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

Chapter 266: A Sneak Attack, A False Victory

“Husband, we have fought for two years, yet we have never truly gone all out.”

Li Youci’s voice was sharp, cutting through the mountain air.

“We have never used Talismans or Formations. Most crucially, you have never commanded an insect array, and I have never truly used my Divine Sense to drive the Soul and Nether Fires to their full potential.”

In Zhou Kai’s view, these two years of sparring were less about combat practice and more a unique pleasure belonging only to the two of them—a conversation where fists and feet replaced words.

His thoughts raced. It’s true. I have never gone all out to annihilate the Yin souls in her banner, and she has tacitly avoided scorching my soul.

“So, what does my lady mean?”

“Today, you and I will let loose and fight with all our might!” Li Youci’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit, her tone resolute. “Regardless of consequences. Holding nothing back!”

Zhou Kai’s smile faded slightly.

His mind instantly flashed with grim images: his Split-Back Katydids charging into the ghost army of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, only to be torn apart by Yin energy; his Jade Arm Mantises facing the perilous main soul of her artifact.

Whether it was his Spirit Insects or her Yin souls, any permanent loss on either side would pain him.

So be it.

However, he was confident he understood this woman’s methods inside out.

As long as he opened with the Five Emperors True Body, no matter what tricks she had, they would be suppressed by thunderous force. She wouldn’t be able to stir even a ripple.

“Since my lady has such refined interest, your husband naturally must oblige. After this battle, we should both cultivate diligently and not waste our energy on this anymore.”

“That goes without saying.” Li Youci’s tense cheeks finally relaxed into a trace of a smile, her eyes curving into crescents. “After this battle, for the next ten days, who’s on top and who’s below will be clearly decided!”

“Good!”

As soon as Zhou Kai uttered the word “Good,” a ghostly form identical to Li Youci materialized behind her.

The Ghost Body held the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, channeling Nine Nethers energy that caused the surrounding temperature to plummet instantly.

Simultaneously, her True Body stepped onto the magnificent Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan.

The sedan curtain lifted. Endless black Nether Fire and white Soul Fire intertwined and gushed forth, transforming the sky into a fiery domain capable of scorching the heavens and boiling the seas.

Her True Body presided over the fire; her Ghost Body commanded the souls.

“Come then!”

Zhou Kai let out a long laugh. His Vitality and Qi surged like a tsunami as he prepared to expand the Five Emperors True Body and completely suppress this space.

Just as the Five Viscera Deities were about to connect, disaster struck!

Buzz—

Buzz—

Two shrill cicada cries, without any warning, pierced straight into his mind!

Not good!

Cicada Cry Piercing Brain!

Zhou Kai’s vision suddenly went black.

Amidst the blinding pain, he had only one thought: She actually broke our tacit agreement and used a killing move that targets the soul directly!

I was careless! I never thought to guard against her!

But today, Li Youci didn’t just use it—her True Body and Ghost Body activated it simultaneously!

Her Divine Sense was already comparable to the fourth layer of Golden Core. Now, with both bodies combining their strength, the power surged beyond anything he could resist!

“Ugh!”

Zhou Kai felt the heavens and earth spinning. The world before his eyes twisted and blurred into a kaleidoscope of agony.

Excruciating pain erupted from the center of his Consciousness Sea, instantly spreading to his limbs and bones.

The Qi and Vitality he had just gathered became like runaway wild horses, rampaging through his Meridians, threatening to burst out of his body.

The Five Emperors True Body that was about to expand faltered. It formed only a vague outline before its light dimmed, on the verge of collapse.

“Suppress… for me!”

Zhou Kai bit the tip of his tongue, borrowing a fleeting moment of clarity from the sharp pain. With his last dregs of strength, he roared and struck out with a palm.

His five fingers spread open, descending like a divine prison from the heavens to trap Li Youci.

Li Youci merely stood on the sedan roof, smiling as she watched him. She neither dodged nor evaded.

She slowly raised one hand, her palm cradling a mirror that emitted a milky-white light—the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror.

In Zhou Kai’s disordered vision, he saw only the gentle ripple of the mirror’s light…

And in his ears, only Li Youci’s laughter remained, carrying seven parts triumph and three parts cunning.

“Husband… you really don’t have a Dharma Treasure to protect your mind, do you?”

Her words were the last sound he heard before the darkness took him.

Zhou Kai’s body went limp, toppling backward from mid-air.

The unformed Five Emperors True Body disintegrated into specks of light, scattering in the wind.

I won…

Li Youci watched the falling figure. Her clenched fist unconsciously loosened, but her heart was filled with confusion.

She had imagined this victory countless times. She had imagined stepping on him, seeing his stunned, unwilling expression.

But now that the moment had arrived, she didn’t feel the wild joy she had anticipated. Instead… it felt hollow.

What kind of victory is this? It was just a sneak attack… but dealing with one’s own man, does it count as cheating?

