Chapter 368: Stuck at the First Step?!
In traditional Qi-refining cultivation, the state of mind was required at every stage, so no major issues would arise at the end. One could simply continue step by step.
However, the transformation from the martial path to the immortal path was different. Instead, it somewhat resembled this world's cultivation system.
One would continuously increase their power until finally reaching the divine level (immortal). They could either continue recklessly, grinding away and following the path of overwhelming force to break through all methods, or suddenly attain enlightenment, achieve a perfect state of mind, and naturally ascend.
No wonder the martial path's legacy was later severed. Since the paths were similar, of course, everyone would choose to cultivate the supernatural system that was more compatible with this world.
Haruto had a premonition that if he completed "Refining the Heart in the Mortal World," he would not only accomplish the second life metamorphosis but also smoothly transition the martial path into the immortal path.
Chisato Hasegawa had already formed a Soul Contract with him, so it was naturally impossible for her to hide anything about this matter. However, Haruto still took the time to verify with Sheila and Sirzechs.
Not for any other reason, but to see if there was a faster and more convenient method to break through.
Although Sheila wasn't particularly strong, as the queen of the Succubus race and a survivor of the Three Faction War, she knew a lot of information.
She couldn't provide precise advice on matters at the divine level, but with clues, verification became relatively simple.
As for Sirzechs, things remained the same—it was impossible to meet this brother-in-law in person. No one knew what he was tinkering with all day, hiding in the Satan's castle.
The one responsible for communication was still the silver-haired beauty Grayfia. Her blue-and-white maid outfit was as conservative as ever, but her excessively alluring figure was still hard to conceal, making one's blood boil.
Sirzechs' answer was rather ambiguous, but Haruto could still discern some hidden meaning from it.
This red-haired Satan brother-in-law had indeed already completed his power breakthrough. Besides affirming the method provided by Chisato Hasegawa, he also subtly suggested that he could assist Haruto in life-and-death battles.
The general idea was to beat Haruto to the brink of death while ensuring he didn't die, maximizing the stimulation of his survival instinct and his talent as a combat specialist, thereby stimulating and sublimating his soul.
The feasibility and required time for this method were far less than other methods, but the suffering and pain one had to endure were indescribable.
Simply put, he would be beaten nearly to death, and after recovering, he would still have to thank Sirzechs for his help...
Moreover, if Sirzechs failed to control his power properly, an accident might occur.
Since it was a breakthrough through life-and-death struggles, Haruto must be made to feel the danger of death.
The Divine-Class fundamentally overwhelms the Satan-Class, but if Haruto were to use all his trump cards, it's uncertain whether Sirzechs could hold back—unless his power surpasses even the Divine-Class.
If an imminent crisis demanded an immediate breakthrough, Haruto would undoubtedly accept it.
But for now, since he isn't a masochist, he naturally wouldn't choose this method.
On the other hand, without experiencing the mortal world to temper his heart, Haruto felt he would truly have no hope of stepping onto the path of immortality.
Although the path of immortality isn't necessarily stronger than the current supernatural path, the deep-seated obsession and instinct within his soul made him unwilling to abandon this road.
If given the chance, he even wanted to elevate it to greater heights.
After verifying these three aspects, in the refreshing mid-October breeze, Haruto began his worldly tempering.
The so-called tempering the heart in the mortal world involves comprehending the lives of ordinary people, striving to live as a common person during this period.
When encountering problems, he should avoid using supernatural powers to resolve them and refrain from altering the lives of those around him with such abilities.
Typically, this meant quietly distancing himself from familiar environments, going to an ordinary place where no one knew him, living as a common person, and leading a mundane life.
Haruto understood this principle, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
No one knew how long this worldly tempering would take, and the girls couldn't endure the desires within them indefinitely, waiting in hardship.
Moreover, the joyous life of nightly revelry had long become as routine as eating and drinking; he probably couldn't adapt to empty, lonely nights all at once.
In fact, nowadays Haruto might occasionally forget some daily habits, like eating or sleeping, but dual cultivation was something he never forgot for a day.
Even if he forgot, someone else would remind him.
For instance, the two succubi, Maria and Lucia, whenever they had the chance, they wished they could cling to Haruto constantly.
