yǒu le shàng huí chī kuī de jīng yàn ， lín xuān zhè cì yào jǐn shèn xiǎo xīn dé duō ， jiāng shén dèng piào huáng jǐn de jù wèi yī tǐ ， xiàng zhe nà chén shuì de hún pò tàn qù 。
有了上回吃亏的经验，林轩这次要谨慎小心得多，将神镫嘌蝗紧的聚为一体，向着那沉睡的魂魄探去。
With a deep breath, Lin Xuan bowed to the familiar yet unfamiliar girl. "Latecomer Lin Xuan pays his respects to the Fairy."
zhè bù dān dān shì hào qí ， yǐn yǐn de ， lín xuān jué de qí zhōng qiān chě yǒu dà mì mì 。 zhè zhǒng qí shì qiān nián nán yù ， zì rán méi yǒu shú shì wú dǔ de dào lǐ 。 hěn kuài jiē jìn le hún pò ， lín xuān lüè yī chí yí ， shén shí huǎn huǎn de cǎo le shàng qù 。 duì fāng háo wú fǎn yìng 。
这不单单是好奇，隐隐的，林轩觉得其中牵扯有大秘密。这种奇事千年难遇，自然没有熟视无睹的道理。很快接近了魂魄，林轩略一迟疑，神识缓缓的草了上去。对方毫无反应。
Thirty years could flow east and then west, but at this moment, Lin Xuan was treating Lady Hua Hou as a junior.
lín xuān dà xǐ ， zhèng dài jiā dà shén shí ， nà hún pò què sà rán xǐng le guò lái ， líng guāng shǎn shuò ， biàn huà chū le yī zhāng dà zuǐ ， yī zhāng yī hé ， xiǎng yào jiāng rù qīn de shén niàn tūn shì 。
林轩大喜，正待加大神识，那魂魄却飒然醒了过来，灵光闪烁，变化出了一张大嘴，一张一合，想要将入侵的神念吞噬。
Lady Hua Hou did not show any signs of surprise on her face; instead, she seemed almost indifferent. After turning her head, her gaze swept over Lin Xuan, as if he were an insignificant pawn. Finally, she sighed and said, "You are named Lin Xuan?"
lín xuān liǎn sè yī bái ， dān tián nèi de shuāng yīng sà rán zhēng kāi le yǎn ， mó yīng yī jiù liú zài qì hǎi ， yuán yīng què guǐ yì de fú xiàn zài le tiān líng gài 。
林轩脸色一白，丹田内的双婴飒然睁开了眼，魔婴依旧留在气海，元婴却诡异的浮现在了天灵盖。
"Yes."
xiǎo liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī wèi jù zhī sè ， dàn suí hòu hái shì huà wèi qīng hóng ， mò rù dào le shào nǚ de
小脸上闪过一丝畏惧之色，但随后还是化为青虹，没入到了少女的
Lin Xuan's expression did not reveal any anger after being belittled. With his deep understanding, he had already guessed that this lady was closely related to the upper realm and might be a significant figure in the Spirit Realm.
xià yī kè ， zài suō xiǎo wú shù bèi yǐ hòu ， yòng mì shù ， chū xiàn zài le xià hóu lán de shí hǎi 。
下一刻，在缩小无数倍以后，用秘术，出现在了夏侯兰的识海。
"Indeed, from your expression, you have probably figured out my identity. I am not someone who repays evil with evil. Considering that you saved me before, I will give you two choices," Lady Hua Hou's voice remained unchanged but carried more coldness and arrogance.
suǒ wèi shí hǎi ， yǔ qì hǎi xiāng duì yīng ， hòu zhě yòng yú chǔ cún líng lì ， qián zhě ， zé shì shén shí de qī xī zhī suǒ ， qí shí bù zhǐ xiū xiān zhě ， fán rén de shēn tǐ zhī zhōng ， yī yàng shì yǒu shí hǎi de ， zhǐ bù guò fēi cháng ruò xiǎo ， tā men yě gēn běn gǎn jué bú dào 。
所谓识海，与气海相对应，后者用于储存灵力，前者，则是神识的栖息之所，其实不止修仙者，凡人的身体之中，一样是有识海的，只不过非常弱小，他们也根本感觉不到。
"Two choices?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off.
