Han Rui sighed as he slowly stood up, “Not bad, she’s surprisingly better than some elders and a few of our rising stars. Maybe she’s indeed worth investing in,” Han Rui muttered softly.

[Why not look for someone with a better qualification?]

Han Rui rolled his eyes while shaking his head, “Super Trash is the highest qualification you have ever given anyone. Where am I supposed to find someone that you’d deem worthy?” he said with a sigh.

[It’s not my fault my standards are high!]

Han Rui slyly rolled his eyes, “Yeah, sure.” Then he continued, “I knew it was only a matter of time before the other clans started paying attention to us. To be honest, I expected them to have acted sooner. I need to prepare if I want to continue my easy life.”

[Then again, do you really need her? She tried to kill you; you know?]

“I’m too lazy to find someone else,” Han Rui explained dryly. “Her qualification is decent enough, and her status is high enough in the Su clan.”

[So, how do you intend to go about it?]

Han Rui chuckled, a roguish smile parting his lips, “I’ll use the carrot and stick approach, of course. She should already be reaching her limits within the illusion formation.”

Meanwhile, within the formation, Su Meixue crouched while holding tightly to her now chipped flying sword. Although she bled profusely from multiple deep cuts, her limpid eyes roamed the area as if searching for someone or something. Unlike before, hundreds of dismembered corpses lay on the floor, painting the polished wood with a viscous hue.

How long have I been fighting? I can’t tell the time anymore. I’ll surely die if this continues.

Su Meixue tapped on her space ring, and a small pill appeared in her hand. Without hesitation, she swallowed the blood-smeared pill, and a wave of qi surged throughout her body.

That’s my last qi restoration pill. I really need to find a way to leave this place, Meixue pondered silently as she stood up. She sprinted toward the exit again, unleashing a greater burst of speed.

“I can reach it,” she muttered, unable to mask the joy in her eyes. The formation must be reaching its limit, she believed as she increased her running speed.

In a flash, she reached the exit. The blood-soaked cultivator kicked open the door, and a distinct crack akin to shattering glass echoed in the hall, and the world around her swirled, as if being devoured by a rampaging black hole.

“Hello? Aren’t you going to wake up?” Han Rui’s voice echoed within the mind of the cultivator.

That voice. Isn’t that young master Han’s voice? Meixue forced her labored eyes open, and a familiar sight greeted them. This time, the nauseating stench of fresh blood had dissipated, and there wasn’t a mountain of mangled corpses surrounding her.

“Am I back?” Su Meixue muttered underneath her breath as she locked gazes with Han Rui through her hat. The young man wore a smile as he reclined casually in his seat. His right hand fiddled with the pulsating illumination crystal, while the other silently glided across the table’s surface. She subconsciously turned toward the exit, no longer able to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Han Rui chuckled while readjusting his sitting position, “Don’t worry, this isn’t an—”

Meixue exploded out of her seat, and the needle appeared in her hand a second time. An intense qi wave gathered around its frosty tip as it raced toward Han Rui’s neck. She thrust the needle with all her might, and a crisp clank echoed as the needle struck Han Rui’s neck, shattering on the spot.

“What?!” Su Meixue blurted out; her quivering eyes focused on the nonchalant youth.

An ethereal weapon shattered just like that. How? Meixue took a step back, her eyes shifting between the remnants of the shattered needle and Han Rui, who wore a somewhat indifferent smile.

“You don’t hesitate, huh?” Han Rui sighed as he stood up. “I have other engagements later, so let’s make this quick.”

Meixue turned to flee; however, a strange surge of qi wrapped around the cultivator, restricting her movement.

“Y-You can cultivate?” she stuttered as Han Rui approached.

“I wish,” Han Rui sighed, shaking his head as he waved the pulsating illumination crystal. “It’s a long story, but it’s all thanks to this,” he said, stopping a foot away from the masked lady. “Like I said, I have other engagements later on, so I hope you’ll cooperate with me.”

“Young master, while I admit your treasure is indeed spectacular, even if you torture me I won’t—”

Han Rui interjected, “Whoa! Let me stop you right there.” He pressed his thumb on the illumination crystal, and an azure glow filled the room, transforming it into a grassy paradise stretching as far as the eyes could see. Then, Han Rui continued, “I have absolutely no intention of torturing or killing you. Frankly, I’m too lazy to do that.”

Han Rui took a step forward, and Su Meixue retreated with a step.

I can move again, Meixue thought while observing the approaching youth. But I won’t be able to kill myself if this is another wicked illusion.

Lost in her thoughts, Han Rui’s voice suddenly echoed. “First of all, I’m sure the Su clan must have placed some restrictions on you to stop you from talking about certain matters. Don’t worry, none of that matters here. I’m not even interested in whatever plot the Su clan is cooking,” Han Rui explained with a casual smile.

“W-What do you want then?” Meixue took another step back while observing her surroundings. Naturally, she didn’t believe a single word of what the young man said, but she needed to play along.

“I really don’t care about your mission here or what you plan on doing with the crooked soul or whatever, but I have an offer for you. One I think you’d very much like.”

