Xueyin slept close at my right, her arms loosely encircling me, while Xueyang lay against my left, her breathing soft and even. Only translucent robes covered their bodies, rising and falling gently with each breath, the warmth of their presence lingering like a familiar comfort.
For a moment, I simply lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of their sleep, feeling the quiet bond we had forged over the past month.
Careful not to wake them, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to each of their foreheads. Neither stirred, though their expressions softened, as if sensing my touch even in sleep.
I rose, dressed quietly, and gathered my things, casting one last glance back before stepping outside. The morning air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the promise of movement and change.
Today, my destination was Qingyuan Sect. A full month had passed since I last saw Xiaoting and Yaolin, and the thought of meeting them again stirred a rare impatience in my chest.
I had grown stronger, more prepared, and the road ahead was calling. If fate allowed, I intended to ask them to join me, to walk the path beyond Sanlu Town together, toward Xuanlian City and whatever awaited us beyond its gates.
When I reached at the gate, I immediately informed the gatekeeper that I wished to meet with Xiaoting and Yaolin. He gave me a brief, knowing nod before turning to pass along the message.
I didn't have to wait long. Not long after, the two of them appeared at the far end of the path, breaking into a small run as soon as they spotted me, bright smiles lighting up their faces.
They didn't bother with words at first. Both rushed forward and wrapped their arms around me, the familiar warmth of their embrace washing away the distance of the past month.
Xiaoting leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, soft and lingering, before Yaolin followed with one of her own.
The sensation was unmistakable, sweet, firm, and achingly familiar, and in that brief moment, it felt as though the time apart had never existed at all.
I smiled, looking from one to the other, and spoke without circling around it. "I'm planning to go to Xuanlian City," I said calmly. "And I want both of you to come with me."
Xiaoting blinked, then her eyes lit up almost instantly. "Xuanlian City?" she repeated, excitement slipping into her voice. Yaolin was already nodding, a grin spreading across her face. "Of course we want to go," she said without hesitation. "We'll follow you anywhere."
Then Xiaoting hesitated, her expression turning thoughtful.
"But… we still have sect duties," she added softly. "We can't just leave without saying anything." Yaolin clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed by the reminder, but she didn't deny it.
After a short exchange between them, Xiaoting looked back at me with resolve. "Give us a little time. We'll ask for permission first."
Yaolin crossed her arms, her tone firm. "And if they don't allow it?" She didn't wait for an answer before continuing. "Then we'll leave the sect. Simple as that."
Xiaoting nodded beside her, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Either way," she said quietly, "we're coming with you."
She took a small breath, then added, "Wait for us here." Without another word, the two of them turned and headed back into the sect grounds together, their steps quick and resolute.
I watched them disappear down the stone path, already imagining the conversation they were about to have with the sect master, requesting permission to leave, laying out their intentions without disguise, and making it clear that if permission was denied, they were prepared to sever their ties to the sect entirely.
As I waited at the gate, calm on the surface but restless beneath, my mind wandered to the journey ahead. Since we weren't able to rely on flying tools, the travel would be long and exhausting if we went on foot.
It would be far better to prepare a proper means of transport. I decided that I should get a couple of horses and a small horse carriage sturdy enough to fit the five of us, and perhaps a little room for our supplies, so that the journey to Xuanlian City could be shortened, allowing us to travel efficiently and safely.
Before I could finish my thoughts, Xiaoting and Yaolin reappeared, their faces bright with smiles, eyes sparkling with determination.
"We've decided," Xiaoting said, her voice steady, "we're quitting the sect.
We're ready to follow you." Yaolin nodded beside her, equally eager, and added, "Everything's packed. We can leave immediately."
The resolve in their expressions left no room for hesitation, I felt a rush of relief and excitement at having them join me at last.
With that settled, I led them to arrange horses and a carriage sturdy enough to carry five people comfortably, leaving room for supplies and provisions.
As we walked and prepared, we exchanged information, catching up on our respective progress. I learned that both Xiaoting and Yaolin had reached 6th Stage Body Tempering, a solid foundation that would serve them well on the road.
