Lin Wei spent the rest of the day in a state of panic.
He had a cultivation session scheduled with Mei Ling tonight, Alone.
A girl who'd shown genuine interest in his techniques, who'd actually benefited from his content, who'd smiled at him like he wasn't complete trash.
"I'm going to mess this up," he muttered, pacing in his shack.
[You're ALREADY messing it up by overthinking, just be yourself!]
"Being myself is how I ended up with zero friends and a reputation as 'that guy who exploded out of his pants.'"
[That was OLD you, NEW you has 200 subscribers and actual muscle definition. Progress!]
Lin Wei stopped pacing and checked his reflection in the cracked bronze mirror. His Flex Appeal buff had worn off, dropping his Attraction Rating back to 6.3 but he did look... better. Less exhausted, more alive.
The Lust Qi was working, his meridians were healing. His body was responding to cultivation for the first time in years.
[See? You're not hopeless. Now go to the meeting spot, the old alchemy lab right? Your father's workspace?]
Lin Wei's chest tightened. "Yeah."
[Sentimental choice. She'll appreciate that, shows vulnerability, women love vulnerability.]
"Please stop giving me romantic advice."
[I'm a LUST CULTIVATION SYSTEM. Romance is literally my specialty. Now GO.]
The old alchemy lab was tucked in a forgotten corner of the outer sect—a small cave that had been his father's workspace before the execution but no one used it anymore. Most disciples avoided it, actually, like the taint of "corruption" might be contagious.
Lin Wei arrived early and spent ten minutes cleaning dust off the stone benches and lighting a few lanterns. The cave still smelled faintly of dust and minerals.
His father's formation diagrams were still carved into the walls—complex patterns for pill refinement and Qi manipulation. Some were crossed out or modified, showing the progression of his research.
Research that had gotten him killed.
[Your father was ahead of his time. The sect just wasn't ready for alternative cultivation methods, but YOU'RE proving him right.]
"I hope so."
Footsteps echoed from the cave entrance.
Lin Wei turned.
Mei Ling stood in the doorway, clutching a small bag and looking nervous. She'd changed out of her sect robes into something simpler—a plain dress that somehow made her look less like a disciple and more like... a person.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Hi... Come in. I, uh, cleaned up a bit."
She stepped inside, looking around with wide eyes. "This was your father's lab?"
"Yeah, he did most of his research here."
Mei walked to one of the wall formations, tracing the lines with her fingers. "These diagrams are incredible, I've never seen Qi flow patterns this complex."
"He was trying to find alternative circulation paths for people whose meridians couldn't handle orthodox methods."
"Like you."
"Like me."
She turned to face him. "It's working, isn't it? Your cultivation, I can see it. Your Qi signature is stronger than it was three days ago."
Lin Wei nodded. "The system....the techniques I've been using, they're actually helping."
"Show me."
Over the next hour, Lin Wei demonstrated the modified circulation patterns his father had developed. Mei watched intently, asking questions, taking notes in a small journal she'd brought.
She wasn't just interested—she was fascinated.
"This is revolutionary," she said, sitting with her legs crossed on one of the stone benches. "If this works for damaged meridians, it might work for blocked ones too. I've been stuck at Qi Gathering early stage for two years because my fire Qi is too volatile. Traditional methods tell me to suppress it, but suppression just makes it worse."
"My father believed in working with your natural Qi, not against it."
"Can you teach me?"
[SAY YES SAY YES SAY YES]
"I can try, but—" Lin Wei hesitated. "The techniques I'm using are... unconventional. They require attention, observation, having an audience, sort of."
Mei tilted her head. "You mean the videos?"
"Yeah."
"I know, I've been watching them."
"You have?"
She turned bright red. "I.. yes, I'm @QuietObserver. On the forum."
Lin Wei's brain short-circuited.
"You're—you're @QuietObserver?"
@QuietObserver was his most active commenter. The one who'd left encouraging messages on his first video, who'd asked technical questions about Qi flow, who'd defended him when trolls called him a pervert.
"I'm sorry!" Mei covered her face with her hands. "I didn't mean to—I know it's weird, I just...your techniques actually work and I've been trying them, and I wanted to support you because everyone else was being so mean—"
[SHE'S ADORABLE. PARTNER COMPATIBILITY: 87%. INITIATE RECRUITMENT PROTOCOLS IMMEDIATELY.]
"Lú Tǐ, shut up—"
Mei looked up. "Who's Lú Tǐ?"
Shit.
"Uh. That's—it's complicated."
[Tell her the truth! She's already invested in your cultivation path, she'll understand!]
Lin Wei took a breath. "Can I trust you with something secret?"
Mei nodded, eyes serious behind her glasses.
"The cultivation techniques I'm using... they come from a system. A Lust Qi cultivation system that bonded to me three days ago. It talks to me, gives me missions. That's how I'm healing my meridians."
He waited for her to laugh, to call him crazy. To leave.