xià hóu lán suī rán jǐn jǐn shì líng dòng qī ， dàn bì jìng tà shàng le xiū xiān zhī lù ， shí hǎi zì rán bǐ fán rén yào kuān guǎng dé duō ， cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， zhè lǐ biàn xiàng shì yī piàn máng máng wù hǎi shì de 。
夏侯兰虽然仅仅是灵动期，但毕竟踏上了修仙之路，识海自然比凡人要宽广得多，从表面上看，这里便像是一片茫茫雾海似的。
"Yes, the first is to serve as my vassal." "Serve a master?"
cǐ shí zài pī - wù hǎi de zhōng xīn zhī chù ， yī zhāng dà dí zhēng níng kě bù ， biǎo miàn hái yǒu lán máng shǎn shuò ， lín xuān de shén shí suī pīn mìng zhēng zhá ， dàn miàn duì nà kě pà de xī lì ， què yòng chǔ bù dà 。
此时在邳-雾海的中心之处，一张大嘀狰狞可怖，表面还有蓝芒闪烁，林轩的神识虽拼命挣扎，但面对那可怕的吸力，却用处不大。
Lin Xuan's expression turned slightly gloomy. However, Lady Hua Hou ignored his reaction: "Yes, and it must be done through a blood pact."
jiǎ ruò zhēn bèi gǔ yī kǒu tūn shì ， lín xuān suī bù zhì yú yǔn luò ， dàn xià chǎng yě hǎo bù liǎo shén me ， shí yǒu ** huì biàn chéng xiàng nà chuān shān jiǎ yī yàng de bái chī le 。
假若真被牯一口吞噬，林轩虽不至于陨落，但下场也好不了什么，十有**会变成像那穿山甲一样的白痴了。
Lin Xuan fell silent for a moment before asking, "What is your second choice, Fairy?"
hái hǎo yuán yīng jí shí gǎn dào ， xiǎo chàng yī zhāng ， biàn shì yī dào cuì lǜ sè de líng máng ， lüè yī fān yǒng ， huà wèi gǔn gǔn jù fēng ， hū xiào zhe xiàng nà xuè pén dà kǒu yā xià qù le 。
还好元婴及时赶到，小唱一张，便是一道翠绿色的灵芒，略一翻涌，化为滚滚飓风，呼啸着像那血盆大口压下去了。
Although Lin Xuan's expression was calm, his hand had already clenched into a fist.
hōng lōng !
轰隆!
Lady Hua Hou noticed this and sighed. "A smart guy, but you have already guessed it. The second option is obvious."
shēng shì jīng rén yǐ jí ， yuán yīng dòng yòng de kě shì běn mìng líng lì ， wēi lì zhī qiáng ， hái zài fǎ bǎo zhī shàng ， xī lì dùn shí bèi zǔ gé ， shén shí chèn cǐ jī huì ， lián máng zhèng tuō ， róng rù dào le yuán yīng de shēn tǐ zhī zhōng 。
声势惊人以极，元婴动用的可是本命灵力，威力之强，还在法宝之上，吸力顿时被阻隔，神识趁此机会，连忙挣脱，融入到了元婴的身体之中。
"Your words are beyond me, Master," Lin Xuan's heart raced, but he still spoke confidently.
rán ér lín xuān què sī háo yě bù gǎn dān gē ， hún shēn qīng máng dà qǐ ， jiù xiǎng yào cóng shí hǎi zhōng fēi chū qù ， bù zhī wèi hé ， miàn duì nà gǔ guài de hún pò ， tā yǒu yī zhǒng máo gǔ sǒng rán de gǎn jué 。
然而林轩却丝毫也不敢耽搁，浑身青芒大起，就想要从识海中飞出去，不知为何，面对那古怪的魂魄，他有一种毛骨悚然的感觉。
"If I say something, I will not retract it. Think carefully." Lady Hua Hou seemed agitated as she said, "If it were not for another version of myself who begged on your behalf and told you that you were a good person, you would never have had the chance to meet me."
“ xiǎng pǎo ， wǎn le !”
“想跑，晚了!”