Han Rui reached into his inner robes before retrieving seven white beads which had different engravings on their surfaces. Meixue stared at the beads for a moment, but she didn’t pay much mind to them.

Is he trying to trap me here until help arrives? She pondered silently. But could he be telling the truth? I have tried detonating the soul lock, and there’s no response. What sort of formation can restrict the Su clan’s soul lock?

Lost in her thoughts, Han Rui raised the seven beads which were placed in between his fingers, “How about ditching the Su clan and come work for me?”

“What?” Meixue doubted her own hearing.

“I said come work for me,” Han Rui repeated with a smile. “Although your qualifications aren’t good enough right now, it isn’t irredeemable. Look at these beads, tell me which one you like best,” Han Rui said as he tossed the seven beads toward the stunned girl.

Su Meixue absentmindedly caught the beads, her stunned gaze still lingering on Han Rui.

Does he really think I’m stupid? She didn’t believe a word. No, there must be something more sinister at play here. She focused on the beads. Apart from their slightly squishy texture, they were far too ordinary.

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Could it be that they’re all different types of poisons, and he’s telling me to choose how I’d die? The more she thought about it, the more she believed her conjecture to be true. She raised her head toward Han Rui, who continued smiling. I guess this is karma. I can’t complain. I did try to harvest his soul after all, Su Meixue sighed, but there was no hate, anger, or regret in her limpid eyes.

She touched her hat, and the contraption quickly unraveled itself, revealing her scarred face.

“Oof. I forgot about your face,” Han Rui commented from the side.

He rummaged through his robes again, before tossing a pill to the confused girl. “I don’t know if you have always had that, or if it’s something the Su clan did to keep you in check. Well, it doesn’t matter. That pill should help you out, if you know what I mean,” Han Rui said with a sly wink.

He really is planning on poisoning me to death, Su Meixue thought as she stared at the blackened pill which had miniature depictions of skulls on its surface.

“Don’t worry, young master, I understand,” Su Meixue said after a brief silence.

“Fantastic,” Han Rui said, “So, have you decided which one you’re going with?”

“It doesn’t matter, young master. My fate is already sealed.”

“Uh, what?” Han Rui blurted out; his confusion evident.

Meixue paused for a moment, then she continued, “I know it’s impertinent of me to ask this of you, but can you bury me in the village a thousand miles away the Azure Cloud sect?”

“What the heck are you talking about? Why are you talking like you’re dying or something?” Han Rui asked, more confused than before.

“Young master, there’s no need to pretend anymore. I will gladly swallow the poison you gave me. I know my request is brazen, but I’d like to be buried in the spot where my—”

Han Rui interjected, “Hold on a second. I told you I want to recruit, so why in God’s name would I poison you?” The young man massaged his temples while shaking his head. “Why do you cultivators like jumping to baseless conclusions?”

Su Meixue’s brows creased as she heard Han Rui’s statement. As a cultivator, she could easily pick up on even the faintest of whispers.

She stared at the beads and the pill once more, what are these if they aren’t deadly poisons? She pondered silently.

“I can’t believe I’ve to be the one to say it, but please send your qi into them,” Han Rui whispered from the side.

Oh. I understand now. Since I tried to harvest his soul, he’s trying to take me out in a similar way. My soul should implode as soon as I send my qi into any one of the beads. Then, the black pill will probably corrode my body from the inside, she thought.

Meixue raised her head toward Han Rui again, and he urged her to inspect the beads with a gentle nod and a thumbs up.

There’s no point delaying the inevitable. I guess this is it, Meixue firmed her resolve. She took a deep breath, before sending her qi into the fifth bead.

Han Rui and the lush grassland disappeared. Meixue found herself before a blackened void; her trembling eyes focused on the majestic silver moon. The moon’s radiance washed over her, cleansing, and transforming every fiber of her being. Stars lit up the darkness, exploding one after the other as if to acknowledge her presence.

She floated motionlessly in place, her eyes filled with an indiscernible gleam.

“Moonlight Serenity Physique,” she muttered softly, and the vast expanse disappeared.

Meixue blinked multiple times, turning from side to side, noticing she had returned to the grass field. Did that just happen?

She raised her head toward Han Rui, who remained in the same position from earlier. However, she quickly focused on the beads once more. This time, she sent her qi into the first one.

Once again, Han Rui and the vast illusionary space disappeared, consumed by a raging inferno. Towering flames enveloped the young woman, but she neither felt heat, burns, nor pain. Instead, her warm gaze lingered on the soaring fire as a mother would stare at her child.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the licking flames, “Child, come closer.”

Meixue took gentle steps into the inferno, and the curious fire seemed to wrap around her body as if to greet her. She took ten steps before pausing, and right there, a behemoth creature stood.

How can something be this beautiful? Meixue thought, her quivering eyes lingering on the crimson feathers coating the creature's body. Although she could only see its feet, she could feel its intense gaze focused on her.

A rogue flame shot into Meixue's forehead, and she winced.

“Phoenix Flame Bloodline,” she muttered softly. In a flash, the vast world of flames disappeared, and she returned to the grassland.

Wasting no time, and burning with unquenchable desire and curiosity, she sent her qi into the second bead.

