233: cultivation

Hua Hanxiang bit her lower lip hard, forcing back the moans rising in her throat. Following Situ Jun's Qi circulation, she carefully guided the spiritual energy to flow through her body.

At first, she felt a scorching heat all over, as if a ball of fire was darting through her limbs and bones, but Situ Jun's spiritual energy was like a warm barrier, steadily enveloping that burning sensation.

A moment later, the burning pain quietly faded, replaced by an indescribable comfort that numbed her limbs, making her almost lose control and groan aloud.

In the end, she couldn't hold it back, and intermittent soft moans spilled from her lips.

The sound was mixed with residual pain, total submission, the joy of a Breakthrough, and the satisfaction of being filled with spiritual energy, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

An unknown amount of time passed. The chirping of insects outside completely vanished, and even the occasional distant roar of beasts fell silent. The entire world seemed to consist only of their intertwined breathing and the soft sound of spiritual energy circulating.

The halo around them gradually dissipated. Situ Jun withdrew the spiritual energy from his palm and looked down at Hua Hanxiang in his arms, who was almost as soft as a pool of water, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

“It seems you've made quite some progress this time. You are now at the Perfection of the Golden Core Stage, just one step away from Half-step Nascent Soul.”

Hua Hanxiang leaned against his chest, panting heavily, her cheeks so red they could drip blood, and she lacked even the strength to speak.

She looked up at him, her eyes still misty with lingering moisture, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

“It's all... all because Master taught me well.”

As she spoke, her fingertips lightly brushed across his abdomen, trembling slightly from the recent surge of spiritual energy.

“Your servant can feel... the spiritual energy in my Meridians is much stronger than before, even my Cultivation has stabilized, and the previous sense of stagnation is completely gone.”

“It's simply because our Physiques are compatible, plus our Cultivation Techniques complement each other.”

Situ Jun said as he reached out to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead, continuing with a touch of affection in his tone.

“If you truly want to Breakthrough again, you'll have to rely on your own subsequent Cultivation.”

Despite his words, his eyes held a hint of satisfaction—Hua Hanxiang's Aptitude was not bad to begin with, and as a Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator, now was the perfect time for her Cultivation to advance.

This was the first time the two had engaged in Dual Cultivation, yet they were as synchronized as if they had practiced countless times. The feeling of being in their element brought him a fair amount of pleasure as well.

Hua Hanxiang didn't care about any of that; she just snuggled closer into his arms with a look of satisfaction, her nose rubbing against his neck. With the slight tremors following the spiritual energy surge, her voice carried a coquettish tone.

“No matter what, it's all Master's credit. In the future, your servant wants to continue Dual Cultivation with Master, and continue to Cultivate with Master...”

Situ Jun didn't speak, but simply raised his hand to tidy the stray hairs by her ear. When his fingertips touched her warm skin, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Hua Hanxiang's fingertips were still gently rubbing his abdomen with a slight tremor, like a feather scratching at one's heart.

Situ Jun looked down at her. The candlelight fell on the flush at the corners of her eyes, making even the lingering moisture shimmer. She truly looked like a begonia soaked in morning dew, charming and alluring.

He pinched her reddened earlobe with his fingertips, a hint of a smile hidden in his voice.

“Greedy little thing, thinking about the next time right after a Breakthrough?”

Hua Hanxiang buried herself deeper into the crook of his neck, her nose brushing against his warm skin, even her breathing carrying a soft quality.

“Your servant is just greedy. Master's spiritual energy is so comfortable; staying by Master's side is more effective than taking any number of Qi Gathering Pills.”

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something and reached out to touch her Dantian.

The spiritual energy there was now as docile as a tamed beast, no longer having the stagnation from previous Cultivation. Her entire body felt light and brisk.

Watching her constant small movements, the smile in Situ Jun's eyes deepened a bit more.

He reached out to tuck a strand of hair scattered by her cheek behind her ear, his finger pad inadvertently brushing against her delicate cheek, causing her to tremble slightly.

“Your ‘Hundred Flowers Charming Body’ naturally requires the harmony of Yin and Yang. It happens to complement my ‘Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture,’ so having this kind of effect is within expectations.”

He paused, his fingertips landing on her back, gently pressing a certain meridian.

“However, when the spiritual energy was circulating just now, although this old injury of yours was nourished, there is still a slight stagnation. You must pay more attention during your future Cultivation and not be too eager for success.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Hanxiang nodded repeatedly, shrinking further into his arms like a cat being given instructions.

“Your servant remembers, I will listen to everything Master says.”

As she spoke, she suddenly looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with bright light.

“Then in the future... will Master come to accompany your servant often?”

