105: cooperate!

Deep within the Chen Estate, the courtyards belonging to the Family head and his wives seemed to be enveloped by an invisible, enchanting, and warm spring aura these past few days.

Warm red candles illuminated the bed curtains, silk robes were lightly shed, and the delicate moans and soft gasps of women intertwined with the steady breathing of a man, composing a mysterious melody unique to the Dao of Dual Cultivation.

Chen Fan was indeed immersed in it, with a hint of compensation, and even more, a sense of exploration and intoxication.

His three wives, Su Wan’s gentle and inclusive nature was like the spring rain that nourishes all things, Su Qing’s charming and passionate demeanor resembled the vibrant flowers of midsummer, and Liu Qianqian’s resilient and spirited character was like the strong winds of autumn; each possessed a distinct charm, offering myriad flavors.

Nourished by the Spiritual Martial Arts Primer and the enhanced Origin of life brought by the seven mother lotuses, they had long shed the traces of time. Their skin was as fair as snow, their figures graceful, and their eyes sparkled with a blend of youthful vitality and mature charm, a peerless elegance that made them appear as young maidens.

Coupled with the subtle resonance brought by the Twin Lotus of Concentric Hearts Seed, each Dual Cultivation session was not merely physical pleasure, but also a spiritual communion and a preliminary exploration of the Grand Dao of Yin and Yang.

For the three wives, this was simply a dream cultivation method!

How could tedious meditation and Qi practice compare to the exhilaration of feeling the pulsation of life's Origin and experiencing the profound fusion of Spiritual Qi under their husband's guidance, amidst tender affection?

After each Dual Cultivation session, they could clearly feel a steady improvement in their cultivation, their Qi and blood becoming more vigorous, their spirits more robust, and even their complexions seemed to have been washed by immortal dew, radiating brilliance.

That profound satisfaction and sublimation originating from the depths of life made them crave more, wishing to constantly entwine themselves with Chen Fan, eager to continue this great undertaking of “solidifying the Family’s Foundation” to the very end.

Although Chen Fan spent his nights in revelry, indulging in the land of tenderness, his mind remained as firm as a rock, clear as ever.

He knew deeply that the Dao of Dual Cultivation offered negligible improvement to his own cultivation (the Realm gap was too large), but his three wives’ progress was substantial and real.

This was both the joy of the boudoir and an act of assisting in the Dao, as well as a necessary means to stabilize the inner court and harmonize Yin and Yang.

However, he did not completely immerse himself in it.

During the day, when Xiao Zhentian, the newly advanced Shenxiao Realm Cultivator, once again arrived in Qingshui Town, dusty from his journey, Chen Fan had already composed himself and greeted him as the Family Head.

In the center of the training ground, two figures moved like lightning, each collision eliciting a dull roar, with Qi waves churning and powerful winds spreading.

Xiao Zhentian’s hair stood on end, and purplish-gold Divine Firmament power surged and roared around him. His fists and palms stirred up wind and thunder, fully displaying the profound heritage and dominance of a seasoned powerhouse.

In contrast, Chen Fan’s movements appeared simple and unadorned, yet every gesture carried a natural rhythm. His Pure Yang Dao Core was as profound as an abyss, and he consistently, at the last possible moment, used the smallest movements and the most precise force to perfectly resolve or deflect Xiao Zhentian’s wild attacks.

To outsiders, the two seemed evenly matched, fighting to a standstill.

Only Xiao Zhentian himself felt a tremendous shock in his heart!

He felt as if he were facing an unfathomable ocean; no matter how violent the waves he stirred up, they were ultimately absorbed and dissolved silently.

Chen Fan’s strength, speed, reaction, and understanding of rules all far surpassed his own!

The other party was clearly deliberately suppressing his strength, merely “sparring” with him!

This effortless demeanor was even more shocking and… a bit awe-inspiring to Xiao Zhentian than direct suppression.

He had no doubt that if Chen Fan went all out, he probably wouldn’t last ten moves!

“Haha, exhilarating! Brother Chen, your cultivation… is unfathomable!”

After a hearty (for Xiao Zhentian) sparring session, Xiao Zhentian stopped, wiped his sweat, his eyes gleaming, his tone filled with genuine admiration and a subtle hint of probing.

Chen Fan smiled faintly, his aura as stable as ever:

“Elder Brother Xiao overpraises. My Divine Firmament is newly formed and still needs to be stabilized. Our sparring and mutual verification also lead to common progress.”

He skillfully changed the subject, steering it to the main topic:

“What’s the situation with Zixiao Sect?”

When the topic turned to serious matters, Xiao Zhentian’s expression grew solemn:

“Hmph! Those arrogant fellows are naturally enraged.

According to my informants within the Sect, several radical Elders, led by ‘Blazing Sun,’ are clamoring to send people to ‘cleanse the Sect’s ranks’ and teach my Xiao Family and the Chen Family a lesson.

However…”

A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes:

“Just as you predicted, Brother, the Sect is riddled with factions, constantly vying with each other.

The few Golden Core Old Ancestors who truly hold power have ambiguous attitudes and have not explicitly expressed support for Blazing Sun.

Firstly, they are concerned about the scarcity of Spiritual Qi in Great Yu, and the cost of a Golden Core’s intervention would be too high, easily attracting the covetous gaze of other forces.

Secondly, my Xiao Family has, after all, been established for a hundred years. Turning against us abruptly, they fear breaking their teeth and losing this stable source of resources.

And thirdly,”

Xiao Zhentian looked at Chen Fan, his gaze meaningful.

“They are probably also weighing how much it would cost to take down two Shenxiao Realm Cultivators, especially one as unfathomable as you, Brother, and whether the benefits they would gain are worth it.”

