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

Zhou Kai arrived outside Li Youci’s cabin.

“Enter.”

He pushed the door open, and a cool, faint fragrance immediately washed over him.

The cabin was elegantly appointed. Li Youci sat upright inside the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan, the silk curtain half-rolled up. Her eyes tracked Zhou Kai, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

“How are your injuries?” she asked first. Her tone was neutral, betraying neither joy nor anger.

A warmth spread through Zhou Kai’s chest. This proud young lady… her mouth says nothing, but she actually cares quite a bit.

He forced a relaxed smile. “Thank you for your concern, Young Miss. It’s just a bit of Soul Poison. This subordinate’s Divine Sense is fairly condensed, so a few days of rest should suffice.”

Li Youci let out a light, cold hum, clearly unconvinced. Her jade-like hand flipped over, and the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror expanded until it was half the height of a person. The mirror’s surface shimmered with flowing light, releasing a wave of cool, purifying aura.

As the clear light of the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror bathed him, Zhou Kai felt a refreshing sensation wash over his brow. The last traces of gloom in his Consciousness Sea were instantly dispelled. His spirit and soul felt scrubbed clean, the sluggishness vanishing completely.

“Thank you, Young Miss,” Zhou Kai said sincerely.

“You clearly possess superior cultivation techniques and Divine Sense compared to Fu Weilun. Do you know why you ended up fighting so perilously, almost capsizing your boat in a gutter?” Li Youci stowed the mirror away, her tone remaining flat.

Zhou Kai pondered for a moment before answering truthfully. “This subordinate’s methods for dealing with enemies are lacking variety, and my accumulated foundation is insufficient.”

“It is good that you know,” Li Youci nodded slightly. “Currently, your only Dharma Treasures are the Chaotic Sky Hammer and the Hundred Beast Banner. Your Spirit Insects haven’t truly matured, and the banner’s power is lackluster. Although the hammer is fierce, you are relying entirely on the amplification from the Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture to brute-force your way through.”

The more Zhou Kai listened, the more he felt something was off. Why is the Young Miss so talkative today? Is she… giving me pointers?

He tentatively asked, “What does the Young Miss mean?”

Li Youci raised her phoenix eyes, sweeping a glance at him.

“This trip to the Forgetful River Secret Realm was merely a probe. Aside from your life-and-death battle with Fu Weilun, the others—including my brother and Xue Yang—were mostly testing the waters and competing for Fated Chances. They didn’t truly go for the kill.”

Her expression darkened. “But when we reach Crouching Tiger Mountain, there will be no more ‘holding back.’ It will be either you die, or I die.”

“What kind of Fated Chance lies in the ruins of Crouching Tiger Mountain to cause such an uproar between the Righteous and Demonic paths?” Zhou Kai pressed.

Li Youci fell silent for a moment, her voice lowering.

“It concerns matters above the Soul Formation stage. The specifics are not relevant to you yet. You only need to know that the Demon Sect, in order to secure a share of the future, will take thunderous measures to eliminate the Lone Goose Palace first. They intend to establish a foothold strong enough to rival our Righteous Alliance.”

Above Soul Formation!

Zhou Kai’s pupils contracted. That meant a Fated Chance left by a Void Return, or perhaps even a Body Integration stage mighty figure?

No wonder! He had previously assumed it was a Nascent Soul or maybe a Soul Formation cultivator’s cave abode. It turned out to be far more terrifying.

“When we reach Crouching Tiger Mountain, how should this subordinate act?” Zhou Kai asked, suppressing the shock in his heart.

“In all things, follow my orders,” Li Youci said, her tone resolute.

She changed the subject, producing two small booklets—the Cicada Raiment Art and the Cicada Tribulation Art—and handed them to Zhou Kai.

“The Delusional Dao Cicada Scripture you comprehended from the stone tablet earlier… what exactly is the relationship between its three major sections—Cicada Raiment, Cicada Cry, Cicada Tribulation—and these three arts?”

Zhou Kai took them, thought briefly, and carefully chose his words.

“This subordinate ventures a guess: these three arts are like the pupal shell encasing the true cicada. The Raiment, Cry, and Tribulation arts are the foundational methods for cultivating the corresponding chapters of the Delusional Dao Cicada Scripture. Without breaking the pupal shell, it is difficult to hear the Great Dao’s cicada song; without letting go of the simplified methods, one cannot comprehend the profound depths of the true scripture.”

