Chapter 3: Growing Stronger Through Dual Cultivation

Mei Qianxue's voice was soft and alluring; just hearing it made people feel reverent.

Moreover, her figure was also outstanding within the sect.

She was tall and slender, with exquisite curves; a tight pink-white dress perfectly outlined her figure.

At the slit of the skirt, one could faintly see her pair of long, jade-like legs; skin like snow, captivating the soul.

"Junior Brother, it's been a few days; your cultivation has grown a lot."

Noticing Lu Chen's ninth-layer Qi Refining realm, Mei Qianxue felt a hint of delight.

The higher the cauldron's realm, the higher my dual-cultivation efficiency.

Moreover, Lu Chen is an supreme cauldron; each small realm increase boosts dual-cultivation efficiency greatly.

I have now reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, only one step away from Core Formation.

If I could break through before the Sect Grand Tournament, I might vie for the Holy Maiden's position; then I could go to the Heavenly Demon Sect for more cultivation resources and wouldn't have to linger in this backwater.

"Just had some insight......"

Hearing that, Lu Chen wanted to retort but held back.

"Junior Brother, why sit so far? Come closer."

"You must have been training hard lately; look, you've lost weight."

Mei Qianxue's words were full of concern; she seemed not in a hurry to do anything.

If it were another senior sister, she would have already forced herself on him.

But this isn't because she's lovesick, soft-hearted, or reluctant to force her junior brother; it's simply because this lets her extract more cultivation and yang energy.

At first, Lu Chen was also deceived by her concern, giving his heart and effort.

Then he almost got squeezed into a dried corpse...

"Senior Sister, let's just start sooner."

His voice was calm, yet carried a hint of caution.

He sat at the other end of Mei Qianxue's bed, seemingly unwilling to meet her gaze.

Mei Qianxue heard this, and a playful smile flickered in her eyes.

"Why are you in such a hurry, Junior Brother?" she chuckled, her voice tingling, "Is it because I'm dressed too seductively today? You're eager to get close to me?"

While speaking, she idly tugged at the few remaining pieces of clothing.

Lu Chen nodded.

He could only pretend like this now.

Seeing him only nod, Mei Qianxue wasn't angry; instead, she slowly rose and walked toward Lu Chen with graceful steps.

The skirt swayed with her steps; a beam of light outside made her jade legs look even purer, as if carrying an intangible allure.

Upon reaching Lu Chen, she naturally lifted her leg and sat down.

"Junior Brother, if you make me happy today, you may ask me for a request, as long as I can fulfill it."

Mei Qianxue laughed lightly, her fingertip lifting Lu Chen's chin.

Hearing that, Lu Chen's eyes lit up, but he soon grew nervous.

Coincidentally, I currently lack techniques; I could have her take me to the Demonic Arts Pavilion to pick a higher-level demonic art.

The third and fourth floors of the Demonic Arts Pavilion hold techniques he could only dream of before.

Techniques are ranked from one to nine; normally he could only access first- and second-tier techniques, while the Demonic Arts Pavilion's third floor and up store at least third-tier techniques, and as a core disciple like Mei Qianxue, she could even borrow fourth-tier demonic arts.

Although the technique given by Empress Qi Luo seems stronger than these, having more methods is always better; learning more techniques is good.

However, even with many benefits, there is a cost.

Today's dual-cultivation intensity is probably comparable to last night's Empress.

Fortunately, the System is with me.

"Senior Sister......"

"Shh——" Lu Chen had wanted to say something, but Mei Qianxue's fingertip over his lips stopped him.

"Don't speak; let Senior Sister pamper you well."

【Detected host undergoing dual-cultivation; reverse effect automatically triggered!】

【Original effect: undergoing dual-cultivation, yang decreases, cultivation regresses】

【Reverse effect: undergoing dual-cultivation, yang increases, cultivation advances】

Several hours later.

Mei Qianxue undid her hair tie and lay weakly on the bed.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong with you today? You're so fierce."

"Senior Sister... can't......"

Watching Mei Qianxue fall asleep exhausted, a flicker of excitement crossed Lu Chen's eyes.