When I mentioned Xueyin and Xueyang, their expressions didn't falter; instead, they laughed lightly. "The more, the merrier," Yaolin said cheerfully, while Xiaoting's smile widened. It was clear, they were as happy to travel alongside our growing group as I was.
I went to the shop and quickly negotiated, managing to purchase a sturdy horse carriage that could comfortably carry five people, along with two good horses, all for a total of twenty mid-grade spirit stones.
With transportation secured, I moved on to gather food supplies, provisions, and other necessities for the journey ahead, enough to keep us sustained for several days without overloading the carriage.
Once everything was ready, Xiaoting, Yaolin, and I set off back toward the house I had rented. The familiar path back felt different now, filled with anticipation. Soon, we would reunite with Xueyin and Xueyang, and together the five of us would finally begin the next stage of our journey toward Xuanlian City.
By the time we reached the house, half the day had already passed. I pushed open the door, and Xueyin and Xueyang rushed toward me, their faces lighting up. "Husband, you're here!" Xueyin exclaimed, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to my lips, soft and warm. Before I could respond, Xueyang followed with her own kiss, equally tender and full of familiarity.
Both of them then noticed Xiaoting and Yaolin standing nearby, but instead of hesitation, they smiled warmly.
Introductions were quick, and almost immediately, the four girls clicked like old friends, chatting and teasing each other effortlessly. Giggles and laughter filled the small house, weaving around the air like sunlight.
Meanwhile, I busied myself packing and organizing our belongings, making sure everything was ready for our departure tomorrow, occasionally glancing up to watch the camaraderie and joy blossoming around me.
Night fell quietly over the rented house, the last traces of sunlight slipping away. Fortunately, the bed was large enough for all five of us, giving us a rare moment of comfort and closeness.
The room was warm, quiet… but the air carried a subtle, charged tension.
Xiaoting and Yaolin exchanged glances, a playful spark in their eyes, before leaning toward me and hinting about dual cultivation, their voices low and teasing.
Xueyin and Xueyang immediately caught the meaning, nodding with eager anticipation, their excitement evident in the slight flush of their cheeks.
I took a deep breath, feeling the heat of the moment build around us, and quickly swallowed a Vitality-Enhancing Pill, letting the warmth of its energy surge through me. I knew that guiding qi and energy through four girls at once would be intense, but the thought of the connection, the shared energy, and the growing bonds made my pulse quicken.
Tonight, the five of us would take a step further, not just in cultivation, but in the closeness that tied us together.
Full with excitement, I quickly took out my Thick Dao Tool, and the four girls moved instinctively, their robes falling away to leave them in light, translucent coverings. Their eyes lit up as they took in the tool, anticipation clear in their expressions.
Xiaoting and Yaolin immediately reached out, holding my Thick Dao Tool with their hands to guide their qi into it. The energy flowed in smoothly, the tool expand as it absorbed the currents, gradually glowing brighter with the combined power.
Once my Thick Dao Tool was fully charged with their combined energy, I carefully inserted it into Xiaoting, slipping it slowly to begin the circulation. It had been a full month since we last practiced dual cultivation, and the anticipation that had built between us made every movement feel electric. Her qi responded almost instantly, merging with the tool's energy as it began to settle, and I could feel the subtle tremors of excitement radiating between us.
I moved deliberately, attuning myself to every fluctuation, every surge, every subtle shift of resonance, letting the qi flow smoothly and harmoniously. The room grew thick with warmth, and the pulsing current of energy became almost tangible, a living connection binding us together far beyond the limits of ordinary cultivation. The closeness, the shared power, and the anticipation that had built over weeks made every moment feel charged, intense, and profoundly intimate.
As the circulation continued, the energy within Xiaoting deepened and stabilized. I moved my Thick Dao Tool carefully, keeping the flow steady, feeling her qi harmonize with the currents I had drawn through the tool. Swiftly, without warning, my Thick Dao Tool released Milky Dao Seeds into her, surging to life at her core with a sharp, vibrant pulse that radiated outward.
This time turning to Yaolin. Her eyes lit up, a mix of excitement and anticipation, as she reached forward and held my Thick Dao Tool in her hands, guiding her qi into it with steady focus. My Thick Dao Tool began to tremble, full of excitement of her gentle touch, alive with power.