"Another self?" Although Lin Xuan guessed some parts, his expression was still strange. "May I ask, is this really Lady Hua from just now?"
nà dà zuǐ jī xiào zhe dào ， shēng yīn què yǒu ruò qīng fēng fú xiū bo yuè ěr yǐ jí ；“ jiù suàn néng gòu pǎo chū zhè lǐ ， nǐ yǐ wéi hái yǒu jī huì huó xià qù ？”
那大嘴讥笑着道，声音却有若轻风拂休卜悦耳以极；“就算能够跑出这里，你以为还有机会活下去？”
"I am naturally her, and she is also me; otherwise, what do you think I am? An astral body possession? With my status, why would I possess a mere Spirit Realm cultivator? Tell me, I am an upper realm cultivator who must come to the lower realm for some special reason. However, in ancient times, even if one could break through space, only cultivators from the lower realm could ascend to the upper realm. Regardless of whether it is the Spirit Realm or the Demon Realm, no matter how great your existence, you cannot return to the lower realm," Lady Hua Hou said with a frustrated tone.
suí hòu nà dà zuǐ yī zhèn mó hú ， guǐ yì de xiāo shī le 。
随后那大嘴一阵模糊，诡异的消失了。
Lin Xuan was speechless; he couldn't imagine what level of cultivator this lady might be.
qǔ ér dài zhī de shì yī wèi róng mào jiāo měi de shào nǚ ， yǔ xià hóu lán shí fēn xiāng sì 。
取而代之的是一位容貌娇美的少女，与夏侯兰十分相似。
"Why do you have two souls?" Lin Xuan hesitantly asked.
bù …… bú shì xiāng sì ， gēn běn jiù fǎng fú tā de yuán shén níng jù huà xíng ， kě qū qū yī líng dòng qī xiū xiān zhě ， nǎ yǒu zhè yàng de běn shì ？
不……不是相似，根本就仿佛她的元神凝聚化形，可区区一灵动期修仙者，哪有这样的本事？
"Ha?" Lady Hua Hou's face turned pale, showing signs of embarrassment. "What is so strange about having two souls? Although I am not an immortal, I once deceived the spatial laws and reincarnated while sealing my memories and strength. When crossing space, one must confront the boundary force; with my strength, it was nothing to me at that time. However, as a soul body without a physical form, I suffered significant injuries. After reincarnation, my soul fell into a deep sleep for recovery. Without soul control, how could I not have become a living dead? Therefore, I used secret techniques to split out another soul."
dǐ zhī yuán shén yǔ yuán yīng bù tóng ， níng jù huà xíng hái yào gèng jiā jiān nán yī xiē 。
抵知元神与元婴不同，凝聚化形还要更加艰难一些。
"Another soul?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow and said with some emotion.
lín xuān hún fēi tiān wài ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， zì rán méi yǒu xīn qíng tàn gēn jiū dǐ ， dāng wù zhī jí ， shì yào ràng yuán yīng pǎo chū qù 。
林轩魂飞天外，此时此刻，自然没有心情探根究底，当务之急，是要让元婴跑出去。
"Do you fear the backlash of your second soul, Fairy?" Lin Xuan scratched his head; this explanation completely overturned his previous understanding of cultivating souls.
suǒ xìng de shì ， nà nǚ zǐ bìng méi yǒu zhuī lái ， ér shì shēn xíng yī zhèn mó hú ， yòu chén rù le shí
所幸的是，那女子并没有追来，而是身形一阵模糊，又沉入了识
"Hmph, she is me, and I am her. What is there to fear? They are one entity. Can a mere junior understand my cultivation techniques?"
lín xuān yǐn yǐn cāi dào tā yào zuò shén me ， kě xiàn zài zì gù bù xiá ， zì rán yě méi yǒu néng lì qù zǔ zhǐ a !
林轩隐隐猜到她要做什么，可现在自顾不暇，自然也没有能力去阻止啊!
"Of course," Lin Xuan laughed naively. Since he successfully formed an essence body, no one had ever treated him as an old man in front of him. However, this woman definitely had that right.
shǎo qǐng ， líng guāng yī shǎn ， yuán yīng yǐ dùn chū le shào nǚ de tǐ wài ， chóng xīn mò rù le lín xuān de tiān líng gài 。
少顷，灵光一闪，元婴已遁出了少女的体外，重新没入了林轩的天灵盖。
"Fairy..."
