The man did not dare to refuse.Perhaps it was because, on the way here, he had seen with his own eyes Liu Meng casually shatter a tiger's skull with a single slap.
Between "unknown danger" and "instant death," he chose the former.
Fortunately, the cave dwelling held no hidden traps. Half an hour later, the man crept out trembling, shook his head toward Liu Meng, and backed away.
Liu Meng smiled faintly, noted the thin, timid figure, and then lifted her foot to enter.
Indeed, the cave was devoid of danger—because anything of value had already been plundered.
There were not even bones left behind. After all, in the Xuanpin Sect, even corpses held value.
The only thing that needed cleansing was the dust and grime scattered across the hall.
Liu Meng did not bother forcing the exhausted men to clean. With a wave of her slender hand, spiritual power swept through the chamber, leaving it spotless once more.
She locked the men inside a cell, then returned to sit on the high platform. Drawing out the "Transmission Moon Token," she infused it with spiritual energy.
A moment later, Qin Shuang's voice echoed from within.
"Junior Sister, you settled in so quickly?"
"I have time now. Tell me your location and I will come immediately."
Liu Meng described the cave's position. Qin Shuang fell silent for a moment before replying, "I understand. I will arrive in three hours."
Three hours…
Liu Meng repeated the words silently.
On her way here, she had traveled slowly, pausing to care for mortals, resting several times. Even so, the journey had only taken her a day and a night.
But for cultivators, speed was something mortals could never compare to. If she abandoned the mortals and unleashed her full strength, she would not even need one hour to cover the same distance.
Yet Qin Shuang said she would need three.
Just how far was Qin Shuang's own cave dwelling from here?
Liu Meng sat quietly upon the dais, waiting. When the horizon paled with the coming dawn, the newly erected doors of the cave were gently knocked upon.
She waved her hand, and the gate swung open on its own.
A graceful figure entered, swiftly crossing the hall.
"Senior Sister Qin Shuang." Liu Meng descended the platform, bowing her head slightly.
"Junior Sister Liu Meng." Qin Shuang's uncovered face was breathtaking, her smile radiant. "Along the way, you must have seen many masterless caves. What do you think?"
Liu Meng frowned lightly. "Too many… Were they all once disciples of our Xuanpin Sect?"
"Yes." Qin Shuang nodded firmly. "I told you before—most disciples here do not survive a year. Only through alliances can one hope to live."
Her gaze sharpened. "So, Junior Sister Liu Meng, have you decided? Will you ally with me?"
Liu Meng hesitated. She was not worried about Qin Shuang plotting against her—after all, this was merely a clone. What she feared was that, if the clone perished, her true body might be left vulnerable.
Yet under Qin Shuang's burning gaze, she finally nodded.
Compared to the countless unknown dangers outside, Qin Shuang before her seemed the safer bet.
Relief flashed across Qin Shuang's face. She opened her storage pouch and drew forth two ancient jade pendants, glowing a deep emerald green.
Her eyes locked onto Liu Meng's, and she spoke with deliberate weight:
"Since we are now allies, I must ask you something…"
"Do you want to be free of Su Mei'er's control?"
Free… of Su Mei'er's control?
Liu Meng's heart skipped a beat.
As one of Su Mei'er's attendants, she had long since practiced the subsidiary arts of the Xuanpin Scripture. Her very soul bore the branded imprint—condemned to servitude for life.
Yet now, Qin Shuang was asking her… if she wished to break free?
Liu Meng fell silent. She did not know if this was a test, but the desire for freedom was something no sane person could deny. Instead of answering directly, she asked, "Could it be… Senior Sister has a way?"
Qin Shuang nodded solemnly, raising the jade pendant in her hand. "This is no mere pendant—it is a jade slip. I found it by chance, beside the remains of an ancient cultivator, while on a mission. I obtained two such slips in total."
A jade slip?
Liu Meng's eyes flickered as she studied the green stone. Indeed, it bore no decorative patterns—it was a vessel of knowledge.
Qin Shuang continued without reservation:
"Within this jade slip lies a supreme, long-lost secret art—The True Explanation of Severing the Three Corpses and Condensing the Dao.
This method does not cultivate spiritual power, nor refine the body. Instead, it severs the obsessions and branded imprints within the soul.
Once mastered, it cuts away all chains imposed by others, leaving the spirit pure and untouchable, transcendent beyond control. From that moment, every thought flows unbound, never again enslaved."
Sever the soul's imprint? Transcend beyond control? Never again bound?
Liu Meng's first reaction was not joy—but suspicion.
Why did this technique feel as though it had been crafted precisely for them?The coincidence was too perfect.
Sensing her doubts, Qin Shuang elaborated:
"I know what you're thinking. The timing seems too convenient. But I believe this art was originally created by a disciple of the Xuanpin Sect—meant to break free from their master's yoke."
"Moreover, the jade slip itself is unique. Once one sends divine sense into it, the knowledge floods directly into their mind. When the transmission completes, the slip crumbles into dust, its spirit energy exhausted.
What's more, this art is bound to secrecy—whoever receives it can learn it, but cannot pass it on to another."
"In other words, one jade slip, one person."
"That is why I sought only a single ally. Because I hold but two."
Qin Shuang placed the priceless jade slip gently upon the stone table.
"My sincerity lies before you. The choice is yours. I will await your answer—but do not let me wait too long."
With that, she turned and departed without hesitation.
Liu Meng stepped slowly to the table, brows furrowing.
This might be a great fortune—or a venomous snare.
Only one chance. Which meant… she could not test it on another.
If Qin Shuang harbored malice, and this so-called art was truly a cursed technique, then upon cultivating it she would not break free—but her soul would collapse, destroyed on the spot.
But if Qin Shuang spoke truth, and this was the sole path to escape Su Mei'er's control, to abandon it out of doubt and fear would leave her in regret forever.
Another might hesitate endlessly.
But Liu Meng… was not like others.
"System—summon a clone for me!"