Chapter 43: The Dawn of the Hunter's Oath
In the depths of the Li Family's sacred grounds, Ling Ru stood before me — her slender body trembling under the surge of power flowing into her.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her breathing uneven, as if she were struggling to comprehend what was happening inside her body.
I could sense the awe spreading across her features… a reverence not born from what she saw, but from the sheer weight of realization itself.
What she had received was not merely a gift… but a heavy debt — one she would someday have to repay.
Ling Ru whispered faintly, her voice so soft it barely reached my ears.
"Master… these techniques… they're far more precious than what Ru deserves…"
Her hands gripped her robe tightly, trembling with unease — as though she feared being crushed under the weight of this immense inheritance.
I looked at her and smiled quietly, saying,The true inheritance isn't what you're given, but how you protect it. To me, Ru herself… is worth more than any inheritance."
Those words seemed to carve themselves deep into her heart.
Ling Ru clenched her fists tightly, her eyes quivering with blazing resolve — as if she had sworn to herself never to disappoint me.
She spoke, her voice trembling with passion and madness, her gaze burning with an unrestrained light.
"I will rise to meet this responsibility… I will master every skill, every technique…
I will never allow myself to be your weakness, Master…
Ru belongs only to you — in life and in death — Ru is my young master's alone."
A new light shone in her eyes — the light of awareness, of duty… and of a beautiful madness, born from the determination to be worthy of what she had been given.
I smiled faintly and thought to myself,Good… from this moment on, you're one of my trump cards — one I'll rely on in the days to come.
Then I stepped closer, until my face hovered beside her ear, and whispered something that no one else could hear.
In that instant, her face flushed a soft crimson, like a dew-kissed flower at dawn. Yet she lifted her head and looked up at me — her wide eyes filled with disbelief and trembling emotion.
And so — in this quiet corner of the sacred land — the beginnings of the future empress were born.
I looked at Ling Ru and spoke in a firm tone,All right, train here. I'll send someone to be your instructor."
After that, I left the place and returned to my room, where I summoned one of the family's elders.
It wasn't long before an elderly woman appeared before me, leaning on her staff, her sharp eyes glinting with the weight of wisdom and years.
Elder Yin spoke in a deep, calm voice,My child, did you summon me? What do you require of me?"
I replied respectfully,My apologies for troubling you. I simply wished to offer you a gift… and to entrust someone to your care."
Before Elder Yin could respond, I drew from the system's storage three World-Breaking Pills and presented them to her — followed by five Level-Enhancement Pills.
Then, with a faint smile, I said,Elder Yin, I believe you're familiar with the first type of pill.
As for the second… I doubt you've ever seen anything like it — or even heard of it — in your entire life.
Elder Yin replied, "You're right about that. Tell me, what kind of pills are these?"
I smiled faintly. "Very well. These are called Level-Enhancement Pills. Each one permanently raises your strength by a full stage without causing any instability. In other words, five pills will elevate you by five flawless levels."
Elder Yin took the pills into her wrinkled hands and studied them in silence for a moment. Then, lifting her gaze toward me, her sharp eyes gleamed — and in the next instant, her cultivation rose by a full stage without a trace of impurity.
I looked at her with quiet reverence and spoke, "This will be of great benefit. But tell me, why are you giving them to me?"
I answered calmly, "Because you're the most suitable person to watch over her, especially now. I wished to show my sincerity by granting you these pills — to strengthen your abilities to protect her. I trust you."
Elder Yin nodded slowly. "I understand now. The maid girl from the Ling family — the one you want me to care for — I will see to her."
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
She added, "Anyone beginning their path needs firm guidance and constant training to reach higher realms. I believe you'll be the ideal person to instruct her."
Elder Yin's tone turned resolute. "I will do everything in my power to train her. Do not worry — I'll ensure she succeeds."
Relief settled in my chest as I sensed her understanding of my intent. I rose and inclined my head respectfully.
"Thank you for your help, Elder Yin. With you by her side, that girl will surely have a brilliant future."
