A little more than a month had passed since my encounter with Yinqing, Yinxuan, and Yinyin, yet the resonance between us had not faded in the slightest. Xuanlian City was vast, but cultivation had a way of folding distance into meaning.
I knew their routines well enough now, the Pure Fragrance Sect's formal duties, their disciplined cultivation, and the nights when they appeared at the three pleasure houses near the inner district.
Those places were loud with life, but around Yinqing, Yinxuan, and Yinyin there was always a subtle distance, an unspoken boundary that no one dared cross.
Beneath warm lantern light, they danced with practiced grace, sleeves trailing like petals drifting across still water. Sometimes it was the gentle pluck of strings that guided their movements, other times a low, haunting flute that seemed to linger in the air long after the note faded.
They entertained only in that sense, art, beauty, presence. Eyes followed them everywhere, admiration thick in the air, yet restraint held firm, as if an invisible rule governed the space around them.
I would visit from time to time during their performances, never drawing attention. At most, we exchanged a few quiet words between sets, nothing intimate, just small, ordinary conversations.
That was enough. There was a mutual understanding between us, clear and steady. I knew their loyalty was absolute, not born of fear or obligation, but sealed long ago when my Milky Dao Seeds released inside them. That bond needed no display, no proof. And that final line, so tempting to many, had only ever been crossed with me.
They were still surprised by it, by how much their cultivation had leaped in such a short time. 3rd Stage Qi Condensation, a full two stages gained, their foundations clean and bright.
When we met in private, they spoke of it with hushed excitement, eyes shining, voices warm with anticipation. They wanted to continue, to deepen what had begun between us, but at the moment sect obligations still bound them for now.
I understood.
My Thick Dao Tool also eager, but patience was part of the path.
As for me, the gains were undeniable. My qi flowed thicker, steadier, more refined. 7th Stage Qi Condensation, only two steps remained before I could begin preparing for Foundation Establishment Realm.
Under normal circumstances, that alone would have consumed my full attention.
But these were not normal circumstances.
I never forget to check on Qingwu and Qingying as well, their qi now flowed smoother and denser, the faint bottlenecks I had sensed before completely gone, as if some unseen shackle had finally been lifted.
Both had already stepped into the 4th Stage Qi Condensation.
The water-aligned Shadowflow Body within Qingwu felt deeper, calmer, like an underground spring finally tapping into a wider channel. Qingying's Shadowwind Body, on the other hand, carried a sharper edge, her qi lighter, faster, circling her meridians with controlled intensity.
The breakthrough had not been forced; it had come naturally, shaped by repeated resonance, balance, and trust.
Currently my household had also become the center of everything.
Xiaoting, Yaolin, and Fenghua had already given birth several days earlier, three healthy baby girls, their first cries still echoing in my ears. The estate had changed overnight, laughter and soft footsteps replacing the constant hum of cultivation.
The physician's words still lingered in my mind as well: Xueyin and Xueyang would also give birth to daughters, and soon.
I had chosen the names carefully, each one a quiet promise.
Xiaoting's daughter: Wuqing.
Yaolin's daughter: Wumei.
Fenghua's daughter: Wuyan.
Xueyin's daughter: Wuxiang.
Xueyang's daughter: Wurou.
Five daughters. Five threads of fate.
The estate was hushed, lanterns dimmed, servants moving with deliberate care. From within came muffled sounds, breath, effort, whispered encouragement. Time stretched thin, each moment pulling longer than the last.
Then, at last, a cry cut through the silence.
The first child arrived, Xueyin's daughter. Not long after, another followed, Xueyang's.
Two cries, clear and strong, like bells ringing at dawn. Relief hit me so hard I had to steady myself against the doorframe.
When they finally placed the babies in my arms, everything else fell away.
They were so small, wrapped in soft cloth, faces still flushed with new life. Yet even without activating my perception fully, I could feel it, subtle pulses of qi, gentle but distinct, coiling within them. The same harmony I had glimpsed months before, now made real.
I laughed softly, unable to help myself.
"You did well," I murmured, though I wasn't sure whether I meant the children or their mothers.
I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Xueyin's forehead, then to Xueyang's. Both were exhausted, strands of hair clinging to damp skin, but their eyes were bright, filled with relief and quiet pride.
"Thank you," I said simply. It felt inadequate, but some things didn't need many words.
As I held my daughters, warmth spread through my chest, not the heat of desire or cultivation, but something deeper, steadier.
Responsibility. Joy. A sense of roots finally sinking into the soil of this world.
That joy was not mine alone.
Meiyun stood close by, her eyes lingering on the babies in my arms, soft and bright with amusement. She leaned slightly toward me and said, half-teasing, half-serious, "Husband… even though I'm already quite old, I should still be able to carry a child for you, don't you think?"
The words had barely left her lips before Lingyu and Lingxue chimed in, cheeks faintly flushed but gazes unwavering. Qingwu and Qingying followed without hesitation, their voices calm yet filled with resolve.
"Yes, husband," they said almost in unison. "We are willing as well, to carry your children, to expand your bloodline."
For a moment, I could only laugh softly, a broad smile spreading across my face.
