Dual Cultivation System: My Cultivation Was Crippled, So I Rely on Intimacy to Level Up

Chapter 271: The Courtesy of “Consent”

In the tranquility of the inn’s private chamber, Mo Qianyuan suspended a strand of pure spiritual power at her fingertip, its glow illuminating the blank talisman paper before her. Yet the brush tip hovered, refusing to descend.

A faint ripple disturbed the Restriction at the door. She lifted her eyelids, and the wisp of spiritual power at her fingertip vanished like smoke.

“I have the answers,” Zhou Kai said, taking a seat opposite her. In a few concise sentences, he relayed the events at the Cloud Arrival Small Workshop.

Mo Qianyuan listened in silence. At some point, a talisman brush had appeared in her hand, her fingers unconsciously stroking its smooth shaft.

“My mother passed away in seclusion, and my father is missing?”

After a long pause, she finally spoke again, her voice devoid of any discernible emotion.

“We can ask Yunmian about your father later,” Zhou Kai said. “As for the Shu family’s talisman legacy…”

“The *Primordial Star Body Script* is flawed,” Mo Qianyuan cut him off abruptly. She looked up, her normally cool eyes now blazing with an astonishing light, showing not a trace of sorrow for her lost family. “It is imperfect and must be corrected. I will not tolerate a single flaw.”

Zhou Kai looked at her and understood instantly. To her, the sentimental bonds of her mortal life were dust compared to the grand pursuit of the immortal path.

“And Shu Xiaofu?” Zhou Kai asked, following her lead. “If you want to acknowledge her, I’ll take her with us. If not, I’ll let her fend for herself.”

Mo Qianyuan fell silent, her gaze drifting back to the blank talisman paper.

After a moment, she said, “Get her out of the city. Find a safe place to settle her.”

Zhou Kai nodded, asking no more questions. He flipped his hand, producing a communication jade token and ten specially made incense sticks.

Green smoke curled and spiraled into the air, causing the jade token to flicker erratically.

After a long while, Li Yunmian’s faintly lazy voice drifted from the array patterns. “Zhou Kai? Finally decided to remember me?”

Meeting Mo Qianyuan’s cool gaze, Zhou Kai’s expression remained unreadable as he briefly recounted the situation.

“That Fated Chance… there was indeed the skeleton of a male cultivator, not far from where I found Qianyuan. From the signs, he fought to his last breath to protect her, giving her the chance to survive in that deathtrap.”

…

Early the next morning, Zhou Kai, dressed in a simple black robe, walked directly to the Shu family estate.

The reception he received today was a world apart from yesterday’s. He was not met by a Foundation Establishment Steward, but by an elder at the mid-Golden Core realm.

The man wore the Shu family’s traditional, almost severe, Elder robes, his aged eyes half-lidded. He led Zhou Kai into a spacious reception hall where they took their seats as host and guest.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou’s esteemed presence graces our home. This old one has been remiss in his welcome,” the elder said with a smile, stroking his beard. “The reputation of Calamity Abyss Valley is truly formidable. Its disciples are said to be dragons among men. To meet Fellow Daoist Zhou today is to see the legend made real.”

“Senior Shu is too kind,” Zhou Kai replied, lifting his cup of spirit tea and taking a delicate sip.

“Ah, it is I who should be ashamed,” the elder’s tone shifted, his expression souring. “I have just received a report. Those two worthless juniors of my clan, Shu Mingxuan and Shu Xingyao, had the audacity to slight a distinguished guest such as yourself. They deserve to be punished severely! Rest assured, I will see to it they spend three years in penance at Reflection Cliff!”

“Senior, you speak too seriously,” Zhou Kai said with a wave of his hand. “Shu Family City is magnificent and orderly. I find it quite admirable. There is no need to disturb your peace over the trifles of juniors.”

“Fellow Daoist Zhou is most magnanimous. As it happens, a Treasure Appreciation Gathering will be held in the city in a few days. Many of our Golden Core peers from various powers will be in attendance. It would be an excellent opportunity to discuss the Dao and exchange insights over tea. Perhaps you would join us?”

Zhou Kai agreed before changing the subject. He produced the Water Curtain Pearl and placed it on the table. “Senior Shu, this is a congratulatory gift from Chief Li.”

The elder accepted it. A brief inspection was enough to deepen the surprise in his eyes. Stroking his beard, he smiled. “Chief Li’s favor is great. The Shu family is eternally grateful.”

