Within the grand hall.
“As an immortal guard under me, you will gain countless resources, all sorts of precious treasures, and various cultivation methods. You can have them all,” the silver-armored woman continued.
“What a first-rate sect can offer, I can also offer. What a first-rate sect can’t offer, I can also provide.”
“In the future, once I complete my Tribulation, achieve immortality, and rule over various spacetime planes, establishing an immortal continent or even an immortal nation, you too can be conferred a noble ranking and establish your own sect as my immortal guard,” Zhuo Haiyue looked down at Wu Yuan, her cold eyes carrying a hint of tenderness and even expectation.
Wu Yuan was a bit dazed. He had many guesses about what this beautiful and mysterious woman wanted to speak to him about. But inviting him to join her following was not one of them.
Immortal guard? A protector?
From what he could tell so far, this silver-armored woman, Zhuo Haiyue, seemed to have an immensely high status and was a significant figure even throughout the immortal continent.
Though she was at the Amethyst Cradle phase, a super powerhouse that could summon a mana body was willing to heed her commands. It was clear she had an astonishing background.
Her tone was also shockingly confident. What a first-rate sect couldn’t provide, she could?
There were only a few dozen first-rate sects across the entire immortal continent, each with a profound heritage, a long history, and numerous powerhouses in every generation.
According to the information Wu Yuan found in the library, having a Tribulation cultivator in their ranks was just the minimum requirement for a first-rate sect. Many second-rate sects had more than one Tribulation stage cultivator, but they were still considered second-rate.
Moreover, from the realm master, Wu Yuan knew how powerful the Hou Feng Tribe was in its prime. A first-rate sect was on the same level as the Hou Feng Tribe in its heyday.
However, despite Zhuo Haiyue’s enticing words, Wu Yuan didn’t want to be an immortal guard or whatever. It was an instinctive aversion.
“Your Highness Haiyue, forgive my ignorance, but what exactly are an immortal guard’s duties?” Wu Yuan asked respectfully.
Even if he wanted to refuse, he needed to find a reasonable excuse to do so. Outright angering her was not wise.
“Don’t worry, an immortal guard may include the word ‘guard’, but it does not refer to a group of bodyguards or servants,” Zhuo Haiyue said indifferently. “More accurately, they are my followers.”
“They will pledge their loyalty to me. As of now, I am still in the midst of my cultivation journey. When I grow more powerful in the future and battle in various spacetimes, my immortal guards will join me in battle,” Zhuo Haiyue said. “In return, I will provide you with abundant resources for your cultivation.”
“You may already have some background and received an inheritance,” Zhuo Haiyue said. “But that is no issue. My existence is destined to surpass your backing.”
“As long as you don’t provoke an Archimmortal, I can settle a dispute with any enemy on your behalf, even if it’s a Tribulation High Immortal, as long as you are loyal to me,” Zhuo Haiyue said with utmost seriousness.
Wu Yuan was stunned. With the confidence in her tone, coupled with her previous actions, her identity was obvious – a high-ranking official of the Redmoon Immortal Hall.
The hall went completely silent.
“Your Highness,” Wu Yuan began in a low voice, “If I were to join the ranks of the immortal guard, would I have any chance of regaining my freedom in the future?”
Zhuo Haiyue’s response was cool and detached, “I do not impose excessive restrictions on my subordinates, but as one of my immortal guards, you are required to take an oath of unwavering loyalty. Without my consent, you will not be able to leave the guard.”
“Moreover, why would you wish to leave? As my power grows, so too will the benefits bestowed upon my immortal guard, and therefore your personal benefits.” Zhuo Haiyue looked down at Wu Yuan.
Understanding dawned on Wu Yuan. In other words, an immortal guard was just a different type of servant, one that enjoyed a position of prestige and power, but was bound in servitude nonetheless.
Wu Yuan knew what his decision was.
“Your Highness,” Wu Yuan’s tone was neither deferential nor arrogant, “I am beyond grateful that you rescued me from the Tu Family’s wrath, but the role of an immortal guard is one I cannot accept.”
Before his final word faded, two crimson-clad figures erupted in fury.
“Impudent!”
“The audacity to reject Her Highness’s offer!” The two figures standing beside Wu Yuan glared at him with a chilling intensity, their wills pressing down on his soul, as though to completely suffocate him.
Boom! Boom! Their pressure crashed into Wu Yuan’s soul like tidal waves, causing it to tremble non-stop. Despite the overwhelming force, his will remained steadfast, and he endured the onslaught with gritted teeth.
“You dare refuse me?” Each word from Zhuo Haiyue was a frosted dagger. “Joining my immortal guard is an honor sought by countless powerhouses. Yet you dare reject my invitation?”
“Do you understand the consequences of your rejection?”
