Chapter 83:
Inside this chamber lay numerous enchantments and restrictions, requiring a specific chant, known only to Li Su, to unlock the entrance. Uttering the incantation, Li Su accessed the chamber.
As he stepped inside, he found himself in a vast hall often used by the sect leader for practice when she wasn’t in seclusion. To his surprise, she was not present. More than ten days had passed. Was she still interrogating the Silent Moon Saintess? Li Su wasn’t overly concerned, knowing the sect leader’s strength and intelligence. The array of restrictions on the Saintess made any attempt at trouble futile.
Proceeding to the room where the Saintess was held, he discovered the sect leader and her inside.
“Do you truly wish to share the secrets of my techniques?” The Saintess of the Silent Moon’s voice reached Li Su’s ears as he entered.
She finally spoke! This surprised Li Su, and the sect leader seemed equally shocked. He noticed the Saintess still bound, her expression devoid of emotion.
“My disciple, Li Su, she has spoken for the first time,” the sect leader transmitted to him.
“The first time she’s spoken!”
“Indeed,” the sect leader acknowledged, addressing the Saintess. “My disciple, Li Su, will come, and you can share your knowledge with him.”
Li Su didn’t react with joy but with suspicion. This cooperation seemed like a trick. An exchanged glance between him and the sect leader confirmed their mutual suspicion.
In her captive state, the Saintess must be aware that Li Su wouldn’t release her. Her sudden cooperation was indeed suspicious.
“My Nascent Soul is wounded, burdened with dozens of restrictions, and my soul is tormented. Are you both so afraid? One at the Nascent Soul stage, the other at the eighth layer of the Golden Core stage?” The Saintess spoke again, her tone calm but provoking.
“You don’t need to provoke us. I have a gift for you,” Li Su replied. As he spoke, he revealed the poisonous pill he had crafted and presented it to the Saintess.
Initially unaware, she eventually caught a whiff of the pill’s scent. Her calm face briefly displayed a subtle change in color before returning to composure.
“A Ninth Revolution Soul-Severing Pill? How is that possible?” The Saintess expressed disbelief.
“It’s entirely possible. You’ll see it when you try it. Open your mouth,” Li Su insisted, picking up the poisonous pill.
Naturally, the Saintess resisted. Li Su held her chin and administered the pill himself, dissolving it with his spiritual energy and directing it into her digestive organs. The Saintess’s gaze shifted from calm to anger, no longer able to hide her emotions.
A formidable Nascent Soul witch, once revered and aloof, now found herself at Li Su’s mercy, her chin held firmly. Powerless, she had no choice but to allow the poisonous pill to dissolve within her, its effects taking hold swiftly. Her complexion changed entirely. It was indeed a genuine Ninth Revolution Soul-Severing Pill!
But obtaining this type of poisonous pill was no easy feat. The rare herbs required for its creation and the intricate production process made it a rarity. She had only come across the formula and had never managed to produce the actual pill. The question loomed in her mind: where did Li Su obtain it?
“Now, do you believe me? The formula was in your possession, and I’m certain you’re aware of this pill’s specific effects and functions,” Li Su’s voice reverberated.
The Silent Moon Saintess maintained her icy facade, concealing her emotions well. However, her angry gaze couldn’t be concealed. If she were at her peak, or even close to it, as long as she could access her true energy, she could easily expel the poison from her system. But now, she had no means of escape. The poison was spreading rapidly.
In truth, within three days, she could have expelled the poison. But even that had become a luxury. With her current state, she might have found a way to counter the poison once it took effect, but her strength was diminished.
In the world of dark cultivation, trust was a rare commodity. The concept of “friendship” hardly existed among dark cultivators. Trusting a fellow dark cultivator was a risk, as betrayal could happen instantly. Therefore, dark cultivators frequently employed various control methods, as they wouldn’t dare to expose their backs to others. Poisonous pills like the one she had been administered were one such means of control.
However, any control method, as long as it was man-made, could be broken, and strength was the key. Even the most effective control methods could be escaped with sufficient strength. As a captive, Li Su wouldn’t allow her to regain her true energy. With the poison in her system, she had no way out.
“Master, just leave her to me. With this poisonous pill, worrying about her causing trouble is unnecessary. I’ll make her give birth to eight or ten children for me to see if she cooperates,” Li Su declared.
His words caused the Silent Moon Saintess to falter in controlling her expression. “Give birth to eight or ten children!”
Li Su’s scrutinizing gaze made her uncomfortable. She intended to teach Li Su her secret technique, but not the complete technique—only a portion of it. She planned to demonstrate its power to secure her release from Li Su and the sect leader.
Teaching the technique to Li Su rather than the sect leader was strategic. She had a hidden move in her arsenal that would work effectively only on someone at Li Su’s cultivation level, not the sect leader in the Nascent Soul stage.
The Silent Moon Saintess had risen quickly to the Nascent Soul stage, showcasing her formidable strength and potent secret techniques. She had a promising future and wasn’t foolish. Realizing Li Su and the sect leader’s interest in her secret technique, she devised this plan.
However, she knew that voluntarily offering to teach the technique would raise suspicions of ulterior motives. Indeed, she had ulterior motives, but she genuinely intended to teach the technique, albeit only half of it. Moreover, Li Su had fed her a poisonous pill, complicating the situation further.
They aimed to take her back and compel her to bear eight or ten children. Judging by Li Su’s demeanor, he might even resort to extreme measures. The Saintess of the Silent Moon’s heart began to race. She wasn’t afraid of death, but the prospect of being seized by Li Su and coerced into motherhood terrified her.
“If you do that, you’ll never extract my hidden technique,” she stated coldly.
“Is that so? But I’m not presently interested in your secret technique. It appears that having children might be a better choice. Master, do you have any objections?” Li Su turned to the sect leader.
The sect leader was momentarily at a loss for words. She didn’t know if Li Su was bluffing the Saintess of the Silent Moon or if he genuinely intended to capture her and force her to bear eight or ten children. After all, Li Su’s desire for parenthood had become no secret over the years.
“Li Su, dark practitioners are cunning. You must be cautious,” she finally warned.
“My confidential technique, when mastered to its highest level, can significantly enhance your combat abilities…” The Saintess of the Silent Moon tried to tempt them with her skill.
At this point, the Saintess of the Silent Moon once again sounded anxious. Li Su’s mention of having her bear eight or ten children had startled her. With her current strength suppressed, if Li Su were to take her back and force her to have so many children, she would have no means to resist.
However, just as she was about to continue speaking, the Saintess of the Silent Moon suddenly fell silent. Li Su had muted her voice.