Chapter 064: A Decade-long Bargain

“You mean to say…” Song Heng’s expression tightened, then a look of sudden realization flashed across his face.

Given Xu Xuan’s position and his strained relationship with the main Xu family, he had absolutely no need to help him break through the barrier to become a Martial Cultivator. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

“Xu Sage, to help me step into the realm of Martial Cultivation is truly a debt of rebirth. Is there something you wish to command me?” Song Heng gave a slight bow, his tone full of respect.

At this moment, standing before this unfathomable youth, he was filled with awe. If the other could, with such ease, let him step into Martial Cultivation, then he certainly had the power… to destroy his foundations in an instant.

In truth, Xu Xuan did possess that ability—and even the inclination—for he had no wish to create another enemy for himself. If it were an ordinary Body Refinement eighth-layer mortal, facing a first-layer Qi Refining Martial Cultivator, they would hardly stand a chance, let alone dare to threaten them.

Yet Xu Xuan, who practiced the ancient and mysterious body refinement art “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent,” was an anomaly; not to mention a first-layer, even a second-layer Qi Cultivator, he had confidence to match in battle—and perhaps even win.

“No, I merely wish to make a deal with you.” Xu Xuan’s gaze was sharp and penetrating, seeming to see into the depths of Song Heng’s heart.

“A deal?” Song Heng was briefly stunned, feeling a strange tightening in his chest. “Please, Xu Sage, speak your terms.”

He sensed a soul-shaking aura spreading in his heart once more, the pressure so great it was hard to breathe. Song Heng even had the illusion that if this youth wished for his death, he could not resist in the slightest.

“Ten years.” Xu Xuan’s voice was sonorous, unwavering. “I want ten years of your time.”

“You mean, for ten years… you wish to command me as you please?” Song Heng responded quickly, calm and shrewd.

“Exactly,” Xu Xuan replied without hesitation.

Song Heng stood in place, his face shifting between emotions. For someone of his cultivation and status, to serve another for ten years was indeed a difficult decision.

“This is a fair exchange; each to take what they need. Helping you open the door to Martial Cultivation was only the beginning,” Xu Xuan said with a faint, enigmatic smile.

Only the beginning?

Song Heng’s heart stirred, and he asked coolly, “If I serve at your command for ten years, what else will Xu Sage provide?”

“Consider this—you have only just entered the first layer of Qi Refining; the path has only just opened. With your age, talent, and resources, how far do you think you can go? Second layer? Third layer? Or will you remain at the first forever?” Xu Xuan’s gaze was like a sword, piercing Song Heng’s spirit, plunging him into contemplation.

After a long silence, Song Heng drew a deep breath. “In ten years, how far can you take me?”

“I can teach you superior cultivation methods and insights, guiding you so that within three years you reach the fourth layer of Qi Refining, and within ten years, ascend to the ninth layer. As for the higher realm of Spirit Refinement, that will depend on your own fortune—but the opportunity will be there.” Xu Xuan spoke with calm confidence.

“The ninth layer of Qi Refining… even the realm of Spirit Refinement?” Song Heng’s heroic frame trembled, and his eyes shone with unprecedented hope.

If he could reach the fourth layer, he would be a formidable figure in Pinghua Town. Should he attain the ninth layer, he could look down upon the surrounding hundred miles, becoming someone of great stature. As for the realm of Spirit Refinement—that was beyond his imagination. Such figures were renowned even in the region of Yellow Dragon City.

“This is both a deal and a pact. If within three years I cannot help you reach the fourth layer, you may dissolve our agreement,” Xu Xuan said, his lips curling with absolute confidence.

“Your offer is irresistible!” Song Heng drew a deep breath and continued, “But what do you need me to do? If it’s killing, arson, or any crime that violates my principles, then I—”

“Rest assured, I am not some irredeemable villain,” Xu Xuan replied, looking at him with genuine appreciation. Song Heng’s character was indeed worthy of trust.

“What you must do is simple—remain in Yangmu Village, and unless special circumstances arise, do not leave Pinghua Town. During this time, you are to protect my family, and occasionally follow my instructions to handle certain tasks. That is all.”

Having made his terms clear, Xu Xuan waited.

“Very well, I accept this deal.” Song Heng agreed without hesitation, casting Xu Xuan a deep look, awed and unable to refuse.

