Marcus woke up chained to a cold stone altar deep inside the Silence Lotus Yin Sect's forbidden chamber. The air was thick with the scent of lotus incense and feminine qi so potent it made his head swim and his cock twitch despite the iron shackles biting into his wrists.
The dark voice immediately cackled inside his skull, low and vicious.
Well, well, look at you. Spread-eagled like a cheap brothel boy on his first night. Bet those Lotus bitches are already sharpening their jade dildos for your yang root.
Marcus gritted his teeth, yanking at the chains. "Shut the fuck up."
Oh come on, don't be shy. You went from ramming two little maids senseless to being the main course on a yin sect buffet. They're probably drawing lots right now to see who gets to ride the Supreme Yang cock first… or maybe they'll just milk you dry and refine you into a pill. "One dose of Marcus: guaranteed to make any woman peak in three breaths."
Marcus groaned. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Of course I am. I'm the part of you that actually likes getting fucked. You're out here playing hero, and I'm just waiting for the moment one of those icy cunts sits on your face and makes you beg for mercy. Imagine it golden core elder riding you reverse cowgirl while chanting some yin sutra, your balls turning blue from how long they edge you before letting you blow. Poetic justice for all the maids you left limping.
Marcus's face burned. "If we die here, you die too, asshole."
True. But at least I'll go out with a smile… and probably a mouthful of holy lotus pussy juice. You? You'll just be crying for Xue Lian to come save your sorry dick.
The voice dropped to a mocking whisper.
Hey… quick question. When they finally chain your cock to the alchemy cauldron and start refining it into a yang pill… do you think they'll let me keep the flavor? I bet it tastes like regret and overconfidence.
Marcus slammed his head back against the stone and muttered, "I hate you."
Love you too, big dick . Now smile for the camera they're coming.
Next second Marcus heard the screeching of the door coming from his left side and finally the door swung open and he heard the footsteps of a single person coming inside.
Then his system panel flared up.
High level female cultivator detected.
Name: Lian Xueyin
Age: 390 years
Status: Head of the Silence Lotus Yin Sect
Cultivation: Nascent Soul 8th Level
Physique: Extreme Yin Physique (Rare Grade)
Talent: SSS Grade
Spiritual Root: High Grade
Seeing her profile he swallowed hard. Then he saw she was standing in front of him. Her face covered with a hood and veil. Only her eyes were visible. Dark red shimmering in the dim light like burning coals.
The temperature dropped. Marcus's breath fogged. Frost formed on the chains. On his skin.
She didn't look at him. Didn't acknowledge him as human. Just walked to position. Began chanting.
Ancient words. Power in each syllable. The formations activated.
Pale light erupted. Circles on the altar glowed. Energy flowed through channels carved in stone. Converging on Marcus.
Pain exploded.
Like thousands of needles piercing his flesh. His meridians. His dantian. Every nerve screamed.
The system flashed.
WARNING: Host Life in Extreme Danger
Refinement Process Initiated
Estimated Time Until Death: 3 Minutes
Marcus screamed inside his own head. Couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Trapped.
Voice laughed inside his head.
Marcus cursed through gritted teeth. "You fucker are you with me or them? Help me find a way to escape."
After a long silence the voice came back. Smooth. Calculating.
Okay. I can help you. But in exchange what do I get?
"What the fuck? Did not you tell me you are me?"
Haha it is true. But I want something. That body cloning technique in the system mall. If you promise to buy it then I will help you.
"Fuck you."
After silence seeing the intensity of the ritual increasing Marcus gave up.
Okay. I will buy it.
A sinister laugh rolled through his mind.
Good boy. Now give me control of your body.
The dark voice spoke. Calm. Cold.
Watch and learn.
His mouth opened. Not Marcus's voice. Deeper. Rougher. Wrong.
He began chanting. Same words. Same rhythm. Matching Lian Xueyin perfectly.
The formations stuttered. Confused. Two sources. Two commands.
Then the dark voice changed one word. Subtle. Precise.
The energy reversed.
The pale light expanded. Engulfed Lian Xueyin. Started refining her instead.
She froze. Shock flashed across her visible eyes.
Then understanding. Recognition.
She smiled behind her veil. "Interesting."
Her voice was ice. Beautiful. Terrifying.
"It's rare to meet a fellow dark practitioner. But my disciple's golden core is damaged. I need a high-grade yang pill to save her. You'll have to die."