Li Youci’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “When did you learn to be so pedantic? Isn’t it just cultivating the simplified arts first, then comprehending the true scripture? It bears some similarity to the relationship between our sect’s No Word Scripture and the Heavenly Scripture.”

Zhou Kai chuckled. “The Young Miss is wise. However, this subordinate believes that the grade of the Delusional Dao Cicada Scripture is likely not inferior to the Heavenly Scripture.”

“What?”

Even with Li Youci’s steady temperament, her delicate body trembled, and her breathing quickened. “This scripture… what attribute is it?”

“No attribute.”

Incredible brilliance erupted in Li Youci’s beautiful eyes. A no-attribute cultivation technique meant any Spirit Root cultivator could practice it. Its value was immeasurable! And if it was comparable to the Heavenly Scripture, wouldn’t that mean one could switch their cultivation base to it…?

Seeing her reaction, the corner of Zhou Kai’s mouth lifted. He dropped another bombshell.

“And, Young Miss, this scripture might… be able to resolve the hidden dangers of your Ghost Body.”

Swish!

The sedan curtain was flung open.

Li Youci stepped out, her face devoid of makeup yet stunningly beautiful. Her cheeks were flushed with an intoxicating rosy hue, her usual cool reserve completely forgotten.

“Speak quickly! How can it be resolved?” she asked urgently.

Li Youci herself hadn’t noticed that since leaving the secret realm, she had become much more relaxed in front of Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai looked at the peerless beauty standing so close, smelling the faint, delicate fragrance radiating from her skin. His heart stirred, but he knew now was not the time for jokes.

He straightened his expression. “According to the scripture, whether it is the soul or the physical body, both can be cultivated to achieve ‘Cicada Sloughing’—a complete rebirth.”

“Truly?!” Li Youci’s jade-like hands clenched subconsciously, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

She forcefully suppressed her excitement, her gaze burning into him. “This time, your contribution is immense. Speak. What Reward do you want?”

Hearing this, Zhou Kai smiled.

He looked at her flushed cheeks and those eyes shimmering with anticipation.

His blood ran hot. What I want… is her.

He took a step forward.

The distance between them instantly vanished. In the quiet cabin, they could both clearly hear the other’s heartbeat.

Li Youci was stunned by his sudden advance. Feeling the scorching aura emanating from him, the blush on her cheeks deepened. She subconsciously retreated half a step, her voice carrying a hint of panic.

“You… what are you doing? My… my Big Brother is right on this ship! If he knew you… he wouldn’t care about your aptitude or physique! He would Soul Search you instantly!”

Zhou Kai saw through her act. She looked fierce, but inside, she was weak. Her threat only fueled the amorous thoughts in his mind.

He offered a teasing smile, his voice dropping to a low, magnetic rumble. “Youci, you can clearly beat me in a fight. Why do you insist on using the Young Master to pressure me?”

Before his words faded, he suddenly reached out.

His arm wrapped around her slender waist—a waist that seemed too delicate to hold. With a slight pull, he brought her soft, trembling body into his embrace.

Then, he lowered his head and kissed her.

“Mmph!”

Li Youci’s beautiful eyes widened, her mind going blank.

She had imagined a thousand possibilities, but never did she think Zhou Kai would be this bold. He’s doing it again?!

The warmth on her lips invaded her senses, demanding submission. Her clenched fists went soft against his chest. She didn’t strike him, nor did she push him away.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Li Youci’s face was burning, her eyes glazed and misty, her breathing ragged. She abruptly shoved Zhou Kai away, staggering back a few steps. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth, her voice trembling on the verge of tears.

“You… you’re bullying me again! I… I warn you, if you dare… dare to act recklessly again, I… I’ll…”

She stammered for a moment, unable to find a single harsh word. Finally, throwing caution to the wind like someone smashing a cracked jar, she shouted:

“If you want a woman so bad… I’ll… I’ll give Xia Min to you!”

Having shouted this, she spun around like a startled fawn, desperate to flee back into the safety of her sedan.

Seeing her shy, pitiful appearance, Zhou Kai was greatly amused. This proud young lady really does prefer defiance over obedience!

