Enlightenment of the Living

Zhou Xuan looked at the data panel before him, a stormy sea of shock churning within his heart.

The system could actually perform Enlightenment on living people!

The significance of this discovery was far greater than he had ever imagined.

If the system's previous abilities had merely given him the capital to gain a foothold in this world of cultivation.

Then this discovery had simply opened a door to infinite possibilities for him!

He could help others improve their cultivation, heal their injuries and illnesses, and even improve their Spirit Root aptitude!

What did this mean?

It meant he could cultivate a group of subordinates who were absolutely loyal to him!

It meant he could establish his own power in this world of cultivation where the strong preyed on the weak!

But at the same time, Zhou Xuan keenly sensed the immense risks hidden within it.

If this secret were to be leaked, then what awaited him would certainly not be a good end.

Countless powerhouses would try every possible means to capture him and force him to serve them.

By then, he would no longer be the master, but a tool kept in captivity!

Zhou Xuan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement and fear in his heart, and refocused his gaze on Zhou Ye before him.

Now was not the time to consider those distant risks; the opportunity right in front of him was what mattered most.

He carefully examined the Enlightenment options provided by the system, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Clearing pill toxins and repairing meridians were the most basic options and should not consume too much Gold Touch Value.

Replenishing blood and Qi to improve cultivation would cost more, but the effects would be more obvious.

As for repairing and upgrading the quality of a Spirit Root, although this option was tempting, Zhou Xuan estimated the cost would be an astronomical figure.

He only had a little over seven hundred Gold Touch Value on hand and had to be meticulous with his spending.

"Give him a taste of sweetness first."

Zhou Xuan made his decision in his heart.

He looked into Zhou Ye's hopeful eyes and spoke slowly, "I still have a life-saving detox pill. I can help you, but you must understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

Zhou Ye nodded repeatedly, "I understand! As long as you let me stay in the sect and continue to pursue the path of immortality, I will do whatever you ask!"

Zhou Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then fumbled around his body to take out a pill. He looked at Zhou Ye with a thoughtful expression, appearing exceptionally hesitant.

Seeing this, Zhou Ye knelt on both knees, "Brother Zhou, I swear by my inner demons that as long as the poison is cleared, I will follow your lead from now on."

Zhou Xuan hurriedly helped Zhou Ye up and handed him the pill. Zhou Ye took it and swallowed it without hesitation.

Zhou Xuan issued a command in his heart.

"System, perform Enlightenment on Zhou Ye. Select option one: Clear pill toxins, repair meridians."

[Ding! Enlightenment initiated. Estimated cost: 100 Gold Touch Value. Confirm?]

One hundred points? It was less than Zhou Xuan had expected. It seemed that although the pill toxins in Zhou Ye's body were stubborn, the severity was not yet critical.

"Confirm!"

[Ding! Enlightenment successful! The target's pill toxins have been cleared, and meridian damage has been repaired. 100 Gold Touch Value consumed!]

The moment the system notification sounded, Zhou Ye's body shook violently!

He could clearly feel the toxins that had entangled him for years dissipating at an astonishing speed!

Those meridians that had been blocked and corroded by the toxins were also rapidly regaining their vitality!

"This is..."

Zhou Ye widened his eyes, looking at his own hands in disbelief.

He could feel that the flow of spiritual power within his body had become smoother than ever before.

That long-lost feeling of vitality had returned to his body!

"My pill toxins are gone?"

Zhou Ye's voice trembled, his eyes filled with shock.

He suddenly knelt before Zhou Xuan, gesturing excitedly, "Benefactor, I know what this pill means here. You saved my life; from now on, my life belongs to you!"

Zhou Xuan looked at him indifferently, his face devoid of any ripples.

"Get up."

Zhou Xuan's voice was calm and authoritative.

"This Chore Servant Courtyard is extremely dangerous. As long as you listen to me, I guarantee that not only will the pill toxins be gone, but I can also improve your cultivation, perhaps even to the level of Qi Refining."

Hearing this, Zhou Ye's breathing stopped completely!

Improve his cultivation? To the Qi Refining stage?

These things, which seemed like Arabian Nights to him, were spoken of so casually by this seemingly ordinary chore servant!

Zhou Ye understood deeply that Zhou Xuan must have some powerful backer, something he had indeed heard rumors about, though it all seemed to be in the past.

He did not hesitate to kneel down once more, knocking his head against the ground three times with a heavy thud: "Zhou Ye is willing to follow you, benefactor, through life and death, never to waver!"

Watching Zhou Ye's heartfelt submission, a sense of satisfaction surged within Zhou Xuan's heart.

This was the allure of power.

When you possess something that others dream of but can never obtain, winning over hearts becomes so simple.

"Very good."

Zhou Xuan nodded and reached out to take the copper marriage contract that Zhou Ye handed over.

The thin sheet of copper felt slightly cool in his hand; although the characters engraved upon it were crude, every stroke radiated a simple sincerity.

Zhou Xuan carefully tucked the marriage contract into his robes, then looked at Zhou Ye: "Remember, you are not to mention anything that happened today to anyone. If I find out that you have leaked my secret..."

He did not finish his sentence, but his icy gaze was enough to make Zhou Ye tremble all over.

"Rest assured, benefactor, I swear by the Heart Demon Oath that even if I die, I, Zhou Ye, will not leak a single word!" Zhou Ye hurriedly promised.

"Hmm."

Zhou Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Go back and rest for now, and take some time to feel the changes in your body."

"Remember, do not make it too obvious, lest you arouse the suspicion of others."

"Yes!"

Zhou Ye responded respectfully, then carefully stood up and took his leave.

Watching Zhou Ye's figure disappear into the night, the stern expression on Zhou Xuan's face slowly faded, replaced by a look of deep contemplation.

He had not expected the system's Enlightenment ability to have such a use.

This was simply the best method for cultivating loyal followers!

Zhou Xuan shook his head; it was still too early to consider such things. The most urgent priority was to first improve his own strength.

He acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to rummage through the trash heap until it was time to clock out, at which point he slowly left the Miscellaneous Affairs Department.

Returning to his dilapidated thatched hut, Zhou Xuan locked the door immediately and began to tally his gains for the day.

[Gold Touch Value Balance: 628 points]

The total accumulated today had actually reached 728 points, but 100 points had been consumed to perform an Enlightenment on Zhou Ye.

However, those 100 points were well spent; not only had he gained a loyal subordinate, but he had also obtained a marriage contract that was worth a fortune to Senior Brother Zhao Zhen.

As for Zhou Ye's subsequent Enlightenment, Zhou Xuan did not intend to rush it.

After all, his primary goal was still to raise his own strength first.

Zhou Xuan was in the middle of calculating his upcoming cultivation plan, unaware that outside his thatched hut, two sneaky figures were observing him from the shadows.

These two were both disciples of the Chore Servant Courtyard, but their strength was at the fifth level of Body Forging or higher, making them relatively strong among the chore servants.

Clearly, they had not come here to catch up with Zhou Xuan.