ér zhè shí ， xià hóu lán yě zài shēng jīng rén de zhuǎn biàn ， yǐ shǒu bào tóu ， jiāo qū bù tíng de chàn dǒu ， mǎn liǎn tòng kǔ zhī sè ， wǔ guān jī hū dōu niǔ qū le 。
而这时，夏侯兰也在生惊人的转变，以手抱头，娇躯不停的颤抖，满脸痛苦之色，五官几乎都扭曲了。
"Enough with the chatter. Consider what I said." Lady Hua Hou's expression turned serious; her patience was at its limit.
rán ér tā suǒ sàn chū lái de líng yā ， què yě zài yí bù bù shēng zhe lìng rén chēng mù jié shé de biàn huà ， líng dòng qī ， zhù jī qī ， níng dān qī ……
然而她所散出来的灵压，却也在一步步生着令人瞠目结舌的变化，灵动期，筑基期，凝丹期……
"Can Fairy not give me a third choice and let me leave?"
xiū xiān zhě xū yào kǔ xiū bǎi nián cái néng dá dào de jìng jiè ， tā què jī hū zài qǐng kè jiān jiù wán chéng le
修仙者需要苦修百年才能达到的境界，她却几乎在顷刻间就完成了
Lin Xuan smiled bitterly. If she said so, once words were spoken, they could not be retracted, but he knew very well what the other option was.
tū rán ， shào nǚ tái qǐ zhēn ， liǎn shàng zài wú sī háo tòng kǔ zhī sè ， jiāo qū yě tíng zhǐ chàn dǒu le ， tā zhāng kāi tán kǒu ， yī dào lì máng pēn tǔ ér chū ， wéi zhe zì jǐ de zuǒ shǒu yī tǒng ， yuán běn hào bái de yù wàn ， dùn shí bèi gē chū le yī dào liǎng cùn lái zhǎng de shāng kǒu 。
突然，少女抬起臻，脸上再无丝毫痛苦之色，娇躯也停止颤抖了，她张开檀口，一道厉芒喷吐而出，围着自己的左手一统，原本皓白的玉腕，顿时被割出了一道两寸来长的伤口。
"I have already told you that I am not cruel or bloodthirsty. You did do me a favor, but I came to this lower realm with great effort and even reincarnated for a mission. No mistakes can happen. If you are willing to serve as my vassal, everything will be fine," Lady Hua Hou said smugly.
yān hóng de xiān xuè ， suí fēng sǎ xià ， tā de wàn shàng ， yuán běn dài zhe yí gè shǒu zhuó ， cǐ shí cǐ s·1， zì rán yě bèi xuè gěi rǎn hóng le 。
殷红的鲜血，随风洒下，她的腕上，原本带着一个手镯，此时此s·1，自然也被血给染红了。
"But..." Lin Xuan hesitated to refuse outright, but his expression was clear.
suí hòu nà shǒu zhuó líng máng dà fàng ， kāi shǐ guāng ……
随后那手镯灵芒大放，开始光……
"Hmph, I only have this patience because the other version of me begged on your behalf. This is my last chance. Boy, do you think I would like to take a servant? Tell you the truth, countless powerful beings in the upper realm beg for the honor of serving me, and I look at them with disdain. Serving as my vassal, do you think it's a loss? This is an opportunity that many wish for but cannot obtain," Lady Hua Hou raised her eyebrows and impatiently pointed out.
lín xuān dèng yuán le yǎn zhū ， zhè shǒu zhuó ， tā zhù yì guò ， míng míng jiù shì pǔ tōng de shì wù ， lián líng qì yě shuō bù shàng de ， rán ér cǐ kè ……
林轩瞪圆了眼珠，这手镯，他注意过，明明就是普通的饰物，连灵器也说不上的，然而此刻……
Lin Xuan was stunned; this woman's tone was outrageous. What could be her status in the Spirit Realm?
shén me bǎo wù ， jiāng zì jǐ de shén shí yě mán guò le ， nán dào shì shàng jiè de ？
什么宝物，将自己的神识也瞒过了，难道是上界的？
"Master, she isn't bluffing, right?" Yue'er also seemed speechless as she whispered in Lin Xuan's mind.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn wán ， nà shǒu zhuó yǐ biàn dé yān hóng rú xuè qǐ lái ， suí hòu bào kāi ， huà wèi le wú shù xiān hóng de guāng diǎn 。
这个念头尚未转完，那手镯已变得殷红如血起来，随后爆开，化为了无数鲜红的光点。
"No."
xià hóu lán de yòu shǒu tái le qǐ lái ， yù zhǐ qiān qiān ， xiù qiǎo yǒu ruò huā bàn i1 xū kōng zhōng zhè me qīng qīng yì diǎn 。
夏侯兰的右手抬了起来，玉指芊芊，秀巧有若花瓣i1虚空中这么轻轻一点。
Lin Xuan shook his head. He could distinguish between truth and falsehood. From her words and demeanor, he had long known that this lady was a significant figure in the Spirit Realm but did not expect it to be so extreme.