Situ Jun's fingertips paused, his gaze falling on her expectant face.

He knew this woman's dependence on him was half due to the Medicinal Pill and half due to the compatibility during their Dual Cultivation just now, but this blunt expectation made his heart soften a little.

He didn't answer directly, but simply pulled her tighter into his embrace, his chin resting on the crown of her head. His voice carried the chill of the night, yet was wrapped in warmth.

“You are my Dao Companion now, where else do you think you can run? Stay obediently by my side!”

Hearing this, Hua Hanxiang immediately smiled. Much of the moisture in her eyes dissipated, and even the corners of her mouth curved into a beautiful arc.

She raised her arms to encircle his neck and proactively leaned in, giving his chin a light peck. The action carried a bit of shyness, yet also revealed a hint of boldness.

“Then your servant will stay obediently by Master's side, ready to serve Master at any time.”

Situ Jun was slightly taken aback by her sudden move, then let out a low laugh, his fingertips tickling her waist.

“You're becoming more and more undisciplined.”

Hua Hanxiang chuckled as he tickled her, her body wiggling slightly in his arms, causing the scent of orchids around her to grow even stronger.

She dodged his hand, her voice full of laughter.

“Master already treats your servant as one of his own, so why talk about rules?”

After playing for a while, Hua Hanxiang gradually grew tired. Leaning in Situ Jun's arms, her breathing slowly became steady.

Situ Jun looked down at her, seeing her eyelashes drooping slightly and her cheeks still carrying a lingering flush. Even in her sleep, her brow was slightly furrowed, as if she were still savoring the feeling of the spiritual energy circulation from earlier.

He sighed softly, carefully laying her flat on the couch and pulling over a brocade quilt to cover her, his movements so gentle he feared disturbing her.

Once everything was settled, Situ Jun walked to the window and pushed open a small crack.

The night wind, carrying the coolness of the Southern Border forests, blew in, clearing his muddled mind a bit.

Silently thinking to open the System, several notification sounds immediately rang in his mind.

【Ding! Congratulations to the Host for winning the heart of Poison Scorpion Cult Elder Hua Hanxiang. The effect of the ‘servitude pill’ has disappeared. Hua Hanxiang has become the Host's Dao Companion and is recorded in the hundred flowers diagram.】

【Ding! Congratulations to the Host for gaining a ‘Hundred Flowers Charming Body’ Dao Companion, earning 1000 points of heavenly luck value.】

【Ding! Congratulations to the Host for an increase in Cultivation, reaching the Peak of the Nascent Soul Stage.】

The Cultivation Breakthrough was expected, and he also gained 1000 points of heavenly luck value—though it was a drop in the bucket, it did indeed replenish some of what was consumed earlier in East Lin City.

He reached out to touch his Dantian. The spiritual energy there felt even more robust than before, and even the operation of the “Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture” was much smoother.

Hua Hanxiang's Primordial Yin energy was indeed pure. This instance of Dual Cultivation was no small benefit for him as well.

He looked back at the sleeping woman on the couch, a flash of complexity in his eyes.

Although Hua Hanxiang came from the Poison Scorpion Cult, she didn't have that kind of ruthless or sinister aura; instead, she had a bit more charm and directness, which made him feel a sense of liking for her. However, the Poison Scorpion Cult's actions were treacherous. If he kept her by his side and provoked their dissatisfaction, it would likely bring about a lot of trouble.

Situ Jun shook his head slightly, suppressing these stray thoughts.

For now, she was his woman and was deeply dependent on him. He would certainly not let the Poison Scorpion Cult take her away.

As for the dissatisfaction of the Poison Scorpions... he was now at the Peak of the Late Nascent Soul Stage; he presumed they wouldn't be able to stir up any real trouble.

The chirping of insects outside started up again at some point, accompanied by the occasional cry of a night bird in the distance, making the room feel exceptionally quiet.

He closed the window again, turned back to the couch, and sat on the edge of the bed.

The flickering candlelight made the lines of his profile much softer.

He raised his hand and gently brushed over the strands of Hua Hanxiang's hair scattered on the pillow, his fingertips carrying a hint of subtle tenderness.

“Sleep well,” he said softly, his voice as light as the night wind. “When you wake up, you will be Situ Jun's wife.”

The moonlight outside gradually intensified, casting a silver glow on the floor through the window frame.

The woman on the couch slept peacefully, while the man by the bed sat quietly, his gaze fixed on her face, tracing a blend of coldness and softness.

The night deepened, and even the candlelight gradually dimmed, leaving only a room of silence, which, along with their shallow breathing, merged into the long night.