The Big-Headed Boy's face was ashen, and his whole body trembled violently. Under Luo Chuan's unfathomable pressure, he couldn't even muster the slightest thought of resistance.
Having cultivated for nearly two thousand years, struggling from a mortal cultivator to the Spirit Severing, witnessing countless life-or-death situations, never before had his pride been utterly crushed from the deepest part of his soul as he is now.
The other person simply stood there quietly, as if the entire starry sky were pressing down on one's heart, making breathing, circulating spiritual energy, and even thinking a luxury.
The words "life and death" were now clearly laid out before him.
Resistance will result in the destruction of one's soul and the loss of a thousand years of cultivation; submission will result in the surrender of one's soul and becoming a servant, in which case, although freedom will be lost, life can be preserved.
They even managed to get close to this terrifying being whom even top cultivators of the Yixiantian had to be wary of.
Without the slightest hesitation, the Big-Headed Boy knelt down with a thud, his forehead hitting the ground heavily, his voice hoarse with desperate obedience.
"This junior... is willing to offer my soul and serve my master for all eternity, and would never dare to betray him in the slightest!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Big-Headed Boy gritted his teeth and activated his own original divine soul. A wisp of crystal-clear soul light slowly floated out from the top of his head, carrying the most fundamental vitality and life force of a cultivator, and respectfully presented it to Luo Chuan.
This is the most thorough ceremony of submission in the cultivation world, a sacrifice of the soul. Once a soul contract is established, life and death are entirely in the hands of the other party, and one can never break free.
Luo Chuan remained indifferent, and with a light tap of his fingertip, a mysterious golden rune disappeared into that wisp of soul light.
The runes were instantly imprinted, completely merging with the Big-Headed Boy's soul to form an indelible master-servant contract.
In an instant, Big-Headed Boy felt a tightness in his heart. From this moment on, he could vaguely sense any thought Luo Chuan had, and if Luo Chuan wanted him dead, he wouldn't even last a single breath.
"Your subordinate greets your master!"
The Big-Headed Boy kowtowed again, his tone no longer carrying the arrogance and contempt of before, but only deep-seated awe and obedience.
Luo Chuan withdrew his hand, placing it behind his back, his tone calm and unwavering. "Rise. Now that you have submitted, I will no longer pursue your previous insolence on Vermilion Bird Planet."
"But remember, from this day forward, Vermilion Bird Planet is my territory. If any external enemy dares to offend me again, you know what to do."
"Understood! I swear to protect Vermilion Bird Planet with my life and never let anyone set foot here again!" The Big-Headed Boy quickly stood up, bowed his head, and stood aside, not daring to even breathe loudly.
"You have accomplices beyond the stars?" Luo Chuan asked calmly.
The Big-Headed Boy's heart tightened, and he hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Master, there are several cultivators under Lord Sikong's command outside the star. They have all been ordered to sweep through the low-level cultivation stars. I will immediately send a message for them to retreat and never approach the Vermilion Bird Planet again!"
Having said that, the Big-Headed Boy dared not delay for a moment. He immediately took out a communication jade slip and sent out his order that he had submitted to Luo Chuan, that everyone should leave immediately, and that they should not provoke the Vermilion Bird Planet again, in the most urgent way.
The cultivators from beyond the stars were still waiting for news, but after receiving the message, they sensed the fear and determination in the Big-Headed Boy's tone, and upon hearing the name Luo Chuan, they were all terrified.
Without a word, he turned his escape light around and fled the Vermilion Bird Star Domain at top speed, without even having the courage to look back.
In less than half an incense stick's time, all the hostile aura outside Vermilion Bird Planet vanished without a trace.
"Well done."
Luo Chuan nodded slightly and said indifferently, "You will remain on Vermilion Bird Planet to guard the outer edge of the star field. Without my orders, you are not allowed to leave without permission, and you must not disturb the mortal realm or sect cultivators."
"Yes, sir!"
The Big-Headed Boy respectfully agreed, and with a flicker of his body, he transformed into a streak of light, standing guard outside the Vermilion Bird Planet's gale layer, like the most loyal protector, daring not to harbor any disloyal thoughts.
Having dealt with the external enemy, Luo Chuan did not linger any longer. With a flash, he disappeared from the spot and reappeared back in the bamboo forest behind the Hengyue Sect.
But he had barely stood still when a flustered figure rushed over. It was an inner disciple of the Hengyue Sect, his expression anxious and his face full of grief. The moment he saw Luo Chuan, he knelt down with a thud, his voice choked with sobs:
"Ancestor! Something terrible has happened! Elder Liu Wenju... he's nearing the end of his life, he's on his deathbed, and could die at any moment..."
Luo Chuan's expression changed slightly.
Liu Wenju was an elder of the Hengyue Sect. He had followed the sect for a thousand years and had gone through many trials and tribulations. When the Hengyue Sect was about to be destroyed, he risked his life to protect the sect's foundation.
Later, Luo Chuan returned and single-handedly propelled the Hengyue Sect to its peak, making it the number one sect among the Level 6 Cultivation Country of Vermilion Bird Planet.
Liu Wenju has always been diligent and conscientious in assisting the sect, never slacking off in the slightest.
Luo Chuan said no more, and with a swift movement, he appeared instantly in Liu Wenju's secluded cultivation room.
The atmosphere inside the room had deteriorated to the extreme, with spiritual energy scattered and death energy, the life force of which had been completely burned away, permeating the surroundings.
Liu Wenju lay on the bed, his face gaunt, his skin shriveled, his eyes closed, and his spiritual energy was dissipating at a visible rate.
With their cultivation about to dissipate, their spirit and soul have already begun to drift away. In an instant, they will completely vanish, and even the chance of reincarnation will be extremely slim.
He devoted his life to the Hengyue Sect, exhausting his lifespan and reaching the end of his life.
Luo Chuan walked slowly to the bedside, his expression calm, but a barely perceptible ripple flashed in his eyes.
As if sensing Luo Chuan's presence, Liu Wenju, who was on the verge of death, suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes, which had long been cloudy, lit up with a glimmer of light the moment he saw Luo Chuan, as if he were experiencing a final burst of energy before death. He struggled to get up.
"Ancestor... Ancestor..."
Liu Wenju's voice was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind; each word consumed his last breath, yet it still carried boundless respect and gratitude.
Luo Chuan gently raised his hand, a gentle spiritual energy stabilizing his collapsing body, and said calmly, "No need for formalities."
Liu Wenju stared intently at Luo Chuan, tears slowly sliding down his cheeks, his voice trembling yet incredibly clear.
"Ancestor... this old man... I have survived to this day, witnessed Hengyue Sect become the strongest sect on Vermilion Bird Planet... and seen Chu Kingdom advance to Level 6 Cultivation Country... I have no regrets in this life..."
"A thousand years ago... the sect was on the verge of destruction. It was you, Ancestor, who descended from the heavens and saved Hengyue Sect from disaster, turning the tide... If it weren't for you, Hengyue Sect would have long since turned into dust, and we old bones would have long since died without a burial place."
"Over the years, Ancestor, you have silently protected us, bestowing upon us cultivation techniques and elixirs, and safeguarding the peace of our sect. Only then has Hengyue Sect achieved its current glory, and only then has the entire Vermilion Bird Planet enjoyed peace... I am deeply grateful..."
Liu Wenju gasped for breath, his life force rapidly fading, yet he still mustered his last strength to say:
"This old man... has served the Ancestor in this life, and has done his part for the Hengyue Sect... He has no regrets even in death... He only regrets... that he can no longer accompany the Ancestor... or the sect... on this journey..."