117: I've come to you for dual cultivation.

As the Grand Competition concluded, the Yaochi Holy Land, which had been noisy all day, returned to tranquility.

The participating Disciples returned to their respective residences to rest.

They reminisced about the dramatic battles of the day while looking forward to the official opening of the Yaochi Immortal Realm tomorrow.

Under the cover of night in the Yaochi Holy Land, inside the small courtyard of the Hehuan Sect encampment.

Lu Yi was just about to call over those two troublesome Disciples to properly "review" the lessons learned today, and perhaps establish his Revered Master's authority.

But before he could even open his mouth.

Wu Mingyue and that girl Qing'er had already changed into light casual clothes, linked arms, and excitedly ran up to him.

“Revered Master, Revered Master!”

Wu Mingyue blinked her large eyes and said expectantly:

“We heard the night scenery at the Yaochi Holy Land is especially beautiful, and they even have a dedicated night market! Senior Sister and I plan to go out and take a look around!”

“Yes, yes!”

Qing'er also nodded vigorously from the side, her eyes sparkling with curiosity about new things:

“We'll be back later, Revered Master, you should get some rest!”

Having said that, without waiting for Lu Yi's consent, the two giggled and bolted out of the courtyard, vanishing instantly.

Lu Yi's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. He looked at the empty courtyard entrance and shook his head helplessly.

Thinking that they both carried the Divine Soul jades he had given them, and that he could rush over immediately if anything happened, Lu Yi let them go.

“Forget it. It's quiet this way.”

Lu Yi stretched and turned back toward his room.

After taking a simple bath and changing clothes, washing away his fatigue.

Lu Yi was wearing only a loose sleeping robe, sitting comfortably by the bed.

He sat cross-legged, preparing to meditate and regulate his breathing for a while.

Or... waiting for a certain considerate maid who was becoming increasingly sensible and arrived on time every night to deliver "midnight snacks."

“Knock, knock, knock...”

Just then, the door was gently knocked upon.

The rhythm of the knocking was slow and gentle, even carrying a hint of cautious probing, unlike the usual rushed or casual knocks.

The corners of Lu Yi's mouth subconsciously curved into a slight smile.

He naturally assumed that Ling'er had arrived.

“That girl is certainly becoming more sensible.”

He didn't think much of it, not even bothering to use his Divine Sense to check the aura of the person outside the door.

He stood up immediately, walking toward the door while speaking in a teasing tone:

“The door isn't locked, just push it open...”

“Creak—”

Before his words finished, the door was already pushed open.

However, when Lu Yi clearly saw the person standing outside the door, the smile on his face instantly froze.

What met his eyes was not the maid Ling'er.

Instead, it was a figure in purple clothes, looking particularly dazzling under the cool moonlight, yet also appearing somewhat uneasy—

Chu Qianqian!

Chu Qianqian looked very strange tonight.

Although she was still wearing her signature purple silk dress, perfectly outlining her seductive and graceful figure.

However, the charming face that usually carried a flirtatious smile and confident swagger now lacked some of its usual allure.

In its place was a bashfulness and awkwardness that Lu Yi had never seen on her before.

She stood at the doorway, her hands anxiously twisting her sleeves, her fingertips turning white from the force.

Her gaze darted around, looking at the ground, the doorframe, the vase behind Lu Yi—anywhere but directly into Lu Yi's eyes.

“It's you?”

Lu Yi was stunned for a moment. He dropped his teasing expression and asked with some surprise:

“It's so late. Why aren't you resting? What are you doing coming to see me?”

He looked Chu Qianqian up and down, guessing:

“Could it be... to celebrate today's victory? Want to drink with me?”

Hearing Lu Yi's question, Chu Qianqian's body stiffened slightly.

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stood there and took a deep breath.

Her full chest rose and fell sharply with the breath.

It was as if she were undertaking major psychological preparation, or perhaps steeling herself with a desperate, all-or-nothing courage.

Then, she suddenly raised her head.

Her peach blossom eyes, which usually seemed to hold the autumn waters, now stared directly at Lu Yi's eyes with unusual determination.

She erased all expression from her face and used a tone more serious than ever before, as formal as if she were discussing the survival of the Sect itself.

She spoke every word clearly and distinctly:

“Lu Yi, I came to find you... for Dual Cultivation.”

“...”

The air instantly solidified.

Lu Yi was completely dumbfounded; his brain briefly crashed.

He had imagined countless possibilities for Chu Qianqian's late-night visit.

She might come to tease him, to claim credit, to discuss tomorrow's strategy, or even to play some kind of prank.

The one thing he hadn't imagined was...

...that she would use such a serious demeanor to say something so... "improper"!

This intense contrast left Lu Yi unable to react for a moment.

He just stared blankly at her and subconsciously uttered a single syllable:

“...Huh?”

Seeing Lu Yi's dazed expression, the courage Chu Qianqian had just summoned nearly dissipated due to embarrassment.

Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, the color spreading all the way down to the base of her neck.

She was afraid she would regret it.

Even more, she was afraid of hearing Lu Yi refuse.

Therefore, she steeled her heart and stopped wasting words.

“Bang!”

She reached out directly and shoved the still-stunned Lu Yi into the room.

She then quickly slipped inside, slammed the door shut with a "bang," and casually placed a highly restrictive soundproofing Restriction on it.

Her movements were smooth and seamless, giving herself absolutely no path of retreat.

Inside the room, it was just the man and the woman.

The atmosphere instantly became extremely intimate and tense.

Chu Qianqian leaned against the door panel, seemingly blocking Lu Yi's retreat, and also blocking her own.

Her cheeks were completely flushed, looking as if water could drip out if one were to pinch them.

However, her eyes were unusually resolute, showing no sign of backing down.

She looked at Lu Yi and repeated herself.

This time, although her voice trembled slightly, it carried an undeniable finality:

“You didn't mishear me! I said...”

She took a step forward, closing the distance with Lu Yi, her eyes burning with flames named "ambition" and "craving":

“I came to find you for Dual Cultivation! Now! Immediately! Right away!”

She had had enough!

She had had enough of the powerlessness she felt when Chu Qianqian's sword forced her into desperation on the stage!

She had had enough of the false strength that relied only on schemes to maintain a superficial advantage!

Lu Yi was right, she needed to become stronger!

She wanted to possess the absolute strength that could crush everything and ignore all rules, just as Lu Yi had said!

And the fastest, most direct, and most effective way for the Hehuan Sect to increase strength... was Dual Cultivation!