It's been two years since I traveled through time, enduring countless hardships. Has the golden finger finally appeared?
The sound of rain pattered outside the window. Inside the modest yet warm little house, Qin Gengyun felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.
He wiped his eyes and carefully examined the scene. The silver-white text still floated before him.
This isn't a dream!
Although I couldn't uncover the dual cultivation method with Taoist Friend Qiu, now with the golden finger, I see hope for advancing my cultivation and becoming an alchemist.
As long as I diligently cultivate in the future, why fear that time is running out?
Suppressing his joy, Qin Gengyun forced himself to calm down and began studying the illusory text before him.
[Spousal Intimacy] is only 5. This isn't surprising, given that he and Qiu Zhihe just met today and have had no time to develop feelings.
Looking at this [Cultivation Points], according to the illusory text's guidance, he should gain cultivation points after each labor with his wife, which can then be added to cultivation or skills.
The number of cultivation points obtained should be related to [Spousal Intimacy].
If he gradually develops feelings with Qiu Zhihe, he should gain more cultivation points.
But how should I allocate these points?
As he pondered, a few more lines of illusory text appeared before him.
[Name: Qin Gengyun]
[Life Span: 35/40]
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Second-Layer, 92/100]
[Skill: Alchemy Apprentice, 93/100]
[Spirit Root: Fire Series Lower Grade Spirit Root (11/100), Ice Series Lower Grade Spirit Root (15/100)]
Qin Gengyun was overjoyed. After a careful inspection, he attempted to allocate 1 cultivation point to the realm in his mind, then saw a prompt asking "confirm point allocation".
He chose "no" and tried to allocate points to the ice series spirit root, but this time, there was no response.
It seems indeed as the earlier prompts indicated, cultivation points can only be allocated to [Cultivation] and [Skills].
As for how to enhance these two mediocre lower-grade spirit roots, that remains unknown.
Not overthinking it, Qin Gengyun allocated all two cultivation points to cultivation.
Cultivation determines the strength of divine sense, and divine sense determines the alchemist's capability.
An alchemist primarily needs divine sense to probe into the alchemy furnace during alchemy, allowing them to see the refining situation of spirit medicine within the pill furnace.
Then, using divine sense, they investigate and categorize the components of the melted medicinal liquid, segregating impurities and pill poison to one side of the isolation chamber, leaving only medicinal essence in the main furnace.
This step is called refinement, a crucial part of alchemy that demands extremely high divine sense from the alchemist.
To refine medicinal liquid, one needs to be at least at Qi Cultivation Third-Layer.
Qin Gengyun's urgent task is to swiftly elevate his cultivation to Qi Cultivation Third-Layer, so in the future, he must be even more diligent.
Gently turning over, Qin Gengyun noticed Qiu Zhihe still facing away from him, seemingly asleep.
Having just escaped the Demon Cave and newly wed, she seemed extremely weary.
If he forces her now, the [Spousal Intimacy] might decrease further.
Moreover, seeing Qiu Zhihe's heart as dead silent suggests she likely suffered great misfortune in the Demon Cave, perhaps losing her parents to the Demon Sect. Forcing her further would be too much.
With the road long and difficult, acting hastily would only yield half the results.
Qin Gengyun closed his eyes in preparation to rest.
Suddenly, there was some noise beside him. When Qin Gengyun opened his eyes, he saw a pair of beautiful almond-shaped eyes staring coldly at him in the dark.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, you... ah?!"
...
After thirty breaths.
Qiu Zhihe turned her back again, resuming her cold demeanor.
Qin Gengyun panted slightly, feeling a mix of shame and resentment.
[Spousal Intimacy: 5/100. Intimacy too low, no bonus.]
[Earned Cultivation Points: 2]
Suppressing his indignation, Qin Gengyun silently chanted: "Allocate points!"
He once again added both cultivation points to "cultivation".
At this moment, the stats on Qin Gengyun's attribute panel changed again:
[Cultivation: Qi Cultivation Second-Layer, 96/100]
Qin Gengyun's breath gradually calmed, he turned his head to look at Qiu Zhihe who was facing away from him, unable to resist asking:
"Taoist Friend Qiu, just now when we... why did I feel a piercing cold?"
Qiu Zhihe's delicate and graceful silhouette slightly moved, her voice chilly:
"I am naturally an Ice Spirit Body."
"Ice Spirit Body?" Qin Gengyun furrowed his brow and asked again:
"Then why did I feel a scorching heat after the cold?"
Qiu Zhihe, back facing him, spoke in a floating voice:
"I suffered torture at the Cyan Lotus Sect, with fire poison invading my body, hence there's Ice and Fire Two Layers of Heaven within."
"Oh, no wonder!" Qin Gengyun let out a long "oh", greatly relieved.
So it wasn't my fault!
Softly, he said: "Taoist Friend Qiu, rest assured, since you and I have become husband and wife, I will treat you well. You're tired today, rest early."
Qiu Zhihe suddenly turned around, in her eyes, as deep as a stagnant pool, a slight ripple seemed to appear.
"Taoist Friend Qiu, you... ah?!"
...
After thirty breaths.
Qiu Zhihe turned away, motionless.
Qin Gengyun was gasping, his eyes vacant.
[Spousal Intimacy: 5/100. Intimacy too low, no bonus]
[Earned Cultivation Points: 2]
Feeling complex emotions, Qin Gengyun was uncertain whether to feel joy or gloom.
Then, watching the delicate and beautiful figure of her back, he turned his head.
Just now, she seemed to have been crying?
At this moment, the back-facing Qin Gengyun, Qiu Zhihe was with reddened eyes and a desolate expression.
As she felt the miraculous surge of moisture in the exhausted spirit field, a hint of delight appeared on her pale face.
It was soon replaced by disdain and contempt, aimed not at others, but herself.
She closed her eyes, two streams of clear tears slid down.
"Master was right before passing, the Profound Ice and Fire Technique can indeed be used as a dual cultivation method."
"Xia Qinglian, today you are defiled, leave behind all pride, and diligently dual cultivate with this man, restore your cultivation soon, for revenge for Master and fellow disciples!"
"No, the Cyan Lotus Sect's Saintess Xia Qinglian is dead, from today onwards, you are Qiu Zhihe, a shameless, lowly female cultivator only seeking dual cultivation!"
Yet...
Qiu Zhihe slightly turned, glancing at Qin Gengyun behind her.
"Dual cultivation requires synchronization in mind and body between the partners for maximum improvement. This Qin Gengyun is too weak, a solution must be found."