Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 511 Heavenly Vow?

Silence descended upon Chong Sheng.

Right at this instant—

Just two paths lay before him.

His very life or that precious technique.

His eyes wavered uncertainly.

Should Bai Zihan truly release him post-technique acquisition...

It might prove worthwhile.

An even exchange. Plus, vengeance could come swiftly with restored power.

Thus, against his survival, even a Saint-Grade Technique paled in value.

Yet Chong Sheng's gaze grew shadowed.

He harbored no faith in Bai Zihan's promise.

How could mere assurances sway him?

A figure like him—

Once reigning supreme as a Demonic Cultivator lord—

Would he blindly heed another's word?

Trust ranked as the world's emptiest folly.

Betrayed by his closest ally before, why stake faith on Bai Zihan?

From all observations, Bai Zihan showed no sign of sparing him over empty talk.

No hint of compassion.

Still, options eluded him now.

Negotiation offered the sole route.

Chong Sheng drew a measured breath.

Then uttered words with utmost care.

"Young Master Bai..."

Caution laced his voice.

"Should I surrender this technique..."

A slight hesitation followed.

"...how might I trust you'll allow my safe departure?"

A subtle spark ignited in his eyes.

"Perhaps Young Master Bai could swear a Heavenly Vow?"

A Heavenly Vow!

Violating it invited utter devastation.

Chong Sheng fixed his stare on Bai Zihan.

This alone could secure his safety.

Refusal meant he'd stake all on a desperate battle.

Bai Zihan regarded him calmly.

(Heavenly Vow?)

Fear might bind others, but not him?

Heaven's foe already, what more terror held it?

A smile curved his lips.

"Very well!"

The reply rang instant and firm.

Chong Sheng stiffened momentarily.

(That readily?)

Before deeper thought struck, Bai Zihan lifted a hand. Solemnity etched his face.

Then—

He declared.

"I, Bai Zihan..."

His words reverberated softly, linking to the skies.

"...vow upon the Heavenly Dao—"

"Should I injure Chong Sheng after claiming the technique..."

A momentary halt.

"let my cultivation crumble, my Dao heart shatter, and my soul endure Heavenly Tribulation."

As the oath sealed, Chong Sheng's pupils contracted faintly.

(Truly no murderous intent?)

Witnessing the effortless vow, Chong Sheng pondered if Bai Zihan sought only the technique, never his demise.

It aligned with prior claims—no grudge existed between them.

Besides, Bai Zihan hailed from beyond the Falling Star Empire; the Quan Clan's ruin bore no tie to him.

Long suspecting lethal pursuit, that doubt now vanished with the vow.

The burden crushing his chest lightened at last.

Chong Sheng released a slow exhale.

Reluctance plain, he produced yet another jade slip.

Fingers clung briefly.

Loath to release it.

Finally, he flung it to Bai Zihan.

"Here's the technique."

His tone sank low.

Stifling inner regret.

Bai Zihan snatched it smoothly. His eyes skimmed the jade slip.

A subtle grin formed.

Contentment bloomed.

Chong Sheng observed warily.

Bai Zihan directed his focus to the jade slip.

His divine sense probed within.

In a flash—

Myriad arcane, enigmatic glyphs surged into his consciousness.

A Saint-Grade Technique!

"So that's it..."

Shadow Void Phantom Body!

This art let the practitioner's form dissolve into shadow-esque haze.

Partial incorporeality.

Strikes phased through, as if clashing with illusions.

The special physique prerequisite? A fabrication by Chong Sheng.

Yet, truth lingered somewhat.

Full prowess demanded affinity for shadow, void, or akin traits.

Bai Zihan's lips twitched upward.

Lacking ideal build, it still shone supreme.

With fitting affinity—

Prolonged shadow state proved feasible.

Virtually immune to harm.

An ultimate escape divine skill.

For Bai Zihan—

No such mismatch existed.

His physique...

Transcended mortal bounds long ago.

His Primordial Chaos Body adapted seamlessly to any art.

This one promised flawless synergy.

Armed thus, even Immortal Ascension Realm foes...

Would struggle immensely to slay him.

A soft smile graced his face.

"Excellent!"

Excitement colored his words.

Opposite, Chong Sheng's pulse quickened.

He quelled the gnawing disquiet in his core.

