Chapter 168

Wei Youqing had not yet had time to choose an option for Task One.

Below.

The refreshed Task Two also caused her expression to change suddenly, revealing a look of utter strangeness.

【Task Two: Outstanding Literary Talent. As a student of the Master and concurrently holding the position of Libationer, your learning and talent are extraordinary, your writing is superb, as if aided by the gods. Why not display your academic prowess and make your bonded partner, Ning Mu, admire you wholeheartedly!】

【Task Details: Write an erotic novel of no less than 20,000 words, featuring a female Libationer of the Academy and a leader of a martial arts stronghold as the protagonists. The content should be vivid and lively, using more vernacular than classical Chinese. You may add plotlines involving female scholars at your discretion. After writing, submit it to your partner for reading, or continue writing and improve the plot based on the ideas he provides.】

【Task Completion: Depending on the completion and brilliance of the novel's plot, as well as the satisfaction of your bonded partner Ning Mu, you can earn up to 1500 cultivation points (with a minimum of 750 points), 150 partner points, and a certain chance to additionally acquire Mastery of Writing.】

【Task Failure: Cultivation will regress to the Zhou Tian Realm, and you will gradually develop a habit of loving to write erotic novels!】

Wei Youqing was completely stunned.

What kind of ghost tasks are these?

If it's not bellybands, underpants, or paintings of beautiful women.

Then it's writing erotic novels.

Is this thing called a "System" actually some kind of perverted demon at its core? And what are these punishments for failing the tasks?

If you don't complete the task, the punishment is actually that you will become accustomed to the things required by the task...

Wei Youqing's face was incredibly flushed, her expression filled with deep strangeness and hesitation.

Fortunately.

Only Task One required her to make a choice; otherwise, if she had to choose for both tasks, she wouldn't know what to do.

【Task One option countdown, twenty seconds!】

【... nineteen seconds!】

Unknowingly, half a quarter of an hour had almost passed.

Seeing the countdown suddenly appear on the system panel, Wei Youqing panicked, her eyes showing urgency.

In her haste, she hurriedly made a choice among the three options.

……

At the same time.

Liu Qingmei, who had just finished breakfast, also saw the new task on her panel.

Her eyes flickered, and she immediately said to Tong Yuyue, "A-Yue, you go ahead, I'll follow shortly."

"Alright." Tong Yuyue didn't ask any more questions, nodded, and got up to leave.

The two of them had planned to go to the warehouse in the morning to take inventory of supplies, and then send a letter to Yonghang to have Jiang Fuling and Jin Xiangyu replenish whatever was missing.

After Tong Yuyue left.

Liu Qingmei stood up and headed toward the backyard.

In the backyard.

Zhu Yaluan was eating at the same table as Yang Yanqiu; after chatting and becoming familiar with each other, they actually developed a sense of mutual sympathy.

After all, both were women who had been forced.

One was a Saintess of the Demonic Cult.

The other was the leader of a great stronghold.

They actually felt a sense of shared misfortune.

Seeing Liu Qingmei enter, Yang Yanqiu hurriedly stood up and looked at her respectfully.

"First Madam," Yang Yanqiu greeted.

Zhu Yaluan raised an eyebrow but didn't move, continuing to eat slowly with her chopsticks.

"Hmm, are you feeling alright?"

Liu Qingmei nodded at Yang Yanqiu and asked with concern.

Yang Yanqiu's cheeks turned red, and her eyes drifted away.

"I-I'm fine, thank you for your concern, First Madam," Yang Yanqiu replied shyly.

Last night.

She had borne the brunt of it.

Because she was the first to be captured by the Master, she was naturally the first to be "poured into."

Not only that.

Because she and Ning Xiaoxiu were female slaves.

They bore the brunt of the Master's tyrannical emotional outbursts.

Her back was still itching faintly now.

It was the kind of itch that occurs when the skin is slightly broken but not visibly wounded, and is gradually healing.

"Hmm, it's good that you're fine. My husband is just a bit rough in that regard, but he is very caring at other times. If you have any grievances in your heart, you can tell me; you must not let them fester, understand?" Liu Qingmei reached out and pressed Yang Yanqiu's shoulder, comforting her with meaningful eyes.

Yang Yanqiu was startled, then nodded with a face as red as blood, unable to reply.

However, her shy and charming appearance already revealed her inner thoughts.