“ chī ” de qīng xiǎng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， nà xiē guāng diǎn yī shǎn ， yíng fēng huà wèi quán tou dà xiǎo de xuè sè
“嗤”的轻响传入耳朵，那些光点一闪，迎风化为拳头大小的血色
However, Lin Xuan was certain that she was neither lying nor exaggerating.
xíng wén ， suí hòu xùn suō xiǎo ， yī shǎn jí shì de mò rù le shào nǚ de é tóu shàng miàn 。
行文，随后迅缩小，一闪即逝的没入了少女的额头上面。
"If I serve as your vassal, can I advance to the realm of separation?" Lin Xuan asked weakly.
suí hòu tā zuò le yí gè shēn zhǎn de dòng zuò ， tái tóu tǐng xiōng ， qīng qīng yáng qǐ le tóu lú ， cóng nà é tóu de fú wén shàng ， fàng shè chū yī dào xiān hóng de guāng zhù ， zhí shè cāng qióng 。
随后她做了一个伸展的动作，抬头挺胸，轻轻扬起了头颅，从那额头的符文上，放射出一道鲜红的光柱，直射苍穹。
"Hmph, what is the realm of separation? With my help, ascending to the Spirit Realm is guaranteed," Lady Hua Hou said with a proud expression.
yún céng bèi chuān pò ， jiē zhe tiān kōng fǎng fú yě bèi sī liè le ， yī dào zhí jìng zhàng xǔ de liè fèng ， yǐn yǐn chū xiàn zài le liǎng rén tóu dǐng de shàng kōng 。
云层被穿破，接着天空仿佛也被撕裂了，一道直径丈许的裂缝，隐隐出现在了两人头顶的上空。
"Of course, I have methods to ensure you safely pass through. Will you serve as my vassal now?" Lady Hua Hou smiled smugly.
“ zhè shì …… pò suì xū kōng ?”
“这是……破碎虚空?”
Lin Xuan fell silent; if it were anyone else, he would not need to consider this matter.
jǐn guǎn yǐn yǐn yǒu cāi cè ， dàn lín xuān hái shì chà yì diǎn yǎo dào le zì jǐ de shé tou ， kōng jiān shén tōng tā bìng fēi méi yǒu jiē chù guò ， rán ér jiè zhù xuě hú wáng de kuàng jiàn bǎo wù yě bù guò jiāng fù jìn de kōng jiān shāo shāo niǔ qū yī xià bà le 。
尽管隐隐有猜测，但林轩还是差一点咬到了自己的舌头，空间神通他并非没有接触过，然而借助雪狐王的邝件宝物也不过将附近的空间稍稍扭曲一下罢了。
Why did one cultivate? To achieve immortality.
yǔ tiān jié zhī huǒ huà xíng de wú gōng duì hōng de shí hòu ， liǎng rén de kōng jiān zhī mò $} jiā ， yǐn yǐn de sī liè chū le yì diǎn liè fèng ， dàn nà jué bú shì zhēn zhèng de pò suì xū kōng 。
与天劫之火化形的蜈蚣对轰的时候，两人的空间之末$}加，隐隐的撕裂出了一点裂缝，但那绝不是真正的破碎虚空。
Each level of cultivation brought a significant increase in lifespan.
ń ， zěn me shuō ne ， nà zhǒng chéng dù ， jǐn jǐn shì jiāng kōng jiān sī kāi yī dào xiǎo xiǎo de kǒu zi ， hěn kuài jiù néng yù hé ， ér zhēn zhèng de pò suì xū kōng ， shì huì jiāng liǎng gè jiè miàn dǎ tōng ， biǎo miàn shàng kàn dōu shì liè fèng ， dàn nán dù què pàn ruò yún ní ， gēn běn bù néng tóng rì ér f6o
嗯，怎么说呢，那种程度，仅仅是将空间撕开一道小小的口子，很快就能愈合，而真正的破碎虚空，是会将两个界面打通，表面上看都是裂缝，但难度却判若云泥，根本不能同日而f6o
However, the later stages became increasingly difficult. There were few Essence Body cultivators left, and the realm of separation was rare throughout the entire world.
chuán shuō ， nà shì lí hé qī xiū shì cái néng zhǎng wò dì 。
传说，那是离合期修士才能掌握地。
Even reaching that stage meant facing the heavenly tribulation, which countless separation-stage cultivators had fallen to over history.