Then hastened his plea.

"Young Master Bai..."

Urgency tinged his tone.

"Having verified the technique..."

"May I depart now?"

He yearned to flee at once.

Prolonged presence bred mounting dread.

This man...

Bai Zihan's every facet triggered primal alarms.

Distance was imperative.

The greater, the swifter, the better.

Chong Sheng eyed Bai Zihan intently.

Bai Zihan delayed response.

He merely lingered—jade slip clutched.

His stare prolonged a beat more.

Then—

He raised his head deliberately.

Eyes settled on Chong Sheng.

And grinned.

Yet this grin held an eerie shift.

Chong Sheng's core clenched abruptly.

Ominous foreboding flooded him.

"...Young Master Bai?"

He willed steadiness into his voice.

Yet anxiety spread unchecked.

Bai Zihan stowed the jade slip casually.

Advanced a single pace.

Instinct drove Chong Sheng half a step rearward.

"You seek to depart?"

Bai Zihan queried with mirth.

To Chong Sheng—it tolled like doom.

His pupils narrowed.

Something amiss.

Deeply wrong.

"You... you've sworn the Heavenly Vow!"

Chong Sheng's pitch climbed unwittingly.

Panic edged in at last.

"You vowed to the Heavenly Dao! Harm me, and your cultivation shatters!

Your Dao heart crumbles!"

Breath grew ragged.

"You dare violate it?!"

Quiet blanketed the air.

Bai Zihan halted.

Then—

He laughed lightly.

A deep, entertained murmur.

"Violate it?"

He echoed gently.

Gazed at Chong Sheng—

As though beholding absurdity incarnate.

"I shall! And then? What recourse has Heaven?"

Chong Sheng's pupils quivered.

Even as past life's Supreme Immortal, he'd shun such breach.

A Heavenly Vow demanded gravity.

No trifling oath.

A pact.

Enforced by Heavenly Dao's witness.

Defied—

Retribution struck true.

Inevitable. Merciless.

Immortals fell prey alike.

Nay—

Greater power invited fiercer doom.

Death loomed worst; crippling, mildest.

Chong Sheng raised his eyes gradually.

Locked onto Bai Zihan.

Arrogance aside...

Ignorance dismissed...

He couldn't credit Bai Zihan's obliviousness.

"You..."

His voice rasped faintly.

"You grasp the oath's gravity."

Tone deepened gravely.

"Shattering a Heavenly Vow lies beyond your endurance!"

"Dao heart fractures... tribulations unending... immortality's road severed."

A quiver laced his words.

"You've claimed your prize."

Eyes pierced sharply.

"I yielded my supreme treasure. A Saint-Grade Technique!"

Resolve hardened his voice.

"Why hazard all for this? Why forfeit your destiny... over me?"

His stare drilled into Bai Zihan.

Desperate—

Final—

Plea to relent.

To halt.

But—

Bai Zihan remained rooted.

Motionless!

Expression unruffled. Devoid of doubt.

No turmoil.

Nil.

Pure, detached serenity.

As Chong Sheng's pleas dissolved into irrelevance.

Bai Zihan's lips arched gradually.

A sly smirk emerged.

He viewed Chong Sheng—like a utter simpleton.

Chong Sheng's face froze. Bai Zihan cocked his head faintly.

Did Chong Sheng truly believe—

He'd spare such a soul?

A reborn powerhouse.

Ex-Supreme Immortal.

Calamity cloaked in flesh.

Peril incarnate. Overwhelming peril.

Sparing him...

Equaled embedding a dagger rearward.

Even sparing mandated crippling.

Stripped of threat forever.

Or—

Bound utterly to his will.

Lest...

What monstrosity might he forge ahead?

Bai Zihan breathed softly.

"Regarding the Heavenly Vow..."

He chuckled.

Sworn for utility alone. Else, how wrest a Saint-Grade Technique from Chong Sheng?

Fingers drummed the stowed jade slip.

Chong Sheng's pupils dilated wildly.

"You-!"

Realization crashed.

Far too tardy!

Bai Zihan never meant to uphold it.

Bai Zihan's gaze iced over.

Defying Heaven's favored was taboo enough.

One extra? Trivial.

Killing Intent erupted from Bai Zihan, signaling deadly earnestness at last.

"Now, time to settle with you."