The great gates of Crimson Lotus Sect loomed like mountains. Carved from scarlet jade and reinforced with ancient formation runes, they radiated the aura of power and control.
Jiang Yuefeng stood at the end of a long line of aspirants, all no older than twenty. Some radiated confidence, others trembled with nervousness. He, however, stood calm—sharp-eyed, collected, and cloaked in modest robes.
He had earned the qualifications to test only after passing three local challenges, one of which involved outwitting a Qi Refining genius in alchemy by exploiting the reaction rate of frost lotus powder. Every step had required patience and calculation—not strength.
And now he stood before the gates of one of the greatest sects in this region.
This world doesn't reward the strongest… it rewards those who know how to climb.
A red-robed elder descended from the air, her voice cold and piercing.
"Test your talent. Step forward."
The first few stepped forward, touching the Spirit Root Crystal. Some showed mediocre aptitude. Some shone bright enough to be noted by the sect's outer elders.
When Yuefeng's turn came, he stepped forward with perfect calm and placed his palm on the crystal.
Please don't expose the sealed bloodline… just appear average.
The crystal pulsed faintly—bright enough to show moderate talent.
The red-robed elder nodded. "Barely passable. You may enter the outer sect."
No one cheered. No one stared. He blended into the crowd exactly as he wanted.
Hidden fangs are deadlier than bared claws.
Crimson Lotus Sect was divided into strict layers.
Outer Sect Disciples lived in the lower valley.
Inner Sect Disciples trained in the higher jade mountains.
Core Disciples resided in the floating palaces above, tutored by elders directly.
At the very top, the Saint Peak—a sacred ground only visited by the Sect Master and legacy disciples.
Jiang Yuefeng was placed in Outer Courtyard 17, a remote area mostly filled with commoners and those of low talent.
Perfect.
He cleaned his dusty courtyard, planted spiritual herbs in the cracked soil, and spent every night meditating. His cultivation was now 4th Layer Qi Refining, thanks to his encounter with Shen Qingxue.
But the system had reminded him:
[Rapid Growth Warning: Host cultivation must stabilize before further dual cultivation.]
Emotional depth now determines the success rate of future duals. Casual encounters grant only minor benefits.
Next advancement requires 80+ beauty score and deep mutual trust.
Targeting high-tier girls casually will yield little to nothing unless proper emotional effort is invested.
Yuefeng smiled coldly.
So no more shortcuts. Good. I was raised on strategy, not luck.
Within a week, rumors began to spread about a new alchemy tutor for the outer sect named Lan Meixiu, famous for both her harshness and rare beauty. A former inner disciple, she had withdrawn from promotion for unknown reasons.
She caught Yuefeng's interest during a public lecture on herb resonance. Her voice was sharp, precise—cutting down foolish disciples with disdain. But she taught with clarity and grace.
She was everything he looked for:
Appraisal Activated
Name: Lan Meixiu
Beauty Score: 88
Talent: Icewood Alchemy Veins (High-Rank Constitution)
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment – 1st Layer
Emotional State: Guarded. Bitter. Disappointed.
Relationship: No romantic partners. Cold to men. Emotionally scarred.
She'll be difficult. I like difficult.
For the next five days, he attended every lecture. Sat near the back. Never asked questions.
Then, when the class ended on the sixth day, he walked up slowly.
"I believe you used Blue Cloud Root in the demonstration," he said calmly. "But if you'd replaced it with Hollow Dream Root, the resonance would have lasted longer."
She frowned.
"The Hollow Dream Root is too unstable."
He met her gaze. "Only if the purity is above seventy. But in lower purity blends, it delays reaction collapse—especially with Icewood attributes."
She studied him for a long moment.
"…Who taught you that?"
Yuefeng bowed. "No one. I grew up near an apothecary and read discarded scrolls. I've always been curious."
A lie—but a harmless one.
She said nothing for several seconds. Then: "Come tomorrow. I want to test your blend myself."
Over the next week, he met her privately each evening. At first, she used him as an assistant—mixing, sorting, grinding herbs. She rarely spoke. But he didn't flirt. Didn't compliment her. Didn't leer at her beauty. He simply worked with quiet focus.
Slowly, her walls began to crack.
On the ninth night, after a long silence, she asked: "Why aren't you like the others? You never ask about my past."
He smiled softly, still grinding a jade herb into powder. "Because the present matters more to me. And I see someone brilliant in front of me."
She didn't respond—but her hands trembled slightly.
On the twelfth night, they stayed late brewing a spiritual pill. Her finger brushed his by accident. She quickly withdrew, but he didn't move.
She looked into his eyes.
"I'm afraid," she whispered.
Yuefeng reached out slowly and took her hand. "Then I'll walk beside you until you're not."
That night, they lay together in the soft glow of spirit lamps, hearts slowly warming to one another.
Their intimacy was not rushed. She cried once during it, and he kissed her tears away.
[Dual Cultivation Successful]
Lan Meixiu: Beauty Score 88 | High-Rank Talent
Emotional Depth: Deep Vulnerability and Trust
Cultivation Increased: Foundation Establishment 1st Layer → Minor foundation strengthening
Host Gains:
+1 Level (4th → 5th Layer Qi Refining)
+12% Talent Growth
Alchemy Comprehension Boost
+1 Lust Core Shard
Afterward, she lay in his arms, trembling.
"Don't lie to me," she whispered. "Don't leave me like the others."
Yuefeng held her tighter. "I won't."
But in his heart, he whispered the truth:
I will leave when I must. But I will always leave you stronger than before.
End of Chapter 2