"There are less than two months left until the three-month mark. At that time, I will give you the antidote for these three months, and I will also help you break through to the Inner Profusion Realm and achieve the status of a Grandmaster." Liu Qingmei continued.

Hearing this, Yang Yanqiu was shocked, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Liu Qingmei in disbelief.

Break through to Inner Profusion and become a Grandmaster? The Zuo Zhao Realm is not that easy to enter!

But since Liu Qingmei had said it, she would definitely keep her promise.

Otherwise, she wouldn't speak without purpose.

After all, she was a True Person Realm martial artist; she might just have that ability! Thinking of this, Yang Yanqiu was filled with unexpected joy, knelt on the ground, and prostrated piously: "Thank you, First Madam. This slave will definitely serve the Master with all her heart and repay you with everything I have!"

And opposite her, Zhu Yaluan, who sat at the table pretending to be calm, could finally no longer sit still.

Regarding the Sitting Reflection Grandmaster realm, apart from having slightly greater strength, there is actually not much difference compared to ordinary people.

But its preciousness lies in this.

If one has the strength to break through to the Sitting Reflection Realm, then it is equivalent to having a stepping stone to enter the Divine Origin Realm.

Once one steps into the Divine Origin Realm, one becomes vastly different from ordinary martial artists.

The most intuitive and tempting benefit is possessing a lifespan that mortals cannot reach.

Five hundred years! This is already the lifespan of six or seven generations of a family! Therefore, being able to become a Grandmaster means one has the qualifications to enter the Divine Origin Realm; any martial artist is unable to resist the temptation brought by such qualifications.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yaluan, whose Cultivation Points were suppressed, could not help but knit her brows tightly, her eyes flowing with a longing to recover her own strength.

She could not help but stare intensely at Liu Qingmei, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Keeping to your duties and understanding your own position is the best form of gratitude, do you understand?"

Liu Qingmei smiled indifferently and reached out to help Yang Yanqiu up.

Afterwards.

Liu Qingmei looked at Zhu Yaluan.

"Stronghold Master Zhu, how have these past few days been?"

Zhu Yaluan knitted her brows and stood up, wanting to speak but hesitating, then cupped her hands in a salute and said: "It is passable; apart from freedom and Cultivation Points, the hospitality of your stronghold has been proper in every way."

Zhu Yaluan spoke with hidden meaning.

While speaking, her gaze also glanced at Yang Yanqiu, who was standing respectfully to the side.

Clearly, it was a longing for her own strength.

But Liu Qingmei did not pick up on her remark.

Instead, she narrowed her eyes, containing a bit of scrutiny and coldness, and coldly questioned: "Since the hospitality is proper, why does Stronghold Master Zhu still remain stubborn, wanting to probe the reality, defenses, and even learn the management principles of my stronghold?"

A moment ago, she was as warm as the sun.

The next moment, she was this cold.

This sudden questioning left Zhu Yaluan stunned for a moment.

However, she was, after all, a Stronghold Master of a large stronghold with thousands of people; after a brief moment of hesitation, she reacted immediately.

Right then.

She knitted her brows, looked at Liu Qingmei with great solemnity, cupped her hands in a salute, and said: "Mistress Ning, please allow me to explain."

"It was not that I, Zhu, intentionally probed, but rather that having nothing to do, I, Zhu, was just chatting casually; there was absolutely no ulterior motive."

"My, Zhu's, leverage is entirely in the grasp of your stronghold; life, death, fortune, and misfortune all depend on a single thought from your husband. As a subordinate, how would I dare to have any disloyal intentions!"

"I beg Mistress Ning to investigate clearly."

Zhu Yaluan defended herself righteously and neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Liu Qingmei knitted her brows slightly.

She had not expected that not only was Zhu Yaluan's strength impressive, but her glib tongue was also so exquisite.

But how could she give up so easily?

She immediately flicked her sleeve and sneered: "How can one-sided words prove innocence?"

Zhu Yaluan knitted her brows: "Then what does Mistress Ning want me to do?"

Liu Qingmei narrowed her eyes, feigning thought.

A moment later, she sat opposite Zhu Yaluan and gestured for the other party to sit as well.

Then, looking at her, she said slowly: "It is not difficult to make me believe you. Stronghold Master Zhu has witnessed with her own eyes these past few days that the women qualified to live in this main hall and the backyard are, without exception, all delicate darlings on my husband's couch."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yaluan's expression changed.

