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

Chapter 223: The Main Wife Demands an Account and Establishes Prestige

Steam curled from the fragrant tea, mingling with the lingering scent of passion in the garden.

He Xinrou lay against Zhou Kai’s chest, her hair a chaotic sprawl, the afterglow of intimacy still painting her cheeks.

“Thank you, Senior,” she whispered. “Today, when you bestowed the cultivation techniques and insect eggs in front of the disciples, they finally understood the magnitude of the Fated Chance it is to follow you.”

Zhou Kai stroked her spine absentmindedly. “Those women have served me; they are under my protection now. Do not let them waste time learning only dance. In the cultivation world, strength is the only currency.”

“Senior…” Wang Xu’er’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum. Though she appeared shy, her courage was undeniable. “If… if we sisters had met you first, instead of Lady Qiaoqiao, would we…”

“No ifs.”

Zhou Kai’s voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through her fantasy with the finality of a guillotine. “The past is dead. Do not resurrect it.”

Wang Xu’er trembled, silencing herself instantly.

“You are fortunate,” Zhou Kai continued, his tone evening out. “The war between the Righteous and Demonic paths turned Crouching Tiger City into a meat grinder. Many Golden Core cultivators perished. Your Wang Family… likely no longer exists.”

Wang Daishan’s expression darkened for a second before hardening into resolve. “We severed ties with the Wang Family long ago. In this life, we follow only Senior.”

Zhou Kai chuckled, pinching her cheek. “You three direct-line daughters are amusing. You talk of treason against your clan without even blinking…”

Internally, he scoffed at his own hypocrisy. The Wang Family of Crouching Tiger Mountain was a minor Foundation Establishment clan. Compared to the leviathan that was Calamity Abyss Valley, they were dust. Back then, he had used coercion and threats to secure them.

He sat up, throwing on his outer robe.

“Before I depart, I will help you establish prestige one last time. Get dressed. We are going for a walk in the city.”

Spirit Mountain, inside Li Youci’s Cave Abode.

The atmosphere was heavy enough to crush a mortal.

Li Yunmian, Li Youci, Li Lanyin, and a reluctant Fish Baibai sat in a circle.

“The Chen sisters, Lin Zhiwei, Wang Qiaoqiao, and even Shen Hanyi… they have formed a coalition,” Li Youci stated, her voice cool and sharp. “We cannot afford to be fragmented.”

Li Lanyin pretended to be deaf.

Fish Baibai crunched loudly on a Spirit Fruit. “Miss, I think Junior Brother treats everyone well. Why draw lines?”

Li Youci glared at her. This glutton only cares about eating and refining artifacts. Useless.

She turned to her aunt, Li Yunmian, resentment seeping into her tone.

“Aunt. He went to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range for a life-or-death breakthrough, and he didn’t even notify us! You had to follow him secretly to protect him! Does he even have us in his heart?”

Li Yunmian sipped her tea, unbothered. “Youci, concern clouds your logic. He has his reasons. Perhaps he didn’t want us to worry. Besides, did he not succeed?”

“But—”

“Enough,” Li Yunmian interrupted, setting down her cup. Her expression turned grave. “You should be worrying about the future. Your Ghost Body is nearly refined. The Cicada Shell is in sight. Golden Core is next. My brother, Li Juefeng, prioritizes the Family above all else.”

“He will likely force you to compete for the Holy Maiden position, leaving Li Qiwen to succeed as Patriarch.”

She paused, watching her niece’s face pale.

“If you enter the race for Holy Maiden, you cannot marry until the contest concludes. And if you win? You must wait until you retire from the position of Sect Leader to marry. How long is that? Centuries?”

The cave fell into a dead silence.

After a long while, Li Youci whispered, her voice fragile yet stubborn. “He promised. He would marry me.”

Fish Baibai finished her fruit and wiped her mouth. Sensing the tension, she decided to deflect.

“Miss, I heard from Gao Feiyang that Junior Brother is supporting a small sect in Shangqing City called the ‘Asking Star Sect.’ Rumor has it the Headmaster is a canary he’s keeping…”

“Zhou Kai!”

Li Youci shot to her feet. Her Soul Fire aura flared uncontrollably, chilling the room. “No wonder he demanded so many cultivation techniques from me!”

