The voice seemed to descend from the nine heavens, yet it resonated deep within the soul, carrying an unquestionable authority that instantly filled every corner of the cave.
Qin Shuang trembled as her body surged with breakthrough energy, yet the storm of spiritual qi swirling around her did not waver. Slowly, she opened her eyes, bowed respectfully to the empty space ahead, and rose with measured grace.
She had transformed completely.
The once piercing aura was now restrained, yet every movement radiated a terrifying spiritual pressure, a natural consequence of her life-force leaping to a higher plane—a silent, invisible domain enveloping her entirely.
The First Level of Qi Refinement. This was true cultivation, the mark of a genuine immortal aspirant.
"Let us go," Qin Shuang said softly, glancing at Liu Meng, and took the lead toward the grand hall.
Liu Meng focused her mind, following closely behind.
The hall, vast and familiar, was already crowded. Every white-masked maidservant, whether guarding cells or attending tasks elsewhere, had gathered. Their heads bowed in fearful obedience, silent as shadows.
On the raised platform, Su Meier reclined lazily in red, a faint smile of satisfaction upon her flawless face, nodding at Qin Shuang.
"Not bad, Qin Shuang. You have not disappointed me," her voice was honeyed yet lethal in calm assurance. "You are the sixth maidservant to reach Qi Refinement. By our rules, I shall take you as my disciple. Do you accept?"
"Disciple Qin Shuang accepts!"
Without hesitation, she knelt with firm reverence, her tone steady and respectful, showing no trace of compulsion.
"Very well," Su Meier said, smiling with approval. With a flick of her delicate hand, an ancient tome, glowing faintly with ethereal blue light, appeared before her. "This is the complete Mystic Female Sutra (Xuanpin Jue). Today, it is yours."
Qin Shuang raised the book above her head, hands trembling with awe yet steady, receiving it with utmost respect.
Liu Meng, standing in the crowd's shadow, felt a surge of realization.
The complete version… could it be that all their previous cultivation was incomplete?
Su Meier's words clarified everything.
"Perhaps some of you do not yet understand," she said, eyes sweeping over the maidservants, calm and commanding. "The Mystic Female Sutra is the supreme art, divided into the 'Child Art' and the 'Mother Art.'
"All of you, even the men held here, practice the Child Art; only I cultivate the singular Mother Art."
"Those who practice the Child Art carry an invisible seal in their souls. For life itself, they remain bound to the one who practices the Mother Art—betrayal is impossible."
"Should they attempt it, with but a thought, I could annihilate their soul utterly, leaving them in eternal damnation."
"And yet…" Su Meier's smile grew sweeter, her words more merciless. "Half of the spiritual power generated by Child Art practitioners is siphoned to the Mother Art cultivator. In short, the faster you rise, the faster I ascend."
Liu Meng's eyes widened with understanding.
No wonder Qin Shuang had claimed a maidservant could never betray Su Meier. Soul-level control surpassed all poisons, traps, and bindings.
Not only were the Child Art practitioners slaves—they were fuel, vessels feeding the Mother Art's strength.
Luckily, Liu Meng's own cultivation of the Mystic Female Sutra was through her clone body; her death would be inconsequential.
Her true self remained untouched by Su Meier's control.
Clearly, the real body could no longer safely practice this technique. A new, secure cultivation method must be sought.
"Qin Shuang, you have entered Qi Refinement. The complete Mother Art tome is now yours," Su Meier said. "From now on, you may seek talented mortals and teach them the Child Art, making them your maidservants. But remember, even mastering the Mother Art, you remain my Child Art practitioner. Betrayal is impossible."
Qin Shuang's body trembled, and she bowed deeply. "Disciple understands and shall never betray Master."
Her expression calm, her true intent hidden—known only to herself.
"Rise. From this day, you are my sixth disciple. By sect rules, before departing, you may select ten men to accompany you—but mine may not be chosen."
Liu Meng froze.
She realized for the first time: such rules existed.
A crystal-clear thought surged into her mind: the path to leaving safely.
Escape? Impossible.Breaking out by force? Foolishness.
The only way: replicate Qin Shuang's path. Display extraordinary talent, condense ten threads of spiritual power, breakthrough the First Level of Qi Refinement, become Su Meier's disciple.
Then, the right to select ten men would belong to her too—allowing her to leave openly and legitimately, carrying her true body.
Liu Meng suppressed her excitement, revealing nothing. The plan was sound, but there could be no mistakes.
Following Su Meier's signal, Qin Shuang turned toward the prison passage.
The maidservants automatically parted, their eyes watching with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
Qin Shuang walked coldly down the corridor, casually scanning the prisoners.
"You.""And you.""You, step forward."
Those named were dragged to her side.
Single-occupancy cells were ignored—beyond her selection.
One, two, three… nine chosen swiftly.
Only one remained.
She approached the branch leading to Liu Ming's cell.
Liu Meng's heart skipped.
Following Qin Shuang, she watched intently, unsure if the senior sister would notice her unremarkable true body.
Time ticked on. Qin Shuang's steps halted in front of Liu Ming.
Her gaze swept every prisoner—the resentful man in the corner, the other pale-faced men.
Finally, her eyes locked on the young man sitting calmly with eyes closed.
Liu Ming.