Han Ming seemed to have thought of something, looking at Ning Zhuo, her eyes shining brightly, full of inquisitiveness.
She swallowed a mouthful of saliva and cautiously asked, "Dare I ask, sir, did you eliminate this old ape?"
Under the mask, Ning Zhuo's eyes narrowed slightly, "Hmm, and what if I did?"
Han Ming immediately took a deep breath, adjusted her posture, and knelt on both knees, bowing deeply to Ning Zhuo, "Sir, this young woman is willing to be your maidservant, willing to sign a soul contract, and serve you for life!"
Ning Zhuo couldn't help but frown, feeling somewhat puzzled by Han Ming's display.
Initially, when Ning Zhuo had captured Han Ming alive to provide him with soul essence, she had been extremely repulsed and resentful of Ning Zhuo.
Later, her attitude had softened because she feared death and had no choice but to submit.
But now, Ning Zhuo could sense her genuine sincerity, her heartfelt submission.
Of course, Ning Zhuo's feelings might have been mistaken. But Han Ming's attitude indeed gave him the sense that there was a fundamental change!
"Why?" Ning Zhuo looked down at Han Ming and asked indifferently.
Han Ming took a deep breath, straightened her upper body while still kneeling on the ground, and looked up at Ning Zhuo, "Sir, are you aware of qi numbers?"
Ning Zhuo frowned, pondered for a moment, and replied, "I know a little."
"Qi numbers refer to breathing."
"From the moment we are born, we start to breathe. When our life ends, our breathing stops. The number of breaths we take is our qi number."
"Therefore, many cultivators do not advocate fighting, always maintaining a peaceful mind."
"Because fighting causes injuries that greatly reduce qi numbers. Intense emotions like anger, fear, despair, or ecstasy also make breathing rapid, reducing qi numbers."
"Hence, many cultivators emphasize not contending, staying calm and peaceful, and thereby often living long lives."
Han Ming nodded, "This explanation of qi numbers indeed spreads widely in the cultivation community. It does reveal some essence, but it's still not enough."
"I was fortunate to read a volume of a classic in the sect, named 'On Qi Numbers, Volume One,' a secret tome from the Heavenly Track Mansion."
Ning Zhuo raised his eyebrows slightly.
He had heard of the Heavenly Track Mansion.
It was a super sect, extremely mysterious, with few disciples. But whenever a disciple appeared in the world, they often brought immense changes to the entire cultivation world. Because each generation's disciple would choose a true destined one, guiding the grand momentum, leading to the destruction of old cultivation kingdoms and the establishment of new ones.
Ning Zhuo inwardly sighed, "The Soul Devouring Sect to which Han Ming belongs is indeed a powerful demon sect, having such high-quality tomes in their collection."
While he himself, over the past dozen years, had merely read in the Ning Family's public library—hardly the secret library.
"Go on," Ning Zhuo said.
Han Ming swallowed a mouthful of saliva, still kneeling on the ground, "On Qi Numbers' says that everyone's qi numbers are different. Some have more, some have less, some are strong, some are weak."
"The higher the spirit root, the higher the talent, the more and stronger the qi numbers."
"Among them, superior talent is called immortal aptitude, with the most and strongest qi numbers."
"Those with immortal aptitude often encounter continuous benefactors and opportunities falling into their laps."
"They will never easily fall into desperate situations; there is always a thread of life. If they grasp it, they can barely survive, turning misfortune into blessing."
"People with ordinary qi numbers, when dealing with immortal aptitude individuals, always encounter various accidents, either making mistakes themselves or being interfered with by external forces, leading to ultimate failure."
Hearing this, Ning Zhuo's heart was slightly moved, somewhat understanding the reason behind Han Ming's attitude shift.
"Interesting, don't stop."
"Yes." Han Ming continued, "I remember 'On Qi Numbers' listed many examples, all of which happened in reality."
"Many immortal aptitude individuals suffered all kinds of suppression. As long as they could endure it and adapt, they generally experienced rapid improvement in some aspect due to the suppression."
"And those who dealt with immortal aptitude individuals often met a bad end."
"In the process of dealing with immortal aptitude individuals, they would lose qi numbers, affecting their intellect, falling into confusion and making all sorts of wrong judgments and actions."
"In the end, they brought suffering upon themselves and sought their own doom."
"Immortal aptitude individuals cannot be slaughtered by ordinary people!"
At this point, Han Ming looked at Ning Zhuo, the youthful guest, with obvious fervor in her eyes.
"I understand your meaning." Ning Zhuo habitually maintained humility, "However, although I eliminated Yuan Dasheng this time, it was also with external assistance. This behavior may have added my qi numbers to others, collectively overwhelming Yuan Dasheng."
Han Ming immediately shook her head, "Sir, according to 'On Qi Numbers,' when two parties cooperate, the qi numbers do not simply add up. Sometimes they even reduce each other due to internal friction."
"'On Qi Numbers' gives the example of Nie Xiongfeng and Chu Liuyun. You should know that both are immortal aptitude individuals and were mutual enemies. At first, Nie Xiongfeng didn't take Chu Liuyun seriously and sent subordinates to continuously hunt him down."
"Chu Liuyun, through numerous pursuits, honed himself, growing stronger with each battle, ultimately turning the tables and annihilating Nie Xiongfeng."
Their struggle was widely circulated in the cultivation world. The conflict between the two led to the fall of one super sect and the rise of another.
Han Ming sighed, "Immortal aptitude individuals appear only once in a million cultivators. This is based on the number of cultivators, not a million ordinary people."
"Every immortal aptitude individual's qi number is exceptionally strong, naturally having serendipities."
"Even if two upper-class talents work together with utmost sincerity, their combined qi numbers are far inferior to a single superior talent."
"I see." Ning Zhuo coldly snorted, "You've figured it out. Indeed, I am a superior talent!"
Han Ming was stunned, then overjoyed, bowing again, "Sir, this young woman is willing to be your maidservant and serve you wholeheartedly."
She had already submitted before.
This time, deducing that Ning Zhuo possessed immortal aptitude, her pride as part of a major demon sect vanished.
It must be known that there were no more than ten immortal aptitude individuals in a major demon sect.
Allying with someone like this promised a great future!
Of course, Han Ming's action was also driven by fear.
During this period, she had devoured too many monkey souls. She had no desire to become a female monkey!
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly.
He himself was unsure about his hidden talent, but at this moment, regardless of the truth, agreeing was the best choice.
"I will reluctantly accept you," Ning Zhuo, the youthful guest, still spoke in a raspy tone.
"Thank you for your mercy, sir!" Han Ming exclaimed with excitement, bowing her head again.
When she lifted her head, she added, "Congratulations, sir, for eliminating an immortal aptitude, your own qi number will greatly increase!"
"Oh? What's the explanation for this?" Ning Zhuo was curious.