He laughed heartily, deliberately raising his voice. “Alright! Then I’ll humbly accept! Thank you, Young Miss, for bestowing a warm-bed maid upon me!”

“You…!”

Li Youci froze mid-step. She whirled around.

The eyes that had been misty with moisture a moment ago were now covered in frost. Her brows shot up, her phoenix eyes blazing with fury. She had completely exploded.

“Zhou! Kai! You shameless scoundrel! You lecher! I’ll kill you!”

BOOM!

A jet-black Netherfire suddenly erupted from her body, rushing straight for Zhou Kai’s face!

Zhou Kai had anticipated this. Dragon Roaming the Void activated instantly. He dodged the attack by a hair’s breadth, his figure flickering as he bolted out of the cabin.

He didn’t forget to pour oil on the fire. “What is the Young Miss doing? You just gave me a gift, and now you want to silence the witness?”

“Shameless scum! Stop right there!”

Shame and fury warring in her heart, Li Youci grabbed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner and chased after him.

For a time, the deck of the battleship became a chaotic stage. Zhou Kai leaped and dodged under Li Youci’s pursuit, occasionally transmitting flirtatious remarks via Divine Sense. This only infuriated Li Youci further, making her attacks increasingly frenzied—though she carefully held back, never daring to strike a killing blow.

“Youci! Stop! What kind of behavior is this?!”

A steady, low shout cut through the noise. Li Qiwen flashed between them, blocking his furious sister.

Seeing her own elder brother, Li Youci’s grievance peaked. She pointed a trembling finger at Zhou Kai, who stood nearby with an innocent expression.

“Brother! You came just in time! This Zhou Kai is utterly shameless! I… I kindly asked him what Reward he wanted, and he… he actually… actually…”

“Actually what?” Li Qiwen frowned.

Li Youci’s face flushed crimson. How could she admit he kissed her? Or that he said he wanted her?

Gritting her teeth and hardening her heart, she twisted the narrative. “He actually had the shameless audacity to ask me for a woman!”

Li Qiwen paused, frowning slightly. That’s it?

He looked at Zhou Kai, then at his sister who was shaking with rage. Suddenly, he recalled his aunt’s meaningful look earlier, and the fact that Zhou Kai possessed the Spirit Yang Creation Body.

Ah. He smiled. I understand.

He cleared his throat, separating the two further. He gave Zhou Kai a “men understand men” look before turning to Li Youci with a gentle, placating tone.

“Youci, listen. Zhou Kai possesses the one-in-ten-thousand Spirit Yang Creation Body. His future achievements are limitless. It is only natural for him to have a few women by his side to assist in cultivation.”

He patted her shoulder. “I heard from Aunt that Zhou Kai seems quite taken with your new maid, Xia Min. Since that’s the case, as your elder brother, I’ll make the decision for you. I bestow Xia Min… to Zhou Kai as a Concubine. What do you think?”

Zhou Kai immediately shot Li Qiwen a grateful look, inwardly cheering. Brother-in-law! Truly worthy of being my brother-in-law!

Li Youci: “…”

She choked on her breath, nearly fainting from her brother’s “brilliant” move.

She looked at Li Qiwen’s self-satisfied “I solved your problem” expression. Then she looked at Zhou Kai, who was winking at her with a smug grin.

Her chest tightened. A nameless fire rushed straight to the top of her head!

“You… you two… birds of a feather! Snakes and rats in the same nest!”

Stamping her foot in pure frustration, she threw down the insult and turned her head. Swish! She stormed back into her cabin and dropped the curtain of the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan heavily.

“Scoundrel… rascal… pervert…”

She cursed in a low voice, but as she vented, her volume grew softer and softer. Unnoticed by her, the blush on her cheeks deepened several shades.

Anyway… Zhou Kai doesn’t know who Xia Min actually is…

And so, the brief farce concluded under Li Qiwen’s “wise decision,” ending in a way no one had anticipated.

Zhou Kai, perfectly satisfied, returned to his own cabin.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the smug smile vanished from his face. He stroked his chin, reminiscing about the soft sensation on his lips. Li Youci hadn’t hit him, nor had she truly driven him away—she had fled herself.

He chuckled inwardly. “As long as Xia Min appears, the deal is sealed.”

Setting aside his amorous thoughts for the moment, he sat cross-legged and began taking stock of the loot from his battle with Fu Weilun.