The Mutual Cultivation Art truly lived up to its reputation as a balanced and harmonious Dual Cultivation technique. As the four of them merged in intimacy, Spirit Qi flowed ceaselessly between their bodies. Not only was there no depletion, but their cultivation bases actually improved.

This was especially true for Zhou Kai. With his 805 points of Comprehension, the effects were amplified significantly.

Dual cultivating with the three women—particularly Lin Zhiwei, a Foundation Establishment cultivator—caused the Vitality and Mana within his Dantian to become increasingly condensed and abundant.

[Cultivation: Qi Condensation Level 5 (95/100)]

He was just one kick away from breaking through to the Sixth Layer.

Lin Zhiwei benefited just as much. Her foundation, originally somewhat unstable due to recent breakthroughs, had become noticeably solid after being combed through by the Mutual Cultivation Art and receiving feedback from Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai was in no hurry to return to Taiji Peak.

He had already calculated his schedule. Due to Li Youci’s unique cultivation method, Taiji Peak was filled with Yin energy at night, making it unsuitable for normal absorption and breathing exercises.

So, the plan was simple: Handle affairs and study techniques at Taiji Peak during the day, then return to this Outer Sect cave abode at night to cultivate with his beauties.

Business by day, pleasure by night—what could be better?

He was now a Second Realm cultivator. His body had undergone Bone Forging, and his Divine Sense, cleansed by the Mysterious Nether Sub-Mirror and boosted by Lin Zhiwei’s attribute points, was comparable to a Third Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator. He could easily go without sleep for a month or two.

The next day, dawn broke.

The morning mist still clung to the mountains, carrying a refreshing chill.

Zhou Kai slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air. The breath didn’t disperse; instead, it condensed in the morning breeze like a white ribbon, lingering for a long time before fading.

Chen Ziyi and Wang Qiaoqiao were still fast asleep, their delicate bodies sprawled across the bed in a scene of enchanting spring scenery.

Lin Zhiwei, also a Second Realm cultivator, was awake after a night of meditation. Seeing Zhou Kai rise, her beautiful eyes filled with reluctance.

“Is my Lord going to Taiji Peak?”

“Mhm.” Zhou Kai kissed her forehead gently. “I’ll be back tonight.”

Lin Zhiwei nodded obediently, reaching out to straighten his collar. “Go safely, my Lord. Today, I will take them to the Scripture Pavilion to select cultivation techniques.”

Zhou Kai nodded. Before leaving, he swept his Divine Sense over the alchemy room.

He saw Chen Ziqing sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, Spirit Qi fluctuating gently around her. She was cultivating with intense focus. Her expression was serious, devoid of her usual delicate affectations. Between her brows, there was a newfound determination.

It seems yesterday’s lecture was effective, Zhou Kai thought. The girl finally understands that acting cute isn’t a cultivation method.

He summoned his Spirit Boat. With a flash of light, he soared into the sky.

Moments later, he arrived at Taiji Peak.

Even in mid-air, Zhou Kai felt the Yin-cold aura was denser than yesterday. Traces of soul power fluctuations lingered in the air—Li Youci must have just finished her cultivation.

Fish Baibai had been waiting for quite some time.

“You finally came!” she chirped. “I thought you got scared and ran away!”

“What does Miss Fish mean?”

“Loads of people hate Taiji Peak because the Yin energy is too heavy and the soul fluctuations mess with their heads. Most get scared and run away pissing their pants within a few days!”

Fish Baibai wrinkled her nose and made a funny face, then beamed.

“But don’t worry! The cave abodes here were all personally planned by the Young Miss. The Yin is heavy at night, but during the day, the Spirit Qi is super rich!”

They walked up the winding mountain path. Ancient trees towered over the bluestone road, and spirit birds chirped, creating an atmosphere of immortal seclusion.

Fish Baibai chattered as she pointed things out.

“Look, these caves halfway up the mountain have great views and good Spirit Qi. Several disciples chose to live here. It’s close to the Young Miss’s cave, so it’s convenient to listen to her teachings.”

Zhou Kai glanced at them casually and kept walking up. His goal was clear: the summit.

Fish Baibai blinked in surprise. “Junior Brother Zhou, you don’t like these?”

Seeing Zhou Kai was genuinely staying, she switched her address from ‘Lord Zhou’ to ‘Junior Brother’.

“I want to see the peak,” Zhou Kai said simply.

“The peak?” Fish Baibai’s eyes went wide. “That’s the coldest spot! And it’s the furthest away from the Young Miss’s cave at the bottom!”

She didn’t realize that was exactly why Zhou Kai wanted it. Distance meant less exposure to the Yin cold, less influence from the soul pressure, and crucially—privacy. If he wanted to bring his harem over later, being far away from everyone else was essential.