I looked at them one by one, at the trust and warmth reflected in their eyes, at the quiet certainty they carried.
"Alright," I said at last, my tone gentle but firm. "We'll do it slowly. There's no rush. The stronger and closer this family becomes, the better."
Not long after, footsteps approached. Xiaoting entered first, cradling little Wuqing in her arms, followed by Yaolin with Wumei and Fenghua holding Wuyan close to her chest. The room filled instantly with soft laughter, low voices, and the comforting presence of everyone who mattered.
We talked deep into the night, voices soft but carrying the weight of shared understanding. Our conversation flowed like the quiet streams of a hidden valley, sometimes bubbling with laughter, sometimes settling into thoughtful silence.
We spoke of the children, their tiny hands and delicate auras, already hinting at the extraordinary potential threaded into their very being. Each child seemed to hum with promise, as if the Dao itself had brushed lightly over them, leaving sparks of something rare and precious.
I watched them sleep, their gentle breaths rising and falling in perfect rhythm, and a warmth spread through my chest deeper than any cultivation could ever grant, a warmth of responsibility, of pride, and of something tender that bound us together beyond words.
We spoke of cultivation next, strategies and techniques we could use to push beyond our current limits, sharing insights, reminders, and careful observations.
We debated the merits of methods, laughed at past failures, and quietly acknowledged our progress. It was not just instruction; it was intimacy in its own way, each voice weaving into the other, each insight a thread that strengthened the bonds of our family as much as the bonds of cultivation.
Then we spoke of the future, of dreams we wanted to see realized, of the life we hoped to build for our children, and of the household we were crafting, stone by stone, step by step. Ideas passed freely, sometimes fanciful, sometimes serious, but always with the unspoken understanding that we would face whatever came together.
Lantern light flickered across our faces, painting us with soft shadows and golden warmth. The room hummed with the quiet pulse of life: our combined qi, the gentle breaths of infants, and the steady presence of those who had chosen this path with me.
For once, there was no urgency pressing at our backs. No scheming, no enemies, no danger.
Only family.
Only warmth.
Only the quiet certainty that whatever paths the Dao might force me to walk, I would never walk them alone. And as the night deepened, that certainty wrapped around us like a protective cocoon, unshakable and eternal.
—
A month had passed, and the hall was alive with warmth, laughter, and the low hum of latent qi.
My five wives cradled my daughters gently in their arms:
Xiaoting carrying Wuqing, Yaolin carrying Wumei, Xueyin carrying Wuxiang, Xueyang carrying Wurou, and Fenghua carrying Wuyan.
The morning light filtered through the latticed windows, painting soft patterns over polished wood and silk drapes. Today was special, I had prepared to bond my daughters with the spirit beasts we had captured months ago, each attuned to a matching elemental thread.
I had already checked each of my daughters' constitutions, marveling at the rare, almost divine potential within them.
Wuqing carried the resonance of the Heavenly Steel Body, Wumei carried the enduring aura of Heavenly Earth Body, Wuxiang carried the swirling vitality of Heavenly Tempest Body, Wurou carried the crystalline calm of Heavenly Ice Body, and Wuyan carried persistent fire of Heavenly Fire Body.
Each aura harmonized perfectly with the corresponding spirit beast;
Ironpaw Bear for Wuqing, Mudpaw Bear for Wumei, Breeze Wolf for Wuxiang, Frost Wolf for Wurou, and Ember Tiger for Wuyan.
Meanwhile my concubines, Meiyun, Lingyu, Lingxue, Qingwu, and Qingying, stood at the side, eyes alert and qi steady, prepared for any ripple that might arise during the bonding.
The tier-one beasts, loyal and receptive, approached their young masters easily, their elemental energy shimmering faintly, eager to entwine with the pure constitution of my daughters.
I guided each connection with care, feeling the resonance flared.
Each bond solidified swiftly, a subtle pulse of shared life, potential, and loyalty flowing between daughter and guardian. The process was smooth, almost effortless, but beneath it lay a powerful undercurrent of qi, the promise of accelerated cultivation, of future strength, and of protection unlike any ordinary bond could provide.
With the bonding complete.
The hall erupted in laughter and cheer.
A small family celebration unfolded spontaneously.
Round tables were laden with steaming dishes, fragrant teas, and fresh fruits. The children cooed softly in their mothers' arms while the adults shared jokes, teasing glances, and light-hearted conversation.
The hall hummed with joy, the energy of a family connected not just by blood, but by cultivation, by bond, and by trust.
It was then that Yinqing, Yinxuan, and Yinyin arrived, their presence bright and graceful, hands carrying gifts for the babies.
Even before a word was spoken, the atmosphere acknowledged them, the loads of Milky Dao Seeds that I release inside of them, shared a silently communicated trust and loyalty across our household.
My wives, fully aware and playful as ever, welcomed them warmly. Xiaoting chuckled and whispered, "When will the three sisters join our little family properly?"
I grinned at the teasing, shaking my head. "Soon," I replied, "but we'll need a bigger house first."
My thoughts drifted northward, to Jintian City, the capital of the Jin Kingdom in the Jinfeng Province, ten days' land travel from Xuanlian City.