Seeing Zhou Kai about to crash onto the jagged mountain rocks, Li Youci’s heart tightened. Without thinking, she transformed into a stream of dark light and chased after him.

She stretched out her arms, catching him steadily before he hit the ground.

The man’s eyes were closed. His eyebrows were tightly knit even in unconsciousness, and his lips were pressed into a pale line. Clearly, the intense pain in his Consciousness Sea hadn’t dissipated yet.

The weight in her arms felt so real. Holding him, Li Youci froze in place, unsure whether to put him down or take him back to the cave dwelling.

For the past two years, it was always him holding her in such a disheveled state, carrying her into the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan.

Today, it seemed… the roles were reversed.

She looked down at the unconscious Zhou Kai, then up at the sedan floating quietly nearby.

Li Youci felt her cheeks burn hot. Even her earlobes felt like they were on fire.

Warmth was the first sensation Zhou Kai regained.

His consciousness struggled to surface like a drowning man kicking for air.

Beneath him was smooth silk. A familiar scent lingered at the tip of his nose. His temples throbbed with a dull, rhythmic ache.

His eyelids fluttered, struggling to open.

The bead curtain before his eyes slowly resolved from a blurry halo of light into sharp focus.

He was inside the dim sleeping chamber of the cave dwelling. Yin energy condensed into a substantial mist, flowing slowly across the floor like dry ice.

A single white-bone lamp burned with a faint flame, the only source of light.

By the bedside, Li Youci sat sideways on the floor, the hem of her black dress spread around her like ink.

She propped her cheek on one hand, a barely suppressed smile playing at the corner of her mouth. Her bright eyes were curved into crescents, the triumph within them overflowing.

Seeing Zhou Kai wake up, her smile deepened. Her voice carried a deliberately coquettish tone.

“Husband, you’re awake? How was the illusion this Young Lady prepared for you?”

Zhou Kai’s gaze shifted upward. He saw the ancient Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror floating above him, emitting a soft halo that was nourishing his damaged Consciousness Sea.

“Your husband, a mere Mortal, was chased by thousands of ferocious ghosts for three days and three nights. I ran hundreds of laps around the village. I was almost scared out of my wits.”

The playful tone in his voice faded. He propped himself up on the bed, his expression darkening.

“However… our sparring should stop at the appropriate point. You actually used a sinister move like Cicada Cry Piercing Brain. Your husband is not convinced!”

“We agreed long ago that this time we would let loose and rely on our own abilities! This Young Lady merely used some trump cards. How dare you say you’re not convinced?”

She stood up, pacing by the bedside. Her dress swayed, stirring a fragrant breeze.

“If your skill is inferior, admit it! What? Can’t handle losing?”

Seeing her aggressive posturing, Zhou Kai’s suspended heart settled.

He laughed inwardly. This woman. The fiercer she acts, the more guilty she feels inside.

For the past two years, hadn’t she been ground into the dust by him every single time?

This time, relying on the unexpected Cicada Cry and the Mirror to win by luck, she naturally wanted to savor the taste of victory to the fullest.

Li Youci flicked her wrist. In a flash of light, the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan materialized out of thin air, landing in the center of the sleeping chamber.

“Get in!”

She pointed a finger, and a gentle surge of Qi wrapped around Zhou Kai, pulling him from the bed and carrying him into the sedan.

Before his body could settle on the cushions, Li Youci pressed forward. Her movements were swift and decisive, without a trace of shyness, as she straddled him directly.

She pressed her hands on his shoulders. Her jet-black hair cascaded down like a silk curtain, sweeping over Zhou Kai’s cheeks and tickling his skin.

“You…” Zhou Kai was momentarily speechless.

“Zhou Kai, listen well.”

“Even if your Qi is mightier than mine, so what? Even if your physique is stronger than mine, so what? This time, I won! Completely and utterly won!”

“So, starting today, for the next ten days… this Young Lady must be on top!”

Zhou Kai looked into her stubborn eyes and instantly understood.

This woman. Her mouth wouldn’t admit it, but her body was honest. In the end, she had been subdued by him long ago.

It was just her pride acting up, making it hard for her to lose face. That was why she had resorted to this opportunistic method—to find a way to step down gracefully.

Seeing her outwardly fierce but inwardly soft appearance, Zhou Kai couldn’t help but chuckle.

He reached out, gently stroking Li Youci’s cheek.

“What does a little damage to your Consciousness Sea matter?” Li Youci was stunned by his sudden gentleness, then stiffened her neck. “The Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror outside will heal you! I guarantee you’ll be lively and energetic again in ten days!”

The amusement in Zhou Kai’s eyes could no longer be hidden. It finally transformed into a low, soft chuckle that vibrated in his chest.

He relaxed completely, leaning back and spreading his hands in a gesture of total surrender.

“Fine. I’ll be on the bottom, then.”

“Hmph! That’s more like it!”