Maria cultivated for three long hours, her breathing deep and steady, her form unmoving within the chamber. Then, without warning, a surge of energy erupted from her body. A wave of aura burst outward, rumbling the stone walls and shaking the lanterns that hung in the corners.
Her cultivation base had shifted. She had broken through—stepping firmly into the first stage of the Body Refining Realm.
The red and blue rings of light returned to her eyes, glowing faintly as they circled her pupils. But this time, there was no frantic hunger, no wild arousal overtaking her body. Instead, her expression was calm, steady, her breath controlled.
The difference lay in the technique. By channeling her spiritual energy through the technique Jian had written for her for her, the qi within her meridians transformed into pure Yang Qi, nourishing her volatile physique instead of fueling its cravings.
She was no longer cultivating in the same way as ordinary disciples. Where others absorbed and refined spiritual qi, Maria's body would henceforth absorb and convert it into Yang Qi—her only path to stability, and survival.
In essence, she had not just stepped onto the path of cultivation, but onto one that was uniquely tailored for her.
After her breakthrough, Maria continued to channel the newly awakened energy into the core of her meridians, carefully following every instruction Jian had drilled into her. Her concentration never wavered, each breath steady as she guided the flow, stabilizing the chaotic balance within her body.
An hour passed before her eyes finally fluttered open.
The glow in her pupils dimmed slightly, but the twin rings of crimson and azure light still lingered—silent proof of the presence of the Ice Burning Yin Yang Physique.
Without hesitation, she rose and rushed out of the chamber. Jian was already outside, seated with his back straight, as though he had been waiting all along.
"Congratulations," he said, his voice calm but carrying the weight of approval. "You're now a cultivator."
Joy bloomed across Maria's face, her smile stretching wide from ear to ear, brighter than Jian had ever seen. She moved forward instinctively, wanting to throw her arms around him. But halfway through the motion, she froze. Lowering her gaze, she clenched her fists, restraining herself.
Her entire body was coated in the black, greasy layer of expelled impurities—the inevitable price of one's first breakthrough. To touch Jian in this state felt unthinkable.
Even so, the glow in her eyes remained, like flickering embers against her delicate features but this time around she was still in control.
After a pause, she composed herself and bowed her head slightly. Then, with a quick turn, she walked to the bathing area.
Moments later, the sound of splashing water echoed softly through the room.
When she emerged again, clad in fresh robes, her skin was luminous, her hair still damp, and her presence carried a newfound aura.
Looking into her eyes, Jian's lips curved into a smile. With a firm but gentle pull, he drew Maria by the waist and guided her toward the large mirror that rested in the corner of the reception area.
Maria froze as her reflection came into view. For the first time, she clearly saw it—two faint rings of light flickering in her pupils, one crimson, one azure. They pulsed softly, an undeniable proof that her Ice Burning Yin Yang Physique had fully awakened.
Her hand rose slowly, fingertips brushing her cheek as if to confirm it wasn't an illusion. Yet her expression faltered, and her shoulders sank. She bowed her head, the weight of insecurity creeping in.
Jian didn't need words to understand. He could see the doubt swirling in her fragile heart—the thought that these unusual eyes, this mark of her difference, might make her less beautiful in his gaze.
Without hesitation, Jian spun her gently, lifting her chin until her eyes met his. Leaning close, his voice dropped into a whisper, brushing against her ear like a secret meant only for her.
"Why the sad face… when all I see is you becoming even more alluring?"
Before she could answer, he closed the gap, capturing her lips in a slow, firm kiss. His hand lingered at her waist, the other slipping lower until he grasped her backside squeezing on the ripples of her plump flesh, pulling her closer. His intent was clear—not only reassurance, but desire.
Maria's hesitation melted. She returned his kiss eagerly, her arms looping around his neck as if afraid he might let go.
When he finally pulled back, Jian's tone was calm, almost casual, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of warmth.
"I'll be heading into the sect. I've stayed in for too long, and my settling-in period has ended. Duties and activities as a disciple of this sect await me."
Reluctantly, he turned, striding toward the door. His hand closed around the knob—yet before he could push it open, a soft but deliberate voice reached him.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
Jian paused. Slowly, he turned back.
The sight that greeted him drew a smirk across his lips.
Maria was on all fours atop the reception couch, her back arched in perfect provocation.
Her outer robe lay discarded on the floor, leaving her clad only in a sheer undergarment that clung scandalously to her curves. The thin fabric was nearly transparent, teasing rather than revealing, offering fleeting glimpses of the slit of her neither region.
Her mismatched eyes—those same rings of light she had once feared—now glowed faintly, turning her gaze into a weapon of seduction.
Jian exhaled lightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
With his vast experience as Yu Jian this was still not enough to compel him, but of course he was going to give her her flowers.
He released the doorknob, rolling his shoulders as though conceding a challenge.
"A quickie, then," he murmured, his smirk widening as he stepped back toward her,Within moments, Jian's dragon had already stood firm and solid.
Releasing his lower robes, he lodged himself into Maria's already wet cave, drawing a sharp moan from her lips as the thrust caught her unprepared.
For long, Jian had avoided using his dual cultivation arts, knowing the mind of a mortal was too weak to withstand the overwhelming pleasure it brought. If carelessly used, it could cause dangerous consequences, and he was not ready to turn maria into an addict who could only be satisfied by him or another high-level dual cultivator.
But now she has awaken as a cultivator and he was pressed for time. He couldn't simply walk away after seeing the effort Maria had put into tempting him.
His fingertips glowed faintly red—he had yet to reach the stage where spiritual Qi could be released fully outside his body. Pressing those glowing fingers on specific points along Maria's back, a sudden wave of pleasure coursed through her.
She moaned loudly, snapping her head back in an attempt to meet Jian's gaze. Her body rippled under the force of ecstasy as the sensation spread from her cave up her spine, making her tremble uncontrollably.
"Jian… ahh… mmmhh… ahhh!" she cried, rocking her hips backward to meet his thrusts.
In just three minutes she had climaxed twice, her body overwhelmed, and the third orgasm quickly built within her.
Feeling her walls tighten around his dragon, Jian plunged in hard with a final thrust, releasing his Yang Qi at the same moment Maria's third orgasm erupted. Her body spasmed wildly, collapsing into a collapsed doggy stance, her face buried deep in the cushions.
A sharp slap landed on her behind, sending another ripple through her trembling body.
Leaning to her ear, Jian whispered, voice low and commanding:
"Don't let my Ya
ng Qi go to waste."
With that, he pulled on his robes and left the room.