Chapter Four: The Oath

“I’ve actually obtained an extraordinary cursed treasure!”

“Ordinary cursed treasures don’t possess such an inner world.”

“It’s said that only high-level cursed treasures can create an inner world and manifest a spirit, yet they also bring forth exceedingly difficult trials—is that really so?”

Chu Youtai’s mind was clear. He focused his attention, carefully surveying his surroundings.

Soon, he noticed a towering stone stele deep within the sea, gleaming with golden light, displaying lines of text.

“The Dragon Pearl of Crocodile Ridge!”

“After a blood bond, for every inch of vital energy, one Dragon Technique can be cast! No more than three times per day, judged by midnight as the boundary. Exceed the limit, and the curse of the Dragon Pearl will rebound; a demon will be unleashed!”

The Dragon Technique? It seemed this was the offensive art of the Dragon Pearl.

Chu Youtai knew that on the Loulan Continent, many abused cursed treasures and ended up as mindless husks, consumed by their own tools. He firmly committed the three-use daily limit to memory. Since midnight marked the boundary, one could use three times before midnight and then, after midnight, use three more—thus maximizing the number of uses.

But what exactly was an “inch of vital energy,” required to activate the Dragon Pearl once?

Upon reading the next passage, Chu Youtai’s heart tightened.

The stele continued: “Ten years’ worth of spiritual cultivation, ten inches of literary energy, ten years of ghostly essence, or one year of lifespan—each equals one inch of vital energy!”

Spiritual cultivation included Taoist, Buddhist, and Talismanic arts; a Taoist would use Taoist methods, a Buddhist the Dharma, a Talismanist the art of talismans. Ten years of diligent practice—relentless, unceasing.

Literary energy could be gained not only through success in the imperial examination but also by composing works that stir the Hundred Schools, achieving literary supremacy, and spreading throughout the world, thus earning the recognition of the Path of Letters and being granted literary energy. To stir the Hundred Schools—Chu Youtai’s “Brocade Zither” could manage that. But to achieve literary supremacy required widespread fame or high status, or the backing of a great family; otherwise, who would hail a poem as supreme? To be sung throughout the world demanded broad recognition and continual transmission—something that only time could grant.

Now, burdened by infamy, Chu Youtai could not hope to have his verses revered, much less sung across the land. This was why, after composing “Brocade Zither,” he had not received even a hint of literary energy.

As for ghostly cultivation, it referred to after one became a vengeful spirit, drawing in the essence of sun and moon through special breathing methods—a path even less attainable for Chu Youtai.

It seemed he could only pay for each use of the Dragon Pearl with one year of his own lifespan. But this price was steep. Spiritual power, literary energy, and ghostly essence could all recover within days, but lifespan, once lost, could never return.

Having grasped the basics, Chu Youtai pondered, “Mortal lifespan cannot be replenished; repeated use brings certain death. Yet I’ve heard tales of mortals wielding cursed treasures repeatedly. How is that possible?”

As the thought formed, the stele seemed to answer, displaying a new line: “That is because vital energy can replenish lifespan.”

“Replenish vital energy?” Chu Youtai asked inwardly.

“The Dragon Pearl of Crocodile Ridge is a bane to ghosts. By slaying demons and absorbing their ghostly essence, one can restore vital energy. Every ten years of ghostly essence equals one inch of vital energy.”

Understanding dawned on Chu Youtai.

One use of the Dragon Pearl cost an inch of vital energy, but if he could seize ten years of ghostly essence, he could replenish what was spent. If he seized more, he could extend his own lifespan!

A surge of ambition flooded him. If others could do it, so could he!

Just then, the stele displayed a line in glaring red: “Chu Youtai, you now have only three years of lifespan. Will you accept the trial? The Dragon Pearl of Crocodile Ridge is a Brocade-Treasure—it is not for the unworthy!”

The artifact spirit referred to itself as “Master”—a sign of its uniqueness. But the higher the status, the more difficult the trial. Refusing the trial would mean relinquishing the inheritance of the Dragon Pearl. And what was a Brocade-Treasure?

But what shocked Chu Youtai most was the first part:

“Chu Youtai, you now have only three years of lifespan.”

He could scarcely believe his eyes. On reading it again, he stood frozen in disbelief.

He had only three years left to live?

It was as if struck by lightning; his body trembled.

What kind of cruel joke was this? He still had to search for his sister, protect her, and guard his wife, Yun Cuixian—yet now he had only three years left?

“This can’t be! This can’t be! How could I have only three years left?” he cried out hoarsely.

Then, new words appeared on the stele: “Chu Youtai, your lifespan was spent. But because Yun Cuixian prayed for you, sacrificing ten years of her own, you have three years left.”

At once, Chu Youtai recalled his first meeting with Yun Cuixian—her exhausted, sorrowful face, her frail body. Suddenly, everything became clear.

If not for her, his body would have vanished long ago.

“So that’s how it is! So that’s how it is!”

His whole being tensed, his heart roared, yet a wave of helplessness surged within.

“Cuixian, I will protect you. I’ll reclaim your ten years of life!”

“I must become strong. Only by gaining strength can I control fate, overturn yin and yang, and give you back your lost years!”

“Even with only three years left, I will not let you down!”

At that moment, Chu Youtai’s gaze turned steely, his eyes blazing like lightning. In this world that belonged to him alone, he shouted in a voice like clashing metal, “I, Chu Youtai, shall protect everyone I love. I shall become strong, master the laws of Heaven, reverse fate itself. Within three years, I will find a way to extend Yun Cuixian’s life. If I break this vow, let me suffer the torments of the deepest hell after death!”

His oath rang out, shaking the vast sea, lightning and thunder roaring in response. The stele trembled, and another line appeared: “I, Master, accept your vow! Three years from now, do not regret it!”

Chu Youtai’s eyes blazed like blood, his entire being coiled like a pouncing tiger. He declared in a fierce voice, “My fate is mine alone! I accept the trial!”

“Very well, as you wish. One year of your life will be deducted—the trial begins! Should you die within, so shall you perish! Heh, no mortal has ever passed my trial,” the blood-red words on the stele glared menacingly.