Once it was fully expand, I shifted closer, carefully positioning my Thick Dao Tool to insert it gently into her. It had been a month since our last dual cultivation as well, and the tension that had built over that time made the moment electric.
As the qi began to circulate, I could feel the heat radiating from her, intense and vibrant, flowing through the meridians with a strong, almost tangible rhythm..
The intense heat that radiated from Yaolin made our rhythm wild and uneven, the qi surging and spiraling unpredictably between us. Every movement of my Thick Dao Tool sent jolts of energy coursing through her, amplifying the current, and I could feel the resonance building, sharp and exhilarating. Despite the turbulence, I maintained a steady focus, carefully guiding the qi, smoothing the flow as best I could.
Then, almost without warning, my Thick Dao Tool released Milky Dao Seeds inside Yaolin, bursting to life at her core with a fierce, vibrant pulse. The energy flared intensely for a moment, radiating outward through her meridians, before settling into a strong, steady rhythm.
When it was finally over, I drew a long breath, steadying myself as the lingering currents of qi slowly settled within my dantian. The room was quiet except for the sound of Xiaoting and Yaolin trying to catch up their breath.
Before I could fully recover, soft hands closed around my Thick Dao Tool. Xueyin and Xueyang had moved close without a sound, their eyes bright with anticipation, their auras rippling with eagerness.
They leaned in from either side, their breaths brushing my ears as they spoke almost in unison, voices low and intimate. "It's our turn now, husband," Xueyin whispered gently. Xueyang followed with a soft, earnest plea, "Please help us with dual cultivation." My Thick Dao Tool responded to their touch, its strengthen as their qi flowed into it, familiar, trusting, and perfectly attuned to mine.
I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Xueyin's lips, tasting the warmth and sweetness of her presence. When I pulled back, Xueyang met me with the same eager gaze, and I returned the gesture, letting the connection linger in the quiet rhythm of the room. The brief intimacy seemed to deepen the resonance of our qi, threading our energies even closer.
With my Thick Dao Tool already eager, I began by inserting it into Xueyin first, carefully circulating her qi, feeling the familiar spark of energy and trust ignite between us. Once the flow stabilized, I shifted smoothly, inserting my Thick Dao Tool into Xueyang, guiding the currents into her with the same care, alternating between the two in a steady, continuous rhythm.
The energy surged and intertwined, a living connection that pulsed through the room, vibrant and intense. Each pass of my Thick Dao Tool strengthened their foundations, aligned their meridians, and deepened the bond we shared, not just as cultivators, but as companions bound by trust, loyalty, and the quiet, simmering heat of anticipation that had been building for weeks.
The heat built quickly, a thick, vibrant pulse radiating from both of them, their breaths deep and measured, synchronizing almost instinctively with the movement of my Thick Dao Tool.
The resonance grew sharper, sharper still, until finally, almost simultaneously, my Thick Dao Tool release countless Milky Dao Seeds into both Xueyin and Xueyang. The seeds flared briefly, radiating warmth and vitality, before settling firmly at their cores, anchoring strength, loyalty, and a deep, unspoken connection. I could feel their foundations solidifying under the flow, the bond between us growing undeniable, alive, and perfectly attuned.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but there was no time to rest. Xiaoting and Yaolin were already back on their feet, eyes bright with eagerness, while Xueyin and Xueyang stayed close, their anticipation undimmed. Fortunately, the lingering effect of the Vitality-Enhancing Pill kept my body surging with energy, and we continued, the five of us entwined in a rhythm of flowing qi and shared cultivation.
Hours passed unnoticed as heat and energy slowly settled, our breaths finally easing into calm, deliberate rhythms.
By the time dawn's first light crept through the windows, we were exhausted yet content, our bodies and qi humming softly in unison. Xiaoting and Yaolin had fallen asleep draped over my left, Xueyin and Xueyang over my right, their closeness warm and comforting, their delicate forms only covered by translucent robes.
I lay in the middle, gazing up at the ceiling, a broad smile spreading across my face, my mind wandering to the adventures and challenges that awaited us tomorrow on our journey to Xuanlian City.