After a few more pleasantries, Zhou Kai spoke again, his tone casual. “Last night, I was taking a stroll through Plum Branch Alley when I encountered a female cultivator of the Shu family. I found myself quite taken with her. I wonder if Senior Shu might grant me a small convenience? I would like to take this woman as my Concubine.”

The elder smiled. “Oh? And which of our clan’s daughters is so fortunate as to catch Fellow Daoist Zhou’s eye?”

“A Qi Condensation fourth layer named Shu Xiaofu.”

*Shu Xiaofu?*

The elder’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He searched his memory but found no recollection of the name. She must be from some insignificant side branch.

“I do not know the girl, but for a mere Qi Condensation junior to earn your favor, Fellow Daoist, is her great fortune. I will have the steward of Plum Branch Alley accompany you, lest the girl prove foolish and offend you.”

“Then I am in your debt, Senior,” Zhou Kai said, rising to cup his hands.

The steward from Plum Branch Alley dispatched to accompany him was a first-layer Golden Core, but his aura was thin and his foundation unstable.

The moment they stepped into the Cloud Arrival Small Workshop, they saw Shu Xingyao leaning over the counter, harassing Shu Xiaofu with an incessant stream of words, a lecherous and possessive smirk plastered on his face.

“Senior Zhou! Third Clan Uncle!” Shu Xingyao froze upon seeing them, the smile on his face instantly solidifying. He scrambled to bow.

A cold snort escaped Zhou Kai’s nose. The sound was barely audible, yet it slammed into Shu Xingyao’s very soul, sending a violent tremor through his body.

The Golden Core steward’s face darkened. “Shu Xingyao!” he barked. “Are your duties complete? How dare you loiter here, harassing a clanswoman and disgracing our family! Get out!”

“Yes, yes! This nephew will depart at once!”

The steward then turned back to Zhou Kai, his expression shifting to a warm smile. “Fellow Daoist Zhou, I recall this girl now. An orphan from a side branch, I believe. Both parents are deceased, and her aptitude is unremarkable.”

He then fixed his gaze on Shu Xiaofu. “Shu Xiaofu, this is an Elder from Calamity Abyss Valley. He has taken a liking to you, which is your great fortune. He wishes to take you as his Concubine. Are you willing?”

It was a question in name only. The unspoken command in his voice, backed by the crushing Aura Pressure of a Golden Core cultivator, stole the very air from her lungs.

An icy chill flooded Shu Xiaofu’s heart. She knew she had no right to refuse. Two Golden Core experts stood before her. If she dared to utter a single “no,” her fate would be far worse than anything Shu Xingyao could devise.

This was all a performance, a thin veneer of courtesy to grant her the “dignity” of choosing her own fate.

“This junior… is willing.”

“Excellent.” The steward nodded in satisfaction and cupped his hands toward Zhou Kai. “Fellow Daoist Zhou, since the matter is concluded, I shall disturb you no further.”

The steward turned and left, leaving only Zhou Kai and a trembling, helpless Shu Xiaofu in the shop.

“Senior…” Shu Xiaofu could barely remain on her feet. “I… I will do my best to serve you. I only ask…”

Zhou Kai cut her off, his voice sharp with impatience.

“You have half an incense stick’s time. Gather your things. You’re coming with me.”

Shu Xiaofu’s hands clenched the hem of her robes as she followed him, step by faltering step. The noise of the street, the laughter of pedestrians—it all faded into a meaningless blur. Her world shrank to two things: the imposing, black-robed back of the man who now owned her fate, and the cold, unforgiving flagstones beneath her feet.

She had no idea who this Elder from Calamity Abyss Valley was, what connection they could possibly have, or why he would single out a trivial Qi Condensation cultivator like herself.

They had not gone far from the Cloud Arrival Small Workshop when a potent Nascent Soul aura descended from the heavens. Zhou Kai looked up, his vision sharpening.

Under the power of his True Insight Eye, he saw an elder in grey robes streaking from the direction of the Shu family estate, coming to a halt high in the sky.

*A guest important enough for the Shu Family Ancestor to personally welcome?*

Just then, another whistling shriek tore through the air. The streak of light was brazenly arrogant, its passage an uncontrolled gale that thrashed the plum trees lining the street, sending a blizzard of petals into the air.

The figure that emerged was the Holy Son of the Heavenly Spring Sect, Long Yufeng.