At the summit of Taiji Peak, a sea of clouds churned beneath their feet.

A spacious cave abode was nestled behind several thousand-year-old pines. It was secluded, grand, and offered a panoramic view of the magnificent landscape.

“This is the one,” Zhou Kai nodded with satisfaction.

“Eh? You’re really picking this?” Fish Baibai scratched her head. “Everyone else fights to be close to the Young Miss to curry favor. You pick the furthest spot possible. Do you have some weird anti-social fetish?”

Zhou Kai smiled without answering. What does a little girl know?

Suddenly, the atmosphere shattered.

“WHO IS ZHOU KAI? GET THE HELL OUT HERE!”

A furious roar exploded from the high heavens, shaking the entire mountain.

Birds scattered in panic, beasts fled into their burrows, and even the needles of the ancient pines rained down like green snow.

A vast, terrifying Aura Pressure crushed down from the sky.

Fish Baibai’s face turned instantly pale, and her knees buckled.

Zhou Kai’s pupils contracted. He looked up sharply.

High in the sky, a figure stood on the wind, surrounded by a halo of shimmering light. He made no attempt to hide his power—a mid-stage Golden Core Great Cultivator!

The man was handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, but his face was currently a mask of frost. His gaze was like lightning as his Divine Sense swept the mountain.

When it locked onto Zhou Kai at the peak—an unfamiliar face with a Bone Forging cultivation base—cold light exploded in the man’s eyes. Killing intent surged.

“Found you!”

With a cold sneer, the figure plummeted like a meteor. The speed was so fast it tore the air apart, creating a shrieking sonic boom.

BOOM!

The earth trembled. Dust billowed.

The man landed five zhang in front of Zhou Kai and Fish Baibai. The impact spider-webbed the bluestone ground, sending rock shards flying like shrapnel.

His gaze locked onto Zhou Kai like a predator. His voice was absolute zero.

“So you are the reckless trash who shared a sedan with Youci yesterday?”

Zhou Kai’s mind raced. Mid-stage Golden Core! Who is he? What is his relationship with Li Youci? A suitor?

He kept his face calm, observing the threat.

Fish Baibai looked at the man, then at Zhou Kai, her jaw dropping. “You… you actually sat in the Young Miss’s palanquin? Heavens! That’s her Lifebound Treasure!”

Aside from Li Youci and her personal maids, no outsider—especially a man—had ever been allowed inside. This was unprecedented.

She hurriedly bowed low. “Baibai greets the Young Master!”

Young Master?

So, a direct descendant of the Li Family main line. Zhou Kai relaxed slightly.

Li Youci was the Grand Miss. This man shared her features. This must be her biological older brother.

Judging by the aggression, he was here to interrogate him. A classic ‘Bro-con’ protecting his sister.

Zhou Kai didn’t panic. Instead, he bowed respectfully, his posture humble yet dignified.

“This humble one, Zhou Kai, greets the Young Master. It is true that I returned to the sect with the Young Miss yesterday. However… regarding the matter of sharing the sedan…”

He paused deliberately, putting on an expression of someone ‘overwhelmed by unexpected favor’.

“I was also deeply surprised. It was entirely the Young Miss’s arrangement. As a subordinate, how could I dare to disobey?”

The response was a masterclass in deflection. He admitted the fact but shifted the agency entirely to Li Youci.

Your sister invited me in. I’m just a servant. Was I supposed to say no to the Grand Miss?

Li Qiwen’s face darkened instantly. The terrifying pressure of a Golden Core cultivator flared again, churning the surrounding Spirit Qi into a chaotic storm.

“Impudence!” he roared. “My sister has a status of utmost nobility! Why would she casually allow an outsider to share her palanquin? You, a loose cultivator of unknown origin, must have used some underhanded trickery!”

He raised a hand, five fingers forming a claw wreathed in green light, ready to strike.

Zhou Kai felt his Vitality churning and his bones groaning under the pressure, but he forced his spine to remain straight.

“Young Master, please quell your anger!” he said loudly. “I am new here. I am fortunate that the Young Miss did not disdain my lowly status. The events of yesterday occurred because I, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, spoke recklessly and offended the Young Miss, earning me a lesson.”

“Afterward, the Young Miss, considering the benevolence owed to a fellow disciple, granted me…”

He injected a perfect note of grievance into his voice.

“I am merely a loose cultivator. Facing the Grand Miss of the Li Family, how could I dare harbor improper thoughts? If the Young Master disbelieves me, you may ask the Young Miss herself! Every word I speak is true. If there is half a lie, may the Heavens strike me down!”

Li Qiwen’s hand paused in mid-air. He hesitated, clearly considering the logic.

“Brother, what are you doing?”

A cold, clear female voice suddenly drifted up from the foot of the mountain.