36: Chapter 36 Immersive Dual Cultivation

The moment Ye Xiaoyao opened his eyes, he felt that his surroundings had changed.

It wasn't an earth-shattering transformation, but rather a difference in the subtle details.

The flow of Spiritual Qi in the air seemed to have taken on a shape.

He could distinguish the trembling of every single leaf from the rustling sound of the wind outside the window.

Even the temperature changes of the airflow in his nasal cavity as he breathed were clearly discernible.

More importantly, it was within his body.

Inside his Dantian, the previously gaseous vortex of Spiritual Qi had vanished.

In its place was a small puddle of crystal-clear, liquid True Essence.

The True Essence circulated slowly, and every cycle brought an abundant sense of power, more than ten times more robust than during the Qi Refinement Stage.

"I've finally succeeded in Foundation Establishment!"

Ye Xiaoyao jumped off the bed; though his bare feet stepped onto the cold floor, he only felt refreshed all over.

"The feeling of the Foundation Establishment Stage is truly refreshing!"

He couldn't help but throw a punch, stirring up a gust of strong wind.

The Pure Yang Power inside him seemed to have risen along with his cultivation, carrying a scalding heat as it surged through his Meridians.

Yet it wasn't burning; instead, it was invigorating.

"I never expected this, I really didn't."

Ye Xiaoyao grinned so widely his eyes turned into slits.

"A minor Cultivator like me, with triple Spiritual Roots of fire, wood, and earth, actually has a day where I succeed in Foundation Establishment!

And this day came so quickly, it feels like a dream."

He truly couldn't help it and threw his head back, laughing loudly.

His laughter echoed in the room, filled with undisguised delight.

Ji Chanxi rose from her chair and walked over slowly.

Seeing Ye Xiaoyao's ecstatic state, the corners of her lips curved up slightly.

"Congratulations."

She said, "You've succeeded in Foundation Establishment."

"Yes, yes."

Ye Xiaoyao nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining with terrifying brightness.

"I didn't expect the Pure Yang Sacred Body to be this incredible. Not only is the cultivation speed ridiculously fast, but even breaking through Realms is as simple as drinking water. It truly happened naturally."

He clenched his fists, feeling the True Essence flowing between his fingers, feeling delighted.

Ji Chanxi looked at his smug expression, curled her lip, and said:

"Hmph~, don't get happy too soon."

Ye Xiaoyao's laughter faltered.

"Any kind of Sacred Body will have its corresponding flaws."

Ji Chanxi crossed her arms and spoke unhurriedly:

"The Pure Yin Sacred Body I possess can also speed up cultivation, but it requires a pure yang object to harmonize when breaking through major Realms. Your Pure Yang Sacred Body doesn't have that issue."

She paused, watching Ye Xiaoyao's expression gradually turn serious before continuing:

"But there is one flaw. As your cultivation level increases, the Pure Yang Qi and essence of pure yang in your body will continuously accumulate. They need to be regulated and released in a timely manner, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?"

Ye Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat.

"Otherwise, there's a danger of your body exploding."

Ji Chanxi's tone was calm, but her words sent a chill down Ye Xiaoyao's spine.

"Pure Yang Power is too overbearing. Once it accumulates to a certain point with nowhere to vent, it will run rampant inside your body.

At best, your Meridians will be damaged and your cultivation will regress; at worst..."

She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

The smile on Ye Xiaoyao's face completely froze.

"body explosion?"

"That serious?"

He opened his mouth, and it took a while before he found his voice: "Then... then what should I do?"

"What do you think?"

Ji Chanxi glanced at him, her eyes carrying an indescribable meaning.

Ye Xiaoyao was stunned for two seconds, then his eyes darted around, and a smile reappeared on his face—that slightly wicked kind of smile.

"Your Highness."

He leaned in closer and lowered his voice.

"Since I've already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, how about... we strike while the iron is hot?

How about I help Your Highness break through to the Core Formation Stage? It would also happen to help me regulate and release some energy."

As he said this, his eyes swept over Ji Chanxi.

