"No roots?"
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing were all startled, a flicker of confusion crossing their eyes.
Zi Linling didn't want to dwell on this topic.
So, she offered no explanation, turning instead to the late-stage God King expert from the Cao family. "Well? Have you made your choice?"
A trace of timidity flashed in the late-stage God King expert's eyes, but he outwardly maintained his composure. "What if I choose neither?"
Zi Linling's expression turned cold, her tone stern. "Then..."
"Death!"
As she uttered the word "death," the surrounding atmosphere seemed to become three parts more suffocating.
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family was once again shocked.
His pupils contracted sharply, and he exclaimed in disbelief, "Word Spirit Power! Words become law! Heavens! I've actually witnessed the legendary Word Spirit Power!"
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing exchanged glances, surprise filling their eyes.
Although they had seen Zi Linling use this skill, they didn't know what Word Spirit Power was.
"Isn't it just Word Spirit Power? What's so strange about it?"
Shangguan Yulin, after a moment of bewilderment, asked dismissively.
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family cast a scornful glance at Shangguan Yulin. "Idiot, do you know that Word Spirit Power is the power of the Great Dao, representing the will of the Great Dao?"
"So what?" Shangguan Yulin asked blankly.
"I can't be bothered with an idiot like you!"
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family retorted contemptuously at Shangguan Yulin, then said to Zi Linling, "I choose the second path, to acknowledge you as my master!"
Zi Linling blinked in surprise. "Have you thought it through?"
For a cultivator to acknowledge another as their master was a deeply humiliating act.
Unless it was an absolute last resort, no one would willingly place their life in another's hands.
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family stated firmly, "I have!"
"Why?" Zi Linling asked, curious.
Previously, the late-stage God King expert from the Cao family had clearly shown no intention of submitting.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked what would happen if he chose neither path.
Zi Linling didn't believe that her threat had been the deciding factor.
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family replied, "Because you are the Chosen One! Being your servant is not shameful, but rather an honor!"
"Chosen One?"
Zi Linling's brow furrowed.
She had heard this term before, but this was the first time she had heard it on the Divine Remnant Continent.
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family continued, "That's right! Only the Chosen One can wield Word Spirit Power!"
"And so?" Zi Linling asked.
"The Chosen One is also known as the Heavenly Dao's proxy, an avatar of the Heavenly Dao. Once you return to the Heavenly Dao, those by your side will receive immense benefits!" the late-stage God King expert from the Cao family explained.
"You are willing to acknowledge me as your master for these benefits?"
Zi Linling's eyes flickered.
"Precisely!"
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family admitted frankly.
Zi Linling chuckled lightly. "You are indeed quite honest!"
"I wouldn't normally keep someone like you by my side, who pledges allegiance with ulterior motives. However, I have already spoken, and I am in need of capable individuals. Therefore, you may stay!"
"Since you have agreed to be my servant, I will need to place a soul imprint in your soul. However, I can promise you that as long as you do not betray me, I will grant you freedom once I have fulfilled my mission!"
The late-stage God King expert from the Cao family said without hesitation, "Proceed!"
As he spoke, he completely opened his Sea of Consciousness.
One had to know that allowing another's soul to enter one's Sea of Consciousness was an extremely dangerous act.
If the other party had ill intentions, they could end his life with a single thought.
However, the late-stage God King expert from the Cao family, having decided to acknowledge Zi Linling as his master, had no intention of guarding against her anymore.
Zi Linling was very satisfied with his reaction and secretly admired his adaptable nature.
Zi Linling nodded, splitting off a wisp of her soul power and forming it into an imprint, which she placed upon the late-stage God King expert's soul.
From this moment on, with just a single thought from Zi Linling, his soul could be annihilated.
After the soul imprint was established, a look of respect appeared on the late-stage God King expert's face.
"Master, you may call me Zhuang Xing!"
Zi Linling nodded. "You are not surnamed Cao?"
Zhuang Xing replied, "Reporting to Master, none of us ten are surnamed Cao. We are all external reinforcements hired by the Cao family."
"Oh? The Cao family is known as the number one family in Scarlet Blood City. Surely they must have their own foundations?" Zi Linling asked with interest.
Zhuang Xing replied, "Reporting to Master, the Cao family's foundation is terrifying. They have over fifty God King experts alone, half of whom are from the main Cao family, thirty-three, and over twenty external reinforcements.
"In addition, there are over two hundred Great God realm experts, and over a thousand below the Minor God realm. Furthermore, the Cao family has two semi-Divine Lord realm experts guarding them!"
Upon hearing this, Zi Linling's brow furrowed deeply.
It seemed that eliminating the Cao family might be beyond her current capabilities.
However, what she set out to do, she would find a way to accomplish.
But this matter could not be rushed; it required careful planning step by step.
For now, she needed to resolve the immediate issue.
Zi Linling produced a Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill and handed it to Zhuang Xing. "Heal your injuries first!"
The moment Zhuang Xing saw the Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill, his entire body trembled violently.
Not out of fear, but out of excitement.
"Master, this is a Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill, isn't it?"
Zi Linling nodded. "Indeed! Hurry and heal!"
Zhuang Xing was utterly astounded, his curiosity about Zi Linling's identity growing with each passing moment.
To offer a Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill immediately showed that his master was no ordinary person.
Trembling, Zhuang Xing took the Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill and turned it over and over, reluctant to consume it.
Zi Linling frowned. "We have more important matters to attend to. Heal quickly!"
"Yes, Master!"
Zhuang Xing responded, then, with his previous reluctance gone, swallowed the Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill.
He dared not delay and immediately closed his eyes to cultivate.
In an instant, his injuries healed by seventy percent.
And only thirty percent of the Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill's medicinal power had been used. It truly lived up to its reputation as a miraculous healing medicine.
To avoid wasting the remaining medicinal power, Zhuang Xing directly used it to cultivate while healing.
Zi Linling took the opportunity to address the other eight God Kings from the Cao family. "And what about you? Shall I cripple your cultivation, or will you acknowledge me as your master and become my servant?"
The eight men looked enviously at Zhuang Xing, who had consumed the Nine Revolutions Great Restoration Pill, and without a second thought, they all shouted in unison, "Master!"
"The wise adapt to circumstances!"
Zi Linling was very pleased and, one by one, placed soul imprints in their souls.