281: Chapter 288 A Month of Seclusion

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, Lu Yang and Xiao Qingqing had been in seclusion in the secret room for over a month.

The storms of the outside world did not subside with the passage of time; instead, they intensified.

In front of the gates of Lingcao Residence, Cultivators of all kinds gathered almost every day.

They pried for news of Lu Yang, whether openly or covertly, trying to coax even a few words from Xiao Yuandao.

“Manager Xiao, is Alchemist Lu truly staying in seclusion for three years?” a man dressed like a wealthy merchant in fine silk asked with a smile, waving a folding fan. “My ‘Wanbao Pavilion’ is willing to pay a high price just to reserve a pill from the very first batch Alchemist Lu refines after he emerges.”

Xiao Yuandao sat behind the counter, fiddling with an abacus without looking up. “Shopkeeper Li, you’ve already asked this three times. You know Alchemist Lu’s temperament. Since he said three years, it will be three years. No one’s Face will make a difference. If you’re here to buy Spiritual Plants, my Lingcao Residence welcomes you with open arms. If you’re here to fish for information, then please leave.”

Shopkeeper Li felt snubbed and could only leave dejectedly.

After seeing off batch after batch of visitors, Xiao Yuandao rubbed his aching temples and sighed inwardly. For over a month, he had single-handedly fended off all the outside prying and pressure. He knew that Lu Yang and his daughter were at a critical moment and must not be disturbed in the slightest.

“Lu Yang, oh Lu Yang, you’d better come out soon.” Xiao Yuandao looked toward the back mountain, his eyes full of worry. “I can barely hold up the sky for Lingcao Residence anymore.”

The secret room on the back mountain.

It was isolated from the clamor of the outside world, as if it were another Realm entirely.

On the cold jade bed in the center of the secret room, Lu Yang and Xiao Qingqing sat facing each other. Spiritual light flowed around them as their auras blended, forming a perfect cycle. The air was thick with the fragrance of medicine and spiritual power, nearly condensing into a physical liquid.

At this moment, the two were engaged in the most critical Dual Cultivation.

Lu Yang’s Wood Spiritual Root had already stabilized at the Late Stage of Core Formation, while Xiao Qingqing’s cultivation was also steadily rising, only a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. However, this session of Dual Cultivation was somewhat different from before.

As the resonance of their spiritual power deepened, a strange sensation spread through their bodies.

Lu Yang felt his Primal Yang Power being drawn by some powerful force, flowing continuously into Xiao Qingqing’s body. Xiao Qingqing’s Wood Spirit Power also entwined with his power like vines, nourishing and promoting each other.

But this time, the Fusion was not just an exchange of spiritual power; it was accompanied by a physiological transformation.

Lu Yang felt a layer of faint green patterns emerge on the surface of his skin, like ancient totems. These patterns emitted a weak glow, echoing the green light on Xiao Qingqing’s body.

As for Xiao Qingqing, her skin became crystal clear, like fine mutton-fat jade. Her long hair moved without wind, every strand seemingly imbued with vibrant life force.

“Brother Lu... I feel... so hot...”

Xiao Qingqing’s voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of uncontrollable desire. It was as if two clusters of fire were burning in her eyes.

Lu Yang was startled, but he quickly understood. They had reached the pinnacle of Dual Cultivation, triggering the power of their respective Origins. Xiao Qingqing’s Physique was special and extremely sensitive to his Primordial Yang. At this moment, the resonance of their spiritual power had reached an unprecedented height, triggering an instinctive bodily reaction.

“Qingqing, steady your mind!” Lu Yang shouted in a low voice. “Guide the spiritual power and charge at the Bottleneck! This is your Opportunity, and it is mine as well!”

He suppressed the restlessness in his heart and focused all his attention on guiding the spiritual power. He knew there could be no mistake now. If this power were allowed to spiral out of control, both of them would suffer Qi Deviation.

Hearing this, Xiao Qingqing bit her lip hard and suppressed all her desire deep within. She took a deep breath and began to fully guide that violent spiritual power.