With his cultivation at the eighth layer of Body Refinement, verging on Martial Cultivation, most tasks were trivial to him; protecting a few mortals was a waste of his abilities.

“I will first teach you an introductory martial technique, but this method will only carry you as far as the second layer of Qi Refining…” Xu Xuan then approached and imparted to Song Heng part of an advanced cultivation method from his past life.

He did not simply recite the incantations, but explained them in detail, elaborating on much of his experience. The refined and profound methods, even if given to an ordinary person, would be difficult to grasp without exceptional understanding.

After about an hour of repeated explanations and answers to Song Heng’s many questions, Song Heng felt as if a fog had cleared from his mind. He sensed he had set foot on a dazzling, mysterious path of cultivation, and that Xu Xuan had illuminated the road ahead, sweeping aside many obstacles and saving him much aimless searching.

This made him all the more wary of Xu Xuan—despite being only fifteen or sixteen, the youth hid his depths well, and his skill and knowledge would put ordinary cultivators to shame.

When the lesson ended, Song Heng returned alone, his back drenched in cold sweat, as if he had just walked the edge of the underworld.

Xu Xuan watched him go, murmuring to himself, “I suppose I haven’t misjudged him.”

Then he turned and leaped into the mountains. In the deep of night, he performed the eighth stage of his breathing technique, and began to practice the eighth transformation of the Dragon and Serpent, the “Howl” technique.

In an instant, the wilds around him rang with the deep, thrilling sounds of fists and feet slicing the air. Fierce winds roared, and now and again a piercing howl, like thunder, shattered the silence.

Every palm and punch of the “Howl” technique made the very air shriek and burst. As his movements quickened, the explosive howls grew ever sharper, like a storm of thunder and wind.

Reaching the final move of the eighth transformation, Xu Xuan gathered his entire strength and let out a breath.

“Huo—!”

The roar, akin to a dragon or lion, shook the mountain forest like a thunderclap. In the tumult of wind, faint flashes of lightning flickered, and a muffled boom rolled out, terrifying in its majesty—like the wrath of heaven itself.

A primal, ancient aura, as if from a barbarian king of forgotten times, radiated from Xu Xuan, spreading for miles around.

In that instant, every living thing in the area bowed low and trembled.

Roar!

A wild boar of seven or eight hundred catties, trembling with terror, burst from the nearby woods, its eyes fierce and murderous, bellowing in rage.

In these forests, a boar of such size was enough to make lions and tigers back away, unwilling to face it head-on. Even a fourth-layer Body Refiner would panic in such a situation and face mortal danger.

Xu Xuan sneered, opened his mouth, and unleashed another breath. His spirit, energy, and essence converged into a single point—a piercing, formless wave shot into the wild boar’s body from over ten meters away.

With a thud, the boar collapsed, blood seeping from its seven apertures. Without even coming close to Xu Xuan, it was slain by the force of the “Howl” technique.

He continued to train the “Howl” in the depths of the mountain, unrestrained and uninhibited, relishing the freedom as never before.

Because the “Howl” was so disruptive, he had suppressed its use inside the Immortal Sect ever since that one time. Now, back home, he decided to spend every night here perfecting the technique, consolidating his cultivation.

…

That night, Song Heng returned to the village and the main Xu household.

“Master Song, how did your sparring with Xu Xuan go?” Xu Yuan asked expectantly.

He had assumed that, even with the help of the Marrow Cleansing Pill, Xu Xuan would only have reached the seventh layer of Body Refinement and could not possibly match Song Heng.

“Young Master Xu, as of today, I am resigning from my post as martial instructor for the main Xu family,” Song Heng said solemnly.

“Master Song, why? Where are you going?” Xu Yuan cried out, unable to accept the news.

“I will be stationed in Yangmu Village, devoting myself to cultivation without leaving the area. And now that you have entered the Immortal Sect, I can offer you little help on the cultivation path,” Song Heng paused, his expression growing grave and meaningful as he fixed his gaze on Xu Yuan. “Before you go, I have a word of advice—remember it well and never, ever defy it.”

“Please, Master, speak.”

Xu Yuan tensed; it was the first time he had seen his teacher so serious.

Song Heng drew a deep breath, his face complex and his tone full of hidden meaning: “In the sect, you may offend anyone, but never cross Xu Xuan. Never. Remember this!”

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