Opportunities there were endless: vast libraries brimming with rare manuals, larger estates, endless stores of spirit stones, and a chance to expand our family and household.
And there was another, more personal incentive.
Jintian City was closer to the Pure Lotus Sect, a sect rumored to accept only women, all strikingly beautiful, and steeped in mystery and cultivation techniques rarely shared.
My Thick Dao Tool pulsed with sudden, eager resonance at the thought, vibrating with anticipation as if it too recognized the many potential females for future dual cultivation.
My fingers flexed, my body tingling with a familiar, subtle hunger, not for the mundane, but for the refinement of energy, the thrill of lust and desire, the endless possibilities of adding new wives and concubines.
I had drifted deep into those thoughts when a soft voice, laced with courage, broke the moment.
"When… are you going to marry the three of us?"
Yinqing stood slightly forward, her hands folded neatly, eyes bright yet nervous. Yinxuan and Yinyin flanked her, their expressions shy but resolute.
Before I could answer, gentle laughter filled the hall. Xiaoting smiled knowingly, Yaolin nodded with quiet warmth, and Fenghua tilted her head with amusement. Xueyin and Xueyang exchanged glances, then spoke together, calm and assured.
"Yes, husband. We don't mind," Xiaoting said."The more our family grows, the stronger it becomes," Yaolin added.
Behind them, my concubines, Meiyun, Lingyu, Lingxue, Qingwu, and Qingying, nodded as well, their expressions open, approving, and free of jealousy. The Milky Dao Seeds, that I released inside them shared resonated faintly, affirming what words hardly needed to say.
I smiled, broad and genuine. "Of course I will marry you," I said steadily, looking at Yinqing, Yinxuan, and Yinyin in turn. "All three of you. But first… I plan to move us to Jintian City, the capital of Jin. That will be our next step."
Without hesitation, every woman present nodded.
"We will follow you wherever you go, husband."
Yinqing lowered her gaze, cheeks warming. "We aren't inner disciples," she said softly. "So… we can retire early from the sect and follow you."
That simple sentence carried more devotion than any vow.
I stepped forward and kissed Yinqing's cheek, then Yinxuan's, then Yinyin's, gentle, lingering touches that made their breaths hitch just slightly.
Not to be outdone, my wives stepped closer one by one. I kissed Xiaoting, Yaolin, Xueyin, Xueyang, and Fenghua, each kiss carrying gratitude, affection, and the depth of shared life.
Then my concubines gathered around me as well, playful and unashamed. I kissed Meiyun, Lingyu, Lingxue, Qingwu, and Qingying in turn, earning soft laughter and knowing smiles.
As the warmth lingered, Yinqing spoke again, quieter now, but charged with meaning. "Tonight… we can stay," she said. "To accompany you. For dual cultivation."
The air subtly thickened. Qi stirred. My Thick Dao Tool pulsed, slow, eager, restrained only by will.
I smiled, neither refusing nor rushing.
As if guided by instinct alone, my wives and concubines encircled me, their hands soft yet insistent, their gazes unwavering.
Xiaoting, Yaolin, Xueyin, Xueyang, and Fenghua gently tugged me forward, while Meiyun, Lingyu, Lingxue, Qingwu, and Qingying flanked us, guiding Yinqing, Yinxuan, and Yinyin along.
Without a word, we were push toward the master room, our private sanctuary, scented with faint incense and the lingering warmth of past nights.
Once inside the master room, the three of them, Yinqing, Yinxuan, and Yinyin, approached me shyly, flushed cheeks and fluttering breaths betraying the tension that had been building since earlier.
Their fingers reached for my Thick Dao Tool, hesitating for a moment, then guided by my hand, they began to move qi along its surface.
I moved closer, gently guiding each of them in turn. My Thick Dao Tool pulsed beneath their touch, qi spiraling and humming as it responded to our combined energy.
First Yinqing, her body trembling slightly at first, then surer as I coaxed the flow; a warm surge ran through her, and soon I release Milky Dao Seeds inside her, forming a deep, resonant bond.
Next, Yinxuan followed the same rhythm, her movements more confident, qi circulating with fluid grace. I release Milky Dao Seeds quietly inside her, leaving her breathless and flushed, a subtle smile curling her lips.
Finally, Yinyin, hesitant at first, gradually let herself trust the motion, her energy intertwining with mine as I inserted my Thick Dao Tool into her. At the peak of our circulation, I release Milky Dao Seeds inside of her, the last traces of hesitation melting away into the rhythm of cultivation.
We continued for a few cycles, each time I release Milky Dao Seeds inside each of the, my Thick Dao Tool will pulse steadily in response to our energy.
Flushed faces, soft breaths, and the warmth of shared qi filled the room, until finally, all three were linked to me through multiple release of Milky Dao Seeds, the poison of distance and restraint fully dissolved by the intimacy of the bond.
Exhausted but satisfied, we sank back together, my Thick Dao Tool resting between us, its gentle hum a quiet testament to the harmony we had forged, three bonds deepened, and the night closing around us in warmth and shared desire.