Leaving my chamber, I made my way toward the family patriarch's residence. After walking for some time, I finally arrived at my destination. Before entering, I summoned Ding Shuo.
She appeared before me and bowed gracefully. "Young Master, I am at your service."
I studied her for a brief moment, then said, "Ding Shuo, I have a task I want you to complete as soon as possible."
Drawing out a batch of World-Breaking Pills and Level-Enhancement Pills, I handed them to her and continued,I want you to take the Red Unit and head to the Su Family on the neighboring continent. Your mission is to protect them — and ensure they have no dealings with Yi Feng or the Shao Family.
Then I added, "You're also to distribute a portion of these pills to the Su Family, to Gu Yue of the Gu Clan, and to Elder Ling Xuan of the Turtle Sect. As for you… keep three of them for yourself.
After that, I took out five sealed letters from my storage ring.
Speaking in a firm tone, I said,
"Take these letters and deliver them to Su Mei, Gu Yue, Ling Xuan, the head of the Su Family, and his wife.
Make sure you protect them well until I meet you again.
And remember this carefully — even if you hear news of my death… never believe it.
We will meet again… at the Su Family.
I paused for a brief moment, then continued in a calmer voice,But before you go, there's one more small task I want you to do for me…
For about three minutes, I explained everything in detail — what she needed to do, how to handle Yi Feng's allies, and the exact way to deal with them when the time came.
Once I had finished, Ding Shuo set off without hesitation, her eyes burning with determination as she moved to carry out her mission.
After she left, I took a deep breath and made my way toward the main hall.
I knocked softly on the door, then entered — only to find the head of the Li Family, Li Han, already waiting for me.
I bowed slightly and greeted him,Good day, Patriarch.
Li Han lifted his gaze toward me, a faint smile forming on his lips.
Li Yitan… you seem to be doing well. What brings you here today?
I replied calmly,In truth, I've come to borrow something… in exchange for a treasure of great rarity.
His eyebrows rose in curiosity, and his tone grew more intrigued.
Oh? Tell me then — what exactly do you seek?
I answered without hesitation,I want the Emblem of the Ancient Battlefield.
A short silence fell between us.
Then Li Han spoke again, his tone turning serious.
I won't speak of how valuable that emblem is… but tell me, do you truly possess something of equal worth to offer in return?
I tilted my head slightly, then spoke in a calm tone,I have something that might be of value to you… though honestly, I'm not sure if it's equal to the worth of the emblem."
Without saying another word, I drew out four Level-Enhancement Pills from my storage ring and placed them before him slowly.
"Will these be enough for you to give me the emblem?
Li Han took the pills and examined them closely. The light from the grand hall reflected across their flawless, crystalline surface. His brow furrowed in surprise.
"What are these pills? I've never seen anything like them before… Even among the treasures of the entire continent, nothing compares to this."
I replied with steady confidence,They're called Level-Enhancement Pills. Each one raises a cultivator's level by a full stage — permanently — without any side effects.
I've given you four pills, meaning four entire cultivation stages… Is that enough in exchange for the emblem?"
For a moment, silence filled the hall. Then, Li Han burst into hearty laughter that echoed through the chamber.
"Hahaha! You've become quite the interesting person! I don't understand why you'd trade something like this for an emblem that has no use to me… but very well. We have a deal.
He reached into his robe and pulled out the Emblem of the Ancient Battlefield,handing it to me slowly — a faint glimmer of admiration in his eyes.
I stepped forward and accepted it with respect, saying with a calm smile,Thank you, Patriarch.
At that very moment, the voice of the system echoed in my mind:
[Ding: Hunting Progress +20%]
A quiet smile crossed my lips.
Seizing the hero's opportunities… truly felt invigorating.
I left the hall in steady, composed steps, and the instant I stepped outside, I stored the emblem within the system's inventory space.
It was time to fulfill the contract made with the original Li Yitan.
Without wasting another moment, I headed straight toward one of Li Yitan's private cultivation caves within the Li family estate.
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