Even if it wasn't their turn for dual cultivation, just absorbing the scattered spiritual energy could bring them immense pleasure and progress in their strength.
Apart from around Haruto, they couldn't find anywhere else with such an intensely lustful environment of this caliber.
Haruto himself was powerful, handsome, and elegant, but the girls he cultivated with were also exceptional, each surpassing the other in both looks and strength, with nightly activities every day.
This was practically the dream home for succubi and the most ideal sacred ground for cultivation.
Yet, in such an environment, even if Haruto didn't use a shred of supernatural power, he couldn't experience the life of an ordinary person, and thus, he couldn't temper his state of mind.
Having finally found a direction to advance, he never expected to be stuck at the very first step.
To solve this problem, Haruto gathered all the girls bound by the Soul Contract, including the latest addition, Chisato Hasegawa, who, despite joining last, possessed the strongest power.
Through the effects of the soul network, Haruto connected everyone together.
The current predicament was laid out clearly, avoiding any misunderstandings due to linguistic differences.
"What do you think we should do to resolve this issue?"
The room fell silent for a moment before Rias spoke up first.
"Haruto, there's no need to rush the breakthrough. Just take it slow."
"President, if we wait until danger arrives to think about breaking through, it'll be too late."
It's always better to prepare in advance. Moreover, the longer he remained stuck, the more cultivation resources Haruto would waste, and it could even affect the other girls' progress in advancing their ranks.
The hierarchy within the Soul Contract was subtle, yet undeniably present.
If Haruto failed to undergo his second life metamorphosis, Rias and the other girls would likely remain stuck at the Satan-Class, unable to progress further.
The evidence lay with Chisato Hasegawa, who had reached god-class. Despite dual cultivation with Haruto, she showed not the slightest sign of improvement in strength.
The threshold to god-class represented the difference between mortal and immortal. Not even dual cultivation abilities could enable a mortal to enhance an immortal's power, not even by a fraction.
"Then why not send him to live elsewhere for a while? How about one month as a trial period?" Akeno suggested, swaying her impressive bust.
"One month would hardly make any difference," Mittelt and Koneko protested from Haruto's lap, looking up. "Besides, Akeno-senpai, could you really last a whole month?"
"Ara ara..."
Akeno's fair cheeks flushed crimson. She could only cover her face with one hand and utter her catchphrase to avoid answering.
Aside from the succubus sisters Maria and Lucia, Akeno possessed the strongest desires in the entire mansion.
With her devastatingly large breasts, renowned flower valley, long legs, and black hair that nearly reached her calves, Haruto was quite fond of her too.
Though not exclusively devoted to her, he would typically engage in dual cultivation with Akeno every other day.
The sight of this sadistic, scheming senpai trembling beneath him was a spectacle he never grew tired of.
"Why not have Haruto undergo special training under Sirzechs-sama!"
Haruto shot a fierce glare at Yuuki who had spoken. If he wanted special training, he wouldn't have gathered everyone to discuss this.
"Um..."
Yuuma tapped her chin with her finger, hesitantly suggesting, "Is it possible, I mean just possibly, that Haruto's soul is already powerful enough, but just not pure enough?"
Haruto's eyes lit up. This was the first time he'd heard such a theory.
He pulled the innocent-looking, pitiable black-haired beauty with large breasts closer to him. "Oh? Yuuma-chan, explain in more detail."
"Haruto, aren't you still affected by the Cuckold Protagonist Template..."
Yuuma didn't fully understand Haruto's concept of the template, pausing briefly before continuing, "You naturally attract women but easily provoke hostility from men, right? This might be due to impurities in your soul."
"Considering your innate dual cultivation abilities, your natural attraction to women makes sense—they're complementary traits. The excessive hostility from the same sex could be seen as a side effect, representing the impurities within your soul."
"So you're saying if I remove the dross and retain the essence, I could complete my soul metamorphosis."
"Mm-hmm."
Haruto fell into thoughtful silence. Yuuma's reasoning seemed plausible, but ultimately, he needed to hear Chisato Hasegawa's opinion.
After explaining the Cuckold Protagonist Template and his dual cultivation talents in detail, he turned to the glamorous, bespectacled school doctor.
"Chisato-senpai, do you think this is possible?"
"The possibility is quite high."