Immortal Cage - Chapter 45 Dao Soldiers, Dao Records
In the warm room, Yu Lie's breathing was heavy, his heart pounding. He calmed his mind and continued to listen to the old servant in front of him talk about the conditions, still tempted despite the harsh enticement. Apart from the three most important treatments mentioned earlier, the rest, including money, techniques, food, and daily life, the conditions were still enticing!
Such an opportunity, even if it were a pit of fire ahead, it was estimated that many people in the town would not hesitate to jump in.
After the old servant finished speaking in detail, he asked, "How do you feel about the treatment in our family?"
Yu Lie swallowed and immediately clasped his hands, "It's enticing, I'm willing to go through fire and water for it!"
However, Yu Lie also knew that there's no free lunch in the world. Even if the other party appreciated him, the kind of treatment as thick as in Blackwater Town should come with a hefty price.
So he calmed his mind and asked, "I wonder what else the junior needs to give up to obtain these?"
Upon hearing the question, the old servant not only didn't show impatience but instead showed appreciation, "Being able to endure and having a good temperament is indeed commendable."
With a slight hesitation, the other party said, "Have you heard of Dao Soldiers?"
"Dao Soldiers?" Yu Lie pondered, realizing he knew little about it. At least, he should be unaware of what the other party wanted to convey.
Yu Lie clasped his hands, "Please explain, sir."
The old servant replied, "Dao Soldiers, also known as Dao Soldiers refined by Dao methods. In ancient times, there were Yellow Force Warriors, Mountain Carrying Warriors, Giant Spirit Soldiers, Ox-Head Horse-Face, and various others, all of which were Dao Soldiers. Later, some Daoists captured demons and monsters, supplemented by secret methods to refine them, commanding them as soldiers, also known as Dao Soldiers, such as refining corpses, refining ghosts, resulting in zombie ghost soldiers, puppets, and other items. These Dao Soldiers can assist Daoists in various tasks, rituals, and arrangements."
"Later, there were high Daoists refining battle formations, banners, drums, recruiting children, young demons, nurturing them from a young age, eating and sleeping together, practicing the same techniques, thus merging their energies, which can be instilled in an object. When Daoists have them, they can maintain their power... Dao Soldiers never fail, Daoists never die."
"This is called true Dao Soldiers. Some ancient aristocratic families, thousand-year-old sects, and various old camps in the Daoist community have these Dao Soldiers."
After explaining, the old servant proudly said, "Young master comes from a noble family, naturally, you also need to nurture a group of true Dao Soldiers to serve as your protectors. When the young master becomes a Daoist in the future, you can rely on your soldiers to assist in tasks, clear mountains and temples, eliminate demons, and make things smoother. It will be more convenient than relying on the family's nurtured ones."
Yu Lie stood in the warm room, listening to the explanation, and immediately understood. The other party probably wanted to recruit him as a retainer or personal soldier, growing up with the young master, and later accompanying the young master to achieve great things, securing a path to longevity!
These words made Yu Lie's head spin and his mouth dry. While he was struggling in Blackwater Town, the young master was guided by the old servant from birth, selecting suitable subordinates everywhere, considering long-term plans.
Moreover, according to the other party, when his young master grows up, he might become a sixth-grade Daoist! If Yu Lie agrees, as long as he doesn't die halfway, he would have a great chance of becoming a seventh-grade Dao official, a sixth-grade Daoist.
This made Yu Lie's heart beat faster, almost wanting to agree in one breath, even if the other party wanted to sign some blood contract, as long as it wasn't too harsh, Yu Lie would agree.
After all, being a retainer of a prominent figure or a personal soldier from a young age, especially for someone like Yu Lie, was a rare opportunity!
Indeed, the old servant pointed at Yu Lie and said, "I came to Blackwater Town today to select these Dao Soldier candidates for the young master."
However, in the next moment, the old servant's words instantly cooled Yu Lie's excitement.
Pausing for a moment, the other party said, "As for the price, to become a Dao Soldier, you need to give up Dao Records and enter our family's Soldier Records."
Upon hearing this, Yu Lie's expression changed, a bit incredulous, and he exclaimed, "Give up Dao Records?"
Giving up Dao Records meant giving up one's Dao identity?
The old servant nodded.
