Chapter 227: Choose One!

Both of these paths are difficult to walk!

Feng Ying, seeing Jiangnan's expression, felt even more reluctant; she clenched her teeth and urged again.

"Jiangnan, just agree with me! This is the only solution right now!"

"You now possess the Zhengyang Decision; as long as you can break through to the Yuan Ying Stage."

"Then we can completely seal that Black Fog and save all living beings under heaven!"

Jiangnan looked at Feng Ying's pleading eyes, his heart a swirl of emotions; he took a deep breath and said slowly.

"Feng Ying, I understand your feelings and appreciate your kindness, but…"

"But what?" Feng Ying asked anxiously.

Jiangnan's eyes flickered; after a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke slowly.

"I have a compromise method that might be worth trying."

"What method?" Feng Ying and Xia Yurou asked in unison.

Jiangnan inhaled deeply, rubbed his nose, then spoke.

"We can attempt Double Cultivation, but only to the point of borrowing the Yin-Yang harmonious power to help me break through quickly, with no sexual relations whatsoever."

Feng Ying was startled at first, then a playful blush rose on her face, and her gaze began to dodge.

This, however, does not go all the way to the final step.

But it still requires mobilizing both parties' Yin and Yang forces, especially letting each other's true Qi flow through the other's body.

That…

In fact, it's not much different from genuine Double Cultivation.

Stopping her thoughts there, Feng Ying lightly bit her lower lip with her pearl teeth, her cheeks flushing even more.

In the end she gently nodded. She lowered her eyelids, daring not to look directly at Jiangnan, her voice like a mosquito's.

"Jiangnan, I… I'll follow your lead."

Xia Yurou, standing nearby, felt a bit displeased but also understood the urgency of the matter.

She could only sigh helplessly at that moment.

She stepped over to Feng Ying's side and gently patted her shoulder.

The previously domineering attitude vanished, replaced by a soft voice.

"Yingying, take care."

The three found a secluded cave. Inside it was dim and damp.

A faint earthy smell lingered in the air.

Jiangnan sat cross-legged on a flat stone platform.

Feng Ying sat opposite him; the four eyes met, and the atmosphere instantly became subtle.

Although they didn't need to go to the final step.

But thinking of what they were about to do, they felt a little embarrassed.

After a light cough, Jiangnan suppressed the odd feeling in his heart and spoke gently.

"Feng Ying, are you ready?"

Feng Ying's cheeks were as red as ripe apples; she lightly nodded and spoke softly.

"Mm."

"Then, I beg your pardon."

Jiangnan inhaled deeply and grasped Feng Ying's delicate, almost boneless hand.

His hand was warm and smooth; a faint fragrance drifted into his nose, making his heart flutter slightly.

He quickly steadied his mind and, according to the Yin-Yang Harmony Manual,

began circulating his internal true Qi, guiding Feng Ying's true Qi into his own body.

Feng Ying also matched Jiangnan's movements, slowly sending her own true Qi into his body.

When the two streams of true Qi touched, they merged instantly like dry wood catching fire.

As the true Qi intertwined, the cave's temperature began to rise gradually.

A strange energy ripple spread between them.

Like ripples, it spread, and a faint halo shimmered on the stone walls.

With the technique in motion, Jiangnan also felt a powerful force surge into his body.

It quickly nourished his meridians and dantian.

The force was warm and jade-like, yet overwhelmingly domineering.

It surged wildly inside him, as if it would burst him apart.

"Sss…"

Jiangnan couldn't help but gasp a breath of cool air, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Feng Ying's condition wasn't much better; her once fair face now reddened as if bleeding.

Her delicate body trembled slightly, her pearl teeth clenched her lower lip, seeming to endure great pain.

However, because they didn't perform that step, Jiangnan's cultivation improved somewhat.

But the speed increase wasn't very noticeable.

His internal true Qi grew noticeably, yet breaking through to the Yuan Ying Stage still requires time.

"This can't continue."

Feeling the changes within his body, Jiangnan whispered to himself.

"We must accelerate the pace."

But just as that thought occurred, he noticed something was slightly off.

Because as Double Cultivation progressed, the yin and yang forces within their bodies began to attract each other.

An uncontrollable impulse spread through his heart.

Taking a deep breath, Jiangnan felt his heartbeat quickening and his breathing becoming more rapid.

It was as if a flame burned inside him, making his whole body unbearably hot.

Opposite him, Feng Ying's condition was even worse.

She was already shy and embarrassed, and now felt as if she were standing inside a furnace.

Instinctively she wanted to flee, but Jiangnan held her hands tightly, rendering her immobile.

"Jiangnan..."

Feng Ying panted delicately, her voice as thin as a mosquito's.

"I... I feel a bit unwell..."

Jiangnan, whose condition was already somewhat off, heard it and almost lost control.

A surge of evil fire shot straight to his forehead.

At once he snapped his tongue, letting a pungent sweet taste spread in his mouth.

Only then could he barely suppress the surging desire in his heart.

"Steady your mind! Don't let this power affect you!"

Jiangnan let out a low shout, his voice markedly hoarse.

Feng Ying, startled by his roar, became instantly clearer‑headed.

Recalling her coquettish demeanor moments ago, shame surged like a tide.

She wished she could crawl into a crack in the ground.

She hurriedly gathered her mind, forcefully suppressing the strange agitation within, and continued to practice the technique.

Xia Yurou, observing from the side, took in both of their conditions fully.

She watched their flushed skin, clenched her silver teeth, and felt a mixture of emotions.

She had originally intended to be angry.

But thinking of Jiangnan's earlier unhesitant refusal of the other party, she hesitated.

Whereas Feng Ying was willing to sacrifice everything for the world's people, even offering her own yin essence...

At this thought, Xia Yurou felt an unbearable sourness in her heart.

It was as if a pot of five flavors had been overturned, sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty all rushing to her heart.

She slowly exhaled a breath of foul air, muttering a phrase to herself.

"Enough, enough. I, Xia Yurou, am not such a petty, narrow‑minded person,"

"The current plan is to first help them complete Double Cultivation, then make further arrangements,"

She could see that Jiangnan and Feng Ying's present condition was extremely dangerous.

If this continued, not only would they fail to break through the Yuan Ying Stage,

but the yin and yang energies would recoil, leading to mild demonic fire or, in severe cases, loss of life.

"It seems I must intervene,"

Xia Yurou let out a silent sigh, a hint of resolve flashing in her eyes.

She slowly moved behind the two, extended her slender jade hand, and gently placed it on Jiangnan's back.

Feeling the soft touch behind him, Jiangnan was startled; his inner true Qi almost ran amok.

He turned sharply, only to see Xia Yurou standing behind him, one hand lightly pressing on his back.

"What are you doing?"