A sharp, dangerous light flashed in her eyes. “I want to see exactly what kind of vixen she is. This matter must be settled. He needs to be reminded who the Main Wife is!”

Shangqing City. The streets were bustling with activity.

Zhou Kai, clad in black robes, walked at the head of the group. His aura was profound, an abyss of power. He did not suppress his Golden Core pressure. The faint but crushing weight forced every cultivator nearby to lower their heads and avert their gaze.

Behind him walked He Xinrou, Sun Qingli, Wang Daishan, and Wang Xu’er.

They bathed in the reverent, fearful gazes of the crowd.

So this is the prestige of a Golden Core Great Cultivator.

So the Asking Star Sect is backed by such a titan.

He Xinrou’s heart surged. Senior was paving the road for them, broadcasting to the entire city that the Asking Star Sect was untouchable.

Sun Qingli felt the wariness of the crowd and her admiration for Zhou Kai deepened into worship.

Suddenly, the sky darkened.

A luxurious sedan chair, pitch-black and carved with screaming ghost runes, materialized above the street without warning.

A Divine Sense—fiercer and more domineering than Zhou Kai’s, radiating the power of the Golden Core Fourth Layer—crashed down like a tidal wave!

“Heavens! Golden Core Divine Sense!”

“Who is this? To be so unrestrained in Shangqing City?!”

Cultivators on the street collapsed, legs turning to jelly.

The sedan curtain lifted. A graceful figure stepped out, veiled but radiating arrogance. Her gaze was a lightning bolt, locking onto Zhou Kai.

Li Youci’s voice rang out, crisp with suppressed rage, echoing across half the city.

“Zhou… Han Cheng! You dare keep women on the side?! This Miss is here to settle the account!”

The city exploded into an uproar.

He Xinrou and the others turned pale. Who is this woman? Such terrifying pressure! The Main Wife is here to purge the harem?!

Zhou Kai looked up at the familiar, furious figure. He sighed internally.

What game is she playing now? Is she trying to regain the face she lost in the sedan?

He didn’t waste words. His figure blurred, shooting into the sky.

“Good! Myriad Demon Mountain Range. One battle!”

Myriad Demon Mountain Range.

Among the desolate peaks, the two faced off.

“Zhou Kai! Take this!”

Li Youci shouted, striking with both hands. Pitch-black Netherfire and snow-white Soulfire intertwined, pouncing toward him with enough force to incinerate an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.

Facing the overwhelming flames, Zhou Kai smiled faintly.

The terrifying Vitality of the Viscera Refining realm erupted. He threw a simple, straight punch.

BOOM!

Li Youci’s eyes narrowed. Her advanced Divine Sense tracked the fist’s trajectory instantly. She didn’t block head-on; she shifted like a ghost, weaving a shield of black and white fire.

The fist wind slammed into the shield. The barrier cracked instantly. The violent force penetrated, knocking her back ten zhang before she stabilized.

She suppressed her churning blood, put her hands on her hips, and lifted her chin.

“Zhou Kai, don’t get cocky! I haven’t formed my Golden Core yet! I’m using less than thirty percent of my power!”

“I’ll remember today! If my brother hears you bullied me, his spear won’t have eyes!”

“And I will be the Holy Maiden! The future Sect Leader of Calamity Abyss Valley is still undecided! You… you watch out!”

Her words were fierce, but her eyes darted nervously toward him.

Zhou Kai listened to her bluster—outwardly strong, inwardly weak, full of tsundere pride and hidden expectation. He grinned.

Good lord. After I broke her, she actually evolved into this?

He stopped talking. His Qi roared.

A giant hand, blotting out the sun, materialized from thin air. It scooped up the shouting Li Youci like a doll and tossed her unceremoniously into the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan.

The curtain slammed shut, sealing them in.

“Every house has rules,” Zhou Kai’s low laugh echoed inside the sedan. “Today, you will remember who the Master of this house is.”

Smack.

He showed no mercy, slapping her pert bottom.

Li Youci was humiliated and furious.

“You dare… you dare hit me?!”

“Presumptuous! How dare you… tie me with rope…”

“What?! You want me to… in front of them?! This Miss… will join Aunt to suppress you!”

“Spring Tide Jade Playing Pill? What is this… No! I would rather die than submit!”

“…I was wrong! Husband, I admit it! …Be gentle…”