Where am I this time? Meixue pondered, her curious eyes observing her new surroundings.

Water, blackened by the night, stretched as far as the eyes could see, and she weightlessly sank deeper into the seemingly bottomless abyss.

Is this what it’s like to become one with water? she thought as she gently and listlessly sank deeper into the unforgiving sea. Although darkness shrouded her vision, she could sense the surrounding waters swaying according to her whims.

Water Nymph Essence… such a carefree physique, Su Meixue thought to herself.

The illusionary world disappeared, and the young lady returned to the grass field.

Meixue sent her qi into the next bead, and the one after that and the one after that, until she had experienced all seven beads. The entire experience lasted for only one hour, but the young cultivator believed she had experienced several lifetimes worth of experiences.

Her fiery eyes lingered on Han Rui, and she instantly fell on her knees. “Y-Young master, with the heavens as my witness, me and the last of my generations will serve you until the end of time itself. Should I break this vow, my soul will shatter and never to reincarnate,” Su Meixue said solemnly.

The skies outside the manor darkened, and lightning snaked through the blackened heavens. Several members of the Han clan watched as a black lightning bolt descended from the transformed skies, and like that, the vibrant hue of the heavens returned.

Meanwhile, within the illusionary space, Han Rui wore a frown as he stared at Meixue.

Why are these cultivators so extra? I only asked her to choose a physique so that she can work better, who asked her to make a heavenly oath? He massaged his brows while taking deep breaths. That guy will be going on a rampage outside the manor right now. I didn’t want to see that bastard anytime soon.

Meixue remained in the same kneeling position with her head bowed. All traces of her previous indifference and subtly arrogance had all disappeared.

“You didn’t really have to make a heavenly oath, but what’s done is done,” Han Rui said with a sigh. “Please get up—”

Su Meixue interjected, “I apologize young master, but I’m not worthy to stand in your presence. If it was possible, I would bury myself in the earth while you ride the clouds.”

Han Rui smacked his forehead. I thought she was normal. Did I make a mistake?

He took a deep breath before continuing, “Okay. So, which of them do you like the most?”

“Young master, someone of my status and aptitude isn’t deserving of these immortal grade physiques—”

“For crying out loud, that’s not what I asked you. Just tell me which one you like the most?” Han Rui interjected.

Meixue hesitated for a moment, “Young master, although I’m compatible with all of them, I believe I have a greater affinity with the Silent Shadow physique.”

All seven beads, apart from the sixth bead, wiggled in Meixue’s hand. Cracks slowly lined their surfaces as they emitted ethereal essence which the sixth bead greedily absorbed. Growing larger and larger to the size of a small pearl. A pitch-black glossy sheen coated its exterior, and an undiscernible golden mark ran along the length of the expanded bead.

“The Silent Shadow physique,” Han Rui said excitedly. “I won,” he said mentally.

[The host was lucky this time!]

“I don’t want to hear it, pay up!” Han Rui said mentally.

[200 fame points have been added to the host’s fame points!]

Han Rui’s smile turned even brighter as he saw the system’s message. What a huge pull. My luck is rather good today, Han Rui thought as he stroked his chin.

He focused on Su Meixue again. Since she has pledged a heavenly oath, I won’t need to do anything else. All that is left is for her to go to that place and unlock her new physique. After that, I’ll explain her role to her.

He then turned his attention to Meixue’s palm, his eyes lingering on the pill with miniature skulls etched on its surface. Taking a closer look at it, I can understand why she thought it was poison.

“Keep the bead in your space ring for now. This place isn’t suitable to absorb it,” Han Rui advised.

“Yes, master,” Meixue said, and the bead instantly disappeared.

“You can take the other pill now or later. It will help with your condition,” Han Rui said.

The pill disappeared barely after Han Rui finished his statement. The young man strolled forward, stopping only when he towered over Meixue.

“From now on your name will be Shadow—”

[Jesus! Can’t you be any less cringey!]

Han Rui’s face reddened as a wave of embarrassment washed over him. Meanwhile, Meixue remained in the same position, patiently awaiting Han Rui’s commands.

“You don’t even know what I was about to say,” Han Rui said mentally, unable to hide his embarrassment “It was going to be freaking cool, and it matches her physique too.”

[Yeah, it's cool if you were eight. You were eighteen before you died, and you’re eighteen now. You’re too old for this!]

Han Rui’s face reddened more than ever. He opened his mouth to speak, but Meixue’s voice filled his ears, “Master, your servant, Shadow, awaits your orders!”

[….]

Han Rui’s face reddened even further.

“Ahem, come with me for now. We’ll discuss your duties after I’m done with my fight,” Han Rui said.

Su Meixue’s visage darkened. She couldn’t understand who in their right mind would fight someone as mysterious and powerful as Han Rui. However, whoever they may be, she considered them her enemy too.

“System, send us to the location of the fight,” Han Rui commanded mentally.

Instantly, an azure radiance covered the duo, and they disappeared from the grassland.

Meanwhile, outside the manor, a figure in black pranced around the entrance, occasionally banging on the door, “Let me in, you bastard! You’re doing this intentionally, right? How dare you make a vow and lock me out?!”