“Death!” Zhuo Haiyue’s gaze bore into Wu Yuan, her eyes filled with a chilling intent that seemed to pierce his very essence, freezing him to the core.
What terrifying oppression! Such immense killing intent.
Wu Yuan realized that Zhuo Haiyue must have faced battles of unimaginable magnitude to attain such a powerful consciousness and unyielding will. Though she was only an Amethyst Cradle cultivator, ordinary Amethyst Cradle cultivators couldn’t compare to her.
“Li Xia, since I value your talent, I will offer you another chance.” Zhuo Haiyue’s tone dropped several degrees colder. “Will you join my immortal guard?”
“If you agree, you shall live. If not, you shall die.” The word ‘die’ hung heavy in the air, as though hammering into Wu Yuan’s heart, evoking a primal fear.
Since soft tactics failed, she switched over to coercion? Refusal to submit means death? Wu Yuan’s mind raced. This Zhuo Haiyue is actually this ruthless?
If temporary submission leads to future freedom, then perhaps it is acceptable. But to be a permanent servant? Wu Yuan’s pride refused to allow him to accept such a fate. He didn’t mind lowering his head occasionally, as it was inevitable in the world of cultivation.
By joining a sect or aligning oneself with a faction, one had the chance to rise through the ranks one day to assume a position of leadership. As for being taken in by a master, one would eventually graduate from discipleship. But to become a servant, to surrender one’s agency to someone else?
Tolerating occasional backing down for the sake of future growth is one thing. But if I submit for the sake of living today, I will be trapped as a servant for eternity.
Once the role of a servant becomes ingrained in my being, such an identity will be nearly impossible to shed. Wu Yuan made his decision.
If he could never hold his head high, then he refused to bow at all.
…
Inside the grand hall, heavy killing intent continued to suppress Wu Yuan.
“Choose, Li Xia,” Zhuo Haiyue’s voice cut through the air, sharp and cold like a goddess of death, poised to strike at any moment.
Under such pressure, even the average Amethyst Cradle cultivator would quiver in fear. Yet, Wu Yuan stood firm, his jaw clenched in defiance.
“Your Highness Haiyue,” his voice was strained but resolute. “If you wish to kill me, I will not resist. But if you wish for my servitude, I would rather die.”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Even the usually stoic black-robed figure showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He didn’t expect Wu Yuan to persist under the threat of death.
Wu Yuan closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable.
Death? He wasn’t afraid. When he set foot on the immortal continent, he knew the risk he was taking. In the pursuit of immortality, one had to be prepared for the worst. The path of immortal cultivation was littered with the bones of geniuses and powerhouses. How many of them died without anyone knowing?
Dying as a speck of dust was the norm; dying in a blaze of glory was a rare privilege.
Suddenly, a peal of laughter broke the tense atmosphere. Zhuo Haiyue’s smile dispelled the murderous aura that had gripped the hall, returning everything to normalcy. Her cold gaze softened.
“Li Xia, you have proven yourself worthy of my friendship,” she declared.
Wu Yuan’s eyes snapped open, astonishment written across his face.
Friendship? Truly, Her Highness Haiyue’s moods were completely erratic. One moment she threatened him with death, the next, she wanted to be his friend.
“I, Zhuo Haiyue, do not compel allegiance,” her tone was gentler now, her eyes kinder. “Had you submitted willingly, you would have been welcomed into my ranks as an immortal guard.”
“But,” she continued, her voice firm, “those who yield only under the threat of death will be killed. Only those brave enough to stand strong in the face of death will earn my respect, and are eligible to become my friends.”
“True friends,” Zhuo Haiyue’s smile was warm.
Wu Yuan offered a bitter smile in return. Truly, Her Highness Haiyue’s logic was… unconventional.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Wu Yuan cupped his hands.
He was no fool. If he could live, why would he seek death willingly?
“Li Xia,” Zhuo Haiyue’s tone was casual, “Which sect are you from? The Dark Earth Sword Path is a prevalent teaching, but most second-rate sects are unable to acquire it.”
A flicker of unease stirred within Wu Yuan. Was she probing for details?
“Your Highness, I am unaffiliated with any sect,” Wu Yuan shook his head. “I intend to join a sect on the Immortal Continent.”
This was his carefully considered response. If he fabricated a background? With the resources and influence at her disposal, she could easily uncover any falsehood. It was futile to deceive her; he might as well speak the truth.
“No sect?” Zhuo Haiyue’s surprise was evident, but she smiled knowingly. “Do you have a master to guide you? It is no small feat to reach your level of cultivation without a renowned master.”
“I have no master,” Wu Yuan shook his head.
Though the realm master had imparted some wisdom, he was not a true master. In matters of understanding the Dao and cultivation teachings, he relied solely on his own efforts.
“Is that so?” Zhuo Haiyue’s voice was thoughtful.