Su Mei flashed a meaningful smile and wiggled her eyebrows at Zhuo Hongyi. “Senior Sister, I suspect…”

“That you alone probably can’t withstand the assault of little old man Han Lie, right?”

“?”

Zhuo Hongyi froze. What was that supposed to mean?

A split second later, she had an epiphany. The meaning behind Su Mei’s words was crystal clear: she had also dual cultivated with Han Lie! That was how she knew that one person wasn’t enough to handle his intensity.

“Junior Sister Su, you two…!”

Having pieced it together, Zhuo Hongyi’s eyes widened in disbelief. Just when had her junior sister hooked up with Han Lie? Wasn’t it just recently that she had dragged him off to the White Tiger Squad office?

“As expected of Senior Sister, so clever. Hehe.” Su Mei narrowed her eyes with a giggle.

Zhuo Hongyi immediately turned to Han Lie, hoping for a different answer.

Han Lie nodded, making no effort to hide the truth. “Ahem. Captain Zhuo, it’s true.”

“Sigh, fine. This is a bit unexpected.”

“But it doesn’t seem like I can change anything anyway.”

Zhuo Hongyi shrugged. While she felt a bit of a sting, she didn’t have a massive emotional breakdown. She knew that her relationship with Han Lie wasn’t that of a pair of devoted Dao companions. Strictly speaking, they were in a mutually beneficial dual cultivation relationship.

Because of his Pure Yang Sacred Body, Han Lie was undeniably attractive to her. But she knew the reality of their world. In a demonic sect, looking for true, undying love was a fool’s errand.

The Heavenly Void Sect was proof enough. Countless couples who had once sworn eternal oaths to the heavens eventually tore each other apart over profit, opportunities, or a powerful inheritance. In a demonic sect, the moment you became utterly devoted and gave someone your everything was the moment you invited your own death.

Though she was slightly reluctant to share Han Lie with Su Mei, Zhuo Hongyi felt that their current relationship—somewhere between friends and partners of convenience—was actually quite safe.

Moreover, while she liked Han Lie, she had no idea how he truly felt about her. Until she was certain of his stance, she had to keep her guard up. She couldn’t risk falling into a bottomless abyss for the sake of a fleeting emotion.

Of all the words in the world, “love” was the most wounding. Countless cultivators had fallen into demonic possession and ruined their futures because of it. Zhuo Hongyi had no intention of following in their footsteps.

“As expected of Senior Sister. You really are open-minded,” Su Mei chirped.

“So, Junior Sister, do you plan on joining in today?”

“Is that okay?”

Zhuo Hongyi didn’t answer but shifted her gaze toward Han Lie.

Han Lie waved a hand dismissively. “This senior doesn’t mind. Either way, you two together are still no match for me.”

“Really?” Su Mei said skeptically. “I admit you’re powerful, but there are two of us now. Can you really handle it?”

“Hehe. Just make sure you don’t beg for mercy later.” Han Lie smiled with supreme confidence.

What a joke. You could question his cultivation, his character, or even his morals. But you could never question his Pure Yang Sacred Body!

Seven days later.

Zhuo Hongyi and Su Mei were utterly conquered. Even fighting two-on-one, they had been soundly defeated.

“How about now, Captains?”

Han Lie sat on the edge of the bed, looking relaxed and refreshed.

However, truth be told, after seven days of fierce battle and absorbing a massive amount of Yin energy from both women, the boost to his cultivation was limited. It wasn’t nearly as dramatic as it had been back during his Qi Refining or early Foundation Establishment days.

It seems that if I want to keep using dual cultivation to Breakthrough quickly, I’ll need to find that devil woman Ye Qingxuan or a female cultivator with even higher power… Han Lie mused to himself.

Of course, he hadn’t expected their energy to provide a massive breakthrough this time. The primary goal had been physical and mental pleasure.

“I sometimes really wonder if your kidneys are made of iron!” Su Mei panted, exhausted.

“I give up, I give up…” Zhuo Hongyi was also completely spent.

“Will you question this senior’s stamina again?”

“With your ability, who could possibly win against you?” Su Mei muttered, and Zhuo Hongyi nodded in weary agreement.

“Haha!”

Han Lie let out a triumphant laugh and bid them both farewell. He had been away for nearly half a month; it was time to head back.

After Han Lie left, Zhuo Hongyi and Su Mei looked at each other. The atmosphere turned slightly awkward. When Han Lie was there, it felt natural, but with him gone, a subtle tension filled the room.

By silent agreement, they both began to get dressed.

“Senior Sister, why is that old man Han Lie so… capable?” Su Mei broke the silence.

“It’s likely related to the secret he’s hiding,” Zhuo Hongyi guessed. “But he doesn’t seem to want to talk about it, so let’s not pry. Regardless, dual cultivating with him is a huge benefit to our progress.”

“Mhm!” Su Mei didn’t deny it. Every time she finished a session with Han Lie, she could feel the power in her body becoming more robust and profound.

After leaving Zhuo Hongyi’s home, Han Lie didn’t return directly to his hut at the Violet Heaven Palace. Instead, he made a detour to the Jade Pure Pool.

Just as he reached the entrance, a familiar and elegant figure walked toward him.

It was the Nascent Soul expert who had saved him and Zhuo Hongyi—Qin Lan!

Qin Lan also noticed Han Lie. He was debating whether he should greet her, considering she had saved his life. Before he could decide, Qin Lan spoke first.

“You’re the servant who went out on that mission with Junior Sister Zhuo, right? I remember you’re called Han Lie?”

“Yes. This senior is honored that Senior Qin Lan remembers a nameless nobody like myself,” Han Lie chuckled, asking casually, “Is Senior here to bathe at the Jade Pure Pool as well?”

Qin Lan nodded with a smile. “Mhm. Master told me to come here and wash away the dust gathered from my recent travels.”

She then made a gesture for him to walk with her. Han Lie wasn’t the shy type, nor was he nervous.

When they reached the reception hall, Qin Lan spoke to the female disciple at the counter with effortless grace.

“Little fairy, give me two of the highest-grade private baths. Adjacent to each other, if possible.”