“Boom!”

The spiritual power within them seemed to merge into one, forming a massive torrent that surged wildly toward Xiao Qingqing’s Dantian and Qi Sea.

Under the wash of the majestic spiritual power, her Golden Core began to rotate violently; its volume shrank rapidly, but its density increased sharply. Simultaneously, Lu Yang’s Wood Spiritual Root underwent a qualitative transformation at this moment, his spiritual power becoming more solid and pure.

This was the highest Realm of Dual Cultivation—the Union of Spirit and Flesh.

Their bodies seemed to become vessels for one another, merging and fulfilling each other.

Time passed bit by bit, and the fluctuations of spiritual power in the secret room grew stronger and stronger. Xiao Qingqing’s Face flushed and paled by turns, clearly experiencing immense pain and pleasure.

Lu Yang remained conscious throughout, his hands pressed against Xiao Qingqing’s back as he continuously channeled spiritual power. He knew this was the most critical time and there could be no slackening.

After an unknown amount of time, the aura around Xiao Qingqing suddenly condensed, as if reaching a Peak. Then, that aura spread out like a tide, and a pressure far stronger than before filled the entire secret room.

“Boom!”

A silent thunderclap echoed within her. Xiao Qingqing snapped her eyes open, a sharp light bursting from her pupils before quickly receding. Her aura had steadily stepped into the absolute Peak of Core Formation, only a hair’s breadth away from the Nascent Soul Stage!

As for Lu Yang, his Wood Spiritual Root also completely stabilized at this moment, even showing a faint sign of Breakthrough. He felt the spiritual power in his body become more solid and pure, as if he could pierce through the veil to the Nascent Soul Stage with just a gentle push.

The two slowly separated and began to regulate their breaths.

A moment later, Lu Yang opened his eyes, a flash of joy crossing them. He looked at Xiao Qingqing and saw her Face was rosy and her aura steady; she had clearly gained much.

“Qingqing, how do you feel?” Lu Yang asked softly.

Xiao Qingqing opened her eyes, which were filled with unbelievable joy. “Brother Lu, I feel... wonderful! It’s as if every pore in my body has been opened, and I can clearly perceive the flow of Wood Spirit Power in the world. Now, if I were to Face that previous powerful enemy again, I could tear him apart with my Physical Body strength alone, even without using a Magic Treasure!”

Lu Yang smiled slightly and nodded. “Good, very good. You have reached the absolute Peak of Core Formation, just a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. Next, you only need to wait for the right moment to make a Breakthrough in one go.”

Xiao Qingqing stood up and stretched her somewhat stiff limbs. Feeling the surging spiritual power within her, her heart was filled with anticipation for the future.

“Brother Lu, it’s all thanks to you.” She looked at Lu Yang, her eyes full of gratitude and tenderness. “If not for you, I’m afraid I would still be lingering in the Middle Stage of Core Formation.”

Lu Yang stood up, walked to her side, and gently smoothed her slightly messy hair. “Silly girl, between us, there’s no need for thanks. Your talent was already amazing; I only added the finishing touch.”

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

Lu Yang walked to a corner of the secret room where an ancient Pill Furnace was placed. He opened the lid, and a thick medicinal fragrance wafted out.

“Next, I will refine the ‘Azure Wood Nascent Soul Pill’ for you.” Lu Yang looked at the medicine in the furnace, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. “With this Medicinal Pill, your chances of a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Stage will increase by at least thirty percent!”

He turned to look at Xiao Qingqing. “Qingqing, stay here and stabilize your Realm. I’m going to start Alchemy; it might take quite a while.”

Xiao Qingqing nodded and said obediently, “Brother Lu, don’t worry about the refining. I will guard this place and won’t let anyone disturb you.”

Lu Yang smiled and nodded. He walked to the Pill Furnace, sat cross-legged, and began to concentrate fully on refining the pill.

Tranquility returned to the secret room once more. There was only the crackling of the fire in the Pill Furnace and the steady breathing of the two.

However, this tranquility was destined not to last.