The Lord of Void and Real

Chapter 224: Chapter 222: Tacit Understanding

The “heavy gratitude” Ma Mian had mentioned, was neither a magical instrument nor an Immortal jade, but surprisingly a Soul Contract.

Shen Luo, who had been cultivating the Technique of taming beasts and summoning spirits, was naturally not unfamiliar with this. However, he did not feel that it was particularly precious. At least for him, it was an item that he could do without.

“What, are you not satisfied with this?” Seeing Shen Luo’s expression, Ma Mian asked in surprise and with some annoyance.

“No, I’m just a bit surprised,” Shen Luo squeezed out an awkward smile and said.

“Kid, don’t underestimate this. This is not an ordinary Soul Contract. As long as you sign it, if you encounter a crisis in the future, you can summon me with this contract to help you!” Ma Mian glared at Shen Luo and said.

“Can I use it anytime and anywhere?” Shen Luo asked, somewhat taken aback.

With his current realm, he could not determine simply how powerful the Soul Hook Horse Face was. He only knew that it should be at least above the Soul Condensation Stage. If he could indeed get his help, it would undoubtedly be a great advantage.

But before he could rejoice, Ma Mian poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

“You can use it anytime and anywhere, but this contract is consumable and can only be used once. It would be best if you don’t waste it at will.” Ma Mian watched as Shen Luo’s smile gradually stiffened, which cleared up the gloom in his heart.

“So it can only be used once…” Shen Luo couldn’t help but mutter.

“Did you think that just anyone can get their hands on an Underworld Soul Contract? According to the rules, only a chosen few Cultivators who have completed Underworld tasks are eligible and have the opportunity to obtain such a Soul Contract!” Ma Mian retorted irritably.

“What are Underworld tasks?” Shen Luo asked, intrigued.

“So, you want to take on Underworld tasks? With your current level of cultivation, to be honest, it’s far from enough.” Ma Mian picked at his mouth and said.

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“Since you’ve already mentioned it, don’t hide it now. Just because I can’t do it now, doesn’t mean I won’t be able to do it in the future.” Shen Luo replied with a tease.

“Alright, it’s about time you got clued in! Generally speaking, the tasks the Underworld requires help from the Yang Realm to perform are particularly difficult. It would be no different from seeking death for a cultivator without proper strength to interfere in these matters. However, once you complete a task, you can gain many benefits that you wouldn’t expect. This Soul Contract is just one among many.” The Soul Hook Horse Face mysteriously said.

Just as Shen Luo wanted to ask some more questions, Ma Mian gestured him not to do so.

“Alright, this time I’m making an exception in giving you this Soul Contract because of your kindness in helping me annihilate those vile ghosts and steal the incense fire. There’s no point in telling you more.” Ma Mian cleared his throat and said.

Although Shen Luo was unwilling, there was not much he could say since Ma Mian had spoken in such an absolute manner. So, he asked Ma Mian about the method of using the Soul Contract and then excused himself.

Time passed, and more than a month had gone by.

Shen Luo had been diligently cultivating in the Bai Mansion. After trying the Huangting Technique and the Pure Yang Sword Technique several times, and finding that there was still no progress, he put them aside and began to focus on cultivating the Nameless Cultivation Technique. His progress was quite rapid.

Now, he had finally made a breakthrough and reached the Qi Refining Stage Fifth Layer. His proficiency in the Slanting Moon Steps had also improved significantly.

In the past half month, he also attempted to draw the Thunderfall Talisman on the Yellow Paper Charm, resulting in using all the materials he had previously bought, without even creating a single one.

Clearly, the chances of creating such a high-level rune in reality are even slimmer than in the Dreamland.

However, Shen Luo had been prepared for this. Although he was somewhat heartbroken, he wasn’t overly disappointed.

Fortunately, he managed to create quite a few Small Thunder Talismans during his spare time, about fifty to sixty in total, and his proficiency had improved further.

One morning, Bai Xiaotian hurried back from the front yard, holding a wooden box in his arms, and knocked on Shen Luo’s door.

As soon as he entered the room, he put the box on the table, poured himself a cup of water from the teapot, and said, “I had sent someone to your home to deliver a letter a while ago. This is what your father asked them to bring back.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Luo hurriedly opened the box to find a stack of silver bills and two shiny golden ingots.

He checked and found that there were over three thousand taels of silver bills, and the two gold ingots each weighed a hundred taels. Under the gold ingots and silver bills, there was also an envelope.

When Shen Luo opened it, he saw his father’s handwriting, assuring him to stay in Jianye without worry or rush to return, and not to worry about home but to take care of himself.

At the end of the letter, he noted that the paper was somewhat wrinkled. It seemed to be marks left by holding the paper tightly. He knew his father must have been worried about him.

“When a son travels far from home, a father worries… it’s natural.” Seeing Shen Luo’s somber expression, Bai Xiaotian got up, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him.

“What is the current situation in Chunhua County?” Shen Luo looked up and asked.

“Things have generally stabilized. The people we left behind have been secretly observing for a while and haven’t found any signs of any demons and ghosts. It seems that they have genuinely retreated.” Bai Xiaotian thought for a moment and said.

“Given that the situation is under control, I have been imposing on the Bai family for a long time, and it’s time for me to return.” Seeing this, Shen Luo packed away the letter and smiled.

“You want to go back?” Bai Xiaotian asked, somewhat taken aback.

“Yes. But before I go back, there is one thing I want to tell you.” Shen Luo nodded and said.

“You’re not about to discuss the Pure Yang Scripture, are you?” Bai Xiaotian was taken aback at first, then laughed.

“You already knew.” Shen Luo also laughed.

“Shen Luo, this matter is a secret between you, Master Luo, and even your Senior Ancestor. There’s really no need to disclose it to me.” Bai Xiaotian sighed softly and said.

“I haven’t felt at ease about this for a long time, and I need to get it out of my system. When confronted by Gu Hualing, I didn’t admit it, but in fact, the Pure Yang Scripture is indeed with me. I guessed that you knew about this, but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell the elders of your family. Isn’t this scripture quite important to the Bai family?” Shen Luo asked, somewhat puzzled.

“What purpose would telling my family serve? To collaborate with them to offer you attractive benefits, or to exert pressure on you? I can’t do such things.” Bai Xiaotian laughed dismissively and said.

“The day the Senior Ancestor passed down the Pure Yang Scripture, he set a rule that I must continue the legacy of Spring and Autumn Pavilion and assure that I will never teach the skills and techniques recorded in the Pure Yang Scripture to anyone outside of the Little Straw Mountain lineage. Since you are an Inner Sect Disciple of the Spring and Autumn Pavilion, you are not an outsider. So, I must ask, are you willing to inherit the scripture, come back with me to Chunhua County and rebuild the Spring and Autumn Pavilion?” Shen Luo asked, looking solemn.