Xiao Yang was wrapped in a gust of cyan wind, flying rapidly through the night sky.
"Um… Sword Spirit sister?" he struggled. "Is this… a misunderstanding?"
Feng Ling'er didn't answer. Her body was semi-transparent, like blue glass. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, and her robe shimmered with starlight. Most bizarrely, Xiao Yang could see the moon through her.
[Ding! Special Spirit Detected]
[Feng Ling'er (Sword Spirit – Azure Silk of Emotion)]
[Traits: Can Phase, Space Manipulation]
[Danger Level: Extremely High]
"You have my sword sheath," she finally spoke, her voice ethereal and otherworldly. "Hand it over."
Xiao Yang was dumbfounded. "What sheath? I don't even have a sword!"
Feng Ling'er abruptly stopped mid-air, hovering above the clouds. She placed her hand on his chest, a strand of cyan light seeping into his body.
"It's here."
Rip—
His clothes were torn open by an invisible force, revealing his toned chest. To his horror, a glowing cyan sword-shaped mark appeared over his heart!
"W-When did this happen…"
(2)
Suddenly, memories returned—
Three days ago, when the groundfire erupted in the Burning Heaven Valley, Yan Hongling had shoved a broken cyan sword into his arms in panic: "Use this to protect yourself!"
Later… that sword had seemingly melted into his body?
[Ding! Lifebound Sword Spirit Fusion Detected]
[Feng Ling'er Bond +20%]
[Ability Acquired: Spatial Awareness (Basic)]
Feng Ling'er brushed the mark with her cool fingers, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "Why… doesn't it hurt?"
Normally, a human body couldn't withstand a sword spirit. Best-case scenario, crippled meridians; worst case, instant death. But this man was not only fine—he was absorbing her power?
"Uhh…" Xiao Yang asked cautiously. "How about… I buy you a new sword?"
Feng Ling'er suddenly leaned close, their noses nearly touching. "You are my new sheath."
Xiao Yang: "???"
(3)
At dawn, she finally released him—or rather, tossed him into a pool.
"Wash up." She stood at the shore, expressionless as she undid her robe. "I need to test the sword."
Xiao Yang choked on water. "Wait! Test what sword?!"
Her gauzy cyan robes slid off, revealing a luminous spirit body more perfect than any mortal woman's—every curve sculpted like jade, glowing faintly in the morning light.
"Man and sword as one," she stepped into the water, "is the fastest cultivation method."
Xiao Yang backpedaled furiously. "That phrase doesn't mean this!"
[Ding! Sword Spirit Resonance Request Detected]
[Accepting may boost cultivation]
[Rejecting may provoke the spirit]
As she drew closer, Xiao Yang blurted out, "Wait! I have the Emotional Silk Gu! It's contagious!"
Feng Ling'er tilted her head. "That low-grade parasite…"
She suddenly pressed his lower abdomen. "Is nothing compared to my sword aura."
"AAHH—!"
Piercing sword energy surged through his meridians, twisting his organs like a blender. But then—miraculously—the Gu toxin was obliterated!
[Ding! Emotional Silk Gu Cleansed]
[Feng Ling'er Bond +15%]
[Ability Acquired: Sword Aura Body Shield (Passive)]
"Now," she straddled his waist, "let's test the sword."
(4)
Just as things were escalating, a streak of fire shot down from the sky!
"Get off my little junior brother!"
Yan Hongling dashed through the sky on a cloud of flame, seven fiery whips snapping at Feng Ling'er. At the same time, a cold sword light beat her to the strike—
Clang!
Lin Hanyi's Burial Snow Sword pressed against Feng Ling'er's neck. "Sword Spirit. You're overstepping."
Feng Ling'er stood calmly, hair billowing without wind. "He's my sheath."
"Bullshit!" Yan Hongling yanked Xiao Yang behind her. "I found him first!"
Lin Hanyi spoke coolly. "According to the rules, whoever proposes first claims him."
Xiao Yang: "???"
Are they bargaining over vegetables here?!
(5)
The tension between the three women radiated such intense pressure that beasts within ten miles fled. Xiao Yang cowered behind a rock, trying to cover himself with leaves.
[Ding! Shura Scene Detected]
[Recommended: Play Dead / Mediate / Flee]
Just then, his message jade glowed—
"Xiao darling~" Jiang Chengyu's flirty voice sounded. "Heard you're broke? Come to Golden Vault City—I pay well~"
Then came Ye Qingxuan's icy transmission: "Touch another woman, and I'll let you experience Ten Thousand Ants Devouring the Heart."
Xiao Yang: "..."
This life is hell.
(6)
The standoff broke with a flash of golden light.
Boom!
A massive golden contract slammed down, forcing the three women apart. A glamorous woman in a golden dress descended, her abacus jingling at her waist.
Jiang Chengyu, Young Mistress of Golden Vault City.
"Ladies~" she smiled, tossing a storage pouch. "I'm buying this man. Name your price?"
Yan Hongling sneered. "Who the hell are you?"
Feng Ling'er unsheathed her sword.
Lin Hanyi's tone was ice-cold. "You're asking to die."
Unfazed, Jiang Chengyu whipped out a stack of contracts. "According to Article 137 of the Cultivation Business Law, Xiao Yang already pawned himself to me~"
Xiao Yang: "When did I…"
"Yesterday. That antidote pill you took?" She winked. "Three million spirit stones~"
[Ding! Debt Crisis Detected]
[Jiang Chengyu Bond Activated…]
[Current Bond: 10% (Creditor)]
(7)
As the four women were about to erupt again, Xiao Yang had a sudden flash of inspiration—
"Ladies! I have a proposal!"
He drew a deep breath, expression solemn as if marching to the gallows.
"How about… all of you go together?"
[Ding! Self-Destruct Behavior Detected]
[System Auto-Protect Mode Activated]
[Estimated Survival Rate: 0.0001%]
Four killing intents locked onto him instantly.
"Wait! I meant a sparring match! Sparring!!"
(8)
That night, inside the most luxurious inn in Golden Vault City—
Xiao Yang was bound in four different ropes, hanging from the ceiling like a dumpling.
Jiang Chengyu clicked her abacus. "Daily interest on your body loan: 5%."
Yan Hongling licked her lips. "Still digesting that groundfire essence~"
Lin Hanyi polished her sword. "Need to further examine your meridians."
Feng Ling'er was deadpan. "Sword sheath must be maintained."
Xiao Yang sobbed. "Just kill me already…"
[Ding! Quadruple Bond Resonance Detected]
[Title Unlocked: Walking Heavenly Treasure]
[Effect: +200% Female Aggression Toward Host]
Outside the window, Ye Qingxuan's poison moths surrounded the inn.
"Xiao Yang," her soft voice drifted in, "you're dead."
(9)
At dawn, when the innkeeper opened the room, he found a massive cocoon hovering in the center—woven from poison silk, flames, sword aura, and golden threads. Inside, the faint sobs of a man echoed.
"Sir… are you okay?"
From within the cocoon came Xiao Yang's weak voice:
"Go… go to Xuantian Sect… find a woman named Liuli…"
"Tell her…"
"Her system… is broken…"