And before she could respond.

Liu Qingmei tapped the tabletop with her index finger, seemingly unconsciously.

She continued: "Even that Instructor Libation in the Jixia Academy, a Disciple of the Master, has not been qualified to live in this backyard."

Zhu Yaluan knitted her brows and remained silent, swallowing the words she wanted to retort back into her belly.

What else could she say? Could she say that she was more noble than a Disciple of the Master?

But Liu Qingmei's intention was already obvious.

Yet she was a woman of over forty, had a husband, and had a son.

Her son, Wu Yuxiao, was likely older than Ning Zhaozhu.

Now, Liu Qingmei had actually conceived such an idea.

Could it be that her dignified Martial Arts cultivation as a True Person was all obtained through such sordid affairs?

How could it be so... unbearable to hear! Zhu Yaluan knitted her brows and lowered her head in silence.

But the look of unwillingness and indignation on her face was vivid and clearly displayed.

Although she knew it clearly, she still asked what she already knew: "What is your intention?"

Liu Qingmei knitted her brows and smiled, saying: "My intention is also to ask Stronghold Master Zhu to be sensible."

"Stronghold Master Zhu lost her husband in her early years; after so many years of loneliness, it is time for a man to relieve your solitude. As a woman, I can understand Stronghold Master Zhu's plight."

"Stronghold Master Zhu need not worry about slander from others; if someone truly speaks, you may push the blame onto me, just say that I, Liu, forced you."

"The might of a True Person is unstoppable; the world should understand your plight."

"If not, Stronghold Master Zhu understands what I, Liu, will do!"

Listening to these words from Liu Qingmei that were half-earnest negotiation and half-threatening pressure, Zhu Yaluan's brows knitted tightly, and her heart felt a chill.

Immediately, she asked: "If I do not submit, what does Mistress Ning intend to do?"

Liu Qingmei did not answer, only looking at her with a smile.

Then she turned her head away.

Looking at the branches of a giant tree behind the house, those two birds were snuggling against each other, chirping from time to time.

Zhu Yaluan was startled, and she followed her gaze to look over.

But the next moment.

Her expression suddenly turned horrified, and she knitted her brows tightly.

She saw Liu Qingmei merely flick her sleeve casually, a seemingly unintentional flick of her finger.

One of the birds on that branch suddenly tumbled down from the tree.

It fell onto the roof.

Then, following the groove of the roof tiles, it rolled straight down and finally landed at Zhu Yaluan's feet.

Zhu Yaluan looked down.

She saw that the bird's exterior was completely undamaged; it was clearly killed by someone shattering its internal organs with force.

Gasp! She was not a fool.

How could she not know that the fate of this bird was the warning given by Liu Qingmei! Separated by a distance of several zhang, she had only heard the chirping and had not even seen the bird's shadow.

And she herself had not felt her use any Cultivation Points at all.

Yet she could be so leisurely and casual, with just a single flick of her finger, to shatter the bird's internal organs, and it had landed exactly at her feet; such control of force, I fear that even an ordinary Divine Origin True Person expert would find it difficult to achieve! Though the intimidation remained.

But what Zhu Yaluan valued more was this strength of Liu Qingmei.

She could not help but lock her brows tightly.

But she still looked at Liu Qingmei unwillingly and said, "I understand the meaning of Madam Ning."

Liu Qingmei immediately raised her eyes and looked at the other party with great interest.

But Zhu Yaluan suddenly stood up abruptly, and then stared straight at her.

After hesitating for a short while.

Zhu Yaluan cupped her hands and said solemnly, "But Madam must know that in this world, there are some things that one must do and some things one must not do. Perhaps for Madam Yang, life is particularly important and ranks before everything else, but for me, Zhu, there are some things that even if it means losing my life, I must defend!"

"For example, chastity and purity!"

Zhu Yaluan spoke with a firm attitude and an upright expression, even carrying a hint of the spirit of sacrificing oneself for righteousness.

But these words were not very pleasant to hear.

Especially for Yang Yanqiu.

Yang Yanqiu's face immediately fell, displeasure flickering between her brows as she coldly stared at the other party.

Liu Qingmei had not spoken, so she naturally dared not say anything more.

