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

“Zhou… Senior Zhou, my Chen family has… has no past grievances or recent grudges with you… why… why would you commit such a vicious act?!”

Chen Xingze lay broken against the wall, his breath rattling in his throat.

“If you like sisters, I can give you as many as you want! Even twins… ah!”

Before he could finish, an invisible blade of wind shot out from the array, piercing his chest with a sickening squelch.

Chen Xingze’s eyes widened. His vitality dissipated rapidly, his mouth frozen in a silent plea.

Zhou Kai stepped over him, wiping blood from his knuckles. He didn’t want to hear the nonsense.

“I’ve been a bandit, worked as a Bandit Cultivator, and done my fair share of killing and arson. You ask me why I’m killing you?”

He paused, his cold smile cutting through the misty air of the courtyard.

“You actually had people block my door. That really pissed me off!”

Was that really the reason?

This was the last thought that flashed through Chen Xingze’s mind before he plunged into eternal darkness.

Zhou Kai let out a long, turbid breath.

He sat cross-legged in the center of the bloody courtyard, swallowing a handful of healing pills. As the medicinal efficacy spread, he began to regulate his chaotic breathing.

“If I hadn’t set up the [Hidden Kill Heaven-Confusing Array] in advance and used the array’s power to suppress the [Hundred Beast Banner], I might have really capsized in a ditch today.”

Zhou Kai reviewed the battle in his mind, dissecting every move.

“My cultivation of the [Mirror Lake Clear Heart Method] is still insufficient. Both my Divine Sense Intensity and control need improvement. Earlier, while fighting the enemy and simultaneously controlling the grand array, I could only unleash about fifty percent of the array’s power. Otherwise, Chen Rulong wouldn’t have lasted so long.”

He frowned.

“Also, what profound aura-concealing technique does the Chen family have? I failed to detect Chen Rulong’s Foundation Establishment cultivation at all. That was a fatal oversight!”

“I need to intensify my cultivation of the [Cicada Raiment Art]. It’s still only at the foundational stage; the concealment breaks the moment I strike. If I could master it to a profound level, I’d be a ghost on the battlefield.”

After regulating his breathing for an hour, his Vitality began to flow smoothly again. Zhou Kai opened his eyes and turned his gaze to the spoils of war: two Storage Bags and the black banner lying in the dust.

“Hmm? A beast-controlling technique?”

He rummaged through Chen Rulong’s Storage Bag and found a manual titled [True Explanation of Spirit Controlling], along with several bottles of [Beast Feeding Pills] and miscellaneous items.

Chen Xingze’s Storage Bag was richer. Several thousand Spirit Stones, various Qi Condensation stage pills, and high-grade talismans.

The most eye-catching item was a [Spirit Beast Bag]. Opening it revealed a nest of densely packed Spirit Insects of various colors. Most had already laid eggs—crystal clear orbs emitting faint spiritual fluctuations.

“Forget the adult insects; their auras are mixed and hard to control. I’ll keep the eggs.”

Zhou Kai ruthlessly disposed of the adult insects, keeping only the potential brood.

“This Chen Xingze practiced both body and magic cultivation, and even raised Spirit Insects. Ambitious, but he bit off more than he could chew. No wonder it took him ten years to reach the ninth layer of Qi Condensation. Did he think he had a cheat code?”

Zhou Kai sneered, sorting the items into his own storage. Finally, he picked up the [Hundred Beast Banner].

“So that’s it. It’s not a true evil artifact like a Ten Thousand Soul Banner. The beast Phantoms inside are condensed from Mana, not living souls. Its main function is to enhance the strength of contracted demonic beasts.”

He swung it experimentally.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have a spirit pet. And as a body cultivator, I can’t use its full potential. At most… I can use it as a sturdy stick to beat people.”

“However, if I hatch those insect eggs, it might be useful later.”

[Ding! Wang Qiaoqiao Affection +20]

Zhou Kai paused, an eyebrow raised.

What now? She’s not even here. How did her Affection increase?

Did my heroic aura reach her from afar?

He shook his head, deciding not to waste brainpower on the enigma of women.

He stood up and formed a hand seal. A ball of flames erupted from his palm, engulfing the corpses of the Chen father and son and the three demon wolves. Within moments, they were reduced to ash.

He waited until all Mana fluctuations and the scent of blood had dissipated. Then, he activated the [Cicada Raiment Art].

His muscles shifted, his face changed. He transformed into a generic cultivator in dark blue martial attire. He collected his array flags, erased his tracks, and calmly walked out of Dan Yangzi’s courtyard.

