Hearing the two options presented by Xia Chan, Luo Xiu gradually fell silent.

No matter which he chose, he would be trapped here for life, suffering endless exploitation by the Holy Boi Religion. However, given the choice, anyone would choose the first option without a moment's hesitation. While both meant being imprisoned, the first option allowed for a life of enjoyment, whereas the second was simply slavery.

It wasn't a choice at all.

Luo Xiu suddenly asked, "What do you mean by 'be together'?"

Xia Chan looked at him with a faint, unreadable smile. "It means exactly what it sounds like. Be my man."

Luo Xiu fell silent once more.

Seeing his contemplative expression, Xia Chan grew slightly displeased. "What? Is having me, a Holy Boi Religion Envoy, as your woman an insult to you?"

"Status and position aside, in terms of looks and figure alone, I don't consider myself any worse than Su Shenyun, Lin Xiyue, or Sun Li.

"Besides... haven't we already been together several times?"

"To be honest, I've seen many outstanding men, but not one has ever caught my eye. You are the only exception.

"Luo Xiu, as long as you remain loyal to me and our religion without interfering with my work... when we're home, I will always be your Xia Chan."

Luo Xiu looked up at her and sneered, "Is it because I can go four times in one second? Have you fallen in love with me?"

At his words, Xia Chan's pretty face flushed red. She instantly understood his meaning, and images of their lewd encounters flooded her mind. "Be serious!" she snapped, infuriated.

Luo Xiu offered a faint smile. "I choose the second option."

"You..." Xia Chan's delicate body trembled with rage as she clenched her fists. "Luo Xiu, I've already swallowed my pride and laid everything on the table. Don't refuse my kindness only to face the consequences!"

Luo Xiu smiled serenely. "In this life, I am loyal only to myself. It's impossible for me to pledge allegiance to anyone else or to any other power."

"Fine! I hope you don't regret it!"

Taking a deep breath, Xia Chan squeezed the words out through clenched teeth before turning and storming away.

Not long after, two imposing men, each standing one point nine meters tall, entered the room. They roughly pulled a sack over Luo Xiu's head, then flanked him and dragged him out of the room.

Luo Xiu cursed Xia Chan's heartlessness. This woman changes her tune so fast. One moment she's as gentle as water, the next she's merciless and ruthless!

...

Dragged along by the two strong men, Luo Xiu was powerless to resist and could only let himself be taken away.

After what felt like a long time, the sack was pulled from his head. He found himself in a dimly lit, underground chamber. The chamber was spacious enough. Though spartan, it had a bed, table, and chairs. The toilet, however, had no door and was nothing more than a rural-style outhouse pit. Consequently, the chamber reeked, the air thick with the acrid stench of fertilizer that made one's head throb.

Thinking he might have to spend a long time here, Luo Xiu suddenly felt a pang of regret for choosing the second option.

Of course, if given the choice again, he would still pick the second. To perform alchemy, he would inevitably come into contact with medicinal herbs. As long as he had access to herbs, he could absorb their medicinal power using the Qihuang Technique. Although he didn't know how the serum had suppressed his formidable strength, his Divine Sense and Cultivation Techniques were not restricted at all.

"Speaking of which, you should feel honored. This underground chamber has a history of several hundred years," a middle-aged man in a white lab coat said as he entered, smiling at Luo Xiu with an air of politeness.

"Many historical figures have spent time here.

"Of course, quite a few have also died here."

Luo Xiu asked, "Who are you?"

"Who I am isn't important. I'm just a nobody. We'll be spending a lot of time together, so I hope you'll cooperate with my work.

"Oh, and you can call me Mr. Bai."

As he spoke, Mr. Bai walked over, grabbed Luo Xiu's right hand, and slowly began to squeeze.

Luo Xiu grimaced in pain, hissing through his teeth. "You have quite a grip, Mr. Bai."

"Do I? I think so too."

Mr. Bai's smile widened. He suddenly tightened his grip and, with a fierce tug, dragged Luo Xiu out of the chamber. Luo Xiu felt as if his entire right arm was being torn from its socket. His face went pale with pain, but he was powerless to resist.