ér jí biàn shì nà zhǒng děng jiē de lǎo guài wù ， xiǎng yào sī liè kōng jiān yě yào dà fèi bō zhé ， hún shēn de líng lì xiāo hào diào yí bàn zuǒ yòu ， ér qiě hái bì xū yǒu chèn shǒu de fǎ bǎo ， zài jiā shàng tè shū de zhèn fǎ xiàng zhù ， fǒu zé xiǎng yě bié xiǎng de 。
而即便是那种等阶的老怪物，想要撕裂空间也要大费波折，浑身的灵力消耗掉一半左右，而且还必须有趁手的法宝，再加上特殊的阵法相助，否则想也别想的。
Now, with the guarantee of ascending to the Spirit Realm, even without being a servant, other cultivators would vie for it.
kě xià hóu lán què qīng sōng yǐ jí ， sì hū bù fèi chuī huī zhī lì 。
可夏侯兰却轻松以极，似乎不费吹灰之力。
But Lin Xuan was different; while immortality was his goal, he also did not want to give up freedom. Servitude? What kind of joke?
dāng rán ， tā xiàn zài jìng jiè suī rán bào zhǎng le xǔ duō ， dàn yě bù guò níng dān qī bà le ， guān jiàn zài yú nà ge shǒu zhuó ， lín xuān kě yǐ kěn dìng ， nà jué duì shì líng jiè de bǎo wù 。
当然，她现在境界虽然暴涨了许多，但也不过凝丹期罢了，关键在于那个手镯，林轩可以肯定，那绝对是灵界的宝物。
From an ordinary person without spiritual roots, Lin Xuan had experienced too many hardships and challenges on the path to cultivation. He believed that even without help, he could ascend to the Spirit Realm.
“ shào yé ， wǒ men bú shì me ， dài zài zhè lǐ sì hū yǒu xiē bù miào de 。” yuè ér de shēng yīn
“少爷，我们不是么，待在这里似乎有些不妙的。”月儿的声音
Why should he be a servant when he didn't need anyone's help? Believing in himself, Lin Xuan was confident that he could achieve immortality through his own efforts.
With a deep breath, Lin Xuan bowed to the familiar yet unfamiliar girl. "Latecomer Lin Xuan pays his respects to the Fairy."
Thirty years could flow east and then west, but at this moment, Lin Xuan was treating Lady Hua Hou as a junior.
Lady Hua Hou did not show any signs of surprise on her face; instead, she seemed almost indifferent. After turning her head, her gaze swept over Lin Xuan, as if he were an insignificant pawn. Finally, she sighed and said, "You are named Lin Xuan?"
"Yes."
Lin Xuan's expression did not reveal any anger after being belittled. With his deep understanding, he had already guessed that this lady was closely related to the upper realm and might be a significant figure in the Spirit Realm.
"Indeed, from your expression, you have probably figured out my identity. I am not someone who repays evil with evil. Considering that you saved me before, I will give you two choices," Lady Hua Hou's voice remained unchanged but carried more coldness and arrogance.
"Two choices?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off.
"Yes, the first is to serve as my vassal." "Serve a master?"
Lin Xuan's expression turned slightly gloomy. However, Lady Hua Hou ignored his reaction: "Yes, and it must be done through a blood pact."
Lin Xuan fell silent for a moment before asking, "What is your second choice, Fairy?"
Although Lin Xuan's expression was calm, his hand had already clenched into a fist.
Lady Hua Hou noticed this and sighed. "A smart guy, but you have already guessed it. The second option is obvious."
"Your words are beyond me, Master," Lin Xuan's heart raced, but he still spoke confidently.
"If I say something, I will not retract it. Think carefully." Lady Hua Hou seemed agitated as she said, "If it were not for another version of myself who begged on your behalf and told you that you were a good person, you would never have had the chance to meet me."
"Another self?" Although Lin Xuan guessed some parts, his expression was still strange. "May I ask, is this really Lady Hua from just now?"