The dark voice spoke through Marcus's mouth. Sinister. Amused.
"Fellow Daoist. Let's talk before we kill each other. Perhaps we can find a solution that benefits us both."
She considered. The refinement energy held steady. Balanced. Neither gaining ground.
"You have thirty seconds."
"I know a method to heal your disciple. Stabilize her core. No yang pill required."
Marcus screamed internally. What the fuck are you doing? We don't have that!
Shut up. I'm saving us.
Lian Xueyin's eyes narrowed. "You expect me to believe you? A prisoner about to be refined has a miracle cure?"
"I can prove it."
The dark voice pulled a vial from the system store. Held it up. Yin Physique Evolution Potion. Mid-tier.
Lian Xueyin's eyes widened. Briefly. Then controlled.
No spatial ring. No storage pouch. The vial appeared from nothing.
Greed flashed across her face. Intense. Hungry. What kind of treasure allowed that? What secrets did this man hold?
But her disciple was dying. Focus.
"What is it?"
"Yin Physique Evolution Potion. Give it to your disciple. It will enhance her physique. Stabilize her core. With proper yin nourishment afterward her golden core will heal naturally."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Why should I trust you? What's stopping you from taking this. Curing your disciple. Then refining me anyway?"
Silence.
Then Lian Xueyin smiled. Genuine this time. "Dao oath. Simultaneous. You give me the cure. I spare your life if it works."
"Only if it works?"
"Yes. If you're lying. If my disciple dies. You die screaming."
The dark voice considered. Then nodded. "Acceptable."
They spoke the oath together. Ancient words. Binding. Absolute.
Marcus felt it. Chains wrapping around his heart. Soul-level contract. Break it and the heavens themselves would enforce punishment.
The dark voice pulled another item from the system. Sleeping pill. Medium grade.
"Give her this after the potion. The evolution process is painful. The pill will let her sleep through it."
Lian Xueyin took both items. Studied them. Then studied Marcus.
"If this works you live. But you remain here. Chained. Until I decide what to do with you."
She turned. Walked to the door. Paused.
"If it doesn't work. I'll refine you slowly. One piece at a time. Starting with your cock."
The door closed. The screeching echo faded.
Marcus regained control of his body. Gasped. "What the fuck was that?"
That was me saving our lives. You're welcome.
"What if the potion doesn't work? What if it makes her worse?"
It'll work. Yin Evolution Potion upgrades physique quality. Higher quality physique means better energy flow. Better energy flow stabilizes damaged cores. With her sect's yin resources the disciple's core will heal over time.
"You're guessing."
Educated guess. Better than being refined into a pill.
"And now what? We're still chained to this altar."
Now we wait. And hope I'm right.
Marcus lay back. Exhausted. Terrified. Helpless.
All he could do was wait.
Somewhere high in the mountains. The sect's main courtyard.
Lian Xueyin entered the chamber where her disciple lay. Han Yinqiu. The woman who'd poisoned Xue Lian. Who'd nearly died when Xue Lian's sword pierced her core.
Disciples bowed as she passed. Fear and reverence in their eyes.
She entered the private room. Her disciple lay on the bed. Skin pale. Barely breathing. Golden core fractured. Leaking energy. Dying slowly.
Lian Xueyin's expression softened. Briefly. Rare crack in her icy mask.
"Yinqiu."
The girl's eyes opened. Weak. Barely focused. "Master. I'm sorry. I failed."
"Hush. I have something. A treatment."
She explained. The prisoner. The strange potion. The dao oath.
Han Yinqiu nodded. Trust absolute. "If you believe it will work Master."
She drank the Yin Evolution Potion. Warmth spread through her body. Comfort. Peace.
Then Lian Xueyin gave her the sleeping pill.
"Rest now."
Han Yinqiu's eyes closed. Sleep took her immediately.
Five hours passed.
Black liquid seeped from her pores. Impurities. Toxins. The smell was horrific.
Disciples covered their noses. Some fled the courtyard. The stench filled the entire compound.
But Lian Xueyin watched. Waited.
When it finished she checked her disciple's cultivation.
The pale color was gone. Healthy pink returned to her cheeks. Her breathing steady. Strong.
And her golden core. Stabilized. The cracks sealed. Still damaged but no longer critical.
With time and resources it would heal completely.
Lian Xueyin smiled. Cold. Satisfied.
She looked toward the forbidden chamber. Where the prisoner waited.
"It seems I'll spare you. For now."