"Not bad, the Reverse System! Truly powerful!"

After just a few hours, Lu Chen felt somewhat tired, but it was all worth it.

Under the System's effect, although he could feel her madly draining him, endlessly taking, his own yang and cultivation were steadily rising.

In just these few hours, the realm I just broke through is likely about to break through again.

"If not for the System, with today's intensity, I'd probably have been turned into a human husk."

Lu Chen gave a bitter laugh, then looked toward Mei Qianxue beside him.

Usually, he's the one who collapses first...

"Senior Sister said if I make her happy, she'll grant me a request; that should be enough, right?"

"Or, shall we go another round?"

He felt that, now that he had the system, what he lacked most was demonic cultivation.

Inner sect disciples could access only a few demonic cultivation techniques; with such an opportunity he naturally could not miss it.

Seeing the other's disheveled sleeping state, he quickly shook his head.

Forget it; better to cultivate right here and wait for him to wake up.

Coincidentally, he had only cultivated one cycle of the Myriad Slaughter Demon Canon he had just obtained that morning.

He got out of bed, found a corner, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began cultivating.

Although the Empress Qi Luo had given him only the first volume of this demonic cultivation, even so, its speed of raising his realm far surpassed any cultivation method he had ever practiced.

As the technique circulated, the thin killing qi around him was gently drawn in and gathered.

Along with the spiritual qi, both flowed simultaneously into his dantian.

"He's about to break through."

Time trickled by, and Lu Chen was only a step away from breaking through.

At that moment, he suddenly heard a lazy moan.

"Hmm... Junior Brother, what are you doing?"

Opening his eyes, Mei Qianxue lay on her side, her clothing barely covering her, one hand propping her head, her gaze hazy, her face flushed as she looked at him.

Her long hair was scattered messily over her shoulders, making her appear both lazy and extremely alluring.

"Junior Brother, you're diligent—actually sneaking cultivation while Senior Sister slept, no wonder you could break through your realm."

Seeing Mei Qianxue awaken, Lu Chen hastily stopped his movements.

Fortunately he hadn't broken through just then; if he had, and she noticed, it might have invited some trouble.

After all, she had been draining him for so long; if his realm hadn't declined, that would already be fine, but to actually make progress—there had to be something wrong.

"Senior Sister is joking; if I don't work hard, next month I'll be sent to the Burial Grounds."

Hearing that, Mei Qianxue seemed to think of something.

"The Burial Grounds..."

Her eyes flashed; she seemed to have made an association, and immediately she scrutinized every inch of Lu Chen's body with her gaze.

"Although such an excellent furnace cauldron is a bit of a pity, but for the Holy Maiden's position..." she muttered to herself, then changed the subject: "Junior Brother, I'm very pleased with your performance today."

As she spoke, she slowly sat up and stretched, her perfect figure becoming even more alluring at that moment.

Then she patted the spot beside her, gesturing for Lu Chen to come sit down.

Lu Chen hesitated a moment, then rose and sat down beside her.

"Go on, what reward do you want?"

She slipped an arm around Lu Chen's hand and leaned against him.

Although the room was filled with various scents, she still emitted a faint fragrance.

"Senior Sister, I don't really want anything; I only hope you can take me to select a cultivation method..."

Mei Qianxue had thought Lu Chen would greedily ask for something, but she hadn't expected him to ask only for this.

Upon hearing that, she gave a light laugh.

"Easy, easy... but..." she said, then suddenly stopped her movements: "Senior Sister is a bit tired from being tossed around by you today."

Hearing that, Lu Chen's brows furrowed slightly, and he still wanted to say something.

At that moment, Mei Qianxue noticed his reaction and continued: "If Junior Brother is willing to accompany Senior Sister once more, perhaps Senior Sister will regain her strength."

This sentence contained her enchanting skill, carrying an invisible allure that entered Lu Chen's mind.

Although Lu Chen was unaffected by the system's existence, he knew this was not a choice but a notification.

"Senior Sister has given an order; Junior Brother will certainly obey."

"Haha, good, Junior Brother is truly sensible."