Chapter 4: Shattered Mirror, A Three-Year Pact

In the darkness, dark clouds swiftly enveloped the stars and moon, and a bolt of lightning tore through the intact sky.

Arm-thick flashes of lightning followed one after another, relentless thunder crashing ceaselessly, tirelessly assaulting Danbo Peak.

The dazzling lightning split the dense, inky blackness, illuminating the courtyard with black tiles and white walls as bright as daylight. In an instant, every stone and bench in the yard was laid bare; even the elegant bamboo shadows appeared somewhat menacing.

The light inside the room was dim, the candle flame flickered wildly.

A man lay by the bedside, propping his head up with his right hand. Silver hair cascaded into the hollow of his neck. His lips were paler than most, exuding a coldness that seemed detached from humanity, but more so, an otherworldly, ethereal aura.

Sensing a disturbance, the man suddenly opened his eyes. His overwhelming pressure surged like a tidal wave. A strand of golden light flicked from his fingertips, streaking past the window and exploding above the peak.

A golden barrier unfurled, enveloping the entire Danbo Peak. The raging lightning struck violently, yet not a single blade of grass or leaf on the mountain stirred.

His glacial, glazed eyes flicked with coldness as he glanced outside. Noticing Ling Xi’s brow furrowed deeply, Luo Chen raised his hand to touch her forehead, infusing golden light into her skin.

“Don’t be afraid. Do exactly as I say.”

“Calm your breath and mind. Relax your body. Do not resist the influx of spiritual energy. Guide the energy into your dantian, then gather and compress it.”

His magnetic voice carried a trace of gentleness.

Ling Xi steadied herself considerably. Following his instructions, the turbulent spiritual energy in her meridians gradually converged in her dantian, where a faint purple aura began to form.

If her guess was correct, she could begin cultivation.

Excited, Ling Xi opened her eyes, only to find a breathtakingly handsome face looming near the bed. Had she not stopped abruptly, she might have collided with him.

“Don’t be afraid. This is Danbo Peak. Your opening lightning tribulation has passed. Judging by your current level, you should be at Qi Refining Stage Two. Want to eat something first?” Luo Chen rose and rolled up his sleeves, bringing over a bowl of porridge from the table, a faint smile curving his thin lips.

Danbo Peak????

Before her stood Luo Chen—handsome as a celestial, but with a heart like a ruthless demon!

She was doomed!

Memories surged back as she sat upright with a snap.

The sect leaders of Danbo Peak and Ningjing Peak were archrivals. Although she had recently been rescued by the naive and sweet Danbo Peak disciples, that did not mean the two peaks had forgiven and forgotten.

While they might not kill her, giving her a taste of their temper or slipping a laxative into her food was quite possible.

She had heard that even the direct disciples of Danbo Peak, along with their master, were a bit unhinged.

“That’s how you repay your savior? I’m not so immature as to poison the porridge. With my strength, you can’t resist me even if you tried.” Luo Chen smiled and lifted the bowl.

Ling Xi thought about it and immediately thanked him before drinking the porridge.

As soon as it touched her lips, her brows knitted into waves, but under the watchful gaze of the powerful man, she gave a thumbs-up and praised the porridge, grinning.

Luo Chen chuckled softly. “Of course. All my direct disciples say my cooking is delicious.”

Ling Xi: “…”

Is the taste really that strong?

She didn’t understand, but she respected it!

Just as long as he didn’t mess with her again.

The rumors were true—everyone from Danbo Peak was a bit off.

Ling Xi took the bowl, closed her eyes, and gulped down a few mouthfuls. Despite her conscience, she praised it again, then took advantage of Luo Chen’s delighted state to dash away.

But the moment she took a step, someone grabbed her wrist.

With a gentle tug, Luo Chen pulled her back onto the bed.

He stepped closer, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth, his eyes blazing with mad determination.

“You little thing, still heartless as ever—eat and run away without a second thought.”

Ling Xi dodged back, staring at Luo Chen with wide eyes. “What do you want? Marry me off? I’m just a child—pedophilia is unacceptable!”

Luo Chen was speechless for a moment, then raised his hands and moved closer. “You’re right, but I just want you to stay and be my disciple.”

