Lin Wei spent the entire day preparing the cave.
From reinforcing the privacy formations three times, to Adding sound dampening arrays and setting up soft cushions and blankets in the center. Lit incense that were supposed to calm the mind and aid meditation.
[You're stress cleaning again.]
"I'm being thorough."
[You've checked those formations six times. They're fine, you're NERVOUS.]
"Of course I'm nervous! This is... this is a big step."
[It's just Stage 3, you're not jumping straight to Perfect Union. You're going to hold each other and circulate Qi, that's it.]
"While mostly naked."
[The texts recommend minimal clothing for optimal meridian contact. It's PRACTICAL.]
"It's INTIMATE."
[Yes! That's the POINT! Intimacy creates trust, trust creates synchronization, synchronization creates POWER! Now stop fidgeting and go meditate. Mei will be here in an hour.]
Lin Wei sat down and tried to meditate.
His mind refused to settle.
What if he messes this up? What if it goes very awkwardly? What if their Qi didn't synchronize properly? What if he gets too hard and she feels it?
What if...
[HOST. Breathe. You and Mei have 94% synchronization already, your Qi signatures are exceptionally compatible. This will WORK. Now CALM DOWN.]
Lin Wei took a deep breath.
Then another.
Slowly, his racing thoughts settled into something approaching calm.
By the time footsteps echoed at the cave entrance, he'd achieved a meditative state.
Barely.
"Lin Wei?"
He opened his eyes.
Mei stood in the entrance, holding a small bag and looking as nervous as he felt. She wore a simple thin inner robe, the kind disciples wore under their sect uniforms—white, sleeveless, hem barely past her thighs. The lantern light showed the outline of her nipples, already stiff.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi." She walked in, looking around at his preparations. "You went all out."
"I wanted it to be comfortable."
"It's perfect." She set her bag down. "I brought the texts, for reference. In case we need to check the meridian pathways."
"Good thinking."
They stood there awkwardly.
[Okay, this is painful to watch, let me help. Both of you: Sit down, face each other and start with synchronized breathing like you've done before. Build the connection gradually, don't try to jump straight to the intimate part.]
They sat down on the cushions, facing each other.
"Ready?" Mei asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
They began breathing together.
In.. Out.. In.. Out..
Immediately, their Qi responded, with that familiar pull like coming home.
The tension in Lin Wei's shoulders eased.
"Better," Mei said softly.
"Yeah."
They breathed together for several minutes, letting the synchronization build naturally.
Finally, Mei said: "Should we... should we start?"
"Okay, the texts said to begin with hand contact then progress to closer embrace."
They clasped hands, fingers intertwining.
The Qi connection strengthened immediately.
"Now we're supposed to..." Mei checked the text she'd brought. "Move closer, close enough that our knees touch."
They shifted forward until their knees pressed together.
The Qi pull intensified.
"Then," Mei continued, voice slightly breathless, "we extend the embrace, arms around each other with upper body contact."
This was it.
The moment of actual intimacy.
Lin Wei slowly reached out, hands sliding to her waist gently, the silk was damp with her warmth.
Mei's hands settled on his shoulders, thumbs brushing the dip above his collarbones.
They leaned forward until their chests touched.
Both gasped.
The Qi connection exploded into full body resonance, fire and lust spiraling together, meridians aligning, energy flowing in perfect circuits.
But it wasn't just the Qi.
It was the warmth of her body against his, the softness of her breath against his neck, the way she fit perfectly in his arms.
"Oh," Mei breathed. "This is..."
"Intense."
They held the position, both trembling slightly.
[Synchronization rate climbing... 94%... 95%... You're doing great. Just hold this and let your Qi adjust.]
Lin Wei could feel every point where their bodies touched, could sense Mei's heartbeat through her ribs, racing like his.
Her nipples pressed hard against his chest, he might even be having an erection against he thighs, he couldn't really tell.
"The texts say we should maintain this for at least fifteen minutes," Mei's voice murmured into his shoulder.
"Can you last?" he asked.
"Yes, you?"
"Definitely.."
They settled into the embrace, both trying to relax into the position.
After a few minutes, the initial shock faded and something else took its place, comfort? Want??. Maybe, but it felt natural, like they were meant to fit together this way.
Her skin were like silk, her breath was fire on his neck and her thighs parted slightly, letting his knee sway a little between.
"Lin Wei?" Mei said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad it's you, For this. I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else."
His chest tightened. "Same."
[Synchronization rate: 96%. Your emotional honesty is amplifying the resonance. Keep talking, vulnerability strengthens the bond.]
"I was terrified this morning," Lin Wei admitted. "Kept thinking I'd mess this up somehow."
"Me too, I must have changed my mind about coming here a dozen times."
"What made you decide to go through with it?"
Mei pulled back slightly so she could see his face. "I realized I was more afraid of NOT trying than I was of it being awkward, I didn't want to let fear stop me from something that could be... important."
"Important?"
She looked down, shy again. "This.. Us.. whatever this is becoming."
Lin Wei's heart hammered. "I think it's becoming something real."
"Yeah, me too."
They looked at each other for a while.
Then, very slowly, Mei leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his.
The Qi connection surged.
[97%! Whatever you're doing, keep doing it!]
They stayed like that—foreheads touching, breathing synchronized, Qi spiraling between them in perfect harmony.
"The texts mention the next step," Mei said softly. "Extended skin contact, for deeper meridian alignment."
"Do you want to try it?"
"I think so, do you?"
"Yes."
[Okay, kids. The texts recommend removing outer layers while maintaining the embrace, It's awkward but doable. Host, you first, Mei can help with the ties.]...