As Lin Xiao Tian heard this, he fell silent for a brief moment, his thoughts turning as he weighed the scale of what Qing Yue had just revealed. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

So this realm is not just a hunting ground, but a carefully fattened beast waiting to be carved, truly a big fish worth taking a bite from.

His gaze shifted slightly as a faint scoff escaped him, his tone carrying quiet confidence.

As for those so-called talents from the middle regions, in front of my disciples, they are nothing but side characters waiting to be stepped over.

He then looked at Qing Yue and spoke calmly, his tone measured yet carrying interest. "It does interest me, Lady Qing Yue, but I am more curious about one thing," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Why exactly do you need this flower."

As he spoke, his attention flickered briefly toward the system screen, the details of the flower appearing clearly in his mind.

Voidbane Lotus... a unique heavenly treasure with almost no direct use in cultivation, yet rarer than many grade-seven treasures due to its single effect.

His eyes sharpened slightly. A poison eater, even a single petal can neutralize most toxins, and it serves as a core auxiliary ingredient in high-grade pills, so why would someone like her need it personally.

Qing Yue’s expression flickered for the briefest moment before returning to normal, though the shift did not escape him. "I am sorry, Sect Master, but I believe that should not influence our deal," she said calmly, her tone firm enough to close the topic.

Lin Xiao Tian held her gaze for a second longer before suddenly standing up, his decision already made. "Fair enough, since the deal itself is clear, there is no need to dig further," he said lightly, his tone relaxed once more. "I agree."

He paused briefly, then added with a faint smile, his tone carrying a hint of reminder. "Though you should know, Lady Qing Yue, cultivators below the Transformation Stage cannot swear heavenly oaths, so whatever method you use must be... reliable."

He then tilted his head slightly, curiosity surfacing again. "Now tell me, how exactly do you intend to seal this agreement."

Qing Yue did not hesitate as she raised her hand, and in the space between them a formation diagram slowly unfolded, layer after layer of intricate runes revealing themselves as if awakening from dormancy. The air around it grew faintly heavy, not oppressive, but enough to make its presence undeniable.

"This is a Soul Binding Contract, a grade-five formation rune," she said calmly, her eyes steady. "Once sealed, the one who breaks the agreement will have their cultivation forcibly drained and transferred to the other party."

Lin Xiao Tian’s gaze lingered on the formation, carefully observing the flow of the runes as they rotated slowly, each symbol interlocking with the next in a precise and flawless pattern.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, placing his hand onto the formation as Qing Yue did the same from the opposite side. The moment their palms touched the surface, the entire diagram trembled slightly before lighting up in a deep, crimson glow.

A thin blade of condensed qi formed silently from the center, so sharp and refined that it barely disturbed the air as it moved. It pierced their fingertips almost gently, yet the moment it did, a drop of blood emerged from each, drawn out not by the cut, but by the formation itself.

The blood did not fall, instead it floated upward, pulled into the rotating runes as if absorbed by an unseen force. The diagram responded instantly, the runes brightening as the blood spread across them, filling each line, each symbol, until the entire formation pulsed like a living entity.

For a brief moment, the space around them grew completely still, as if even the air was being held in place by the contract. Then, with a faint crackling sound, the formation collapsed inward, compressing into a single point before dispersing into nothing.

At the same time, a faint burning sensation spread across their hands as a mark slowly formed, subtle yet unmistakable, etched directly into their skin like a silent brand.

Lin Xiao Tian glanced at it briefly, then lifted his gaze again, his expression calm as ever he deal was sealed.

As the contract settled, Qing Yue raised her hand and passed him a jade slip, her tone returning to calm authority. "This will shatter after you view it once," she said, her eyes lingering on him for a brief moment before shifting away.

She then turned toward Chu Yue, her expression tightening slightly as her voice carried a hint of warning. "I would suggest you do not let the disciples participate in the secret realm this time, it will be far bloodier than you expect."

Chu Yue was just about to respond, her brows knitting slightly, when Lin Xiao Tian spoke first, cutting in without hesitation. "Stopping a flower from blooming is never a good thing, Lady Qing Yue," he said calmly, his tone steady. "And the opportunities this time... we both know they can change their future entirely."

Qing Yue’s expression shifted faintly, a trace of irritation surfacing as she looked back at him. "Do you really think they will even be fortunate enough to survive something like this," she asked, her voice low but pointed.

Lin Xiao Tian did not answer her directly, instead turning his gaze toward Chu Yue as he spoke in a measured tone. "Fairy Chu, as the guest elder of the sect, I believe you understand our disciples better than Lady Qing Yue does," he said calmly, his eyes steady.

He paused briefly before continuing, his tone carrying quiet clarity. "I have no intention of interfering with your decision, I am only stating one thing, they are not just your disciples anymore, they are also half disciples of my sect."

Hearing this, Chu Yue’s expression turned conflicted, her gaze lowering slightly as she weighed his words against Qing Yue’s warning. The room fell into a brief silence as the tension lingered between caution and opportunity.

After a moment, she lifted her head again, her eyes firming with resolve as she spoke. "We cannot shelter them forever," she said quietly. "If they are to walk further, then they must take some risks themselves."

Just then, the inner room door opened and Han Leu stepped out, his expression composed as if nothing had happened.