From her exquisite face to her slender neck, and then to her graceful figure wrapped in the black dress.

His gaze held undisguised admiration.

Ji Chanxi's pretty face flushed instantly.

"In your dreams!"

She glared at Ye Xiaoyao, but her voice lacked any real threat, instead carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"If I want it... I will take it myself."

"Take it yourself?"

Ye Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, his smile becoming even more wicked.

"Your Highness, are you sure? If I don't agree, can you really take it?"

He deliberately drawled his words, watching Ji Chanxi's face grow redder and redder, feeling delighted in his heart.

Ji Chanxi huffed again, but this time her voice was lower.

She bit her lip, seemingly hesitating about something, her gaze flickering.

After a moment, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head and looked straight at Ye Xiaoyao.

"You and your big mouth."

Ji Chanxi said, her tone suddenly calming down.

"In that case, I don't want to wait any longer. I will take the essence of pure yang from your body right now."

Ye Xiaoyao was stunned.

He had originally just wanted to make a joke, but he hadn't expected Ji Chanxi to be so straightforward.

Ji Chanxi stopped looking at him and turned to walk toward the Cold Jade Bed.

With her back to Ye Xiaoyao, she raised her hands and slowly untied the silk sash around her waist.

The collar of the black dress loosened.

Then the shoulder straps.

The black dress, thin as a cicada's wing, slid down her smooth shoulders like the night receding, revealing the dazzlingly white skin beneath.

The dress slid all the way to her waist, piling at her feet, revealing a slender waist, the graceful curve of her back, and her waterfall-like black hair cascading down, half-concealing her.

Ji Chanxi didn't turn around, only slightly tilting her head to reveal half of a flushed cheek.

"What are you still looking at?"

Her voice was as light as a feather.

"I've already been so proactive, can't you make a move?"

Ye Xiaoyao felt a surge of heat rush to his head with a "boom."

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.

The scene before him was too impactful.

So much so that his mind went blank for a moment, and he could only stare blankly at that flawless, graceful figure.

Watching her reach out to untie the straps of her dudou.

"Your... Your Highness..."

His voice was somewhat dry.

"Come here."

Ji Chanxi said, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

Ye Xiaoyao took a deep breath and walked over.

When his hand touched her shoulder, he could feel a slight quiver in her skin.

Ji Chanxi didn't dodge; instead, she leaned back, nestling herself into his arms.

Warm fragrance and soft jade in his arms.

Ye Xiaoyao lowered his head; he could smell the cool fragrance from her hair, see the fair and delicate skin on the back of her neck, and her slightly reddened earlobes.

"Then let me help Your Highness break through."

He said in a raspy voice, reaching out to pull that perfect body, clad only in a dudou and undergarments, into his embrace.

Ji Chanxi trembled slightly but did not refuse.

...

At the same moment, on the Saint's Peak of the Yin Yang Sect.

Deep within an Immortal Cave, a man sat on the main seat.

He appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a fairly handsome face.

However, a layer of gloom shrouded his brow, and his eyes were as sharp as knives, always looking at people with scrutiny and pressure.

This person was exactly the Saint of the Yin Yang Sect, Ji Youying.

He had just returned from the Ji Family of the Eastern Wasteland.

He had gone back this time to form his core, and now, he had already succeeded, reaching the Early Stage Core Formation.

At this moment, Ji Youying looked down at the Qi Refining stage Cultivator standing bowed below; his fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, producing a rhythmic and oppressive sound.

"Is this true?"

He spoke; his voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with coldness.

The person standing below was none other than the Outer Sect Disciple, Lu Guan.

After several days of recuperation, the injuries he sustained after being sent flying by Ye Xiaoyao's punch had finally healed.

As soon as he heard that the Saint had returned to the sect yesterday, Lu Guan requested an audience early this morning as the Saint's subordinate, recounting the events of the past few days with added embellishments.

"Your Highness the Saint, this Junior would not dare to deceive you."

Lu Guan nodded quickly, bowing his waist even lower.