Outside his cell was another, even larger chamber. Compared to the one Luo Xiu was to live in, this one was clean and tidy.

Mr. Bai released Luo Xiu's hand and said, "This is the Alchemy Room.

"Since you can concoct even Heavenly Grade Elixirs, these should be a piece of cake for you." He pointed to a stack of papers on a wooden table. "According to these recipes, you must produce ten elixirs every day. Fail, and you get no food, no rest, and you'll face severe punishment.

"The special charcoal required for alchemy, as well as the Pill Furnace, are all here.

"As for medicinal ingredients, our people will bring them to you based on the recipes. Your alchemy process will be supervised at all times. If you're caught trying any clever tricks, you might get a beating.

"Additionally, every three days, I will take you to the laboratory for a blood draw and to conduct some experiments. You must cooperate, or you'll suffer for it.

"Simply put, from now on, you are the Holy Boi Religion's pill slave. Your sole purpose is to perform alchemy.

"Of course, should you ever change your mind, you can contact the Messenger Lord at any time. She will always keep that opportunity open for you.

"For today, you can rest and familiarize yourself with the environment."

...

A short while later, after Mr. Bai had left, Luo Xiu returned to the previous chamber and sprawled out on the wooden bed.

The pillow on the bed was a veritable antique, made from a severed trouser leg stuffed with coarse bran and sewn shut. Who knew how many years it had been used, or by how many people, but it was now moldy and had developed a grimy sheen. The tattered bamboo mat on the bed was in a similar state.

Lying on this bed, Luo Xiu suddenly found himself missing the large bed in Xia Chan's room. It was soft and fragrant; just lying on it was a luxury. Compared to this, her room was heaven, and this was hell.

"Big brother, what should we do now?" Lin Tong's voice suddenly sounded in Luo Xiu's mind.

Staring at the dim light fixture on the ceiling, Luo Xiu replied internally, "Let's focus on healing first. What I need most right now are medicinal ingredients. The Qi Huang Medicine Power I worked so hard to accumulate is nearly gone."

"I see. No wonder you chose the second option, big brother."

Luo Xiu sighed. "It's a pity they took my Jade Pendant. Otherwise, I could have tried to draw my sword and fight my way out."

「Meanwhile.」

In a spacious and comfortable room, Xia Chan stared at the live surveillance feed on her computer screen. Seeing Luo Xiu sleeping so casually in such a filthy environment, her face twisted with rage. Her hand clenched Luo Xiu's Holy Lotus Jade Pendant so tightly it seemed ready to shatter.

"Bastard! Is it so hard to just listen to me? Truly stubborn to the bone. Let's see how long you can hold out!"

...

Luo Xiu drifted off into a dazed sleep. He didn't know how much time had passed before he was abruptly kicked awake.

Opening his eyes, he saw Mr. Bai.

Without a word, Luo Xiu rolled off the bed, yawned, and walked toward the Alchemy Room, ready to begin.

"Quite relaxed, are we? Are you here on vacation?" Mr. Bai smiled faintly and suddenly kicked Luo Xiu in the rear. "I think you should walk a little faster."

Luo Xiu staggered a few steps before catching his balance. He glanced back at Mr. Bai and returned the smile. "I'll let you hold onto that dog's leg and that filthy mouth of yours... for now."

Unfazed, Mr. Bai adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose. "That's assuming you ever get out of here."

A moment later, when Luo Xiu walked into the Alchemy Room, he froze.

Luo Ying was standing there quietly, motionless as a puppet.

"They really think highly of me," Luo Xiu muttered with a sneer. "Using her as my warden."

Mr. Bai smiled. "So I advise you to behave. This one only follows orders. If you try any tricks, she won't hesitate to strike. You'll start with the Revival Pill today. The medicinal ingredients are in those crates."

Luo Xiu looked at the crates of herbs, the corners of his lips curving upward. He tentatively activated his Qihuang Technique. Confirming that Luo Ying hadn't noticed, he began to operate it at full speed, frantically absorbing the medicinal power.

He turned to Mr. Bai with a hearty laugh. "Don't worry, Mr. Bai. I guarantee I'll complete the task!"

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