Yu Lie was filled with doubts. He wasn't concerned about the effort he had put in to obtain Dao Records but rather the significance behind Dao Records. In the world of mountains and seas, only by obtaining Dao Records and receiving Dao Records could one qualify to practice Dao techniques and absorb spiritual energy. Otherwise, it would be a dead end!
The management was strict, and once granted, unless one betrayed the Dao, they might be stripped of it.
Yu Lie also knew that the decision to strip someone of their Dao Records had to go through the scrutiny of the Dao Court, and the local authorities had no right to intervene.
This kind of procedure was stricter than anything he had experienced in his past lives, even stricter than death penalties.
The old servant watched Yu Lie closely and noticed the change in his expression. With a smile on his face, he said, "Young man, there's no need to panic. The Soldier Records distributed by various tribes within the realm are not the same as slave or common records. Even if you enter the records, you can still practice Dao techniques, just unable to become a Daoist."
Yu Lie's eyes widened upon hearing this explanation. He suddenly remembered that Dao Records not only represented the "human rights" in the world of mountains and seas, even monsters desired to obtain them. It also represented the possibility of attaining immortality.
In the world of mountains and seas, only those with named records and Dao Records could potentially have immortal records and achieve immortality. Otherwise, no matter how high their cultivation was, they would be considered traitors or evil cultivators, destined to face heavenly tribulations!
If it were in the past, before he obtained the bronze wine cup, Yu Lie might have agreed to become a Dao Soldier. After all, being a foundational Daoist as a sixth-grade was a true immortal among men. But now, Yu Lie made a decision.
He thought to himself that if the other party forced him, regardless of their background, he would report it to the Dao Records Court. Involving the coercion of Dao Records was much more serious than forced death matches in gambling dens, as it involved the foundation of the Dao Court!
Yu Lie remembered hearing about several families involved in Dao Records incidents when he was still in the county city. Whether they were prestigious families or ancient lineages, they all met a tragic end.
Moreover, it wasn't just about being stripped of Dao Records, but it involved cheating in Dao examinations, sheltering mortals or monsters to obtain Dao Records.
Yu Lie and others, as Dao disciples in Blackwater Town, though their lives were lowly, they had stepped into the world of Dao. This layer of skin was their greatest protection for practicing Dao techniques, something many mortals and monsters dreamed of.
Although he had made a decision, Yu Lie deliberately showed a struggle and hesitation on his face, not refusing outright.
But soon, Yu Lie thought of an excuse. He smiled bitterly and clasped his hands, saying, "Since childhood, my parents passed away, and although I never aspired to become a true immortal, my parents' dying wish was for me to obtain the eighth-grade Dao Disciple Records, to elevate our lineage into the main lineage of the family, to establish a rightful name and position."
Upon hearing Yu Lie's response, the old servant didn't show any anger but sighed lightly, "Indeed, once you give up Dao Records, there will be no turning back in the family."
The other party nodded towards Yu Lie and said, "You come from a small family, or you are a bastard, and you have had a hard time fighting for your life in Blackwater Town. You must have had a difficult time since childhood."
For some reason, Yu Lie felt that the old man in front of him seemed more amiable and kind, without the harshness he felt earlier.
The old servant then bowed to Yu Lie and said, "Young man, it's been a bother today."
Seeing the other party being so understanding, Yu Lie was slightly surprised but also pleased, and he quickly returned the gesture, "I have been impolite."
The two continued to converse for a while.
Suddenly, Yu Lie heard the old servant say, "Young man, if you are promoted to the eighth grade in the future and wish to take the seventh grade, you can come to the county city and stay at my Wa family. Besides Dao Soldiers, there are also positions like guests and clients in the family, with decent treatment."
Yu Lie nodded in agreement. Just as he thought the other party was about to serve tea and see him off, the big-headed doll on the recliner suddenly stood up, as if wanting to climb down.
The old servant noticed, moved swiftly, picked up the doll, and appeared in front of Yu Lie.
The doll, with a mouth full of milk, suddenly grabbed two yellow crystal-like objects from his belly pouch, the size of a baby's fist, and stuffed them into Yu Lie's hands.
The doll grinned and waved, "Here! Reward...," then quickly shook his head, stuttering, "N-no, it's to establish a good relationship."
As Yu Lie touched the crystal-like objects, his eyes widened. He raised his head, breathing slightly heavy, "These are... spirit stones?!"
A thread of spiritual energy immediately entered Yu Lie's body from the yellow crystal jade, making him shiver all over.