But they had been chatting very familiarly just before.

Yet at this moment, she had used her as an example, and a negative one at that.

Yang Yanqiu could not help but feel a fire in her heart, furious beyond measure.

Seeing this scene, Liu Qingmei could not help but raise her eyebrows; she was not angry, but instead felt much more relaxed in her heart.

When she had just come in, she saw Yang Yanqiu and Zhu Yaluan chatting happily.

She had been a little worried that these two would join forces and secretly stir up some trouble.

But now, there was an unexpected joy.

With Zhu Yaluan saying these words, it undoubtedly declared the rupture of their relationship; even if they reconciled, there would always be a thorn in their hearts.

It was just that this task would now be difficult to complete.

Seeing Zhu Yaluan so steadfast, Liu Qingmei's expression did not change, but she was undoubtedly increasingly satisfied in her heart.

If she were a loose woman who would agree immediately just because of a casual remark.

She really would not be willing to introduce her to her husband.

But in the current situation, it seemed she could only use some underhanded schemes.

In a flash of thought, Liu Qingmei raised her eyes, looked at Yang Yanqiu behind her, and raised her eyebrows, saying, "She said this about you; do you have nothing you want to say?"

Hearing these words, Yang Yanqiu, who had long been unable to keep things in, immediately stared at Zhu Yaluan and let out a cold snort.

Then, she said in an unkind tone, "Stronghold Master Zhu is quite imposing. Without knowing another's suffering, how can you comment?"

"You do not know that back then, I, Yang, was almost killed by the bull-nosed priests of Southern Chu. It was the Master who saved me after my cultivation was completely destroyed and I was severely injured. If not for that, I, Yang, would have long since perished in the Nine Netherworlds!"

"This grace of saving my life is like a rebirth."

"That is not even worth mentioning."

"The First Madam not only harbors no prejudice against me but treats me with sincerity, not only helping me recover my Cultivation Points but also causing my cultivation to advance further. Not only that, with the First Madam's help, I have hope for the Divine Origin realm. In the span of five hundred years of spring and autumn, what is there among the things of the past that cannot be discarded?"

"Stronghold Master Zhu's words are a bit too arbitrary!"

Yang Yanqiu flicked her sleeve and let out a cold snort of extreme displeasure.

As for the poison Liu Qingmei had planted in her body, or even that Female Slave Contract, she did not mention a single word.

As soon as Liu Qingmei spoke, Zhu Yaluan panicked in her heart, realizing she had said the wrong thing.

But it was already beyond remedy.

And Yang Yanqiu's words surprised her; clearly, she had not expected such twists and turns.

The grace of saving a life, the promise of the Divine Origin realm, and all such things—even a heart of stone would be moved. If it were herself, she feared she would also be unable to resist.

Yang Yanqiu's actions were understandable.

Her expression could not help but become sheepish, and looking at Yang Yanqiu, she explained awkwardly, "Yanqiu, I, Zhu, absolutely do not look down on you..."

But before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Yang Yanqiu raising her hand, who coldly retorted, "I cannot accept that. I, Yang, do not have such intimacy with the Great Stronghold Master Zhu. Please just call me by my name."

While speaking, Yang Yanqiu turned her head away directly, turning her body to ignore her.

Zhu Yaluan was left feeling awkward, her embarrassment exposed.

At this moment.

Liu Qingmei suddenly tapped on the tabletop, gave a light cough, and said indifferently, "Three days' time."

"I do not require you to offer yourself, but you must allow my husband to have intimate relations with you; otherwise, I would not mind carrying out a massacre of the stronghold."

"Furthermore, the matter of the Chu Kingdom's Zhenwu Army might also be reported to Libationer Wei, a Disciple of the Master."

"As for what path to take, Stronghold Master Zhu, think it over carefully!"

The voice fell.

Liu Qingmei then picked up the teacup brought by Liu Xiaoya and took a light sip.

Liu Xiaoya rolled her eyes, staring at Zhu Yaluan, her eyes revealing a hint of strangeness and curiosity.

Her Young Lady was becoming increasingly morbid.

Ever since that day at the Ye Family estate in the Mountain Dwelling Sword Tower, after sharing a union with the young master in front of Ye Bufan, she seemed to have become unstoppable.

She was always finding ways to scout out women for the young master.

Especially women with powerful strength.

(End of this chapter)