Chen Fan nodded; everything was within his calculations.

Zixiao Sect, with a hundred years of heritage, could only be considered a minor Golden Core Sect, plagued by internal conflicts and strong on the outside but weak within.

Their strongest deterrent was the Golden Core Old Ancestor, but a Golden Core was a Sect-protecting treasure, not to be easily moved.

As for Foundation Establishment Cultivators?

A Shenxiao Realm Cultivator, having opened the Heavenly Gate and invoked nascent rules, possessed combat power far beyond that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Chen Fan was even confident that with his current dual Realm of Foundation Establishment and Shenxiao, supplemented by the terrifying enhancements of the Encyclopedia of All Things and the gains from the Lake Heart Island, even against a Golden Core Cultivator, he had the confidence to protect himself and even make the opponent pay a heavy price, relying on the resources of the Zhengyang Lake Secret Realm and his endless array of methods!

“Therefore, that old scoundrel Blazing Sun can at most mobilize a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators and some Tongmai Realm Disciples from his own faction,” Xiao Zhentian sneered.

“If that meager force dares to cause trouble in Qingshui Town, it’ll be a good opportunity for Rui Lin, my worthy nephew, to practice, and for this old man to stretch his muscles!”

After breaking through to the Shenxiao Realm, his confidence soared, and he was eager to test his strength.

“Mere clowns, nothing to fear,” Chen Fan said calmly, yet with absolute confidence.

“It is the future of our two Families that is more worth planning.”

Xiao Zhentian’s spirits lifted:

“Please speak, Brother!”

“Firstly,” Chen Fan said, “my Chen Family’s Chunyang Other Courtyard and the Xiao Family’s Martial Arts Library will open a portion of their slots, allowing Core Disciples from the other Family to enter for study and sparring. We will exchange knowledge and learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

“Excellent!” Xiao Zhentian clapped his hands.

“My Xiao Family Disciples, having lived in the imperial capital for a long time, are inevitably somewhat arrogant. Letting them come to Qingshui Town to experience the martial arts atmosphere of the Chunyang Other Courtyard and the pragmatic style of the Chen Family will be of great benefit!

Similarly, Chen Family Disciples can also visit the Xiao Family’s Martial Arts Library in the imperial capital to broaden their horizons and access higher-level martial arts concepts!”

“Secondly,” Chen Fan’s eyes flashed with profundity.

“Elder Brother Xiao, the basic chapters of your Xiao Family’s inherited Purple Qi Comes From the East Scripture, as well as the military body-refining and battle formation methods, have deep Foundations. However, over the years, there may be flaws, or they may no longer keep up with the times. My Chen Family has some insights into the deduction of martial arts.”

He paused, looking at Xiao Zhentian:

“If Elder Brother trusts me, you can hand over copies of some core Cultivation Techniques to my Chen Family’s Martial Pavilion. I, Rui Lin, and even Li Chunyang of the Chunyang Other Courtyard will jointly study them, attempting to sort out theirVeins, optimize their Foundation, and improve their efficiency.

The improved Cultivation Techniques will be prioritized for the Xiao Family’s Core Disciples to Cultivate. This way, it will not only enhance the overall strength of the Xiao Family but also serve as a manifestation of the deep binding, mutual trust, and assistance between our two Families.”

Xiao Zhentian’s pupils constricted slightly, and a huge wave surged in his heart!

This proposal, seemingly Chen Family’s gratuitous help, was in fact intended to gradually incorporate the Xiao Family’s core martial arts Foundation into the Chen Family’s improvement system!

Once Xiao Family Disciples became accustomed to the Chen Family’s improved Cultivation Techniques, their future development potential, and even their understanding of the Dao of martial arts, would be deeply imprinted with the Chen Family’s mark!

This was a gentle and long-term “infiltration” and binding!

He remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Fan.

Chen Fan met his gaze calmly, his eyes clear and sincere.

“Hahaha! Good!” Xiao Zhentian suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with resolve and trust.

“If you suspect someone, don’t use them; if you use them, don’t suspect them! Since I, Xiao Zhentian, have chosen the Chen Family’s path, I will see it through!

I agree to this matter! When I return, I will immediately order someone to send over copies of the Purple Qi Comes From the East Scripture · Body Refinement and Tongmai Chapters and the Xiao Family’s Army-Breaking Battle Formation Outline! I trouble you, Brother!”

He saw clearly that by relying on Zixiao Sect, the Xiao Family would always be merely a tool to be exploited and controlled.

But by aligning with the Chen Family, a warship with infinite potential and a truly independent Dao, the Xiao Family had the hope of truly rising and even breaking free from the shackles of the Immortal Sects!

For this, relinquishing partial control over Cultivation Technique improvement was worth it!

The two looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words.

This seemingly casual conversation by the training ground laid the most solid Foundation for the future deep cooperation and shared destiny of the two great Shenxiao Realm Families.

After seeing Xiao Zhentian off, Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, looking towards the direction of the Secret Realm entrance.

The enchantment of the land of tenderness, the trust of allies, the covetousness of external enemies, the grand blueprint for the future…

All these scenes flowed through his profound eyes.

A faint, confident smile played on his lips, as if he controlled everything.

“The Foundation has been laid; the branches and leaves should flourish. This game of chess has only just begun.”

He murmured softly, then turned and walked steadily towards the inner courtyard, where the lights were warm and his beloved wives awaited.

Warm red candles illuminated the bed curtains, and it was also a part of the Dao.

Meanwhile, deep within the Secret Realm, the lotus pond on Lake Heart Island, containing supreme good fortune, quietly awaited its master’s next in-depth exploration and acquisition.

The mountain wind signals the coming storm, and the Chen Family’s net had already quietly spread.