The early morning haze settled over Cloudveil Peak like a lazy serpent, curling around stone pillars and faintly shimmering formation arrays. Jiang Yuefeng stood barefoot on the cold stone of his courtyard, shirtless, his eyes closed as wisps of qi swirled silently around his body.
The system interface hovered faintly before his vision.
> [Duality Furnace System]
Partner: Luo Yiran
Emotional Resonance: 57%
Beauty Rating: 88
Cultivation Boost: +1 Qi Refining Stage
Current Cultivation: Qi Refining – Stage 7
Yuefeng exhaled slowly, absorbing the subtle increase in power. Stage 7. It wasn't fast—he'd worked for it. But more importantly, he had gauged Luo Yiran's emotions carefully, making sure to never fully reveal his own. She smiled around him now, laughed even—but trust? Trust was for fools.
He moved inside, where Yiran sat beside a tray of spiritual fruits. She rose with elegance, the morning sunlight catching in her soft eyes.
"You've advanced again," she said gently, brushing a hand over his arm. "I can feel it."
Yuefeng smiled warmly, taking her hand. "Only because you helped me, Yiran. I'm grateful."
But inside, his thoughts were measured. Gratitude is not love. Love is dangerous.
She leaned into him, the closeness natural now. She had fallen for him quickly—too quickly—and he was already preparing for her next use. Not exploitation. He treated her with kindness, provided her with high-grade spirit food, even defended her in public. But every touch, every word, was another step in his path.
"Yuefeng," she whispered. "There's a secret chamber under the Violet Orchid Library. I overheard some elders discussing it. It may contain old cultivation records…"
His eyes flashed, though his tone remained calm. "Thank you for telling me."
She blushed. "I just want to be helpful."
---
That night, Yuefeng moved like a shadow beneath the moonlit sky. The outer sect disciples snored in their quarters, unaware of the silent figure who weaved through hidden paths like a ghost.
The Violet Orchid Library loomed ahead, its sealed bronze gates pulsing with faint blue light. But Yuefeng didn't approach the front. Instead, he followed the pattern Yiran described, pressing his palm against a faded stone beside the western wall. A deep hum filled the air.
A hidden passage slid open.
He stepped inside, descending stone steps laced with age. The deeper he went, the colder it became, as if the air carried the breath of forgotten elders. At the bottom, a glowing jade tablet hovered in a dome of runes. Beside it: three shelves of scrolls, sealed in black silk and etched with golden characters.
> [System Alert]
You have entered an Unrecorded Zone.
Chance of legacy acquisition: 73%.
Warning: monitored by external spiritual force.
His lips tightened.
Monitored.
That meant he wasn't alone in his interest.
He stepped forward, selecting a scroll labeled "Moon-Reversal Sutra"—a yin-based technique centered around harmonizing feminine essence. The system flickered.
> [Technique Compatible with System Functionality]
Gains: 10% more spiritual yield from dual cultivation with yin-attribute women.
His eyes lit with interest.
This was what he needed.
But as he turned to leave, a whisper echoed behind him.
"Who's there?"
He froze. A soft glow flared to life—and from the stairs emerged a woman clad in night robes, hair like waterfall obsidian, eyes sharp as blades.
Xian Lanyue.
One of the top ten inner sect disciples.
Beauty rating? Easily over 90.
He smiled faintly. "Ah… I thought I was alone."
Her eyes narrowed. "Outer sect? In this place?" She stepped forward slowly. "That's punishable by soul branding."
He lowered his gaze, voice respectful. "I meant no harm. I found the door by accident… and curiosity led me."
She stared at him longer than necessary.
Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
"You're bold for an outer sect ant. Most would beg."
Yuefeng bowed again, masking his analysis. Cold tone. Arrogant. But not without curiosity. A woman like her doesn't kill unless ordered.
"I'll forget this happened," she said slowly, "but you'll owe me a favor."
"…A favor?"
She smiled, stepping into the room, her qi brushing against him like a chill wind.
"I'll collect it when I need something."
Then she was gone.
Yuefeng stood still for several seconds before exiting. As he returned to his courtyard, his mind raced.
Lanyue isn't simple. Neither is this sect.
---
Two days later, the system spoke again.
> Target Detected: Mu Shilan
Beauty Score: 92
Cultivation: Qi Refining Stage 9
Affinity: Cold Ice Body
Emotional Openness: Low
Estimated Effort: High
Yuefeng smirked faintly.
"Perfect," he whispered.
---