Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Back in the seclusion of his small wooden hut, Han Lie sat cross-legged and sank deep into a meditative trance.

Drawing upon the intelligence he had gathered ten years ago regarding Old Ghost Black Sha, Han Lie began to construct a simulation within his mind. Slowly, a shadowy figure coalesced in the mental void—an effigy possessing the terrifying power of the Late Nascent Soul stage.

“Late Nascent Soul… let’s see if the legends are true.”

Even facing a mere mental construct, Han Lie felt a crushing pressure radiating from the shadow. It was suffocating.

“Good. Let me see exactly what makes a Late Nascent Soul powerhouse so arrogant!”

Han Lie’s eyes snapped open in the simulation. He clenched his hand, and the Crimson Oath—now evolved into a Middle-Grade Heaven Rank Dharma Treasure—flashed into existence with a blood-red glint.

Boom!

The shadow moved first.

It was instantaneous. In a single exchange, Han Lie was blasted backward, flying over a hundred miles through the mental landscape before crashing down. Even though the Crimson Oath had absorbed a portion of the impact, Han Lie’s arms were completely numb, trembling uncontrollably.

Whoosh!

A piercing shriek of torn air followed. Han Lie didn’t have time to think. Instinct took over.

Soul Devouring Saber Art, Second Form: Soul Severing!

He slashed forward with everything he had.

But in the next second, Han Lie froze, his pitch-black eyes widening in sheer disbelief.

The shadow had stopped his blade.

With two fingers.

Han Lie had absolute confidence in the Soul Severing strike. Even a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert wouldn’t dare to take it head-on without defense. Yet, this Late Nascent Soul shadow had caught the blade as easily as plucking a flower.

The next instant, the shadow flicked the Crimson Oath aside and delivered a simple, unadorned palm strike to Han Lie’s chest.

Pfft!

A terrifying force punched through his defenses. It wasn’t immediately fatal, but it shattered his combat effectiveness in an instant.

Han Lie gritted his teeth and chose to restart the simulation.

Over the next month, Han Lie reset the battle no less than a hundred times.

Perhaps the simulation couldn’t perfectly replicate the true horror of a Late Nascent Soul expert, or perhaps Han Lie’s adaptation speed was simply that monstrous. But what started as a one-sided massacre slowly transformed.

From being instantly crushed, he began to last ten moves. Then fifty. Then a hundred.

In less than a month, he was fighting three hundred rounds without losing ground.

By the end, he unleashed the Dharma Manifestation Heaven and Earth from the Yin Yang Scripture. A colossal avatar rose behind him, suppressing the shadow with overwhelming force.

In the final simulation, Han Lie mobilized every ounce of spiritual power in his body.

“Die!”

With a roar that shook the mental void, he finally beheaded the Late Nascent Soul shadow.

Huff… Huff…

Han Lie snapped out of his trance, gasping for air. His physical body was drenched in sweat, his muscles screaming with phantom exhaustion. It felt as though he had truly fought a life-and-death battle against a supreme expert.

Then came the reward.

The insights from a month of high-intensity mental combat flooded back into his body. Han Lie could feel his cultivation surging, the barriers of his realm loosening.

Although he was still some distance from the Mid-Nascent Soul stage, he was undeniably stronger than he had been a month ago.

He didn’t waste a second. He immediately cycled the Yin Yang Demonic Art, stabilizing his volatile aura and cementing his gains.

Three days later.

Han Lie opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

“Time is tight. This will have to do for now.”

He clenched his fist, feeling the robust power coursing through his veins.

With the team battles of the Heavenly Void Sect’s Comprehensive Tournament still ongoing, Han Lie decided to take a break. He knew the importance of pacing. Walking into a decisive battle with nerves pulled taut like a bowstring often led to disaster. It was better to enter the arena with a calm mind and a relaxed body.

He tidied up and headed toward the Jade Clear Pool. A good soak was exactly what he needed to wash away the stench of sweat and toil.

“Senior Qin Lan?”

Just as he reached the entrance of the bathhouse, a familiar, graceful figure walked toward him.

It was Qin Lan, whom he hadn’t seen in ages.

“You are… Han Lie?”

Qin Lan stared at him, squinting for several seconds before recognition dawned.

Han Lie’s appearance had changed drastically after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. He had reverted from a weathered old man to a youth in his prime. Although his facial features remained similar, the difference in vitality and age made him look like a completely different person.

Han Lie smiled and nodded. “Senior Qin Lan, aren’t you participating in the tournament?”

“My seniority places me in the older generation of disciples, so I’m not qualified for the team or individual competitions,” Qin Lan laughed lightly, her eyes lingering on him. “But I plan to take the Deacon Assessment later. What about you? Are you sitting out the individual matches?”

“I’m participating,” Han Lie grinned. “But the team battles aren’t over yet, so I came to take a bath and relax. Care to join me, Senior Qin Lan?”

“I’d love to.”

Taking a mandarin duck bath with Han Lie? That was exactly what Qin Lan had been wishing for. She agreed without hesitation.

Han Lie didn’t hold back. He slapped eight hundred Spirit Stones onto the counter, renting the largest, most luxurious private hot spring suite available.

As soon as the heavy wooden doors closed behind them, Qin Lan couldn’t wait. She moved to help Han Lie undress, her hands roaming over his chest.

“You… your body…” Qin Lan’s eyes shone with hunger as she took in his youthful, sculpted physique. “You’ve become so fit. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Compared to his previous “half-old” body, this vitality was intoxicating to her.

“It’s not too late now, is it?”

Han Lie gave a wicked smile. He swept Qin Lan up into a princess carry and slowly stepped into the steaming water.

Han Lie was in no rush, but Qin Lan was practically climbing onto him, her voice dripping with seduction. “When was the last time we dual cultivated? Never mind… you have to satisfy me today!”

“Don’t be impatient, Senior Qin Lan. We have plenty of time. We can take it slow.”

Based on previous tournaments, Han Lie estimated the team battles would drag on for another ten days. That was more than enough time for him and Qin Lan to lose themselves in their own little world.

However, Qin Lan, having been deprived of Han Lie’s favors for so long, was insatiable. She dragged him into a fierce “battle” immediately.

After the first round ended, Qin Lan remained clinging to Han Lie’s waist, her body soft and pliable as she continuously absorbed the pure Yang energy radiating from him.

Han Lie gently lifted her chin, looking into her flushed face.

“Senior Qin Lan, can I ask you something?”

“Mmm~ ask away,” she purred, her face glowing with satisfaction.

“I heard from Zhuo Hongyi that your master, Hall Master Su Mei, is competing against Old Ghost Black Sha for the vacant Elder seat. Is that true?”

“It seems so,” Qin Lan replied lazily. “But don’t worry. Master will win!”

She spoke with absolute confidence, her faith in Su Mei unshakable.

Han Lie’s eyes narrowed slightly. What Qin Lan believed was the complete opposite of what Grand Elder Chi Lian had told him.