"I am naturally her, and she is also me; otherwise, what do you think I am? An astral body possession? With my status, why would I possess a mere Spirit Realm cultivator? Tell me, I am an upper realm cultivator who must come to the lower realm for some special reason. However, in ancient times, even if one could break through space, only cultivators from the lower realm could ascend to the upper realm. Regardless of whether it is the Spirit Realm or the Demon Realm, no matter how great your existence, you cannot return to the lower realm," Lady Hua Hou said with a frustrated tone.
Lin Xuan was speechless; he couldn't imagine what level of cultivator this lady might be.
"Why do you have two souls?" Lin Xuan hesitantly asked.
"Ha?" Lady Hua Hou's face turned pale, showing signs of embarrassment. "What is so strange about having two souls? Although I am not an immortal, I once deceived the spatial laws and reincarnated while sealing my memories and strength. When crossing space, one must confront the boundary force; with my strength, it was nothing to me at that time. However, as a soul body without a physical form, I suffered significant injuries. After reincarnation, my soul fell into a deep sleep for recovery. Without soul control, how could I not have become a living dead? Therefore, I used secret techniques to split out another soul."
"Another soul?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow and said with some emotion.
"Do you fear the backlash of your second soul, Fairy?" Lin Xuan scratched his head; this explanation completely overturned his previous understanding of cultivating souls.
"Hmph, she is me, and I am her. What is there to fear? They are one entity. Can a mere junior understand my cultivation techniques?"
"Of course," Lin Xuan laughed naively. Since he successfully formed an essence body, no one had ever treated him as an old man in front of him. However, this woman definitely had that right.
"Fairy..."
"Enough with the chatter. Consider what I said." Lady Hua Hou's expression turned serious; her patience was at its limit.
"Can Fairy not give me a third choice and let me leave?"
Lin Xuan smiled bitterly. If she said so, once words were spoken, they could not be retracted, but he knew very well what the other option was.
"I have already told you that I am not cruel or bloodthirsty. You did do me a favor, but I came to this lower realm with great effort and even reincarnated for a mission. No mistakes can happen. If you are willing to serve as my vassal, everything will be fine," Lady Hua Hou said smugly.
"But..." Lin Xuan hesitated to refuse outright, but his expression was clear.
"Hmph, I only have this patience because the other version of me begged on your behalf. This is my last chance. Boy, do you think I would like to take a servant? Tell you the truth, countless powerful beings in the upper realm beg for the honor of serving me, and I look at them with disdain. Serving as my vassal, do you think it's a loss? This is an opportunity that many wish for but cannot obtain," Lady Hua Hou raised her eyebrows and impatiently pointed out.
Lin Xuan was stunned; this woman's tone was outrageous. What could be her status in the Spirit Realm?
"Master, she isn't bluffing, right?" Yue'er also seemed speechless as she whispered in Lin Xuan's mind.
"No."
Lin Xuan shook his head. He could distinguish between truth and falsehood. From her words and demeanor, he had long known that this lady was a significant figure in the Spirit Realm but did not expect it to be so extreme.
However, Lin Xuan was certain that she was neither lying nor exaggerating.
"If I serve as your vassal, can I advance to the realm of separation?" Lin Xuan asked weakly.
"Hmph, what is the realm of separation? With my help, ascending to the Spirit Realm is guaranteed," Lady Hua Hou said with a proud expression.
"But..."
"Of course, I have methods to ensure you safely pass through. Will you serve as my vassal now?" Lady Hua Hou smiled smugly.
Lin Xuan fell silent; if it were anyone else, he would not need to consider this matter.
Why did one cultivate? To achieve immortality.
Each level of cultivation brought a significant increase in lifespan.
However, the later stages became increasingly difficult. There were few Essence Body cultivators left, and the realm of separation was rare throughout the entire world.
Even reaching that stage meant facing the heavenly tribulation, which countless separation-stage cultivators had fallen to over history.
Now, with the guarantee of ascending to the Spirit Realm, even without being a servant, other cultivators would vie for it.
But Lin Xuan was different; while immortality was his goal, he also did not want to give up freedom. Servitude? What kind of joke?
From an ordinary person without spiritual roots, Lin Xuan had experienced too many hardships and challenges on the path to cultivation. He believed that even without help, he could ascend to the Spirit Realm.
Why should he be a servant when he didn't need anyone's help? Believing in himself, Lin Xuan was confident that he could achieve immortality through his own efforts.