“Do you even know what you’re saying?”
“We’re fellow disciples under the same master. And you know there are certain issues—how could we possibly do something like that?”
“Hey, Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood.” Realizing he’d taken it the wrong way, Lin Yuhe pulled out a heart method scroll and a secret technique book, handing them to him.
“Just take a look, Senior Brother, and you’ll understand what I mean by dual cultivation.”
“…”
Shen Mu, with a hint of doubt in his eyes, took the scroll and book, sat down, and skimmed through them, his brow furrowing.
No disrobing for the man, no undressing for the woman. The innate essence of male and female blends and flows together, connecting the body’s meridians, sharing sensations, uniting their spirits, and entering the realm of yin-yang harmony…
After a moment, Shen Mu gradually understood what Lin Yuhe meant by “dual cultivation.”
So that’s what she meant by dual cultivation.
Looks like I got the wrong idea.
But…
This dual cultivation method, which emphasized the spiritual aspect—would it really be fine to practice with her?
Perhaps because he’d studied the Soul Refining Mantra and gained a deeper understanding of soul and spirit cultivation, Shen Mu vaguely felt that this spiritual-focused dual cultivation might pose more unpredictable issues than the physical kind.
“So? Do you understand what I mean now, Senior Brother?” Lin Yuhe asked with a slight smile, seeing him set down the texts.
“Mm, I get the gist.”
“What do you think, then?”
“This dual cultivation method is an excellent way for both you and Junior Sister to quickly boost your cultivation strength.”
“And during the process, it only involves some physical contact—nothing too intimate…”
“Even if word got out, it wouldn’t have any real impact on your moral reputation.”
Lin Yuhe sounded like a five-star salesperson, gently nudging Shen Mu along.
Yet Shen Mu remained unmoved, turning to Tang Yueyao, who was blushing and keeping her head down. “What do you think?”
He cared more about her opinion.
“I…”
Tang Yueyao hesitated, thinking briefly before answering softly, “I want to improve my strength quickly… I don’t want to hold Senior Brother and Senior Sister back…”
“But… if Senior Brother isn’t willing, Yueyao won’t push it…”
“You don’t find me repulsive?”
“Senior Brother is a good person… and treats Yueyao well… Why would I find you repulsive?”
If anything, she had a rather favorable impression of her kind and gentle Senior Brother.
“Heh, alright. As long as you don’t find me repulsive, I don’t mind trying this dual cultivation method once with you.” Shen Mu, handed a “good guy card,” chuckled lightly and agreed to give it a shot.
After all, he was indeed eager to boost his cultivation.
But for Lin Yuhe, who clearly had some mischief up her sleeve, he planned to turn the tables a bit.
“Really?” Tang Yueyao lifted her sparkling pink peach-blossom eyes, her tone tinged with joy.
“Mm. But since this method can improve our cultivation together, why don’t you join us, Junior Sister Yuhe?”
“What…?”
Caught off guard, Lin Yuhe froze for a moment before responding, “I don’t need to join… After all, this dual cultivation method works best with one man and one woman.”
“But aren’t you also just at late Qi Refining, Junior Sister Yuhe? Wouldn’t it be better to improve together?”
“Or… are you reluctant to cultivate with us?”
“No…” Faced with Shen Mu’s sudden questioning, Lin Yuhe felt a bit flustered.
“Sigh~ Fine, if Junior Sister is so averse to it, I won’t force you…”
“After all, with your prestigious status and talent, it’s normal to look down on someone as mediocre as me.”
Shen Mu’s tone and expression feigned disappointment, revealing a touch of tea-master finesse.
“…”
Lin Yuhe felt a surge of frustration, momentarily speechless at his words.
She could tell he was deliberately messing with her, trying to put her in an awkward spot in front of others.
Tang Yueyao’s puzzled gaze was proof enough.
This guy…
Is he playing tit-for-tat?
Fine, then I’ll play along and see if you can handle it!
“No… how could I look down on Senior Brother? I just wasn’t mentally prepared,” she said with a slight smile, her tone calm and friendly.
But her gaze toward Shen Mu was anything but kind.
“No need to explain, Junior Sister. I understand,” Shen Mu said, still teasing her mindset, oblivious to how hard it is to put out a fire once it’s lit.
“Senior Brother… I said I didn’t think that way.”
“If you’re so eager for me to join you and Junior Sister Yueyao in cultivation, then I’ll join, alright~”
“Please guide me, Senior Brother~”
Lin Yuhe’s smile didn’t waver, her eyes flashing with a challenging glint, as if saying: You’re done for. I’m coming for you.
Shen Mu remained unruffled, responding with a hint of satisfaction, “That’s more like it…”
Hmph, I was worried you wouldn’t dare join.
Your participation proves this dual cultivation method has no hidden issues.
If you didn’t join, I’d know you were up to something shady.
Having grown familiar with Lin Yuhe’s personality and behavior, he was starting to figure out her scheming ways.
Soon after.
The three sat together on meditation cushions.
Tang Yueyao looked expectant yet nervous, Lin Yuhe’s eyes held a trace of inexplicable emotion, while Shen Mu remained calm.
“Let’s begin. Stay focused.”
“No need to remind me, Senior Brother.”
Whoosh!
As the words fell, the three began forming hand seals, circulating the heart method, and chanting the technique’s incantations…
Instantly, Shen Mu and Lin Yuhe were enveloped in faint gray-white mist…
But Tang Yueyao’s aura was different—pink and white, interwoven with a subtle, enchanting charm.
However, noticing her aura differed from theirs, they exchanged a knowing glance and said nothing, simply raising their palms to connect with hers.
Their innate essences merged at that moment, flowing orderly through their meridians, as if uniting them into one, creating ripples of invisible resonance…
Buzz!
The next moment, vast amounts of spiritual qi surged from all directions, far exceeding what they could absorb during normal cultivation!
It even formed a vortex of spiritual qi above Shen Mu’s residence.
“Hm?”
At Myriad Phenomena Peak, Luo Qingling sensed the unusual convergence of spiritual qi, her lips curling into a slight smile.
“Looks like a bit of pressure did the trick.”
With a flick of her slender finger, a small spirit-gathering array appeared above Shen Mu’s spiritual peak, accelerating the qi convergence.
“Keep working hard. Strive to touch the Spirit Transformation threshold within seven years…”
“And teach that arrogant guy a lesson.”