Ling Xi had a keen sense for microexpressions, and with her enhanced perception from the Netherworld’s Edge, she caught the madness and obsession flickering in his eyes.

“My master won’t agree.”

A flicker of confusion crossed Luo Chen’s eyes. His gaze shifted as if recalling something. “It doesn’t matter. Soon, you won’t need his approval.”

Ling Xi quickly realized what he meant. Given Gu Jiuyuan’s regard for Lin Rou, her daytime antics would surely be harshly punished.

With the bitter hostility between the two peaks, her rescue by An during the day would look like betrayal in Gu Jiuyuan’s eyes—a sign of disrespect to her master.

With this double pressure, the likelihood of her being expelled from her sect was very high.

But how could she escape the jaws of the wolf only to fall into the tiger’s den? So she tactfully declared her loyalty to her master.

Seeing Ling Xi unmoved, Luo Chen rattled off a list of benefits to becoming his disciple, talking until his mouth was dry. When he looked at her again, her little head was still shaking like a rattle.

“I’ll even increase your monthly stipend. Besides, your third senior brother is a fool with plenty of money. Join me, and you can take advantage of him all you want.”

Ling Xi’s heart pounded as she struggled. “If I really get kicked out, I might consider it, but I’m an entertainer, not a concubine…”

Before she could add conditions, Luo Chen flicked her forehead. “I don’t know what little girls think about all day.”

“What’s there to consider? In the cultivation world, strength is everything. I’m stronger than him. It’s rare to see your unique physique. You just obediently be my disciple and write stories to inspire me.”

Ling Xi’s mouth twitched. “That’s it?! But… why me?”

Luo Chen’s eyes flickered slightly as he blurted out, “You look sweet and pretty, just right for the image of a little junior sister. I’ve been stuck on this story for three months; can you bear to see me suffer so?”

He grabbed Ling Xi’s sleeve, playing the victim with fluttering eyelashes.

Ling Xi had now seen just how shameless he was—a waste of his pure, aloof immortal appearance.

She did not want to be bound by anyone, and she felt everything was unreal.

Luo Chen seemed to sense her thoughts, complex emotions spreading from the corners of his eyes. He held up three fingers.

“How about three years? After three years, if you don’t want to stay at my… I mean, Danbo Peak, you can leave anytime.”

“Is that a promise?” Ling Xi probed.

“Absolutely. More real than pure gold. Look into my sincere eyes. Do they look like they’re lying?”

Fearing she wouldn’t believe him, Luo Chen immediately made a heavenly oath, invoking a celestial contract.

The storm of lightning once again dominated the night sky, thunder rolling in waves as eighty-one bolts struck, forming two contract papers glowing with golden light that illuminated half the sky.

Luo Chen beckoned with his finger, and golden light streaked across the heavens, landing in his palm in the blink of an eye.

“Here, take it. Now you can rest assured. With the binding of the heavenly contract, if I break this promise, my soul will be destroyed. This way, you still have a chance to leave.”

Ling Xi’s eyes flickered as she quickly pressed the hand seal.

Having both a powerful protector and a steady income, plus freedom—how could she lose?

To not seize such a benefit would be foolish.

With the contract sealed, Luo Chen left, and Ling Xi took a nap.

At dawn, Luo Chen called for clothes to be brought.

Seeing Ling Xi’s scattered hair, he braided two plaits for her.

He sized her up and grew more satisfied the more he looked.

The little girl propped her cheek with one hand, smiling at her reflection in the brass mirror stained like porridge. Her small tiger teeth peeked out—cute yet not fragile. The silver butterfly hairpins on her head trembled slightly, making her even more pleasing to the eye.

“All done,” Luo Chen set down the comb. “Want me to go back with you?”

Ling Xi smiled faintly. “You’re so sure I’ll be expelled.”

Luo Chen: “I’m sure we’re destined.”

Having grasped his nature, Ling Xi didn’t bother to correct him. After bidding him farewell, she headed toward Ningjing Peak.

“Where did junior sister go all night? The little junior sister was restless, and the master had to personally soothe her to sleep.”

Though spoken with a laugh, the rising tone and clipped words betrayed unmistakable displeasure.

As she reached the foot of Ningjing Peak, a light laugh drifted into her ears.