Now a cultivator at the Meridian Connection Realm, Jian could finally employ techniques that required projecting spiritual Qi outward. Spiritual sense was one of them, though his range was still limited, and the consumption of energy was immense.
Activating it, he swept his awareness through the quarters. aura flickered faintly—she had broken through into the first stage of the Flesh Refining Realm. Jian exhaled softly. That was fast… and equally troublesome for me, he mused.
Shaking the thought aside, he retrieved from his spartial ring the wooden box where he had carefully stored the ingredients provided by Fairy Mei Lian. Opening it, his eyes settled on three thumb-sized seeds alongside roots that resembled wild ginseng.
He took two, crushed them together in a mini sized mortar until they formed a thick paste, hot steam immediately rising from the mixture.
Without hesitation, Jian retrieved a retention container and carefully funneled the steaming paste inside. Seating himself in a lotus position, he drew a steady breath, emptying his mind in preparation. He knew well—what came next would demand both endurance and willpower.
In one swift motion, he uncorked the retention container and downed the steaming paste. At once, he settled into cultivation—not to raise his realm, but to temper the very quality of his Yang Qi.
The method he had passed to Maria was sufficient enough as the Ice burning Yin and Yang physique was a volatile physique, and as her cultivation advanced, her condition would only worsen.
Simply converting spiritual Qi into Yang Qi would no longer cut it; what she needed was a purer, more potent source. Of which that burden fell to him. If his Yang Qi grew stronger, it would serve her far better.
Almost immediately, his body erupted with red steam, his skin flushing until he resembled an overripe fruit ready to burst. Inside, the violent energy rampaged without restraint, tearing through his meridians and testing the limits of his endurance.
He groaned in pain as the pain continued, not being able to contain the pain he shouted in pain he never dealt with severe pain before so this was entirely a new experience for him.
Soon, the steam rolling off his body grew unbearably hot, searing the air until his robes blackened and charred, peeling away in scorched threads.
Energy surged wildly through his body, gathering at his lower abdomen before plunging downward. His "jewels of essence" ignited in a blaze of Yang fire, the pain sharp enough to wrench a gasp from his lips.
Without hesitation, he fumbled through his spatial ring, retrieving a set of refreshing pills. Swallowing them in quick succession, he felt the raging inferno in his rod gradually temper and stablize, the smoldering pain receding to a steady burn. Yet he did not stop—the grueling refinement had only just begun.
Across the room, Fei Ling stirred awake. Groggy at first, her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her—Jian's entire body shrouded in crimson steam, his skin glowing as though molten fire coursed through his veins.
Hastily pulling on her robes, she bit her lip in panic seeing some of the crushed ingredients she screamed. Hell vine Yang ginseng it was a popular medicine exclusive for the outer court disciple.
She knew interrupting him now would be disastrous; to forcefully break his cultivation at this point could shatter his meridians beyond repair. All she could do was remain still, watching anxiously, her heart racing as she judged his reckless actions.
But then, the door creaked open. Maria stepped in, her body drenched in thick layers of expelled impurities that clung to her skin like tar. Her eyes shimmered unnaturally—one pupil glowing an azure hue, the other burning crimson—an ominous sign that sent a chill through Fei ling back.
Paying no mind to Fei Ling, Maria strode straight into the bathing area, rinsing away the layers of foul impurities clinging to her skin.
Moments later, she settled into a lotus position, her bare form glistening under the dim light. Closing her eyes, she drew in spiritual Qi with desperate focus—the only way to steady her heart and keep herself sane amidst the chaos raging within her body.
Fei Ling could only watch, her expression a mix of confusion and unease. She couldn't quite grasp what was unfolding before her eyes. Meanwhile, Maria, who had only just finished her breakthrough, hadn't even settled herself into cultivation when Jian suddenly rose to his feet.
The energy raging within him was unbearable, threatening to tear him apart from the inside.
In one swift motion, he lifted Maria into his arms. Her eyes widened in shock, but before she could speak, his voice rumbled low and strained, heavy with suppressed pain.
"Once you feel pain… tap my shoulder," he growled.
Maria didn't understand the full extent of what was happening, but the urgency in his gaze and the raw agony flickering behind it left no room for doubt. She simply nodded. Jian pressed two points along her lower abdomen with sharp bursts of spiritual energy before, without hesitation, driving himself deep into her.
Her body shuddered instantly, arms locking around his neck as blissful moans spilled from her lips. His thrusts came rough and vigorously, yet carried the precision of control born from necessity.
Three short minutes passed, every motion laced with fire and intent, before Jian finally climaxed.
It wasn't a matter of endurance—his body could have lasted far longer. But the potent herbs he had consumed had already transformed into a sea of Yang energy within him. To hold it in any longer would have been dangerous. The release was necessary, a purge to stabilize the surging tide inside his body.
After climaxing, Jian didn't relent. His hips moved with unyielding force, pounding into Maria until, with another guttural release, he erupted again, filling her cave to the brim.
Yet even then, he refused to stop.
By now the strange ring of light in her eyes had faded, her gaze returning to normal. Only a few breaths later, he unleashed another torrent of Yang Qi, flooding her already overflowing depths.
But before he could continue, a soft tap landed on his shoulder—Maria's signal. That single touch was enough to make him still.
He released her from his embrace, and the moment she was free, Maria dropped into a lotus position. The potent energy swirling within her surged like a storm, demanding to be tamed, and she closed her eyes to cultivate without hesitatio
n.
Just then, Jian turned his gaze toward Fei Ling.