who cultivate the Jade Cicada Heart Sutra, and use it to condense the Moon Demon Form.

Once the moon magic is successfully condensed, it will have endless uses.

Furthermore, the more exceptional the talent of the person cultivating the Jade Cicada Heart Sutra, the more powerful the Moon Demon they will condense.

Just like that, as soon as Ning Yuan closed his eyes, he could vaguely sense a nascent, tender power flowing into his body through an invisible, blurry connection in the void.

The source of that connection was from the direction of Zhu Qixian.

"Unfortunately, Chu Lingci is too conspicuous and has powerful protectors. If the Jade Cicada Heart Sutra is passed on to her, she will probably see through it immediately, so it won't be of much use."

Ning Yuan thought this to himself, but he did not feel sorry for her, because he knew that Zhu Qixian's future achievements would not be inferior to Chu Lingci's.

Even if Zhu Qixian herself might not believe in herself, she must be a person of great fortune and great talent to achieve the status of a Demon Lord.

Based on some information he learned later, Ning Yuan guessed that the reason for his rise to prominence was probably related to the great opportunity that would come some time later.

As he pondered this, Ning Yuan paused in his steps.

"Da Qiao, how long have you been watching?"

As if appearing out of thin air, Qiao Shuang materialized in front of Ning Yuan, less than three feet away.

She looked at the handsome young man, who remained calm and composed, with a complex expression, and silently replied, "I've always been here from the very beginning."