Chapter Thirty-Six: Taken as a Vassal

The cultivators watching from outside the courtyard gasped in unison. Someone whispered, "My god! He... he just killed them? That was Elder Wei of the Qingxu Sect!"

Another person replied, "Who is this? He’s incredibly powerful! Elder Wei was at the third level of the Harmony Fusion Realm, and he was killed with a single finger?"

Seeing this, the remaining disciples of the Qingxu Sect drew their blades. "How dare you kill Elder Wei! Get him! Kill this brat and avenge our elder!" one of them roared.

"A pack of ants, daring to clamor before me? You might as well be dealt with all at once." Ye Chentian’s gaze turned cold. With a light wave of his robe and an undeniable murderous intent in his voice, he spoke.

"Puff! Puff! Puff!"

Dozens of figures collapsed one after another. Whether they were menial disciples or the squad leaders at the Void Refining stage, their lives were extinguished in that single sweep. The courtyard was instantly piled with corpses, and the stench of blood began to permeate the air.

The onlookers erupted in chaos. Someone screamed, "He’s insane! He actually dared to kill all of them from the Qingxu Sect!"

Others whispered with trembling voices, "This isn’t just killing; it’s like slaughtering dogs! Dozens of people, ranging from Void Refining to Foundation Establishment, wiped out just like that!"

A more knowledgeable observer turned pale. "With this kind of strength... I doubt there are even five people in the entire capital who could stand against him! The Qingxu Sect has truly kicked a steel plate this time!"

The surviving old servant of the Luo family slumped to the ground, his voice shaking uncontrollably. "He... he killed them all with one wave of his sleeve? Is this a feat a human can achieve?" He kept shaking his head, murmuring, "It’s too terrifying. The Senior’s strength is divine; he killed so many people with just a flick of his sleeve."

Luo Ning-shuang rushed to Luo Zhennan’s side to support him, choking back sobs. "Father, how are you? You must hold on! Father, you must be all right. We are safe now; please, you must not be hurt."

Luo Zhennan clutched his chest and sat up. Looking at Ye Chentian’s back, he asked with a trembling voice, "Shuang'er, who is this? Could he be some hidden powerhouse? How did you manage to invite him here to help? The Luo family has truly encountered a noble benefactor this time." He caught his breath, thinking to himself.

"Father, this is my master, Ye Chentian of the Xuantian Sect!" Luo Ning-shuang helped her father stand and bowed gracefully to Ye Chentian.

"Thank you, Master, for saving our lives! If not for your intervention, the Luo family would have been finished today!" She prostrated deeply.

Luo Zhennan finally realized who he was. He hurriedly led the surviving clansmen to kneel and kowtow. "Thank you, Senior Ye, for saving our lives! The Luo family will never forget your great kindness!"

A nearby cultivator muttered to himself, "Xuantian Sect... Ye Chentian... Why does that name sound so familiar? Could he be the one who swept through the Zixiao Sacred Land half a year ago? No wonder he’s so arrogant!"

He slapped his thigh. "I knew the name sounded familiar! So he is that legendary powerhouse. No wonder he’s so formidable; the Qingxu Sect really hit a wall this time."

Ye Chentian waved his hand. "Rise. The remnants of the Qingxu Sect have been eliminated; the Luo family is safe for now." His tone was indifferent. "The mere Qingxu Sect is nothing to fear. With them dealt with, the Luo family is safe for the time being."

Luo Zhennan and the others were overcome with the wild joy of surviving a catastrophe. With this powerhouse stepping in, the Luo family had finally averted total destruction.

He gazed at Ye Chentian’s straight, imposing back, which seemed capable of supporting the very heavens, his heart filled with gratitude and awe.

This Sect Master Ye was so young, yet his methods were heaven-defying! It was truly the blessing of their ancestors that the Luo family could cling to such a mighty tree! As long as they held onto him, it wouldn't just be about restoring their family’s reputation—there was even a great chance of becoming a top-tier family in the Great Qian Dynasty!