"The Saintess has indeed taken an Outer Sect Qi Refining Disciple as a Dao Companion.

That kid is named Ye Xiaoyao, only at the sixth level of the Qi Refining Stage—oh no, he might be higher now...

But regardless, he's just a minor character from the Outer Sect."

Ji Youying's face darkened.

He had always harbored feelings of admiration for Saintess Ji Chanxi, which was something everyone in the sect knew.

Although she had always been cold or even somewhat disgusted toward him, Ji Youying didn't care.

He felt he had plenty of time and means, and sooner or later, he would make Ji Chanxi change her mind.

But it was only his second day back when he heard such news.

An Outer Sect Qi Refining Disciple?

He's worthy?

"Lu Guan."

Ji Youying spoke slowly.

"Where is this person now?"

Lu Guan was overjoyed in his heart, but he put on an indignant expression:

"Your Highness the Saint, a few days ago, the Saintess personally came to the Outer Sect Disciple cultivation area and took Ye Xiaoyao away.

We haven't seen that kid for the past few days. Presumably... presumably he is currently on Saintess Peak."

"Saintess Peak..."

Ji Youying repeated in a low voice, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly laughed, but the smile was icy without a hint of warmth.

"Chanxi, oh Chanxi."

He stood up, his black robes fluttering even without wind.

"You actually went behind my back and found another male Cultivator..."

Before he could finish his sentence.

His figure flashed, turning into a black streak of light that charged out of the Immortal Cave and shot straight into the sky.

Lu Guan was stunned for a moment, then reacted.

He hurriedly summoned a Flying Sword, scrambled onto it, and followed unsteadily.

Saintess Peak.

Outside the Saintess's Immortal Cave.

A black streak of light descended from the sky, landing on the open ground in front of the Immortal Cave, revealing Ji Youying's figure.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the Immortal Cave whose formation Restriction was tightly shut, his face so gloomy it seemed it could drip water.

Lu Guan arrived shortly after, jumped off his Flying Sword, and stood not far behind Ji Youying, not daring to make a sound.

Ji Youying was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking, his voice infused with spiritual power, clearly transmitting to the depths of the Immortal Cave:

"Chanxi, it's Youying. I have returned from the Ji Family. Why don't you come out and meet me? I have missed you dearly."

His voice echoed on the mountain peak, startling several perched spiritual birds.

Inside the Immortal Cave, there was total silence.

Ji Youying waited for a moment; seeing no response, his brows gradually furrowed.

A look of severity flashed in his eyes, and he spoke again, his voice becoming several degrees colder:

"Chanxi, I know you're inside. Why do you not dare to come out and see me?"

Still no response.

Ji Youying's hands slowly clenched, his knuckles making a slight cracking sound.

He stared at the tightly closed door and suddenly let out a cold laugh:

"Good, very good! It seems you are determined to avoid me..."

He took a step forward, and the aura around him began to rise.

The pressure of the Core Formation Stage was slowly released, making Lu Guan behind him turn pale and retreat repeatedly.

"Then I will—"

Before he could finish, a faint, subtle sound drifted from deep within the Immortal Cave.

It sounded like a soft laugh, or perhaps something else.

It was too far away to be heard clearly.

Ji Youying's movements paused, and his face completely darkened.

Inside the Immortal Cave.

In the Saintess's bedroom.

Ye Xiaoyao's movements stopped for a moment as he tilted his head to listen:

"Your Highness, was someone just calling you?"

Beneath him, Ji Chanxi's cheeks were flushed, and her black hair was scattered across the pillow.

She opened her eyes, which were shimmering with moisture, glanced at Ye Xiaoyao, and reached out to wrap her arms around his neck.

"Don't mind him."

She whispered, her voice as soft as melted honey.

"Let's continue."

Having said that, she tilted her head back and proactively kissed him.

Ye Xiaoyao was momentarily stunned, then let out a low chuckle and leaned down once more.

The sounds drifting in from outside the Immortal Cave were soon cast to the back of his mind.

...