Just outside the gate, he bumped right into the Qi Condensation third-layer cultivator from the Chen family—the one who had blocked his door earlier.

What a coincidence.

Seeing a stranger emerge, the guard was stunned, then quickly put on an ingratiating smile. “Fellow Daoist, may I ask if our Patriarch and Young Master are inside? They’ve been in there for quite some time.”

Zhou Kai smiled warmly. “Oh, they’re inside indeed, discussing important matters. Fellow Daoist, if you’re concerned, why not come in for a chat?”

…

A moment later, Zhou Kai walked out of the courtyard again. Behind him lay another fresh pile of warm ashes.

He brushed off his sleeves and quietly left the Crouching Tiger Mountain Market.

Outside the Market District, Deep in the Forest.

Chen Ziyi, Chen Ziqing, Wang Qiaoqiao, and Lin Zhiwei waited in anxious silence.

“Why hasn’t he come out yet?” Chen Ziqing muttered, pacing back and forth. “Killing a Qi Condensation cultivator should be effortless for Brother Zhou. Could something have happened?”

Wang Qiaoqiao glanced at her, feeling a similar unease. Then, she noticed something about Chen Ziyi.

“Ziyi… your aura… do you have cultivation now?”

Chen Ziyi smiled gently. “Yes. My husband found a method to allow mortals to cultivate. He expended great effort to assist me. I am now at the fourth layer of Meridian Opening.”

“What?!” Wang Qiaoqiao gasped. “Transforming a weak woman into a Meridian Opening cultivator in half a year?”

Her mind reeled. What kind of heaven-defying method is this?!

Her evaluation of Zhou Kai skyrocketed instantly.

No wonder the system prompted an increase earlier, Zhou Kai thought as he approached the clearing. She connected the dots herself!

“I boarded the right ship!” Wang Qiaoqiao whispered to herself, eyes shining.

“Husband!”

Chen Ziyi was the first to spot him. She rushed forward to support his arm. “Are you injured?”

“Brother Zhou!” Chen Ziqing hurried over, her eyes red. “Are you alright? Who hurt you? Ziqing… Ziqing will get revenge for you!” She waved her small fist, making Zhou Kai chuckle.

Zhou Kai waved his hand.

“Just minor injuries. I didn’t expect that old scoundrel Chen Rulong to have secretly broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. He also had a decent magical treasure. It took some effort to put him down.”

“Foundation Establishment?!” Wang Qiaoqiao and Lin Zhiwei exclaimed in unison.

Zhou Kai handed two Storage Bags to Chen Ziyi.

“These belonged to them. Ziyi, distribute the contents as you see fit. Take what you need.”

Chen Ziyi took the bags, nodding solemnly. “Husband, rest assured. I’ll handle it properly.”

Wang Qiaoqiao watched this interaction closely. Ziyi is the Head Wife, deeply trusted by Zhou Kai… I must respect her position.

“Alright, this place isn’t safe. We depart immediately for Calamity Abyss Valley,” Zhou Kai commanded.

A small [Spirit Boat] appeared from his sleeve, enlarging rapidly. They boarded, and it transformed into a streak of azure light, soaring into the sky.

There was still a month and a half left until the deadline. They had plenty of time.

Inside the Spirit Boat Cabin.

Zhou Kai sat cross-legged, circulating his technique to heal his injuries.

The door creaked open, and Chen Ziqing entered, holding a basin of warm water and a cloth towel.

“Brother Zhou, let me take care of you.”

She knelt beside him, her movements gentle as she wiped away the residual bloodstains on his body. She took out a jar of medicinal ointment and meticulously applied it to the wounds on his waist and legs.

Her expression was focused, tinged with genuine heartache.

“Hiss…” Zhou Kai deliberately drew a sharp breath.

“Brother Zhou, did I hurt you? I’ll be lighter…”

Zhou Kai reached out and pinched her cheek.

“It’s fine. With our Ziqing caring for me, what do little injuries matter? Just… this medicine smells strong. Not fragrant like my Sister Ziqing.”

“Brother Zhou is teasing again!” Ziqing chided, her face flushing pink. “Wounds are important. No fooling around.”

She fell silent for a moment, her hands stilling on his skin.

“Brother Zhou… thank you.”

“Hmm?”

Chen Ziqing raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you… for avenging my father. Now I can consider… settling one piece of my mind.”

Hearing this, Zhou Kai smiled softly and rubbed her head.

“Silly girl. Between us, there is no need for thanks.”

Chen Ziqing sniffled and nestled against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

Outside the window, the sea of clouds churned, rolling westward toward the unknown.