He knew that the Luo family’s survival depended entirely on this powerhouse, and becoming a vassal to the Xuantian Sect was a once-in-a-century opportunity.

He steadied himself, stepped forward, and spoke with increasing sincerity:

"Sect Master Ye, the Luo family wishes to offer our family heirloom, the 'Source of the Spiritual Vein.' Though humble, it can stabilize water-type spiritual veins, and it is a small token of our gratitude."

"Furthermore, our family wishes to select thirty of our most capable youths to go to the Xuantian Sect to serve as menial disciples. They can sweep the courtyards and tend to the medicine gardens, hoping only to bask in the sect’s celestial favor and hone their characters under your guidance."

He paused and prostrated deeply. "We only ask that you accept the Luo family as a vassal to the Xuantian Sect. All of us will follow your every command; if you have any tasks for us, we will not hesitate, even at the cost of our lives!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a system notification rang in Ye Chentian’s mind:

[Ding! Side quest triggered: Accept a Vassal Family.]

[Task Details: Accept the Luo family as a vassal to the Xuantian Sect, take in their menial disciples, and help the Luo family stabilize their foundation.]

[Task Rewards: 30x Spiritual Vein Purification Pills, unlock the Xuantian Sect’s secret realm (large amounts of cultivation resources can be obtained within), exclusive Luo family loyalty indicator (can monitor Luo family loyalty in real-time), "Cangming Profound Ice Canon."]

Ye Chentian’s lips curled into a faint smile. This Luo Zhennan was quite sensible.

Though the Luo family was weak, they were located in the capital. Developing them would be a great way to expand the Xuantian Sect’s influence.

He looked at Luo Zhennan and nodded faintly. "Very well. I shall accept the Luo family as a vassal of the Xuantian Sect."

"As for the Source of the Spiritual Vein, I have no need for it. Keep it for now. Since you are now my vassals, you must establish yourselves through your own strength; I will help you improve."

"As for the menial disciples, have them pack their belongings in three days' time; they will return to the sect with me then."

Luo Zhennan was overjoyed and hurriedly kowtowed. "Thank you, Sect Master! The Luo family will strictly follow your instructions!"

This was wonderful! The Luo family was finally saved! Sending their youths to the Xuantian Sect was both a show of loyalty and a chance for them to learn real skills—it was an immense blessing!

A great weight lifted from Luo Zhennan’s heart.

In the entire Great Qian Dynasty, who didn't know of the Xuantian Sect’s magnificent reputation?

As long as the Luo family relied on the Xuantian Sect, their future would be bright.

[Ding! Side quest 'Accept a Vassal Family' completed!]

[Rewards distributed: 30x Spiritual Vein Purification Pills have been stored in the storage ring, Xuantian Sect 'Cold Crystal Secret Realm' unlocked, Luo family loyalty indicator activated (Current Loyalty: 90/100).]

[Ding! Successfully accepted personal disciple Luo Ning-shuang, triggering the 'Tenfold Return' mechanism!]

[Detected that personal disciple Luo Ning-shuang possesses the 'Cold River Sacred Body.' After the tenfold return, the host has acquired the 'Vast Sea Sacred Body.']

[Vast Sea Sacred Body: When casting water-type spells, attack power is increased by 200%. Can cast the exclusive divine ability 'Spirit Tide Healing' (a large-scale water-type healing technique imbued with immense vitality).]

Ye Chentian felt a jolt. The Cold River Sacred Body was truly domineering! And it even included healing effects.

It was the perfect time to handle the current situation.

He looked at the injured Luo clansmen who had been caught in the previous chaos.

With a wave of his right hand toward the void, the water-type spiritual energy of the Vast Sea Sacred Body within him erupted.

Dozens of glimmering, turquoise-blue water light-threads, like living spiritual snakes, descended precisely upon every injured clansman.

This was the exclusive divine ability of the Vast Sea Sacred Body: 'Spirit Tide Healing'!