Instead, Mei leaned forward eyes bright with curiosity. "A system? Like the ones from ancient legends?"
"I... guess? It's called The Forbidden Dao, It's insane and invasive and makes me do embarrassing things but it works."
"Forbidden Dao," Mei repeated slowly. Then: "That's why your content is so... focused on attention and attraction."
"The system converts attention into Lust Qi. The more people watch, the more power I gain. It's bizarre but effective."
Mei was quiet for a long moment.
Then she said: "Can it help me too?"
[OH HELL YES. PARTNERSHIP PROTOCOLS ACTIVATED. THIS IS HAPPENING.]
"Lú Tǐ says yes," Lin Wei said. "But I don't know exactly how it would work, I've only had it for three days—"
A new notification blazed across his vision:
[NEW MISSION AVAILABLE: PARTNER SYNCHRONIZATION]
[Detected: High-compatibility potential partner. @QuietObserver (Mei Ling) shows cultivation talent, genuine interest and compatible Qi signature.]
[Unlock partner features? Y/N]
[Warning: Partner features require mutual consent and active participation in content creation.]
"There's a mission," Lin Wei said slowly. "For partnering with you."
Mei's face went even redder. "Partnering? Like... cultivation partnering?"
"I think so, let me read it."
He pulled up the full mission details:
[MISSION: Partner Synchronization - Dual Content]
Objective: Create collaborative content with potential partner @QuietObserver. Demonstrate combined cultivation techniques.
Requirements:
- Both participants must consent
- Must create at least 5 minutes of joint content
- Content must show genuine Qi synchronization
- Must be posted to public forum
Rewards:
- Both participants gain +10 Qi Purity
- Unlock "Dual Cultivation Core" (basic)
- Partner gains limited system access
- +50 Subscribers (estimated)
Failure Penalty:
- Qi Dissonance (participants cannot be within 10 meters of each other for 1 week)
- -20 Subscribers
- Missed opportunity for partnership development
Time Limit: 48 hours
Lin Wei read it aloud to Mei.
Her face cycled through several emotions: surprise, curiosity, embarrassment, and finally... determination.
"I want to try it."
"Are you sure? This would mean appearing in my content, people would know you're working with me. Your reputation..."
"My reputation is—that quiet girl who hides in the library," Mei said firmly. "I've been invisible for years, maybe it's time to be visible."
[I LIKE HER, she's got spine. Approve partnership, Host!]
"Okay," Lin Wei said. "But we do this on our terms, If we're not... the system can be pushy about things. If you're uncomfortable at any point, we stop. Deal?"
"Deal."
They shook hands.
The moment their palms touched, both of them gasped.
A pulse of Qi passed between them—warm, electric, synchronizing. Lin Wei could suddenly feel Mei's cultivation base, her fire Qi, burning hot but constrained, like a flame trapped in a "too" small lantern.
And she could feel his—the damaged pathways slowly healing, Lust Qi flowing through cracks and broken channels.
[PARTNERSHIP INITIATED]
[Compatibility confirmed: 87%]
[Mei Ling added to system roster]
[She can now see basic system notifications. Welcome aboard, Partner #1!]
Mei's eyes went wide. "I can see... there's text in my vision. A screen..."
[Hello, Mei Ling! I'm Lú Tǐ, the system administrator. Welcome to The Forbidden Dao! Let's make you POWERFUL. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]
Mei blinked rapidly. "It's... very enthusiastic."
"That's one word for it," Lin Wei muttered.
[Now! Let's create some content! I'm thinking: Joint meditation demonstration. You explain the theory, Host demonstrates the practice. Show that beautiful Qi synchronization. CHEMISTRY!]
"We should set up the recording array," Mei said, pulling out a jade slip from her bag. "I brought one, library resources."
"You came prepared."
"I'm a researcher, I'm always prepared."
Twenty minutes later, they were seated across from each other in the cave, recording array positioned between them.
[Perfect setup! Now: Mei, you explain the circulation theory. Host, you demonstrate, I'll monitor Qi flow and provide helpful suggestions!]
"Helpful?" Lin Wei asked skeptically.
[MOSTLY helpful. Start recording!]
Mei activated the array, the jade slip glowed softly.
"Hello," she said, voice slightly shaky. "My name is Mei Ling, I'm here with Lin Wei to discuss alternative Qi circulation methods for non-standard cultivation bases."
She was nervous, but her voice steadied as she fell into her comfort zone—teaching.
"Traditional cultivation assumes perfect meridians and balanced Qi but most disciples don't fit that ideal. Some have damaged pathways, some have volatile elemental Qi. The techniques we're exploring works with these variations instead of against them."
Lin Wei began demonstrating the basic circulation pattern, as he guided his Qi, Mei explained each step in clear academic language.
It was... actually good content. Educational. Legitimate.
[Boring! Spice it up! Get closer together!]
"We're fine where we are," Lin Wei said through tightened teeth.
[Your Qi synchronization will be 40% more effective within arm's reach. SCIENTIFIC FACT.]
