Knock, knock, knock.
The heavy sound of knocking broke the silence of the cave dwelling.
The maid guarding the stone gate frowned impatiently as she pulled it open. Outside stood a woman with an elegant face and a transcendent aura.
Before the maid could even question her, the woman stepped forward without hesitation, walking straight into the residence as if it were her own courtyard. She showed not the slightest intention of waiting for an announcement.
The maid's anger surged—never before had she seen someone so discourteous, daring to behave so brazenly inside Lady Su's dwelling!
Just as she moved to block the intruder, a hand suddenly shot out from the side, gripping her arm tightly.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" her friend whispered in terror. "Don't you know who that is?"
"Who is she?" the maid asked, confused.
"That's Senior Sister Liu Meng—the most favored, most highly valued disciple of Lady Su!" The friend's voice trembled. "Inside this cave, you might dare disrespect others, but never her!"
Liu Meng?
The prodigy who had reached the Qi Refining stage in only two days?
Of course she had heard that legendary name—but she hadn't expected that the very figure from rumor was standing before her eyes.
Watching Liu Meng's figure disappear into the corridor's depths, cold sweat drenched her back, leaving her shaken with fear. Thankfully, Senior Sister Liu Meng seemed magnanimous and paid her no mind.
Inside the grand hall, Su Meier lay lazily upon a soft couch, eyes half-closed as though dozing. Hearing approaching footsteps, she opened her phoenix-like eyes with languid grace.
"My dear disciple," she purred, straightening up as the crimson silk slipped from her shoulders, revealing smooth pale skin. "What brings you to your master today?"
Only then did Liu Meng notice a disheveled, hollow-eyed woman lying beneath Su Meier's body, stripped of dignity.
Catching her disciple's fleeting look of confusion, Su Meier chuckled wickedly. "This is my dear brother's most beloved concubine. He sent assassins after you, pretending it was a test for you—but truly, it was to test me. Since he played such a game, I of course must return the courtesy by inviting over his most precious little pet… for my own enjoyment."
Liu Meng was taken aback by this twisted reasoning, but quickly composed herself and turned to the matter at hand.
"Master," she said respectfully, "your disciple has come to ask guidance. One of my bondslaves… seems to have broken free from my control. How is this possible? Was it not said that once branded with the Mother-Child Seal, escape is forever impossible?"
"What?"
The laziness vanished from Su Meier's face. She shot upright, eyes sharp with rare intensity, even forgetting to pull up her sliding robe.
"Are you certain? He truly severed the imprint?"
"I believe so," Liu Meng admitted softly, bowing her head. "I can no longer sense his soul mark, nor command his life and death. Master, what is happening?"
Su Meier paced the hall, brows knit in thought, her tone heavy when she finally spoke.
"It is not strange you do not know this. The Mother-Child Seal is indeed tyrannical. Yet, within our sect exists one art that can sever its chains—the core technique of Luo Feng City: the Luo Feng Art."
"I told you before, a disciple cannot study two core sect techniques simultaneously. But this art is the exception. Anyone who can enter Luo Feng City may cultivate it. More than that—once mastered, it removes all flaws tied to other arts, whether the Blood Feast Art or the Xuanpin Art."
"Do you know why this technique is so unique?"
Liu Meng knew well—it required abandoning one's body, making body-based techniques meaningless. But she could not reveal her knowledge, and instead feigned ignorance.
"Your disciple is foolish. Please enlighten me, Master."
Su Meier nodded, pleased.
"Because ordinary disciples cannot even step foot into Luo Feng City. By pact with the other great sects, they cannot actively recruit. Only those who find their own way inside may enter. That barrier alone stops nearly all."
"And as part of that pact, once a disciple enters, no sect may interfere or hunt them."
"So, Liu Meng," she continued coldly, "the bondslave you lost—you must not pursue him. At least not openly."
Her lips curled into a chilling smile. "Of course, if one day you betray me as well, and join Luo Feng City… I will not strike at you either. At least, not in the open."
With a languid stretch, she shifted, revealing the broken figure of the concubine beneath her—an unspoken warning.
Liu Meng instantly understood. Rules forbade sect brothers and sisters from fighting—but hadn't Su Meier reduced this woman to ruin through other means?
The message was clear: betrayal meant the same fate.
Dropping to one knee, Liu Meng declared with ringing voice, "Your disciple swears never to betray Master in this life!"
Su Meier's expression softened into a seductive smile.
"Rise. I believe you. If you harbored betrayal, you would have concealed the matter of your slave's rebellion. But you reported it truthfully. That proves your loyalty."
Liu Meng's face remained calm, though relief washed through her heart. This entire act was staged for Su Meier's eyes—and as long as her master did not strike immediately, it was enough.
But then Su Meier's voice cut through again, sharp and unexpected.
"However… if you truly seek vengeance against that traitor, it is not impossible."
"One month from now—you may act."
Liu Meng froze, startled.
"One month later? Why then? What will happen?"