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Chapter 983: Submission
Chapter 983: Submission
Ling Gu, unlike his true form, could cultivate spiritual plants and receive cultivation rewards from the light orbs.
On a daily basis, he needed to spend a lot of time practicing high-level techniques and secret arts like the Nether True Water Prohibition and the Blood Nerve Scripture. Besides that, he also had to help Lu Xuan cultivate various evil spiritual plants in the Yinjian fields.
Occasionally, he had to venture out to hunt demonic beasts and evil cultivators to provide fertilizer for the spiritual plants.
Therefore, having these two helpers to gather materials from demonic beasts meant he no longer needed to do it himself, allowing him to focus his energy on cultivation.
Additionally, the two could handle the daily trivial matters, saving him a lot of trouble.
With the Parasitic Worm Demon controlling their minds, as long as the two harbored no ill intentions, the Worm Demon within their souls would detect any changes. Essentially, their lives were in the hands of Lu Xuan and Ling Gu.
In that moment, he made a decision. With a thought, Ling Gu swiftly flew to the entrance of the grotto.
"Why have the two of you come here? What is the matter?"
Ling Gu glanced at the two with a distant look, slowly speaking.
The tall, thin elder and the short cultivator felt a chill run down their spines under his gaze.
However, the two had a deep understanding of Ling Gu’s character beforehand, knowing he was somewhat aloof of human feelings, so they did not let it trouble them too much.
The two locked eyes and simultaneously knelt to the ground on one knee.
"Senior Ling, our strength is limited, and it’s difficult for us to survive in the Feng Yuan Star Grotto. This time, we have Come to seek to join your ranks, to serve and attend to your commands."
"Oh?"
"I know nothing about the two of you. Why should I take you in?"
Ling Gu looked down at them from his high vantage, asking coldly.
"Reporting to Senior Ling, I am Sun Kai, and this is my Dao Friend Wu Peng. The two of us have a deep bond, willing to entrust our lives to each other."
"We are both wandering cultivators by origin, living in a small place called Yin Mountain in the third layer of the Feng Yuan Star Grotto, barely reaching the middle Foundation Realm."
Seeing Ling Gu did Not Immediately Reject Them, Sun Kai’s heart surged with hope, and he quickly continued.
"Indeed, I haven’t heard of such a place."
"However, there are many large forces in the Feng Yuan Star Grotto, like the White Bone Palace. With your middle Foundation Realm, you could join any of them. Why think of coming to me?"
Lu Xuan, through Ling Gu’s mouth, asked sternly.
"To be frank, places like the White Bone Palace are ruthless. Once you enter, you might become material for some senior’s experiments any day."
"As for Senior Ling, we have heard of your strength and your fair treatment of the innocent. In such an environment as the Feng Yuan Star Grotto, you are known to be righteous and just. That is why we wish to join your ranks and serve you."
Sun Kai spoke with earnest words, and Wu Peng nodded in agreement beside him.
"Empty words mean nothing. How do I know you aren’t here to cause trouble?"
Ling Gu sneered coldly.
"Senior Ling, you overthink! We wouldn’t dare to offend you even with a hundred lives!"
The two were utterly shocked and hurriedly bowed their heads in response.
"Alright, there’s no need to be afraid. That was just a guess of mine."
Ling Gu’s tone softened considerably.
The two felt as if a great burden had been lifted from their shoulders, and they breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, joining my ranks and becoming my servants is not an easy matter. You must meet one of my conditions."
"Please, Senior Ling, enlighten us."
The two’s eyes brightened at his words.
"Swallow these two treasures into your bellies."
At some point, Ling Gu produced two strange treasures in his hand.
The treasures had multiple eyes and limbs, and transparent tentacles seemed to extend into their bodies.
"Senior Ling, may I boldly ask what this treasure is? What will happen if we swallow it?"
The two of them gently rose to their feet and whispered their question.
"I won’t reveal the specific type of treasure to you."
"I will, however, clearly explain the consequences of swallowing this treasure."
"Once you ingest it, I will have complete control over your every move, and I will know every thought in your hearts. Your lives will be at my mercy."
Ling Gu spoke slowly.
"Senior, this treasure is a bit... too domineering."
Sun Kai hesitated before speaking, his tone filled with helplessness.
While both of them yearned to join Ling Gu’s ranks and receive his protection, they were not prepared to accept such a drastic condition.
Their previously resolute determination wavered in an instant.
"To gain my protection, you must be willing to make sacrifices."
"Two strangers from the Fengyuan Star Cave who wish to join my ranks will find it difficult to earn my trust in a short time."
"Only by using such special measures, which allow me absolute control over you, can I feel confident entrusting you with certain tasks."
Ling Gu said this with a nonchalant expression.
"Senior is right. I was being too idealistic."
Sun Kai and his companion sighed softly.
Ling Gu’s words held some truth. There was no such thing as a free lunch; they couldn’t expect to gain everything without giving up something in return.
Yet, the thought of giving up now left them feeling reluctant and uneasy.
They had only two choices: swallow the strange treasure, lose their freedom and even their right to life, but gain Ling Gu’s protection.
Or refuse to swallow the treasure, return to their previous lives as wandering cultivators, and continue living in the dog-eat-dog environment of the Fengyuan Star Cave, where their lives were always in peril.
"Rest assured, I won’t decide your fates lightly."
"After all, if you truly join my ranks, you will still be useful to me."
"This is just a precaution to prevent you from doing anything that might harm my safety or interests."
"As long as you remain loyal and obedient, I can promise you that I won’t harm you intentionally."
"Furthermore, if you please me, I can even gift you some treasures to help you defend yourselves or enhance your cultivation."
Ling Gu smiled, his voice laced with a powerful allure.
"Is Senior Ling’s word true?"
Wu Peng blurted out.
"Whether you believe me or not is up to you."
Ling Gu, controlled by Lu Xuan, spoke calmly, not taking Wu Peng’s doubt to heart.
"Senior Ling, my companion was momentarily overexcited and doubted your words. He deserves severe punishment, please forgive us."
Sun Kai tugged at his companion’s sleeve, trying to explain.
"I offended Senior, please forgive me."
Wu Peng, realizing his mistake, quickly knelt down and begged for mercy.
"It’s fine."
Ling Gu waved his hand dismissively.
"I have limited time. You have ten breaths to make your decision."
His tone left no room for negotiation.
"I am willing to swallow this treasure."
Sun Kai’s face showed genuine sincerity as he spoke each word.
After understanding Ling Gu’s attitude towards them, he had already made up his mind. When Wu Peng had doubted Ling Gu, and Ling Gu had shown no anger, it had immediately won Sun Kai’s trust and favor, leading him to agree without hesitation.
"I will do the same as Sun Daoist."
Wu Peng, without any hesitation, spoke with a firm expression.
(End of Chapter)
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