Mei glanced at him. "The system is suggesting we move closer?"
"Yeah, but we don't have to—"
"It makes sense actually, Qi resonance strengthens with proximity."
She shifted closer, until their knees were almost touching.
The moment she moved into close range, both of them felt it—a pull, like magnets aligning, their Qi naturally wanted to synchronize.
[There we go! Much better! Now, try synchronized breathing. Both of you, in... out... in... out...]
They followed the system's prompts, falling into rhythm.
Inhale together. Exhale together.
Their Qi began to resonate.
[Excellent! Now, hand position. Mei, place your palm against Host's, Skin contact enhances conductivity.]
Mei hesitated then slowly raised her hand.
Lin Wei matched the movement.
Their palms pressed together.
The Qi flow intensified immediately—fire meeting lust, yang meeting yin, both energies spiraling together in a way that felt right.
"Oh," Mei breathed.
"Yeah."
The recording array captured it all—the synchronized breathing, the hand contact, the way their Qi made the air lit up between them.
To anyone watching, it would look... intimate.
[PERFECT! This is EXACTLY the chemistry viewers love! Keep going!]
They held the position for another minute, neither wanting to break the connection.
Finally, Mei pulled back, face flushed.
"That was...that was intense."
"Yeah."
They both sat there breathing hard, staring at each other.
[And... scene! Excellent work! Processing recording now...]
The array powered down.
Mei touched her chest, eyes wide. "My fire Qi, It's... it's not fighting me anymore. I can feel it flowing properly."
"My meridians feel clearer too, like the broken parts are knitting together faster."
[That's the power of dual cultivation, children! Your Qi signatures are compatible. When synchronized, you AMPLIFY each other. This is just the beginning!]
A notification appeared for both of them:
[MISSION PROGRESS: 5 minutes of content created ✓]
[Quality: EXCELLENT]
[Uploading to forum...]
[Posted!]
"Wait," Lin Wei said. "Already?"
[Of course! Strike while the iron is hot! Or should I say, while the Qi is synchronized? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]
Mei pulled out her communication jade and checked the forum.
Her eyes went wide.
"It's already getting views, a lot of views."
Lin Wei checked his own jade.
The video had been live for thirty seconds and already had fifty views.
Comments were rolling in:
[@OuterSectGossip: "WAIT. Is that MEI LING from the library?!"]
[@RandomDisciple: "Holy shit, the CHEMISTRY"]
[@SwordSaintWannabe: "This is the most romantic cultivation demonstration I've ever seen"]
[@InnerSectJade: "New ship unlocked: TrashPhoenix x QuietObserver"]
[@DefenderOfJustice: "Make it official already"]
Mei turned bright red. "They think we're...they think this is—"
"Romantic.. Yeah."
"Is it?"
Lin Wei looked at her, observingly looked at her.
She was brilliant, curious, brave enough to try something new despite the risks and their Qi resonated like they were made to cultivate together.
"I don't know," he said honestly. "But I want to find out."
Mei smiled. "Me too."
[PARTNERSHIP OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED!]
[Mei Ling is now Partner #1]
[Dual Cultivation Core (Basic) unlocked for both participants]
[Congratulations! You're now a TEAM! ♪(´▽｀)]
The cave was suddenly very quiet.
Very private.
And they were sitting very close together.
"We should—" Lin Wei started.
"Yeah," Mei said quickly. "We should go, before it gets too late."
"Right."
Neither of them moved.
[Oh for the love of—KISS HER, YOU COWARD]
"Lú Tǐ!"
Mei laughed—a genuinely surprised laugh. "Your system is very... direct."
"That's putting it mildly."
She stood up, gathering her things. "Same time tomorrow? We should practice synchronization. For cultivation purposes."
"For cultivation purposes," Lin Wei agreed, also standing.
"Definitely not because I enjoyed it."
"Definitely not."
They both smiled.
As Mei left the cave, she paused at the entrance and looked back.
"Thank you, Lin Wei. For trusting me and for showing me there's another path."
"Thank you for not thinking I'm crazy."
"Oh, you're definitely crazy but I guess so am I."
She left.
Lin Wei stood in the empty cave, heart pounding, mind racing.
He had a cultivation partner.
A partner who understood his techniques, who'd felt the same synchronization he had and he wanted to explore this path more, together.
[MISSION COMPLETE!]
[Rewards distributed]
[Current Subscribers: 235]
[Both participants gained +10 Qi Purity]
[Achievement unlocked: "First Partnership"]
Lin Wei checked his jade.
The video had almost five hundred views now, and climbing.
His subscriber count had jumped by about thirty plus since the video posted.
[See? I told you partnership content would be GOLD. Viewers love a good collaboration, especially one with CHEMISTRY.]
"We're just cultivation partners."
[Sure. Keep telling yourself that. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]
Lin Wei shook his head and started cleaning up the cave.
Tomorrow, they will practice synchronization again.
For cultivation purposes.
DEFINITELY...